A most simple question for everyone but her.

For the things she wanted most in her life was her brother back. For her father to return to life. For her family to be returned to her again.

It was desperation, a desperation so deep and true that it had brought her here to this place- the Ascendancy Agency. If it wasn't out of her sheer desire and will to reunite her family, she would never have been in this wretched place in the beginning.

The Ascendancy Agency was a topic that warranted uproarious nightlife of rumours and notoriety. It was a topic that was as avoided as gossiping about her neighbours' illicit affairs in the small town of Mansory.

In the rare time where people actually discussed it, it was either to praise or to criticise the infamous Agency.

Perhaps it was because it was because there was so little known about it and the credibility the claims about it was lacking that it was so feared.

Alara was unsure when or how the superstition of the Grim Reaper finding you if you talked about the Agency openly came about, but she knew that people talked about it quietly for as long as she could remember.

However, some would actually talk about it in hushed tones while others would murmur tentatively about it with their heads bowed. The more courageous and less meek ones would daringly discuss it- in the tavern too, no less! Typically, the more common and infamous example of the rumours regarding the Ascendancy Agency were mainly about a potential employee having to kill a full-grown man to be accepted or that one had to prove one's self-worth in the interview to even be considered for a spot in this seemingly shady organisation.

Of course, they were merely rumours and could be groundless too.

The only reason why this was one of the more common topics in Excidium when one mentions jobs was because of one thing. Life in Excidium, especially for the poor, was a living hell.

To the townsfolk who lived in constant destitution, any able person will willingly accept any form of work as long as they could make ends meet for their family. As long as they were in the pink of health, people from all walks of life would stop at nothing in order to feed their families and get themselves basic necessities.

Usually, the youths would maintain their strange thinking that they deserved to be treated like Kings and Queens and were meant to be served rather than serve. This was especially true for teenagers in the upper and higher classes of Excidium, but one will never witness such unfilial attitude coming from the low-class. Why? The reason was simple as ABC.

Truth to be told, it was an extremely depressing and solemn reason too, as since the youths of the poor grew up seeing their parents live a life of toil and strife, they ended up becoming accustomed to it and would often readily help out with their aging parents' work.

Since winter dominated the seasons in Exicidium, summer was a very precious time as crops flourished well during the summer. Money would start drizzling in thanks to them, and the scorching weather was beloved especially by the poor of Exicidium as the temporary heat relieved them of using costly fabrics like wool and cotton just to protect themselves from the chilly weather.

It was a common sight for people from all walks of life- from the elderly to even a ten-year-old child- trying their luck, seeking for profitable jobs whenever summer arrived. Whether it meant working as a humble servant for the moneyed classes or even doing backbreaking jobs, it was nothing that the poor couldn't do.

As long as there was summer, no task was too much of a feat for them as the people would obviously rather do laborious work in the sweltering heat than the constant frigid cold.

Alara had once even known of a villager who had murdered a middle-class family of five to earn five bloods, which was a relatively huge sum- enough to put his family through four years of comfort, and it could even be a lengthy six years if the money was used sparingly.

Nobody from the low-class had condemned the man.

Rather, he was envied by many- why didn't that kind of money come into more deserving hands? Why weren't other well-built men offered the wonderful opportunity? The poor would not hesitate to get blood on or even dirty their hands as they never had enough money to feed their family.

Simply put, the horrendous living conditions that the poor in Excidium was so used to being trapped in had hardened them so much so that they would not hesitate to kill as long as it meant a full belly for their loved ones.

However, Alara had to admit that, at the age of nine, when she had initially heard of the heinous crime, she too had shuddered as she could not fathom how someone could butcher a family just for money.

How ironic that now, at the age of eighteen, she even found herself being able to relate to the murderer. Hell, she even found herself in a similar position now.

Someone I once feared has transformed to someone who I now admire.

Now, as she sat stiffly on the hard, wooden chair while staring at the question, she couldn't help but find herself wondering, Was this how the man had felt when he saw his contract? Apprehension because he had no clue of why such a brutal act was required; relief as it meant his family would no longer suffer from hunger pangs or poverty?

Though Alara was aware that all she needed to do was to answer the question, she couldn't help but feel uneasy with it. On the surface, it seemed to be an easy task, and yet Alara had no inkling as to how this would alter her future. Would her actions today bring blessings to her family, or would it end up as a curse? Will she come to regret them?

Sighing heavily, her brown eyes gazed at the words. It was printed in such a fine, dark font that it exuded a cold air of formality, which made her feel somewhat daunted as to her, it was intimidating in more ways than one. Who knows what I would have to do if I get accepted? Would I have to assassinate or heartlessly kill people too?

Alara's lip trembled as the frightening thought crossed her mind. And if I perceive the question's intention incorrectly, what are the consequences that I would face? Do I really want to work for the Agency?

She clenched her fists tightly and beads of perspiration slowly trickled down her chin. For the life of her, she was already terrified- and for good reason, too. The very moment she had entered the Ascendancy Agency (A.A), a security guard had searched her for weapons- even though she was here for a mere bloody interview! - and the receptionist had even recorded her coming here in a leather book.

Her fingers tapping the pen fretfully, Alara gradually made up her mind. I'm ready to leave. Resolution burned brightly in the brown eyes of hers, but as she began to stand, her body disobeyed the rational brain of hers and instead listened obediently to her foolish heart.

The heart that contained countless memories of her Mama's tears and wails of agony; Ren's heart-wrenching screams for them. The heart that remembered the dreadful soreness she herself often experienced when starvation visited again. If I had felt sharp stinging pains of hunger even after consuming what little crumbs Mama can give, what must she have felt?

And didn't I swear that I'll do anything so that my family will never suffer again? Didn't I make a deathbed promise to Papa that I will always care for Mama and Ren?

Bearing her solemn oaths in mind, Alara gave up on her silly hopes and aspirations and tried to temper down the growing pit of trepidation in her stomach.

I have to answer this. Life is never about what I want- life is always about what I must do to survive and make my family as content as possible. If I get accepted, it is my fate- worse comes to worst, perhaps all I have to do is merely some side-jobs and gain money to save my family.

I have to risk it. Mama and Renald... they're worth it. And if I get in trouble... well, it's not like I can't fight my way out- I've done it before after all. How many times have I narrowly escaped the grasp of Death by mere inches?

And then, before she could let the smarter part of her convince her to back out of this dodgy plan, Alara grabbed the pen and began writing.

As soon as she finished writing, the already weighty metallic pen felt heavier in her small hands yet she felt as if she had lifted a hefty weight off her shoulders. Alara set it down and placed her answer in the envelope, smoothing the edges in an attempt to calm her nerves.

Her doubts were surfacing again, and she had no time for that. Making her way to the officer, who had been very impatient and whose foot tapped so often throughout her hour of pondering what to write, Alara couldn't help but decide to allow herself to snark at him.

"It seems to be tapping by itself every so often, sir. Please get it checked."

The officer glowered at her testily, but before he could berate or do anything to her, she left the ornate room while pretending to be at ease.

Cool air caressed her cheeks and rushed into her lungs when she stepped out of the building, and she realised that the only thing she missed from that intimidating place was how warm the room was. Alara turned around, gazing at the towering building, the representation of greener pastures for her family.

Fleetingly, she suddenly felt that she ought to hope for something. The problem was that Alara simply didn't know what to hope for. Should I hope that I will get accepted?

Uncertain, she went with her earnest wishes. Please let my answer be what they want. Our family's reunion with Ren needs it. Please, I beg you. Please.

After all, as the saying goes, honesty is the best policy, right?

Ever since the Dry Season in 2102 as well as the Blood Revolution and her father's demise in 2099, her family became a hollow and empty vessel and never recovered from the brilliance that it once was. Before, the Berrera spirit was strong but it was ultimately crushed after the tumultuous wars and revolutions they were forced to endure.

And now they had tolerated more than enough already.

Now, she was ready.

It was time to fight back.