Hard hit on my face woke me up, my eyes dazzled by the flames from somewhere nearby, I've looked around. I saw many guards around me and an old guy in front. We were outside, it felt like everyone was waiting for something. On my right I noticed my friends, locked up in a cage. I attempted to stand up, but I was tied up and couldn't move. Then someone brought a metal box and placed it in front of me. An old man glanced at me, a big smile appearing on his face.

- Friends! – He started his speech. - We have gathered here today to avenge our dead allies. They were heroes and will not be forgotten! – A man turned around on his heels. - We will keep going till our destiny will be fulfilled! Together we can do everything! - The crowd burst into applause. - But we can't do the same mistakes, like before! We can't let others to destroy our dreams! We need to eliminate the problems, that stand in our way! - He pointed at me. - This is one of the problems! – The crowd started making angry noises. - He killed out people, with cold heart! We need to "remove" this obstacle from our way! - Everyone started to cheer again. - But! It won't be easy... You see, this man isn't just a normal human. - My eyes got wider. - He is the destroyer of the worlds! A Ghost! - Everyone got quiet, their eyes skittish. - So, you see, my friends, killing him with a gun won't do the trick... We need to use one of our special weapons... Are you alright with it?! - The crowd screamed, confirming, that they agree. - Very well!

An old man gave a hand sign to one of his men, while I was confused, struggling to grasp, what's going on. A moment later this guard came with an axe made of some kind of crystal. An old man took an axe and lifted it up to the dark sky, then switched his attention to me.

- This isn't just a fancy axe... You see, my little Ghost... - He stepped closer. - It's made from the stone of Angels. It has a special power.

- What are you going to do with it? - I asked in an unsettling voice.

- With this... - He leaned closer, an axe was now just a couple of inches away from my face. - I will cut your head off. It will kill you for sure

I panicked, seeing my reflection on the blade of an axe. One of the guards grabbed me by my hair and pulled me to the box, smashing my head on it. I hissed from the pain, my vision going hazy. I saw my friends panicking and screaming in the cage. I tried to free myself, but I was tied up too hard.

- Now, my friends! We will get our vengeance! - He roared piercingly.

I didn't know what to do, I wasn't ready to die, not now, when everyone needed me. I heard him swing an axe and closed my eyes. Suddenly, I heard a loud shot and a scream. I slowly opened my eyes again and saw Thea with others, coming out of their hiding spot and an axe on the ground. Everyone started fighting, it was a good opportunity to try to break free. I kicked the guard who was holding me, he lost his balance and fell on the ground. He tried to grab his gun, but I threw myself at him, while still tied up and tried to stop him from reaching for his weapon. I couldn't free my hands, so I had to use my head. I stunned him and rolled over to grab a knife to free myself, but then I miraculously escaped the swing from an axe, dropping the knife from my hands.

I saw an old man; he was bleeding from his head and arm.

- I won't let you go! - He screamed at me.

He made a fast swing with an axe, but I dodged, falling on the ground. Another swing followed, then another, but I somehow dodged them all, rolling in the mud. I turned my head towards the fighting crowd, trying to see where Thea is, but she was too busy fighting off the enemies. A roar tore my eyes away from the crowd to the blade what was getting closer to me. It was too late to roll away, so I raised my tied hands in front of me, trying to stop the blade, it cut the rope from my hands, and I quickly grabbed an axe. The man looked at me with evil glint in his eyes, then he put an axe away from me, taking some steps back. Suddenly I felt weird and painful burn on my body, I rushed to inspect it and I saw a big cut on my chest.

It wasn't even deep, but the pain was excruciating. I was barely able to stand on my feet, then I heard him laughing.

- Maybe you are a Ghost.. but you are a weak one!

I’ve had enough of his bullshit. I clenched my teeth, gathered my strength and attacked him with my fists. I punched him on the face, he took more steps back, wiping his now bleeding nose.

- Am I still weak?! - I screamed, grunting and clenching my fists.

His shoulders shook with silent laughter.

- Weak and stupid!

After these words, he quickly swung his axe, hitting and pushing me away with the force. I had now two cuts on my chest, and I started bleeding badly. He was right by calling me "stupid", I wasn't thinking and now I was getting even weaker. I couldn't take a breath from the pain in my chest, I felt like I will faint soon. Unexpectedly, explosion took away his and everyone else’s attention.

- No! The weapon! - He screamed, completely ignoring me and running straight to source of explosion.

It took me some time to put myself together again and then I saw Thea running to me.

- Joker?! Are you alright?! You are bleeding! - She panicked, trying to stop the blood.

- I will be fine. - I took her hand away from my wound and looked at her. - You should help the others.

- They are fine, Aven was able to break the cage and took others to safe place. - She helped me to stand up. - We should go now!

I looked at the fire from the explosion. Whatever the weapon was, I couldn't let him to save it.

- Thea, you go with others, I need to stop that crazy man.

- What?! You are the one crazy here! - She grabbed my hand, holding tight.

- If I won't stop him, later we might be in worse trouble than this.

She looked at me with her sad eyes and let go my hand. She agreed while giving me my weapons to my hands.

- I found your stuff, hidden behind a tree. - Then she took one step back. - Please, Joker be careful.

- I will. - I smiled.

After that, she ran to our people to help them and I turned around to face my enemy.

I ran to the fire, panting and barely holding my breath, when I saw some guards trying to put out the fire. They noticed me and immediately opened fire. I hid behind a wall, getting my bow and arrows ready. I was waiting for them to reload their weapons and when they finally did, I fired my arrows at them. When I cleared my way, I heard loud noises coming from the main place of explosion. I ran fast to see what is happening over there, still trying to be careful. The noises started getting clearer; I heard someone fighting, impacts of the blades and screaming. I've peeked behind the wall and noticed a crazy man fighting with someone, I took a closer look and saw him - it was Ven. I was surprised to see him here. I've got a bit closer to have a better place to shoot from my bow, then I've noticed Ven's arm was bleeding. I knew I had to help him, but I still had to be careful. I was sneaking to upper level, while observing the fight. Despite his injured arm, Ven was fast and all of his hits were clean and strong, he looked a bit like a demon, dancing with his blade. The man was getting weaker and slower from Ven's hits, it was impressive to watch him fight.

Unexpectedly, when Ven tried to attack him, he took a quick step back and grabbed Ven's neck and smashed him on the ground. Ven dropped his katana and tried to free himself from man's grip, but the crazy man was holding him too strong and started choking him.

- You are fast, I have to give it to ya! - The crazy man said. - But I'm stronger than you!

I prepared my bow and focused to give a clean shot.

- What are you going to do now, huh?! - He yelled. - No one will help you, little man!

- Hah... - Ven gasped barely. - You are wrong... I'm not alone.

The man's eyes got wider as my arrow penetrated his chest. He spat blood from his mouth, letting go of Ven's neck and then his whole body fell to the ground.

Ven took a deep breath and sat down on the ground to take a break. I quickly ran to him to check, if he is alright. He took off his mask and smiled at me.

- Nice shot, but maybe next time be a bit faster, okay? - He said with a soft chuckle.

- So you knew, that I'm here? - I asked.

- Of course! Did you enjoy the show? - He raised and eyebrow, smiling.

- I have to say, that I did. - I smiled back at him. - You are way better than me, when it comes to fighting.

- Hah! If you will be nice, maybe, I can teach you some tricks. - He winked at me.

Maybe I didn't knew Ven for too long, but I felt like I could trust him and, I guess, he was trusting me.

I helped him to stand up and we made our way out of this hellish place. Outside we watched the flames, as the night was getting brighter.

- Did you do this? - I asked, pointing with my chin at the place of explosion.

- Well, I thought, that you would need some... diversion. - He looked at his arm. - I didn't to that too well, though.

- I know medic, who can help you with your arm. - I said, worried. Ven shook his head.

- Thanks, but I will take care of this myself. - He said as he opened a portal with his blade. - You should go back to your friends. They are waiting for you.

I did not want to oppose him, so I agreed and we said our goodbyes. As I was ready to leave, he stopped me by grabbing my arm.

- Joker, be careful. Now they know, who you really are and not everyone will accept it.

- I know, but I trust them. - I said calmly.

- Trust isn't everything. Trust can be deceiving. - He got closer to me. - Trust no one.

- Not even you?

He looked at me for a moment and then left, without saying anything. His portal disappeared and I went back to my people. They really were waiting for me in the forest and when Thea saw me, she hugged me with all her might, as well as Zadie, Sio, Thomas and Ario. Others were looking at me with confusion, Avon and Noiry looked away, trying to ignore this. After reuniting we have returned to our base, tired and out of countenance.

The next two days were quiet, it felt weird, like everyone tried to stay away from me, like they were scared of me. I tried to talk with Thea, but she was always busy, just like the others. Another day went by, I woke up feeling anxious and mad about who I was - I didn't choose this... - I said to myself. Suddenly, I saw Noiry entering my room, his face didn't look happy.

- Emma wants to see you. - He said with really low voice. - Followe me.

So I did, I followed him to Emma's office. I wasn't sure, what is going on and I was stressed out to even ask, but I had to.

- What's going on? - I tried to ask with a friendly voice.

- You will see. - He replied shortly.

I couldn't stand his indifferent tone anymore, so I grabbed his arm and made him stop.

- Why are you like this? Why is everyone like this? - I asked desperately, my grip on his arm sligtly tightening.

- What do you mean?

- Everyone is ignoring me! No one is talking to me, but just giving me weird looks!

His face changed from neutral to sad, he looked around to see, if anyone is around, like he wanted to hide something.

- Why didn't you told me, that you are a Ghost? - He asked quietly.

- Because I heard, what people are thinking about Ghosts. I didn't wanted for people see me as a monster, I'm not an enemy!

- I know, Joker. - Noiry sighed, lowering his head. - I like you, you are my friend, even if we don't know each other for too long... I guess I understand now, why you didn't told me. - He paused for a moment. - But you need to understand, that not everyone is happy with having a Ghost here.

- What do you mean?

- I'm sorry... - He bit his lip, still not looking at me. - I think, Emma wants you out.

- What?!

He took my arm gently to implement, that we should keep going.

Me and Noiry arrived at the office, where Emma, Avon and Sio were waiting for us. They looked at me with contempt, only Sio gave me a little, awkward smile. Emma gestured me to sit down in front of her, while others remained standing behind me. My anxiety kicked in, I felt like their gazes were penetrating me.

- I want to thank you, Joker, for your help. I don't know, what we could have done without you. - She started. - However, you didn't tell us everything about yourself. - She stopped, crossing arms on her chest. - You didn't tell us, that you are a Ghost.

- Does this matter? - I asked hesitantly.

- It does. - She said emphatically. - Ghosts are dangerous and they are our enemies.

- But I'm not an enemy! I just tired to help!

- I'm sorry, Joker, but I need to make sure, that everyone here is safe and comfortable... - She stood up. - And I can't trust you anymore. We know, how Ghosts act and what they can do. - She made a hand gesture to Noiry. - This is why you need to leave and never come back.

- This is a joke! - I stood up, my chair fell to the side. - You can't do that! Maybe I am a Ghost, but I've never done anything wrong!

- Your eyes... - She said slowly. - Why are they glowing green?!

I forgot myself and I realized this too late. Everyone was looking at me with a bit of dread. Only Sio looked at me differently. She already knew about my goddamn green eyes.

- Noiry! Take him away! Now! - She screamed.

Noiry took me by my arm and lead me outside. I was furious about this whole situation and I felt used by everyone. He tried to calm me down, but unsuccessfully. Without a word I left to my room, I had no choice, but to pack up my stuff and leave.

Lots of people gathered around to see me go. Noiry returned my weapon to me and took away my mark. He looked depressed, while doing it and I really wanted to hug him, but I knew, that if I would do that, he could have problems because of me. I gave him a little smile, but inside, to be honest, I just wanted to cry. I was losing my friends and there was nothing I could do about it. I glanced at the crowd and noticed Thea, standing behind some people. She seemed sad and I think I saw some tears coming from hear eyes.

I was ready to go out, but then Emma stopped me.

- From the moment when you will step past these gates, you will no longer be our ally. Don't try to come back or our guard will shoot you. Do you understand? - She said, every word cutting my heart, like a knife.

- Yes, I do understand. - I answered with a cold voice.

The gate opened and I stepped forward. When I looked behind me I saw a guard already getting ready to close the gate. There was no coming back. I was on my own again.