Project Aphrodite

"We found a match"

The distorted voice from the miniature hologram of a man in a festive mask echoed in the dark, suffocating room. Weird LED lights started to dance around and a picture of a woman clad in a seductive wedding dress were projected on the wall in front me.

"Her name is Hiraya, female Filipina, belonging to a race close to extinction, long black hair and almond brown eyes, petite frame with height close to 5'1", trained to do house chores to perfection, molded to please you in every way possible", the hologram rattled on and on as if a sales agent bent to entice consumers with a slice of fresh meat.

"Customer, if you would like to purchase this product, kindly press the red button on the table in front of you"

I could hardly see in the dark but the red button glowed like it was a pulsating living organism ready to corrupt you if you so much as touch it. Well, it's ironic how that was so true in many aspects for so many men who was once in my shoes.

"Customer Sir?"

Gulping hard, I squinted my eyes close and pressed the button.

"Thank you for your purchase, Sir, I will transfer you to the AI who will assist you in completing your transaction"

The hologram swiftly changed into that of a female AI and she explained the whole process as well as the terms and conditions which practically, no one reads or listens to.

"For this particular commodity Sir, the price would be 50,300 DYS, we only accept crypto purchases for ease of transaction", my ears almost bled upon hearing the price. That was more than half of my savings while working to death these past 10 years.

"Is there a problem Sir?", as if sensing my reluctance, the AI asked.

"The price is high for this product as the female you are about to purchase comes from a far island, she was caught and shipped not too long ago so she's still young and fresh, also her race is too rare for a lower price"

"If you say so", I sighed hard and took my QR code out for her to scan.

"That completes our transaction Sir, the bride will be delivered to you tomorrow night as we have a lot to prepare for your convenience, please read the care instructions on your commodity included in your package once received", the hologram of the AI bowed and flashed this creepy emotionless smile I swear I only see in classic thriller movies.

"Again, we solely aim to satisfy your needs, enjoy!"

Then the hologram disappeared and the room was pitched black as if an abyss waiting to suck me away. I hurriedly pressed the door open and staggered outside in my mask and hoodie. I felt numerous pair of eyes staring at me, some were mocking, but most were envious. My gaze was glued to the ground as I walked faster to my bike and revved the engine to life.

Looking back in the alley, I saw the people I didn't dare to look in the eyes a while ago. Some were clearly junkies waiting for someone to exchange drugs with, while others are simply people who were unfortunate enough to end up in a rundown alley with no one to rely on for help.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I pushed the accelerator and escaped.

Cold air slapped my face as if waking me up from a dream. The city lights in the dead of the night danced like how the LED lights danced around me in that God-forsaken place a while ago and I almost shivered.

I couldn't believe what I just did. My mind is in a mess. This could ruin my life but I won't regret anything, I hope so.

Tomorrow, I'd know for sure if I did the right thing.

---

Looking up from my laptop, I stared at the clock. It was nearing 8pm and I have not had a food in my mouth for nearly 10 hours as I focus on research.

It was the winter of the year 2265, almost 25 years ago, the central government in the capital city of the world, Dystopia, announced the declining birth rate of females. According to them, for every ten thousand males born in a day, only one female is born. Fearing their extinction, operation Aphrodite was launched. Every family can only consist of one female apart from mothers. So, in a family of 2 unmarried daughters, one can only be kept and the other one should be surrendered for research and testing.

People across the world objected and all genders refused to work as protest to the unfair law to be enacted, but to no avail. As a retaliation, the government warned that if people continued to protest, all the female will be extracted from their home and surrendered instead. Dreading what would come next if they continue to fight, most of the protesters silently complied.

Soldiers were dispatched to carry out operation Aphrodite. Some resisted, but most painfully conformed. Daughters were dragged out of their homes, mothers slumped on the floor crying and begging for their little girls to be spared. Fathers frozen in a corner, shocked and in despair, unsure what to do.

I remember vividly how my little sister was taken, she was just three years old. My mom begged on her knees, hugging the soldier's feet for mercy. My father held her shaking shoulders and locked her in an embrace in an attempt to comfort her. Ashley, my elder sister was tucked away in her room although only one daughter can be taken for fear that she might be surrendered too. I didn't even notice I was shaking and soaked in snot and tears. No one comforted the seven-year-old kid because I was a boy, and I have nothing to be scared of.

They didn't even know the trauma I had to deal with when I saw the eyes of all the girls in that van, filled with hatred, confusion, pain, but most of all, terror. They looked at me as if I was one of the men who took them, as if I bear the curse that drove them out of their homes. They stared as if I swung the knife that took their life away.

Finally, I saw Amber's eyes, my little sister, whose eyes contain nothing but wonder. They gave her candies to stop crying, and she did, like the little angel she was. I silently prayed her eyes stayed that way, twinkling with innocence, unaware of the cruelty of the world.

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang and shook me out of my thoughts. I looked up at the clock again and it read 8:45pm. I have not ordered any food so this is probably the one I was waiting for from the transaction yesterday.

Looking at the peephole, I can see a girl in a short white dress with a trolley bag on her left and a travelling bag on her right. She was not accompanied by anyone, I sighed in relief.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and ushered the girl in. She meekly followed me as I led her to the living room. Her almond eyes scanned the whole area, nervous and unsure.

Taking her luggage, I toured her around my small apartment just to ease the tension a bit.

"Uhm, this is the living room, bathroom is over there on the far right, kitchen and dining room on the left, and here -- " I stopped and opened the door to a small room.

"This is your room"

She looked at me, wide-eyed and bewildered.

"My room?"

"Uh yes? Is there a problem?"

She raised her eyebrows in disbelief and turned her gaze to the room. She made her way to the center and looked around in wonder.

"I'm sorry, I only have this small space for now, but I don't think you would need this room for long since you will leave soon anyway" I leaned on the doorframe as I explained.

"Leave?" She turned her gaze back at me, there was a small wrinkle in her nose, maybe due to confusion. I can't blame her though, since the sole purpose she was sent here was to be my bride, doing and pleasing every kinks I have.

"Yes, I'm certain you don't want to be here but you had no choice since I purchased you"

Upon hearing my words, she looked down and bit her lip. She probably doesn't know how to respond to that as she was groomed to be the perfect, submissive bride.

"I'm afraid I don't understand what's going on", she fidgeted and crumpled the hem of her dress.

Should I ask her to change into comfortable clothes first?

Sighing, I reached out my hand to her. She flinched, squeezing her eyes closed. My heart felt a pang of pity to see this small girl, barely her late twenties, shiver like a prey waiting to be butchered.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you", I paused, waiting for her to loosen up a bit. She opened her eyes and I saw the same look on the girls' faces 25 years ago, reflected on her.

"Just hand me the care package, I need to get something in there before we discuss everything else"

She reluctantly handed me the small handbag she has and I opened it. Inside, there is a pair of earrings, a handbook, and other things not worth mentioning about if I want to keep everything wholesome.

The earrings look normal, except for the fact that it is not. Last year, the trade for mail-order brides was legalized in the context that one should pay a high-price if you wanted to live with a woman who can fulfill all your desires. Wearing this earring for a guy means owning one, while having the other pair on a woman means you were bought and is currently not available for trade. Such was the ridiculous attempt of the government to legalize human trafficking. No one so much as choked a word of protest because females are really scarce and Dystopia have almost monopolized them.

"What's your name?" I asked to confirm as I approach her carefully. She bowed her head once again and muttered softly.

"Hiraya"

"Okay Hiraya, I'm Aki, you can trust me not to do anything against your will, can you show me your left ear?" she hesitated, but obliged just the same. Sweeping her hair back, her neck was now exposed. I looked away before clasping the earrings in place.

"I'm sorry but we need to do this"

I clasped the other pair on my ear and offered her a handshake. She looked at my hand, then up at my face. Her almond eyes now full of questions, looked at me intensely, probing my soul for any answers. She then extended her small hands to clasp mine. It was soft, though full of callouses, probably because of bridal training.

"Great" I smiled and let go of her hand to grab the phone.

"We have a lot to discuss and I haven't had dinner, do you want some pizza?"

---

"So… you were looking for your younger sister and you wanted to infiltrate Olympus to retrieve Pandora's box, which is the storage of all the information regarding project Aphrodite to expose the truth behind what happened 25 years ago?"

"Precisely"

I answered as I typed away on my computer, showing her the floor plan of Olympus I purchased in the black market. This cost me quite the fortune but anything to bring Olympus down is worth it.

Olympus, located in the city of Dystopia, is the world's largest trading center where women are trafficked. They masked it as a research facility aiming to discover how to stabilize the ratio of men to women once again after project Aphrodite was launched.

In reality, it is just a high-end red-light district where rich, disgusting men can fulfill their desires and the government can generate unlimited profit by exploiting women.

"Two months from now, during the Ambrosian festival, they will hold the annual auction for rare items used in Bride trading, but that's just a front, you see here", I pointed at the underground cube 23 floors down.

"This is where the real auction is happening with women with unique features and qualities as the items"

Hiraya gazed at the floor plan with curious eyes. She is now wearing a more comfortable clothing and is more relaxed, eating pizza and pasta. I hope I don't scare her away as she's my only ticket to enter Olympus without a problem.

"How do we get in?"

Her gaze as she looked at me changed. It looks calmer, almost serene. I can even see a glint of determination in there, as if the frail girl I welcomed not too long ago evolved into someone else.

"We'll enter as a couple joining the auction of rare items, only men accompanied with Brides are welcome, that's why I had to clasp our earrings as they symbolize our relationship"

She nodded, concentrating fully on my words as if a student absorbing all the details I'm teaching her. I almost chuckled. Good thing I landed quite a unique Bride.

"Once we are inside, we'll discreetly change into the servants' uniform and find access to the Sanctuary on the 52nd floor, where the Pandora's box is stored and use this" I waved Epimetheus and handed it to her.

"What's this?" she rolled the flash drive left and right.

"Epimetheus, a flash drive – tool used long ago to store information, I programmed the virus in here instead of a chip since our technology today forgo the security to contain and eliminate old viruses since no one uses them now anyways"

I found out not too long ago from accessing illegal sites that the plan for project Aphrodite was already laid out hundreds of years ago before it's launching. Meaning, the details date back to almost 200 years ago, when flash drives are still a thing. Moreover, the information circulating in the black market says that Pandora's box is an old laptop with usb ports – one that was phased out ninety years ago. Using junks from warehouses, I made Epimetheus and programmed it to attack Pandora's box drives and retrieve all information as well as process encrypted data.

I'm not Dystopia's underground hacker beast – Achilles, for nothing.

"Okay I'm not familiar with those but if you can use this to open Pandora's box, why not just hack into the government site to get the data you need?"

"You can't find useful information there, besides, if I were them, I will never put such highly classified information where someone like me can easily hack into, trust me I've tried"

She pursed her lips and nodded in agreement.

"What's in it for me?"

Her eyes sparkled in excitement – no longer the girl who cast her gaze on the ground, trembling as if in front of a predator. I sighed in relief.

"Freedom"

---

We spent the next two months preparing for the Ambrosian festival. I gave it my all to get as many information as I could to ensure the success of our mission. That's when we found out about MOVE - an underground association of men who aims to bring down Olympus, rescue all the women trapped in there, and finally put an end to Project Aphrodite. I'm not exactly sure how they cloaked their existence and I haven't found them until now but it's good just the same.

I discussed our plan with them and they put some tweaks here and there, divulging more information regarding Olympus, the guard shifts, as well as the exact location of Pandora's Box. Turns out they were also trying to get a hold of me, Achilles, to help them retrieve it.

Instead, they helped us train in different areas that we can use to our advantage – martial arts and firearms. They have also informed us of the spies planted in Olympus who can help us move undetected. Moreover, a getaway team would be waiting for us after the mission is accomplished. MOVE was laying out their plan long before we found them, so they have made solid preparations to successfully carry out the infiltration. It was really fortunate that we found them, or rather, they found us.

At first, I was really worried for Hiraya. Her small stature gave off the impression that she's weak and vulnerable. But once the training started, she proved everyone wrong.

"She's like a cat"

Hercules, the man in charge of our training in arm-to-arm combat stared at her as she practiced with a dummy. Her swift and precise strikes and her almond eyes fiercely concentrating on practice really does resemble a cat.

"She's incredibly quick to grasp the concept and can impressively put them into action, it's somewhat hard to believe she's an amateur"

Hiraya quickly captured the interest of everyone in MOVE, not only because of her skills, but more so because of her personality. She's kind, caring and charming, although this could be attributed to the bridal training she went through in Olympus. They asked her loads of questions of her life inside the facility and she answered them to the best of her ability. There's only so much she knows though, as she has only been in captivity for 6 months.

She said she grew up in an island quite faraway from all the chaos in Dystopia that's why she managed to hide for a long time. When asked about her life before Olympus, she was quite aloof, maybe because she still doesn't trust a group of men living in the heart of the place she should be running away from. Who could blame her anyway?

Aside from our training with MOVE, we practiced our interaction as bride and groom. We had to get used to a bit of intimacy in order to fool the Olympians and infiltrate the facility successfully.

Every day since we met, we set aside at least three hours each night to talk and share physical contact. Of course we only did the bare minimum – holding hands, standing in close proximity, wrapping my arms over her shoulders, and hers around my waist. We blushed each time we practice, and we just laughed it off saying we can pass off as two lovers who experienced spring for the first time – not that we really had any experience on the real thing.

"We should have a pet name for each other or something", Hiraya said out of the blue as we were walking hand in hand while strolling in a nearby park just outside my apartment complex.

"Then you think of one" I said nonchalantly, feeling a blush creeping up my neck.

"Uhm, Honey? Darling? Babe?"

As she blurted out suggestions, I couldn't help but stare at her beautiful face. Hiraya is a wonderful woman, and she deserves to have the best person beside her. It was out of pure luck that I could do things like this with her.

"Aki?" she gazed back at me with her sparkling almond eyes, and I had to look away.

"Uhm, why don't we just call each other by our first name?"

"Hmm, then try calling me Aya for a change, Hiraya is too long"

"A-Aya?" I stuttered and immediately cleared my throat, blushing.

"Aya"

"That's better!" she beamed and held my hand tighter. She grew up in a tropical country so she's not used to the cold. At times like this, I put our intertwined hands inside my jacket to share warmth with her.

"You know, I still find it hard to believe that I'm miles away from home and is doing something really dangerous"

I felt a pang of guilt. She never volunteered to be a part of this operation, but I just had to drag her into my mess.

"But I'm really happy that I could do something to make this world a better place for women, for us", she stopped walking and rested her head on my shoulders.

"Thank you Aki"

My chest pounded really hard. It's impossible that this girl does not know her effect on men, on me.

"I haven't done anything you should thank me for, I should be the one thanking you"

If it wasn't for her, the operation won't be possible. She could say no and I would have let her go, but she chose to stay and fight.

"Just know that I'm really grateful" Aya just smiled and looked away, her gaze too deep for me to know what she's truly thinking.

---

"Mr. and Mrs. Achilles Troy?"

D-day, Olympus. Clad in our battle clothes – immaculate black tuxedo and mermaid dress, we marched inside the lion den. Outside the high pillars of Olympus, MOVE discreetly parked a run-down bus with all the equipment and apparatus to aid us in our operation.

"Yes, that's us"

I nonchalantly replied, handed our identification cards, and gripped Aya's waist tighter as the guards surrounding us are eyeing her lustfully. Disgusting.

It's a good thing that those participating in the auction needs to wear mask, else I would have to force myself to smile even if I wanted to strangle them to death.

"You can come in, please proceed to the function hall and make yourself comfortable"

Leading Aya by the shoulders, I noticed how the dress she's wearing accentuates her curves on the right places. My breath involuntarily quickened and I had to remove my jacket to relieve some heat.

"Wear this, it would be hard to move discreetly as you're attracting too much attention", I wrapped the jacket around her and hugged her close.

The function hall was buzzing with people, all wearing masks. I immediately took note of the servants' locations as well as the security cameras. The place was lavishly decorated as if it was a painting taken out of the picture book.

Instead of being in awe, my blood boiled from the realization that this was how the money made from trafficking people are used.

"Here are your reserved seats sir, refreshments will be served in a while"

The seats we have were on the left, thirteen rows from the front of the stage. We sat robotically, scanning the sea of masks for any agents of MOVE – black masks among the flood of festive ones. We were able to locate at least eighteen, scattered strategically around the hall.

"Your bride is stunning"

A man's repulsive voice breathed on my neck. Looking at my right side, I saw a man in colorful coat and tie, and a meek woman by his side. They were wearing matching earrings, so they were probably a bride and groom as well.

"Well, thank you, your bride is also beautiful", I replied, uninterested and moved a bit to block his lustful gaze at Aya.

"Nonsense, this girl right here can't do anything good, even in bed", the man snorted. The woman beside him dropped her head so slow I swear I could see tears running down her cheeks even behind her mask.

Olympus and all these vulgar men are seriously testing my patience. Not that I could do anything for now. Clenching my fist, I chuckled.

"It's a shame, but I bet between you two, you are the one with a problem"

"What?! How dare you!", the man's face reddened like a ripe tomato, wanting to grab me by the collar.

As if on cue, the lights around the hall dimmed, and a huge hologram of Olympus' master, Zeus, hovered over the stage. The man tidied his suit and shot daggers at my face before slumping back to his seat.

"Welcome to the annual Ambrosian festival, dear guests, we have gathered auction items around the world to cater all your needs and desires, so please enjoy the event to your hearts' content"

Zeus' image disappeared, then the hologram zapped back to reveal the same man with festive mask who sold me Aya.

"For our first item, the rarest of it all, Kestos Himas – a belt worthy of Aphrodite, said to be enchanted with love, desire, and seduction, gives the wearer unparalleled allure" a shiny belt was floating on the stage, it was beautiful.

"Let's start with 25,000 DYS"

Soon, the hall erupted with sounds of bidding, this is our chance. I looked at Aya and nodded. She immediately clasped her stomach as if twisting in pain. I raised my hand and a man in black mask, a MOVE agent, approached us as planned.

"Do you happen to know where my bride can rest? She's expecting, and I think the chaotic bidding is stressing her"

"This way Sir"

I held Aya up as if supporting her and followed the man. He led us to a blind spot in a secluded part of the ground floor.

"We have at least 1 hour to get Pandora's box, we've drugged the guards on duty in the security room then corrupted the security cameras using the virus you provided", the man whispered and gave us a gold card.

"This is the key card to the Sanctuary on the 52nd floor, we have confirmed that all the Olympians are down at the underground auction, hurry up and avoid the main hallways" the man jogged away to return to the hall.

I gave Aya the bracelet I programmed to suit us up with the servants' attire. We got changed instantly and I had to look away again to avoid gaping at Aya's beauty. The peplos hugged her body as if it was her second skin.

"Aki, let's hurry, we only have 55 minutes left", Aya took my hand and led me to the elevator. The ride up was nerve-wracking – we are literally raising death flags on our heads.

Finally, the 52 button lit up and the door of the elevator opened. The whole floor was blinding, probably because this floor was dedicated to the Olympians – the investors and members of the board. We carefully walked out and proceeded to the enormous door at the end of the hallway.

I tapped the gold keycard on the lock and it opened immediately.

The inside of the room was a stark contrast to the whole of Olympus. Piles of junks cluttered in all corners, you would never believe that the highly classified Pandora's box is in here.

"There!" Aya pointed at a metal box on the far end of the room. I immediately took it and decoded the lock on the box. After a few minutes, I managed to take out the old laptop and open it.

We finally meet, Pandora's box.

I inserted Epimetheus on one of the usb ports and the hacking began. 35 minutes – it read on the screen. We have only 42 minutes left to finish this and escape, I hope it's enough.

As the clock ticks, I can feel my toes curling up in anxiety. This operation needs to be a success, else, I'm not the only one who will be in danger. I looked up at Aya, and she was staring in wonder at the laptop, as if we are not in the brink of death.

"Will this really get all the information we need?", she blinked at me, curious.

I smiled, all the tension in my bones blown away by this spring of sunshine.

"Yes, I hope so"

"After all of this ends, and we get your sister back, will you go with me to my island? I wanted to show you how beautiful it is", she beamed and held my hand.

What would I wouldn't give to have a future with you? When Project Aphrodite crashes, I'll properly court you and show you how sincere I was despite our fake relationship and circumstances.

I cupped her small face on my palm and stared at the most beautiful pair of eyes I've seen.

"After all of this ends – "

"Download complete" the laptop notified and I cleared my throat. This is not the right time and place for this. I looked at my watch – 6 minutes left. I let go of her face and took Epimetheus out of Pandora's box.

"Let's go, it's not safe here"

Aya nodded and we ran towards the door. Opening it, I froze on the spot. Ares, one of the Olympians was holding a gun to my face. Behind him were dozens of guards, holding bound men with black masks. We're busted.

I gulped hard.

"Thank you for extracting Pandora out of that dilapidated contraption, Achilles Troy, we'll now be able to store it in a much better place"

The man who led gave us the gold key card was standing behind him, smirking. So he was not an agent of MOVE, how could I be so careless?

"How naïve of you to think that Olympus has such a lousy security, this is the heart of Project Aphrodite for God's sake!", he laughed so loud as if mocking my foolishness.

"So, you purposely lured me in to take out Pandora for you"

"That's right, your skills are famous in the black market so we just had to lure you in and use you, sorry for that", he paused and pointed at the MOVE agents.

"These idiots thought they successfully infiltrated my ranks, you're hurting my feelings"

"Oh, she's beautiful!" Ares' gaze landed on Aya, and I instinctively hid her behind my back.

"Don't be like that Achilles, I'll even take you down to join us in the real party, you wanted to see your sister right?"

My eyes widened in disbelief. He meant the underground auction. I couldn't even utter a word.

"Someone, escort the lady down with us, she has to join the party as well", Ares paused and looked at me provokingly.

"As one of the auction items of course"

---

"Sold for a whopping 1.2M DYS!"

The men erupted in cheers and the woman wept as she was pulled by the chains on her neck and arms, to hand her over to a man that looks at least 40 years older than her. He immediately took the reins and pulled her to his lap.

I couldn't bear to watch so I looked away in disgust.

"Watch, Achilles Troy, we will auction your bride and your sister next"

Ares forcibly gripped my chin to look at the stage. Men were swarming like piranhas below as the girls were displayed like fresh meat.

"Aya can't be auctioned, she still has my earrings"

"Did you honestly think that these men care about such rules? Look around you"

We were seated at the upper box, overlooking the whole area. The crazed look on these men makes me want to throw-up. I bet their drinks were spiked with drugs to make them more excited than they already are.

"Either your bride or your sister will be the most expensive auction item today, I bet"

I clenched my jaw in frustration. This is all my fault.

"Now for our grand finale, we have here two of the rarest bride for this event, one with Asian features, and one with heterochromia eyes"

Aya appeared together with a woman who looks like my mother, except with blue and green eyes. They are inside a cage like some rare species of animal in a zoo.

Now I remember, I used to ask my mom why Amber has strange eyes. She looked really beautiful, especially her eyes, though it looks so dull as if her soul has been sucked away.

"That's your sister, she was returned dozens of times by men who complains about her stubbornness, she was never obedient, what a shame tsk"

Dozens of men? Was she subjected to horrific abuse and was traded again and again for the pleasure of these demons?

"But look, her eyes seem to contain no emotion now, maybe the last thread of her sanity snapped and will be submissive this time around, that's perfect!"

What I wouldn't give just to kill every person involve in this trade inside this hall? I could feel angry tears forming in my eyes at my own uselessness.

"I heard this girl's race has a beautiful voice, would you all like to hear her singing before we start our auction?"

The crowd erupted in cheers. I couldn't look away as they take Aya out of the cage, bound and lightly dressed in this cold air. Her beautiful eyes gazing at everyone in the hall without emotion. My heart felt a squeeze so hard I couldn't breathe.

They loosened the rope binding her arms and handed her the microphone. She casted her eyes once again on the crowd of men waiting to devour her. I could see her usually soft gaze turning sharper, as if a tigress ready to pounce on her prey.

"The hour is ripe, it's show time, girls!"

Before anyone could respond, Aya snatched the gun on a nearby guard and open fired. Many bidders fall dead at once. Girls from all sorts of direction, carrying heavy firearms emerged, as if planned.

Adrenaline kicked in as I took the chance to head-butt a stunned Ares and kicked him as hard as I could.

"Achilles!"

Ares' tried to grab me but was soon slashed down by a woman with katana. What an anti-climactic ending for such a man.

The woman stared at me, cut the rope binding my hands, then proceeded to take down more Olympus' man.

I rushed to take Epimetheus from Ares' pockets then flew down the flight of stairs towards Aya and Amber.

The underground auction was in utter chaos. Corpses of men littered the floor, men of Olympus and women were exchanging fires so I had to be really careful approaching the stage. I honestly don't know what the hell is happening, all I know is that I need to get where Aya and my sister are.

Crouching down the chairs near the stage, someone grabbed my hands so I did what I was thought back in training with MOVE. I maneuvered my hands, twisted the slim arm that was grabbing me, but he was faster and managed to pin me down instead.

"Woah Aki, calm down", Aya's angelic voice soothed me.

Wait, that strong grip was Aya's?

I sat up right and pulled her closer, scanning her for any injuries. She patted my shoulders, as if soothing me, telling me that everything's alright. That she's alright. I didn't notice that tears were running down my face.

"It's okay Aki, everything is okay now"

The sound of war around us seem to be drowned out by her voice, as if the only salvation in this inferno.

She pulled someone hiding from her back, it was Amber, heterochromia eyes unfocused, but she seems to be fine physically. They probably used drugs to tame her.

"My poor sister, I'm so sorry", I hugged Amber, frail as she was, and vowed to myself to get her the help she needs.

"Take your sister with you and get out of here"

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Aya's urging voice. She was looking around urgently, holding a gun too big for her arms.

"What are you saying? give me that, I should be the one protecting you"

I was about to snatch the gun from her, but she's quick to turn away. Then, a woman approached and whispered something to her. Her face crumpled.

"I have to go, the emergency exit has been cleared, you can take that route and escape with MOVE"

"I won't go anywhere without you!", I grabbed her hands but she shook it away easily.

"Stop being stubborn Aki, I still work left to do here, you have to go"

"Work?"

Aya sighed and moved closer to me, her almond eyes almost trembling.

"I'm not the weak damsel in distress you know Aki, just listen to me, I can take care of myself", she stroked my cheek affectionately.

"But-"

"Boss! Zeus and the other Olympians are running away we have to hurry!", another woman called Aya urgently.

"You have to go Aki, after all of this ends, come find me"

Boss?

She ran towards the army of women waiting for her and never looked back. My heart throbbed at the sight. I clenched my fist to calm my nerves and realized that Epimetheus was still in my hand.

Right, I still have an important work left to do. I took a deep breath and strode towards the exit with Amber in tow.

---

The world turned upside down when Pandora's box was opened and leaked to the public. Turns out, Project Aphrodite was just the ploy of Dystopian government to monopolize women. There was never a decline in birth, women were held captive in different facilities across the world to be exploited and trafficked. People were both enraged and devastated, demanding their girls to be returned.

The Olympians were captured and will be tried in court and the public is demanding that the incumbent president along with his cabinet be impeached. There is still a long way to go to completely uproot corruption and injustice, but we finally made the first step to make the world a better place especially for women.

Knock knock.

"Brother, the food is ready"

Amber's sweet voice rang from the kitchen. She's undergoing therapy to heal and forget the horrors she went through. It was not easy, but she's a strong woman. Her smile is slowly returning and I couldn't be more proud.

Once she completely recovers, I'll take her to visit mom and dad's grave, then spend some time with our older sister and her family.

"Have you heard from her?"

Amber asked as we ate. An involuntary sigh escaped from my lips.

The last I saw Aya was on the news. She led the team that captured and surrendered the Olympians to the authorities. It was revealed that Aya is a high-ranking official of the international organization protecting women's rights, and they infiltrated Olympus to retrieve Pandora's box long before I purchased her as a bride.

Was I the one that got dragged into the mess? Is my sister the prize I got for hacking into Pandora? I had million questions, and only Aya knows the answers.

"Why don't you go and look for her, you know where to find her right?"

"I can't do that, I have to be here for you"

I looked down, trying to tame the tumultuous thoughts in my mind.

"Aki"

Amber held my hand firmly. I looked into her beautiful eyes.

"I'm not a child anymore, I may be like this but I can take care of myself"

"I vowed to take care of you"

"And you are doing it perfectly"

My dear sister beamed at me, all the clouds of doubts shied away from her smile.

"This time, go and get your happiness, I wanted to meet Aya too, after all she was the one who saved us"

Her eyes, which is the color of the earth and ocean, shined, urging me to take that leap of faith.

"I'll be here waiting for both of you"

I slowly nodded, reaching for the groom earring still clasped on my left ear.

I can still hear Aya's voice in that hell, telling me to go.

"After all of this ends, come find me"

We have a lot to talk about Hiraya. We have to sort out the truth and the lies. I might be your fake groom, but you were always my true bride.

When I find you, this time, let's take it slow. After all, we have long years ahead of us, because I won't ever let go.

Not anymore.