Content Warning:
This chapter contains descriptions of violence, psychological manipulation, coercion, and emotionally intense situations that may be sensitive for some readers. Discretion is advised.
The ground beneath our feet gave way. Dimitri watched us from above, his laughter echoing like a ghost through the abyss. Darkness swallowed us as we fell into the unknown. This was his world now—and we were his game pieces.
When we awoke, we realized we had crashed into a flooded chamber, surrounded by shadows and oppressive silence. A dim light flickered on—just enough to reveal the ankle-deep water. As we moved, the weight of shackles on our wrists became evident.
"Damn it, this can't be real," Varek muttered, staring hard at the cuffs. "Ishana must be in danger."
"No... she's not. Trust me," I said, trying to sound confident, though my voice trembled.
Above us, from a shadowy balcony, Dimitri stared down coldly. A megaphone amplified his voice:
"Welcome, my beloved toys. Your true trial begins here. In this place, life and death are your only options. Want your freedom? Then survive. Let the show begin."
With a gesture, he shut the gates, plunging the space into utter darkness. Bells rang in the distance, signaling the start of the game.
Around us, the water began to stir, and a strange gas filled the air.
My eyes burned—like a thousand needles stabbing into them. The air was thick, and every breath brought a wave of nausea that dropped me to my knees. Varek growled, gripping my arm as I staggered.
"I… can't…" I whispered, collapsing into the murky water.
My whole body felt like lead. I couldn't run, couldn't scream. I could only endure.
We both fell again, overcome by whatever tranquilizer had hit us.When I opened my eyes, everything was dark. We were inside an unlit roundabout. I could only hear Varek's voice from the other side.
"Aisha, you're finally awake. Don't you dare take off the blindfold," he warned in a low voice. "They've got us under surveillance. Any mistake will cost us our lives."
Panicking, I felt the light filtering through the bandages and began to crawl blindly, cutting my palms, knees, and arms with the debris.
"Count every two steps and push the glass. That way you'll reach the exit," Varek instructed, his voice calm but firm.
Despite the pain, I steeled myself, determined to move forward. Then Dimitri's mocking voice echoed once again:
"Bravo. You're the slowest, Aisha."
The blindfold slipped from my eyes, and a dull sword landed at my feet.
"Is this a joke?" I muttered, lifting the blunt weapon.
Dimitri's voice returned, ever amused:
"If you want to survive, face the next challenge. Or die like the rest. Live or die, dear Aisha. The choice is yours."
I barely had time to react before a guard dragged me into a cell.
Terror surged through my chest, but my limbs refused to obey. I was too weak, too stunned.Varek was in the next cell, leaning against the bars.
"You bastard, let her go!" he roared, slamming the bars with such fury that his hands began to bleed. "Stop, you bastard!"
It was the first time I had heard him like that—his voice raw, desperate, shaking with rage. The guard abruptly released me and walked away without a word.
"Are you okay, Aisha?" Varek asked without turning to look at me.
"I'll be fine... thanks for worrying," I whispered, trying to sit up.
"I didn't do it for you," he replied coldly. "It would just be a shame if you didn't pay for your mistakes."
His look of disappointment cut deeper than any blow.
"Rest, Aisha. Weak and wounded, you're easy prey. Leave this to me."
He pulled off his white gloves and threw them to the ground.
"It's my turn," he said with chilling resolve.
The combat arena lit up—revealing a circular space where participants fought to the death. Varek was called first. He wielded his sword with deadly skill, cutting down his enemies with swift, precise strikes. Each blow reminded everyone why he was considered one of the best protectors.
"VAREK, BEHIND YOU!" I shouted as an attacker lunged at him.
Varek turned just in time—only to freeze.
It was Lucas. His companion from boarding school. The one who had once saved his life.
"Lucas…" he murmured, disbelief weighing down his voice.
The memories hit instantly. The laughter during night patrols, the late talks about the future… all gone. Now, Varek had to kill him.
Lucas's face was hidden behind a mask, his movements automatic—as if he had no choice.
"I'm sorry, my friend," Varek said quietly before slicing through him with a single, clean strike.
As Lucas collapsed, his broken mask revealed his face. Varek didn't cry. He just clenched his jaw… and raised his sword toward me.
The metal bars rose, leaving me exposed—at his mercy.
He stared at me, his breath ragged, his weapon trembling in his grip.
"This is all because of your father and your kind, Aisha," he said, voice heavy with rage and despair.
The pendant around his neck fell with a metallic clink, echoing through the silent arena.
I thought I wouldn't falter in front of Varek. I was wrong. That look wasn't the protector I once knew. It was the look of a broken man, desperate to blame someone.
I couldn't move. I couldn't even speak.From the balcony, Dimitri's voice broke the silence:
"Excellent show. But I'm bored now. End her, Varek, and finish your agony. Or better yet—deliver her to me as a gift."
Varek clenched his fists. His entire body trembled with rage.Then, slowly, he lowered his sword and turned to Dimitri.
"I curse you, Dimitri! And I swear this isn't over. I will come for you—sooner or later. Mark my words."
Dimitri raised a hand, and alarms blared throughout the arena.
"USELESS! How is this possible?" he roared in fury.
The surveillance cameras had been hacked. One of his prized capsules was missing. He stared at the blank screens, teeth clenched.
He knew exactly who was behind it.
The Shadow Visitor:
While chaos reigned, the gates began to open.Varek and I locked eyes—this was our only chance.
"Run, Aisha," he said, grabbing my arm.
Gunfire and screams filled the air. We ran, dodging bullets and collapsing bodies.As we crossed the last door, the cold night air hit my face.
No time to breathe. No time to celebrate.
Dimitri had shown what he was capable of. And he wouldn't stop. But one thing was clear—someone else was playing against him.And that someone might be our only hope.
In a secluded control room, a hooded figure stood from the console. Blood stained their gloves. One operator lay lifeless at their feet.
With surgical precision, they had disabled alarms, hacked the cameras… and stolen a capsule.
"You're not the only one who knows how to play, Dimitri," the figure whispered, vanishing into a ventilation shaft.
The capsule pulsed faintly in their hands.Inside, a creature slept… or waited to awaken.