Kairos sat up in bed, his mind sharp, his resolve set. "Myra, could you please come here."
A faint knock. The door creaked open. Myra stepped in, eyes questioning. "You called for me?"
Kairos walked over, shut the door behind her. He turned to face her, arms crossed. "Sit. There's something we need to discuss."
She perched on the edge of the bed, her gaze flickering between concern and curiosity. "What is it?"
"Are we alone?" His voice was low, cautious.
"Yeah. Mother stepped out. Now, tell me." She leaned forward slightly, sensing the seriousness in his tone.
Kairos exhaled slowly, weighing his words. "Myra, what do you think of our realm's state?"
She frowned, caught off guard. "What do you mean? Be clear."
"Do you think the system is fair?" he asked, his voice steady but intense.
She answered, her voice low. "Of course not. Everyone's worth is measured by their demonic power. The weak are trampled. That's just how it is." Her fingers tightened around the edge of the bed, as if the thought alone filled her with frustration.
Kairos leaned in slightly. "And who is responsible for that?"
She hesitated, her eyes narrowing. "The Demon King," she murmured. Then her gaze snapped back to him, suspicion creeping in. "Kairos, where is this going?"
He grabbed her hands, his grip firm but not forceful. "I need your help."
She stiffened, eyes searching his face. Then, as realization dawned, she yanked her hands back. "No. No, Kairos. You're not thinking—"
"I have to," he interrupted, his voice unwavering.
She shot to her feet, pacing away from him. "Do what? Challenge the Demon King? Are you insane? What can you possibly do against him? He could obliterate you with a glance!"
Kairos stood, his posture calm despite the storm in her voice. "If I don't act, more will suffer. Like Gilen did. Like i did." His voice dipped into something softer, more sorrowful. Then his eyes hardened. "But don't worry, I'm not planning on fighting him. That would be foolish."
She crossed her arms, frustration clear on her face. "Then what are you planning? Your Sin Affinity means nothing to him." Her tone was laced with exasperation, but also something else—fear.
Kairos's eyes burned with conviction. "I'm not going to dethrone him. I'm going to take over the realm."
Myra froze, blinking at him as if he had spoken a foreign language. "Take over the realm… without dethroning him?" A bitter laugh escaped her, sharp and humorless. "Kairos, I know today has been rough, but get that idea out of your head. Some things are just beyond our control."
Kairos locked eyes with Myra, his gaze burning with defiance. "Beyond control? That's nothing more than an excuse, one I refuse to accept. I will not stand by while others suffer under such a twisted belief." His voice grew sharper, his conviction unshaken. "Why must the weak be trampled? Why are they cast aside like worthless trash? Is it their fault they were born with inferior genes? No." He took a slow breath, his fists tightening. "Was it our fault that we were born with so-called 'inferior' blood?" He stepped forward, his presence overwhelming. "No, it wasn't. Then tell me, why must we be the ones to suffer?"
Myra's lips parted, but no words came out. She swallowed hard, looking away. "I understand," she finally whispered, voice gentler now. "I know it's unfair. But what you're planning—it's dangerous. It's impossible."
He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I've already begun."
A sharp intake of breath. "What?"
Kairos's voice was steady, cold. "I killed Vagid."
Silence.
Then, she chuckled, shaking her head. "You're joking."
"I'm not."
The laughter died instantly. Myra searched his face, but there was no mirth, no hesitation. Only cold certainty. Her breath hitched—she had never seen this side of him before.
"Listen, Myra." His voice softened, almost pleading. "With your help, we can end this oppression. We can create a world where no one is discarded for being weak. I've already thrown the princes into chaos. With you, I can escalate it further."
She turned away, fingers brushing against the wooden frame of the door as if grounding herself. "You… you really did it." Her voice wavered. "Vagid was one of the strongest Advisors under the king. Do you even realize what you've done?"
Kairos stepped closer, his voice firm but not unkind. "I know exactly what I've done. And I did it because it had to be done."
Myra's breathing was shallow. She shook her head, then turned to face him again. "And then?" she asked, voice wary.
"Then I will be the one to restore order. I'll make them trust me. The king himself will rely on me. I'll become his Advisor."
A scoff. "And then you'll kill him? Brilliant plan, Kairos."
He shook his head. "I won't kill him. And I don't kill for pleasure. But if I'm going to change this system, I have to play the game as they do. Maybe you haven't noticed, but the true ruler of this realm is not the Demon King. It's the Advisor. That's why Vagid had to go."
Myra's fingers trembled at her sides. "This… this isn't you. Since when did you start killing without hesitation?"
Kairos didn't answer. Myra exhaled shakily, rubbing her temples as if trying to piece together a reality that no longer made sense. "I never thought you would go this far," she muttered.
Kairos watched her carefully. "I thought you would understand. I thought you wanted this too."
She let out a bitter sigh. "Wanting something and being willing to go that far for it are two different things."
The weight of her words settled between them, thick and suffocating. She turned to the door, fingers lingering on the handle.
Kairos's voice was quiet but firm. "I need you, Myra."
She hesitated. Then, slowly, she opened the door without looking back. "I… I need to think."
Kairos watched her go, a shadow crossing his face. He had thought she would understand. But she did not support him. Not yet.