Merin gasped for breath, his body still weak from the ordeal he had just endured. He looked up at the man who had saved him, confusion and gratitude warring in his expression.
"I... I thank you so much for saving me," Merin stammered, his voice hoarse. "But who are you?"
The man standing before him took a step forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and anger. "Did you forget me?" he asked, his voice firm but tinged with pain. "Your lost brother, the one who was also left to die."
Merin's eyes widened in shock as recognition dawned upon him. "Senzuko…!" he whispered, barely believing what he was seeing. "You're still alive? But Father said you died from some disease."
Senzuko scoffed, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "And you believed him?" he asked. "Why are you still calling him 'Father' and giving him respect after everything he has done to us? That man never loved us. To him, we were nothing but disappointments because of one person. And you know who I'm talking about."
Merin clenched his fists, his jaw tightening with suppressed rage. "The only reason our lives have been torn apart like this is because of that bastard."
Senzuko nodded solemnly. "We don't have time to dwell on the past," he said. "Right now, we need to find proof that you're not guilty. Someone set you up, and we need to expose them. Who do you think did this?"
Merin's expression darkened as he considered the possibilities. "I have my suspicions," he admitted. "The agents working under me have been growing more resentful. They were fed up with me. But they're not intelligent enough to orchestrate something this intricate. Someone else helped them."
Senzuko's eyes narrowed. "Who could it be?" he asked. "Did you have any conflicts with someone recently? A powerful enemy?"
Merin suddenly stiffened, his mind piecing the puzzle together. His lips parted slightly as a single name escaped his mouth. "Akin."
Senzuko exhaled sharply. "I knew it," he muttered. "You messed with the wrong person."
Merin's gaze hardened. "If Akin is involved, then this is bigger than I thought. He's manipulative, dangerous, and always ten steps ahead. But we can't let him win. I need to clear my name, and more than that, I need to make him pay for what he's done."
Senzuko placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "Then we fight together," he said. "We gather evidence, expose the truth, and take down everyone who had a hand in this betrayal. This time, we won't be the ones left to die."
Merin nodded, determination blazing in his eyes. For the first time in years, he didn't feel alone. His lost brother had returned, and together, they would reclaim what had been stolen from them. The battle was only beginning.
The grand council chamber was dimly lit, the heavy stone walls enclosing a long mahogany table at the center. Twelve high-backed chairs surrounded it, each occupied by a council member draped in dark robes. The air was thick with tension, the kind that came with power and secrecy.
Council Member 1 stood at the head of the table, his voice firm but steady. "Today, we welcome a new member to our council. He is loyal and possesses a strategic mind that will serve us well."
A scoff broke the silence. Council Member 7 leaned forward, irritation lacing his words. "Just tell us who it is already. Don't waste our time with unnecessary praise."
Council Member 1 nodded, unfazed by the impatience. "His name is Akin."
The room erupted in murmurs and sharp gasps. Council Member 2 slammed his hand on the table, his face a mixture of disbelief and anger. "What?! Akin? The same Akin who fought against our leader? How can you possibly trust him? For all we know, he's a spy waiting for the right moment to betray us!"
Several others murmured in agreement. The weight of their suspicion bore down on Akin, but he remained composed, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Council Member 1 raised a hand in an attempt to quell the unrest. "Let me explain what Akin has done—"
But Akin interrupted, his voice cold and unwavering. "You know who killed Kevin. You know who trapped Merin."
The council fell into silence, his words sending a ripple of unease through the room.
Council Member 3 furrowed his brows. "What are you implying? Merin killed Kevin. That is the truth."
Council Member 5 shook his head, arms crossed tightly. "And what do you mean by 'trapped'? Merin did that to himself."
Akin exhaled sharply, ready to speak further, but before he could, a sudden beep from the room's communication console interrupted the discussion. The large screen on the far wall flickered to life, broadcasting an urgent news report.
A female anchor, her expression grim, appeared on the screen. "Breaking news: Merin's execution, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed. The authorities have announced that his execution will now be conducted on April 1st unless he provides sufficient evidence to prove his innocence."
A heavy silence descended upon the room. Akin's expression darkened as he absorbed the information. Someone had intervened—someone had ensured Merin's execution was delayed. But who? And why?
The council members exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the news weighing on them. Council Member 6 was the first to speak, his voice hushed. "Who would save Merin? We were all certain that his fate was sealed."
Akin clenched his jaw, his mind racing with possibilities. If someone was working in the shadows to protect Merin, then the truth behind Kevin's murder and the accusations against Merin might still be uncovered. But it also meant that the real enemy was still out there, manipulating events from behind the scenes.
The room remained silent, each council member lost in their own thoughts. The game had changed, and now, Akin knew—he wasn't the only one searching for answers.
Zenix's Base
The atmosphere inside Zenix's base was intense. The sound of clashing weapons, heavy footsteps, and labored breaths filled the training grounds as warriors pushed themselves to their limits. Each one was determined to grow stronger, to sharpen their skills for the battles that lay ahead.
Then, the news broadcast interrupted everything.
The screen flickered to life, displaying the breaking news in bold red letters. The anchor's voice carried through the hall, sharp and clear:
"Merin's execution has been delayed. Authorities have announced that his execution, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed to April 1st unless he provides sufficient evidence to prove his innocence. Further details on the case remain undisclosed."
A wave of shock rippled through the room. The clatter of dropped training weapons echoed as everyone turned toward the screen, frozen in disbelief. Whispers and murmurs spread like wildfire, confusion and unease gripping their minds.
Izaki, standing near the edge of the training arena, was the first to break the stunned silence. "What?! His execution is delayed? Who in the world bailed him out? Almost everyone hates him—or at least, they claim to." His sharp eyes scanned the faces around him, searching for any answers, but none came.
Maria, arms crossed and deep in thought, replied, "That's the strange part. The news didn't mention who bailed him out. They didn't even show him."
Issac, who had been listening intently, furrowed his brows. "It couldn't have been his father. That much we know. What if it was one of his brothers?"
Maria tilted her head, skepticism evident in her voice. "Does he even have any brothers? As far as I know, he doesn't—or at least, not officially."
A heavy silence settled over them. The uncertainty in the air was suffocating. If it wasn't his father and he had no known brothers, then who had the power and influence to delay an execution of this magnitude? And more importantly—why?
BCB Agent's Office
The tense atmosphere inside the BCB agent's office was palpable. Dim fluorescent lights flickered above, casting long shadows on the walls covered with maps, classified documents, and red-stringed conspiracy charts. The room was supposed to be a place of strategy and control, but at this moment, it felt like a cage tightening around them.
Leo slammed his fist on the desk, his face contorted in disbelief. "What?! No! This can't be happening! He's still alive, and now his execution is delayed until April 1st?"
David, pacing back and forth, ran a hand through his hair, his voice filled with panic. "He must know we're the ones behind this. We're cooked! If he talks—"
Cosco, usually the calm one, felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "We're caught. We need help—immediately. Akin is the only one who can get us out of this."
Without hesitation, Cosco grabbed the secure line and dialed Akin's number. The call connected after a few rings.
"Akin! Did you see the news?" Cosco's voice was urgent, almost desperate.
Akin's voice came through the line, steady and controlled. "Yes, I saw it. This changes everything. We can't handle this alone—we need help."
Sam, who had been silent until now, leaned forward, his voice laced with doubt. "Help? From who? Who else would be willing to get involved in this mess?"
Akin didn't hesitate. "I have some people in mind. People who know how to operate in the shadows, who owe me favors. But we need to act fast."
Back at the council chambers, the council members sat in stunned silence as they pieced everything together. Realization hit them like a tidal wave—Akin's entire plan, his sudden desire to join them, his strategic moves—it had all been orchestrated.
The room buzzed with uneasy murmurs. "It was all Akin's doing..." one council member whispered. Another clenched their fists. "He played us... but for what end?"
Whether they liked it or not, Akin had placed himself at the center of this storm. And now, they had no choice but to see how it would all unfold.