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Location: Astraeus Academy – Dormitory Hall
Kairo awoke with a start. His eyes flickered open, the weight of the Pantheon's summons still heavy on his mind. He felt like he was still standing before the Celestial Throne, their cold gazes piercing through him, questioning him. But now? Now, he was back in his room. A faint light filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the barren walls.
The silence was deafening.
He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. His body ached—physically and mentally. The trial had taken more out of him than he realized. But it wasn't the physical toll that gnawed at him.
It was the decision.
His head was a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. The Pantheon had made their offer clear. Freedom. Power. All he had to do was play their game. But at what cost? They wanted him as an ally, but Kairo wasn't stupid. That kind of power came with a price. A price that could end up consuming him.
But then there was the alternative. To refuse? To walk away from it all?
What would that mean? A life as a pawn for the gods? A life without Zerith's blood coursing through his veins?
The knock on the door broke his thoughts. It was a soft knock. Almost hesitant.
"Come in," Kairo muttered, not bothering to look up.
The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. It was Velra, her usual bright smile replaced by a more serious expression.
"Not a good morning, I take it?" she said softly, leaning against the doorframe.
Kairo didn't respond immediately. He just stared at the floor, his mind spinning. After a long moment, he sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "It's not that. It's just... everything's changing, Velra. And I don't know if I can keep up."
Velra stepped into the room, her eyes softening. She sat beside him on the bed, not saying anything for a few moments.
"You know, I've seen you go through some crazy shit. But this? This is next-level. It's like the whole world just decided to throw you into the deep end with no lifeline. And now, you're stuck between the gods and a hard place." She paused, glancing over at him. "But you're still standing. That means something."
Kairo shook his head. "You don't get it. I'm not standing. I'm barely holding on. I've got gods offering me power, freedom... and I don't even know what that really means. What happens if I take it? What happens if I let them turn me into... something else?"
"You're not stupid," Velra said, her voice firm. "You know exactly what they're offering. But you also know it's not the whole story. You've seen how the gods play their games. You've seen their power. And you've got something they want. You've got that blood in you. You've got the fire."
Kairo shot her a glance, his eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Velra smirked, leaning back. "You think I don't know what you're going through? You think I don't see the darkness in your eyes every time you talk about Zerith? You're terrified of what you're becoming, Kairo. I can see it."
He flinched.
"You're not just afraid of the gods," Velra continued, her tone quieter. "You're afraid of yourself. What if you give in? What if you lose control and become everything you fear?"
Kairo opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out.
"Look, I'm not saying it's going to be easy," she added, standing up and walking toward the window. "But you don't have to do this alone. There are people here who still believe in you. Who don't want to see you become a weapon. Not even if you can burn the whole world down with a thought."
Kairo turned his gaze back to her, his heart heavy with her words. "What do you want from me?"
Velra turned around, her eyes soft but fierce. "What I want? I want you to stop pretending like you don't matter. Because you do, Kairo. You matter. To me. To everyone who believes in you."
Her words echoed in his chest like a heavy weight. The pressure of the Pantheon's offer, the weight of Zerith's blood, and the pressure from everyone around him—he felt the walls closing in.
He stood abruptly, pacing across the room, his hands clenched. "You don't understand. The Pantheon will either make me their ally... or they'll destroy me. And I don't think I can win this fight."
"Maybe you don't have to fight them head-on," Velra said quietly. "Maybe you just need to survive."
The words hung in the air like a challenge.
Before Kairo could respond, a loud bang echoed through the door. He tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at his side.
The door slammed open, and a familiar face appeared in the doorway.
It was Serin—his expression dark, his steps urgent. "We need to talk. Now."
Kairo's heart skipped. "What's going on?"
Serin's eyes flicked to Velra before meeting Kairo's. "They've come for you. The Pantheon's already moving. There's no time to waste."
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