Chapter 1

Arc 1: What’s Wrong With Me?

Chapter 1

Aurora Hatal didn’t flinch anymore – not when Selus had slapped and threatened her. That part of her had died two weeks ago, when Milo left. She’d searched for the part that still cared. Couldn’t find it.

So now she wore what was left like armor. When Selus offered his arm, she took it. She walked beside him into the war room like a consort stepping into power. When they reached the grand war room, she leaned forward and rested her arms on the table like a confidante.

She knew now was the time. She’d rather watch this kingdom burn than let Selus take the crown. Fuck Milo. Fuck Selus. And fuck Cerceras—the god who feeds on obedience and waits to devour what's left of the world. Let him wait. Her knuckles turned white as her nails dug into her palm. But until Selus fell, she didn’t have it in her to be noble enough to save the world. Everything else is secondary.

She smiled as she looked at him. If he lashed out now, she could use it. A tyrant who can’t control himself doesn’t get to keep the crown. But first, she had to make sure he snapped.

You were right about Milo,” she said, loud enough for the room to hear. "He wanted to break things just to watch them fall.” A small smile touched her lips. “You don’t just tear things down. You plan. You build.”

Selus said nothing, but the corner of his mouth curled.

Keep pumping him up. Make absolutely sure he snaps. Her plan relied on his idiocy. His revered pride.

Aurora continued, softer. “They don’t give you enough credit.” The soldiers and nobles nodded, partly out of fear. “This? It’s more organized than anything Blade ever pulled off. These soldiers follow you. The people whisper your name.” She let her eyes meet his. “That didn’t happen by accident.”

He swam in joy. Aurora stepped forward, tilting her head. She was calm yet relentless.

“Still... I think Milo would’ve done it smarter, more elegantly.” His smile froze as he turned his wide eyes to her. She glanced around the table. The soldiers were speechless. Kristo hadn’t moved. She continued to dig deeper. “Maybe that’s why you let the world think the emperor was killed by Milo. Because deep down… even you don’t believe you earned this.” Aurora tilted her head slightly, her voice kind. “It makes sense. If you’re not strong enough to take on Milo, of course he killed the Emperor. You hide behind real leaders like Milo. The world’s changing, and you're still waiting for someone else to hand it to you.” Red energy cracked across his shoulders like bloodied wings. Aurora didn’t blink, didn’t drop her gaze. Instead, she widened her eyes and smile. “You didn’t kill the emperor, did you? Milo did. And now you cling to the pieces like a scavenger who thinks he’s a king.”

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A long pause stretched painfully. Something in his eyes fractured. He hissed through clenched teeth. “You’re wrong. Milo isn’t stronger than me. I don’t hide behind anything.” She didn’t answer – no one said anything. He stepped back like he was summoning thunder, like volume would make it true. “I’m the one who killed him! I ended that glutinous fool while Milo ran away!”

She glanced up toward the ceiling, briefly. So this is what it feels like to win. She felt numb. She thought of the emperor who was dead. Of Kristo who she’d betrayed. Of the cost it had taken to win this. He lunged forward, fire tore toward her. But she already planned for this too.

Kristo plunged forward like the good game piece he was, redirecting the flames. Her shield. When it died, Aurora turned to Selus, rising amongst the angry soldiers. She didn’t flinch when Selus raised his voice. Didn’t move when his flames flared. She turned to adjust her sleeve calmly. It was the kind of gesture that said you are no longer the loudest thing in the room.

She sighed. For so long, power had meant noise. A voice louder. A grip tighter. A man with fire in his hands and cruelty in his eyes. And for a decade she had paid the price, had shriveled and hid. But now she moved from her sleeve to the clasp of her cloak. She fastened it, a small, deliberate gesture, like closing a door.

Never again, she thought, thinking of the fear that had ruined her life. She had turned bad in order to win this.

Selus tried to recover, turning from her to the room, his spine pulled taut with brittle pride. “I gave you power,” he snapped to the soldiers. “I’m giving you new titles. I’m freeing you.”

A solider stepped forward. “You killed him?”

“Murdered him in his sleep,” Aurora reminded, blinking innocently.

Selus’s face twitched. “You think Milo would’ve treated you better?” he shouted after her.

She was about to leave, but paused and laughed. “Milo?” she said, remembering the notes Milo had left before leaving her with this predator. “Who cares about him?” She stepped closer, calmly gesturing toward his enemies. “Learn to focus on the problem at hand. I did.”

She tilted her head, voice cool as glass. A soldier moved, followed by another. Selus spun, flame flaring in his palm. “You dare—!”

Too late. The war room exploded. Steel clashed. Ice met flame. A guard lunged, but was tackled mid-motion. A blur of fire, water, and fury.

Aurora might’ve died in the crossfire if Kristo hadn’t grabbed her, as if rehearsed, using his body to shield her. A fire user himself, he redirected the danger away from them. Shouts followed. Selus was gone. He ran toward the only thing he still believed in—the stage.