Chapter 25

Lucas sat across from his sister at their small, cozy dining table. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, a comforting contrast to the tension that had settled over their household in recent months. His sister, Mia, had a cheerful disposition despite the shadows under her eyes. They were both trying to keep things normal, especially with their mother in the hospital.

"How was school today?" Lucas asked, trying to keep the conversation light as he passed the bowl of rice to Mia.

Mia took the bowl, her eyes lighting up. "It was okay. We had a science fair, and my project won second place!"

Lucas smiled, genuinely happy for her. "That's amazing, Mia. I knew you could do it."

She beamed at the praise, but the light in her eyes dimmed a bit as she glanced at the empty chair at the table. "Do you think Mom will be home soon?"

Lucas's smile faltered slightly. "I hope so. She's getting the best care, I'm thinking of getting a part time job to help with the bills, our savings aren't a lot."

Mia nodded, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her shirt. "I miss her."

"I know," Lucas said softly. "I miss her too."

They ate in silence for a while, the only sounds in the room the clinking of cutlery and the occasional soft sigh. Lucas tried to focus on his food, but his mind kept drifting to the hospital, to the sterile white rooms and the beeping machines that monitored their mother's every breath.

As they were finishing their meal, the television in the living room caught Lucas's attention. The news anchor's voice was tense, and the words "gang war" and "warehouse explosion" flashed across the screen. His heart skipped a beat, and he reached for the remote to turn up the volume.

"-reported explosion at a warehouse near the river. Authorities believe it is linked to ongoing gang conflicts in the area. Several injured individuals have been taken to the hospital, and the police are investigating the incident."

Lucas felt a cold chill run down his spine. He recognized the location-they had been meeting at that warehouse. His mind raced with possibilities, and he felt a knot of worry form in his stomach. He glanced at Mia, who was also watching the news with wide eyes.

The news anchor continued, detailing the extent of the explosion and the suspected involvement of local gangs. Lucas's thoughts were a whirlwind. He knew Amaya was involved in something dangerous, but seeing it on the news made it all too real. He felt a surge of fear for her safety. Lucas didn't want to get involved, and honestly the way she used violence as an answer to her problems made him feel apprehensive. But he still couldn't get her out of him mind. After all, she was probably the only one who made him momentarily forget his responsibilities, though he couldn't support her in her path he couldn't let her get herself into too much trouble.

Mia turned to him, her eyes full of worry. "Do you know anyone who might be involved?"

Lucas hesitated, not wanting to burden her with the truth. But he couldn't lie to her either. "I might," he admitted. "But it's complicated, and I don't want you to worry about it. I'll handle it."

Mia nodded slowly, trusting her brother as she always did. "Just be careful, okay? I don't want to lose you too."

Lucas stood up pushing his chair back. "I promise I'll be careful."

·͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

Number 11's other hand approached Amaya's face, and though Amaya couldn't see anything, she felt that once that hand touched her face, she would die.

"Goodnight, sweetie," Number 11's sickly sweet voice resounded.

Just as the hand was about to make contact, a man charged at Number 11, tackling her away from Amaya. The two of them rolled across the floor, grappling for control. Amaya, still in shock, could only watch as the scene unfolded before her.

"Lucas!" she screamed, her voice breaking. "Why are you here?!" Why? Why!? Why was he here! He could seriously die!

Lucas managed to get the upper hand, pinning Number 11 to the ground. He couldn't look back at Amaya, he was afraid that if he saw her face, his resolve would wane. "I couldn't leave you."

Number 11, not one to be easily subdued, twisted her body and threw Lucas off her. She sprang to her feet, her eyes burning with anger. "You think you can save her? You're just a kid!"

Lucas stood his ground, breathing heavily but not backing down. "I won't let you hurt her."

Amaya's heart ached at the sight of Lucas standing up for her. "Why, Lucas? Why did you come back!?" If you come back like this, then I'll have hope again.

Number 11 lunged at Lucas, but he dodged her attack, countering with a punch that sent her staggering back. He glanced at Amaya, his expression determined. "I realized that I can't let you face this alone. I care about you too much."

Tears streamed down Amaya's face as she watched Lucas fight. She had been so determined to move on, to become stronger on her own. But seeing him here, risking his life for her, brought all her emotions crashing back. "But I thought... I thought you were disappointed in me!"

"Well, I'm surprised myself." He wasn't one to get involved in all this, but for her...

Number 11, recovering from Lucas's blow, snarled. "Touching. But this ends now."

She moved with blinding speed, closing the distance between her and Lucas in an instant. This time, however, Lucas wasn't quick enough. Number 11's hand shot out, striking Lucas in the chest with a sickening crunch. Lucas staggered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"No! Lucas!" Amaya screamed, her heart shattering as she watched him fall to his knees.

Number 11 laughed, her eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. "You really thought you could win?"

Lucas, gasping for breath, looked up at Amaya, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Amaya's vision blurred with tears. She struggled to her feet, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. "No, no, no," she muttered, her voice breaking. "This can't be happening."

Number 11 stepped forward, her hand reaching out to deliver the final blow to Lucas. "Goodbye, hero," she sneered.

With a final, desperate surge of strength, Lucas threw himself at Number 11, grabbing her arm and pulling her down with him. The two of them tumbled to the ground, but it was clear that Lucas's strength was fading fast.

Amaya's mind broke at the sight. She let out a primal scream, her vision turning red. She lunged at Number 11, her bat in her only good hand raised high. "I'll kill you!" she shrieked, her voice raw with anguish.

Number 11, caught off guard by Amaya's sudden ferocity, struggled to fend off her attacks. But Amaya's grief-fueled rage made her a force to be reckoned with. She swung the bat with all her might.

But Number 11 pushed her away as if she pushed a fly. Amaya's body fell to the floor heavily. Her tears mixed with the dirt. Number 11 ignored the severely injured boy to approach Amaya squatting in front of her.

"Let big sister give you some free advice. The system you picked is the shittest system. The princess simulator system? Since when has a princess ever won?" Number 11's voice drifted over.

"Let me be frank, you are destined to lose over and over again to the protagonist of your story. You are only a spoilt bratty princess for the protagonist to overcome."

"This is your first proper world so you wouldn't know, you will never win. You can never win against the protagonist, so why not just die?"

But why?

Why couldn't she win?

Was it really a sin for her to win?

The antagonist is always the princess of the story, and the main character will always overcome that hurdle and she will always win.

The princess's companions will always betray her, she will always be vengeful, she will always die pitifully.

In what book is the 'real daughter' ever the protagonist? She is the antagonist here to strengthen Chiyo.

From the very beginning, the system she has picked determined her fate. Her task was easy as shit because she is always destined to lose no matter what.

Just like the final battle with Ragnar, there was no way to win.

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ERROR

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The system struggled to reach out. Desperately. It couldn't let its user die. Not again.

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Error Shadow Knight...#$$5#(#)

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Shadow Knight #&$&+(#*7

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SHADOW KNIGHT SAVE THE PRINCESS

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