merciless monarchs

Lila slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry at first. The moment she regained full consciousness, she realized she was tied up. Panic surged through her as she struggled against the restraints.

A faint smell of cigarette smoke drifted into her nose. She raised her head and saw a man wearing a black hat and coat, casually smoking in the dimly lit room.

He turned to face her. "You're awake."

Lila frowned. "Jin, what is this?"

Jin exhaled a puff of smoke before stepping closer. "It's best I did this to you. You may even thank me for saving your life."

Lila fought against the ropes binding her wrists. "I'm beginning to think you've completely lost it, Jin! Why did you abduct me?" Her voice rose with anger. "And you say you saved me? From what? From who?"

Jin flicked his cigarette away and sat on the floor beside her.

"You have no idea, do you? But that's normal."

Lila turned her face toward him, eyes narrowing. "Stop speaking in riddles, Jin. What is going on?"

Jin stood up, pacing slightly. "Nothing serious… only that I've been right this whole time. Kai is working with the Shadows, secretly."

Lila sighed, rolling her eyes. "Is this still on?"

Jin grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him. "He plans on killing you."

Lila's heart pounded as her eyes widened in shock. "That… that can't be true."

Jin let go and continued, his tone unwavering. "It is true. Weren't you both there with Ava? He told you to leave so you wouldn't draw attention. You probably thought it was for your safety, but no—he did it so you wouldn't overhear his conversation with Ava."

Lila shook her head. "No…"

Jin pulled out a set of photos and threw them onto the floor in front of her. "Look at it. Look!"

Lila hesitated but lowered her gaze to the pictures. They clearly showed Kai and Ava in conversation. They weren't fighting. They weren't hostile.

Jin's voice was sharp. "Are they fighting? No! Because they're working together."

Lila stared at the images, uncertainty creeping into her mind. "But… Kai wouldn't—"

Jin took another cigarette and lit it. "I have two theories. When Kai and Mei were kidnapped, Mei claimed Kai locked her in a room to protect her. But then the Crimson Shadow touched him, and he vanished. What if it was all a plan? What if that was the moment they took him to be brainwashed?"

Lila swallowed hard.

Jin continued, "If that's true, then Mei is still alive, and she's in their hands right now."

Lila whispered, "But… but Kai loves Mei."

Jin chuckled darkly. "Yes. But what if that's part of the Shadows' plan too? Regardless of how he got there, what I do know for sure is that he's planning to kill you."

Lila's hands trembled. "But why?"

Jin knelt down, untying her restraints. As Lila stood, she grabbed his arm. "So what's your plan?"

Jin smirked. "I thought I was the crazy one."

Lila lowered her head. "You're still our leader."

Jin pulled away from her grasp and walked toward the exit. "For now, act like you don't know anything. Pretend I've gone missing. If Kai is brainwashed, he'll try to kill me first before coming for you. Regardless, even if he manages to take me out… my plan may still work."

Lila hesitated. "What's your plan?"

Jin exhaled smoke, his expression unreadable. "You guys aren't the only ones with powers. The Shadows figured that out long before we did, and they've been recruiting."

Lila's heart clenched. "I know that. I have friends too—people who are ready to fight by our side."

Jin nodded approvingly. "Good. Tell Ryu about this. He needs to stay out of their grasp. And be careful. We'll stay in touch." He gestured toward a hidden path. "Take the exit on your right—it'll lead you back to the circus."

Lila picked up the photos and left.

---

Meanwhile…

Crackle…

The fire flickered as the detectives spoke in hushed voices.

George clenched his fist. "I told Edward his policies needed to change."

Another detective placed a hand on his shoulder. "But the Snapdragons were the first to uncover what the Shadows had done."

He walked closer to the fire, his face partially illuminated by the flames. "These teenagers with powers were imprisoned, interrogated… and some disappeared."

He clenched his jaw. "James is cruel and intransigent. You have no idea how deep his crimes run."

George exhaled sharply. "You were part of them?"

The detective, Luis, shook his head. "No. But I know the truth."

Luis's voice trembled. "I was manipulated into killing one of the Snapdragon members."

George turned him around and held his face. "You didn't do it of your own free will, Luis. We'll get through this."

Luis closed his eyes, breathing shakily.

Lila was hidden in the shadows, eavesdropping. She covered her mouth as realization hit her.

These detectives know about the Shadows. And one of them used to work for them… just as Jin said.

Manipulation.

Her pulse quickened.

Was Kai really working for the Shadows?

Lila turned and ran toward the sanctuary.

---

A girl sprinted through the empty streets, her breath ragged, fear gripping her heart. She didn't dare look back—she didn't need to. She could feel the presence chasing her.

A flicker of light burned in the darkness.

Fwip!

A blade-shaped flame whizzed through the air, cutting through the silence—before slicing through her neck.

Thud!

Her body collapsed lifelessly onto the pavement.

Ava stepped forward, a wicked smile tugging at her lips. She twirled a flickering ember between her fingers. "One down… one more to go."

She turned and disappeared into the night.

---

Ava arrived at her hideout, but as she neared the entrance, her sharp instincts warned her—something was off. The faintest trace of warmth lingered in the air, different from her own flames.

Someone was inside.

Her fingers twitched, ready to summon fire, as she pushed the door open.

Her eyes widened.

Seated comfortably inside, a cup of tea in hand, was a woman with sleek, silver hair and piercing green eyes.

Nerya.

She smiled calmly, as if she owned the place. "Care for a cup of tea, Ava?"

Ava narrowed her eyes, stepping inside cautiously.

---