Blood drops

Judit's wrists are raw, slick with blood from her struggles against the unyielding chains. She thrashes, feeling the cold iron bite deeper, her breaths coming quick and shallow. "Please, Drake....don't hurt them. They're innocent," she pleads, her voice breaking. "Take my life, do whatever you want with me. Just spare them.....…"

"No, please, don't kill my father! Please, Dad, don't.... Noooo!" The little girl's voice cracks, pleading, as she watches helplessly while the wolves tear into her father right before her eyes. Her mother's anguished screams pierce the air. She is tied up, her wrists raw from struggling, unable to shield her daughter from the horrific sight. The girl's wide, tear filled eyes stay locked on the nightmare, her small body trembling violently until, overwhelmed by fear and sorrow, she collapses into unconsciousness. Her mother cries out even louder, her agony now doubled as she watches her daughter fall limp, powerless to comfort her.

The scene flickers on a floating screen before them.

Drake leans closer, his voice a cold whisper in her ear. "Look," he says, gesturing towards the screen, a sinister smile curling his lips. "They gave you a place to stay, and this is the price they will pay for their kindness. It's their punishment for harboring you." He pauses, giving Judit a menacing look, reveling in her visible torment. "I wonder, was it worth it?"

A cruel laugh echoes through the cave, cold and mocking. Drake's gaze settles on her, relishing her desperation. "The strong Judit.....reduced to this," he sneers. Behind him, a screen flickers, showing the huddled children, mothers clutching them, their tear streaked faces frozen in terror. A sob chokes her throat as she watches a small boy bury his face in his mother's chest.

Drake steps forward, yanking her head back by her red hair, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Do you think I care about sparing anyone?" he taunts, dragging a bloodied body forward. It's Livio, his lifeless eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

"NO!" Judit screams, her heart twisting painfully. "Please....I am begging you." Her voice trembles, as fragile as glass. "I...I will do anything you want. Just don't hurt Livio."

Drake sneers, a flash of disgust twisting his features. "You think you are worth anything to me? You belong on the streets. And besides..." He grins. "These chains .....they're a special item. They block your Prabhavali." He leans in closer, a sadistic smile spreading. "Now watch as I make him suffer."

Judit's shoulders slump, her voice barely a whisper. "I am.....I am a virgin," she mutters, her face lowering, hope dwindling as she surrenders a part of herself.

Drake's eyes gleam as he moves closer. "What was that? Say it again, loud and clear."

"I know why you did all this.....you wanted to hear the truth from me. But believe me, I'm not worth your time," Judit says, her voice breaking as she turns away, tears streaming down her face.

Drake gently lifts her chin, forcing her to look at him. "No, you are wrong. You are not worthless," he whispers, a twisted smile spreading across his lips. "I can't believe I get to be the first one to taste you. The strongest male players.....hell, even the female players...have dreamed of this moment. They want to see you beg, to hear your screams of agony. And I get to be the one who finally breaks you. This.... this is the best moment of my life."

But before he can reach her, a flash of movement catches her eye. In an instant, Livio's body is gone, and Drake's head snaps back, severed cleanly as it tumbles to the floor.

Judit's breath catches, her mind struggling to process what just happened. Livio...

"Wait, so you lied to everyone?" Livio steps closer to Judit.

"Don't act innocent. You can read my mind using that thing," Judit gasps.

"But I never used it on you." Livio then grabs Judit, hugging her aggressively.

"Wait, don't get angry. It's not like I wanted to ruin my reputation, and believe me, I didn't want to hide it from you. The reason I spread misinformation and called myself a prostitute was to ruin my image intentionally and avoid unwanted attention. You understand after today's situation, right? If people think Judit is a prostitute, they will avoid me, and I will stay out of trouble. Look at me, Livio you have suffered too much. Even though I am your teacher, I couldn't protect you. You ended up protecting me instead. I am really sorry." Judit's eyes overflow with tears, which fall like a fountain.

"You are saying I protected you? What about all the times you saved me? You were even ready to sell yourself to that bastard just to keep me safe. The way you are talking now, it really made me angry." Livio picks up his blood red katana, but Judit doesn't even realize what's happening.

Judit's breath hitched as Livio's hands traced along her arms, his touch hesitant yet determined. The flickering torchlight painted shadows across the cave walls, casting their intertwined figures in a golden glow. She could feel her heart pounding—fast, unsteady—matching the nervous energy radiating from Livio.

He was trying to act composed, but she could see through him. The way his fingers trembled ever so slightly, the way his breath came in uneven exhales. He was just as unsure as she was.

"Are you afraid?" His voice was softer now, a contrast to the playful arrogance he'd shown earlier. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingertips lingering against her skin.

Judit swallowed, averting her gaze. "No... just—" She bit her lip, her usual confidence wavering. She had teased him before, pretending to know more than she did. But the truth was, this was new for her too.

Livio tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. He looked just as uncertain, though he was trying to hide it. "You can stop this if you want," he murmured. "Just say the word."

A deep warmth spread through her chest at his sincerity. "I don't want to stop," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just... be gentle."

Livio exhaled, a small, almost relieved smile tugging at his lips. "I will."

As their lips met, there was no rush, no struggle for dominance—just a quiet understanding between them. His kiss was slow, deliberate, as if he was trying to figure out exactly what to do. Judit responded instinctively, her hands gripping his shoulders, her body pressing closer in search of guidance she didn't have.

She felt him hesitate before touching her, as if second-guessing himself. That hesitation sent a wave of warmth through her—so he really wasn't as experienced as he pretended to be.

"You're nervous," she whispered against his lips, a small smirk forming despite the heat rushing to her face.

"So are you," he shot back, though his voice betrayed his embarrassment.

Judit huffed, but she didn't deny it. She could feel the tension in both their bodies, the uncharted territory they were stepping into. And yet, there was a quiet kind of comfort in knowing they were discovering it together.

Livio swallowed hard, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "We'll figure it out," he murmured.

Judit's heart fluttered at his words. She reached up, pulling him into another kiss, this time softer—filled not with teasing or bravado, but with trust.

The world outside faded away, leaving only the warmth between them, the steady rhythm of their breaths, and the unspoken promise held in the way they touched.

How did this even happen...?