Casting Lies

Meryt staggered back, but she snapped upright, forcing her composure to hold. "She wasn't supposed to be saved." Her voice cracked, a cold sweat beading at her temple.

Kaia didn't speak. She didn't need to. The air around her thickened with a suffocating bloodlust, sharp and tangible. Her eyes locked on Meryt, unblinking. And then, in a blur, she moved.

Red flames erupted with every step Kaia took, the fire curling around her like a living thing, licking the air with heat. Meryt barely had time to react before Kaia was beside her—too fast, too close.

Before she could blink, Kaia's hand was on her face, gripping her like an iron vice. The world tilted as Meryt was hurled across the wreckage. She slammed into a half-destroyed wall with a bone-crushing impact, a scream ripping from her throat as she coughed up blood. Damn, she's fast.

The ground spun beneath her, but she forced herself to rise, fury flickering in her eyes. Kaia stood across from her, cold and poised, eyes burning with silent promise of more pain to come.

Meryt let out a low, mocking laugh, the sound a strange contrast to the blood dripping from her mouth. Sitting on the rubble, she casually wiped her lip, like she hadn't just been tossed like a ragdoll. "You..." Her grin was sharp, predatory. "Let's see if you can actually handle me."

She shot to her feet in one swift motion, her sleeves pushed up, fists clenched. A rush of adrenaline hit her veins. This was far from over.

Kaia charged at Meryt once more, but this time, Meryt was prepared. A powerful kick slammed into Kaia's waist, sending her flying back. The force was enough to crack the ground beneath them, rubble flying in all directions.

But Kaia didn't retreat. In a blink, she reappeared behind Meryt, her speed unmatched. Meryt's eyes tracked her every move, her focus razor-sharp. As Kaia's hand swung toward her, Meryt reacted instantly, grabbing her wrist despite the impossible speed.

Without hesitation, Meryt twisted Kaia's arm and shoved her into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave through a long distance, cracks forming in the floor as debris flew into the air.

Meryt wiped the blood from her chin with a smirk. "Come on, get up," she mocked. "The fun's just beginning."

Kaia's voice was low, simmering with rage. "So my sister's life was just a joke to you?"

Meryt felt a dark, oppressive presence closing in behind her. Her instincts screamed, but she kept her eyes on Kaia, unwilling to break her gaze.

In a flash, Kaia was sitting on the ground in front of her, her glare burning with hatred. "I said I won't spare you again."

Before Meryt could react, she felt the cold touch of a blade at her neck. Her pulse quickened as she realized a dark figure had materialized behind her, sword poised to strike.

***

The hallway was a blur of rushed movements, but as a figure passed, everyone instinctively bowed their heads.

"Miss Ananya, welcome back."

"Welcome, Miss Ananya…"

"Miss…" The voices echoed as Ananya walked by, her presence commanding attention. She waved back, a soft smile playing at her lips, before she reached the door marked Info Unit Bureau.

She took a deep breath.

Flop.

Confetti exploded into the air, glitter and stars falling in a shower of celebration.

"Welcome back!" Zack, Chang, and Cho shouted in unison, popping party poppers with exaggerated flair.

Ananya's smile softened, almost knowing. "I didn't expect such a grand welcome," she said, crossing her arms, unbothered.

"Well, you deserve it," Chang said, his grin wide. "We can't hide our excitement now that you're back."

"You have no idea how much work piled up while you were gone. We didn't realize how much you handle on your own," Zack chimed in, his voice laced with mock exhaustion.

Cho raised an eyebrow, eyeing Zack. "So, you're happy because she's here to save you from all that work?"

Zack waved his hands frantically. "No—no, I mean, yes, but also no! I'm genuinely happy to see her, not just because of the workload!" He shot Cho a glare. "He's trying to turn you against me, don't listen to him!"

Chang winked at Ananya. "Well, the whole welcome idea was Zack's, actually."

Zack grinned, throwing an arm around Chang. "Finally, someone gets me!"

Ananya chuckled. "Thanks, Zack," she said, shaking her head.

"No need for thanks." Zack shrugged. "We should be thanking you. You're the one who works so hard for us."

Her eyes slowly shifted to her desk. Something about it felt off. The faint residue of mana lingered in the air, and her smile faltered. "Has anyone been in this room… besides us?"

The mood shifted, the air suddenly heavier, taut with tension.

"Huh? We didn't see anyone else come through," Zack said, shaking his head.

A cold voice sliced through the silence. "How heartwarming…"

Ananya didn't need to look. She knew exactly who it was. The unmistakable, sickly sweet tone.

She didn't turn, but her voice dropped low, sharp. "What do you want, Sir Kai?"

His smirk was audible, the faintest hint of malice in his words. "I'm here to deliver news… though I doubt you'll appreciate it."

Ananya's muscles tensed instinctively. If it was him, it had to be important.

"There's been an explosion. A massive one. The Apostle and some members are already heading out to the site. And it's somewhere you're familiar with."

Her breath hitched as the words settled in. She whipped around to face him. A sickening grin played at his lips.

"The whole city of Zenith. Onis."

Ananya's spine went rigid. Her pulse quickened as a cold shiver ran down her back. Without a word, she lunged forward, ready to rush out the door.

But before she could take a single step, her hair was yanked back, a brutal grip pulling her to a halt.

"Hey!" Zack's voice cracked with fury as he whipped out his gun, aiming at Kai. His hands shook, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Let her go."

Chang and Cho moved in, their postures tense, but before they could take another step, the floor beneath them cracked open with a deafening sound, splitting like an abyss.

Kai's voice was smooth, dangerously calm. "You really think you can handle me?" His glare was enough to freeze the air around them.

Ananya struggled in his grasp, but still, she spoke, her voice low but firm. "Stay back. Don't hurt them."

Zack, Cho, and Chang stood frozen, helpless, their hands clenched into fists as they gritted their teeth, unable to move.

"Why are you doing this?" Zack shouted, his voice breaking.

Kai's response was casual, as if the situation were trivial. He tossed a stack of papers in their direction. "Take a look," he said, gripping Ananya's arm and dragging her away.

Zack snatched the papers, his eyes scanning them frantically. The blood drained from his face.

"Zack, what does it say?" Chang's voice was thick with frustration.

Zack's hands trembled as he read the words, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts. "It says... Ananya Nyxdith is found guilty of practicing black magic. And..." His voice cracked. "She's a traitor to the Aphelion."

"What?" Cho gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief. "She's being taken to prison without trial? Just like that?"

Zack's hands balled into fists, clutching the papers so tightly they crumpled in his grip. "We should have seen it coming. They're fabricating lies, setting her up while she was gone."

"Damn it!" Chang roared, hurling a chair across the room, the sound of splintering wood echoing through the tension-heavy air. The room fell silent, the weight of betrayal hanging heavy.

***

The lift creaked as it descended, the air thick with tension. A shackle of dark energy pulsed around Ananya's wrist, tendrils of black mana snaking up her arm. Her eyes were fixed downward, her mind a whirl of thoughts, while Kai stood silently beside her, an imposing figure.

Ananya couldn't hold back a bitter laugh. "You won't let me go?" she sneered, voice sharp with defiance.

Zack, standing a few feet away, grinned, eyes glinting with mockery. "Looks like you've finally cracked." He raised an eyebrow. "So, are you really worried about the people back there? Or is this about your grand little scheme—Kaia?"

Ananya remained silent, her jaw clenched tight, but the tension in her shoulders spoke volumes.

Kai moved closer, his hand snapping out to grip her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Their faces were inches apart now, his cold, piercing eyes drilling into hers. "You've crafted such a perfect image of yourself that no one would believe who you truly are," he said, voice low, taunting. "Kaia... is just a tool for your own personal gain. Not some savior of the prophecy. Why would a mortal care what happens after a hundred years?" He let go of her chin with a swift motion, shoving her face away with a cruel smirk. "I pity you."

Her breath caught in her throat. Ananya's eyes flashed with an unholy fire, purple light flaring around her pupils. "Kai..." Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "I swear upon the President's name, I will make you submit to me. You'll regret this." Her glare was pure malice, her words laced with deadly intent.

Kai's laughter rang out, harsh and mocking, echoing inside the small lift. "Submit to a mere human?" He tugged at her hair, yanking her head back, his grip tight and unforgiving. "Dream on."