A Good Villain

The moment Venus opened his mouth, the moment he declared me a champion, I felt the weight of it settle on my shoulders like a noose tightening around my neck. 

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, hoping no one noticed. But, of course, Venus did. 

His sharp black eyes lingered on me just a moment too long, his thin lips twitching in the faintest trace of amusement. 

He had no idea that the god he had supposedly spoken to was no god at all.

It was Damien, the system that had attached itself to me like a parasite, whispering nonsense about my fate, pushing me toward a future I wanted no part of.

I was no champion.

I was a liar.

And I had no idea how long I could keep this lie from crushing me.

[You think you can keep this up?]

Damien's voice slithered into my mind, low and cold, devoid of its usual playful tone.