The performance of deception

The plan was set.

Arkins sat at the head of the table, his fingers interlocked, his expression unreadable. "They want to believe they've broken Melly," he said, his voice steady. "So, let's give them that illusion."

Melly leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "And when they think I'm shattered, I'll act like I have no choice but to join them—to rule by their side, just like they always wanted."

Selene frowned. "Are you sure about this, Melly? Playing into their hands means putting yourself in danger. They will test you."

Melly smirked. "Let them. They think I'm some fragile girl who can't handle herself." Her voice turned cold. "It's time they learn who they're dealing with."

Kulture, who had been sitting silently, finally spoke. "And how do we sell this? How do we make them believe you're actually broken?"

Zyren grinned. "That's where you come in."

Kulture blinked. "Wait—what?"

Arkins leaned forward, his smirk dark. "You're the key. They sent you to break Melly, so we let them believe you succeeded."

Kulture hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright… so I'll act like I won. That I crushed her spirit."

Melly rolled her eyes. "Not too much though. Let's not get carried away."

Ezra chuckled. "This is going to be interesting."

Selene still looked uneasy. "And if they don't buy it?"

Melly's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Then I'll make them."

The room fell into silence.

The trap was set.

Now, it was time to play the game.

The Act Begins.....

Melly stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her face was calm, but inside, she could feel the storm brewing. She had played many roles before—friend, fighter, survivor—but this time, she needed to become something else.

Broken.

She took a deep breath and turned to the others. "I can put on an act… even you guys will believe it," she said confidently.

Arkins leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her closely. "I don't doubt that," he admitted. "But are you sure you're ready for this? Because once you start, there's no turning back."

Melly smirked. "That's the point, isn't it?"

Zyren and Ezra exchanged amused glances.

"I gotta say," Ezra chuckled, "watching this will be very entertaining."

Kulture scoffed. "Just don't overdo it. You don't want them getting suspicious."

Melly adjusted her clothes, making herself look disheveled—like she hadn't slept, like she had been crying. She let her shoulders drop, her eyes darken with exhaustion. When she turned back to the group, she looked... defeated.

Zyren blinked. "Damn."

Arkins' jaw clenched. Seeing her like this—even if it was fake—made something tighten in his chest. He didn't like it.

Selene sighed. "This is going to work. They'll believe it."

Melly gave a small, bitter laugh. "Good. Because they won't see what's coming next."

With that, she walked toward the door, ready to put on the performance of a lifetime.

Now the Performance Begins at the hall..

Melly walked into the grand hall of the vampire stronghold, her steps slow and hesitant, her head slightly lowered. The air was heavy with tension, and every pair of eyes turned toward her as she entered.

Morganna and Kulture stood at the center, smirking triumphantly, their arms folded as if they had already won.

"Well, well," Morganna drawled, tilting her head. "Look who finally accepted reality."

Melly hesitated, biting her lip, her hands trembling slightly—perfectly calculated. "You were right," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I was foolish to think I belonged here."

Kulture chuckled, circling her like a predator. "So, what now? You're here to beg for a place beside us?"

Melly swallowed hard, her body language screaming vulnerability. "I want… to join you," she said shakily. "If I can't have my own place here, then maybe I should stand with those who truly rule."

A slow, victorious grin spread across Morganna's face. "Now that's more like it," she purred. "It took you long enough to realize."

From the shadows, Arkins and his brothers watched carefully. Arkins' fists clenched—he knew it was an act, but seeing her like this made his blood boil. He hated watching her pretend to submit to them.

"Prove it," Morganna said suddenly, stepping closer. "Prove that you're with us now."

Melly raised her eyes to meet Morganna's. "How?"

Kulture smirked. "By betraying Arkins."

Silence fell over the hall.

Arkins stiffened. Ezra and Zyren exchanged tense glances. This was unexpected.

Melly's heart pounded, but she didn't let it show. She let her lips tremble, her gaze flickering as if in conflict. She whispered to herself under her breath "kulture that motherfucking traitor" .Then, she asked them , "What do you want me to do?"

Morganna stepped even closer, her breath cold against Melly's skin. "Break him. Humiliate him. Show us that you've truly turned your back on him."

Melly forced herself to hesitate, to make it seem like she was struggling. Then, finally, she nodded.

"I will."

Arkins exhaled sharply. This was going to be harder than he thought.

Playing the Part...

Arkins stood frozen, watching as Melly's words echoed through the grand hall. He knew it was an act, yet something about the way she said it sent a chill down his spine.

Morganna clapped her hands, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Finally. I was getting tired of your little attitude."

Kulture stepped forward, smirking. "So, how should we do this? Public humiliation? Maybe she can put him on his knees?"

Melly tensed. These people really think I'll betray him for real? She forced her face into an unreadable mask and tilted her head slightly, acting as though she was considering it.

Morganna turned toward Arkins, her lips curling. "Bring him here."

Ezra and Zyren subtly exchanged glances, their muscles tensed. They weren't sure how far Melly was willing to go with this act, and neither were they prepared to see their brother humiliated, even for the sake of the mission.

Arkins, to everyone's surprise, stepped forward himself. "No need," he said coolly, walking toward them with deliberate confidence. His gaze met Melly's. "Go ahead then," he said softly, only for her to hear.

Melly inhaled. Alright. Time to make this believable.

She stepped closer to him, looking as though she was struggling with her decision. Then, without warning, she raised her hand and struck him across the face. The sharp sound echoed in the silence.

Zyren almost moved forward, but Ezra caught his wrist. "Wait."

Arkins barely flinched, but his eyes darkened as he looked at her. He had expected something dramatic, but that slap? It was personal. Damn, she's good.

Morganna laughed. "Oh, that was satisfying."

Melly dropped her hand, her fingers stinging from the impact. She had put just enough force to make it believable. "I don't owe you anything," she hissed at Arkins. "You thought I'd always stand by you? That I'd be your little human girl forever?"

She took a step back, crossing her arms. "I choose power."

The words felt foreign on her tongue, but she had to sell it.

Arkins smirked, playing along. "Then do it," he challenged. "If you really choose power, prove it. Strike me down."

Morganna's smile faltered slightly. She hadn't expected Arkins to challenge Melly like this.

Kulture leaned in, whispering, "Finish it."

Melly hesitated, just enough to make it seem like she was battling her emotions. Then she took a deep breath and raised her hand again. This time, magic sparked at her fingertips.

Everyone in the room tensed.

Then—just as suddenly—she spun on her heel and aimed her magic at Morganna instead.

A blast of energy sent Morganna flying across the room, crashing into the stone wall. Dust and debris crumbled down around her.

Kulture's eyes widened. "What the—?"

Melly turned back to them, her golden eyes glowing with power. "You really thought I'd turn against him?" she scoffed. "You insult me."

Zyren and Ezra burst into laughter. "Now that's an Oscar-worthy performance!" Zyren gasped between chuckles.

Arkins exhaled, shaking his head in amusement. "Damn, Melly."

Morganna groaned from the floor, her pride shattered.

Melly smirked. "Now, let's get to the real fight."

The Vanishing Act....

The air grew thick with tension as the elders who had been silently observing suddenly made their move. Without warning, they raised their hands, summoning dark energy that crackled with power, aiming directly at Melly.

"Enough of this game," one of the elders snarled. "She's a threat!"

Before Arkins, Zyren, or Ezra could react, bolts of dark energy shot toward Melly, swirling with the intent to immobilize her.

But Melly was faster.

With a flick of her wrist, she whispered an incantation under her breath, her eyes glowing fiercely. A gust of wind erupted around her, forming a protective shield that deflected the incoming attacks. The force of her magic sent a shockwave through the room, making the elders stagger backward.

Arkins grabbed her wrist. "Melly—"

"Trust me," she murmured.

Before another attack could be launched, she quickly traced a glowing rune into the air, chanting a teleportation spell. The energy around them shimmered like fractured light, and within seconds, Melly, Arkins, Zyren, Ezra, and Selene vanished into thin air.

The elders' attacks struck empty space.

Morganna, still recovering from Melly's earlier strike, pushed herself up and screamed in frustration. "No! She escaped!"

Kulture clenched her fists. "Where did she take them?"

The elders exchanged glances, their expressions dark.

"She's stronger than we thought," one muttered. "This girl… she's a bigger threat than even Arkins."

Another elder's eyes narrowed. "We need to find them before it's too late."

Meanwhile…

In a secluded, abandoned temple on the outskirts of the vampire city, the group materialized in a burst of golden light.

Zyren stumbled slightly before catching his balance. "Damn, warn us next time, will you?"

Selene exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "That was too close."

Melly took a deep breath, steadying herself. The spell had drained a bit of her energy, but she refused to show it.

Arkins turned to her, his gaze unreadable. "Melly… You just made yourself their number one enemy."

She crossed her arms. "Good."

Zyren chuckled. "Oh, I like her."

Ezra shook his head, amused. "Now what, oh fearless leader?"

Melly smirked. "Now? We prepare."

Because the battle had only just begun.