The Price of Trust, The Cost of Freedom ( updated)

Tyla's early life had been shaped by the harsh realities of growing up in an orphanage, an experience that deeply affected her sense of self-esteem and confidence.

When she was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Orion High Academy, it felt like a rare opportunity to prove herself.

But despite her undeniable intelligence and academic excellence, she couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place among the children of wealthy families. Surrounded by classmates who constantly boasted about their luxurious cars, designer clothes, and flawless makeup, Tyla grew even more self-conscious and withdrew into herself. Her heart ached as she wondered if she would ever be able to stand confidently among them.

In her vulnerability, she found herself drawn to Lily Wilson, one of the privileged students who, despite the arrogance and contempt from others, showed her a shred of kindness. Tyla, desperate for connection, opened her heart to Lily, hoping that this small gesture would be the beginning of a real friendship.

Unfortunately, she would later realize that Lily's kindness had been nothing more than a facade. To Lily, Tyla had simply been a charity case—someone she could help in order to enhance her own reputation. This shallow connection soon faded, especially when Jason Cruz entered the picture.

Jason Cruz was the heir to the second branch of the novice rich Cruz family. Though they had money, their status was still there steps behind that of families like the Wilsons, whose old-money wealth was entrenched in the academy's social fabric.

Despite his family's status, Jason was known for his determination and drive. He excelled academically, was the star player on the basketball team, and brought countless trophies for Orion Academy. His charm made him the object of affection for many girls at school, including both Tyla and Lily .

At first, Tyla thought Jason was genuinely interested in her, but soon it became clear that his affection was a mask. His true goal was to get closer to Lily, the key to the Wilson family fortune. Marrying Lily was his hope of securing the Cruz family's heir position in the ongoing conflict over wealth and inheritance. Tyla, unable to see through Jason's façade, believed in a connection that never existed.

The betrayal grew even darker as the world collapsed into chaos. In the midst of the apocalypse, when everyone was too terrified to leave their shelters to scavenge for food and supplies, Tyla had been the one to step forward. She had worked tirelessly, ensuring that Lily and Jason survived the harsh first few months of the disaster.

She could still remember it all…..the scent of old paper and dust. The dim glow of emergency lights flickering above. The library had been their sanctuary in those first terrifying days—the last place in the whole academy which still felt somewhat safe.

Tyla could still remember Jason's anxious pacing, the way his jaw tightened as he rubbed his temples. Lily's quiet fear, her fingers tapping against the wooden table as she kept glancing toward the door.

And she could still remember the hunger.

They had all been starving by then, rationing the last scraps of food, pretending they weren't counting the hours since their last meal. She had seen the way Jason looked at his empty hands, frustration darkening his face.

She had unzipped her backpack.

"Here," she had said, offering them food.

Jason had blinked at her in disbelief. "You're… giving this to us?"

Lily had hesitated before taking the granola bar. "Tyla, are you sure? You don't have much left."

She had forced a small smile. "Just eat."

They had eaten in silence. And for a little while, the fear had faded.

But peace never lasted long…...

Among the ten students left in the library...the moment Jason's name was drawn, she had seen the fear in his eyes.

The cafeteria was the only place left with food. Someone had to go.

With food running out, they decided to draw names to pick who would go. It seemed fair, but deep down, everyone was scared. Each time someone left, they never came back.

"I can't…" Jason had stammered. His hands had curled into fists, his shoulders tense with dread. "I mean—I…"

"Tyla," Lily had whispered. "Someone else should—"

But she had already stepped forward.

"I'll go with him." She offered despite her fear.

Jason had stared at her, stunned. He hadn't refused. Maybe he was relieved.

Maybe he had already decided that, if it came down to it, he wouldn't be the one to die.

***

The campus had been too quiet that day. The air thick with the scent of rotting flesh.

They had made it to the cafeteria, filling their bags with whatever they could carry.

Then the silence had broken.

A moan from the hallway.

Then another.

A shadow dragging itself forward.

Jason had frozen beside her.

And then the sprinting had begun.

In his fear, Jason shoved her—straight into the arms of the approaching zombie. Panic seized her as the creature lunged, but by some miracle, she twisted away at the last second. Instead of being bitten, she ended up saving Jason instead when another zombie nearly tackled him from behind.

By the time they made it back, they had lost most of their food bags. The others were furious, their accusing eyes turning to her. They whispered that she had slowed Jason down, that if not for her, more food would have made it back. She tried to defend herself, but Jason stayed silent, refusing to speak up.

That night, when the others had finally settled, Jason found her behind the shelves, away from prying eyes. His voice was low, shaking. Apologizing over and over for what he had done.

***

She had saved them. Again and again.

Then, after the first week of living in that nightmare, she had awakened her supernatural water ability. It wasn't strong, but it was enough. Enough to guide them out of the academy. Enough to find a safe zone. She led them.

For weeks, they lived peacefully believing the walls would hold.

But nothing lasted forever.

She remembered the night the base fell. The screams. The blood.

She remembered running—losing Jason and Lily in the chaos.

She searched for them. Days turned to weeks. Weeks to months.

She never found them.

But she found another safe zone.

And there, he had been waiting for her.

Her dark destiny

***

Arthur Stone.

The look in his eyes when he first saw her —

Obsession.

Before she could run, she had been caught.

Two years. Three months.

She had been his prisoner.

She had begged. Pleaded to be let go. She had tried to escape—again and again. Each attempt ended the same. His grip was unshakable, his will absolute.

And when words failed, when chains weren't enough, he had forced himself on her.

Yet, he gave her everything. The finest clothes. The richest food. The warmest covers. A residence safer than anywhere else in that ruined world.

A golden cage.

At some point, she stopped trying to escape. Not because she had accepted it, but because fighting changed nothing. So she adapted. She watched him. Tried to understand him.

But Arthur Stone was impossible to understand.

A volatile temper.

Little words.

Cold. Unapproachable.

Some days, she thought he loved her. Other days, she felt like nothing more than his toy—something to keep close, something to possess.

Then one day, he did something unforgivable—

More unforgivable than what she could bear.

And then, one night, she had held the dagger he had once given her—and she had stabbed him with it.

She had run leaving him bleeding on the floor.

***

Jason and Lily.

She had found them again…. in another safe zone. But the people she had known were gone.

Jason wielded fire ability now. Lily commanded wind. And they were no longer just survivors. They were part of a thriving team. The Black Butterflies.

And Tyla?

Her water magic was still weak. She was kept in a golden cage where she never had to fight or improve. But She had done her best to keep up , relying more on close combat and a stolen gun than any kind of ability.

She tried to keep up.

Tried to prove herself.

But the gap between them only grew wider.

She became the errand girl. The shield. The one who was always sent ahead.

And then came the night of the attack.

Waves of zombies closing on them.

She remembered the way Jason's fingers curled around her wrist.

The way Lily's face had twisted in guilt.

The way Jason shoved her forward.

"Sorry, Tyla."

And then they ran.

Leaving her behind.

Leaving her to die.

***

Tyla's breath hitched.

The memory faded.

She exhaled slowly, fingers tightening into fists.

As the memory of betrayal flooded her mind, Tyla's thoughts were interrupted by a strange mechanical voice. "Hello, I am System 111. Would you like to bind with me?"

The voice was eerily familiar—it was the same one that had spoken to her as she was being torn apart by the zombies.

A system? Tyla wasn't unfamiliar with the concept.

Before the apocalypse, she'd read web novels for entertainment. In many of those stories, the main characters who received the system went on to live extraordinary lives, gaining power and recognition.

Yet, she had also seen stories where the system took control of the hosts, turning them into little more than a tool to serve its own agenda.

Tyla hesitated for a moment. The pain of betrayal still stung, and she couldn't just trust anything or anyone so easily anymore.

With a steely resolve, she spoke: "What guarantee do I have that you won't hurt me once I bind with you? Why should I trust you?" Her voice held a mixture of suspicion and guarded hope—she wasn't about to make the same mistake again.