Chapter 11: The Shattered Mask

Location: Astraeus Academy – Central Plaza

Kairo sat on the cold stone steps outside the academy, staring blankly ahead. The world around him seemed to move in slow motion—students chatting, birds chirping, the wind whispering through the trees—but Kairo was numb. The Watcher's words lingered in his mind, the weight of them pressing down on him like a boulder.

"The gods will use you, Kairo. You can still fight, but only if you choose."

What did that even mean?

His mind flashed back to the reflection in the trial—his dark twin, the version of himself who had fully embraced Zerith's power. The rage, the destruction, the absolute certainty that nothing mattered but power. Was that what he was becoming?

"Stop it, Kairo."

He blinked, shaking off the thoughts as he heard Serin's voice. He hadn't even noticed him approach.

Serin crouched down beside him, leaning on the step. His eyes were thoughtful, calm, but there was an edge to his gaze that made Kairo uneasy.

"You can't keep running from this," Serin said. "You've seen what's ahead. The gods aren't your friends. But you've got a choice to make."

Kairo clenched his fists. "I know what I have to do. But I don't want to become them. I don't want to be just another pawn in their game."

Serin's expression softened. "I don't think you're going to turn into some mindless god, Kairo. But you have to understand—there's more at stake here than just you. It's bigger than your fears."

Before Kairo could respond, a sudden, loud bang echoed through the plaza. The ground beneath them trembled. The academy's gates shattered as a blinding flash of light pierced the air.

Kairo's body tensed instinctively. "What the hell was that?"

Serin's eyes darkened. "Trouble."

From the dust and debris, a figure emerged—a woman, her silhouette barely visible through the smoke. She was clad in sleek, black armor that shimmered with an otherworldly glow. Her face was obscured by a dark mask, but the power emanating from her was palpable.

"Who the hell are you?" Kairo demanded, standing up and instinctively reaching for his dagger.

The woman's voice was smooth, almost mocking. "I'm here for you, Kairo. You didn't think the gods would just let you slip away, did you?"

She stepped forward, the ground beneath her feet cracking with each step. The academy students scattered, fear evident in their eyes. Kairo's pulse quickened, his instincts telling him that this wasn't just any random attack.

"What do you want with me?" Kairo asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

The woman tilted her head, a cold smile playing on her lips. "You're a powerful tool, Kairo. And the Pantheon isn't about to let that power go to waste. I'm here to bring you back... whether you like it or not."

Serin stepped in front of Kairo, drawing his weapon. "If you think we're just going to hand him over, you're gravely mistaken."

The woman's gaze shifted to Serin. "Don't get in my way, Serin. This doesn't concern you."

Kairo's eyes narrowed. "What does it concern, then?"

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It concerns the fate of this world. You're not just a pawn, Kairo. You're the key."

Kairo's heart skipped a beat. "Key to what?"

The woman didn't answer. Instead, with a flick of her wrist, she summoned a blade of pure energy, its edge crackling with lethal force.

The academy plaza exploded into chaos as she lunged toward Kairo. His reflexes kicked in, and he barely dodged the strike, feeling the rush of wind as the blade sliced through the air where his neck had just been.

"You've made a mistake," Kairo growled, drawing his dagger.

The woman laughed, a dark, hollow sound. "The mistake was thinking you could escape the gods. You'll find there's no running from your destiny."

Kairo's mind raced. He couldn't let this woman get to him. He needed answers. What did she mean by "key"?

He launched himself at her, blade flashing. The clash was a blur—his speed, his instincts pushing him beyond his limits, but this woman was fast, too. Every strike, every block was a calculated move, a step toward something he couldn't yet understand.

But then, as their blades locked, Kairo felt something shift inside him. A spark. A pulse of energy coursed through his veins, and for the briefest moment, his crimson eyes flared to life.

The woman's eyes widened slightly. "So it's already begun."

"What has?" Kairo demanded, pushing her back with a surge of strength.

She didn't respond, instead disappearing into a swirl of shadows. Kairo swung his dagger, but she was already gone, leaving only the faint echo of her laughter.

Serin lowered his weapon, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "That wasn't just an attack. She's a messenger."

"A messenger for whom?" Kairo asked, breathing heavily, trying to steady himself.

"The Pantheon." Serin's voice was grim. "They've been keeping an eye on you for a while now, Kairo. And it seems they're ready to make their move."

Kairo's heart sank. The Pantheon. He had been running from them for so long, but now it seemed like the time had come to face them head-on.

But the words from the Watcher echoed in his mind: You can still fight. You can still choose.

And now, more than ever, Kairo knew that the battle for his soul was only just beginning.

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