Night returned to Arkveil like a lover with a knife in her hand. After the oath, after the promises, after the silence — everyone slept a little too easily. Because he knew better. He knew that love didn’t cancel betrayal. It simply postponed it. So, when he finally allowed himself to rest, he did it fully clothed, a warded dagger under his pillow, and a heartbeat trained to wake at the sound of intent. He didn’t sleep long. Because just after midnight— [System Alert – Intrusion Detected] Identity Mask: Active Status: Kai’s Room Breached Kai’s eyes snapped open. No breath. No movement. Just awareness. He rolled sideways — fast. A blade sliced through the space where his neck had been. The attacker didn’t scream. "Coward," Kai whispered. He reached into the shadows and threw a talisman to the far wall. It exploded in light. Silhouetting a figure dressed in black — someone he recognized instantly. "Seris?" he breathed. She froze mid-step, half her face masked. The other half — unmistakable. And a tear falling down one cheek. "I’m sorry," she said. Kai felt his stomach twist. But she lunged again. Their blades met with a scream of steel. Kai deflected. Sidestepped. Grabbed her wrist and twisted. She didn’t cry out. She only fought harder. "You swore," Kai growled. "You took the Oath!" "I know!" she choked, slashing again. "I—I didn’t want to—but..." Then dropped the dagger. And fell to her knees. [System Breach Recorded – Oath Violation Attempted] Name: Seris Nightflame Loyalty Sync: Critical Status: Oath-Shattered Kai’s fingers hovered above the command rune etched into his bracer. The option was simple: Wipe her memories. Sever the bond. But nothing about this moment was simple. Not when Seris looked at him like that. Like she wanted him to end her pain. "I was approached," she whispered. "Two days ago. Something in the shadows. Not System. Not human. It promised me..." She clenched her fists. "Your brother died during the first siege." "I thought he was gone. But they said he’s trapped. In the Rift." "And the only way to free him... was to kill you." The truth hit like a hammer. Because he believed her. But betrayal never asked for fairness. "I fought it," she said, breath hitching. "I told myself I wouldn’t. I swore I wouldn’t." "But tonight... I woke up. And my dagger was already in my hand. And my body moved before my heart could catch up." She looked at him with blood in her eyes. "Do it, Kai. End it." [System Override Triggered – Memory Wipe Ready] Kai has 30 seconds to decide. "Forget me," or "Forgive me." His hand hovered over the rune. Then he closed his eyes. And disabled the override. [System Override: Denied] Seris retains memory, bond, and guilt. Penalty: Emotional Instability Status: Loyalty Reset – Level 1 Trait Lost: "Mercy in Flames" Kai knelt beside her. "One betrayal," he said softly. "You just used it." Her body shook with silent sobs. Kai didn’t touch her. Didn’t offer comfort. And walked to the door. The others were assembled again. No ceremony. No lies. Just hard eyes, cold air, and one truth that could not be undone. "She tried to kill you?" Yuri asked, trembling with restrained fury. "She stopped herself," Kai replied. "That counts for something." "Does it?" Astra asked, blade resting across her lap. "Because next time, she might not." "I told you," she said. "The first dagger always comes from the one closest to your chest." "She was manipulated. Something outside the System." "There’s only one thing that can do that." They all turned. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn ⓝovelFire.net Liora’s voice dropped to a whisper. "The Author Protocol." Even Nyx’s smile faded. "That’s just a myth," Yuri said. "It was," Liora replied. "Until tonight." [System Prompt – New Thread Unlocked: "The Hand Behind the Curtain"] Author Protocol Identified "The story ends when the protagonist breaks their script." Kai looked around at the women in his life. All teetering between love and blood. And he realized something. This was no longer his story. And maybe that’s why the Author wanted him dead. Because he refused to play his role. He dodged death, got kissed by a psycho, and tripped into a dungeon. 🎭 Just another Tuesday for Kai. 📚 Add to your library for more laughs and lethal love. 💬 Which girl do you think is the funniest (or scariest)? 🔺 Vote with Power Stones to keep the madness going.