CHAPTER TWO: THE REVELATION

Kai’s world spun as he lay on the rooftop, his body weakening by the second. Everything around him felt distant, almost unreal, like he was trapped in a nightmare. He could still taste the bitterness of the poisoned wine on his lips, a sharp reminder of the betrayal that had just unfolded.

“Lila… why?” Kai’s voice trembled as he struggled to understand what had just happened. He looked up at her, hoping to see some sign that this wasn’t real, that it was all just a terrible mistake.

Lila stood over him, with an unreadable expression. The warmth and affection he had always seen in her eyes were gone, replaced by a cold, detached gaze. “I told you, Kai,” she said quietly, her voice steady. “This was always the plan.”

Kai’s heart ached as he tried to process her words. He had loved her, trusted her with everything he had. “You never loved me, did you?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Lila hesitated, a flicker of something—regret, perhaps—crossing her face. “I thought I did,” she admitted softly. “But in our world, Kai, love isn’t enough. There are bigger forces at play.”

Kai tried to reach out to her, but his strength was fading fast. “I don’t understand,” he said, his voice breaking. “Why would you do this? Who’s behind this?”

Lila sighed and crouched down beside him, her expression softening just a bit. “It’s not personal, Kai. It’s business. There are people who see you as a threat, who can’t afford to let you live.”

Kai’s mind was racing, but everything felt hazy, like a fog clouding his thoughts. “A threat… to who? What did I ever do?”

Lila looked away, avoiding his gaze. “Your father’s enemies, Kai. They’ve been watching you for a long time. They know about your potential, your hidden talent. And they can’t allow you to become a danger to them.”

“My talent?” Kai echoed, confused. “But I didn’t even know I had any…”

Lila’s eyes softened as she looked back at him. “You do, Kai. You’ve always had it. But it’s been dormant, waiting for the right time to awaken. That’s why they had to act now, before it was too late.”

Kai’s breathing grew shallow as the poison continued to spread through his body, making it harder to focus. “And you… you were just pretending all this time?”

Lila’s face showed a flicker of guilt. “I didn’t want it to be like this, Kai. But when I found out you were going to propose… I knew it was now or never. You were happy, and that made you vulnerable. It was the perfect moment.”

“I hexed you, so I would be able to control you and every part of you.

Kai’s vision blurred with tears as he realized the depth of her betrayal. “Lila… I trusted you… I loved you…”

Lila looked away, her hands trembling slightly. “I know, Kai. And I’m sorry. But there are things you don’t understand, things I can’t change.”

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed across the rooftop. Kai’s heart sank as a tall figure emerged from the shadows, his face hidden beneath a hood. The air around him felt heavy, charged with a dark energy that made Kai’s skin crawl.

“Is it done?” The man’s voice was low and menacing, sending a chill down Kai’s spine.

Lila stood up and nodded, her voice shaky. “Yes. It’s done. He won’t be a threat anymore.”

The man stepped closer, with an overwhelming presence. “Good. You’ve done well. Lady Isolde will be pleased.”

Kai struggled to lift his head, his vision growing dim. “Who… who are you?”

The man ignored his question, turning to Lila instead. “We don’t have much time. We need to leave before anyone notices.”

Lila glanced down at Kai, her expression conflicted. “What about him?”

The man’s gaze hardened. “He’s finished, Lila. We have what we need. Let’s go.”

Kai tried to speak, but his voice was too weak. His thoughts were a blur, his mind barely able to keep up with what was happening. He felt a deep sense of dread, knowing that he was powerless to stop them.

As the man turned to leave, Lila hesitated for a moment, looking down at Kai with sorrow in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Kai,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I wish things could have been different.”

With that, she turned and walked away, following the man into the shadows. Kai watched them go, his heart heavy with despair. He wanted to call out to her, to beg her to stay, but he knew it was futile.

As the darkness closed in around him, Kai thought of his mother, of the life they had built together in the remote town. He had never imagined it would end like this, betrayed by the one person he thought he could trust.

But even as his strength faded, a small, stubborn flame of hope burned within him. His mother’s voice echoed in his mind, reminding him of who he truly was.

“You have the purest bloodline of the Phoenix clan. You will rise from the ashes…”