THE CRONOVERSE: SENOR'S BAR
The Clash of Hearts
At a small table in the corner, Ozors sat with her fingers wrapped tightly around her glass. Her dark eyes burned with frustration—and something deeper, something raw. Across from her, Liam slumped in his chair, his face tired, his hair messy like he'd been running his hands through it all night.
Ozors leaned forward, her voice low but sharp. "Liam," she said, "let me tell you once again—leave Milani alone. She's not worth it."
Liam clenched his jaw. His eyes flicked toward the door, as if he wanted to escape. "What the hell do I do now?" he muttered, more to himself than to her.
A slow smirk curled on Ozors' lips. She swirled the ice in her drink, watching it clink against the glass. "Simple," she said, her voice smooth but dangerous. "Marry me. Let me bear your child."
The words dropped like a bomb. Liam's head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock. "Huh? What? You're not serious, right?"
Ozors didn't blink. She leaned closer, her dark gaze locking onto his. "I am serious, Liam. To be honest, I've wanted you for a very long time. But I could never reach you—because you were always with that damn fool Milani."
A storm raged inside Liam. His hands curled into fists on the table. "Don't call her that," he growled. "Don't."
Ozors tilted her head, studying him with a mix of pity and amusement. "Hmm. So after all she's done to you, you still want her? Still cherish her?"
Liam let out a sharp breath, the fight draining from his shoulders. "Yes."
Ozors laughed—a cold, hollow sound that echoed in the quiet bar. "Then you're a bigger fool than I imagined."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was heavy, suffocating. Finally, Liam sighed, his voice softer but firm. "Listen, Ozors. I appreciate your love and care for me. But until I've seen the truth for myself, I won't let anyone disrespect her in my presence."
Ozors leaned back in her chair, her smirk returning. "Well, good luck, Liam. But know this—you'll come back to me. Whether you like it or not."
Liam stood up so fast his chair scraped loudly against the floor. "Think whatever you want." Without another word, he turned and walked out of the bar. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Ozors alone with her drink—and the bitter taste of victory.
The March into Shadows
Meanwhile, in the Domainverse, the night was thick with tension. The group moved quickly down a narrow, winding path, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth beneath them. The air smelled of wet leaves and something else—something uneasy, like danger lurking just out of sight.
Martha led the way, her boots crunching softly against the ground. "Hurry up, everyone! We're almost there!" she called, her voice cutting through the eerie silence.
But Kazo lagged behind, his eyes darting nervously. He grabbed Zerich's arm, pulling him to a stop. "Sir, please stop," he whispered, his voice tight with fear.
Zerich turned, his expression hardening. "What is it now, Kazo?"
Kazo swallowed hard. "I'm sure we're being led into a trap."
Zerich's patience snapped. "Kazo, just follow her and remain quiet!"
But Kazo couldn't shake the dread twisting in his gut. "Why can't you see it? She's leading us into a trap!"
Zerich's eyes flashed with anger. "Kazo, if she was, I would know."
The words did nothing to calm Kazo. He sighed, casting one last wary glance at Martha's retreating figure. The path ahead was swallowed by mist, and the further they walked, the heavier the air grew—with lies, with danger, with the unspoken truth that some people were not who they seemed.
Trust and Deception
The dim glow of street lanterns flickered against the cobblestones as Martha stopped, turning to face the group. She crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning them—Kazo, tense and suspicious, and Zerich, whose easy smile never quite reached his eyes.
Martha's voice cut through the quiet like a knife. "If I had wanted you all captured, I would have done it while you were still at the bar."
A heavy silence followed. Kazo exhaled sharply, his fingers twitching near the hilt of his dagger. "Hmmm, am not saying sorry 'cause I still don't trust you, Martha."
Martha rolled her eyes, the moonlight catching her faint smirk. "Whatever. Let's just go." She turned away, her cloak swirling behind her like a living shadow.
But Zerich wasn't ready to let it go. He stepped forward, his voice low but firm. "Listen, Kazo—even if she sets us up, I promise you we'll all come out alive."
Martha couldn't help it—she laughed, the sound sharp and disbelieving. "You? Alone? What, or how, could you possibly do to defeat the Three Kings' armies?"
Zerich's smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew more knowing. "Martha, you know my name, but you don't truly know who we are… or why we're wanted. Do you?"
She hesitated, her confidence flickering for just a second. "True, I don't really know. But if I had to guess… I'd say you're all from another kingdom."
This time, it was Kazo who laughed—a rough, humorless sound. "She doesn't even know who we truly are. And here I thought she knew everything."
Zerich's grin widened. "I'll tell you who we are, Martha. But first—let me ask: why are you helping us?"
Martha stiffened. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. "Well, I—because of your payment, remember? You paid so I could help you all out."
Kazo's head snapped toward Zerich, his eyes narrowing. "Hmmm. How much did you give her, sir?"
Zerich rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. "I think… probably… oh, now I remember. I gave her everything."
Kazo's face darkened. "You can't be fucking serious."
Zerich shrugged, though his grin was unrepentant. "Sorry, Kazo. I think it was her beauty that caused it."
Kazo groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "More like your bad habit blinded you, sir."
Zerich's playful mood vanished. His voice turned sharp. "Alright, Kazo. That's quite enough out of you."
Martha watched them, shaking her head in amusement. "You two seriously are insane—and quite funny at the same time. But trust me, I'm not leading you into any kind of trap. I'd put my life on that."
Kazo let out a long, weary sigh. "Alright, Martha. For now, I'll believe you. But that doesn't mean I trust you."
Martha's smile was faint but real. "I know. So now… can you all follow me? And hide your faces. We're about to enter the main district of the kingdom."
The group exchanged glances before nodding. "Alright, Martha."
Together, they melted into the shadows, their footsteps silent as they moved toward the heart of the kingdom—a place of danger, secrets, and the unknown.
TO BE CONTINUED.