Episode 2

Zera stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, as the weight of Ares’ proposal hung in the air like an unspoken curse. The city around her buzzed with life, but it felt like they were in a world of their own, locked in this strange, dangerous moment. She didn’t know what to think, didn’t know what to feel. All she knew was that everything was about to change.

Ares didn’t wait for her to respond immediately. He simply studied her, as if reading her every thought. His eyes, dark and unyielding, never left her face, and for the first time in her life, Zera felt truly exposed. The thought of walking away from him, of rejecting the contract, felt like stepping into a void—a void she had no idea how to escape.

“You’ve been living a lie, Zera,” Ares said, his voice breaking the silence. It was smooth and calm, yet every word carried a weight of truth that was impossible to ignore. “You’ve been running from your past, but your past will always follow you. No matter how far you run.”

Zera swallowed hard, trying to push the fear down. She had never let anyone control her life, never allowed anyone to dictate her choices. But Ares—there was something about him that was different. His power, his confidence, it was magnetic. The promise of freedom, of power, was intoxicating.

“I’ve already made my choice,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. It surprised her how calm she sounded, even as her insides twisted with uncertainty.

Ares stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. He was so close now that Zera could feel the heat radiating off of him. She wanted to take a step back, to escape, but she was frozen in place. His gaze held her captive, and she couldn’t look away.

“You’re smart, Zera,” Ares said, his lips curling into a grin. “Most people would have run by now. But not you. You understand the weight of the world we live in. The price of survival.”

Zera didn’t respond. She didn’t know what to say. The man who stood before her was a monster, but a monster with a purpose. He was a king in a world where only the strongest survived. And maybe, just maybe, she could use that strength to take back control of her life.

Without a word, Ares extended his hand, the gesture calm and commanding. Zera looked at his hand, then back at his face. There was no going back. This was the moment that would define her future. She had already seen the darkness in his eyes, the shadows that clung to him like a second skin. But she also saw something else—something she couldn’t quite place. Was it humanity? Or was it just another game?

Zera hesitated for only a moment before taking his hand. She felt a shock of electricity run through her, and a shiver raced down her spine. The contract was sealed, not in ink, but in something far deeper. Something that bound her to him in ways she couldn’t yet comprehend.

“The deal is done,” Ares said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “You are mine, Zera. From this moment forward, you will walk in the shadows with me. Together, we’ll rule this world.”

Zera felt a strange sense of power surge through her. She had always believed she was meant for more than the life she had known. Maybe this was her chance to rise above the chaos and take control. But with Ares, there was no telling what would happen next. Was she walking into her own destruction? Or was she about to become something more?

As Ares turned to lead her through the alley, a sense of finality washed over her. She was no longer just a girl on the run. She was something more. She was part of his world now—a world of danger, obsession, and power. A world where love and betrayal would collide, and where every decision could be her last.

Zera had no idea what the future held. But one thing was certain: she was about to step into a storm of passion, darkness, and danger. And she would either be consumed by it… or rise above it. ⚡️