CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41 – CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES (PART 1)

Chapter 41 – Choices and Consequences (Part 1)

"Now, what do we have here?"

Emilio’s voice slithered through the air like a snake awakening from slumber. Zane’s eyes flicked open as the familiar, mocking tone reached his ears. Emilio strode forward with his usual nauseating grin stretching across his face.

"My dear friend Zane got accepted? What a day to be alive!" he jeered, spreading his arms as if embracing a long-lost companion. "I never thought I’d see you again. Guess fate has a twisted sense of humor, huh?"

He stopped just in front of Zane, his eyes narrowing into slits of malice. Leaning in, he dropped his voice to a whisper.

"Get the hell out of here, you rotten bastard. Did the delegation make a mistake and send someone’s invitation to the wrong person?"

Zane didn’t flinch. His expression remained unreadable, calm as still water—composed not out of peace, but discipline. Emilio was baiting him, poking at the old wound between them. But Zane wouldn’t bite.

’Acting out here would only sabotage my chances. Stay composed.’

With a cool gaze, he finally replied, "Funny... I could say the same. Never expected you to be accepted. I guess intelligence wasn’t one of the requirements."

The air between them tensed like a wire pulled taut. Emilio’s smile twitched as if it might snap.

"You think you’re clever, don’t you?" he spat.

"Sadly, I can’t say the same for you," Zane answered, folding his arms.

The words hit their mark. Emilio’s forced grin twisted into something darker—resentful, unstable. Zane’s indifference was like fuel to the fire, igniting Emilio’s frustration even more than if he’d retaliated with anger.

Elizabeth, standing off to the side, paled as the two boys squared off. She raised her hands nervously.

"Y-You guys! P-Please don’t fight!" she pleaded, eyes squeezed shut.

Emilio’s attention shifted, drawn to the new voice like a predator catching the scent of fresh prey. His gaze landed on her, curious and sharp.

"And who might you be?" he asked, stepping closer with unsettling calm.

"M-Me? I-I’m... Elizabeth!" she stammered, backing away until her spine hit the cold metal wall.

Emilio leaned in further, violating her space with a grin that never reached his eyes.

"Elizabeth... Hmm. That name rings a bell." He eyed her closely, tilting his head. "I could swear I’ve seen you somewhere before."

"I-I don’t think so..." she replied quickly. "I don’t remember you."

"Well," he hummed, grinning wider. "No matter. I’ll figure it out soon."

Zane, watching from a few steps away, turned his back and walked off. The last thing he wanted was to start a scene. Not here. Not now. Emilio’s antics didn’t surprise him—he always went for the weakest target first.

Elizabeth took her chance and darted away, rushing to Zane’s side. Strangely, even though Zane looked just as unapproachable as Emilio, his presence was... calming. Comforting, in a distant sort of way.

"Wow," Emilio said, scoffing. "What a boring group of candidates. I expected competition. Instead, we’ve got Mr. Orphan and Miss Anxiety tagging along."

Elizabeth froze mid-step, visibly shrinking at the insult.

"M-Miss... Anxiety?" she whispered.

Her knees trembled as she clutched her bag tightly. Her vision blurred, panic clawing its way up her throat. Her breath hitched.

’No, not now... please, not now...’ she begged herself silently.

With shaking hands, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small bottle of pills. Desperately, she popped two into her mouth and swallowed them dry. Still trembling, she closed her eyes and began counting.

"1... 2... 3... 1... 2... 3..."

A calm, steady voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.

"If you keep showing fear, he’ll just feed off of it."

She opened her eyes to find Zane watching her quietly.

"H-Huh?"

He repeated, "I said, if you show him fear, he’ll keep bullying you. That’s what people like him do. They prey on the weak to cover up the fact that they’re even weaker inside."

Zane’s voice was flat, but there was a weight behind it—an undeniable truth.

"The best way to deal with someone like that," he continued, "is to strip away their ego. He’s terrified—terrified of being insignificant. That’s why he lashes out."

Elizabeth blinked slowly, taking in every word. She swallowed hard and gave a shaky nod.

"I-I’m not good with people like him... but... I’ll try. I’ll try not to show fear."

Zane gave a small, almost imperceptible nod of approval. But inwardly, his thoughts weren’t as kind.

’She won’t make it,’ he thought coldly.

It wasn’t just her stutter or her nerves—it was the way she moved, the way she flinched at shadows. She exuded vulnerability. A person like that, walking into the horrors that awaited them...?

They’ll break. Fast.

Still, he said nothing. It wasn’t his job to evaluate her worth. They were strangers, and that’s all they’d ever be.

Suddenly, the sound of a door sliding open echoed through the station. The trio turned to see a man step out of the waiting train.

Clad in a sharp, tailored suit, the older man appeared utterly unremarkable. No scars, no glaring aura, no air of mystery. And yet... there was something about him. A subtle gravity. A sense of strength that needed no announcement.

He rolled forward a large luggage cart with practiced ease and gave them a small, respectful bow.

"Good morning, esteemed candidates," he said, voice smooth and clear. "I am your train conductor. It is my honor to accompany you on your journey."

Emilio raised a brow, unimpressed. "The train conductor? Really? What—was the delegation too shy to greet us themselves?"

The man smiled politely, undeterred. "The delegation will be taking a separate route and arriving later. This train is reserved solely for you three. Rest assured, I’ll see to your comfort along the way. Now, may I take your luggage?"

The three glanced at one another before silently stepping forward, placing their bags onto the cart. The man nodded and turned.

Zane stepped into the doorway last.

"How long is the trip?" he asked.

"Ten hours," the conductor replied.

’Ten hours... that’s quite the journey.’

"You’ll be served lunch midway through the trip, and a snack before we arrive. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

With that, the train doors closed behind them. A soft mechanical hum vibrated beneath their feet as the engine whirred to life.

Slowly, the train began to move.

Zane watched the platform roll by for a moment, then turned to explore deeper into the empty car. A few rows down, he found an unoccupied booth with a full table and cushioned seats. Perfect.

He slid into the corner seat, leaned back, and let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

’The seats are comfortable... soft lighting... and I’ve got space to myself. This might not be so bad.’

He pulled his earphones from his pocket and nestled them into his ears. Soft instrumental music poured in as he closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to relax for the first time that day. However, even then, his instincts remained alert to any movement around him. Especially when it came to Emilio.

The train rumbled softly beneath them, speeding toward the unknown.

Their journey to the Gate Capital had begun.