The tension in the arena was palpable, but for Javier, it was the icy glares from Mantis and Gamora that cut deeper than any weapon. Their emotions were laid bare—betrayal, anger, and something else simmering beneath the surface.
Mantis, standing to Javier's right, was visibly trembling. Her antennae drooped, her lips quivering as if holding back a flood of words. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but sharp. "You told me I was special," she whispered, barely meeting his eyes. "Was that a lie too?"
Javier turned to her, guilt washing over him. "You are special, Mantis. More than you know. But this—this mess—was never about you. I was cornered, and I made a terrible mistake."
Mantis clenched her fists, her antennae twitching with frustration. "And yet, you found comfort with her," she snapped, gesturing toward Brunnhilde, who watched the scene from a distance with a faint smirk. "You say I'm special, but your actions say otherwise."
---
Gamora's Fury
Gamora was less reserved. Her arms were crossed, her emerald-green skin flushed with anger. "I can't believe I'm even standing here with you," she spat. "You played us all, didn't you? Sweet words for Mantis, empty promises for me and my sisters. And now what? You want us to forgive and forget?"
Her words stung, but Javier refused to back down. "Gamora, I never played you. I've made mistakes, yes, but I never wanted to hurt any of you."
Gamora took a step closer, her blade still in hand. "You can't charm your way out of this, Javier. Whatever game you're playing, it ends now."
---
Proxima Midnight's Silence
Proxima Midnight stood silently, her eyes fixed on Javier with a look of cold disdain. She hadn't said a word since her resurrection, but her posture spoke volumes. She didn't trust him—and perhaps never would.
When she finally spoke, her tone was biting. "You're a fool if you think reviving us erases what you've done. Power doesn't make you worthy of loyalty, Javier. Actions do."
Javier nodded, her words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. "I know. And I'll prove it to all of you. I swear."
---
Mantis's Outburst
But it was Mantis's reaction that caught everyone off guard. Her antennae flared as she stepped closer to Javier, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You don't understand, do you?" she said, her voice cracking. "I didn't care that you were flawed, that you made mistakes. I believed in you because I thought you cared about me too. But now…" She trailed off, her gaze flickering to Brunnhilde again.
"Now I don't know if I was just another one of your mistakes."
Her words hit Javier like a physical blow. He reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing a hand on her shoulder. "Mantis, you were never a mistake," he said earnestly. "I care about you more than I can put into words. I know I've hurt you, but I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if I have to."
---
Brunnhilde's Provocation
From the edge of the group, Brunnhilde chuckled, her arms crossed casually. "Quite the soap opera you've got going on here, Javier," she said with a sly grin. "You really know how to stir up a crowd."
Her words only fueled Mantis's jealousy. She turned to Brunnhilde, her eyes narrowing. "You think this is funny?"
Brunnhilde shrugged, unfazed by the anger directed at her. "Not funny. Just… entertaining. He's got a way of attracting trouble, doesn't he?"
Mantis's face reddened with frustration, but she said nothing more, turning her back on both Javier and Brunnhilde.
---
The Jealousy's Lingering Presence
As the group prepared for their next move, the undercurrent of jealousy remained, unspoken but ever-present. Mantis avoided looking at Javier, though her body language betrayed her hurt. Gamora remained cold and distant, her trust in him shattered. Even Brunnhilde's nonchalant attitude seemed designed to provoke more tension.
For Javier, the weight of their emotions was suffocating. He had hoped to mend the fractures between them, but it was clear that healing would take time—and effort.
In the silence that followed, Javier couldn't help but think about how fragile their alliances were. If he couldn't earn back their trust, he might lose them forever—and that was a cost he wasn't willing to pay.