**POV: Nayara**
After what happened at the White mansion, Nael disappeared. He simply vanished, like a ghost dissipating at dawn, leaving only the echo of his footsteps and the weight of silence. There was no goodbye, no explanation, just the certainty that he would return one day. And when that happened, I knew nothing good would come of it. Because Nael never left matters unfinished.
He and I were like a perfect gear, a partnership that worked almost effortlessly. Each of us had the other's back, always. We were like siblings, even before we knew that blood united us. But all of that changed the moment I betrayed him.
I hurt him. Not just physically, but in a way that words could never fix. He had every reason in the world to hate me, to end me right then and there. Any other person in his place would have sent me straight to the creator without hesitation. But Nael… he was different. He chose to give me a chance.
Still, he made sure to leave a mark. A bullet, in the same place where I shot him on that day I prefer to forget. But the circumstances were different. Nael was wounded, exhausted, and nearly dead. I, on the other hand, was at my best. The nanobots in my body made my survival inevitable. Even if he had fired thirty times, I would still be standing. The bullet barely pierced my skin, thwarted by the artificial resilience that had now become part of me. What should have been a fatal blow ended up being little more than a scratch.
But the pain ran much deeper than any physical wound. It was the weight of that moment. The emptiness in his eyes, the coldness in every movement… that hurt in a way no nanobot could repair.
Now, it has been two weeks since he disappeared. And I know deep down that he is plotting something. Perhaps a plan to save me, perhaps something darker. At first, I was desperate, lost in a storm of uncertainties. But as days passed, my mind cleared.
I am Nayara, after all. One of the most feared women in the world. A trained assassin capable of turning any weakness into strength. If they want to force me to marry the son of the Russian mafia boss, let them try. Let them believe they can control me. Because once inside, I will corrode everything from within.
As for him, the fiancé they want to impose on me… he would never dare touch me. He cannot. There is something within me that prevents him from doing so, that prevents anyone from doing so. Perhaps it's because deep down my heart belongs to someone who could never be mine.
Nael.
It's strange but true. Even knowing he is three years younger and worse still, my brother, I cannot erase what I feel. He has always been the best at everything. And even when I thought I was winning, I knew he was just allowing me to believe it. Nael was often better than I was but never felt the need to prove it to me. He simply was.
Over time, I began to see him differently. He was the most fascinating man I had ever met. Every detail about him was a paradox: rough yet refined; cold yet intensely human. He made people look twice—and with me it was no different.
Now, knowing the truth, I try to extinguish the fire he ignited within me. I try to find someone worthy of him, someone who is at least half of what he is. But it's useless. Men like Nael do not exist. He is too perfect—and that is both a curse and a blessing.
So I delude myself once again. I try to believe that someday I will find someone who can fill the void he left behind. But deep down, I know I am lying to myself. Because no matter what I do, Nael will always be there—a persistent shadow in my heart.
And while he is out there somewhere plotting his plans, I will remain here trapped by these conflicting feelings. Because in the end, Nael is the only man who ever made me feel alive—and perhaps he is the only one capable of destroying me.
I slowly rise, allowing my body to adjust to the silence of the room. The atmosphere is cozy—almost suffocating in its calmness. The walls painted in neutral tones seem to hold secrets; each crack a silent witness to what has happened between them before. My gaze wanders over the details—the shadows cast by furniture and the slight tremor of curtains with the morning breeze—everything feels so comforting yet so distant from the chaos that I know is about to come.
I leave my bed and walk over to the window. The cold floor beneath my bare feet contrasts pleasantly with the warmth still lingering from my blanket. Stopping before the glass, I watch the garden outside; flowers are in full bloom—each petal a testament to beauty still existing in this world despite everything we know. The wind moves through leaves in an almost hypnotic dance—but my mind doesn't stop.
"I'd better take a shower," I say softly to myself; my voice barely audible as I step away from the window and head for the bathroom.
The environment inside is another refuge—but this time one that demands my attention to detail. Turning on the shower and letting water run over my body feels like washing away not just dirt but also thoughts that refuse to leave me alone. Closing my eyes and taking deep breaths allows me to absorb each sensation as if it were my last time.
Because deep down, I know it might be.
Nael is out there somewhere—and whatever he is planning will make this world tremble; that much is certain. He doesn't make small moves; there's no room for hesitation in his plans—and that's why I feel so vulnerable because deep down I know when chaos begins neither of us will be safe—we'll just be pieces on his chessboard caught in crossfire.
Exhaling forcefully as I step out of the bathroom feels like trying to expel fear along with steam escaping down the hallway; going into my closet allows my robe to slide off my shoulders revealing a world of options—but my eyes go directly toward a red dress.
It has been so long since I've worn something like this—something bold—something that screams power and desire; running my fingers over its soft almost silky texture makes me feel alive again—the red speaks volumes—it's fire—it's passion—it's danger—and today—I want to embody all those things—I want to remind myself that I'm still someone formidable.
As I put on the dress—a small part of me questions whether it's really for impact on others or merely a way for me to remember who I am—who I've been before all this began—in front of the mirror adjusting fabric against my body brings forth a slight smile—not one of happiness but determination.
Because today—I will be fire—and let whatever consequences come next follow.
I left my room—the sound of footsteps echoing softly down hallways until reaching the living room where I found my mother seated at a table surrounded by six employees she insists on calling "friends." It felt almost ironic knowing their loyalty was bought yet she insisted on treating them as equals—perhaps trying to create an environment masking the reality we lived in.
Soft morning light streamed through windows illuminating attentive faces around the table—a respectful silence hung heavy broken only by occasional clink of cups or rustle of clothes; Jenny looked up at me with a warm smile trying to ease visible tension.
"Good morning! How was your night?" she asked lightly though curiosity lingered beneath her tone.
"It was good," I replied distractedly as gaze wandered around the room.
The truth was my mind drifted far away—thinking about Nael—what he might be doing now—how each step seemed to lead us toward an inevitable abyss.
My mother always practical interrupted thoughts with suggestion:
"Let's start lunch," she said, turning attention toward Celeste sitting beside her.
"Alright mom," I replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down at a table—the soft upholstery offered brief comfort but my heart remained restless.
There was something weighing heavily on me—a need for information consuming since moment he vanished—gathering courage led me ask even if voice carried casual tone:
"Any news about Nael?" The question came out firmer than expected though nervousness behind it remained perceptible.
My mother raised her eyes toward me—but it was Celeste who answered hesitantly—as if words weighed heavily on her tongue:
"He destroyed one of the Italian mafia's labs…" she began her voice laden with concern—"It accounted for 30% of their drug production—seems like he already started taking the first steps."
I closed my eyes briefly trying to process information—of course he would do something like this—it was typical Nael acting explosively without measuring consequences.
"I've been looking for him since finding out," Celeste continued her expression growing darker—"But now I'm not sure what else can be done—if they catch him…"
She hesitated for an instant—"He'll be dead."
Her words hung in the air like shadows making the atmosphere colder; looking at her trying to hide anxiety bubbling inside—not as good at masking emotions as Nael but learned enough to conceal some feelings.
"It seems things are starting to get serious," Celeste said, her voice heavy with sorrow.
My fingers gripped the edge of the table while my heart raced—the weight decisions Nael made beginning to fall upon all of us—and deep down knew this was just the beginning.
Celeste appeared lost in thought—but worry shone clearly within her eyes; she gazed around table searching for answers no one could provide; tension thickened silence stretched longer until finally mother broke ice her voice tinged with anxiety:
"You can't try to send him a signal? Just so we can talk?" she asked in desperation, clear hands clasped together on the table as if trying to contain restlessness within herself.
My mother rarely showed this level emotion making hesitate moment—but response already formed mind:
"When he sets his mind on something nobody changes it," I began, voice calm yet carrying weight causing everyone around me to straighten my posture—"So what you should really worry about is third world war coming along with it."
Silence intensified all gazes now fixed upon me; mother blinked confused before asking:
"How so?"
I took deep breath gathering control—not time let emotions surface; Nael had made choice—and knew exactly what meant:
"I know what he's going to do," started carefully choosing words—"He won't attack just one organization—not his style—he'll strike all organizations at once—including ours."
My voice lowered but carried determination making the room feel colder; everyone reacted differently around the table; mother leaned back chair face pale with shock; Celeste brought hand to mouth as if trying to prevent sound despair escaping her lips.
"But that's madness," Akira interrupted, breaking the silence. Her voice filled with concern, slightly hesitant as if wanting to believe what just heard—"Everyone will be against him—even if he's good he can't win against everyone."
I met her gaze noting a slight tremor voice—she looked shaken—in fact seemed more than worried; how she spoke…there was something more there.
"It sounds like you're in love with him," commented dryly, though without intention to hurt her feelings.
Akira's face flushed red as she quickly looked away biting lower lip—not hard to see she felt something for Nael; too bad because deep down we all knew he was an unreachable man—not meant for ties or bonds—he was a storm unpredictable destructive completely uncontrollable.
Tension thickened room became almost suffocating; nobody knew what say but everyone understood truth behind words spoken—I just maintained posture hiding turmoil growing inside because despite icy demeanor knew this war Nael started wouldn't spare anyone—not even us.
Mary frowned confused her voice filled with disbelief as she stared at me:
"I don't understand… Why?" she asked one more of a plea than a question.
I sighed letting gaze drift around room before returning focus back onto her—the weight impending reality overwhelming but knew needed explain:
"Because this way…" began voice cold yet firm as if trying to bury any trace emotion "everyone will think he's insane—they'll believe wants to destroy everything everyone around him—as if just another man lost chaos."
Pausing observing reactions around table Mary seemed ready say something—but remained silent waiting for continuation instead;
"And those who know the truth…" My voice dropped momentarily before returning intensity. "They'll think he'd burn the world for me—for us—for our happiness together as a cursed couple."
Letting words linger felt heavy atmosphere darkening further—as if even space absorbing gravity behind them;
"And any version…" continued crossing arms over chest "you're all standing on the same side as others—in the end nobody will trust you—even if someone willing acts against him—it won't happen now—it'll be when everyone runs out of options—when desperation outweighs fear."
Mary shook head trying push confusion terror growing within;
"But that's insane!" she exclaimed, finally breaking the silence "That makes no sense!"
"It doesn't make sense for you," retorted quietly yet carrying certainty dark enough to make the air seem thicker. "But for him—it makes perfect sense; doesn't need conventional logic—is chaos personified Mary—and within chaos finds order."
Silence returned filling space once more—but now heavier oppressive; Mary diverted gaze perhaps trying process everything said; meanwhile remained motionless expression neutral though heart raced faster than ever before;
Because deep down knew everything spoken true—and that scared more than anything Mary could imagine.
My mother brought hands head attempting contain avalanche thoughts consuming her—a mix incredulity despair marked usually controlled expression;
"But that's madness!" she exclaimed almost whispering but filled intensity;
I watched her moment absorbing weight those words—she right obviously—all this insane—but at same time cruelly logical sense only someone like Nael could see;
Taking deep breath responded firmly without losing icy tone lingering air:
"And that's exactly what they want," began keeping gaze locked onto hers "Might not last long—but long enough—the necessary time chaos settles every move underestimating him."
My mother started searching any trace doubt expression finding none;
"When they start thinking differently…" continued lowering voice further yet charged tension making each word weigh heavier "it'll already be too late—all will be finished their forces depleted resources minimal…"
"He doesn't want to merely win," added quietly "He wants to destroy."
Room fell into complete silence type suffocating trapping air lungs making heart race faster—I could feel weight body increase gravity seemingly rising only intensifying moment;
Finally mother turned gaze away shoulders slumped under reality's burden—Celeste seated beside appeared ready speak but remained quiet biting lip as if words threatened escape any moment;
"He's dangerous man—not just them…but all us," murmured more myself than others;
Tension reached new peak even walls seemed absorb impact truth spoken; nobody talked nobody moved—
And deep down knew even if nobody tried there could change course Nael set—we were witnessing a devastating storm approaching knowing when arrived nothing would remain except ruins.
"In a world where the skies hide unfathomable secrets and the earth pulses with ancient energies, every choice could be the beginning of a legend. Between the glow of the stars and the weight of destiny, our heroes challenge the impossible, guided by the indomitable flame that burns in their hearts. 🌌✨
Get ready to dive into a universe where cultivation is more than power — it is the essence of the soul, the path to transcendence. Will they overcome their own limits, or succumb to the forces conspiring in the shadows? The next chapter is coming to shake the foundations of this epic world! 🔥📜
Don't miss the chance to be part of this unique journey. Like, comment, and share! Let's uncover the mysteries of cultivation and write our own legend!"