*Chapter 28: The Revelation*
Aria's eyes locked onto Elijah's, searching for any sign of deception. But all she saw was a deep sadness and regret.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice shaking with emotion.
Elijah took a deep breath. "I was sworn to secrecy," he said. "Your parents made me promise to keep it a secret, to protect you from Vraxxis's influence."
Aria's mind was reeling. She had always known that her parents had kept secrets from her, but this was something she had never suspected.
She felt like her whole identity had been turned upside down. She was the daughter of a monster, a villain who had destroyed countless lives.
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "What does this mean for our mission?" he asked Elijah.
Elijah's expression was grim. "It means that Vraxxis will stop at nothing to get to Aria," he said. "He'll use every trick in the book to manipulate her, to turn her against us."
Aria's heart sank. She knew that Elijah was right. Vraxxis would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
But she also knew that she couldn't let him win. She had to find a way to stop him, no matter what it took.