The Obsession of ARES

Somewhere in another city in Liora, the air inside a grand study room was still and heavy. The curtains were drawn, leaving the space cloaked in dim shadows. On a long leather lounge near the window, a man lay languidly, one leg bent, an arm draped across his eyes, his entire presence radiating quiet dominance and restrained menace.

The silence was broken by a soft knock at the door.

Click.

A sliver of light slipped into the dark room as the door opened. The man on the lounge frowned at once, his brows creasing at the unwelcome brightness.

Elias stepped in carefully, closing the door behind him. He knew better than to provoke his master's temper. The young master's mood had been sour for days, his mind clearly disturbed by something. Ever since the sea incident, he had been restless. They had searched for the mysterious woman he spoke of, but every lead had ended in nothing. Some even believed he might have been imagining things, but they dare not voice it out.

"Young Master," Elias began cautiously, "we found where the seal on the card is connected to."

At that moment, he opened his eyes slightly. His gaze, dark as ink and equally cold, flickered with faint interest.

"Speak," he ordered.

"The wallet belongs to the mayor's stepson from the city of Ravenscout," Elias explained, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "But we found no trace of how it could be linked to a woman."

Damien's frown deepened, his jaw tightening. Impossible. He remembered her, even in his half-conscious state, he could still hear that soft, trembling voice and the faint warmth of her hand, in his when he held her out of instinct. That was no hallucination.

"Find a way to get me there quietly," Damien said coldly, sitting up slowly "I want to confirm something myself."

Elias hesitated. "Young Master... I found a way. One of our tech subsidiaries under the Blackwood Enterprise has recently developed a high-tech drive - a prototype that's been attracting a lot of attention. It was sold at a private auction, and the mayor of Ravenscout happened to win the bid."

Damien's gaze sharpened. "Go on."

"The device is scheduled for delivery by the head of the subsidiary. The mayor plans to hold a gala to welcome him, partly to celebrate the contract, and partly to flaunt his connection with the Blackwood Enterprise," Elias said carefully.

Damien rose from the lounge in one fluid motion. He walked toward the window and pulled the curtain open. Sunlight spilled into the room, momentarily blinding him, but he didn't flinch. His pale skin glowed faintly under the light, his sharp features now illuminated, a breathtaking contrast of beauty and danger, like a fallen ancient monarch.

"I see..." he murmured, his lips curving slightly. "Inform the head of the tech facility that I will personally deliver the device. No one is to know of my identity - only that I'm representing the Blackwood Enterprise."

Elias bowed deeply. "Yes, Young Master."

Damien turned his gaze toward the skyline outside, his expression unreadable.

That woman...

He narrowed his eyes.

I'll find you.

--

Somewhere in Ravenscout, Amara, Selene, and Sora strolled through the bustling mall, their laughter echoing softly as they moved from one boutique to another. They were shopping for the gala happening the next day-though Sora wouldn't be attending, she insisted it wouldn't be fair to leave her out of the fun.

As they browsed through the racks, a particular gown caught their attention.

It was a red mermaid dress, its silk glimmering under the warm store lights. The design was elegant yet daring, the kind of dress that turned heads.

Selene's eyes widened. "Amara, you have to try that on. That shade of red will look perfect on your skin!"

Sora nodded eagerly. "Yeah, it's totally your color. You'll steal the entire show."

With a small smile, Amara took the dress and disappeared into the fitting room.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted.

Melissa and her little entourage strutted in like they owned the place, heels clicking, with their heavy perfumes in the air, and expressions dripping with superiority.

"Well, well, look who we have here," one of Melissa's lackeys sneered. "If it isn't Sora and Selene-the country bumpkins from high school who used to sleep their way to the top."

A ripple of laughter followed. Heads turned. Shoppers and sales clerks alike began whispering, their eyes filled with judgment.

"Hey, stop it, Clara," Melissa said sweetly, pretending to scold her friend. "You don't have to say things like that. I'm sure they... have their reasons."

Her fake concern only made things worse.

"Melissa, you're too nice," another girl chimed in. "These two acted like they owned the school back then. Karma's finally catching up, huh?"

Selene sighed, unimpressed. She exchanged a look with Sora, who yawned dramatically.

"Let's not lower our IQ over idiots," Sora muttered under her breath, turning her attention back to the fitting room.

Melissa's crew faltered, irritated that they were being ignored. But before they could say another word, the fitting room curtain slid open.

And the world seemed to pause.

Amara stepped out in the red gown, her golden hair falling loosely over her shoulders. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, highlighting her graceful silhouette. The dress shimmered with each step she took.

The sales clerks froze.

Even the boys who came with their girlfriends couldn't stop staring.

Selene blinked in awe. "You look... stunning."

Sora let out a loud squeal. "Oh my God, Amara! You look like a goddess! No-scratch that-like vengeance wrapped in velvet!"

Amara smiled softly, spinning once. "So... should I get it?"

Selene turned to the sales assistant. "We'll take it."

The clerk practically beamed as she rushed off to prepare the packaging-no doubt thrilled by the hefty commission.

But before Amara could return to the fitting room, Melissa stepped in her way, voice sickly sweet.

"Amara," she said loudly enough for everyone to hear, "you don't have to do this for money. You're too beautiful to throw yourself away following them. If you ever need help, I can-"

Her words cut off when Amara's hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.

Amara leaned in, eyes cold as frost. "You'd better keep your little schemes to yourself, Melissa," she said quietly. "Marry the trash I decided to throw out and stay out of my way, before I ruin you."

Melissa gasped in pain as the pressure in Amara's grip increased, the faint sound of cracking making her eyes widen.

With a final shove, Amara released her, brushing past as if nothing had happened.

Sora and Selene calmly settled the payment. As they passed Melissa, who was now surrounded by her worried friends, nursing her wrist, while bad mouthing them. Melissa still tried to put up the front of a caring sister. Sora snorted.

"What a green tea bitch," she muttered coldly.

Selene gave a small smirk. "How pathetic."

And with that, they walked out together, their confidence leaving a trail that Melissa could never hope to match.