52 Chapter 52 - Thalia's concern and Valeriana's Determination

<Thalia's POV>

As the mask that shielded Zeph's face shattered into a myriad of fragments, a cold dread gripped my heart, squeezing it with an icy hand.

It was as if an ominous premonition whispered in my ear that I was on the brink of losing him, that he was slipping away from my grasp.

I couldn't fathom the meaning behind these unsettling feelings, but Zeph was now more than a mere 'Teddy' to me; he was a pillar of strength, a source of solace in this tumultuous world.

His presence had become an anchor in my life, and the thought of losing him was unbearable.

And then, the harsh, cruel words of the bystanders reached my ears, cutting through me like daggers.

Their mocking remarks and callous laughter etched themselves into my memory, and I found myself seething with rage and disbelief.

How could they be so heartless, so utterly devoid of compassion? These vermin, these cruel strangers who dared to taunt and hurt the one person who didn't deserve it.

My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Zeph, his teeth gritted in pain, his face contorted with suffering.

The sight of his anguish tore at my very soul, and I felt a deep, agonizing ache within me.

He didn't deserve this torment, this unjust cruelty that the world had thrust upon him.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, a painful realization struck me with brutal force.

I, too, had been guilty of using him, of taking his unwavering support for granted.

Why had I allowed myself to become so blinded by my own desires and ambitions?

The tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, but they refused to stop.

Each tear was a testament to the guilt and sorrow that now consumed me.

"Zeph," I whispered his name, my voice trembling with regret and heartache.

He had saved me, he had been my hero in more ways than one.

And yet, here he was, subjected to the cruelty of these people, suffering because of my selfishness.

"These people..." I trailed off, unable to find the words to express the profound sadness and anger that churned within me.

*Thud*

Suddenly, a jarring noise shattered the heavy silence, pulling me out of my turbulent thoughts.

I turned to see the very same boy who had challenged Zeph, sprawled on the ground, his form eerily still, like a lifeless puppet abandoned by its puppeteer.

His body was a ghastly tableau, smeared in crimson, a stark contrast to the pristine whiteness of the arena floor.

It was a gruesome sight, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was the result of a single, devastating blow.

But as I looked upon his battered form, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions.

My heartache for Zeph eclipsed any pity I might have had for this boy, who had instigated the chain of events leading to this brutal outcome.

<Valeriana's POV>

As I cast my gaze toward Zeph, I couldn't help but think, 'His face is really that badly burnt?'

Pity welled up within me, but my sympathy was short-lived as I overheard the cruel remarks that spilled from their lips, starkly contrasting the unspoken words in their minds.

My eyes darted to each person around me, and I couldn't help but peek into their thoughts.

Maybe, just maybe, their spoken words were a façade, a flimsy cover for their true feelings.

How could they be so heartless?

Was this some twisted joke to them?

I made a mental note of their names, for they would be held accountable for their actions sooner or later.

Zeph's thoughts reached me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment wash over me.

These people, my classmates, were not who I had thought they were.

But what puzzled me even more was Zeph's cryptic statement: 'Zendal, remove restrictions.'

Who was Zendal?

I pushed that question aside for now; Zeph was in dire need of help.

Yet, my intention to speak with him was suddenly interrupted by the startling sound of Kael being forcefully expelled from the arena.

It completely shattered my previous assumptions. What in the world had happened to him?

I turned my attention toward Kael, who was in an even worse state than Zeph.

His body appeared to be flattened against the ceiling and the ground with a sickening thud, his once vibrant green eyes now devoid of any shine.

It was as though he had been hurled from the sky.

Could it be that Zeph had been concealing his true strength all this time?

The thought crossed my mind, but it seemed unlikely. He had never displayed such power until this very moment.

As I stared at the boy with the golden eyes, a surge of determination welled up within me, as if I had just found a formidable competitor.

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<In the Boy's Dorm room>

Lying on my bed at night, I couldn't help but reflect on the events that unfolded today.

I had crushed Kael in our duel, though he seemed worse for wear, at least still breathing, thanks to the healing potions.

To everyone the message was clear; I had asserted my dominance in front of everyone.

As I continued to mull over the day's events, a realization slowly dawned on me.

Perhaps in my quest to gather and remember every upcoming detail, I had overlooked minor yet crucial aspects of each character.

Kael's abilities had a side effect – a tendency to view things positively. It didn't necessarily mean he had a kind heart, and that was something I hadn't considered.

Valeriana's power allowed her to hear thoughts, but only those stemming from the conscious mind.

It begged the question, could her ability be deceived or manipulated in some way?

"It's infuriating"

I mused, frustration bubbling within me.

'I truly don't understand this world'

I thought to myself as I fixed my gaze on the slowly opening door of my room.

"Why is she here?" I wondered, my thoughts in disarray as I watched Thalia enter the room, her expression wrought with concern.

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(Author's Note: Alright, spill the beans, folks! Do you have a secret crush on Thalia?)