The oppressive silence of the compound shattered as the monthly wipeout began. Children, some trembling, some eerily composed, were gathered into the arena. The blood-stained floor of the ring loomed over them, a bitter reminder of the fates that had befallen those who stood here before."Huh! They didn't even clean it for us to see," Tales scowled internally.Tales clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest as he glanced to both sides for Raja and Jake."Stay alive," he whispered to himself like a mantra, though it seemed the other two thought those words were meant for them."Of course I will," Raja exclaimed, even raising his fists."Basic," Jake snorted, making Tales look at him with a disapproving glare.The rules were simple: survive. The opponents? Determined by chance—or at least, that’s what Father wanted them to believe. Tales knew better. The system wasn’t random; it was designed to weed out the weak and pit the strong against each other. They want us to die!And w
"Don't forget me, Tales."Tales slowly regained consciousness. His head throbbed like a gong, each beat connecting painfully through his skull. He groaned softly, the sound escaping before he could stop it. His vision was blurry at first, but as the world began to come into focus, he realized he was on a soft bed in the infirmary. Again. There was an IV in his arm.He stared at the ceiling for a long time, embracing the silence the room offered. Unknowingly, a tear fell from the corner of his eye. The dream he had wasn’t just a dream. It was his long-forgotten memory. He bit his lower lip to suppress his emotions, yet his heart felt like it was being squeezed because of how painful it was.He couldn’t believe he forgot Raja. He had promised him freedom, yet he forgot about him and that hellhole!A low sob escaped from his lips as his eyes began to water again. He looked like a child wailing over his first love, yet he didn’t care. He was disappointed with himself but felt hypocritical
Tales spent the night in the infirmary. Claren, who was supposed to look after him, wasn’t there. Raoul and Michael were also nowhere to be found. He hadn’t gone outside, so he didn’t know if they were out there.But Jake, who’s supposedly always irritating him—because even a single move from him would catch Jake’s attention, and he’d run over just to annoy him—wasn’t there either.And Raja—Tales knew that every time he got hurt, Raja would show up with his cold gaze, stare at him with an unreadable expression, and walk away.But now, he’s not here. Where the hell are they?The night passed, and the sun rose in the east. Tales was awakened by the growling of his stomach. He hadn’t eaten dinner. He got up, and fortunately, he had regained half of his strength.He immediately stepped out of the infirmary, which was just opposite the living room, located downstairs behind the staircase.He stopped when he saw the three standing by the stairs near the torture room he had entered before. T
“You’re alive, Tales.”The words Tales heard were calm and full of relief, sending him into a daze that made him forget to blink. He saw Claren panting, standing near the door. It seemed like he had tried to stop the man from standing and walking, but what could he really do?He only came back to his senses when he felt Raja’s shoulders slump, indicating that he had lost consciousness again."Uhh," was all Tales could say as he caught Raja’s body. He heard the two behind him curse softly, the clatter of plates quickly set on the table before they rushed over to Raja."Carry him, here," Claren ordered, stepping aside for the two men. "Should I give him a sedative?" he muttered to himself before looking at Tales. "You should eat first if you want to stay and watch over Raja."Tales’ ears perked up. He scoffed. "I will not babysit him," he snapped before heading to the kitchen, intending to cook something for himself. But his attention was drawn to the food Raoul and Michael had already
Raja sat up slowly, the slight dizziness from his body’s rebellion against movement making him curse under his breath. The familiar aches and pains from the injury still lingered, but his pride couldn’t let him stay in bed any longer.It was a new day, but he started it with irritation and frustration. He was supposed to work yesterday, but his body wouldn’t cooperate, and his stitches kept opening.His eyes darted to the door, catching the faint sound of footsteps. He exhaled, irritated.Clearly, it was Jake and Tales again. How could they be so—!He didn’t have time to rest. He had a damn empire to run, and his father’s expectations weighed heavily on him.The mattress of the infirmary bed rustled as he moved, his feet touching the cold ground. Yet, even before he could finally stand, the door opened. Tales, whose stoic expression changed to surprise and then cold indifference, stepped inside.“Sit down,” Tales’ voice was firm as he walked to the side of the bed, placing the tray do
Tales and Raja have been on ceasefire. They aren't talking to each other. Tales decided not to talk to Raja to sort out his thoughts. If Raja has been planning to murder him from the start then he need to prepare himself and not put significant in the past memories.Raja on the other hand doesn't feel the need to talk to him as he also need to work.Fortunately for Tales, Raja called for a meeting.The meeting room was tense, the air thick with anticipation as Raja’s team gathered around the large table. There was no turning back now—the obliteration of Unit 6 had set everything in motion, and the only thing left to do was uncover the traitor behind it.Jake, as usual, had managed to sneak into the room despite his lack of necessity. Sneak wasn’t the right word—the team just let him in and didn’t mind him. His smirk was plastered on his face as he leaned casually against the far wall, arms crossed. He wasn’t part of the discussion but wasn’t one to stay out of the loop either.Raja sa
The cold, damp walls of the warehouse echoed with the sound of a single, agonized muffled cry. Samson, bound tightly to a chair, was soaked in his own sweat. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was as pale as a ghost. His body was bruised and bloodied.Standing in front of him was Raja, his expression serious. He was crossing his arms, and when Samson groaned again, he nodded his head, signaling Michael. As if on cue, Michael harshly splashed water on Samson, forcing him to wake up."Oh, I just arrived just in time," Jake, panting, arrived at the door. Raja spit on the floor in disgust, and Tales raised an eyebrow in disbelief."Thick-faced," someone murmured, and Jake knew it was Tales, but he didn’t care.Samson looked as if he still didn’t know where he was as he looked around. When his gaze landed on Raja and his team, he immediately displayed a defiant glare, with a growing sense of dread."What is the meaning of this?" he asked coldly, trying to break free from the chair."You have
Raja’s vision blurred as the gas filled the room. He was trained for this, but he was being too complacent. His body grew heavy, his limbs losing their strength. He staggered, barely managing to keep his footing, before collapsing to his knees."Dammit," Michael spoke unclearly, his voice thick with the effects of the gas. "This wasn’t supposed to happen...""Stay awake... stay awake!" Jake hissed, his eyes unfocused as he struggled to stay conscious. But it was clear they were fighting a losing battle.Tales, already stumbling, cursed under his breath. "We’re fucked... Fuck."He was trying not to lose consciousness because he didn’t know what they might do to them. When push comes to shove, he should survive at least.Raja felt like his mind was floating, his vision darkening. He tried to call out, but the words came out in a rasp, barely audible. “Get... out... of... here...”Their vision blurred as the fumes of the sleeping gas swept over him. His body felt heavy, his limbs refusin
The tension was thick, suffocating, pressing down on the factory like a weight no one could lift off.Tales gripped his knife tightly, his breathing steady but his pulse drumming loudly in his ears. Ria stood just behind him, eyes darting between Raja and Jake. Curious of what their relationship is and what kind of people are they. The tension in the air intensifies even more as sharp as a blade.Raja’s smirk had long since vanished, replaced with something colder. His fingers twitched at his sides, itching to move, to strike. He look at Jake with much disdain. Jake stood at the entrance, his stance relaxed but his presence undeniable. Unshaken. Like he had expected this moment. And they way his lips curled for a smirk, it looks like he was excited of the way this activity unfolded.And then—Jake sighed. “Don't look at me like that, you too. Aren't you happy to see me?” his head turned towards Tales direction and give him a playful look. "Didn't you miss me, my love?"Tales immediat
The air around them shifted.It was like the world had gone silent for a brief moment before the storm.Tales gripped the phone whom he immediately snatched away from Raja, staring at the image on the screen. Ria—bound, bruised, with her eyes showing exhaustion yet with defiance. She wasn’t broken. Not yet.However they'll do anything to make her submit.And that was enough to make Tales' blood run cold.He turned to Raja, eyes asking for his opinion—no... A help. And looks like, Raja will honor his request. The barely restrained fury. The dark promise of violence lurking behind his unreadable expression.They immediately called the suspect to ask for their location or what they want however, no on pick up the call that made them feel even shitter. Then—Raja’s phone vibrated.A message.> Unknown: Stop calling for information. Let Tales save the girl.Tales' entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched as his fingers tightened around the phone.Another text.> Unknown: Don’t look so pis
The air was laced with the scent of blood and smoke as Raja and Tales stepped out of the ruined hideout. Their boots left behind dark footprints, but neither of them looked back. Raja immediately called Claren to ask for a clean up of the area. Authorities might suspect and investigate them. He can no longer be complacent now that he's planning to cut ties with father."Alright. On the way."Now, it was done.The past had been confronted. The ghosts had been silenced.But at what cost?Tales' hands were still trembling, the weight of the knife lingering in his grip even though he had already wiped it clean. His body felt light, almost numb, like he was drifting between reality and something else. He didn't feel any remorse yet the emotions he felt now is so deep that he can't really ignore it.Raja walked beside him, silent, his presence a steady force against the storm inside Tales’ chest.For a long time, neither of them spoke. The surroundings around them felt unnaturally quiet, as
“Raja.”A voice.Familiar. Firm.He stopped.Slowly, he turned.Tales stood a few feet away. His face was tense, his eyes locked onto Raja like he was trying to read him. His breathing was steady, but there was something behind it—something controlled, like he was forcing himself to stay calm. Raja on the other hand was surprised. But he chooses not to let Tales' know through his expression.Raja raised an eyebrow. “You followed me.”Tales stepped closer. “I’m not an idiot.” and walked slowly towards where Raja and Clein is. Tales’ gaze flicked to Raja’s hands—his sleeves, stained with blood. His expression darkened. “You found them.”Raja didn’t answer because it's obvious.Tales clenched his fists. “You killed them.”Raja shrugged. “Of course, I did.”Tales stared at him, his throat bobbing. He don't know what to feel. He's thankful but at the same time he's uneasy. “I never asked you to do this.”Raja let out a quiet laugh, one without humor. “You didn’t have to.”Silence. Tales f
Raja stood in the alley, surrounded by bodies. The air smelled like blood, thick and full of tension. The fight had been quick—too easy. They had begged, made excuses, tried to run. For Raja, it didn’t matter.They were dead now.He rolled his shoulders, wiping the back of his hand against his cheek. A smudge of blood smeared across his skin, but he didn’t care. His focus was elsewhere."In order for me to locate them, tell me your location."Raja can't believe what he was hearing. Apparently, Zaden thinks that he's a fool. Wow?! Licking father's ass made his head got bigger, huh?"Where are you?" Zaden's voice was indifferent, accompanied by the faint clacking of a keyboard in the background.Raja smirked slightly. "Close."More typing. "That's not an answer.""Don't need to answer if you already know," Raja muttered, his tone just as flat.A brief silence as if proving Raja's words. Then, Zaden continued. "You're near the location. Their boss is hiding in an old gambling den—still a
Raja moved through the crowd, his pace slow, unhurried to avoid being notice. But inside, his blood was boiling. His hands itched to wrap around the throats of the men walking ahead, completely unaware that death was already watching them.Then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. His eyes flicked down as he be look at the screen. Zaden.He answered without breaking stride. “What did you find out?"Zaden’s voice is still professional and cold. “Right. You told me to dig into the gangs operating around Tales’ hometown. See if any of them were involved in… well, you didn’t give me details, but I assumed it was bad.” A pause. “I found something.”Raja’s grip on the phone tightened as if he had been waiting for this moment. “They were known as the Crows. They ran the underground trade in that area. Small-time, but brutal. They sold people off for slavery in illegal auctions , extorted businesses, took what they wanted. Word is, a woman with a gambling problem sold her own kid to them.”Raj
That voice—He turned, eyes widening slightly.Ria.She stood a few feet away, her expression shifting from disbelief to relief.“Tales!” She hurried toward him, looking him over like she couldn’t believe her own eyes. She immediately wrap his slender arms towards Tales' body out of excitement.Tales stiffened. “Ria?”Ria clench his teeth. She don't know what to say to Tales but one thing she knows is that she doesn't want to let go of Tales. She look up as if to touch his face, then hesitated, her brows furrowing. “I’ve been looking for you!”Tales blinked. “Looking for me?”'Why would she look for me when I clearly told her that I'm moving out?'Raja, who had been silent until now, tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze settling on the woman in front of them. He don't what he's feeling but he's sure it's not happiness. He's not happy in the slightest to see this woman.Ria finally seemed to notice him, her eyes flickering to Raja.And then… narrowing slightly.Her entire posture s
The sun hung lazily in the sky as Raja and Tales drive through the road, their pace was neither fast not slow. The world they passed by bustled with life—vendors shouting, children laughing, the scent of street food filling the air.Tales leaned against the window, watching the scenery shift from clean roads to rougher neighborhoods. He exhaled slowly, fingers tapping against his thigh.Raja, on the other hand, was anything but tense.He drove with one hand on the wheel, the other casually resting on Tales’ knee.Tales glanced at him. “Hands. Off.”Raja just chuckled and didn't take his hands off. Instead his fingers enveloped to Tales' fingers too. Tales had already guessed where they were going. The familiar roads and infrastructure give away hints. And as much as he didn’t want to set foot in that house again, he didn’t resist when Raja tugged him along.Surprisingly, Tales didn’t hate it.He's being insufferably clingy.He leaned into Tales’ space with every opportunity he got li
The tension in the dining hall had evolve into something heavier— anticipation to achieve freedom but dreadful to the chance that they'll not survive. However, the decision had been made. They would all follow Raja and severe ties with Father. But now came the true test of their resolve.But before Raja could begin discussing strategies, an uneasy voice broke the silence.“Um…”All eyes turned toward Liam, one of the younger members of Unit 1. He was usually quiet, never one to speak up in these meetings. His fingers fidgeted against the rim of his cup indicating how frightened he is but at the same time, he wants to know. His face was slightly pale, as if he had been holding in his question for too long.“Liam?” Raja prompted, raising an eyebrow.Liam hesitated, clearly regretting speaking up after meeting Raja's cold gaze. He swallowed hard, avoiding eye contact. “I—uh—about the… the six punishments…” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck.Raja’s eyes na