Chapter 8: Poisoned Choices
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1. The Clock is Ticking
Draven Kael's voice still echoed in Ethan's mind as he left the dark underground chamber.
"Kill Lucas Veylan, and I'll give you the antidote."
Ethan's heart pounded. He glanced at the countdown in his vision:
11 hours, 43 minutes.
The poison burned in his veins like fire. His limbs felt heavier with every step.
"If I don't get the antidote in time… I die. But if I even try to kill Lucas, he'll cut me in half before I can blink."
The system's voice interrupted his panic:
"Thanks, Captain Obvious!" Ethan muttered, clutching his chest.
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2. A Desperate Plan
Back at the Summit's guest residence, Damien greeted Ethan, his eyes widening at the sight of his pale face.
"Sir! What happened?!"
"Poison," Ethan said through gritted teeth. "I have less than 12 hours."
Damien's jaw tightened. "Who did this?"
Ethan hesitated. He couldn't risk telling Damien about Draven's offer; even loyal allies might turn on him if they thought he planned to kill Lucas.
"I can't say yet," Ethan lied. "But I need the antidote… without taking his deal."
Damien frowned. "Sir, there's no one else who has it."
Ethan slammed a fist on the table. "Then we find another way! I'm not dying because of this twisted system!"
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3. Lucas Confronts Ethan
Just as Damien left to gather intel, the door burst open.
Lucas Veylan stepped in, his presence like a blade against Ethan's throat.
"Ethan Blackwood," Lucas said coldly, "you disappeared from the Summit for hours. Care to explain?"
The Suspicion Meter ticked upward.
65%… 68%… 70%…
Ethan forced a smile despite the pain. "I… wasn't feeling well. Needed some air."
Lucas stepped closer. "You're hiding something. I can feel it."
70%… 72%…
Ethan's mind raced. If I tell him about Draven, he might help me… or he might think it's a trap.
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4. The System's Interference
The system's voice rang in his mind:
"If I tell Lucas, suspicion could skyrocket and he might kill me on the spot. But if I don't… I might not survive the poison."
Ethan hesitated, then said carefully, "Lucas… there's someone at the Summit trying to pit us against each other. They want us to kill one another."
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Ethan shook his head. "I don't know yet. But if we fight each other, they win."
The Suspicion Meter flickered…
72%… 68%… 64%…
Lucas finally stepped back. "If you're lying, Blackwood… it'll be the last thing you do."
"Okay… I bought myself some time."
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5. The Heroines' Suspicion
Ethan barely had a chance to breathe before the heroines confronted him in the corridor.
Sophia grabbed his arm. "Ethan! Why are you avoiding us? You're pale… what's going on?"
The Heroines' Suspicion Meters appeared:
Sophia: 30% → 35%
Claire: 25% → 28%
Aria: 20% → 24%
"Oh no, they're getting suspicious too!"
"I'm fine," Ethan lied, forcing a weak smile. "Just tired from the Summit."
Sophia frowned, clearly unconvinced.
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6. Damien's Discovery
Hours passed as Ethan grew weaker. Finally, Damien returned with a single vial of bright blue liquid.
"Sir," Damien said urgently, "I found this on the black market. It's rumored to be a universal antidote… but it's untested."
Ethan stared at the vial. "If it's fake, I die. If it's real… maybe I live."
The system chimed:
"Both choices could kill me!"
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7. A Surprise Visitor
Before Ethan could decide, the door opened again – and Draven Kael himself stepped inside.
"You're running out of time, Blackwood," Draven said with a cold smile. "Take my deal now, and I'll cure you."
Ethan's blood ran cold.
"Or…" Draven's eyes flicked to the heroines' chambers nearby. "I could always approach one of your precious heroines instead. They'd do anything to save you."
Ethan clenched his fists.
"He's trying to drag the heroines into this… no way I'm letting that happen!"
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8. The Twist
The system's voice cut through the tension:
Ethan's heart stopped. "What?!"
System:
> "Draven once had a system like yours… and he escaped it. He knows how to break the cycle."
Ethan looked at Draven, his mind spinning.
"If Draven escaped the system… maybe he's my only chance to break free. But can I trust him?"
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9. Cliffhanger
Ethan stepped forward, his voice shaking.
"Draven… you were like me once, weren't you? You know how to beat the system."
Draven smirked. "Perhaps. But why should I help you, Blackwood? What's in it for me?"
Ethan felt the poison burning hotter than ever. The countdown flashed in his vision:
1 hour, 12 minutes left.
"I don't have time… I need to choose!"
The system chimed one final time:
Ethan's fists trembled as he stared at Draven's outstretched hand.
"If I accept… I might survive. But I'll be turning against Lucas. If I refuse… I might die before the night ends."
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Chapter 8 End (Suspense)