Liam's eyes fluttered open, heavy and sluggish, as though the world itself was pressing down on his chest. His throat felt dry, his head pounded like a drum, and the faint metallic taste of blood clung stubbornly to his tongue.
The ceiling above him looked familiar… cracked plaster, a faint water stain near the corner, the same he had stared at countless nights when sleep refused him.
It was his room.
His bed. His sheets were tangled around him. For a moment, he almost convinced himself it had all been a nightmare: the subway, the shadows, the alley, the crowbar, the hooded figure… her.
The memory of the girl's sapphire eyes burned behind his eyelids. The last thing he remembered was her face hovering above him before darkness swallowed him whole.
He groaned, lifting himself with trembling arms. His ribs ached from where he'd slammed into the dumpster. "How the hell am I back here?" he wondered. "Did someone drag me home? Was it… her?"
But then something caught him… a presence. The kind of primal chill that skitters down your spine when you're not alone.
His head snapped to the side.
And there, leaning against the wall by the bed, arms crossed, shadows curling around her figure.. was her.
The girl.
Blue hair, sharp curves, sapphire eyes glinting faintly under the dim light. Her expression wasn't soft or grateful. It was a frown, sharp and cutting, like a knife pressed against his throat.
Liam jolted, nearly falling back into his sheets. "What the fuck…" his breath hitched, fear tangling his words.
She pushed off the wall casually, her boots scuffing against the floor as she stepped closer.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" she asked, her voice calm but threaded with steel.
Liam's eyes widened. He blinked, trying to shake the fog from his mind. "Wh…what am I doing? I should be the one asking you that. Who the hell are you? What are you doing here? And…" his voice cracked, raw disbelief dripping through. "…how the fuck are you real?"
Her brow arched, as if she found the question amusing. "What do you mean, 'how am I real?'"
Liam scoffed nervously, his throat tightening. "Y…you. You're the girl from my dreams. The one that I tried to save. The one with this blue light." he tried to explain.
For a moment the girl looked confused. Then her eyes widened. Her lips parted as though realization struck her, before she dragged her palm down her face in sheer exasperation.
"Wait," she muttered. "You thought that was a dream?" Her voice cracked on disbelief. Then she groaned, shaking her head and muttering under her breath, "Of course you did. Why am I even surprised? This is exactly why I don't like humans. You're all fucking dumb."
Liam froze. The word 'humans' cut deeper than any blade. His chest tightened. Slowly, memories from that night bled back into his mind…her forehead was embedded with a blue glowing crystal, radiating with ethereal light.
That crystal was the unique characteristics of the alien race that came to earth years ago.
His head snapped toward her. His lips trembled before the words stumbled out. "Wait… y-you're a Vonite."
Her eyes flickered, and then she gave the smallest, reluctant nod. "Yes. And I'm very real." Her voice softened, but her gaze never wavered. "So was the incident of last night. It wasn't a dream, Liam. It all happened."
He swallowed hard, his throat dry.
She stepped closer, the weight of her presence pressing down on him. "I was being molested by some men. You stepped in to save me. You got stabbed… and you almost died." Her sapphire eyes dimmed slightly, just for a moment. "But I saved you. By integrating the 'blue light' into you."
Liam's chest heaved. His thoughts spiraled, not about the stabbing, not about death.. no, his mind zeroed in on one thing.
"Wait. Integrated?" His jaw tightened. "You're talking about the system. You're the one who put that fucking thing inside my head."
The girl's lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't deny it. "Yes. I did."
Liam clenched his fists. "You…"
But before he could curse her, she frowned again, her tone sharp. "But apparently you don't seem to be taking the quest seriously. Because you thought it was a fucking game."
Liam blinked, his anger faltering into confusion. "Wait… how the hell did you know about the quest? I was given three choices. Even if you gave me the system, you shouldn't know which one I picked, let alone the quest it gave me," he muttered, his brows raised in suspicion. "So how'd you know?"
The girl exhaled sharply, pacing once before snapping her eyes back to him. "Look. That's not the important thing right now." Her voice carried a rare urgency. "What matters is you're running out of time."
Liam froze. His heartbeat skipped. "What… what do you mean by that?"
Her jaw tightened. She stepped closer until he could almost feel the faint energy humming from her body. "Like I've been trying to tell you so far. The system. The quest. Everything. It's not a game. It's all real."
The words sliced Liam open.
His chest locked. His throat bobbed as his eyes bulged. "Wait. But that means… if I don't complete the quest in a few hours…" His voice cracked, thin as glass. "…I'm really gonna die?"
She didn't answer immediately. She only exhaled, slow and heavy. And then, softly: "I'm afraid so."
The world tilted. Liam's body trembled as if the air had been ripped from the room. His mind crashed into chaos. His lungs tightened, his breaths shallow and rapid.
He clawed his hands into his hair, muttering brokenly, "Oh, shit. Oh, shit, oh shit.. this can't be happening. This can't be fucking happening—"
The girl stepped forward, her tone sharper now, trying to cut through his panic. "Hey! Calm down. I know this looks bad, but there's still a way. There's still time. You just need to complete the quest."
Liam snapped his head at her, his eyes bloodshot with desperation. "Complete the quest? Are you insane? The only way I see out of this is you getting that fucking system out of my head."
The girl sighed. Her gaze hardened. "I can't."
Liam rasped. His voice cracked into a growl. "Why not? You put it there.. so take it out!"
The girl raised her tone, frustration breaking through. "It's not that simple. The system isn't something I can just yank out."
Liam frowned. His knuckles went white as his fists shook. "Why the fuck not?!" he yelled.
Her eyes narrowed, the tension snapping like glass. "Because it's not in your head!" she shot back, her voice echoing in the small room.
Liam froze. His body stiffened, words caught in his throat. "…What?" he said softly now.
The girl's expression softened, just slightly, like she regretted what she had to say. Her voice was quieter now, but it carried the weight of a blade. "The system… wasn't integrated with your mind."
Her sapphire eyes locked with his. "…It was integrated with your soul."
The room fell silent.
Liam's breath hitched. His heart dropped into his stomach. His mouth opened but no words came out, only a strangled gasp.
His eyes, wide and glassy, searched hers for any hint of a lie. But all he found was truth, raw and unshaken.
His voice finally broke free, trembling, sharp with fear and disbelief. "Wh…what?!"
The silence in the small room stretched like a blade between them. Liam's breath still came ragged, his chest rising and falling as if he'd sprinted a marathon. The weight of her last words sat on him like an anchor dragging him to the bottom of an ocean.
The girl… the Vonite, sighed. Her sapphire eyes flickered with something softer, something almost human. She looked down for a moment, then back up at him.
"Look," she said quietly, her voice losing its earlier sharpness. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to put your life in danger."
Liam froze. He wasn't expecting remorse from her.. not after everything.
She continued, her tone steady but edged with genuine regret. "It wasn't my intention to force the system on you. Things… weren't supposed to happen like this."
Liam swallowed hard, steadying himself. The storm inside him hadn't settled, but her words gave him something to cling to.
His brows furrowed, suspicion mixing with curiosity. "What are you talking about?"
The girl took a slow breath, as though steadying herself for a confession. "I should probably start by introducing myself." She straightened her shoulders, as if reclaiming a mantle she'd set aside.
"I'm Xena Von Nebula. Princess of Von, and the next ruler of the Vonite Empire."
For a moment, Liam just stared. Then, despite himself, a startled laugh bubbled out of him. "Wait…you're a princess?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "You don't seem very princessy to me."
Xena's frown deepened, her sapphire eyes narrowing. "Shut up."
He smirked faintly, but she pressed on.
"As I was saying… I am Vonite royalty. And as you already know, we Vonites are at war. It's why we came to your fucking planet in the first place. But you humans…" her lip curled slightly, "…you betrayed us. After everything we gave you. After we offered you a better life."
Liam's smirk died. His eyes darkened, jaw tightening as anger resurfaced. "A better life?" His voice was sharp, low. "You didn't give us a better life. You gave us death. And it was all because of the Awakening Pill you brought to us."
Xena's chin lifted. "The pills were meant to create a better version of humans." she defended.
Liam chuckled darkly, the sound bitter. "Well, all they created were monsters. And those monsters are the reason the whole world went to shit."
Xena exhaled through her nose, closing her eyes briefly. "Yes. I'm aware of Earth's… current dilemma." she said.
Then a humorless chuckle slipped from her. "After all, we met at the hands of thugs who practically stabbed us both to death."
Liam didn't find it funny. He let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What are you doing here? And why did you put a death machine in my soul?"
"First, it's not a machine," Xena retorted. She took a step closer, gaze direct. "Second, I expect you to show at least a little gratitude to the girl who saved your life and dragged your unconscious ass home… twice."
Liam blinked, her words catching him off guard. Then his thoughts sharpened again. His brows furrowed, panic rising. "Wait… how did you even get into my house? Where's Lila?" His body tensed, already half rising from the bed.
Xena's voice turned calm, almost soothing. "Relax. Your sister's fine. And how I got in doesn't matter. What matters is why we're both in this mess to begin with."
Liam stilled, still tense but listening.
Xena exhaled deeply, her gaze drifting away as if replaying years of history in her mind. "The uprising that tore your world apart… it didn't just affect you. It affected my people too. We put enormous resources into helping humanity ascend, and when your governments betrayed us… it was like watching decades of investment vanish in an instant. A loss beyond calculation. I'm sure you can imagine what that feels like."
Liam shook his head, lips curling faintly. "No, not really. Trading's not exactly my strongest suit."
Xena's eyes narrowed, unimpressed. "Anyway." She shook her head. "To put it simply… we were broke. Our empire was drained of resources. Temporarily, of course." She added quickly, as though she couldn't bear the shame of the word.
Then her voice sank. "But our enemies didn't wait for us to recuperate. They struck while we were weakened. And we lost even more."
Her voice cracked slightly. "We were going to lose the war. Our empire was on the brink of annihilation. It was either submit or die."
Her hand clenched into a fist, trembling faintly. "So we hid. Like cowards." The word burned her lips. "And we've been hiding ever since. But hiding couldn't last forever. We needed to fight back. And to do that, we needed a weapon. A trump card. Something to tip the scales of war."
She looked back at him, her sapphire eyes glowing faintly. "And so… we created the Universal System. A tool forged from the essence of the universe itself. An ultimate weapon designed to grant its host unparalleled power."
Then she exhaled. "But just like with the awakening pill, the system wasn't compatible with a Vonite. Or any other specie for that matter. Except for one."
Liam's lips parted, barely a whisper escaping. "…Humans."
Xena chuckled darkly, nodding. "That's right. And once again, we were forced to rely on the very malevolent creatures that betrayed us. We were forced to resort to your kind."
Liam scoffed. "So let me get this straight… you decided to hand an all-powerful weapon to humans. The same bastards that screwed you over the first time."
Xena inhaled sharply, temper flickering. "We had no choice. And make no mistake, we are not fools. Of course we don't trust your kind. Not anymore," she muttered sharply.
"But we knew that even among the savage lot of you, there were still some that were pure-hearted and willing to do the right thing. Humans who were willing to change the state of the world."
Liam burst into laughter, shaking his head. "And you thought I was one of them?"
Xena tilted her head, lips curling into a wry smirk. "No. Not even close." She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "I see your thoughts, Liam. I see your desires. Your mind is clouded with hate. With vengeance." She paused, her voice firm. "And that's exactly the kind of host I need."
Liam froze, words failing him.
"My father told me to find a hero. A selfless fool who'd sacrifice himself to save others." She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "But I believe heroes are overrated. I wanted someone willing to sacrifice everything to protect those they hold dear. That is what we need to win a war."
Her tone grew sharper, heavier. "So I came to Earth. I studied your histories, your cultures, your habits, strengths and flaws. I began searching for a host as soon as I found a civilization." Then her gaze locked with his. "And then I saw you."
"You think you found me that night, but I was the one who found you," she continued. "I knew you wouldn't stand by and watch those men harass me… and not because you wanted to save me. But because you hated them. You hated what they represented. You hated what the world had become because of their actions."
Her voice softened, but her words cut deep. "And I knew, then… you were the one. The one who could change your broken world… and save mine. Because I could see it… beneath all that hate, Liam, you're still a good person."
Liam stared into her eyes, his voice low. "So you think I'm some semi-righteous anti-hero? That's why you forced the system into my soul?"
Xena scoffed. "I didn't force the system on you, I chose you to wield it. If anything, you should be grateful… because I just gave you the chance to become powerful."
"Powerful?" Liam barked out a bitter laugh. "All I've seen from this system so far is a sex guide telling me I'll die if I don't get laid."
Xena chuckled… a muffled, amused sound that made Liam's jaw drop.
"Are you seriously laughing right now?" he snapped.
She shook her head, trying to stifle her grin. "No. It's just… no one forced you to pick the Lust System. You chose it yourself."
"No, I didn't." Liam's voice was sharp. "It was a mistake. I only said it out loud because I was curious. But the stupid system took it as my choice."
Xena tilted her head, pretending to consider. "Hm. I see." A chuckle slipped from her again.
"You don't believe me," Liam muttered.
"Oh, I do." Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "And I'm not judging. Honestly, I'm even glad you picked it. Because out of the three, the lust system is the easiest path."
"What?" Liam's eyes narrowed.
She explained calmly, almost like a teacher. "The Hero System would demand things you're too weak to do. And the warlord system would ask you… to kill."
Liam's eyes widened. "What?! I don't wanna kill anyone."
"Which is why you should be grateful you selected the lust system by mistake. Because all you have to do is engage in lustful activities to get points," Xena said matter-of-factly. "See it like this… the more you have sex, the stronger you get."
Liam groaned, rubbing his temple. "Please don't say it like that."
"Why not?" Xena chuckled. "If there's one thing I've learned about humans, it's that you love indulging in fleshly pleasures."
"Well, I'm not like other humans." Liam retorted quickly.
Her smile faded. She nodded slightly. "Oh, right. You're a virgin."
The words cut him deeper than he wanted to admit. He laughed darkly. "And apparently, if I don't fix that soon, I'm going to die."
Xena's amusement vanished. Her sapphire eyes softened. "Well… there's still time, right? Can't you just… go to one of those brothels out there? Get yourself a woman to lay with?"
Liam sighed heavily, shaking his head. "It's too late. Going out now is asking to get myself killed, or worse. And even if I did get to a brothel… I don't have the money."
Xena's lips pressed into a line. "Oh…" For the first time, she looked… conflicted.
A silence settled between them. Heavy. Suffocating.
Liam sat, quiet, panic gnawing at him from inside. He didn't know what else to do. The countdown to the end of his life was literally flashing in his eyes.
Xena was also in turmoil. Her gaze lingered on Liam, thoughts racing behind her eyes. The thread that had been tying her thoughts together started to fray. Liam was going to lose his life; she would fail her mission. Neither outcome was acceptable.
Finally, she clenched her fist, whispering under her breath, "I don't have a choice. I have to do it… for the sake of my people."
Her sapphire eyes locked on him. Her decision was made. She stepped closer, her voice low. "I… I have an idea."
Liam blinked, hope flickering through the panic. "What?" he asked desperately.
Xena hesitated, then exhaled. "The system doesn't specify that you lose your virginity to a human woman. So I was thinking…" she hesitated at first, then spoke. "…maybe I could be of assistance."
Liam's blood ran cold. His eyes widened, his breath catching. "What are you saying?" he asked, his heartbeat beating faster than normal.
He knew exactly what she was saying. He just didn't want to believe it.
Xena's lips trembled faintly. Her sapphire eyes locked onto his as she whispered, "I'm saying…"
Her hands reached for the zipper of her jacket. With a smooth motion, she unzipped it and slipped it off her shoulders, revealing a black bra beneath.
Then, quicker than Liam's brain could process, she tugged at the zipper of her pants, letting them fall in a soft heap to the floor.
She stepped close enough that he could see the faint pulse at her throat, the unexpected warmth of her skin so near he felt its heat on his face. Her sapphire eyes never leaving his.
"…Let's have sex."