That evening, the city was shrouded in a soft purple haze as Ezra Kane entered a hidden bar, its warm amber glow illuminating the scuffed wooden tables. The air was thick with the scent of old whiskey, mingling with the gentle notes of a saxophone. Glasses tapped together in a sporadic rhythm, but Ezra hardly paid attention. His bandaged arm throbbed beneath his jacket, the holo-crystal pressing against his chest like a wound that wouldn't heal.
He never thought he'd encounter her again—not after the turmoil at the market. Yet there she was: the silver-haired woman, the same stranger who urged him to activate the crystal, now sitting in shadows at a corner booth. As she lifted her glass, the light glinted off it, making her appear almost otherworldly.
Ezra felt his jaw tighten as he slid into the seat opposite her, his voice rough with emotion. "What was the point of showing me that?"
Her eyes softened, betraying a mixture of regret and understanding. "Because what you witnessed was distorted," she replied quietly. "That deal Kael made wasn't rooted in ambition; it was out of necessity. He sought to safeguard his people, and ever since then, she's resented him."
The crystal flickered to life, projecting vivid images onto the table. Scenes from another time played out in warm hues tinged with static. Ezra caught his breath.
There was Kael—younger, more resolute—standing in a room filled with glowing maps and dynamic battle projections. Opposite him stood Veyra, her hair slicked back and her presence sharp enough to cut glass. She appeared not as the monster Ezra had envisioned, but as something colder—both stunning and menacing.
"Our enemies are weakening day by day," Veyra said smoothly, her fingers tracing a map that lit up with crimson lines. "If we strike now, we can eliminate them once and for all. Together, Kael, we could reshape this city."
Kael hesitated, his fist clenching on the table. He searched her gaze, wary but intrigued. "And after they're gone, Veyra? What comes next?"
A smile curved her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Then we take their place. No more compromises, no more chains. My vision—our world. No one will be strong enough to challenge us."
Ezra leaned forward, adrenaline surging through him.
Kael's jaw tightened. "You don't want freedom, Veyra; you want power, just for the sake of being in charge."
An electrifying silence fell between them. Slowly, Kael shook his head, firm in his decision. "I won't swap one tyrant for another. Not even for you."
Her smile faltered, rage flashing in her eyes like fire trapped in glass. "You really think you can turn me down?" she spat, each word sharp as a knife. "You'll regret this, Kael. I'll dismantle everything you've built, piece by piece. And when you're on your knees, I'll be there to remind you—you had your chance."