AT THE SAME TIME
ZAVIER
Silence didn't last, it shattered. Because the villagers just stood there. Like this was normal.
"I REFUSE THIS REALITY." Riko whispered.
"You don't have a choice." Ben replied.
One of the villagers stepped forward, then another, then all of them, and one by one they bowed, not to the directors, not to the instructors.
"No." I said immediately.
"Yes." Leo replied.
"I did not sign anything." I added.
"You touched the rings." Ben said.
"I touched a lot of things today-" I started.
"That was the wrong one." Leo added.
"I OBJECT-" Riko raised a hand.
"No." Everyone said.
The elder stepped forward again, calm, composed, dangerous.
"The chosen has received his bond." He said.
"I DID NOT RECEIVE ANYTHING CONSENSUALLY." Riko snapped.
"You accepted it." Elder replied.
"I was influenced."I said.
"You stepped forward."Elder added.
"I regret stepping." I muttered.
Adam stood beside me.
"You are not handling this well." Aiden said in my head.
