**Author Note:**
Hey everyone!
After yesterday's intense training, Aarav is finally facing the harsh reality of this world. This chapter dives deep into his thoughts and emotions as he tries to process what he saw. Things are getting heavier, but a small spark of hope (and maybe a crazy idea) is also starting to form.
Also, we finally get a proper introduction to a certain red-haired guy ?
What do you think Aarav should do next? Try to make peace with monsters or accept this world's rules? Let me know in the comments!
Chapter 21—
The training chamber was eerily quiet now.
Only the faint metallic scent of blood still lingered in the cold air.
Aris Valen stood near the center, arms folded, his sharp eyes fixed on the man leaning casually against the wall.
"You went too far," Aris said quietly, voice even but firm.
The man shrugged, not bothering to straighten his posture.
"It's just normal," he replied lazily. "He said he wanted to learn. I showed him how people fight here."
Aris didn't look amused.
"You split two creatures in half right in front of him. He threw up and passed out."
The man gave a small, unbothered huff.
"Better he learns it now than later."
A short silence fell between them.
Aris studied him for a moment.
"Do you think he's really the third prince?"
The man tilted his head slightly, eyes half-lidded.
"Hmm… I can't say for sure."
He paused, then added casually,
"Though… the name he gave me felt off. Like it wasn't the one he was supposed to have."
Aris raised an eyebrow.
"You think someone gave him that name?"
"Or maybe he lost the original one," the man said with a small shrug. "Memory loss is possible. But his personality… that doesn't match. He talks too much now. Asks too many questions. Like a child who wants to know everything."
Aris let out a slow breath.
"So… are you treating him like some kind of experiment?"
The man finally looked at Aris properly, a faint lazy smile tugging at his lips.
"No. He doesn't look like an experiment to me."
He pushed himself off the wall.
"Just a kid who wants to understand the world he got thrown into."
Aris watched him for a long second, then gave a small nod.
"Thank you for your honesty…"
He paused briefly before adding the name.
"…Zane."
Zane gave a slight nod in return and turned to leave.
"Get some rest, Aris. The boy's going to need more than just training soon."
---
In a quiet guest room deeper in the palace, Aarav slowly opened his eyes.
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains. His body felt heavy. Every small movement sent a dull ache through his ribs and side.
He lay there without moving for a long time, staring at the ceiling.
The images kept returning.
The clean, perfect line across those creatures.
How their bodies simply slid apart.
How the blood spread across the stone floor like it had nowhere else to go.
Aarav swallowed hard. His stomach twisted again.
*They were moving… breathing… alive… and then they weren't.*
He sat up slowly, wincing. His hands trembled slightly as he rested them on his knees.
He felt like he had gone very far away from himself.
*I don't want to kill anyone.*
The thought came suddenly, clear and heavy.
*I can't kill anyone. Not like that. Not ever.*
His chest felt tight. The idea of cutting something living in two, watching it die right in front of him — it made him feel sick all over again.
*Then what am I supposed to do?*
He stared at his own hands, feeling completely lost and helpless.
*If I can't kill… then how do I survive in this world? How do I become strong? What am I even supposed to do?*
For a long minute, he just sat there, breathing slowly, trying to calm the nausea rising in his throat.
Then, quietly, a new thought slipped into his mind.
*Wait… what if I don't have to kill them at all?*
His eyes opened a little wider.
*What if I can talk to the monsters? What if there's a way to make peace with them instead of fighting?*
A small, hesitant smile appeared on his face.
*Yeah… that could actually work. That sounds so much better than becoming like them.*
He felt a tiny spark of hope return.
*Maybe I don't have to follow their rules. Maybe I can find my own way.*
Feeling slightly lighter, Aarav stood up, washed his face with cold water, and stepped out of the room.
The palace corridors were bright with morning light.
He had only taken a few steps when he saw someone walking toward him.
A boy with striking red hair.
Riven.
Riven stopped a few feet away, his expression as calm and unreadable as always.
"You're awake," he said flatly.
Aarav nodded.
"…Yeah. Just now."
Riven studied him for a second.
"You don't look well."
Aarav gave a weak laugh.
"Well… after what I saw yesterday, I don't think anyone would look well."
Riven didn't smile, but there was a faint glint in his eyes.
"Training with him is never gentle."
He paused, then added with a touch of dry humor,
"Though last time I had to catch you before you hit the ground. At least today you stayed standing longer."
Aarav scratched the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.
"…Thanks for the reminder."
Riven gave a small nod.
"Aris wants to see you later. Don't wander too far."
With that, Riven turned and walked away.
Aarav stood there for a moment, watching the red-haired boy leave.
He muttered under his breath,
"…New character unlocked?"
Then he shook his head and continued walking, his mind still heavy with thoughts of blood, peace, and the terrifying gap between stories and reality.
—End of chapter21—