Trust is dangerous when given to the wrong heart.
The Valtor mansion was alive that night.
Golden lights filled the halls. Music echoed softly through marble corridors. Men in expensive suits laughed loudly, hiding fear behind their voices. Armed guards stood at every corner, eyes sharp, fingers close to triggers.
It was not a birthday party.
It was a declaration.
James Valtor had officially turned eighteen.
And the world was watching.
James walked through the hall slowly, greeting guests who bowed their heads slightly too low. Every smile felt fake. Every handshake felt heavy. He could sense it—people were measuring him, judging him, and deciding whether to fear him or challenge him.
He hated this life.
Then he saw Elena.
She stood near the staircase, wearing a dark blue dress. Simple. Elegant. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders. When her eyes met James's, she smiled—the same smile he had loved since childhood.
For a moment, the noise disappeared.
James walked toward her.
"You look nervous," she said gently, holding his hand.
"I don't like crowds," James replied. "You know that."
She nodded. "After tonight, everything will change."
James smiled faintly. "I hope so."
But something felt wrong.
Her hand was cold.
Her heartbeat—fast.
James noticed small things. He always had. Elena avoided his eyes longer than usual. She looked around often, as if checking something… or someone.
Still, James ignored the doubt.
Because love makes people blind.
As the night moved forward, James excused himself from the main hall. The noise was too much. He needed air. As he walked through a quieter corridor, he heard a familiar voice.
Elena's voice.
She was speaking softly, but the silence of the corridor carried every word.
James stopped.
His heart slowed.
"Yes… Everything is ready," Elena whispered."He trusts me completely."
James felt his chest tighten.
He stepped closer to the door.
"Tonight is perfect," she continued."After this, the Valtor Empire won't belong to him anymore."
James pushed the door open.
Elena turned sharply. Her face froze—not in fear, but in surprise.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asked calmly.
"Long enough," James said quietly. "Explain."
For a few seconds, silence ruled the room.
Then Elena sighed.
She laughed.
Not the laugh James knew.
This one was cold.
"You were never supposed to hear that," she said.
James felt something break inside him.
"Was any of it real?" he asked. "Did you ever love me?"
Elena looked at him like one looks at a stranger.
"I loved what you represented," she replied. "Power. Protection. Wealth."
James shook his head slowly. "So I was just… useful?"
"Yes."
The word cut deeper than any blade.
James took a step back. "You don't know what you've done."
Elena reached into her bag.
James saw the gun.
Time slowed.
"Elena—don't," he whispered.
Her finger tightened.
"I'm sorry," she said.But her eyes showed no regret.
The gunshot echoed through the mansion.
Pain exploded in James's chest.
He fell backward, hitting the cold marble floor. Blood spread beneath him like a dark shadow. His breath became heavy. His vision blurred.
Elena stood over him.
Watching.
Waiting.
But then…
Something changed.
The lights flickered violently. The air became thick, heavy, and almost impossible to breathe. The walls began to crack—not physically, but reality itself felt unstable.
James's heart beat once.
Twice.
And then stopped.
Or at least… it should have.
Voices filled the space around him.
Not human.
Ancient. Deep. Terrified.
"The Vessel has fallen.""The Seal is breaking.""Emergency protocol activated."
Elena stepped back, fear finally touching her face.
"What is this?" she whispered.
James's eyes opened.
For a single second, they glowed black and gold.
Elena screamed.
The shadows twisted toward James, wrapping around his body like living things. Symbols appeared in the air—ancient, unreadable, powerful.
Then everything collapsed into darkness.
James felt himself falling.
Not down.
But away.
Away from the world.
Away from pain.
Away from humanity.
As his consciousness faded, one final thought crossed his mind —
"If I live again… I will never trust blindly."
And somewhere beyond death…
Something answered him.
End of Chapter 2