Te masked figure, stood just at the edge of the dim light, allowing the overhead glow to outline the stark contrast of his—or perhaps her—mask. The black surface of the mask was marred with chaotic white slashes, an intentional defilent that seed to mock the uniform darkness of the Black Star's forces.
Adrian's sharp gaze lingered on the mask for a mont before he let out a quiet scoff. "Why should I trust soone hiding behind a mask?" His tone was calm, almost mocking, his posture relaxed despite the tension in the air.
The figure chuckled softly, the sound muffled yet laced with knowing amusent. "Let's both cut the pretending, Mr. Adrian," the figure said, their voice smooth, yet carrying a familiar cadence that Adrian imdiately recognized. "I know you haven't lost your real mories. And," they added with a pause, stepping slightly forward, "I also think you know exactly who I am."
Adrian's expression froze for the briefest mont, his mind calculating at lightning speed. Then, his features smoothed into an indifferent mask, his eyes sharp and unreadable.
"So, this was why you weren't at your house?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying a subtle edge of accusation. "To capture , Mrs. Sia?"
A pregnant silence fell between them, thick and suffocating. The figure didn't move for a mont, as if weighing the situation, before reaching up and pulling the mask off with deliberate slowness.
The harsh light illuminated her face, and there was no mistaking it—it was indeed Mrs. Sia. Her sharp eyes glinted with an unreadable mixture of emotions: surprise, caution, and sothing that almost resembled interest.
"So, you really knew…" she muttered, her voice softer now, almost reluctant. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze narrowing. "How did you find out?" she asked curiously, her voice probing but not hostile.
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smile, his calm exterior returning. "The sa way you found out about , I suppose," he replied smoothly, his voice holding a faint teasing note. "But I think it's safe to say we're both not ready to share that particular story, aren't we?"
Mrs. Sia studied him for a long mont, her expression unreadable. Then, she gave the smallest nod, a silent acknowledgnt. Adrian returned the gesture, a mutual understanding passing between them without a single word.
So truths, they both silently agreed, were better left unspoken.
The tension in the air lingered, but it had shifted—no longer oppressive but instead a tenuous truce. Neither fully trusted the other, yet neither was ready to make a move that could escalate the situation. For now, the ga between them continued, and both knew that this fragile balance could shatter at any mont.
"Now that we've cleared up the pleasantries," Adrian said, his tone as casual as if they were discussing the weather, "I'm curious—what do you plan to do with , Mrs. Sia? Or should I start calling you sothing else now that we've… adjusted our roles?"
Mrs. Sia's lips curled into a faint smile, her sharp gaze unwavering as she studied Adrian's reaction. "You can call as usual, or," she said, her tone shifting slightly, carrying a weight that wasn't there before, "my other na—Freedom Star."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, though his expression remained mostly neutral. Internally, he was neither shocked nor surprised. He had anticipated this, though the na still sounded ironic and a bit cringe, considering how closely it opposed the Black Star Lord's oppressive reign.
Mrs. Sia continued, her voice steady but carrying a subtle undercurrent of fervor. "I am one of the leaders of the Killers you know of—or the Avengers, as we call ourselves in truth. I'm sure you don't believe in the fabricated stories spread about us, but even so, let tell you about us. About our mission, this world, and why we do what we do." She took a asured step forward, her eyes locking onto his. "It's ti you learned the truth, Mr. Adrian. To see who is truly good… and who is truly evil."
Adrian gave a slow nod, keeping his features calm, but his mind raced. He already knew most of what she was about to reveal. But there was no way he could tell her that, not without risking exposing himself. How would he explain it? Even if he told her the truth, she would never believe him.
Not that he would reveal it.
For now, it was best to listen—and play his part.
Mrs. Sia began, her voice filled with conviction. "To understand the present, you must first know the past—the history."
She paused, as if preparing to recount sothing long buried. Adrian leaned back slightly, feigning curiosity as she started.
"This world wasn't always like this. It wasn't always shrouded in darkness and despair. Once, this star was a beacon of peace and prosperity, a shining white star where life flourished. Cities spanned continents, and the skies were untainted, pure. But that peace was shattered one day when darkness and chaos consud the White Star." Her tone grew colder, more somber. "More than seventy percent of the world was destroyed in an instant, swallowed by an unknown force. The lands we have left now… are but fragnts of what once was."
Adrian listened silently, his gaze sharp but distant. He already knew this part, and yet he allowed her to continue, careful not to betray his knowledge.
Mrs. Sia's expression darkened as she continued. "Now, only three cities remain—re fractions of what the world used to be. Together, they barely match the size of a middle kingdom from the old era. The rest of the land is blanketed by an impenetrable darkness, a black energy that no one can pass through."
Her voice grew heavier as she pressed on. "It was during this chaos that Black Star City was founded. And with it… the Black Star Lord appeared. No one knows how or why, or even what truly happened during that ti. But he took control, establishing his rule over the remaining cities. At first, it seed like he had saved what was left of this world. But the truth… was far from salvation."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly, though he remained silent. He already knew where this story was going.
Mrs. Sia glanced at him briefly, as if gauging his reaction, before continuing. "The destruction of the White Star brought more problems than anyone could have foreseen. Food and water grew scarce, and countless people died from hunger and disease. The population dwindled, thinner with each passing year. But then… everything changed."
____
(A/N: Sorry guys, I haven't been updating for almost 5 days now. I couldn't find to write as the sester of my studies was coming to an end (midterm exams and so on). Anyway, I will be releasing chapters daily from today onward.
And in 21st December Mass Release for TSMITAA. Read latest chapters at empire
31st December 10 chapters Mass Release for this story.
So, see you soon.)
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