The Final Blow

Chapter 25: The Final Blow

The intensity of the war could be felt more with every step. Magnus' soldiers were falling one by one, and the survivors began to flee. Valen, Aldric, and the other rebels had finally taken control of all the sectors. Camille struggled to comprehend the full scale of the destruction before her eyes. But there was something else—Magnus, though weakened, was still a threat. It was inevitable that he had one last move to make.

At that moment, something unexpected happened. Magnus, gathering his remaining strength, decided to perform an ancient ritual. He rose from his position and quickly disappeared from sight. He was gone for a while, but it was clear he was putting his final plan into motion.

After Magnus vanished, a dark power suddenly shook the entire area. A scream, a low hum filled the air. Camille took a step back, growing more uneasy. The ominous feeling in her chest only grew stronger.

Luca stood off at a distance, watching everything unfold. He knew it was his turn now. What was happening was Magnus' final plan, and though it created new challenges, Luca moved forward with the resolve to be the victor of this war. Every life he took was a moment of victory in itself.

Luca arrived at the rebel base, holding Sarah's severed head. He called for Camille to join him. She quickly approached, but when she saw Sarah's decapitated head, her stomach couldn't handle it. After everything she had seen on the battlefield, this was too much.

Luca began recounting the people he had killed—businessmen, scientists, and nobles. He spoke of his battle with Sarah.

“You look tired, princess. Would you like an energy drink? It seems like that's exactly what you need right now,” Luca said, offering her a drink, despite their usual tension.

A strange smile appeared on Camille's face. Being around Luca was strangely comforting. After Luca drank the energy drink, he kissed Camille on the lips. It was their first kiss. Camille, though confused, continued the kiss, not fully understanding why, but unable to stop.

Soon, Camille began to feel lightheaded. She thought it was just the excitement of having her first kiss.

“Luca... What’s happening?” Camille asked, her voice trembling.

As Luca took steps toward her, each word he spoke felt like the weight of the world collapsing.

“Everything before this was a lie, Camille. Everything was part of my plan. All that we’ve been through was just laying the foundation for this moment. I planned to kill Magnus. I planned to kill him for what he and his kind did to me. And now the only obstacle in my way is you. So be a good girl, and while I finish my plan, just sleep.”

Something inside Camille stirred. Her eyes froze, trying to capture the moment, the horror of what she was hearing.

“What do you mean?” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Luca, please tell me this is a joke!”

Luca looked deep into her eyes, unable to resist, and she fell into unconsciousness. He had slipped a sleeping pill into her drink.

When Camille awoke, she found herself alone. Only a note lay beside her. It was from Luca.

"If you're reading this, you must have woken up. I suppose I owe you an explanation. What I told you was true. Everything we've gone through, from the moment we met, was part of my plan. The people who attacked you that day when I came to rescue you, they were my friends. The entire setup to make you fall in love with me, the act of being your savior, was just a game.

The attack and the events that led to the genocide, they were my plan too. My fellow Rare members organized minor attacks, and that’s why the genocide order was given. The reason I asked you out just before the decision was made was so that I could get close to you and infiltrate the nobles' circle. I spent days, weeks, researching your room, all to get into Magnus' good graces.

I knew everything Magnus would do. I knew your soft heart, I knew Sarah was his mole. Everything went according to my plan, except for Aldric, and now, the grand finale is upon us.

Magnus abandoned us all, leaving us to perish. I watched my mother, father, and friends die slowly. They were poisoned, their eyes bleeding as they died. You can't understand how painful that is. None of us had a say in it; we lived in hunger and misery. But I was the only one brave enough to stand up to it. Even though all my friends are gone, their blood will not go unpunished. No one will live like that again. I won’t allow anyone, be they commoners or nobles, to die. I will stop Magnus and his kind by ending them. If I try to save everyone, I will save no one. Magnus and his kind are the small price that must be paid for salvation."

Camille could hardly believe what she was reading. Everything she had lived through, everything she had trusted—was a lie. Her eyes witnessed the collapse of all she had believed in, and the emptiness inside her grew, stretching farther with each passing second. No matter how much she cried, each tear she shed only pushed her farther away from herself. She couldn’t hold back her tears. She cried until there were no tears left. She couldn’t contain herself. Everything had been a lie. Every glance, every touch, every word... How deeply had she trusted? How much had she wanted to trust?

Selena came over to offer her support. Camille felt a pain in her heart, but it was more than just a physical ache. It was the ache of a heart betrayed. Selena's presence gave her a bit of comfort, but Camille still felt alone. No friend, no foe, could ease this pain. Yet, in that moment, something else broke out.

The bio-mutants created by Dr. Malvyn Quirke transformed into monstrous beasts on the battlefield. Aldric and Valen were locked in a fierce battle with them. The monsters, now enhanced, were more terrifying than ever. Camille had experienced the deepest betrayal, but in this war, there was no room for emotions. She had to rise as a strong woman. She had to step forward as a powerful leader.

Camille's gaze was resolute. This war would end here, and she would be the one to claim victory.