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I woke up with the taste of metal in my mouth. A bitter, acrid taste that made my stomach churn.
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The room was dark. I couldn't remember how I got back to my quarters. Last night had been a blur — a haze of voices, blurred faces, and Riven's unblinking eyes, his calm voice offering no reprieve. I closed my eyes again, trying to recall the last coherent thought I had before passing out. But all I could remember was the weight of his words, each one sinking deeper than the last.
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"Power is never about enjoyment. It's about survival."
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I couldn't shake those words. They had been on a loop in my mind, cycling again and again, like an endless spiral that threatened to consume me. I had tried to ignore it, but the truth was undeniable: I wasn't just a part of this system — I was one of its instruments. No better than the others Riven had manipulated. No better than the broken shells of people he had destroyed.
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A knock at the door broke me from my thoughts. I sat up, rubbing my face.
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"Come in," I muttered, my voice hoarse.
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The door creaked open, and in stepped Noah, the ever-quiet assistant. He was an enigma in himself. His pale blue eyes, his disheveled hair, and the way he moved — always silent, always observant. He didn't say anything immediately, just lingered by the door, looking at me with that unreadable expression.
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"Riven wants to see you," Noah said flatly, his gaze shifting slightly. "Now."
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I didn't reply. Instead, I swung my legs off the bed and stood, my feet unsteady. I didn't know why, but a part of me didn't want to face Riven right now. Something in my gut told me that it wasn't going to be a simple conversation. Whatever it was, it would be another test — one I wasn't sure I could pass.
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But there was no avoiding it. Not anymore.
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I walked past Noah without a word, heading toward Riven's office. The corridors were eerily quiet, the silence almost suffocating. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, each step I took an echo of my own doubt. I wondered if the others felt this too — the heavy weight of this place, the way it chewed you up and spit you out.
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Noah followed me, his steps quiet but purposeful. I felt his eyes on me, the weight of his attention both reassuring and unsettling. I didn't know much about him, except that he was loyal to Riven. But I could sense that there was something more to Noah. Something hidden beneath that calm exterior. I wondered if he ever questioned the path he had chosen.
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When we reached Riven's office, Noah knocked, the sound sharp and deliberate. After a brief moment, Riven's voice filtered through the door.
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"Enter."
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I stepped inside. Riven was sitting at his desk, his usual calm demeanor in place. But today, there was something different about him — something darker. His eyes were sharper, his expression colder. As if he had made a decision.
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"You're late," Riven's voice was cool, but I could sense the undercurrent of something more, something dangerous.
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"I didn't realize I was on a schedule," I replied, my tone more biting than I intended.
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Riven's gaze flicked to me, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile. "You were never just a cog in the machine. You're becoming part of it."
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I wasn't sure how to respond to that. The words stung more than I expected.
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"Sit down," Riven ordered, his voice firm, and I obeyed. I didn't dare make eye contact with him. There was something in the air today — something more than just the usual manipulation. Something... unsettling.
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"What is it?" I asked, trying to mask my unease. "Why am I here?"
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Riven's gaze shifted, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something unfamiliar in his eyes. It wasn't just coldness. It was... hunger. A sharp, almost predatory look that made my blood run cold.
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"You're becoming unpredictable," he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. "I don't like that."
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I felt my throat tighten, a lump forming in it. I had been wondering for days whether Riven had noticed. It had been building up inside me, the cracks, the hesitation.
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"You think you can fight this," he continued, his gaze never leaving mine. "But you can't. You're mine, and I own every part of you."
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I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. I had always been Riven's possession, but something inside me began to rebel at the thought of being a puppet forever.
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"I'm not yours to own," I said, my voice shaky, but defiant.
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Riven's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You say that now. But it's only a matter of time before you realize that's exactly what you are."
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I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor, my hands trembling at my sides.
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"No," I whispered, more to myself than to him. "I won't be another one of your broken toys."
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Riven stood, the movement so fluid, so controlled, that it took me by surprise. He was right behind me in an instant, his breath hot against my neck. "You think you have a choice?" he whispered, his voice a caress that made my skin crawl.
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Before I could respond, the door flew open, and Noah entered, his face unusually tense.
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"Riven," he said urgently, his voice laced with something close to fear. "We need to talk."
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Riven's posture shifted, his eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
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Noah glanced at me briefly before looking back at Riven. "It's about the plans. We might have a problem."
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Riven's demeanor shifted again, cold, calculating. "What kind of problem?"
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I could see the flicker of concern in Riven's eyes, and for a moment, I wondered if he had any weaknesses after all. If anything could break him, what would it be?
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"I'll handle it," Riven said curtly, his expression hardening again. "You can leave now."
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I stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do. This wasn't just about me anymore. There was something bigger at play, something I didn't fully understand.
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Riven glanced at me once more, and this time, his gaze was colder than before. "Stay out of the way. This doesn't concern you."
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With that, he turned and walked out of the office, Noah following him without another word.
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I stood there, alone, as the door closed behind them.
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The tension in the room felt suffocating. Whatever was happening, it wasn't just a game anymore. And I had a sinking feeling that I was caught right in the middle of it.
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[End of Chapter 11]
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