Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English]

Cassia stared at Benjamin’s aging face, a flood of emotions stirring inside her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to piece together the situation.

”Uncle Benjamin, you...?”

She couldn’t understand. Why was he doing this? In this world, Benjamin had always been loyal to Orion, even though he was one of the few people Cassia trusted in the gang. But this was different. He was disobeying her father. This was a man who had always been loyal to Orion—and now, here he was, taking action against him.

”Cassia, time is urgent. I can’t explain everything, but this is for your own good.”

Before Cassia could say another word, Benjamin pressed something small and compact into her palm. She looked down at the package, the size of her hand.

”I’ve arranged for someone to help you at the next stop. They’ll hold off the others and take you with them. Once you’re far enough, don’t come back. The things I gave you… wait until you’re safe to look at them.”

Cassia opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get a word out, the train jerked violently. Benjamin was already moving quickly, ducking into the toilet, his fisherman’s hat low over his face. Without a word more, he disappeared down the aisle.

”Uncle Benjamin…”

Her voice caught in her throat as she looked after him, her heart a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, gratitude, and deep worry.

The train continued its slow journey, eventually coming to a stop at a platform. As the wheels screeched to a halt, Benjamin walked off the train, his hat obscuring his features. His face, once warm and kind, now held a cold, ruthless expression.

He didn’t even glance back. His mind was already focused on the mission ahead.

The soft light of the station flickered across his rough face as he walked off into the night, heading toward Dune.

.......

Cassia’s hands trembled slightly as she carefully slipped the small package into her bag, making sure no one saw. Benjamin’s gesture had touched her deeply, but she knew she couldn’t run.

She would not leave.

Orion had raised her, and despite everything, she owed him everything. The sense of duty and indebtedness he had instilled in her over the years was suffocating, and Cassia couldn’t bring herself to betray him, even if it meant going against her own desires. She was bound by years of indoctrination, by the belief that her future was tied to him.

Orion had probably never expected that Cassia would be so loyal to him—that she would be so thoroughly brainwashed by everything he’d taught her. If he had known, maybe he wouldn’t have gone to the lengths of sending so many people to ’escort’ her.

But Cassia couldn’t risk Benjamin being hurt. She couldn’t risk the people around her suffering because of her decisions. She would stay on the path that had been set for her, no matter how much it cost her heart.

As for the package… Cassia desperately wanted to know what was inside, but she respected Benjamin’s wishes. If he said not to open it until she was safe, then she would wait.

.......

The train picked up speed again, and Cassia turned her attention to the passing scenery outside, her thoughts swirling. She looked at her watch—an hour and a half had passed. The train would soon make its third stop.

What could she do? She couldn’t run, but how could she make the people Benjamin had arranged for her to meet give up? She didn’t even know who they were, and she couldn’t be sure of their intentions.

The green train slowed again, as it always did. At this rate, it would make another stop within minutes. She could already hear the sound of the brakes engaging.

Then, a low voice cut through her thoughts.

”Miss, follow me.”

Cassia looked up, startled. A man with a square face and a no-nonsense expression stood in the doorway of her compartment.

”Shh, come in.” His voice was urgent.

What was happening? This wasn’t supposed to be the stop where anything would happen. The train was two hours behind schedule—this was too soon, too sudden.

”Are you the one Uncle Benjamin arranged for? You need to hurry, before anyone notices. And... please, thank Uncle Benjamin for me.”

Cassia looked up at the unfamiliar middle-aged man standing in front of her. She spoke earnestly, her voice steady. She knew that he was part of the plan Benjamin had set in motion. If she wasn’t firm, he might hesitate.

The man, however, was visibly confused, his expression faltering for a moment.

”Benjamin? What does it have to do with him?”

Zane felt an involuntary surge of confusion. His awakening ability wasn’t a combat skill but something far subtler—an ability called ’Strange Face’, which allowed him to disguise himself or others as anyone he imagined. He had been prepared to help Cassia, but her words had thrown him off balance.

She didn’t even seem shocked that someone was coming to help her. He had thought she would be terrified, but instead, she acted like it was just another day.

Zane, still trying to keep his identity hidden, briefly reconsidered his approach. He had no intention of revealing too much about himself—he knew that exposing his true nature to Cassia was risky. She wasn’t supposed to know about his plans, especially not now.

Yet, something inside him shifted. The situation was growing more complicated than he had thought.

”It’s me.” he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

Cassia blinked in surprise, her eyes narrowing slightly as she saw his face shift into a new form. Zane now stood in front of her, clearly recognizable. The realization struck Cassia like a punch to the gut.

”Wait, you’re Zane?” she asked, her voice shaking. She was taken aback, her mind racing.

Then, a cold sweat broke out on her skin. Had she just betrayed Benjamin? In her haste to understand the situation, had she unknowingly revealed his plans to Zane?

Zane let out a small, frustrated sigh, the tension in his body easing slightly as he rubbed his temple. ”I’m a little confused myself. Do people who save you have to check in first?”

Cassia chuckled nervously, her unease lightened by his dry humor. It was strange, but somehow comforting. It was almost laughable how everything was happening all at once.

”So... where are the others?” she asked, her curiosity piqued, but her tone still a bit wary.

Zane paused, his gaze darkening as he spoke quietly, his voice holding a hint of pride.

”I made sure they were taken care of.” He shrugged nonchalantly. ”Some food laced with a bit of extra ‘help,’ and they’re all asleep. It’ll be a while before they wake up.”

Cassia felt the weight lift off her shoulders slightly. The idea of being followed, cornered at every turn, had left her on edge. But now that she knew someone had her back, even in a dangerous and roundabout way, she could breathe a little easier.

”So, why are you helping me?” Cassia asked, her voice laced with curiosity and gratitude. She had no idea what his motivations were, or what he stood to gain from this.

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