Chapter 73: Silent Vengeance

*Sou*

I put on my headphones as I walked to the forest by myself. Closing my eyes, I tried sensing my surroundings.

With my headphones on, I shut out the surrounding noise, the silence amplifying my other senses. The music wasn't playing yet. I simply needed the quiet.

Closing my eyes, I extended my hands, my fingers tingling as I channeled my chakra into them. I could feel it coursing through my veins, an energy that was uniquely mine. It was a part of me, yet it connected me to the world around me.

I focused, allowing my chakra to gently seep out, flowing like a stream into the forest around me. It moved with a rhythm, a pulse that echoed the beat of my heart. It was my guide, my compass, as I navigated the world blind and deaf to everything but my own energy.

The forest was alive and teeming with its own energy. I could feel the rough bark of the trees, the cool dampness of the moss, the rustle of leaves in the wind. My chakra moved around obstacles, painting a picture in my mind of my surroundings.

I could sense the small creatures skittering in the underbrush, the birds perched high in the treetops, the insects buzzing around me. Each emitted its own unique energy, adding to the vibrant tapestry of the forest.

In this state, I felt connected to everything around me. I was not just Sou, but a part of the intricate web of life in the forest. It was a humbling experience, a reminder of my place in the grand scheme of things.

For a while, I let myself forget about my quest for revenge, about the pain that had led me here. In that moment, I was simply a part of the forest, moving with its rhythm, guided by my chakra.

My sanctuary wasn't a place, but a state of being. Here, amidst the energy of life, I could find peace, even if it was fleeting. And for now, that was enough.

My eyes snapped open as I felt the familiar energy approaching. It wasn't an animal, it was Ava. Panic and anger welled up inside me as her presence intruded upon my sanctuary. I retracted my chakra, returning my senses to the physical world. 

"Here you are," Ava's voice rang out, disrupting the quiet peace of the forest.

I pulled off my headphones and turned to face her, my eyes cold. "Ava," I said, my voice barely masking my anger.

I took a deep breath, feeling my fists clench. Betrayal, hurt, and anger boiled within me. Ava and Sehun, my boyfriend. The thought still felt like a punch to the gut.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice sharp. I glared at her, my heart pounding in my chest. My sanctuary had been disturbed, and I felt a bitter taste of resentment.

"Kai and Sayuri are worried about you. I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now, but you weren't home." She glanced around at the forest. "Didn't think you would come here of all places. You were even meditating, weren't you?" She smiled. "It's good to see you take your training seriously."

I took a deep breath to try to keep calm. My plan was to make Ava feel guilty, to let it eat her up.

I looked at her, my expression unreadable. "Yes, I was meditating," I replied calmly, my tone icy. "Training helps keep my mind off things."

Ava's smile didn't reach her eyes. She looked uncomfortable, her gaze darting around the forest. Good, she should be.

"I didn't come here to talk about training, Ava," I said, my voice low. I paused, letting the silence stretch out between us. "You know why I've been avoiding you."

Her face paled slightly, her smile faltering. But I didn't let up. "You and Sehun," I continued, my heart aching at the mention of his name. "I trusted both of you."

I watched her closely, my anger simmering beneath the surface. I wanted her to feel the guilt, to understand the hurt she had caused.

"Was it worth it, Ava?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "Was it worth our friendship?"

She pressed her hands close to her chest. "I...I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Sou," she stammered, her eyes welling up with tears. 

"I know it's not an excuse," she continued, her voice trembling. "I messed up. I hurt you...and for that, I'm truly sorry."

I looked at her without saying a word, my expression stone-cold. I wanted her to feel the weight of her actions, to understand the depth of the pain she had caused. 

Her apology hung in the air between us, but it did nothing to soothe the whirlwind of hurt and betrayal raging within me. I even felt like lashing out by telling her that Sehun didn't even love her. That he had slept with me like how she had slept with him.

I just nodded, my silence cutting deeper than any words could. Then, I turned my back on her and walked away. She had broken our trust, and that wasn't something easily mended. Now, she would have to live with the guilt.

The same went for Sehun, the one who had claimed to love me, yet betrayed me in the most hurtful way. I wouldn't give him, or Ava, the satisfaction of seeing my pain, my anger. 

They both had made their choices, and now they would have to live with the consequences. The guilt, the knowledge of their betrayal, would eat at them, just as their actions had torn at my heart. 

They had lost my trust, my friendship, my love. And that was a price far greater than any screaming match or heated confrontation. They would have to live with the knowledge that they had lost me, and that was punishment enough.

Although, more than Ava, Sehun deserved to pay.

As I walked away, a sense of grim satisfaction settled within me. The forest, my sanctuary, had witnessed it all. And as I left Ava behind, I felt an odd sense of relief. The confrontation had been painful, but necessary. 

Now, it was time for me to move forward. And they would have to deal with the aftermath of their actions, alone. Without me by their side. Revenge was a dish best served cold, they say. It really was.