Chapter 15: Hidden Motives

The morning after Murphy's near hanging, camp life had returned to its usual tension-filled rhythm. Most people avoided Murphy, who sat nursing his wounds, looking defiant but beaten. The swelling around his eye and the cut on his lip were reminders of how quickly the group had turned on him.

Ares had saved Murphy, but his motives went beyond simple justice. He saw the potential in Murphy—an outcast who could become a valuable subordinate if handled correctly. Ares knew how to cultivate loyalty and power, even from those society had discarded.

Everyone had believed Murphy killed Derek. But Ares wasn't convinced. Something about the situation felt too convenient—too staged. A group had been quick to accuse Murphy without concrete evidence, and Ares suspected someone had used the chaos to settle a personal grudge. If Murphy had truly killed Derek, he would have been dead long before the accusations even started. If he could expose the truth, not only would it solidify Murphy's loyalty, but it would also give Ares leverage over the group.

Ares found Millie sitting by herself near the dropship, her fingers trembling as they played with a loose thread on her jacket. She had been avoiding him since the hanging, her fear barely concealed.

"Millie," Ares said softly, walking toward her.

Millie's head jerked up in surprise. Her eyes widened when she saw him, and her hands stilled, gripping the fabric of her jacket. "Ares," she stammered, her voice shaky.

"I need to talk to you about Derek," Ares said, his voice calm but firm.

Millie swallowed nervously. "I already told you… Murphy was there. There was blood—"

Ares cut her off, his tone sharp and direct. "Did you actually see him kill Derek? Or is that what Myles told you to say?"

Millie's breath hitched, and she looked away, avoiding his gaze. Her silence spoke volumes.

Ares stepped closer, his presence looming over her. Though he wasn't threatening, there was an undeniable weight to him, an aura of strength that made people like Millie feel small. His calm demeanor belied the intensity behind his eyes.

It was subtle, but in that moment, something shifted inside him. A new ability, something he hadn't consciously tapped into before, seemed to come to life. A passive force radiated from him—Intimidate. It wasn't just about physical strength, but a natural authority that caused others to bend under his will when they sensed the disparity in power.

Millie fidgeted under his gaze, her hands trembling more visibly now. She was struggling to hold her composure, and Ares could see the effect his mere presence was having on her.

"You didn't see anything, did you?" Ares pressed. "Tell me the truth, Millie."

Her resolve crumbled. Tears welled up in her eyes as she finally broke down. "I—I didn't see him do it!" she admitted, her voice cracking. "Myles… Myles told me to say it was Murphy. He said no one would believe us otherwise, that if we didn't blame Murphy, they'd come after us!"

Ares nodded slowly, confirming his suspicions. Myles had orchestrated the entire thing, using Derek's death to frame Murphy and turn the camp against him. It was a calculated move, exploiting the tension and fear in the camp to get rid of someone Myles personally despised.

Millie continued, her voice shaky and full of guilt. "Myles said everyone already hates Murphy, that they'd just believe it. He told me to say what we saw, and I just… I was scared. I didn't want them to come for us next."

Ares stood over her, his gaze hard but not unsympathetic. He had gotten what he needed from her, and his new Intimidate skill had worked better than he anticipated. He didn't have to threaten or coerce—just being who he was had been enough to make her crack.

He knelt down, lowering his voice. "You did the right thing, telling me the truth. But if you want to stay safe, you'll need to be honest with the whole camp."

Millie nodded through her tears, realizing there was no way out now.

Later that evening, Ares confronted Myles. He didn't waste time with pleasantries. Grabbing Myles by the collar, Ares slammed him against a nearby tree, his eyes filled with cold fury.

"You lied," Ares growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You set Murphy up to take the fall for Derek's death."

Myles's bravado faltered, his cocky smirk fading into nervousness. He struggled in Ares's grip, but the strength difference between them was too great. Myles quickly realized he was outmatched.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Myles blurted out, his voice filled with desperation.

Ares's grip tightened, and again, the Intimidate skill kicked in. Myles could feel the overwhelming force of Ares's authority, the way his strength and calm dominance made resistance seem pointless. His breath quickened as panic set in.

"Don't lie to me," Ares said, his voice a quiet growl. "Millie already told me everything. You saw an opportunity to get rid of Murphy and took it. You let Derek die and then used his death to settle your personal score."

Myles's face paled, his confidence completely shattered. He stopped struggling, knowing he was caught.

"Alright, alright!" Myles gasped, his voice shaking. "I just… I thought it was the easiest way! Everyone already hates Murphy! No one would care if—"

"It's not your decision to make," Ares said coldly, cutting him off. "You used Derek's death to manipulate the camp. You're no better than the people you claim to despise."

Myles slumped against the tree, defeated. "What are you gonna do?" he asked weakly, knowing he had no escape.

"You're going to confess," Ares replied, stepping back and releasing him. "Tell the camp what you did, or I'll make sure they find out myself."

That evening, Myles stood in front of the camp, his voice trembling as he confessed the truth. He explained how he had manipulated Millie into blaming Murphy, using Derek's death to further his own agenda. The camp was shocked, their anger now directed at Myles for his deception.

Murphy, bruised but vindicated, watched from the sidelines. His eyes met Ares's across the crowd, and though no words were exchanged, an understanding passed between them. Murphy now owed Ares—his life, his freedom—and that was exactly what Ares had wanted.

As the camp dispersed, Ares stood alone, feeling the weight of his new power. His Intimidate skill had proven invaluable, and now, he had another loyal subordinate in Murphy. This was only the beginning.

Skill Unlocked: Intimidate (Passive)

Effect: When engaging with others in tense or confrontational situations, your presence and physical strength impose a subtle yet powerful influence, increasing the chance that weaker or less confident individuals will break under pressure.