An Unexpected Twist

Stepping down the stairs, I could hear Devora comforting the people. Which was actually useful due to her close-coming personality. Many people liked talking to her, sharing their problems before the apocalypse came. Although we seldom talked, I've noticed her during classes where she used to solve out fights just by talking to both sides. So I figured that she would be better off comforting, soothing the emotion of the people downstairs.

I decided against appearing downstairs. I just managed to calm myself. I didn't need another headache just because people wanted me to protect them. Walking back up, I sat down on the cold floor, figuring out whether my decision to accept Ken's proposal to become a king myself in this apocalypse was correct.

Gathering my thoughts, I grumbled in frustration. The information we're having now is too little. I don't even know what 'He Who First Rises' looks like. Much less prepare a plan to hunt it.

I needed someone to talk to. Ken? No, he needs to concentrate on writing his plan out for me. Demetria? No… she needs to concentrate on training herself. Although her accuracy is fine, but she still lacks the experience in real fighting. That only leaves Devora, but… she seems to be heavily occupied at the moment.

Suddenly, I remembered someone I could talk to. All those thinking and discussing just now made me forget about her almost totally.

But before that, I needed to figure out a suitable name for her.

Delany? No… too lame.

Jing Ya? No…. that's the name of my first crush, she wouldn't like that.

Asuna? That was the name of my favorite anime character. But that name doesn't really suit her.

Racking my brain for more names, I stopped when I started hearing footsteps.

"Tang," Demetria said as she came towards me. "We need to talk."

"Ken talked to me just now." She said, standing right in front of me.

Raising my eyebrows, I asked. "About what? You're not seriously gonna tell me anything Ken says to you right?"

"It's about you." She interrupted me.

I kept quiet, waiting for her to continue. "I didn't know what the two of you were planning about before when we were having a meeting. But Ken filled me in just now as I bumped into him writing all those stuff about your future… 'EMPIRE'."

Leaning backward, I placed my hands on the floor to support my back.

"Yes. So?"

Demetria looked straight into my eyes. I could almost feel the fire burning inside them.

"I don't really support you with this idea," Demetria answered. "You're a tyrant, Tang Jun Wen. It never occurred to me you actually wanted to sacrifice those people downstairs as… BAIT."

I shook my head. Not sure how to answer that statement. At this point of time, I still needed her support and power. Frankly, I didn't even know why Ken told them all to her.

"How can you be like this" Demetria said as her voice began to break. "To continue staying by your side… I've already tried adapting. But… you've changed so much. What exactly happened to you Tang… you aren't like this before… how did you get so…. Cold-hearted..?"

"Well, the reason you're trying your best to adapt is because of Ken, but whatever."

Demetria stepped closer and slapped me. Which surprised me so much that I forgot to dodge. Stunned by the slap, I forgot what to say or do at that moment of time.

"Is that what you really think of me?" Demetria said, her voice shaky. "You think that I'm adapting myself the best I can just because I wanted to be near Ken?" She squatted down and cradled her head. "Tang Jun Wen… you're a fool…" she said while sobbing.

Finally coming to my senses, I snarled and looked at Demetria.

"What do you mean by that? I'm a fool?! Look at those people! Ever since I saved them, not only did they didn't give me a thank you, they even started wanting things from me. They expect to gain things without effort. We are just putting ourselves in danger with them by our sides. This is the apocalypse, Demetria. It is either they die, or WE die."

Calming down, Demetria stifled a sob and stood up straight.

"You can't sacrifice human lives. Even if they're just a bunch of parasites." Demetria said and pointed at me as if nothing happened just now.

"You slapped me. And now you're expecting me to listen to what you're saying just like that without exploding in anger?" I snarled. "You've seen me in action. What are you going to do if I'm gonna slaughter you right now?" stepping forward face to face with Demetria, I could almost hear her heartbeat as the both of us kept quiet. The eerie silence made me think about what she said just now.

"I… I know slapping you was my fault. Here! Slap me back! And we'll call it even!" she said as she leaned forward more, her breathing brushing against my skin.

I've never heard of a request so dumb. Just as I raised my hands to slap her back, what she said just now echoed inside my mind once again. 'You think I'm adapting myself the best I can just because I wanted to be near Ken?'

My palm stopped a few inches from her cheeks. Looking at her face, Demetria squinted her eyes so hard that her whole head was shaking. Out of a sudden, I didn't know what to make out of her. I wanted to get my revenge by slapping her back, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

Cupping her cheeks, I said.

"Go mind your own work. Leave me for the day."

Looking at me with an astonished expression, she asked carefully. "You're…. not slapping me back?"

I waved my hands, indicating for her to leave me alone.

Through the corner of my eyes, I could see her wiping her tears. Then she smiled at me and bowed. "Remember what I said, Tang… Please, although this world is already messed up, do not become a monster yourself"