**POV: Rena**
I sat in this weird place—a tavern. How the hell did I truly end up here?
I knew I had a wish. I remembered I was here to fulfill it. But something isn't right how did I get here and something is just stopping me from seeing anything but the totally normal—like it was how it always meant to be. Like a continuation of life. A true story being forced to continue.
I took a breath, pulling my mind away from trying to understand something it probably shouldn't or couldn't.
I witnessed the confrontation between her and him get worse.
Victor and Nicole was going back and forth daunting each other
My heart ached. I frowned.
I thought of something try to look away
I was always uncanny and weird—I couldn't even deny it. Positivity was something that never came naturally to me. And I'm pretty sure I lost it back then, at the event.
I wondered how things would have played out if Victor wasn't there.
And on finally if Zain had survived
I looked at him as he stood arguing—as usual.
If he was just a bit comprising thing would have been much better
I sigh as part I dread got closer in disscaustion
And it seemed it wouldn't be long before I took the stage.
They argued in circles, delaying my part of the story.
Wich made me a bit unwell
But even as my stomach felt heavy, I reclaimed the rift—recalled the day I got my power. My classmates. Even today, there was no guilt. Just relief and dislike that made my chest tighten harder.
My already gloomy expression darkened.
I was happy Nicole couldn't see me right now, too busy with her argument.
*Sometimes things just aren't your fault.* I thought to myself
My face softened as I looked at Nicole.
But my expression got complicated when I looked at Victor.
But as I looked at masked host
A hint of admiration flickered. I liked his performance. It brought beautiful memories—it was just wonderful. The music, too.
I didn't like how he forced my old friend to talk, but... huh. I really didn't know.
Rena just couldn't help but admire how little she knew about him, even though he was showing himself openly. When someone held power that was completely unknown and could force people to do something against their well, they should be scary.
But I felt nothing but positive emotions around him.
---
Standing in front of them both, I looked guilty—seeming to recall how much I hated being back in the interrogation room as they witnessed it repeat again.
Even though those were my thoughts my face was as emtionless as ever her body refusing to show emtion to my annoyance
But no—it's not like I had a choice either time and this time it was different.
And to no one's surprise, Victor's guilt didn't take long to disappear, while Nicole's just stayed bottled—like always—until god knows when.
I sighed.
And it's not like anyone liked that day. It was the day I broke my mother's promise. Nicole was running full damage control, and Victor went from prince to hired sword.
*Why does it feel like the world hates happiness sometimes?*
I stood on stage, taking a breath. My eyes showed little emotion—my power wouldn't allow anyone, or myself, to know what I felt. My power, unlike Victor's, was simply fear.
And true fear has simple secrets: no understanding is allowed to be achieved.
I saw the Host look at me—warm, inviting smile.
Weird.
He looked at me politely. His eyes were different with me than with Nicole and Nicole.
It was like he already knew, but he wanted to listen all the same. Like he wanted to hear me tell it. Like my voice was that of a talented singer that would turn the song he already knew into something beautiful