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[aventurineswife]

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Stages of Shadows: Final Chapter - The End... Or Is It?

The air felt thick with tension as [Name] and the other surviving contestant staggered through the backstage corridors, their feet pounding against the ground in a rhythm that was both frantic and heavy. [Name]’s grip on the other contestant’s arm was firm, pulling them along despite their shared exhaustion. Each step seemed to send ripples through their body, every muscle screaming in protest, but they couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when the weight of that memory—of the person they couldn’t save—was still fresh in their mind.

The blood. The agonizing helplessness.

The loss was unbearable, but they couldn’t dwell on it. Not yet. The vision of that face—still haunted them. They could still hear the echo of the gunshot. The coldness of it. The chill it left in the pit of their stomach. But there was no time for grief, no time for reflection.

They had to move forward. [Name] had made a promise to themselves, and to the others, that they would get out alive. And that meant pushing through the pain, pushing through the guilt.

The other contestant, equally drained, stumbled slightly as they kept pace. [Name] could feel their desperation, their shared desire to escape this place—this nightmare. But the reality of what had just happened pressed down on them like a weight. The person who had died…

They wouldn’t allow themselves to dwell on it. Not now. Not when there was still a chance for them to survive.

“Now, where do you think you two are going?” The voice was silky, but the weight behind it was undeniable.

[Name] froze in their tracks, heart pounding as the figure emerged from the shadows. The voice that spoke was cold, smooth, and laced with a hint of amusement, cutting through the tension like a knife.

A tall woman stepped forward, her appearance striking and enigmatic. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders like a curtain of silk, and her pastel blue eyes—slitted like a serpent’s—glistened with a calculating gleam. She wore an extravagant ensemble, a mix of dark blue, white, and violet, with gold accents, adorned with ribbons, feathers, and jade pendants that seemed to sway with every movement. Her presence was commanding, and it was clear she was no ordinary figure.

“The surprise guest of honor, [Name], hm? And here everyone thought you went missing… after your round with Sunday.”

[Name] stopped in their tracks, a chill creeping up their spine. How did this person know who they were? Their mind raced for an explanation, but no clear answer came.

“Who are you?” [Name] asked, trying to mask the unease in their voice.

The woman smiled, a slow, knowing smile that barely touched her eyes. “Oh? My apologies for not introducing myself earlier.” She stepped closer, the sound of her heels clicking sharply on the floor. “The name’s Jade, Senior Manager in the IPC Strategic Investment Department and one of the Ten Stonehearts. Surely you’ve heard of me?”

Jade’s gaze was piercing, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched [Name]. “If not, then no problem. But, you see…” She paused for effect, her lips curling into a delicate smirk. “You can’t steal something that doesn’t belong to you.”

The words landed like a blow, and [Name]’s heart skipped a beat. The weight of Jade’s presence was undeniable. There was an air of control about her—an aura that suggested she had everything figured out, and everyone else was simply a part of her intricate game. [Name] could feel their pulse quickening, the urgency of the moment building with every passing second.

“Steal?” [Name] repeated, barely able to keep the suspicion from their voice. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Jade’s smile grew wider, her lips curling like a serpent about to strike. “Oh, don’t be coy. You’re not just some innocent contestant, are you? You’ve got more ambition than that. And right now, you’re on the verge of taking something you have no right to.” She tilted her head, observing [Name] with interest. “But don’t worry, I’m not here to punish you… Not yet, at least.”

The air around them seemed to thicken as Jade’s gaze lingered, her next words heavy with implication.

“You see,” she continued, her voice smooth and measured, “I’m a patient woman. I’ve learned that some things take time. Some things… are worth waiting for. But when you’ve been as good at reading people as I am, you know exactly when the right moment has come. And trust me, [Name], the moment you’re in right now? It’s not one of your better ones.” Jade’s eyes flickered briefly to the other contestant, who was trying their best to remain unnoticed, before returning to [Name].

The tension in the room was unbearable, and [Name] felt the weight of Jade’s presence pressing down on them, as if the very air around her was charged with danger. They were trapped—not just physically, but mentally, caught in the web of someone far more powerful than they had realized. Jade’s every word, every gesture, seemed to make it clear that she was in control.

“You see, the person you’re trying to steal away from here, Aventurine…” Jade glanced over to the contestant trying to hide behind [Name], “…belongs to the IPC now. We made a deal after all. If he wins, he’s in our hands, and if he loses… Well, you’ve seen what has become of your friends already.” Jade chuckled lightly, a cold edge to her voice, clearly mocking [Name] for their failure to save either Robin or Sunday.

[Name] stiffened, their heart hammering as the weight of Jade’s words sank in. The reminder of their inability to protect their loved ones was almost too much to bear. Their gaze flicked from Jade to Aventurine, who still tried to shrink into the background, eyes downcast.

Jade stepped forward, she continued, “You see, it’s not about winning or losing for us. It’s about securing what’s ours. And right now, Aventurine? Well, he’s already ours. He’s simply… a part of the greater game now.”

Aventurine’s eyes flashed with a flicker of defiance, but he quickly masked it behind his usual calm façade. He didn’t want to draw attention, not yet. Not with Jade’s gaze so piercing.

[Name] clenched their fists, a surge of anger rising within them. “You think you can control everything? This isn’t over, Jade.”

Jade’s lips curled into a smile. “Oh, but it is. It’s all over, [Name]. You just haven’t realized it yet.” She glanced at her surroundings, almost as if inspecting them for the first time. “The choices you make, the people you try to protect… they’re just pieces on a board. You’re in check. But don’t worry, your move’s coming soon enough.”

[Name] took a deep breath, squaring their shoulders. “You won’t get away with this.”

Jade’s laughter rang out again, cool and insidious. “Who’s going to stop me? You? You, who couldn’t even stop the storm you walked into? You’re playing in our world now. And in our world… the cost of failure is far higher than you could ever imagine.”

“Though, it was a rather surprising… Sunday, the Leader of the Oak Family, who was winning the most just... gave up, for what? Or perhaps it was the Avgin’s curse.” Jade’s gaze shifted to Aventurine, a malicious glint in her eyes as she watched him flinch at her words. He didn’t want to leave, not when [Name] had just come to save him, to take him with them. But he was the one who had made the deal—to save his life, to secure his future. But now, standing in the shadow of Jade’s manipulations, was it really worth it anymore?

He hadn’t killed Sunday, he hadn’t wanted to, but Sunday had pushed him away. And now, as the weight of the decision pressed on him, the doubt settled deeper. What would happen if he chose to leave? Would it mean the end of everything? He couldn’t see a way out, not now, not with the deal already made.

Jade’s voice cut through his thoughts, cold and commanding. “Hand him over, [Name]. Or the consequences won’t be good. You’re alone. Your little group that you came with—well, they wouldn’t care if you were gone.”

[Name]’s heart raced, the tension coiling in their chest. Every word Jade spoke was a calculated strike, meant to break them down. They could feel her gaze on them, sharp and unyielding. She knew how to twist the knife just right, to make them question their resolve. But they couldn’t afford to give in now, not when they had come this far.

“I’m not going to let you have him,” [Name] replied, voice steady despite the storm brewing inside them.

Jade chuckled softly, almost pityingly. “You think you can protect him? You think your fragile little bond with him means anything here? He’s just a pawn in a game far bigger than you. I don’t think you even understand the consequences of defying me.”

Aventurine’s breath hitched at her words. His gaze flickered between [Name] and Jade, the conflict raging within him. He knew what he had to do, what he should have done from the beginning. He owed them nothing, but his heart… it was a different story.

Aventurine hesitated, glancing back and forth between the two. On one hand, he wanted to stay, but he couldn’t risk letting [Name] suffer because of him. So, he made the difficult choice: let them go, for good.

He hesitantly let go of their arm, his fingers slowly sliding away from theirs. The weight of the decision hit him like a crushing wave, but he refused to look back. His heart ached, but he knew there was no turning back now.

Jade’s smug smile returned, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Smart choice, Aventurine. You may have just saved yourself from a far worse fate.”

[Name] felt their chest tighten as they looked at Aventurine, torn between anger and desperation. “Aventurine…” they whispered, their voice breaking.

But he didn’t respond, his gaze cast downward, as if ashamed of what he had just done. He could feel the eyes of both Jade and [Name] on him, but his thoughts were a whirlwind of guilt and resignation.

“You’ll regret this...” [Name] said, barely able to keep their voice steady. Their words were a threat, but also a plea, as if trying to make sense of the situation.

Aventurine’s lips parted, but no words came out. His body trembled as he faced the consequences of his actions.

“Could you turn away? I want to say my goodbyes properly.” Aventurine asked, his eyes narrowing at Jade.

Jade’s gaze flickered briefly as she observed Aventurine’s expression. She lowered her eyes slightly, her slitted pupils narrowing as she took in his words. Her voice, smooth and deliberate, drifted through the room.

“You wish to part with something precious, something irrevocable,” Jade said softly, her tone tinged with quiet amusement. “But I wonder, is it truly for their sake, or for your own peace of mind?”

She tilted her head, the feather in her hat swaying gently. “I understand the need to make such choices… but remember, there’s always more than one price to pay. What you choose to give now may echo in ways you don’t yet realize.”

Her gaze softened, but the quiet weight of her words lingered in the air.

“Do as you must, but know that every transaction, every decision, carries its own consequence. Even the quietest ones.”

Jade stepped back slightly, her presence still as commanding as ever, a knowing smile curling at the corners of her lips. “Take your time. After all, you’ve made your choice… haven’t you?”

Aventurine gently cupped [Name]’s cheek, his fingers warm against their skin as he leaned in closer. His voice was soft, almost a whisper, as he spoke, each word laced with raw emotion. “Thank you for being the victim of my shallow feelings. Thank you for being the light in this dark, cruel world of mine. And thank you for being My God, My Universe.”

With a quiet, almost reverent sigh, he pressed a tender kiss to their cheek, his lips lingering just a moment longer than necessary before he slowly pulled back. The weight of the moment hung in the air, the finality of it settling between them.

He hesitated, as though fighting the urge to say more, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he took a step back, his gaze lingering on [Name] for just a moment longer before he turned away, the silence between them deafening.

He joined Jade, his figure becoming smaller as he walked away, each step heavy with the burden of his decision. There was no turning back now. The path had been chosen.

[Name] stared at their leaving forms, the weight of Aventurine’s departure crashing down on them. Their knees buckled, and they collapsed to the ground, the floor cool beneath them as if to contrast the heat rising in their chest. A deep, hollow ache settled within them, something raw and jagged. They couldn’t tear their eyes away, even as Aventurine’s figure grew smaller, disappearing into the distance.

A single tear slipped down their cheek, their vision blurring as the reality of it all set in. He had made his choice. And they, helpless, were left to carry the consequences.

All of their friends were gone, except for them. The thought clung to [Name] like a suffocating fog. Who was the real winner of this game, they wondered, if all they had gained was suffering? They had fought so hard, endured so much, only to be left with this emptiness.

Was this show just a twisted spectacle for the amusement of others? A stage where lives were tossed aside like pawns, and the price of victory was the destruction of those who dared to play? It felt like the entire universe had conspired against them, a cruel joke at their expense. The lives lost, the bonds broken, were all just pieces of a larger game, one they never truly understood.

What was the point, if all they had was pain? What kind of world was this, where those who cared the most were left to suffer while those in control laughed at their misery?

The question echoed in their mind, unanswered, as the weight of loss threatened to consume them.

All of a sudden, [Name] felt the warmth enveloping them, a comforting presence they hadn’t expected. Their breath hitched, the overwhelming pain and confusion ebbing slightly as arms wrapped around them, pulling them close. It felt… so real, yet too surreal to believe. The embrace, gentle and steady, grounded them in a moment where nothing else mattered.

And then, that voice, familiar and tender, spoke.

“[Name], the dream… is over now.”

The words were soft, like a whisper of wind, but they hit [Name] with a force that left them breathless. Why did that voice sound so familiar? Why did it feel as if the world was suddenly shifting, like they were waking from a long, deep sleep?

And then it clicked.

“Robin���” they whispered, their eyes fluttering shut for a moment, as if the name itself could anchor them to this fleeting reality.

Robin’s presence was all around them, warm and safe, like the softest memory from before the world had shattered. She pulled them tighter, as if nothing had ever happened, as if the loss, the pain, and the fight had all been part of a dream—a dream they could now leave behind.

Her arms, a comfort In the darkness, held [Name] as if to say that, for this one moment, they could forget everything. Forget the pain, the suffering, the crushing weight of the game. It didn’t matter. What mattered was now.

As she hugged them tightly, her voice soothing in the stillness, “It’s just a sweet dream.”

And then, everything faded into a soft, dreamlike embrace—an illusion, a hallucination of the heart. Robin’s spirit was all that remained, a fleeting warmth in the wake of all that had been lost.

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