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> "Some monsters kill with claws.
Others kill with kindness."
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š Scene 1 ā Tension in the Team
The training hall of Aegis Academy was buzzing with the echo of combat simulations and whispered rivalries.
Group Six had gathered for their first official mission briefing.
Aric sat calmly at the round table, surrounded by the same people who would eventually orchestrate his death:
Lena Voss ā the charismatic strategist
Darin Sear ā the brute-in-disguise
Professor Hasker ā their guide and handler
Myles Trax ā a cocky telepath
Cassia Gray ā quiet, but observant
The same cast. The same setup.
But this timeā¦ the script was his.
Lena smiled as she took the lead, flipping her blonde hair casually.
"We'll need speed and deception. I suggest Aric handle the bait role."
Aric's jaw clenchedābut he forced a grin.
> "Sure," he replied. "You've always been great at using people."
Her smile froze for a fraction of a second. She didn't expect that toneānot from the old Aric.
"Was that sarcasm?" Darin muttered, half-laughing.
Aric met his eyes. "Just a complimentā¦ coated in memory."
Cassia raised an eyebrow. Myles snorted. Even Hasker looked mildly curious.
The game had begun.
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š§ Inner Monologue:
> You all think I'm still that desperate orphan.
Still the lonely, loyal fool.
But I'm watching you.
Listening to your thoughts.
And one by oneā¦ I'll break your masks.
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šÆ Scene 2 ā Lena's Doubt
Later that evening, Lena found Aric alone at the academy garden, seated beneath a twisted oak tree.
She approached, cautious but still smiling.
"You've changed," she said.
"I had to," Aric replied, not looking at her.
"Why? You wereā¦ sweeter before. Innocent."
Aric turned his head slowly, locking eyes with her.
> "And you liked that, didn't you?
It made lying to me easier."
The words weren't loud. But they struck like knives.
Lena's expression falteredājust for a breath.
Then she laughed lightly. "What's gotten into you?"
Aric leaned forward, voice low. "Let me guessā¦ You think I'm suspicious now. That I know too much. That maybeā¦ I remember something I shouldn't?"
Her lips parted. No smile now.
He stood up, brushing imaginary dust off his coat.
"I'm joking, of course," he added, walking past her.
But his smile said otherwise.
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š§ Lena's POV (Short Snippet):
> He's different. His eyesā¦ not soft anymore.
Does he know?
No, that's impossible. He was meant to forget everything.
Still... I need to be careful.
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š Scene 3 ā The First Strike
In his previous life, Aric had exposed a corrupted instructor during Year Two.
This time, he decided to do it in Week One.
Professor Meldunābeloved by students, master of Elemental Bindingāwas running an underground artifact trade using mind-controlled students.
Last time, Aric was one of his pawns.
Not this time.
He left an anonymous note at the Dean's office, detailing location, names, evidenceāeven times. All accurate. All verified by his memory.
By the next day, Meldun was arrested. Students whispered. The academy stirred.
And Aric?
He just smiled quietly over breakfast, sipping tea while Darin read the announcement aloud in shock.
> "That bastard's gone? What the hellā¦"
Myles muttered, "They say someone ratted him out with precise logs."
Lena stared at Aric for a long moment, unreadable.
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š Scene 4 ā The Notebook Update
Aric sat at his desk again that night.
Under "Phase 1: Doubt & Disruption," he wrote:
Corrupted Staff Eliminated: ā
Lena's mask cracking: 10%
Darin = overconfident fool
Myles = potential tool
Cassia = quiet observer, too quiet
He added a new section:
Next Moves:
Challenge Lena's leadership
Begin manipulating Cassia
Feed Myles false information
Plant old memories subtly
He paused, then wrote in bold letters:
> "Never forget: kindness is the sharpest blade."
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šļø Scene 5 ā The Flashback Returns
Later that night, Aric woke to the sound of dripping water. Not realājust memory.
He saw Lena again in the alley.
Gun raised.
Cold eyes.
Blood.
> "You should've stayed in the shadows, Aric."
He gasped awake.
His hands were trembling.
> No. I chose to return.
I chose this path.
And I'll finish it.
He looked in the mirror again, staring at his own reflection.
He didn't look like a monster.
But he was becoming one.
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