Ruining The Grounds Of Hell  – Episode 8

  –ɪs ɪᴛ ᴀ ʜᴀᴘᴘɪʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ..–

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

The hall was bright, loud, sparkling and Bluey sat there, frozen, staring at the stage as if time had broken just for her.

Everyone else had returned to their seats. Robert and Marco had already finished their chess match; Robert won.

Bluey’s hands trembled where they rested on her knees. Her eyes burned, swollen from the tears she refused to let fall anymore.

How could they? How could an entire academy pretend nothing happened when someone’s blood was still drying on the floor?

Natalie’s blood.

Natasha had cried until she passed out. She shook so violently that the guards had to carry her out of the hall. And now everything was normal.

Normal enough that people were laughing again, well asides the students.

Bluey’s jaw clenched.

Beside her, Hades watched her. He saw the glassiness in her eyes. The devastation. The confusion. And guilt punched him in the chest so violently that he almost spoke up.

He should tell her. He should confess. But if Rue found out he told the truth…

Bluey would die.

So he sat there, nails digging into his palm, taking the weight of the blame silently.

Only two people were standing: Nia and Aris.

They faced each other in the open space at the center of the hall. There was no rule to the duel which means that weapons aren’t off limits either.

Aris lunged first, a flash of silver in her hand.

Nia twisted back, narrowly avoiding the knife slicing inches from her throat. She stumbled, regained balance, and blocked the next strike with her forearm, wincing at the sting.

They circled each other.

Aris attacked again, relentless, slashing sideways. Nia ducked under the swipe, grabbed Aris by the wrist, and shoved her backward, but Aris recovered instantly.

The knife came for Nia’s chest.

She barely avoided it — the blade scraped her sleeve. Gasps rippled across the hall, but no one intervened.

Aris growled, kicking Nia hard in the stomach. Nia crashed onto her back, breath knocked from her lungs. Aris leapt forward to finish it, blade raised high…..

Nia rolled. Fast.

Her hand caught something — she didn’t even look. She just acted. The adrenaline took over. Instinct took over.

She drove the object upward with all her force.

A choked gasp.

Silence.

Aris froze, staring down at the short, thick piece of broken glass embedded in her abdomen. Her knife clattered to the floor. She staggered. One step. Another. And then she collapsed face-first onto the tiles.

Dead.

Nia sat there on the ground, chest heaving, eyes wide with horror at what she’d done. Her fingers were shaking, coated in blood. Her throat tightened as the reality sank in.

She just killed an innocent person with her own hands.

Nia broke down, the sob leaving her like a scream muffled inside her own lungs.

Loci was the first to move. He rushed to her, dropping to his knees, hands cupping her trembling shoulders.

“Hey—hey, babe,” he whispered, pulling her upright. “Nia, look at me. Look at me.”

She clung to him, crying into his shirt, her entire body shaking.

“I killed….her. I… killed someone.”Nia stuttered.

“It’s not your fault, it’s either she dies or you die. Stop crying.” Loci whispered to her.

Rue clapped once. The sound sliced through the murmurs like a knife.

Everyone turned to her as if she were some brainless maniac on display.

“Next duel,” Rue announced with a bright, too-sweet smile. “Hades and Bluey.”

A ripple of disbelief hit the hall.

“Isn’t this too much?!” Gael stepped forward, furious. “You’re pushing them into killing each other!”

Marco scoffed. “Since when did we suddenly have a problem with the school system?”

“You’re only saying that because you don’t have a child in here,” Iris snapped.

“And whose life is also on the line, technically,” Nadine added coldly.

Marco shrugged. “Life on the line? He’s not going to lose. Is he?”

Rue waved her hand. “Enough with the chit-chat.”

Hades turned sharply toward Bluey… then back to Rue. Rage flickered in his eyes, his fists shaking.

“Hey—are you out of your mind?!” Hades shouted.

Rue blinked innocently. “What makes you say that?”

“You’re seriously not going to make me duel her.”

“Why not?” Rue tilted her head. “So you’d rather duel someone else and kill them? But not her?” Her smirk widened. “Let’s be fair to the process here. I didn’t choose the arrangement. They did.”

She gestured toward the Legacies.

The Legacies looked away. Guilty, blank, confused — a mix of all.

Hades’ jaw clenched. “Are you people for real?”

Loci leaned into Nia, whispering, panicked, “Don’t tell me they’ll actually let Hades kill Bluey… he won’t do that, right?”

Nia swallowed hard. “I don’t know. I feel so filthy right now.”

Hades stepped forward, voice cracking with a fury he’d been biting back for too long.

“Rue—this is insane.”

Rue only smiled wider, eyes shining with thrill.

Bluey didn’t move from her seat. She simply stared ahead, expression unreadable, the cold stillness before a storm.

A duel between the strongest monster MIA ever created…

…and the only girl who dared destroy him.

The hall went silent.

*
Hyce leaned forward. “So… Bluey still doesn’t have a plan?”

Sergio exhaled deeply. “Right now I think the only thing running through her mind is how Natalie’s dead.”

Behind them, Dawn and Hugo shifted closer.

“Who do you think killed her?” Dawn asked quietly.

“I mean… she was killed, right? Stabbed and then pushed off the balcony.” Hugo replied.

Sergio dragged a hand down his face. “I don’t know. This is so messed up, and I’m seriously worried about Hades and Bluey.”

“He’s obviously not going to kill her,” Hugo said.

“So he’ll let himself get killed then?” Dawn countered.

The silence spread cold.

Bluey slowly rose from her seat. No expression or hesitation or fear at all.

She walked toward the ring. Every step sounded louder than the entire hall. She slipped off her heels and placed them neatly beside the platform, then inhaled…. a long, controlled inhale before shutting her eyes.

Hades followed her up the steps onto the platform, stopping just a few feet away.

“We’re not going to do this,” He said under his breath. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Bluey opened her eyes.

“And who said I was going to make it easy for you?”

“Huh—?”

Before he could finish, she turned sharply and slammed a vicious punch straight into his jaw.

CRACK.

Hades was thrown sideways, skidding across the platform. Gasps erupted around the hall.

*

“This isn’t good.”Hyce mumbled.

*

“Don’t hold back,” Bluey said, voice flat and cold. “Because I won’t either.”

This wasn’t the Bluey anyone knew. Her eyes were void of emotion, hollowed by grief and rage. Her posture was deadly, predatory, like she had already accepted that pain was the only language left she could speak.

Hades pushed himself up, wiping the blood from the corner of his lip.

The girl standing in front of him looked nothing like the one he protected or loved.
This version was colder, deadlier and scarier.

He swallowed.

He needed to come up with a plan and fast, because if he didn’t, this wasn’t going to end quickly… or cleanly.

Before Hades could move again, Bluey’s leg swung upward in a vicious arc, aiming straight for his jaw.

He caught her ankle at the last second but even that made his arms shudder. Her strength wasn’t normal. It wasn’t controlled. It was grief sharpened into a weapon.

Bluey yanked her foot back and lunged.
Hades barely dodged as her elbow sliced past his cheek like a blade.
He stepped back and she followed, relentless.

A punch to his ribs.
Another to his gut.
A knee slammed into his side before he could even breathe.

“Bluey—”
He tried, but she didn’t hear him.

Or she didn’t care.

Everyone watched in frozen silence as Hades staggered under the barrage, refusing to hit back, refusing to even lift his fist. All he did was duck and absorb blow after blow.

Her fist cracked against his jaw , his head snapped sideways. Blood sprayed across the floor.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, dazed.

Bluey wasn’t done.

She rushed him again, her movements ruthless, calculated, merciless. She mounted his chest with pure force and spun, flipping him violently onto his back.

Hades groaned.

“Why are you holding back, huh?” Bluey hissed as she pinned him, her hair falling wildly around her face.

“I can’t hurt you.”

She reached into the fold of her torn gown and the glint of metal flashed.

A knife.

Gasps rippled across the hall.

Hades’ eyes widened, but he didn’t move.
He didn’t defend himself. He just stared up at her, chest rising and falling sharply, fear and guilt swirling behind his pupils.

Bluey lifted the blade high.

Her hand trembled, not with hesitation, but with rage so thick it became something monstrous.

She could see it in Hades’ eyes.

Fear.

But that wasn’t the plan.

She tightened her grip on the knife bringing it down.

“STOP!”

Rue’s voice cracked through the air like a whip.

Bluey froze, the knife hovering inches from Hades’ throat.

“Stop… the duel,” Rue repeated, her tone sharp, her gaze locked on Hades.

Of course they wouldn’t let him die.
Bluey smirked. Her fingers slowly loosened from Hades’ collar. She pushed herself off him and rose to her feet, chest heaving.

Her gown was streaked in blood… his blood dripping down her hands, staining the floor with every step.

Without looking back, Bluey walked out of the ring, cold, empty, and shaking with a rage that didn’t burn out…

…it only grew darker.

Bluey’s eyes met Iris’s for a brief second. Iris froze, startled by the murderous coldness in Bluey’s stare, but Bluey only smirked and turned away, brushing past her like nothing in that room was worth her attention.

She walked back to the table, each step slow and steady, as if she hadn’t just tried to stab Hades in front of everyone.

Her hair was messy, her knuckles bruised, her gown streaked with blood that wasn’t hers. When she sat, the entire table went silent.

Nia leaned forward, hesitant.
“Hey… are you okay?”

Bluey didn’t look at her. She kept her gaze on the exit, her chest rising and falling with barely contained rage.

“I want to get out of here.”

She pushed her chair back and stood, not waiting for anyone to respond.

Her heels clicked against the marble as she moved for the doors, and every whisper in the room followed her like a shadow.

Across the hall, Hades was already gone, leaving a dark trail of tension behind him.

Bluey didn’t slow down.
She didn’t look back.

She just walked out.

—–
★𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬’ 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

Hades was still at the door when one of the guards approached him.

“Boss, here is what you asked me to get. It was difficult to retrieve since the footage from the lab was disrupted, but I managed to recover it,” the guard said.

“Leave,” Hades replied.

He entered his suite, walked straight to his room, and peeled off his stained shirt, tossing it to the floor. He sat on the edge of his bed and picked up the tablet.

He played the video. The lab was dim, chaotic, and the camera angle was shaky, but it was enough.

Natalie appeared first, the only one without a hood over her face. Then the guards burst in, the fight erupted, and the rest of the figures lifted their heads.

All of them were clearly visible.

Hades froze.

He zoomed in.

Bluey.

Even in a hood. Even in the shadows. He knew her movements. Her stance. Her fighting pattern. Her eyes when she turned to cover Natalie.

“I knew it,” he breathed, voice cracking between anger and disbelief.

The tablet left his hand and shattered against the wall.

He pushed himself up, slow and tense, and walked into the bathroom. The light flickered on, casting his reflection back at him. His knuckles were already turning white from clenching too hard.

“Why?” His voice shook. “Why does it have to be you, huh?”

He slammed his fist into the wall. Pain shot up his arm. It didn’t stop him. He hit it again.

He gripped the edges of the sink and stared at himself. His chest rose and fell unevenly.

“I should have known there was no way you would get stronger out of nowhere,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Of course there was something behind it. Of course it had to be this.”

He dragged a hand over his face.

He had already been torturing himself over killing her friend. Natalie’s blood stained his mind every night. Bluey’s screams that day replayed louder than any mission he had ever survived.

And now this.

She was the spy.

Her friend died because of him, and she was the enemy he was supposed to eliminate.

His throat tightened.

“Am I really supposed to go against you? Fight you? Hunt you?” He laughed, bitter and exhausted. “You?”

He leaned both hands against the mirror, head bowed.

It was almost pathetic how much it hurt.

“I won’t let them hurt you. I can’t loose you Bluey, I’d rather die.”Hades mumbled.

—–
★𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦★

Bluey stepped into the room, her eyes scanning the chaos. Clothes were scattered across the floor, papers torn and tossed aside, and the faint smell of blood lingered in the air.

Natasha huddled in the corner, her face pale and streaked with tears.

The moment Natasha saw her, she bolted forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Bluey’s waist.

“You have to help me, Bluey… they killed her, they killed my sister!” Natasha sobbed, her voice breaking, trembling against Bluey.

Bluey’s heart clenched. She knelt down, holding Natasha close, her own anger and grief simmering beneath the surface.

“Shh… it’s going to be okay. I won’t let them get away with this,” Bluey whispered, her voice low but fierce, as she tried to steady Natasha and herself.

Natasha buried her face deeper into Bluey’s side, shaking. “Why… why would anyone want to kill Natalie? She didn’t deserve this. She was… she was my sister…”

Bluey’s jaw tightened, and she shook her head. “I don’t know, Nat… I really don’t. Right now… Aris is already dead, and this school… everything about it is shady. Nothing makes sense anymore.”

“I want out,” Natasha whispered, her voice trembling.

“I want to leave. I can’t stay here. I’m all alone… my sister… she’s gone. And we never even had a proper conversation… without fighting.” Her hands clutched Bluey’s shirt, desperate.

Bluey hugged her tighter, closing her eyes for a brief moment, letting the anger and grief build.

“I know… I know you feel lost. But I swear… I will get justice for Natalie. I will find out exactly who killed her, and I won’t stop until they pay for what they’ve done.”

Natasha sniffled, her trembling slowing as she nodded weakly. Bluey pulled back slightly to look her in the eyes, fierce and unwavering.

“You’re not alone, Nat. I promise you… I won’t let her death be in vain.”

Bluey held her hand tight, her mind already racing with plans. Someone was going to pay. And she was going to make sure of it.

—–

Iris drove along the quiet road, the car humming steadily beneath her. She was driving back without Robert cause he stayed back to talk to Hades.

She came to a halt as she noticed the vehicles blocking the way, lined up like a barrier across the street.

“What the heck,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes at the sudden blockade.

Before she could react further, six men stepped out from behind the cars, raising their guns in unison, trained directly on her.

A van door opened, and Marco descended with Banjo by his side, stepping confidently toward her.

“You gonna get down or what?” Marco asked, his voice calm but firm.

Iris opened her car door and stepped out, her posture unflinching.

“What’s the meaning of this?” she asked, walking toward Marco.

“It’s about time, don’t you think?” Marco replied with a slight smirk.

Marco stopped right in front of her, eyes dragging over her face with that same reckless boldness he always carried.
He tilted his head, lips lifting slightly.

“You look pissed. It doesn’t suit your pretty face.” He murmured, shameless, his gaze dropping briefly to her lips before sliding back up.

Iris scoffed and shoved his hand away, but the moment she moved, something cold pressed against her lower back.

A gun.
One of his men.

She stilled… not out of fear, but because she knew a reckless move here would end stupidly fast.

“So what exactly do you want?” Iris asked, her voice sharp, controlled.

Marco stepped even closer, invading her space like he owned the oxygen she breathed.

“Just follow me peacefully. Let’s have a little chat.” His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, lingering a second too long.

She slapped his hand off. “And if I don’t?”

Marco smiled—slow, taunting, dangerous.
“Then I’ll have to use force…” His tone dropped, warm but threatening. “And I don’t want things to get messy between us, sweetheart.”

Iris glared at him but the gun stayed firmly against her back, waiting for one wrong move.

Iris exhaled slowly, keeping her composure. “Fine. I’ll go,” she said, her voice steady, though every step she took was measured.

Marco smirked, stepping closer. “Good girl,” he murmured, reaching out as if to guide her by her waist.

Iris froze, her eyes snapping up to glare at him.

“Don’t,” she said sharply, straightening her posture so his hand had no room to linger.

He chuckled, undeterred. “Relax, I’m just making sure you don’t run off.”

“I’m not the one you need to worry about,” she said, her stare cold and unwavering. “Move your hand, or I will make you regret it.”

Marco’s smirk faltered just slightly, but he stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No touching. We’ll do this your way… for now.”

Iris didn’t say another word. She simply followed him, eyes locked forward, every step controlled and deliberate, refusing to give him the satisfaction of fear or hesitation.

—–
★𝐌𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐭★

Hades sat hunched over on the hood of the car, fingers dug into his hair, elbows braced on his knees. The night air was cold, but his skin burned—like grief and guilt were simmering under it.

Robert stood beside him, unsure whether to touch him or give him space. “Hades… it’s been almost thirty minutes. You’re scaring me. Why are you crying? You’re not saying anything.”

Hades lifted his face just enough for Robert to see the redness around his eyes. His voice cracked.
“I killed Natalie. The girl that died tonight.”

Robert’s breath stopped. “What?”

“She found out I was the Joker.” Hades swallowed hard, his voice trembling. “Dad, I didn’t want to kill her. She’s Bluey’s friend… I swear to you, I didn’t want to. But that woman—Rue—she forced me. I had no choice.”

Robert slowly lowered himself onto the hood beside him, shock and pain tightening his chest.

Hades continued, voice barely holding together. “And that’s not even everything. I found out… Bluey… she’s a spy.”

Robert turned sharply. “Bluey?”

“Yes.” Hades laughed, but the sound was hollow and broken.

“She’s a spy. And I’m supposed to be her enemy. They want me to kill her eventually.” His hands shook as he wiped his face. “Dad, I don’t want any of this. I never wanted any of this.”

Robert placed a tentative hand on his son’s back, feeling the trembling in his shoulders.

“I can’t betray Rue. If I do—she’ll kill me. She’ll kill Bluey. She’ll kill everyone. I’m trapped.”

He finally turned to his father fully, his face completely stripped of the cold, intimidating mask he always wore.

He looked like a scared boy—lost, overwhelmed, suffocating.

“I don’t want her to hate me,” Hades whispered. “I don’t want Bluey to ever look at me like I’m a monster. I’ll die if she leaves me, Dad. I can’t lose her.”

Robert inhaled shakily, his heart breaking at the sight of his son crumbling.

“Hades…” He placed both hands on his son’s shoulders, steady and firm.

“Look at me. We’re going to figure this out. I don’t care what Rue is planning or what she’s forcing you into—there is always a way out.”

Hades looked up at him, eyes glossy, desperate. “Help me. Please. I can’t do this alone.”

“You’re not alone,” Robert said quietly, pulling him into a tight embrace. “I’ll protect you. We’ll find a way to protect Bluey. I promise you.”

And for the first time that night, Hades allowed himself to lean into his father, gripping onto him like he was the only solid thing left in his world.

—–
★𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠- 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥★

Morgan leaned back on the hospital bed, the soft morning light spilling through the blinds, and held Trevor’s hand tightly.

A small, genuine smile tugged at her lips, something she hadn’t allowed herself in weeks.

“Aren’t you a bit sad?” Trevor asked softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I mean… Corazon isn’t your mom. She raised you all these years.”

Morgan shook her head gently, her eyes warm as they met his.

“I know. Despite everything, I still love her. She raised me, and I recognized her as my mom. But… I was still devastated when I found out about her affair.” Her fingers intertwined with his, squeezing his hand for reassurance.

Trevor smiled faintly, understanding the mix of pain and love in her voice. “Yeah… I get that. But at least, finding out that you’re not my sister… that’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”

Morgan’s cheeks flushed slightly, her heart racing as she leaned closer.

“Me too,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I can finally… I can finally be with you without feeling guilty.”

Trevor’s lips curved into a grin, his other hand cupping her cheek gently. “Then let’s make up for lost time.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. Morgan melted into the kiss, her hands threading into his hair as the tension of the past weeks seemed to wash away.

When they finally pulled back, both were breathless, foreheads resting together, smiles playing on their lips.

“I’ve wanted that for so long,” Morgan murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

“Me too,” Trevor admitted, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “And now… we don’t have to hold back anymore.”

Morgan looked at him curiously. “So… how do you feel about Bluey being your sister now?”

Trevor shrugged lightly. “Honestly? I don’t really feel any major thing. It’s surprising, yeah… that we ended up being siblings. But I haven’t spoken to her since the confrontation.”

Morgan chuckled under her breath. “So I guess I have to be nice to her… since she’s your sister and I’m the girlfriend.”

Trevor smirked. “Hmm. Probably. You’ve got to be a good girl.”

Morgan nudged him with her shoulder. “Shut up.”

The door opened. Corazon entered first, followed by Anthony.

“Dad,” Trevor said, standing.

“Morgan baby…” Corazon rushed to her, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug.

“Mom…” Morgan hugged her back gently, her eyes softening.

Corazon cupped her cheeks. “My baby… tell me you’re not going to leave me. You still believe I’m your mom, right?”

Morgan’s eyes flicked from Corazon to Anthony. She nodded slowly. “Of course I’m still your daughter. You raised me. I’ll always recognize you as my mom.”

Corazon exhaled shakily.

“But,” Morgan continued softly, “you have to understand why I feel happy right now. Trevor… Trevor is also my happiness. And this whole truth—everything—it’s really for the best.”

Corazon’s lip quivered, but she nodded. “I understand.”

Morgan hesitated before asking, “So… you and Dad… the divorce?”

Corazon sighed. “Yeah. I already signed the papers. There’s no reason for me to hold on anymore.”

Morgan looked away for a moment. “I’m still mad, though.”

Corazon’s voice cracked. “I’m sorry.”

—–
★𝐑𝐚𝐮𝐥’𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚★

Sergio, Bluey, and Hyce stepped into the room. Maureen instantly rushed forward and wrapped Bluey in a tight hug.

“Hey, how are you?” Maureen asked.

“I’m fine, Mom. Just tired,” Bluey replied.

Raul entered from the adjoining hallway, eyes shifting toward Hyce. “So… is he the one you told me about?”

Hyce extended a hand politely. “Hello, my name’s Hyce.”

“Are you her boyfriend?” Raul asked, blunt as always.

“Is that question really necessary?” Sergio shot back.

Maureen waved her hand, pulling attention. “What exactly happened at the ball?”

“Well, apparently someone was murdered,” Sergio said. “Natalie. And she knew about us being spies. She must’ve gotten caught. Or maybe she found out something she shouldn’t have and got killed for it.”

“So you’re suspecting Rue had something to do with it?” Raul asked.

“Who else?” Sergio said. “Whatever Natalie found out or whatever happened with Rue got her killed.”

Bluey leaned back on the couch, thinking. “At the ball… do you guys know if anyone was missing? I was outside with Iris.”

“Natalie left the hall,” Hyce recalled. “Hades was with his dad. Everyone else was scattered, talking with their parents. Loci was with Nia. Gomez was alone.”

“So what’s the plan?” Bluey asked.

Maureen sat beside Raul. “First step is convincing the legacies who graduated from MIA to side with us. If they agree, we’ll have backup. Experienced backup.”

“So we’re going to ambush MIA?” Hyce asked. “They have an army of armed guards. It won’t be easy—and killing Rue is a whole other problem.”

“We should also try to convince the other students,” Sergio added. “We’re only twelve. Everyone needs to be carried along.”

“We still need to find out who the Joker is,” Sergio continued. “If we reveal the plan to all the students and the Joker hears it, everything collapses. They’ll try to kill us.”

Bluey didn’t answer. She was deep in thought, piecing together tiny fragments of information she’d been ignoring.

Her list narrowed to four names: Hugo, Gomez, Hades, Loci.

Trevor wasn’t at the ball—off the list.

Loci was with Nia all night—off the list.

Hugo stayed with his dad and Dawn. It didn’t fit.

Gomez… and Hades left.

One of them killed Natalie.

Bluey stood. “You guys focus on convincing the legacies. I’ll find the Joker. I think I already know who it is. I just need confirmation.”

Raul’s voice sharpened. “Who are you suspecting?”

“I’m not making baseless assumptions,” Bluey said. She slipped out of the room before anyone could stop her.

Raul exhaled, rubbing his forehead. “Did you contact Noah yet?”

Maureen nodded. “Yes. He said he already found the Joker.” She hesitated. “And… she’s dead.”

“Who’s Noah?” Hyce asked.

—–
★𝐃’𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚★

Miss Dora, Mavka and Rue were in the living room when Capo walked in. The air shifted immediately, heavy and stiff.

“Why is everyone acting like they saw a ghost?” Capo asked.

“Capo…” Dora and Mavka said at the same time.

He smiled. “Hello, my dear daughter. Will you not greet your daddy?”

Rue didn’t move. “What are you doing here?”

“I am interested in the report Dora gave me about the duel at the ball.”

“What about it?” Mavka asked.

“Someone beat up the Hades?” Capo raised a brow.

“He was only holding back because he is in love with her. Do not believe everything you hear,” Rue said sharply.

“Holding back or not, I saw the footage. She was on fire. And you really stopped the duel because you did not want Hades dead?” Capo asked.

“We need him,” Rue replied.

“But I do not. I already found someone I am interested in. There is no need to keep Hades around anymore as Joker. He let his feelings take over and that is not my business,” Capo said casually.

Rue’s jaw tightened.

“I want the girl. There is a new mission at hand. Blackstone is waging a full-fledged war against MIA because they are still hellbent on taking over. That bastard uncle Dean of yours,” Capo continued.

“Are they attacking or what?” Dora asked.

“They plan to. But I am always a step ahead. Why not ambush them on their next mission? They have only five students left and they are going on a mission to negotiate a deal with the organ buyers. I need to clear off that school for good so we remain on top.”

“So it is a mission for our students then?” Dora asked.

“Yes. But this time, I want our newly discovered potential to take over. Bluey will be the leader of every mission from now on.”

Rue stiffened. “You know there is a spy in the Academy.”

“I thought you already killed her at the ball. Natalie?” Capo asked.

“What if there is another one?” Rue said quietly.

Capo smirked. “Well, they should try. I dare them.”

—–
★𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲★

The meeting room was cold and silent as Dean, the leader of the school and Capo’s brother, sat at the head of the table. All eyes were on him.

“The people you are delivering to belong to a top tier mafia organization in Spain. They are ruthless and I do not want any of you being careless. Since we sabotaged MIA’s last delivery, they will likely send their students to sabotage you. Stay alert.”

“Really? I have been meaning to fight those people. I am curious how strong they are,” Miles said, leaning back in his chair.

“They are obviously weaklings,” Ariana said flatly.

“You give yourself too much credit, Ariana. Tone it down a bit, will you?” Drake replied.

“I was not talking to you, you asshole!” Ariana snapped, turning sharply toward him, her nails digging into her palm.

Drake smirked. “Relax. If you break a nail before the mission starts, you might start crying.”

“Oh please. You would cry first. You look like the type who gets punched once and sees his whole life flash.”

“At least if my life flashes, I will not be embarrassed by it.”

“Keep talking and I will embarrass you right now.”

“Then stand up and try.”

“Try? You mean finish the job? Sit down before you shake yourself out of bravery.”

Miles groaned. “Here they go again.”

“Can you guys just shut up?” Noah walked in, hoodie pulled over his head, hands shoved into his pockets.

Everyone turned toward him.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Liliana muttered.

“Hi Noah…” Ariana stood quickly, smile brightening as she moved to hug him.

Noah’s eyes met hers. Just one cold glare.

She froze mid-step and slowly sat back down.

—-
★𝐍𝐨𝐚𝐡’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

Noah’s suite was quiet, dim, and immaculate. Unlike most hot guys in the Academy who always had a girl clinging to them, Noah was the complete opposite. He hated when women touched him.

Every girl in the Academy knew better than to cross his path. Ariana had tried a few times, but she got nowhere. Noah stayed loyal to one girl only.

He picked up his phone and dialed her number.

“Why is she not picking up?”

He tried another number. This one answered on the first ring.

“Hey Sergio. What is up?” Noah said.

“Why are you calling? Are you bored already?” Sergio replied.

“Is that how you talk to your own brother? I am your elder, you punk.”

“Why are you calling?”

“How is Bluey? She is not picking up.”

Sergio sighed. “She is feeling down. A friend of hers died in the Academy and she is grieving because she is looking for Joker.”

“Well, guess what? The Joker in Blackstone is dead,” Noah said.

“What?”

“I set her up to be the spy after finding out she was Joker. That Estelle girl was killed by her own master, Dean. Sweet, right?”

“Evil.” Sergio chuckled under his breath.

“We are going on a mission tonight,” Noah continued.

“Yeah. We are supposed to sabotage you guys. Although I am not among the lineup,” Sergio said.

“As usual, Bluey knows the plan. Sabotaging the delivery is the main goal. I am still waiting for Raul’s orders. If we are going to end the Academy system, we need to kill both Capo and Dean.”

“Sure. Whatever.”

Silence lingered for a moment.

“How is my girl doing?” Noah asked.

“Well, you know she has a boyfriend, right?” Sergio said.

Noah went quiet.

“I know she is faking it. It was the plan, right? To get him to fall in love with her because she needed protection,” Noah said slowly.

“Yes but things did not go well. They met even before she entered MIA. He fell in love with her and she is literally crazy over him.”

Noah closed his eyes, jaw tightening.

“I will talk to her when I see her,” he said quietly, then hung up.

Noah took a deep breath. The room felt smaller as he reached for the picture frame resting on the bedside table.

He held it carefully, as if it were something fragile. His fingers brushed over her face in the photograph, tracing the smile she only ever had for him.

“I cannot wait to see you soon, my love,” He whispered.

His jaw tightened. His chest ached in a way he could never admit to anyone.

“Please let it be a joke. You cannot fall in love with someone else. You promised me,” Noah murmured, pressing his forehead against the glass.

His voice was barely audible, trembling with something he refused to call pain.

“You promised we’d be together, just you and me.”

—–
★𝐌𝐈𝐀- 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬★

All thirteen students stood outside the assembly grounds as Rue stepped forward with Capo beside her.

“Good day, students. I’d like to introduce you all to Capo. He is my father and the sole operator behind MIA. He is going to address you on your upcoming mission and the roles you will play in it.” Rue spoke with her usual calm authority.

“Another mission?” Hugo muttered.

“Didn’t we just return from one pointless mission?” Dawn complained.

“Can I sit this one out? I am still recovering. I still don’t understand why I was even dragged here.” Morgan mumbled.

“No one sits it out.” Capo finally spoke.

His gaze swept over the group and stopped on Bluey. Her blank expression didn’t falter. He smirked, intrigued. Bluey held his stare as he began speaking.

“Blackstone Academy is one of MIA’s long rival schools.” Capo announced.

“We have a rival school? Are they exactly like us? The same system?” Hyce asked.

“Yes. They sabotaged one of our deliveries to our foreign clients and they are meeting with them to negotiate a deal,” Capo said.

“So we are going to sabotage them too?” Sergio asked.

“What delivery was that? I didn’t know MIA ran deliveries.” Loci said.

“Also, the last mission we went to was for some key? And it involved a certain client? Is there something you aren’t telling us?” Dawn asked.

“Most times, ignorance is a good cause. I suggest you stop asking questions.” Rue glared at them.

Sergio scoffed.

“Although this is not a major mission, I would like only a few people to go.” Capo continued.

He paused. “The students going will be Hades, Trevor, Hyce and Bluey. Bluey is the mission leader.”

A collective gasp broke through the group.

Bluey noticed Rue. She looked furious, as if she hated every word Capo had just spoken. But Bluey was focused on something else entirely.

One look. Just one look, Rue. And I will catch the bastard that killed Natalie. Bluey thought.

Rue’s gaze shifted and landed on Hades. She smirked. Bluey’s eyes followed Hades down to his clenched fist.

Of course. Only the strongest can ever be the Joker.

Like mother like son.

“Found you. You psychopathic murderer.” Bluey glared at Hades with hate.

.

»𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰