The Revolution (WMMAP reader insert/OC)

Part 14

Anastasia blinked, staring into the pitch-black void of the creature's eyes—the one Athy had brought into their lives.

So... the dreaded day might come sooner than I thought.

A pit formed in her stomach. She wasn't entirely sure what to do—whether to intervene or let things unfold as they were meant to. Intervening now might disrupt the fragile threads of character development for Claude... or for anyone involved. And more importantly, it might ruin their one chance at aligning with the key to their future: Lucas.

She bit her lip, brows furrowing with unease. Her anxious expression didn't go unnoticed by the creature. The small, dark-furred animal tilted its head with a soft whine before toddling over to her. Without hesitation, it climbed onto her lap and rubbed its head gently against her belly.

Startled at first, Ana felt a surge of warmth rise in her chest. She hesitated... then gave in, embracing the small being.

The first time she was left alone with it, she'd frozen—half-expecting the creature to maul her at any second. It was, after all, born of Athanasia's uncontrollable mana, and nearly killed her in the process, almost making her cough up blood.

But now?

Now it acted like nothing more than a sweet, chocolate-loving... dog? Wolf?

"Oh, you sweet little thing~" Ana cooed as she rubbed its belly with affectionate fingers. The creature responded with a soft, delighted whimper, tail thumping gently against her lap.

She smiled warmly—but her eyes were hollow. Her gaze dropped down to the small creature, the one born from a catastrophic overflow of Athanasia's power. A living embodiment of instability. A consequence.

Her smile faded.

What can I even do about it anyway? she thought grimly. It was bound to happen... and if I interfere now, I might lose the only advantage we have. I won't know what comes next. Everything will be thrown off balance.

She gently placed the pup—wolf?—onto the plush couch beside her and stood. Her golden hair caught the afternoon light streaming through the wide windows. The view beyond was beautiful—lush gardens swaying in a warm breeze, skies bathed in soft hues of orange and blue.

She stood there for a moment, quietly soaking it in. The calm. The illusion of peace.

I hope... for the best, she whispered to herself.

But then the thought struck her like a cold wind.

What about me?

She didn't have an answer. Just a shrug. But her chest felt heavy—sick with the knowledge that her sister would soon suffer in silence while all she could do... was wait.

Wait for Lucas to save the day.

And that truth? It made her feel utterly powerless.

There it was again—that nauseating, twisting feeling in her chest. The one that always came crawling in whenever she thought too deeply about it.

Protect Athy. No matter what.

That obsessive, painful reminder had settled into her bones. Anastasia didn't quite remember when it started—maybe when she first recognized the manhwa storyline unfolding. But it only grew worse with time, haunting her like a ticking clock.

Her memories of the manhwa... they were fading. Little by little, parts blurred and details slipped through her grasp. What if someday, they disappeared completely?