The Risen HODWII

Chapter 58 : The Mystery

**Venice Claire's POV**

"How's it going?" I asked.

"All the bombs have been deactivated as far as the list you gave me is concerned," Uno stated. I looked at Coby and raised an eyebrow while he smiled mischievously. "It was a success!" He gave an okay sign with his hand.

I nodded. It’s getting dawn, and people are coming inside the school gymnasium where we all gathered.

I suddenly felt someone behind me, and from the scent of it, I knew it was Xenon, hugging me from behind. "Whatever you are planning, take care, okay?" he hoarsely asked, his breath fanning on my bare skin. I nodded, feeling the tingles crossing my body from his touch.

I was wearing black jeans and a shirt, but my suit never leaves my bag.

*Blag!* Our attention was caught the moment we heard something fall. We looked to see Zoey, frustrated, looking at us with a big bag in front of her. "Here's your order, madam," she sarcastically stated, presenting the big bag.

I got out of Xenon's hold and walked towards the bag. When I opened it, I saw a bunch of tear gas and fireworks.

"Good. Now, prepare the fireworks for the field," I ordered.

"What!? But—" She tried to resist, but when I looked intently into her eyes, she stopped.

"Do you have anything to say?" I asked.

"Nothing. Agh!" She angrily carried the big bag and marched outside.

I knew she saw my eyes turn black earlier. My blood boils every time I see the smirk on her face, but it makes me feel good to see her annoyed look.

I turned to see Xenon looking at me with... adoration, and when he realized I was looking at him, he smiled.

I walked closer to him and slung my arms around his neck; he softly held my waist.

"Later at 5 a.m., whatever happens, make sure you stay at the gate of the gymnasium. She wouldn't dare enter the gym if you guard it well," I stated, and he nodded.

"Is there anything I can do to stop you?" he asked in worry.

"I'll be fine, Xenon," I reassured him.

He closed his eyes, sighing. "Oh, Claire, what should I do with you?"

I smiled. "Your love; that is what I want." I pecked his lips.

He smiled sweetly. "I am yours."

---

**Xenon's POV**

The world is full of mystery. Looking beyond is a dark hole that can swallow anyone, resulting in revenge, anger, sadness, or death.

Standing in front of the gymnasium door, looking at the vast darkness slowly swallowed by the light of smoke because of the tear gas placed in every corner of the field, I can see the girl of my life wearing a black suit, holding two silencer guns in both hands while standing in the middle of the field.

*Weeeew bogsh!* Fireworks suddenly exploded in the sky, attracting all the enemies to gather where she was standing. The next thing I saw was many armed men running toward her; they were increasing every second.

A hundred...

And then another hundred men... running to her... to kill her. Every enemy added makes my heart go wild with fear—fear that I might lose her at any moment. I wanted to help, but I promised Claire that I would stay in front of the gymnasium door... to protect the people inside from... the monster.

When the men got closer, they disappeared from my sight. The field was already fully covered by smoke from the tear gas.

Everything became unclear; I saw nothing but smoke. My heart is beating louder than ever. What’s happening in there!?

I'm scared... scared that Claire will leave me, scared that I will take the journey of life alone. I can’t face tomorrow without her. Why did I let this happen!?

"Claire... please be safe," I whispered more to myself.

"Oh, don't be afraid. You should be more afraid for those men; they just met their monster." I immediately looked at Zoey, who was already standing beside me, smirking like a devil.

"Claire is not a monster," I pointed out, finding my voice deadly.

"Relax! I'm not literally pointing at Claire; you know she has the monster inside her, and you can't deny that fact." She emphasized the words clearly.

"Tch." I rolled my eyes, looking back at the void of nothingness.

"Did you ever know that I'm not used to following orders from anyone, but... I look up to her? I could even do things I'm not used to." Zoey said, which made me look at her once again.

"Why?" I asked, considering that Zoey is the Huntress; she even disobeyed and rejected orders from the President of her country.

"Claire is the strongest person I've ever met, not just physically but... emotionally and mentally. With everything she has experienced, she withstands it." This is the first time I’ve ever seen her eyes hold sadness. Suddenly, she faced me and smiled. "You're lucky to have her."

Looking at the field covered with smoke, I smiled. "I know."

"But remember, loving her means facing the worst consequences. Will you still love her?" she asked.

"Every love brings the worst consequences, no matter who the person you are destined to be with is. And I'm ready to face everything..." I stopped, remembering past events. "Thinking of the fact that I have already faced death, what could be worse?" From the corner of my eye, I could see Zoey shrug.

"You'll see—hey!" She quickly jumped backward onto her knees, tilting her head to see the wall behind us. I looked at it and was shocked to see what it was!

"Shit," I cursed lowly.

It was a dagger buried deeply in the wall! And from the look of it, the target was... Zoey. If she hadn't been that fast, she could have been dead by now.

She suddenly leaped to my side as if avoiding something, and then I realized a bullet had tried to strike her earlier, but Zoey quickly avoided it, causing the bullet to strike the wall instead.