~ The villain's dance

~ selevers challenge

The grand ballroom, once alive with laughter and shimmering lights, now stood under a shadow of dread as Selever took center stage. His every step echoed through the suddenly silent room, and every eye turned to him, wondering what twisted plan he had now.

Dragging Milo alongside him like a ragdoll, Selever cracked his neck and raised his voice, a mocking edge sharp enough to cut through the heavy tension.

"Alright! Shut the fuck up, everyone!" His words sliced through the murmurs, and the music died abruptly, as if even the instruments themselves were afraid to make a sound.

Milo stood next to him, visibly uncomfortable, his eyes darting around the room, looking for an escape route or maybe just a way to calm Selever down. But it was too late. Selever was already in full control of the room, his gaze predatory as it scanned over the dancers, waiting for his next command.

"Let’s do a little challenge, eh?" Selever’s grin was feral, like a wolf preparing to sink its teeth into its prey. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek black handgun, twirling it lazily between his fingers. The crowd stiffened, breaths held as they waited for his next move.

With a sudden, violent movement, Selever pointed the gun at the ceiling and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

The deafening sound echoed across the ballroom as a bullet shot through the chandelier, sending a cascade of tiny glass shards raining down on the dancers below. Several people screamed, ducking for cover, while others just stood frozen in horror. The bullet lodged itself deep in the ceiling, but the threat was clear—the next one wouldn't miss.

Kael’s heart pounded in her chest, her eyes locked on Selever as the dust and broken glass settled onto the floor like snowfall. She barely noticed Kandy inching closer, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Whoever has the worst dancing…" Selever's voice was calm now, but there was a coldness in his eyes that sent shivers down Kael’s spine. He let the words hang in the air for a moment, like a noose tightening around the necks of every person in the room.

"Gets the gun."

The crowd collectively exhaled, but it wasn’t a sigh of relief—it was a breath of fear. Selever had turned their night of revelry into a game of life or death, and everyone understood the stakes. The faint echo of the gunshot still seemed to linger, a reminder of just how dangerous the night had become.

"You’re insane!" someone shouted from the back of the room. It was Amber, her voice filled with outrage, but also a tremor of fear. She stepped forward, fists clenched at her sides. "You can’t just make people—"

"Shut up," Selever interrupted, barely sparing her a glance. "I can and I will." He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "And you’re already on thin ice, Amber. Unless you want to be punished more tonight. So, I suggest you start moving those feet."

Amber’s face flushed with anger, but she didn’t move. Not until Milo, still standing beside Selever, gave her a pointed look. Slowly, reluctantly, Amber backed down and took her place on the dance floor, though the fury in her eyes hadn’t faded.

"Good girl~" Selever muttered, barely audible over the growing tension in the room.

The musicians, confused and terrified, exchanged glances. Selever waved his hand dismissively at them. "Go on, play. Something slow."

After a moment of hesitation, the musicians obeyed, their trembling hands setting their instruments into motion. The music that followed was a slow, eerie waltz, entirely unsuited for the deadly game that had been set into motion. But Selever just smiled as he watched the crowd nervously begin to dance.

Kael, standing off to the side, felt her stomach churn. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for a way out, but the ballroom doors were sealed shut. There was no escape. She had no choice but to play along—for now.

Kandy, always one to mask her fear with a smile, bounced over to Kael, her eyes wide with nervous energy. "This is crazy, right?" she whispered, her voice trembling but laced with forced cheer. "But we’ve just got to dance, Kael. We’ll be fine, right?"

"Right," Kael muttered, though the pit in her stomach told her otherwise.

Zyn passed by them, her expression unreadable, but her eyes flickered with concern. She leaned in close as she passed Kael, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don’t be the worst," she warned. "Whatever happens, don’t let Selever have a reason to single you out."

The words sent a chill down Kael’s spine. She nodded mutely, forcing her feet to move, stepping onto the dance floor. Her heart hammered in her chest as the slow, haunting waltz filled the room, guiding the dancers into a macabre ballet.

Selever watched from the center of the floor, his arms crossed, the gun dangling loosely in his grip. His eyes gleamed with a twisted excitement as he surveyed the room. Milo stood beside him, though his posture was tense, as if he, too, understood just how volatile Selever had become.

Kael’s eyes flicked back to Selever, her jaw clenched as she forced herself to move to the rhythm. She knew he was watching her. Every time she made even the slightest misstep, his eyes seemed to narrow, and her skin crawled under the weight of his gaze.

"Keep moving," she muttered to herself, the words barely audible. "Just keep moving."

But every second felt like a lifetime. Every glance Selever threw her way made her muscles tighten with dread. She had to be perfect. She had to survive.

Across the floor, Amber glared at Selever, her movements sharp and filled with tension, but even she was careful not to falter. Willow, grief-stricken and stoic, danced like a man trapped in a nightmare.

But the worst was yet to come.

As the music swirled around them, Selever raised his gun once more, aiming it lazily at the dancers. The room tensed, everyone holding their breath, waiting for him to choose his target.

And then, with a slow, deliberate movement, Selever aimed the gun directly at Kael.

Her heart stopped.

"Keep up, Kael," he drawled, his voice mocking. "Or this little game might get a bit more… interesting."