The Monster King

Chapter 76

Kiara's voice trembled as she leaned closer to Eklavya, her heart racing with the weight of her revelation. "I think Meera was killed by Reyansh."

Eklavya's eyes widened in shock, his face pale as he absorbed her words. "What are you saying, Kiara? That's a serious accusation."

"I know it sounds crazy, but think about it! Ever since Reyansh returned, things have gone so wrong. Meera was troubled, and he didn't care about her at all. He always had this coldness towards her," she explained, urgency lacing her voice. "And when I saw how he acted after her death, it was like he was celebrating. He didn't even show any remorse!"

Eklavya shook his head, disbelief clouding his expression. "But why would he do something like that? What would he gain from killing his own sister?"

Kiara stepped back, her emotions swirling in a tempest. "Power, control... He's always been obsessed with his ambitions. Meera was a threat to him, especially since she was starting to see through his lies. If she had confronted him, he might've felt cornered."

Eklavya ran a hand through his hair, struggling to process the implications of her words. "So, you think Reyansh set this up? That he's been playing us all along?"

"I do. And now that she's gone, he thinks he can manipulate me even more. He's trying to twist everything to his advantage," Kiara said, her voice rising with determination. "He wants me to be his puppet, to fulfil his vision of power. I can't let him do that!"

Eklavya's expression turned sober as guilt washed over him. "I should have done more to protect you, Kiara. Now I see the consequences. I'll fight him man to man this time."

Kiara's eyes widened in disbelief. "What good will that do? Last time, you ran away when he had you cornered! You can't just challenge him like that; it's reckless."

"No," Eklavya insisted, determination hardening his features. "This time will be different. I won't back down. I'll face Reyansh directly and put an end to his tyranny."

"But you can't just confront him without a plan!" Kiara replied, panic rising in her voice. "He's a skilled manipulator. If you go in without thinking it through."

Eklavya clenched his fists, his voice cracking. "I won't let him get away this time. I promise I'll be ready for him."

Kiara felt a surge of anger and desperation. "Eklavya, you don't understand! The last time you left me, Reyansh—he—" Her voice faltered, memories crashing down around her like tidal waves. "He left me alone, unprotected. He... he was able to—"

A pained expression crossed Eklavya's face as he realized the implication of her words. "What are you saying? He did what to you?"

Kiara looked down, tears brimming in her eyes. "He raped me, Eklavya. I was powerless. And you weren't there to stop him."

The admission hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Eklavya's heart twisted painfully in his chest as tears welled in his eyes. "Kiara, I had no idea... I thought you were safe. I never meant to leave you vulnerable."

"I know you didn't," she whispered, pain lacing her voice. "But that's why we can't just rush into this. I don't want to lose you too."

He took a step closer, his gaze intense and resolute. "Then help me. I need you to distract Reyansh while I take my chance to fight him from the front. If we work together, we can take him down."

Kiara shook her head, fear flashing across her face. "You want me to backstab him?"

Eklavya reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Trust me. We can make this work. I can't do this without you. I need you to draw his attention, to stand by me when I finally confront him. You're my strength, Kiara."