Villainous Love

II - Eridanus

After the conversation she had with her father, Ziana left the living room as well and went straight to her room. Right now, all she wanna do is to sleep and forget about everything.

As soon as Ziana arrived at her room, she went straight to her plush, beige-colored queen sized bed. She hopped on it and made herself comfortable. As she laid down, the words her father said replayed over and over again in her head.

"Why do you always disappoint me Alessandra."

Those words made her unable to sleep despite how tired she felt. Ziana sighed. 'What a crazy day' she thought.

"Oh right! Kai!" She scrambled from her bed and reached her phone that is lying on top of her bed side drawer. She instantly called the the top most number on her phone contact and waited for the person to answer.

"Hello?" A groggy voice answered. It sounded that the voice just woke up from their slumber and it had a hint of annoyance at being called on their 'beauty sleep'.

"Kai! Oh my gods, I'm so sorry I had to leave earlier without even saying goodbye. I was j-" She was cut off by a deep worried voice.

"Wait, Ziana is this you? Gods, I was so worried! I was looking for you, and then boom! I see you on the news. Ziana, were you hurt? Please tell me you're okay."

Suddenly she felt a bit better. Hearing her loud and sassy yet caring best friend on the phone was enough to calm her.

"Yes. You know me and superhero stuff." She replied softly. "I was blinded for a moment, but don't worry. My elysium worked almost immediately."

"Thank the gods." The voice on the phone sighed in relief.

"So, what do you think of the surprise party? Did you enjoy it here in Tundral?" He asks, excited.

"I enjoyed very much. Thank you Kai. " Ziana laughed softly. Thinking of the fun she had before the bank assault.

"I wish you were there longer. You could've seen Ingrid's drunk ass wailing like a goddamn monkey! " Kai joked loudly, trying to light up the mood. He waited for Ziana's laugh, but instead all he heard was a soft chuckle. There was a hint of sadness in her tone.

"Yes, next time surely." She answered with a small and sad smile.

"Ziana? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Kai couldn't help but ask in concern. He sensed something wrong with her. Usually she laughs out loud in response to his jokes.

"Oh, you know." She explains, a bit frustrated. "The usual." Ziana sighed as she hugged one of her pillows. She could never hide anything at Kai.

"Ah, your father huh?" He tsked. "You know, Zi." Kai started, his tone serious.
"I think it's time for you to make your own decisions. I mean- do you whatever you want. Be free and let lose. You know what I mean?"

"I know Kai. It's just.. I couldn't just stop being a hero you know." She pauses, eyes flickering to the letters she received from her fans and those she had saved in the past. She smiled remembering the gratitude and appreciation she read from those letters.

"Being an Elysian means that I have a responsibility. And that is to help people, and those who needed saving." She confirmed. But it sounded more like she wanted to reassure herself.

"Then, who's gonna save you?" He shots back at her.

Ziana paused. Her own self was never a priority. She always made sure to prioritize other people first. It's what heroes do. What she must do.

"I-, I don't know." She murmurs.

"See, that's the thing Ziana. I think your father has been 'training' you too much to be the perfect hero he always wanted. But, you're still a person. You deserve to be selfish as much as people are."