I will be the Villian

> "I don't want to be forgiven. I want to be remembered."

---

48 Hours After Verena's Death

The media had no proof.

No evidence.

No witnesses.

But everyone knew.

Amaris Lane killed her.

And something about that made the public tremble.

Not out of fear.

Out of fascination.

---

Zayden – Hospital Wing

His vision was blurry when he opened his eyes.

But her scent hit him first.

Smoke and frost.

Amaris.

She sat at his bedside, motionless, like a statue carved from pain.

"You shouldn't be here," he whispered.

"I killed for you," she replied softly. "Being here is the least I owe you."

His hand reached for hers.

She flinched—but didn't pull away.

---

Their Conversation Was Not Romantic

"You're changing," he said.

"So are you."

"I'm starting to understand why you do the things you do."

Amaris looked away. "Then maybe I should stop doing them."

"You won't."

She smiled faintly. "No. I won't."

---

Raze's Return

He waited in the shadow of the alley. Hood up. Gun hidden.

But when Amaris arrived, she didn't bring weapons.

Just a bottle of wine.

He stared.

"You think this is a reunion?"

"No," she said. "It's a proposition."

He raised a brow.

"You hate them. I hate them. You're still alive. I still breathe."

She stepped forward.

"Be my weapon. Again."

His jaw clenched.

"And when it's over?"

"You disappear. Or I kill you. We'll see how I feel."

He smiled.

> "Deal."

---

The Rebellion Fractures

Not everyone agreed with Amaris's methods.

Some called her a savior. Others called her a tyrant in lipstick.

One name rose in opposition:

Adira Vale.

Young. Strategic. Loved by the people.

She didn't want peace through fire. She wanted reform.

And she called Amaris out.

Live. On air.

> "This isn't revolution. It's personal revenge. And it's time we end the chaos."

Amaris didn't flinch.

She just turned to her team and said:

> "Get me everything on her."

---

Zayden Is Released

He walked out of the hospital under a fake name, false ID, and Amaris's men.

The world thought he was dead.

And for a while, he let them believe it.

But when he stepped into the underground bunker again, and saw her—

Hair tied up. Face cold. Hands wrapped around maps and weapons—

His heart broke.

Because he knew:

> He loved her.

But she wasn't coming back from this.

---

A Soft Moment in the Chaos

They stood together in her office.

Alone.

Amaris removed her gloves.

"I want to show you something," she whispered.

She placed his hand against her bare wrist.

The scars were there.

Not physical. Digital.

ACE's barcode, still faint.

"This is who I am," she said. "This is what they made."

Zayden didn't look away.

"You're not what they made."

He leaned closer.

"You're what you chose to become."

She kissed him.

Slow. Like breathing.

Not out of lust.

But out of grief.

---

The Broadcast

Amaris appeared on every screen in the city.

Her eyes were clear. Her voice calm.

> "You wanted truth. I'll give you truth."

"I was tortured. Programmed. Used."

"And now I stand here—not for vengeance, but for justice."

"I won't ask for your love. Only your attention."

"Because I'm not your hero. I'm your consequence."

The city froze.

And then divided.

Some rallied.

Some screamed.

But no one ignored her.

---

Adira's Counterattack

She leaked footage.

Of Amaris ordering the death of Judge Roarke.

Of her training Raze to assassinate top officials.

Of Zayden in her arms.

Suddenly, the people turned.

All of them.

---

Final Scene – Amaris Watches It All Burn

From her rooftop, she saw the crowds.

Protesters.

Supporters.

Assassins.

She was no longer a villain.

She was a myth.

A movement.

A monster—depending on who you asked.

Zayden joined her silently.

"Are you ready to run?" he asked.

"No," she said.

"Then what?"

She turned to him slowly.

Eyes lit with something inhuman.

> "I'm ready to become a god."