SENOR'S BAR – EAST SIDE OF THE CRONOVERSE, PLANET YANGI
The bar was a dirty, shadowy place, lit only by flickering neon signs that buzzed like angry insects. The walls were made of cracked black stone, and the air smelled like cheap alcohol and engine grease. Glasses with leftover drinks sat scattered across the counter, some still half-full, others tipped over and forgotten.
Behind the bar, rows of bottles lined the shelves—some filled with Yangi fire-whiskey, a drink so strong it could burn a hole through metal. The low rumble of starships taking off and landing in the distance mixed with the muffled chatter of the bar's customers.
Most of them were rough-looking—mercenaries with scars, smugglers with hidden weapons, and drifters who had nowhere else to go. They kept to themselves, drowning their sorrows or making shady deals in the corners.
At the far end of the bar, Liam sat alone, gripping his glass so tightly his knuckles turned white. His golden eyes, usually sharp and full of life, were now red and swollen from lack of sleep—or maybe from tears. His jaw was clenched, his teeth grinding together like he was trying to crush his own anger.
With a sudden, violent motion, he slammed his glass down, making the liquor inside slosh over the edge.
Liam voice rough, like gravel
"Fuck. After all our years together—hiding, sneaking, lying—I finally wanted her to be mine. Fully mine. And she… she rejected me. Who the hell does she want, then? Why? Why throw me away like this?"
His voice cracked, raw with pain. The other people in the bar pretended not to hear. In a place like the Cronoverse, some things were better ignored.
Then, from the darkness, a slow, mocking laugh cut through the noise.
A woman stepped forward, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. She leaned against the bar, swirling a glass of dark, expensive-looking wine.
Ozors smirking
"Ah, Liam. Finally, you see the truth I've been whispering in your ear for centuries."
Liam spun around, his eyes widening in shock.
Liam voice sharp
"Fuck! How long have you been there, Ozors?"
Ozors took a slow sip of her drink, her grin never fading.
Ozors
"Long before you staggered in. And judging by that shattered look on your face—and the way you're drowning yourself in piss-tier liquor—she did reject you, didn't she?"
Liam's fist crashed down onto the bar, splintering the wood beneath it.
Liam
"Don't mock me, Ozors. I've been humiliated enough tonight. Let me drink in peace and crawl back to whatever's left of my life."
Ozors didn't stop smiling. She just watched him, enjoying his pain like it was some kind of show.
Ozors
"Liam. Let Milani go. She was never going to be yours."
For a moment, the bar fell silent. Even the screeching Voidpunk music from the jukebox seemed to fade into the background.
Liam's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
Liam
"What the hell do you mean by that?"
Ozors leaned in closer, her words like a knife sliding between his ribs.
Ozors
"She's been fucking Leviam. For centuries."
The glass in Liam's hand shattered. Blood and liquor dripped onto the counter, but he didn't even feel the pain.
Liam choking out a laugh
"That's a lie. I don't believe you."
Ozors shrugged, like she didn't care whether he believed her or not.
Ozors
"Believe what you want. But sooner or later, the rest of the truth will gut you. And then you'll have no choice."
Liam's breath came in ragged gasps. His mind raced—memories of stolen kisses, whispered promises, Milani's hands tangled in his hair. Had all of it been a lie?
Liam gritting his teeth
"You're telling me that Leviam—that grinning, backstabbing fool—has been behind my back this whole time? With Mila?"
Ozors smirked, enjoying every second of his agony.
Ozors
"Oh, she didn't just let him. She chose him. Long before you ever stumbled into her bed."
Liam roared, his voice shaking the walls as he hurled his chair across the room.
Liam
"I'VE BEEN A FOOL FOR CENTURIES? FUCKKKK!"
People scrambled out of the way. The bartender ducked behind the counter. But Ozors just stood there, watching him with cold amusement.
Ozors
"Leviam's reasons for silence? That I don't know. But if you want the full truth… you'll have to face them both."
MILANI'S KINGDOM – THE CRYSTAL CHAMBERS
Far from the grimy streets of Senor's Bar, in the heart of Milani's palace, everything was clean, bright, and beautiful.
Milani stood by a massive window, staring out at the twin moons of Yangi rising in the sky. She wore a silver gown that shimmered like liquid metal, her expression unreadable.
Then—footsteps. Heavy. Familiar.
The door slid open.
A figure stepped inside, silhouetted against the hallway's golden light.
figure
"Is he gone?"
Milani didn't turn around.
milani
"Yes. And… I think it's time we told everyone the truth."
The figure stepped into the light.
It was Leviam.
His golden eyes—so much like Liam's, but colder—locked onto hers. A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.
Leviam:"About damn time."
To Be Continued.