Suddenly, the forest went eerily silent. Anita froze, her breath catching in her throat. She slowly stood, only to find herself face-to-face with Melanthius. He loomed over her, his glowing purple eyes narrowing, his expression shadowed and intense.

“Who are you?” he asked, his voice low and laced with menace.

Anita’s knees buckled as she stammered, “I-I-I’m Anita… your best friend!” The lie spilled out of her mouth before she could stop it.

For a moment, Mel’s gaze pierced her like a blade, and she braced herself for the worst. Then, to her shock, his expression brightened, and he exclaimed, “Oh, Anita!” with the enthusiasm of someone greeting an old friend.

Before she could react, he pulled her into a warm, unexpected hug. “How’ve you been?!”

Anita blinked, utterly baffled, her mind screaming in confusion. “Is he stupid or something?!” she wondered as her thoughts spiraled. She felt like a trapped animal but forced a shaky smile when Mel finally released her.

“So,” he continued casually, as if the previous tension had never existed, “how did you like my enforcers? Pretty cool, right? It’s easy to make them, but getting them to listen to me? That’s the hard part. Sometimes I try speaking telepathically to them, but it just comes out as noise.”

Before Anita could respond, Mel held out his hand, and a small enforcer began to form. Threads of shimmering web magic spun together into a tiny figure, its movements jerky but deliberate. With a grin, Mel made it perform a clumsy little dance, laughing like a child.

“Look at him go!” he said, his laughter breaking through the tension like sunlight through storm clouds.

Anita stared at him, her heart racing. “How can someone so dangerous act so carefree? What am I supposed to do with this?!” Her mind screamed at her to leave, but her feet remained rooted to the ground, unable to move as Mel continued to laugh at his creation.

Mel crafted a delicate flower out of shimmering webbing, its intricate petals glistening like dew. With a soft smile, he gently tucked it into Anita’s hair. “There, a best friend gift,” he said, his voice warm and sincere.

Anita froze as his hand cupped her cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the immense power she knew he wielded. “Wanna get some ice cream?” he asked, his tone light and cheerful, as if they were old friends catching up.

Her eyes flickered to his hand, her mind racing. “Is this a test? Is he onto me? Or… does he really think we’re friends?” She forced a shaky smile, her voice trembling slightly. “S-sure?”

Mel grinned, his carefree energy almost infectious. “Great! Let’s go!” he said, turning with a spring in his step, leaving Anita to wonder how someone so dangerous could seem so… human.

They walked through the bustling streets of Solstice City, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows. Mel strode with an air of effortless confidence, his hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets, while Anita trailed behind, nervously gnawing at her fingernails.

“My buddy’s dad sells the best ice cream known to man,” Mel said, suddenly hopping onto the low branch of a tree. He balanced with ease, walking along it like it was a tightrope. His tone was light, almost playful, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Anita bit her lip, glancing up at him. “Set him up? How? He’s too naive to see it coming… but he’s also way too strong to backstab.” The thought of betraying someone who greeted strangers with such warmth gnawed at her.

As they strolled, the city seemed to come alive around them. People waved or called out to Mel, their smiles genuine. “Hey there, Mel!” “How’s it going, Shadowbane?”

“Doing great, thanks!” Mel replied to each one, his voice bright and familiar, as if he’d known everyone in the city his entire life.

Anita watched in awe, her heart sinking further. “Why does everyone adore him so much?” She flinched slightly when a fruit vendor handed Mel a bowl of freshly picked strawberries, her face lighting up with motherly affection.

“Oh, thanks a lot!” Mel said, bowing slightly as he accepted the gift. He popped one into his mouth and held the bowl toward Anita. “Want some?”

She blinked, caught off guard by his kindness. “Uh, sure,” she said, hesitantly reaching for one. The sweetness burst on her tongue, but it did little to ease her nerves.

“He’s not just some naive king. He’s kind, he’s… real,” she thought, her guilt swirling in her chest like a storm. “And I’m supposed to betray him? What the hell am I doing?”

“So, how was your first day, best friend?” Mel asked, his tone casual yet warm, as they approached a brightly colored ice cream stand. The vendor greeted him with a grin, already preparing two cups as if he’d been expecting Mel.

Anita watched as Mel handed her one of the cups before they resumed walking. She stared at the creamy swirl of ice cream, her stomach twisting. “It’s going terrible!” she screamed internally. The weight of her lies and her mission pressed down on her chest.

But instead, she forced a calm, nonchalant tone. “Good, I guess,” she replied, taking a small bite of the ice cream.

Mel grinned, his purple eyes sparkling with energy. “That’s what I like to hear. A new chapter, a new start! You’ve got this, Anita.”

She glanced at him, his enthusiasm making her chest ache. “How can he be so genuine? He doesn’t even know what’s happening behind his back…”

“Melanthius… you’re a wizard, right?” Anita asked hesitantly, her voice laced with curiosity. Mel, mid-lick of his ice cream, glanced at her with a raised brow.

“Yeah?” he replied, turning to face her fully.

She chuckled nervously, fidgeting with her spoon. “Then why don’t you have a wand? I-I mean, I think you told me before, but I kinda forgot.”

Mel’s lips curved into an easy smile. “Well, here’s the thing. Nobody really likes wizards. People fear us—what we can do. But at the same time, they love our magic, the things we create. Wizards, unlike other magic users, can have a variety of unique magical abilities, but they need wands to focus and control that magic. Then there are manascares—normal humans who can use magic based on their mana, but they’re seen as safer, less… threatening.”

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He paused, shrugging lightly. “I guess I just don’t want to give the wizard haters any more reason to target me, ya know?” His tone was light, but his words lingered with deeper meaning.

Anita blinked, her eyes wide with realization. “I… I didn’t know that. I’m sorry you have to live like that.” Her voice cracked slightly, and she sniffled, wiping her eyes quickly.

Before she could spiral further, Mel pressed the cold edge of his ice cream cup against her forehead, making her yelp in surprise. “Hey! What was that for?”

He grinned, mischievous as ever. “Relax, I was joking. No need to get all sentimental on me. Truth is… I just don’t know how to use a wand.”

Anita stared at him, caught between indignation and amusement, before breaking into a laugh. “You’re impossible, Melanthius Shadowbane.”

She gasped softly, her thoughts swirling as she absentmindedly touched the flower tucked into her hair. "It’s been so long since I’ve actually had friends… laughed like this." A warm smile crept onto her face as she glanced at Mel, his carefree grin lighting up the moment. "He’s such a genuinely nice guy. I’m… glad to be his best friend."

“He’s kind, funny, and—dammit—he’s been nothing but good to me. And what do I do? I lead him straight into a trap like some… traitor.” She shook her head, tears threatening to spill.

Her gaze lingered on Mel for a moment, watching as he offered a smile to a passing vendor and shared a laugh with a child who waved at him. That warmth, that ease—it was so different from the chaos that raged inside her.

"I don’t deserve his friendship. I don’t deserve any of this," she thought bitterly. But then a sharper pang of realization struck. "But if I don’t go through with it, Arid and the others will come after me. What the hell am I supposed to do?!"

Her chest tightened as a whisper of hope tried to surface. "Maybe… maybe there’s a way to fix this without betraying him. Or maybe I could warn him somehow… without Arid finding out." But even as she thought it, dread loomed over her like a storm cloud. Could she really outsmart someone like Arid? Could she really keep Mel safe?

“I’m in way over my head.”

Mel’s card buzzed, and he casually pulled it out. He answered with a laid-back tone, “Arid? You got the goods?”

Anita stiffened, her hands gripping her skirt tightly. "Shit, I forgot—he’s a drug dealer!" Her mind spiraled, a mix of panic and disbelief swirling in her thoughts.

Mel nodded as he listened, his expression unreadable. “I’m with Anita. The docks? Got it.” He ended the call and stood up, brushing off his hands before clearing his throat.

“We’ve got to go,” he said simply, slipping his card into his pocket. “I’ve got some business to take care of.”

Anita forced a smile, masking her internal turmoil. "Business? More like illegal business! What the hell am I getting dragged into?" Despite her nerves, she followed him, her heart racing with every step.

They began walking, Mel’s expression growing more serious with each step. Anita bit her lip nervously, her eyes darting around the dimly lit streets. The unease gnawed at her until she impulsively clung to Mel’s arm.

“M-Mel, are you sure you want to go?” she stammered, her voice wavering. She forced a nervous smile. “You’d really leave a pretty girl like me all vulnerable in the dark?”

Mel raised an eyebrow, barely sparing her a glance. “You’re following me,” he said flatly. “That doesn’t make you vulnerable.”

Anita’s cheeks flushed as she let out a shaky laugh, releasing his arm. "Smooth, Anita. Real smooth," she thought, feeling both embarrassed and no less anxious.

Anita trailed behind, her head hanging low. "I’m leading him to his death! I have to do something!" Her heart pounded as her thoughts spiraled, but before she could act, they reached the docks.

Arid stood there, holding his vine-encrusted staff, the faint moonlight glinting off its intricate design. Mel immediately moved in front of Anita, his stance protective and his gaze sharp.

“What are you doing here, Arid?” Mel asked, his tone steady but edged with suspicion.

Arid held up his hand, his expression cold and resolute. “I’m done with this, Mel. Tired of you calling the shots. I’m not even part of your kingdom, and yet I’m the one doing your dirty work? It’s bullshit.”

He stepped forward, and Mel mirrored the movement, their faces inches apart.

“So what, Arid?” Mel’s voice was low and unwavering. “You’re going to kill me?”

A smirk curled on Arid’s lips as he glanced over Mel’s shoulder. “Thanks for leading him here, Anita,” he said with a dark chuckle.

Mel froze and turned to her, his eyes filled with disbelief. “You what? My best friend?” His voice cracked slightly, tinged with sadness and betrayal.

Anita’s entire body trembled as she tried to explain, her words tumbling out. “I swear, I didn’t even—”

But before she could finish, a sharp thwip cut through the air. A thorn from Arid’s staff embedded itself in Mel’s shoulder.

Mel yelled in pain and staggered to the ground, clutching the wound.

“Mel!” Anita screamed, dropping to her knees beside him. Tears blurred her vision as she pressed her hands to his arm, trying to stop the bleeding.

“You traitor,” Arid sneered, stepping closer. “What did you think was going to happen?” Anita looked up at Arid, her fear now mixed with fury. “I didn’t want this! This isn’t what I wanted!” Mel groaned, his hand weakly gripping her arm. “Anita… why?” he whispered, his voice filled with heartbreak.

Her chest tightened as she shook her head violently. “I didn’t mean for this to happen! Please, Mel, believe me!” Arid scoffed, raising his staff again. “Believe you? He won’t even get the chance.” Anita’s breath caught in her throat as she desperately searched for a way to protect Mel, knowing she was running out of time.

“Gotcha!” both Mel and Arid shouted in unison, their laughter echoing across the docks.