Lately, whenever she visited, Lilah had noticed Barth struggling— bruises dotting his arms and neck, signs that things were far from peaceful between him and Arya.

Briseis looked over at Barth, her eyes lingering on him for what felt like an eternity.

With the opening ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, they decided to rehearse the process that evening.

After dinner, they all took their places.

The highlight of the event was a performance by Barth and Jeffery— one as the leader of the branch and the other as his deputy. Barth had initially insisted that Lilah should take the role, but she'd waved it off, saying she couldn't juggle everything and that he was the perfect fit.

"Alright, let's start the music!" Jeffery shouted to the staff in the back.

As the background music filled the room, the atmosphere shifted, becoming livelier.

"This doesn't quite feel right," Briseis said, tilting her head. "Let's switch to the backup track. It's got more energy." She handed Barth a headphone.

Barth listened closely, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, this one's much better," he said, just as he was about to give the cue to the staff when a sudden gust of wind swept through the room.

He froze. The strike hadn't been aimed at him—it was meant for Briseis.

"Die, you wretch!" Arya screamed, lunging at Briseis with a wild fury, aiming for her chest.

Briseis instinctively raised her arms to block, but Barth yanked her out of harm's way just in time.

Arya's attack missed, but she wasn't deterred. She pressed on, each blow more vicious than the last.

At first, Briseis managed to fend her off, but Arya's strikes were sharp, lethal. Slowly, Briseis began to falter, losing ground.

"Arya, stop!" Barth's voice was like ice, his jaw clenched as he gritted out the words. "Enough of this madness!"

He tried to step in, to pull Arya away, but she was relentless, her fury directed at Briseis, with venomous insults spilling from her lips.

Suddenly, Arya's kick sent Briseis flying across the room.

She crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, sliding to the floor in a heap.

Lilah rushed over, helping Briseis up with a cold glare aimed at Arya. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Arya's eyes were cold, her voice just as sharp. "I don't have time for you right now. Move aside."

She advanced on Briseis, determined to finish what she started.

"What do you want?" Barth's voice trembled with rage as he grabbed Arya's arm, trying to hold her back.

She wrestled free from his grip, slapping him hard across the face. "Barth, you promised me! What's happening now? What's so special about her? Is she prettier than me? Does she fight like I do? Does she care for you the way I do? How could you possibly choose her over me? Have you lost your mind?"

Barth's eyes flickered with guilt as he glanced at Briseis. His teeth clenched tightly. "It's not what you think. Just... stop this madness. Go home."