The World Is Mine For The Taking

"You know, Mr. Faust," Sesillian purred as he glided toward his chair. He sat down smoothly, crossing his legs with a smirk. "I like men like you. So docile for someone with power. Is it because you were born a commoner? That would explain this submissiveness, wouldn’t it? Quite a delightful bonus, I must say."

His finger trailed over my chest, like he was savoring the contact. He dragged it up to my shoulder, grazing my neck, and finally settling beneath my chin. His intentions were clear—this was seduction. His movements, the lingering touches—it was all designed to throw me off.

When his hand was under my chin, he leaned forward, his lips so close I could feel his breath. His appearance was disturbingly feminine—long hair, slender waist, those breasts... but I knew better. If I let him close the gap, to anyone else, it would just look like two men kissing. And that wasn’t happening.

I pulled back. His eyes shot wide open, like he couldn’t believe what had just happened. It was like he’d never been rejected in his life. The shock on his face was almost comical.

"What...?"

His voice trembled with disbelief. He couldn’t understand why I’d pulled away, especially since he thought his charm had already done its job.

"I’m sorry," I said with a calm, unwavering voice, "but I don’t kiss men."

The look on his face was priceless—his eyes widened even further, jaw slightly dropping. For someone masquerading as a woman, hearing me call him a man had to be a punch to the gut.

"W-What do you mean? I

am

a woman! Can’t you see my body?! Look at these breasts! My long hair! This sexy waist!"

"Yeah, I can see all of that. But that’s just what my eyes are showing me," I replied. "The truth is, you’re still Mr. Sesillian Quinn, right?"

His expression hardened, teeth grinding together as he realized the jig was up. "So, even under the charm, you can see through it, huh? Fine. Yes, I am Sesillian Quinn. I’m the one who was talking to you earlier. The body you’re seeing, it’s just an illusion, but without it... well, I’m the same man you met before. Don’t you think this body is exquisite, though? I created it based on how I imagined myself if I became a woman. A perfect form, wouldn’t you agree?"

"You can see it too?"

"Of course I can see it," he replied with a sly grin. "It’s my creation, after all. But even with this body—these curves, this sensual form—you still see me as a man? You’re a handsome man, Mr. Faust, but I don’t appreciate your rejection."

"I’m just being honest," I said. "I don’t judge anyone’s preferences. If you’re into men, that’s your business. But I can’t reciprocate because I love women."

"Is that so?" His voice dropped an octave, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. His calm demeanor was cracking, veins bulging slightly at his temples. "Well, I can’t fuck you right now, anyway, seeing as the Ordeal is about to start. It’s a shame, though—I really wanted to fuck the man known for revolutionizing this world. But since you’re going to die here, I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore."

Before I could respond, the cold, unmistakable

click

of a gun echoed behind me, and in a split second, I felt the brutal impact. My head slammed forward, cracking against the table as the shots rang out. Bullets ripped into my back, each one forcing my body further down. The gunfire was relentless, each shot vibrating through my bones, until the deafening clicks signaled an empty chamber.

They were reloading, when—

"That’s enough," Sesillian’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. His tone was icy, detached. "It’s truly unfortunate to kill someone as useful as you, but... well, that’s the way of the world, isn’t it?"

So, after brainwashing me, Sesillian planned to put me to use. Probably to further his schemes. But now, with me "dead"—at least in his mind—those plans were scratched.

"Now, now, everyone!" Sesillian clapped his hands, a sharp, echoing sound that cut through the air like a whip, demanding attention. His lips curled into a sinister grin, eyes gleaming with madness. "The time of the Ordeal is upon us! The day has come for darkness to consume this world once again! With all but one requirement fulfilled, the light is about to fade, leaving only darkness to reign supreme!"

"Darkness! Darkness! Darkness! Darkness!" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The crowd roared.

Sesillian’s grin widened as he soaked in their hysteria. "We need only one final sacrifice," he declared, voice booming, as if speaking to the heavens themselves. He spread his arms wide. "A virgin with royal blood!" His gaze snapped to Charlotte. "And that is you, Charlotte!"

"E-Eh?" Charlotte’s voice cracked.

"Yes! You!" Sesillian’s tone was sickeningly sweet, dripping with sadistic pleasure. "You will be the sacrifice! The key to resurrecting the eternal darkness! The end of light! The final piece to complete this world’s true fate! Charlotte Sierra, be thankful! You’ve been chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime event!"

Charlotte’s eyes darted around the room, panic setting in. She was clearly struggling to process what she’d just heard. Somehow, the sheer shock of being singled out as the sacrifice must have broken the mind control. She blinked, confusion and terror swirling in her eyes.

"P-Professor...?" Her voice was barely audible, trembling with fear.

"Huh?" Sesillian’s triumphant expression faltered for a moment. His eyes narrowed. "What’s this? Why are more of you breaking free from the Charm?! How dare you see me?! This is unforgivable! Unforgivable! UNFORGIVABLE!" His shrieks echoed through the ballroom, growing more unhinged with every word. "I crafted this perfect body—a flawless form, every curve, every sensation! And yet all you see is the man I’m trapped in?! This is unforgivable!"

Sesillian was losing it, his composed mask slipping away. He hated that she could see through his illusion, that they saw the man in women’s clothing instead of the "perfect" female form he projected. And now, Charlotte was staring at him, eyes wide in disbelief.

Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting.