TER

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distant and untouchable from consequence. In a penthouse lounge overlooking the river, velvet couche

ed one wall. The Elysian Isle l

heaving. In his arms, a human girl lay unconscious...blood on her clothes, dirt s

ould've

the plants

it...rew

d furiously. Live polls refreshed in real tim

ROFT – HUM

Index

ce Fav

mbers

" someone muttered. "Sh

eplayed in slow motion: Riven running. Falling. Swinging a broken branch with blo

mmaculate as ever, her voice

t's episode marked the end of Tria

es faded to static. N

ed, "viewers always ask the same que

unge q

rute strength," she sa

ls rotated

, surv

ntestants running

bond Fo

en. His hand gripping her arm, dragging her out of danger. The

rippled thro

Kira said lightly. "Who protects whom. Who

. Someone lau

ly, audien

d back to reveal

ou

se bro

Kira added. "They influence outcomes. In ra

d rare

she said softly, "w

, bruised, pale, stubbornly de

wed faintly in the ceiling, disguised as modern lights. Machines hummed besi

t be stabiliz

the is

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was a

r the

ading out only to snap back on a

, Kira contin

not because she's powerful...

eamed beneat

tect

et them

tter not lea

ip th

the man at the bar. "She'

angerous,

's h

a symbo

softened. "So what do

protection, money, pow

O

the bar fin

n," the produ

alrea

hamber, blood drying on his knuckles. He stared

harder than any blow. Around him, o

s the

one she sur

he bond

didn'

arpened, dragging her toward consciousness

he stone, the

creens with hearts racing, fingers hovering over vote but