Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler

He looked Axel in the eyes and continued. "What I did was impulsive. I attacked you without thinking. So—this is me apologizing, seriously. I'm sorry. I was wrong."

Rosaline didn't react outwardly, but her eyes, usually hard and unforgiving, lost a touch of their chill.

"Remember that well," Behind Maxen, Gideon added sharply. "The Havoc Division isn't your personal weapon. You don't get to run around like a rabid dog just because you wear the badge."

Maxen lowered his head slightly. "Understood. Axel... I'm sorry."

Axel looked at him, confused for a moment. Something felt... off. Given Maxen's personality, a forced apology and a quick exit were the most he'd expected. But this—this strangely composed, almost humble demeanor—it didn't match the Maxen from before.

Even Wesley, who was supposed to be overseeing the meeting, was caught off guard. "If you can recognize your faults and grow from them, you're still a comrade worth having," he said awkwardly.

The Havoc Division wasn't some minor gang—it was a powerhouse organization. Most freelance Awakeners outside the state-run forces belonged to it. So he didn't want to offend them.

Rosaline narrowed her eyes. Like Axel, she had her doubts. She'd come ready to hit hard, but now... now she was hesitating.

Axel stared into Maxen's eyes, unblinking.

Something didn't add up. People don't change overnight—not like this. Then his eyes drifted to Gideon, calm as ever. Too calm.

Screw it. Axel decided to test the waters.

"In that case," he said slowly, "I accept your apology. You're right—Esme brought it on herself. She deserved to die."

The moment the words left his mouth, he focused on Maxen like a hawk.

Maxen's pupils constricted. For a heartbeat, just one, Axel caught it—the sharp, undeniable flash of murderous rage.

It vanished as quickly as it came. No one else seemed to notice it. But Axel saw it clear as day.

Wesley frowned. "Axel, that was uncalled for."

"No, he's right to criticize," Maxen said with a bitter smile, waving it off like it didn't matter.

Gideon, who had been watching closely, gave Maxen a sidelong glance. Whatever he saw made him nod faintly in approval.

"If that's all, we'll be taking our leave," Gideon said smoothly, already turning to go.

Soon, the only ones left in the room were Rosaline, Wesley, and Axel.

Wesley stood and gave Rosaline a half-smile. "You should work on disciplining your people better."

Rosaline didn't even blink. "You can save your advice. Get out."

In the hotel suite, Gideon and Maxen stood facing each other.

Maxen was still breathing hard, his expression dark. Gideon patted him on the shoulder with quiet approval."You did well, Maxen."

Better than expected, in fact. Given how this whole situation played out, there would now be an official record of the so-called resolution. If Axel ended up "accidentally" dead sometime in the future, this documentation would serve as a handy alibi to clear Maxen of suspicion.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Thank you, Mr. Gideon. But... do you really think they bought it?" Maxen asked, finally regaining control of his breath. He'd been this close to snapping—to just killing Axel outright.

Gideon gave a dry laugh. "The others? Maybe. But that kid? No way in hell. He doesn't believe it for a second."

It was Gideon's first time meeting Axel in person, but even he could see how sharp the boy was. Maxen's loss to him now made perfect sense.
"He was testing you back there," Gideon said. "You held your ground. That's what mattered."

Maxen gave a silent nod.

"Let's go," Gideon said, heading for the door. "From now on, keep that mindset. Don't let emotions control your hand."

They left the suite together. As the elevator brought them down and they turned toward the hotel lobby, a hushed conversation drifted to their ears from down a corridor.

"Captain, we're just letting him walk?"

The voice wasn't loud. But for Awakeners of their level, even a whisper might as well have been shouted.

"What else do you want to do?" came the response, exasperated. "Ten million cash and rare resources on top—what more do you want?"

Maxen stopped in his tracks. He recognized that voice immediately.

Gideon raised an eyebrow, and Maxen muttered, "I just want to hear."

He crept closer. The room door was cracked open slightly, light spilling into the hallway. The voices were clearer now.

"I'm not saying the offer's cheap. I just think we're letting a snake go free. He's not going to forget. This is like turning your back on a tiger."

Peering through the gap, Maxen saw two people in the room—Axel, and the Obsidian Captain, Vince.

Wesley grimaced, muttered something under his breath, and left with his tail between his legs.

Silence returned.

Rosaline stepped closer to Axel and lowered her voice. "What did you see?"

Axel took a deep breath, gaze lingering on the closed door. "He's being coached."

"I thought so," she replied, eyes darkening. She didn't catch any killing intent, but... something felt wrong.

"But officially, the matter is settled," she continued. "And Phoenix will be your escort until you return. Don't worry."

Axel nodded slowly. "Yeah. I trust him."

He pulled out his phone and glanced at a note on the screen. It was a room number.

"A friend from Dune came to see me. I'm going to check in with him first."

"Got it."

As Axel stepped out of the room and into the corridor, he pressed the elevator button with one hand and toyed absentmindedly with a black sphere in the other—silent, thoughtful, alert.

"He already apologized," Vince replied. "And let's be real—he doesn't have the balls to try anything."

Silence stretched between them.

Eventually, Vince tried to reassure him. "Don't overthink it. You've got a week off before the next mission. There's no way he'll get a shot at you before then."

"If you're that worried, buy a ticket and head back early."

Axel didn't look happy about it, but he nodded. "Fine. I'll book a train for tomorrow afternoon."

"Don't sweat it too much. At your rate of growth, you'll hit Level 2 peak in three months tops. After that, guys like him won't scare you."

"Yeah."

Outside the door, Maxen's eyes narrowed slightly. After another pause, he quietly backed away. What he didn't realize was that at the far end of the hallway, nestled in a corner, a small black orb was recording everything.

Much later, Axel stepped out of the room and picked up the orb. The video feed on his phone faded to black.

"Vince," still sitting inside, looked up. "Think he'll take the bait?"

Axel's eyes were distant as he pocketed the orb. "I don't know. But I hope he does."

"You sure about this?" Zane—playing the role of Vince—folded his arms. "Still think it's worth the risk?"

Axel flopped onto a chair, hands behind his head, gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Better the devil you know than the one lurking in the shadows."

Zane nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll have my guys ready."

Maxen followed Gideon in silence as they left the hotel.

Once they were outside, Gideon looked over with a frown. "Breathe, Maxen. Calm your damn nerves."

Maxen took a long inhale, then asked the one question that had been clawing at his mind. "President... is what I heard about him true? Did that shit really advance that fast?"

Gideon's pause gave him the answer before he even spoke. "It's true."

Maxen's face twisted in frustration. Every cell in his body screamed that Axel was a threat—a fast-growing one. If he didn't act soon, the window might close forever.

Gideon saw the war waging behind his eyes and patted his shoulder again. "I won't try to stop you. But remember what I said. Don't move unless you're sure."

Maxen finally seemed to settle. "Understood. Don't worry, President. I won't act unless I'm confident I can finish the job."

"Good. I have business back in Langford. I'm leaving tonight."

"I'll buy you a drink when I get back," Maxen promised, watching Gideon walk away.

As soon as he was alone, Maxen pulled out his phone and opened a travel app. His thumb hovered for a moment—then hit "Book Ticket."