EVIL SYSTEM

After finishing the museum tour, both of them stepped out feeling very happy.

They'd learned a lot of interesting things, and honestly, it had been really entertaining.

When the history came from a magical world, anything could be fascinating.

Ben called another taxi, which took them to the cinema to watch the movie.

If he was completely honest, Ben was more excited about the film than the museum visit. Though he didn't mind learning a bit more about history and cool facts, he considered himself an avid cinephile—or at least that's what he liked to think.

It had been over sixteen years since he'd last set foot in a theater, and he was thrilled to relive the experience.

His family had never been fond of this activity, so they never took him as a kid. After his awakening and apparent failure, it became even harder for Ben to scrape together the money for such a small indulgence.

Ben and Judy bought tickets for the movie, along with popcorn and sodas.

They waited about fifteen minutes for the film's start time and then went inside.

One might think that, sitting next to such a beautiful girl on a date, Ben wouldn't take his eyes off her during the movie, hoping for something more.

But from the moment the film started, he was completely hooked. It was the typical story of a commoner hero who had to save the world.

Yet the execution was incredible. The guy was just another peasant who'd lost his family amid the wars ravaging the world.

That is, until he found a sword in the middle of a forest.

A sword that granted him the power to change things. With his newfound strength, he uncovered truths he'd never known before:

The cause of the war, the main antagonists, and the final boss.

A fearsome, bloodthirsty knight, both admired and feared by all. According to what the protagonist heard, this man had slaughtered entire armies and was globally infamous for the *Bloody Banquet*.

The acts he committed that day were still remembered and echoed through the world's political landscape.

So much so that even super-mages feared him, despite him being merely an advanced mage.

Midway through the movie, the existence of two oracles was revealed, both foretelling the total destruction of the world.

The words of the first oracle were:

"*Listen, children of rot, and tremble! In the final days, when the earth drowns in blood and kings lie broken beneath their crowns, a man will rise from the shadows. Not a savior, but a reaper. He, the one with the demonic mask, will forge the end of all light with his hands. His name will echo in the throats of the damned: The Herald of Pain.*

*With every strike of his fist, walls will crumble; with every scream he tears out, souls will shatter. War will be his song, and chaos, his kingdom. He will not beg for justice but twist it until the world mirrors his wrath. Armies will march under his black banner, and rivers will run red with the blood of the unworthy.*

*But do not be deceived, for there is no redemption in his shadow. He is the architect of the end, the sower of the final day's seed. When the stars fade and the sun is devoured by eternal night, his laughter will be the last sound you hear. And so, the world will perish—not in peace, but in eternal torment, shaped by the will of he who hates men more than gods.*"

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Meanwhile, the second prophet spoke words like:

"*Behold, mortals, the twilight of days! When the horns of war sound and the sky fractures, the world will tremble before its own ruin. It will not be the work of one man, but of the sins of all. The earth will split, the seas will boil, and chaos will dance upon the bones of the fallen.*

*In the midst of this storm, a man will walk—a pawn on the board of dark gods. His heart brimming with fury. He is not the master, but the echo; not the king, but the sword. Ben will be the spark that lights the pyre, but not the fire that consumes it. Others, older and crueler, weave the threads of this end.*

*Kings will fall, cities will burn, and war will devour the living. Mythical beasts will rise, and horrors will be unleashed.*

*Yet there will only be despair, and from the depths of darkness, a hero will raise his sword, bringing hope and a spark of light in such a dark era.*"

The hero in the movie knew the prophets were speaking of him and the villain, so he set out to defeat him and prevent the end of times.

There were plenty of thrilling battles and a touch of romance to wrap things up nicely, though with the foreboding hint that the demon might return in the future.

And once again, a hero would find the sword.

Ben thought the premise was cheesy and overly clichéd, but apparently, it was a true story pulled from history books.

Though, with records being imprecise, a lot was fabricated during production.

The best parts of the movie were the special effects and the lead actor's performance—his pain and struggles really hit home.

They left the theater happy and hungry.

Luckily, Ben had managed to secure a restaurant reservation. With the city so crowded, getting a table had been tough.

Ben had paid over five times the original price to book it.

"It's a really nice place," Judy said as she sat down with Ben's help.

"Yeah," Ben smiled and took a seat across from her. "I'm starving."

"Me too," Judy agreed.

Ben didn't waste time asking for the menu, and they ordered quickly.

Ben got fettuccine Alfredo, while Judy ordered a grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes.

They paired it with some red wine.

Slowly, they started talking and opening up to each other. They chatted and laughed, losing track of time.

After paying the bill, they stepped out to walk under the starry night.

They stayed quiet for a while, as Ben didn't know what to say.

"Don't know what to say?" Judy asked with a smile, turning around with her hands behind her back.

Ben felt his breath catch for a moment at the sight of Judy's sweet smile.

"No, I was just thinking that you have a beautiful smile."

Judy's smile widened. "You're so cheesy."

"Is that bad?" Ben asked, a little worried.

"I never said that," Judy replied, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "You just need to work on your flirting a bit."

"I don't usually go out with girls, so it's normal I'm not great at flirting," Ben said, slipping his hands into his pockets, feeling more at ease.

"That's what all guys say," Judy shot back.

"I'm not like other guys."

"They say that too!" Judy replied with a grin.

Ben shrugged. "Since you've apparently heard it all, I'm sure you've heard this too: You're the most beautiful and lovely woman I've ever seen, and from the first day I saw you, my heart went crazy just looking at you."

Judy stared at him, wide-eyed.

"So?" Ben grinned. "Had you heard that one before?"

Judy burst out laughing. "Yeah, I've heard it. But not so straightforward like that."

"Told you," Ben laughed. "I'm not like the others."

"I've noticed," Judy giggled and started running a little.

Ben was startled when he saw Judy cross the street without looking. A bus was speeding toward her, and Ben shot forward.

He grabbed her by the waist and crossed the street in a blur.

"Are you okay?" Ben asked, holding her by the waist and back.

"I-I," Judy was in shock, and Ben took advantage of it.

Before Judy's surprised eyes, Ben leaned in suddenly and stole a kiss.

Their lips met, and Ben felt time stop. Judy's soft breathing, her tender and sweet lips, the wind tousling their hair, and his hands trembling as they decided to take the lead.

Ben felt all of that and more in just a single second.

In that moment, everything was perfect.

But the next second, Judy pushed him away and slapped him.

"Why did you do that?" She brought a hand to her mouth and looked at him with flushed cheeks.

Ben touched his cheek, but his face was all smiles. "It was an act of justice."

"Justice?" Judy stared at him, confused.

"I stole a kiss because you've been stealing my sleep for days," Ben said, not caring that he was borrowing a line from the famous Mario Benedetti to flirt.

Judy looked at him, her breathing heavy, her chest rising and falling.

She didn't say a single word to Ben. She turned around and kept walking.

Ben stared at her back until she turned around again and looked at him.

"What are you doing just standing there? Come on!"

Ben grinned, thrilled, and quickly caught up to her.

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