Lira stepped into the clinic, the air cool and sterile, her heart heavy with the chronothite shard in her pocket.
Nina was bandaging Victor's wrist, her hands deft. "Your wrist is all good now," Nina said, smiling warmly at him.
She glanced up, spotting Lira at the entrance. "Lira, is that you?"
"Yes, that's me. Good afternoon, Nina," Lira greeted, forcing a smile.
Nina nodded back, her eyes kind but sharp. "Good afternoon."
"Looks like I made it in time," Lira said to Victor, her voice light despite the dread coiling inside her.
Victor twisted his wrist, testing it. "It's all good now."
They shared a small smile, a fleeting moment of warmth.
"What brings you here, Lira?" Nina asked, wiping her hands.
Lira glanced at Victor, hesitating. "You want me to leave—that's fine," Victor said, starting to stand.
"No, you can stay," Lira said quickly, her voice soft but firm.
She turned to Nina, her words careful. "My friends are working on something. It concerns Morgan's death.They said he left a note behind, and they're trying to unravel the message because it's blank."
Nina cut in, her tone sharp. "They'll need a chronothite solution."
"They know that already," Lira said, her voice trembling slightly.
"They worked so hard to get chronothite. I told them you could help prepare the solution. I thought I should help them—who knows if I'll ever get to help them again." Her voice cracked, the weight of being Darel's bait for the ritualist pressing down.
"Lira," Victor said, alarmed. "You're going to be okay."
"You were right to come to me," Nina said, her voice steady. "I'll help your friends prepare the solution."
"Thanks, Nina," Lira said, relief mixing with fear.
"Did you tell your friends about what's going on with you?" Nina asked, her eyes searching.
Lira's mood shifted, her silver eyes dimming.
"No, I don't want to worry anyone."
"Do you think you're doing the right thing?" Nina pressed.
"No," Lira admitted, her voice barely audible.
"But what difference would it make? If I make it out, I'll tell them, but if I don't…"
Victor stepped forward, gently covering Lira's mouth, shaking his head.
"No" he said.
" You'll be okay, Lira. Look on the bright side—Darel said he'll protect you. I believe he will."
Lira gently removed his hand, her voice soft but heavy. "I'm just preparing for the worst, Victor."
"Just call off the whole thing and don't go," Victor urged, his eyes pleading.
"There's no option, Victor," Lira said, her voice firm despite the tremor.
"He's after me, he won't kill Darel.
If Darel sees him, learns a thing or two about him, whether I come back or not, we could be prepared next time.
Maybe when he comes for you, Darel can protect you."
"You don't deserve to die, Lira," Victor said, his voice breaking. "You don't deserve to."
He turned, walking out of the clinic, his shoulders slumped.
"This is exactly why I don't want to tell my friends," Lira said, tears welling up.
"I understand, Lira," Nina said, her voice gentle.
"Whatever you do, I want it to be your decision. Life's better without regrets."
"Could you explain it to Victor, then?" Lira cried, tears spilling.
"Nina, I don't want to die." Her voice broke, and Nina pulled her into a hug, letting her sob on her shoulder.
"I understand what you're doing, Lira, and I love you for it," Nina said, her voice warm.
"Not many would do this. You're brave, and I believe nothing will happen to you."
Lira sniffled, clinging to her. "Come on, wipe your tears," Nina said, handing her a tissue.
Asher stood before Headmaster Talus's office, the dinner letter a heavy weight in his pocket.
His scars itched, memories of Talus's cryptic dismissal—Never heard of Xavier—clashing with Blake's demands.
He knocked, and the door creaked open by itself, revealing Talus in his rocking chair, the fire casting long shadows.
"What can I help you with, Asher Rook?"
Talus said, his voice smooth but edged.
"Good afternoon," Asher greeted, steadying himself.
"I'm here concerning the invitation you gave me. One of my friends won't be able to make it."
He coughed, nervous. "Lira, the girl—she's sick. I understand we need to be complete at the event, so I was hoping I could—"
Talus cut him off, leaning forward, his eyes glinting. "The invitation was meant for the star of the training, and that was you.
Whoever you choose to bring is your choice. Your teammates performed well, so I added them, but if they can't make it, bring who you want."
Asher's jaw tightened, loyalty flaring. "My friends worked hard too. They deserve the spotlight as much as I do."
Talus's gaze darkened. "There's no such thing as friends in Ouroboros. Holding on to them could lead to your end."
"I don't want to believe that," Asher argued, his voice firm.
A brief silence hung, Talus's stare piercing, as if weighing Asher's defiance. Then he smirked.
"I'm still searching for your brother's report. Once I find it, I'll let you know."
"Okay, then," Asher said, turning to leave, unease crawling up his spine.
Talus's malicious smirk lingered as the door closed.
Asher descended the hall staircase, Talus's words echoing—No such thing as friends.
Blake stood at the bottom, his eyes cold, fixed on the ground.
"What did he say?" He asked, his voice soft but icy.
Asher froze, disturbed. "Are you following me?"
"Can't you answer a damn question right?" Blake said, his tone chillingly calm.
"He agreed," Asher said, his voice tight.
A smile erupted on Blake's face, sharp and predatory. "Good."He said.
He turned to leave but Asher stopped him with his words:
"I know you're planning something," Asher said, his voice steady.
"I want you to know that i'm not going to let you have your way."
Blake stopped, his smile menacing. "I wish you luck, then." He walked off, his steps deliberate, leaving Asher's heart pounding.
Elara sat in the quadrangle, engrossed in a book, her red boots tucked under the bench.
Darel watched her from a high window in the academy building.
Gaius's Year 4 jab echoed: Morgan was slicker, and look where it got him. Lira's role as bait and Elara's clocktower vanishings gnawed at him.
She's tied to this, he thought, eyes narrowing.
Alice walked in, catching him staring. "What are you doing?".
She peered out the window, spotting Elara. "Are you spying on her?"
"It's not what you think," Darel said, adjusting himself, his voice hesitant.
"I get what's going on here," Alice said, smirking.
"I promise it's not what you think," Darel said, flustered.
"You have a thing for Elara," Alice concluded, her tone teasing.
"No, what? Yes, please don't tell her," Darel stammered. "I want to do it myself."
"I don't see it ever happening," Alice said,
her voice firm. "She's a good girl, Darel."
"What are you trying to impose?" Darel asked, defensive.
"Anyways, I didn't come to sort out your love life," Alice said, shifting gears.
"It's about the Alignment. You're giving the welcome address at the Exclusive Dinner."
"What address? Which party?" Darel asked, panic rising as he realized his conflict with Lira's plan.
"The one where all twelve of us have to be present," Alice said, exasperated. "This ain't time for jokes."
"Oh no!" Darel said, the weight of his mistake sinking in.
"What happened? Did you forget?" Alice asked.
"I did," Darel admitted, his voice low. "Can I leave after the address?"
"I don't know, Darel," Alice said. "It depends on how it goes tomorrow. I can give the speech to someone else—that's the best I can do."
"Shit," Darel cursed, an idea forming.
"That's it. I won't attend."
"You know if you don't, you risk your badge as a prefect," Alice warned. "Even Yul is showing up. You can't miss."
"I've got plans, I can't attend" Darel insisted.
"What's so important that you'd risk your badge?" Alice asked, her eyes narrowing.
Darel hesitated, Lira's HE'S AWAKE vision flashing, the ritualist's threat looming.
"It's about saving someone," he said finally, his voice firm.
Alice's expression softened, but her tone stayed sharp. "You're playing a dangerous game, Darel. Be careful."