The Alignment had swept over Ouroboros Academy, turning it into a lively, eerie spectacle.
Lanterns glowed across courtyards, students in crisp uniforms swarmed game stalls, and faint scents of cotton candy and cider hung in the air.
The mood buzzed with excitement.
Morgan's chronothite-dipped photo, now a quarter-formed blur of a figure, tied the night's joy to dread.
In Asher's dorm, steam lingered from the shower.
Asher combed his hair at a half-broken mirror, checking his uniform.
Rowan did push-ups on the floor, shirtless, grunting through counts.
Blake walked out, towel around his waist, smirking. "Loser," he said to Rowan.
Rowan ignored him, keeping his pace, eyes fixed on the floor.
Rowan said, standing, grabbing his uniform. "Let's find Theo. No point sticking around with this guy."
"I'm right behind you," Asher said, heading out. "Blake, don't choke on your ego."
Blake snorted. "You two are pathetic."
Theo stood in his dorm, packing a backpack with supplies for the clocktower: torchlight, ropes, a small knife, a crowbar, a notebook, and his camera.
He tested the camera—click, flash, good.
"All set," he said, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
"Hey Theo, can I borrow your hair shampoo?" his roommate asked.
"Sure," Theo said, tossing the bottle. "But remember to return it." He left, steps quick toward the festival lights.
Lira stood in her dorm, her hair freshly cut short, choppy and bold, framing her face in sharp, uneven layers that caught the light.
She dabbed on lipstick, staring at her mirror, a reminder of what is to come today. She adjusted her uniform, whispering, "I've got this."
Darel clipped his prefect's cloak, holding his badge.
A memory flashed: Morgan patting his chest, grinning.
"You did it," Morgan had said.
Darel pinned the badge, fearing he'd lose it tonight, and stepped out.
Nico met Theo by a tree outside the hostel, lanterns glowing above.
"Have you seen the others?" Nico asked.
"No one's stepped out yet," Theo said, adjusting his backpack.
Asher and Rowan walked up, uniforms neat.
"Tonight's the night, I guess," Asher said.
"Clocktower's waiting."
"Let's move," Rowan said. "I've got a performance to nail."
"Since when did you care?" Asher teased.
"I practiced so hard I can't miss it," Rowan said, mock-offended.
"I almost forgot," Theo said, handing Nico his backpack. "Supplies for the clocktower."
"What's this?" Nico asked, peeking inside.
"Torchlight, ropes, crowbar, notebook, camera," Theo said. "Could come in handy."
"Can we go now?" Rowan said, impatient.
"Sure, it's your big day, I guess," Asher mocked, grinning. "Lead the way."
Victor waited in the courtyard, his French perfume—cedarwood and citrus, warm like a summer forest—mixing with the festival air.
Lira walked in, her short, choppy hair catching the light. Victor stared, speechless.
"Hey," Lira greeted, smiling nervously.
Victor stammered. "Uh—hey—you cut your hair."
"Does it look bad?" Lira asked, biting her lip.
"No, it looks great on you," Victor said. "You look beautiful."
Lira blushed, swaying her hair. "Thank you."
She sniffed the air. "I love your perfume by the way—cedar and oranges, right? What's the name?"
"It's French," Victor said, shrugging. "I don't know the name. Want it?"
He pulled a bottle from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Thanks," Lira said, smelling it. "Now I can smell you wherever I go."
Victor laughed. "Hope you're not worried about tonight."
The clocktower bells rang, sharp and loud.
"God,I'm late," Lira said, panic rising. "My performance starts soon. Let's go!"
She grabbed his hand, running, her hair bouncing.
"Hurry!" she laughed, voice shaky.
Victor sprinted ahead, grabbing her hand. "You're too slow!" he teased, smiling big.
The hall was packed, students seated by year, chandeliers glowing. Reserved seats held alumni and legends.
Alice walked on stage, badge shining, voice clear.
"Good evening, Ouroboros Academy," Alice said.
"Welcome to the Alignment, where the old and new meet. This event keeps our alumni tied to our future, a celebration of how far we've come. It's proof you can make it here, you can rise. I'd love for us to welcome the legendary Lord Theron."
Lord Theron stood, his face stern, drawing wild cheers. He frowned, unmoved.
"The Alignment is our legacy," Alice continued. "It's a night to look back, to inspire, to unite. Let's make this one the greatest yet."
The crowd cheered as Alice stepped off. The first-years sang, their voices sharp and haunting, filling the hall.
Darel stood in a corner, badge heavy, when Yul approached, his dull eyes glinting. "You weren't at yesterday's meeting," Yul said, voice cold.
"You weren't at three meetings," Darel countered.
"What are you trying to prove?" Yul asked, stepping closer.
"What do you want with me?" Darel shot back, voice hard.
" So you're going to dodge every question," Yul said, smirking.
"Fine. I wanted to let you know that I've been watching and I saw something."
"What did you see?" Darel asked, eyes narrowing.
A heavy pause.
"I saw your end," Yul said, voice icy. "Clear as day."
"What's do you mean, my end?" Darel asked, heart pounding. "Spit it out!"
"You know I can't tell you," Yul said, leaning in. "But you didn't die. Not yet."
"Then why tell me?" Darel said, voice rising. "Give me a Hint at least,"
"It'd spoil the fun," Yul said, smirking wider. "This Alignment will truly be the most remembered, maybe for you,".
"What's better than hearing the announcement of someone's death?
One I'll be able to see, the other I wouldn't."
"Who dies?" Darel demanded, grabbing Yul's arm.
Yul yanked free. "I'm not here to help you, Darel. I'm here to enjoy the show."
"Answer the fucking question!" Darel shouted. "Who's dying?"
"Scream all you want," Yul said, turning away.
"You know very well I can't tell you, even if I could, you still can't change what's coming.
It's going to be a sad one Darel, and I'm here for it." Yul said, walking away from Darel.
Darel's eyes flicked to Lira on stage, her voice soaring. He remembers her last vision: Your death is inevitable.
Fear surged, doubts clawing deep.
The performance ended, students spilling outside to game stalls and lanterns.
The dinner was an hour away, alumni mingling. Lira walked out, heading to Victor.
"You were beautiful tonight," Victor said, his perfume lingering.
"Thank you," Lira said, smiling faintly.
"I could see you from where I was," Victor said. "You enjoyed it, didn't you?"
"I did," Lira said, her smile fading. "For a moment."
Victor grabbed her hand. "It's gonna be okay, Lira. I'm right here."
"You keep saying that," Lira said, voice soft. "I want to believe you."
"You can," Victor said. "You're stronger than anyone knows."
"You're too good to me," Lira said, eyes shining. "Best friend I've got."
"I learned from the best," Victor said, smiling. "I got something for you, I made it myself. Wanna see?"
Darel rushed up, face pale. "Lira, it's urgent."
"What's wrong?" Lira asked, heart racing.
"It's bad," Darel said, voice low. "We can't talk here. We need to go somewhere else."
"Darel, what's going on?" Lira asked, voice shaking. "Tell me now."
Victor stepped in. "What's happening, Darel? Tell me."
"Stay out of it," Darel said, pulling Lira. "This doesn't concern you."
"It does!" Victor said, voice rising. "She's my friend too."
"I'll find you later," Lira said to Victor. "I promise."
Victor watched them go, fists clenched. "Shit," he muttered, fear for Lira burning.
Asher, Nico, Rowan, and Theo stood by a game stall, cotton candy in the air.
"Save your compliments," Rowan said, grinning. "I know I blew your minds."
"You forgot half the lyrics," Asher said, laughing.
"How'd you know?" Rowan said. "Too many songs, man."
"Dinner's in an hour and a half," Theo said. "You and Nico can hit the clocktower then."
"Have anyone seen Lira?" Nico asked.
"No," Theo said.
"The last time I saw her, she was singing," Rowan said.
"She'll show up," Asher said. " The Clocktower is our main priority now. We need to find the rift, first."
"First?" Nico said, angry. "You could have been more nicer on your words, If it weren't for Lira, we wouldn't even know there's a rift in the clocktower by now,"
"Sorry," Asher said. "I didn't mean it like that."
"You always do," Nico said. "You act like it's all on you."
"I'm trying my best, okay?" Asher said. "It's a lot."
"That's why we are here," Nico said. "You've got us. Stop carrying it alone."
"I'm so sorry, man," Asher said. "I really needed that."
"So what do we do now?" Theo asked. "We've got time."
"I say we have the best night," Rowan said. "Games, drinks, everything."
"I'm in," Theo said. "This place is wild tonight."
If you guys are in, I'm in," Asher said. "What about you Nico?"
"I'd love for Lira to be here," Nico said. "But she's probably having her own fun. I'm in."
"Let's get this party started, then," Rowan said, whooping.
They dove into drinking games, Rowan barfing after too many. They crammed into a photo booth, snapping goofy shots. Theo won a stuffed snake, waving it. They ate cotton candy, laughing, the night alive with chaos.