LYRRISE POV;
The air between us crackled like a storm waiting to break. Liora rose from the ground, each movement eerily graceful despite the cracks spreading across her porcelain skin.
We clashed again—my fists, my cracked katana, her unnervingly delicate hands that struck like steel. The cobblestones beneath us chipped and splintered with every blow.
She sidestepped one of my swings, her smirk deepening. "Your eyes…"
A punch to her ribs only made her chuckle.
"…are beautiful. Just like his."
I froze for a split second. "His…?"
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a taunting whisper even as our blades and fists met again. "Like Aralin."
The name hit me like ice water, my mind flashing back to that crimson-cloaked figure in my dream, his masked face, the way he said my name. My grip faltered just enough for Liora to swipe at me, forcing me back a step.
Behind us, Rael stood perfectly still, arms folded. His mask tilted slightly as he watched. He wasn't even preparing to fight.
"Why aren't you helping?!" I shouted over the clash.
"Because I know I wouldn't land a single hit on her," he said simply. "And you… you might."
The fight had dragged me past my limits—my arms ached, my breaths came ragged, and every step felt heavier than the last. Liora's speed never faltered, her smirk never faded.
Then her blade was at my chest, the edge catching the Blood Moon's light. I barely had time to raise my arm before it came down.
Steel met flesh.
I bit back a scream as I used my bare hand to block it, my palm burning as warm blood spilled down my fingers. The pain only sharpened my focus—my red eyes blazed brighter, my vision narrowing on her face.
"Oh?" Liora tilted her head, mockery dripping from every syllable. "That glare… such anger. Such potential."
With a flick of her wrist, shimmering threads of silver shot from her fingers—strings that wrapped around my wrists in a cruel, tightening grip. They dug into my skin like wire, pulling me forward and down until my knees hit the cold stone.
"You've fought well," she murmured, crouching in front of me, her voice almost playful. "But it's over."
I yanked against the bindings, but the strings only cut deeper.
From the corner of my vision, I caught Rael—still standing there, but no longer calm. His mask tilted down slightly, and I realized his hands were clenched into fists. His body was tense, almost… rattled.
He wasn't smirking anymore. He was shocked.
The silver threads jerked, and my body followed without permission. My arms rose against my will, my knees scraped along the cobblestone, and my head tilted just as she willed it.
Liora was smiling wider now, her eyes glinting like black glass.
"See? Even the strongest can be reduced to a doll."
Every pull of the strings made my wounds ache, my blood leaving dark stains on the street. I gritted my teeth, trying to fight back control, but her magic wrapped around me tighter—unyielding.
She leaned close, her cold breath brushing my ear.
"Any last words, pretty eyes?"
I stared back at her, refusing to answer.
Her blade rose for the finishing strike—
"Liora."
Rael's voice cut through the air like a blade of its own.
She paused, looking over her shoulder at him.
"If he knew," Rael said slowly, each word heavy, "what you're doing to Lyrrise right now… you'd already be dead."
For the first time tonight, Liora's smile faltered.
Liora's grip on the strings loosened, just enough for her to lean back and smirk again.
"You know," she said lightly, "for someone with no real family, you sure fight like you're protecting something… oh wait—" Her tone dipped into venom. "That's right. Your parents aren't here to see you fall."
My jaw clenched, but she wasn't finished.
She turned her head toward Rael. "And don't think I care if Aralin finds out. Let him."
The mention of his name sent a strange, electric ache through my chest, but the heat inside me was already rising. My vision bled into crimson.
Rael took a step forward, his voice dark. "Liora, you don't understand. Lyrrise has the same power as Aralin… if she snaps, you wouldn't stand a chance. I remember those eyes."
Liora only laughed—a cruel, ringing sound—and without warning, she drove her boot into my stomach, sending me back against the wall.
"Then maybe I'll make her snap," she said, her tone almost delighted. "After I'm done with her, I'll go after that friend she's so fond of… and then everyone inside the wall."
That was it.
The red in my vision ignited into a blazing, bloody glow. My body moved on its own—muscles straining, magic crackling under my skin—and the silver threads binding me shattered into useless scraps.
Liora's eyes widened. "Impossible—"
My fist slammed into her midsection with the force of a hammer, launching her into the air. The night sky swallowed her silhouette, the Blood Moon framing her like a target.
But I didn't stop.
I leapt after her, my boot connecting squarely with her ribs. The crack of her body reverberated through the air, and fractures spiderwebbed across her porcelain skin.
Her smirk was gone now.
The sting of my wounds faded. I glanced down at my arms, the torn skin sealing before my eyes, the pain vanishing as if it had never been there.
The Blood Moon loomed above, glowing brighter, and I swore its light was seeping into me, filling me with an unshakable strength.
Liora staggered to her feet, her cracks mending just enough to move. Her lips twisted in stubborn defiance. "Don't think this is over."
She lashed out, threads snapping toward me like living serpents.
I didn't move back.
Instead, I dragged my palm along my side, letting the warm rush of my own blood coat my fingers. I gripped the air—pulling, shaping—and from that red stream, a blade began to form.
A katana, deep crimson, pulsing faintly with life. My life.
Rael's eyes went wide. "That's… not just Aralin's technique."
I moved, my blood-forged blade cleaving through every thread Liora sent.
"This isn't possible," Liora gasped, her movements slowing, the color draining from her face. The fight was leeching the last of her strength.
Rael's gaze sharpened as he finally understood. "No… you're not just Blood Manipulation."
I glanced at him briefly, breath steady despite the battle.
"You're also an Eclipsed with Energy Deflection," he said, almost in awe. "You can return what's given… turn their own force against them."
Liora's knees buckled.
Rael smirked. "Two powers in one… It's the first time I've seen it. Now I know why Aralin's after you, Lyrrise."
I stepped toward Liora, the crimson katana raised. Her eyes widened—she thought it was over.
But just before the blade could fall, I let it dissolve, the weapon melting back into my veins.
Kneeling in front of her, I met her gaze.
"You don't have to be stronger so people will like you," I said softly. "Be yourself. Love yourself. Because no one will help you but you."
Rael's brows shot up. "You're… letting her go?"
"Yes," I replied without looking at him.
He groaned. "Unbelievable. You had the chance, and you—"
I grabbed a nearby rock and chucked it at his head. "Says the one who just stood there like a coward!"
Rael rubbed the spot with a scowl. "Rude."
The Blood Moon's glow faded into the horizon, replaced by the warm gold of sunrise spilling over the walls. The sky shifted from crimson to pale orange, the shadows retreating.
Liora, still cracked and breathing heavily, gave me a small smile—not the mocking grin from before, but something softer.
"I'd be glad… if I could stay by your side," she said.
Before I could respond, Rael practically exploded. "Absolutely not!"
Both of us turned to look at him, startled.
"She already has me," he declared, jabbing a finger at his own chest. "I'm not sharing a room, a mission, or a single minute with you."
Liora raised an eyebrow. "And who exactly asked you?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rael shot back with exaggerated sarcasm. "Did I need to wait for a formal invitation to protect my own space?"
They squared off, glaring, the tension between them somehow more ridiculous than dangerous now.
I finally sighed, stepping between them.
"Rael's already my cat," I said dryly.
Liora tilted her head, then smirked. "Fine. I can shapeshift into a dog instead."
That set Rael off instantly. "Oh, no you don't!"
Within seconds, they were back at it again, voices overlapping, insults flying. I just shook my head, a small chuckle escaping my lips.
"Great," I muttered. "Now they're literally just like a cat and dog."
I was too tired to argue anymore, so when Rael and Liora both decided to shapeshift—Rael into a sleek black cat and Liora into an elegant, snow-white dog—I didn't even react.
Liora padded forward with a dignified grace, her fur practically glistening in the early sunlight. Rael, on the other hand, looked furious in his feline form. His tail lashed back and forth as he shot her a death glare.
"This is humiliating," he muttered in my head, then promptly clung to my shoulder like a spoiled kitten.
By the time we reached the academy gates, my legs felt like they were made of stone. The adrenaline that had kept me moving was gone, and every muscle screamed in protest. My vision swam.
Just as my knees gave out, a steady arm caught me.
"Lyrrise," Cyril's voice was low, almost sharp, as he steadied me against him.
Rael instantly leapt down from my shoulder, avoiding Cyril's gaze.
Cyril's eyes dropped to my forehead, where a thin trail of blood had dried. His expression darkened as he mumbled, almost to himself,
"You shouldn't keep pushing yourself this much…"
I let out a small, shaky breath.
At least he didn't suspect anything else.
For now, that was enough.
Cyril didn't let me walk the rest of the way.
Before I could protest, he simply lifted me into his arms like I weighed nothing. My face burned, but I was too exhausted to fight him on it.
Some of the students and trainees in the courtyard stopped what they were doing to stare. A few whispered. Others just gawked like they'd never seen anyone carried before.
And then Jace appeared, striding over with that easy grin of his.
"Hey, I can take her. I'll make sure she gets to her dorm safely—"
"No need," Cyril cut him off smoothly, adjusting his grip on me without even slowing his pace. "She's my roommate. I'll handle it."
I definitely heard it.
And judging by the stunned expressions around us, so did everyone else.
Jace blinked. "Roommate…?" His gaze flicked between us, the grin fading into something more curious.
Even in my tired state, I caught the whispers rippling through the group like wildfire.
I just buried my face against Cyril's shoulder, partly to hide the heat rising to my cheeks… and partly because I didn't want to see exactly what everyone was thinking.
———
By the time we reached the dorm, the adrenaline was gone, and every ache in my body decided to announce itself at once. I groaned, sinking into the couch.
"Foot first," Cyril said, kneeling in front of me with the first-aid kit. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he cleaned the wound on my foot.
I winced. "Ow—easy!"
He glanced up at me with the faintest smirk. "You act like you've been stabbed before and yet can't handle a little cleaning."
"Big difference," I muttered, earning a low chuckle from him.
The rest of the day passed in a strange kind of quiet. No training. No missions. Just me lying on the couch with my blanket pulled over me. Cyril took it upon himself to play caretaker, disappearing for a while and returning with a tray stacked with my favorite foods and drinks.
"Eat. And don't argue," he said, setting it down beside me before heading to his desk to sort through some papers.
I waited until the door closed behind him when he left again for something—then I slipped a few portions off the tray.
"You two better appreciate this," I whispered, sliding the food to Rael and Lior, who were curled up in their cat and dog forms. Rael snatched a bite immediately; Lior wagged her tail once in approval.
Rael looked up at me, crumbs still on his whiskers. "You're spoiling us."
I sighed. "More like babysitting."
Rael was halfway through stealing Lior's portion when the door clicked.
"Hide!" I hissed.
In an instant, Lior shifted into her dog form and flopped onto the carpet, looking far too innocent. Rael transformed into a black cat and leapt back onto my lap, curling up like he'd been there the whole time. The leftover food plate was… not so lucky—it sat half-empty right on the table.
Cyril walked in carrying a stack of fresh bandages. His eyes flicked to me, then to the tray.
"You ate fast," he said, raising a brow.
"Uh… yeah. I was hungry," I replied, forcing the most casual tone possible. My heart was beating like I'd just fought a Riftborn.
Cyril stepped closer, his gaze scanning over me. Rael let out a perfectly timed purr, pressing his head against my stomach.
"…Since when do you like cats?" Cyril asked.
I shrugged. "Since now?"
He gave me one of those suspicious half-smiles, but didn't press. "Alright. Just don't let it scratch you—" His eyes drifted to the dog lying near the bed. "And when did you get a dog?"
Lior wagged her tail slowly, looking at him like she was the most harmless creature alive.
"Oh, uh… she's visiting." I blurted out the first excuse I could think of.
Cyril sighed, shook his head, and set the bandages down. "You're impossible, Lyrrise."
When he turned his back, Rael shot me a smug look, and I mouthed, You two owe me.
Cyril was about to leave, but then he paused by my bedside. His gaze softened, almost hesitating, before he reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
For a brief moment, we just… stared at each other. The air felt heavier somehow, like the room had shrunk down to only the two of us. My pulse skipped, and I could tell from the faint shift in his expression that he felt it too.
We both looked away at the same time, almost too quickly.
"Sorry," Cyril said quietly. "I shouldn't have touched you without asking."
I shook my head. "It's okay." My voice came out softer than I expected.
There was a small pause—just long enough for Rael to snicker from his cat form at the corner of the bed, which made me want to throw a pillow at him. But Cyril didn't notice.
With a short nod, Cyril straightened up. "Rest. I'll be back later to check on you."
The door clicked shut behind him, and I was left sitting there, feeling… strangely warm despite the cool air.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, but my mind wasn't anywhere in the room. No matter how I tried to push it away, my thoughts kept circling back to Cyril—his calm voice, the way his hand brushed my hair aside, and those brief seconds of eye contact we'd shared earlier.
"You're starting to fall in love," Rael's voice suddenly cut through the silence.
I jerked my head toward the little black cat curled at the foot of my bed. "I am not."
Rael stretched lazily, tail flicking. "You are. I can hear it in the way your heart beats when you think about him."
Before I could even argue again, Lior—lounging in her dog form by the door—chimed in with a smug grin, "He has feelings for you too. I can smell it."
I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. "You two are delusional."
But Rael just let out a low chuckle, the sound vibrating through the room, before shifting into his original humanoid form. His mask dissolved into nothing, revealing those sharp features that, annoyingly, were far too handsome for his own good.
Without asking, he flopped down beside me and wrapped an arm loosely around my shoulders. "Move over. I'm sleeping here tonight."
I let out a long sigh, but I didn't push him away. "Fine… just don't crush me."
Rael chuckled again, his breathing steadying quickly as he drifted into sleep. Lior, still in dog form, tilted her head and gave a soft laugh.
"That's… actually kind of cute," she murmured.
I didn't answer. My eyes slipped shut, and before I knew it, I was asleep too—still caught in Rael's warmth, with the faint echo of Cyril's gaze lingering in the back of my mind.
————
The first thing I felt when I woke up wasn't the sunlight—it was the tension in the air. My eyes blinked open to see Cyril… holding Rael by the collar, his expression dark enough to freeze fire.
Rael was dangling slightly off the floor, squirming. "Hey—! Easy! I didn't do anything wrong!"
Cyril's glare was sharp enough to cut steel. "There was a pervert hugging you in his sleep."
"It wasn't like that!" Rael protested, trying to wriggle free. "I was just—uh—being warm. You know, friendly."
Before Cyril could choke him, I pushed myself up on my elbows. "I let him sleep beside me."
Cyril's gaze snapped to me, his jaw tightening. Slowly—almost reluctantly—he released Rael, but his eyes didn't soften in the slightest.
Rael immediately scurried back to my side, placing his hands on my shoulders protectively.
Bad move.
Cyril's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't. Touch. Her. Or I'll break your arm."
Rael raised his hands in surrender, muttering something under his breath about "possessive humans."
I let out a small sigh of relief. At least Cyril didn't know the truth—that Rael wasn't just a cat, or just a boy… but an Eclipsed Riftborn.
For now, that secret was still safe.