The courtyard was silent, save for the soft rustle of the wind. My chest heaved, the adrenaline of the Trial still coursing through my veins. As I looked around, I saw the faces of my fellow cadets—some wide-eyed with disbelief, others murmuring amongst themselves. Sage, who always seemed to have a snide remark ready, was uncharacteristically quiet, her lips parted in shock.
Dane stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on me. His expression was neutral, but the slight quirk of his lips betrayed a smirk. It wasn't one of mockery, but something else—intrigue, maybe.
"Congratulations," he said simply, his tone clipped and professional. "Word of this will reach your father." Then, without waiting for a response, he turned to Jessica, who had been watching the entire scene with wide, worried eyes. "Jessica, come with me."
Jessica hesitated, her gaze flickering to me, but Dane didn't wait. He started walking ,his pace deliberate. Before he disappeared through the doors, he glanced back at me and, just for a moment, that smirk returned. "Interesting," he murmured, barely loud enough for me to catch.
The moment he and Jessica were gone, the tension in the courtyard broke. Instructors dismissed the remaining cadets, and the murmurs grew louder as people began to scatter. I caught snippets of their conversations as they passed by.
"She actually passed?"
"Did you see the dragon's eyes? It didn't even look mad, just… curious."
"No way she's lasting through the next round."
I ignored them. Let them talk. Let them wonder. For now, I just needed to get away, to be alone. My limbs felt heavy as I trudged back to the dorms, each step dragging as the weight of what I'd just endured finally began to settle over me.
---
When I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and let out a long, shaky breath. The space was small but familiar, with a single bed tucked against the wall and a small desk littered with notes and sketches I'd been too distracted to organize. The faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air, grounding me slightly.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands. They were still trembling, though whether from fear or exhaustion, I couldn't tell. The dragon's voice echoed in my mind, deep and resonant. You have passed. But remember this, little one: strength of mind is only the first step.
I clenched my fists, trying to push the memory aside. I had passed. That was all that mattered, wasn't it? Yet, the dragon's gaze, its words, lingered like an itch I couldn't scratch. Strength of mind is only the first step. What did that mean? Was this only the beginning of something worse?
I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My body ached, and my mind felt like it was spinning in a thousand directions. Sleep, I told myself. Just close your eyes for a little while. I turned on my side, pulled the blanket over me, and let my eyes drift shut.
---
The voice came out of nowhere, cutting through the haze of exhaustion like a knife. "You really think that was impressive?"
My eyes flew open, but the room was empty. The faint glow of moonlight seeped through the window, casting long shadows on the walls. I sat up, heart pounding, scanning every corner. Nothing.
"Over here," the voice said again, light and mocking.
I whipped my head around, but still, no one was there. "Who's there?" I demanded, my voice unsteady.
"You don't recognize me?" The voice chuckled, low and almost playful. "I thought you'd remember after all we've been through."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I snapped, though my hands gripped the edge of the blanket tightly. "Show yourself."
"Now, where's the fun in that?" it teased. "Besides, I'm not exactly… physical."
My pulse quickened as realization dawned. "You're in my head," I said slowly.
"Ding, ding, ding. Took you long enough." The voice was smooth now, almost amused. "You should be honored. Not everyone gets their very own personal tormentor."
I clenched my teeth. "What do you want?"
"To talk," it said simply. "You've been so… interesting lately. That dragon might have let you walk away, but I'm not so convinced. Do you really think you're ready for this?"
"I passed the Trial," I said, my voice firmer than I felt. "That's all that matters."
"Oh, sure," the voice drawled. "You survived one little test. But you and I both know that's not the end of it. Do you really think you're strong enough to handle what's coming?"
"Shut up," I muttered, lying back down and pulling the blanket over my head. "You're just in my head. You're not real."
"Oh, I'm very real," the voice said, its tone darkening. "But don't worry. I'll let you rest. For now."
---
The air shifted, and suddenly, I wasn't in my dorm anymore. I was standing in the middle of a field, the grass tall and golden, swaying gently in the wind. It was peaceful, almost serene. But something about it felt wrong.
"Jasmine?"
The voice was soft, innocent. I turned sharply, and my breath caught in my throat. Standing a few feet away was Jennette, my younger sister. Her auburn hair gleamed in the sunlight, and her hazel eyes sparkled with warmth. She was smiling at me, the way she always used to before everything went wrong.
"Jennette?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "No. This isn't real. You're not—"
"I'm here," she said, stepping closer. Her small hand reached out to touch mine, and it felt so real, so warm. "I've been here all along."
Tears pricked at my eyes as I stared at her. "No. You… you died. I saw it. You're not real."
Her smile faltered, and her eyes filled with sadness. "You're still scared, aren't you?" she said softly. "Scared of letting anyone in. Scared of failing. Scared of being hurt again."
I shook my head, stepping back. "Stop it. You're not real. You're just—just another trick."
"Jasmine," she said, her voice firm now. "I'm here to protect you. No one will ever bully you again. I won't let them."
Her words sent a chill down my spine. I opened my mouth to speak, but the image of her began to shift, her face twisting, her smile turning sharp and cruel. The field darkened, the grass wilting beneath my feet.
"No!" I shouted, clutching my head as the vision faded. My eyes flew open, and I was back in my dorm, drenched in sweat, my heart racing. I sat up, gasping for air, my hands trembling.
The voice was gone, but its laughter lingered in my mind. I buried my face in my hands, trying to steady my breathing. Whatever was happening to me, it wasn't over. And somehow, I knew it was only going to get worse.