The first rays of dawn filtered through the trees, casting gentle light across the glade where they had camped for the night. The fire had long since died down, leaving only a faint warmth and the lingering scent of smoke in the air. Seventeen stirred, blinking away sleep, and stretched her arms overhead, feeling the weight of the night's revelations press against her.
She had managed to enjoy the previous evening—briefly losing herself in laughter and stories—but as the sun began to rise, the reality of her mission loomed back into focus. With each passing moment, the urgency in Noah's letter echoed louder in her mind.
She glanced over at the group still sprawled on the ground, a picturesque sight of camaraderie and trust. Draco was sprawled on his back, a contented expression on his face as he basked in the sun's early warmth. Light and Claus were engaged in a low, animated conversation, their voices barely above a whisper, while Amelia and Sablina shared a quiet moment by the pond, tossing pebbles into the water and watching the ripples spread.
The sight warmed her heart, but the unease in her stomach tightened. This peaceful interlude was a facade, a mask hiding the chaos that awaited them. Seventeen felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on her. They were trusting her to lead them to safety, and she had no intention of failing them.
"Morning, blondie," Hunter dropped by her side, away from the others, shirtless, his light brown hair looking lighter under the sun light.
"Morning," she couldn't help smiling at his presence, the lingering similarity between him and Ten taking a tool on her. "How was your night?"
"It was good. Better than in the past," he tilted his head to the side, "17 years."
"You turned 23 yesterday," she mused, they had sang him a birthday song and congratulated him over it. "How do you feel?"
A mischievous grin curled his lips, "Like I'm ready for another 23 years. Thank you," he bumped his shoulder onto hers softly, "for bringing us here, bringing me. Even if you intended it for all of us, it was the best birthday present I had in ages."
Guilt threatened to take over her heart, but she swallowed, smiling and bumping her shoulder back on his instead, "You've always wanted to venture outside, right?"
A nod, "It's always been my dream. Before I understood of my duties as an heir, what I most wanted was to,"
"Be a pirate," she finished his sentence, the words leaving her lips automatically.
His eyes darkened for a second, "Did I tell you that?"
"Yes," it was both true and a lie. "You were kind of drunk," she mixed the truth with lies to make it more believable. "You told me you wanted to own a ship that could both sail in the seas and the ocean, as well as in the skies, the two elements you manipulate. That you used to sketch drawings of how your dream boat would look like." ["He had always been talented with the pen."] "And that a part of you wished you had been able to stay with your Capricorn parents, so you could be a ship architect," a sad smile danced on her lips.
He stayed silent for long enough that she turned her gaze to him, finding his narrowed eyes on her, a grin on his lips, "Seems like I trusted you with more than I ever did Amelia or Sablina, or any of the others. All drunk."
["Did I cross a line?"] She maintained her calm, smiling, "That means a lot if it's true."
"It is. I only trusted one person with this before," he licked his lips, analyzing her, actually analyzing her in a way Draco used to do.
["Shit."] "Yeah? Who?"
"Someone who passed a long time ago and left a scar in our lives, we've never been the same ever since her mysterious death to a sickness," he said it all while staring at her, waiting for any sign, anything that could mean something else.
But she gave him nothing, "I'm sorry for your loss. I can relate to that."
After a long moment, he asked, "When is your birthday, Serena?"
"August 2nd," a Cancer date.
"Not July 20th?" He whispered, eyes darkened.
Her heart stopped for a second and she struggled to keep her cool, "July 20th is a Gemini date, I'm from August 2nd."
"Are you?" His lips curled in a knowing grin. "From what district were your parents?"
["Oh, not this, not now. Not from him."] "I don't know, I was abandoned in a orphanage of Loveliar as a newborn. I mentioned that when we won the tournament, remember?" She kept her cool.
"Hm," he came closer, pushing her hair behind her ear, "are you a natural blonde, Blondie?"
"Yes," she chuckled. "You're being weird."
"It's my charm," he winked.
"You're not my type."
"Of course, not. Draco is, no?" He purred. "Claus is slow to catch on, but I've seen the way the two of you devour each other with your eyes. Especially when the other isn't looking. Draco can be quite menacing, he tends to glare a lot at anyone who looks at you for too long."
Heat painted her cheeks, "He does not."
"So you do devour him with your eyes uh?"
Seventeen gasped, "I do not."
"Mmhm," he hummed amused. "Do you even believe that?"
"Hunter," she huffed, the heat spreading further all over her face and down her neck.
"You like the younger ones, uh?" He provoked.
"Stop," she pushed him softly. "Stop it."
"You soooooo got a crush on him."
"I do not," she insisted, lying to them both.
"And Amelia isn't in a love triangle with me and Sablina," he scoffed. "It's messy. You know Claus still likes you, huh?"
["I would rather forget that."] "Stop it."
He raised his hands, grin widening, "Seems like we're both caught in the crossroads of love, Blondie."
"I'm not in a love triangle," she hissed. "I haven't even kissed."
His eyes widened, "Draco didn't kiss you yet?"
Her skin turned strawberry red, "He's not going to kiss me. It's not like that."
"You've never kissed in your life either? Never? Not even a little touch of lips?"
"If you tell that to anyone, I'll castrate you. And believe me, I'm a doctor skilled enough to do that without much equipment," she groaned and he finally stopped messing with her, freezing in his spot with the threat, seeing in her eyes that she wasn't joking.
His hands covering his crotch, "Please, don't."
"Then stop."
"Okay, blondie. Seems like you have a temper after all," winking, he stood up and left with a shit-eating grin adorning his lips.
["Fuck, that was the closest call so far,"] she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, relief washing over her body and soul.
As the sun climbed higher, the group began to stir, groggy but eager for a new day. Seventeen pulled herself together and joined them, forcing a smile as they gathered around the remains of the fire for breakfast.
"Morning, everyone!" she called, her tone bright despite the tension coiling in her chest. "I hope you're all ready for some adventure today. We've got a lot to cover before we head back."
Light beamed at her, her fiery eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Adventure? What do you have planned?"
Seventeen took a moment to gauge their reactions. They were still in high spirits, blissfully unaware of the weight pressing down on her, even less of what she had planned. "I thought we could explore some of the trails leading out of here," she suggested. "There are some hidden spots I've found that are worth seeing."
Amelia grinned, the excitement infectious. "I'm in! I want to see everything."
Sablina nodded, her expression warm and encouraging. "This sounds like a great way to spend the day. Just the seven of us."
Draco pushed himself up, brushing the grass off his shirt. "As long as we're not just walking in circles and nobody finds us out here, I'm game," he teased, though the lightness in his voice belied a deeper connection. The trust they were forming felt palpable, like an invisible thread binding them together.
As they finished their meal and prepared to head out, Seventeen felt a flicker of confidence. Perhaps this day would serve not just as a distraction but also as an opportunity to strengthen their resolve. They would need it more than ever when they confronted whatever awaited them.
As they hiked through the winding paths, Seventeen led the way, effortlessly navigating through the thick underbrush. She had grown accustomed to the silence of the woods, and today, the chirping birds and rustling leaves felt like a balm against her fraying nerves.
But her thoughts kept circling back to Noah's letter. Time was not on their side. What had happened that required her immediate attention? The question lingered, but she knew she couldn't let it consume her, not while she had the six by her side or they would notice. Draco would.
Draco fell into step beside her, the familiar energy between them crackling with an intensity that made her heart race. "You seem different today," he remarked, his voice low. "More… focused?"
Seventeen turned to him, forcing her expression to remain neutral. "I just want to make the most of our time together," she replied, hoping the vague answer would suffice. "We have a lot to prepare for, and it's better to enjoy this while we can."
His brow furrowed slightly, concern flickering in his gaze. "You know you can talk to me if something's bothering you, right?"
The sincerity in his tone made her heart ache. She wished she could confide in him, share the burden she carried, but the fear of how he would react stopped her. What if he couldn't see past the surface of her carefully constructed facade?
"Really, I'm fine," she insisted, forcing a lighthearted tone. "Let's focus on having fun today. We can talk later."
He hesitated for a moment, searching her face as if he could see through the layers she had built. But then, he nodded, and the moment passed. They continued along the trail, the sound of their friends' laughter echoing behind them.
After wandering for a while, they arrived at a clearing that overlooked a vast expanse of the land, stretching out toward the horizon. The view was breathtaking, the sun casting a golden hue across the valley below, and Seventeen felt a swell of pride. This place was one of her secret spots—a sanctuary away from the weight of their responsibilities.
As they settled on the grass, she could see the joy radiating from her friends. Light and Claus immediately began exploring the area, searching for interesting plants and wildlife. Amelia and Hunter and Sablina found a spot to sit and discuss their favorite things, their voices mingling with the gentle breeze.
Draco, however, lingered nearby, watching her with a curious expression. Seventeen's heart raced under his gaze, and she turned away, pretending to admire the view.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she said, trying to redirect the conversation.
"It is," he replied, his voice close. "But I think it's more beautiful when you're around."
Her breath caught at his words, and for a moment, the world fell away. The bond they shared felt stronger, yet the reality of her mission lingered like a shadow over them. She wanted to embrace the connection between them, to let down her walls, to let what Corvos stopped finally happen, but fear held her back.
"Draco…" she began, but he cut her off.
"Let's not think about all that right now. We're here to relax, remember?" He flashed a smile that made her stomach flutter.
Seventeen nodded, her heart thudding. If only she could let herself be carefree, even just for a moment. But the deeper she fell into their dynamic, the harder it would be when the truth inevitably came out.
The group spent the afternoon exploring the area, each moment punctuated by laughter and the thrill of adventure. Yet beneath the surface, the sense of urgency grew stronger, a quiet storm gathering momentum.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground, Seventeen felt a weight in her chest. She would need to talk to them soon, but the time wasn't right. She had to be strategic, to ensure they were fully prepared for whatever lay ahead.
They made their way to another glade further away from Downtown Zodiac, and as darkness descended, Light lit a small fire to keep them warm with her magic. Sitting around the flames, they shared more stories and dreams, creating a temporary haven amidst the chaos of their lives.
Yet, in the depths of her heart, the unease lingered. She could feel the ground shifting beneath her, and the sense of urgency had become a constant hum in the background.
As she gazed at her friends, she realized how much she cared for them, how deeply she wanted to protect them from the storm brewing on the horizon. But how could she keep them safe when she was still fighting her own battles? How could she allow herself to be open, when all they knew of her was a facade?
Tonight would be a respite, a moment of laughter and joy before the inevitable reality returned to claim them. And with each passing moment, the stakes only grew higher. Seventeen took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come, ready to face the challenges ahead of their arrival in Serpentpire—whatever they might be.