Seventeen crouched low in the shadows, hidden among the gnarled roots of the ancient trees of Nightly Woods that surrounded the training grounds. The sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, but she was enveloped in darkness. It was a comfort, a shield from the world she couldn't bear to face.
For fourteen days, she had watched them: Draco, Joshua, Claus, Hunter, Amelia, and Sablina. She had slipped into the shadows, a silent observer, taking in every awkward stumble and proud moment as they trained. The way they bantered with one another, how they laughed despite the grim circumstances that had brought them to Serpentpire—it all felt so foreign. They were supposed to be a team, but every cheerful shout or shared joke reminded her just how isolated she had become.
["Why couldn't I just be like them?"]
Every time one of them caught a glimpse of a shadow flitting through the trees, she held her breath, wishing to blend further into the dark. They were learning to fight, to protect each other, but she wasn't ready to face them—not yet. The thought of their expectant gazes made her stomach churn. How could she explain the weight of her past, the burden of her choices?
As the sun began to set on the fifteenth day, she felt the familiar tug of longing pull at her heart. She could almost hear Noah's voice in her head, gentle yet firm, urging her to talk to him, to let him help. Maybe it was time to confront her feelings.
Seventeen slipped from the shadows and made her way to the hidden outskirts of Ebonhold, where her father often found solace among the ruins of what had once been a great gathering place centuries back. It was a place he would go to think and nobody but her would follow him there, with time it became their spot. As she approached, she felt a mixture of excitement and dread churning in her stomach.
Her father was there, standing with his back to her, his black hair was slightly wet, he had taken a bath little before he went there, gazing at the remnants of the stone pillars that had crumbled with time. She took a moment to gather herself, her heart pounding in her chest as she called out softly, "Father."
He turned, his expression shifting from surprise to warmth as he took her in. "Seven," he said, using the name he had given her. "I was wondering when you'd come back. You've been gone too long in your own mind, haven't you, kid?"
"I needed to think," she replied, stepping closer, her heart heavy with unsaid words.
Noah nodded, his emerald green eyes searching hers. His eyes had been why she had given her Seventeen persona that look, she wanted to look a bit more like him, less like a one-of-a-kind freak with rare features, it was the only thing she had in common with her six younger siblings, although theirs were natural emerald green. "It's okay to take time for yourself, but you can't avoid them forever, sweetheart."
"I know," she admitted, feeling the tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "But I'm scared, father. I don't want them to see me like this—like I'm still broken. I don't want them to know the truth."
He moved closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not broken, sweetheart. You're healing. It's a process, it takes time, and it's okay to let them in. You've been through so much at such a young age, you've barely turned 22."
Seventeen swallowed hard, the weight of her emotions threatening to spill over. "I just... I don't know how to deal with them, especially after everything. After how I used them and... and I got attached in a way I shouldn't. You warned me and still I... I... They're so happy, so carefree now that I took them out of their parents clutches. I feel like an outsider, just like I always did."
Noah squeezed her shoulder gently. "You're not an outsider, sweetheart. They've been brought here for a reason, and you're part of that reason. But you need to communicate. We've talked about this, remember? Communication is the key to lead, and that little bunch needs you to lead them, that's what the prophecy says. They care about you, even after learning that you weren't Serena. Yes, they are a bit mad and wounded, but it's part of it, you knew it would happen. More than anything, they deserve to know what you're feeling."
She looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "What if they don't understand? What if they look at me like I'm a monster? In the beginning they all do."
"Then they're not the right people for you despite the prophecy," her father said firmly, protectively. "You're not a monster, Seventeen, the monsters are the ones who made you think like you were what they labelled you as. You're strong. You're resilient. You've survived so much, and yet here you are. Don't let fear dictate your choices, daughter. You're the strongest human ever born, in all constellations, especially in ours. You're not a house dog, a pet, you never were, you're a serpent. Serpents can't be tamed, not even by fear."
Seventeen met his gaze, feeling the warmth of his faith in her. "What if they see my scars? The ones I carry inside? What if it scares them away?"
Noah's expression softened, the lines of worry etching deeper across his forehead. "They will see them, but they'll also see your strength. They'll see how far you've come and how far you're willing to go. And if they recognize your scars for what they are, then they'll be able to support you in a way no one else can. It's not like they met you for the first time as Serena," his last words sent a shiver down her spine.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. "I met them," she finally confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "My parents. They almost recognized me, father. They got suspicious. I... I struggled with it the past days."
He paled slightly, concern flooding his features. "What did they say? Did they—did any of the others catch a scent of who you were? Did they try to harm you and—"
"No," she rushed to assure him. "Not physically, anyway. The trials did mess me up, though. But it was... it was surreal. They were... the same as before, although slightly aged, and yet they looked at me like I could be the answer to all their problems." She paused, her heart racing. "I could see the love and pain in their eyes, the questions, but also the darkness of what the rulers did to us. Even if they had a hint that it was me, they pushed it away, they didn't press me on it. Thankfully we never got to be alone and she wasn't around."
Noah's jaw tightened. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. I wish I could have protected you. I know how hard it was for you to be around the rulers again, especially after all they did, and to infiltrate their children's lives. But it could only be you because of your—"
"Inherited abilities. I know. I don't blame you, father, I wanted to do it too, even if it hurt. You've done so much already," she said softly. "But it felt like a knife, you know? We had everything, until those bastards took it from us. And they are still there, working with them and putting themselves through that even after all they did to us, and—"
His eyes were full of understanding. "You're stronger than them, sweetheart. Remember that. You're here now, and you have a choice. You can create your own family, your own life. And they are probably doing that to survive, the others were definitely not happy to know they had hidden you away, right under their noses, for so long, manipulating them onto letting you around."
"I know, but I still feel so conflicted. Especially after you told me that the letters I exchange were written by S. I don't know what she is planning and part of me is scared for her. But I can't even afford to worry about her right now." She leaned against a pillar, letting her head drop back to rest against the cool stone. "I'm a mess emotionally, mentally, and I can't even control all my abilities. How am I supposed to lead them when I can't even lead myself, father?"
Noah stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "By being honest with them. On your time, of course. You've always been capable, Seven, and you're not alone in this. I may not be as powerful as you roughly, even if I am in skills, but I'll always be here, ready to support you. However, you need to open up to them eventually, daughter, that's the only way to rebuild the trust and to make sure you'll all be in sync and working together as you're fated to. Otherwise it'll complicate your journey ahead altogether."
Tears streamed down her cheeks, unbidden. "I missed you, father. I missed talking to you like this. I've been out for more than a year, it was suffocating, to have to pretend for so long. Sure, I'm still pretending some things, but... but I have you here."
Noah pulled her into a gentle embrace, holding her tightly. "I missed you too, sweetheart. But I need you to remember, no matter how strong you become, you'll always be my little girl. You might be rough around the edges, but you still need to let people in. You can't carry all of this on your own."
She nodded against him, her heart aching with the familiar comfort he provided. "I'll try. I just don't want to lose myself again."
"No one can take you away from yourself," he promised, pulling back to meet her eyes. "You're one of a kind, and they'll see that. Just take it one step at a time."
Seventeen wiped her tears away, determination flooding her veins. "I'll talk to them. I just need a little more time. Give me until February."
"February sounds like a plan. Take all the time you need," he said, his voice warm and reassuring. "But don't wait too long. They're starting to worry. Especially that Libra boy," he scoffed. "I heard you made out with him. Seems like he took your first kiss. I'm just conflicted if I punch his perfect face or not."
"Oh, please, forget that," she gasped, heat flushing her skin. "It was a slip of mine. A mistake."
"I don't think that was a mistake, or that it was a one time thing. I've seen the way you look at him when he's not looking. I've also seen the way he looks at you when you're looking, when you're not, at all times actually, he's always looking at and for you when you're not present," he clicked his tongue. "He's obsessed. And he glares a lot at anyone who talks about you in a personal level. Gotta be his Scorpio rising," he clicked his tongue.
"I would rather not talk about that," she groaned, her skin redder than a moment before. "He was a pain in the ass in my mission, believe me."
"And he left you lovesick, huh?"
"I'm not lovesick, father. That's disgusting. I'm not in love. Okay, yes, maybe I'm mildly..." Noah gave her an incredulous look, "considerably," he cocked his eyebrows at her, "fine, I'm profoundly attracted to him. But, BUT, that doesn't mean anything. Don't mention him, you're my father, I don't want to talk to you about this, it's weird."
"You met Nightshade boy, didn't you?" He asked instead and her shoulders relaxed in relief.
"Which one? The leader Caden? The uncle Cassius? Corvos? Cornel?"
"You know exactly who I'm talking to. You're not a fan of the leader, you have nothing on the uncle, you and the younger one were never in good waters. Don't be an ass," but she kept the blunt look on, waiting for his answer. Noah rolled his eyes dramatically, "Corvos."
There was a mischievous glint in her eyes as she spoke, "I tried to avoid him, but it was unsuccessful. He knew I was there the whole time. He..." ["don't mention the almost kiss, don't be stupid,"] "came to me on the turning of November 29th to November 30th."
A ghost of a smile danced on his lips, "I'm glad someone came to you on your real birthday."
Seventeen nodded softly, "He talked to me, told me he was around, he knew what I was planning, was rooting for me, and that I should win the tournament. When I got to the place I was staying in Whiteland around the time we met, days before the tournament, there was birthday cake waiting for me there."
"I like that kid. Is he single? He sounds like a better match to you than—"
"He is dating, father. And it's easier for him to have a crush on you, than on me, if you know what I mean," she scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Tsk, I had hopes of you two being a thing one day. What a lucky boy his boyfriend is," he clicked his tongue more three times. "It's alright, I guess I'll take what I can get, brooding Libra boy is powerful after all. I'm glad you got to meet him there."
"Me too. And there's nothing between me and Draco De Lavissaye, father, stop it," she groaned.
Scoffing, clearly not believing a word she was saying, he changed the topic, "Soooooo, what was the prize you got for winning the tournament with the little heirs?"
Reaching into her cleavage, underneath her shirt, she grabbed the amulet, "Wishing Stone," a magic tool that grants the user a single wish, but with unforeseen consequences, "sculpted as the symbol of Cancer to be used as a necklace pendant. I don't think the others know what this is, though, it's one of the 150 magic tools created by Morgana Margus, but The Twelve wiped out the history of the tools and of her when they cut District 13 out. It's not common knowledge out there, if it's knowledge at all."
He grinned mischievously, "I doubt the rulers even knew what they were giving you, or they wouldn't have done such stupid thing that could and hopefully will backfire on them."
"Maybe the rulers of Scorpion, Twinscott, and Starsh know, but that's a faint possibility," she rolled her shoulders, hiding the amulet away. "I'm suspecting there's a secret alliance between the three districts going on for a long time, without the knowledge of the others, way beyond the elemental factions. That would definitely play on our side, as long as Corvos can keep that unhinged psychopath in check," she scowled.
Like Noah and Corvos had said, she had never been a fan of Cornel Nightshade, Corvos' younger brother, slightly older than her. In the distant past, they had never related with each other, quite the opposite. She always smell Cornel's bullshit, even when he played innocent to the others, but she knew better.
"Back to the stone," she refocused her mind. "Legend has it that if you find the lake of souls and bath the wishing stone in it, it'll widen their power to three wishes, its magic will also become more potent. However, the consequences will be even greater," ["I doubt it can be greater than the cost of using that stupid grimore."]
"The possibility of us finding the lake of souls is as big as of finding the black sands of divination, Seven."
"I will find both," she claimed with a confident smug. "I'm a magnet for ancient powers that require a heavy cost, aren't I?"
"The Grimore of Chaos agrees," he chuckled, pointing to the dark purple ring in her right ring finger, the form that the grimore takes to camouflage what it really is.
Seventeen grimaced, "Curses love wrapping themselves 'round me."
"Don't say that, it'll bring fourth bad luck," he pushed her softly, but she just laughed.
As she stepped away, the shadows around her felt less suffocating. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Perhaps she could face them—her past, her fears, and the uncertainty of her future.
With Noah at her side, she's ready to step into the light.
Even if not today or anytime now.
["Definitely not now."]