Five days had passed since her talk with Noah, and she still felt the weight of everything hanging over her. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror of her bathroom in her cabin, she could hardly recognize the person staring back at her. Deep breaths were meant to calm her racing heart, but all they did was remind her how out of control her powers were.
Serpentpire was by far, the widest island in the Zodiac Archipelago, even wider than Whiteland, its three natural barriers were just the beginning of its real territory. They had their own cities there, it wasn't all ruins and broken, it was lively, a perfect place to live stranded from the rest of the Kingdom. But there were many elders and fragile people who couldn't fight, plus the countless babies they saved on the daily.
Solacehaven was the lively city, as prosperous as Downtown, but genuine with their people. Ebonhold, on the other hand, was where they were, where they had been since she got back, the training camp city, the barrier that shielded Solacehaven from any kind of harm, taking most of the territory.
Near the Nightly Woods, at north of Ebonhold, were the cabins of the warriors, those who were capable, both physically and mentally to fight, to train, to be sent in secret missions as they grew on the ranks. Seventeen's cabin was by far the best one, after all, she was Noah's only daughter now, and the strongest after him, since her lack of control made him be the strongest still thanks to his skills. And she felt pride in say that she had built it all with her own hands, from nothing to perfection with all that she needs.
Nestled deep within the Cursed Grove, Seventeen's cabin stood as a silent, dark guardian, cloaked by enchantments that concealed its very existence. Its blackened wood and gothic arches loomed from the shadows, an imposing structure that whispered of mystery to those who dared to wander close. Known only to Seventeen and a few in Serpentpire, the cabin was a fortress, a sanctuary, and a testament to her unmatched skill in magic and self-taught technology.
The exterior radiated a chilling allure, with iron-wrought lanterns that held glowing stones casting a dim, cold light over shadowed pathways. At the threshold, subtle self-made runes were etched into the doorframe, forming a spectral ward. This enchantment ensured that only those with Ophiuchan blood—or carrying a rare token Seventeen herself had crafted—could locate or approach the cabin. Any unwelcome visitors felt an instant unease, as if the forest itself was turning them away.
Inside, the cabin's entryway opened to the main hall, where dark wood and rich, moonlit shadows filled the space. Ghostly sconces lined the walls, their enchanted stones casting a gentle glow that illuminated without ever fully banishing the darkness. At the heart of this hall stood her Medals Wall—each one representing her ranks, missions, and the battles she'd overcome with hard work. There was a chilling pride to the display, the medals imbued with faint wards against betrayal, reflecting her warrior's journey and her unbreakable loyalty to Serpentpire.
In the kitchen, she had woven practicality and magic together. Each element was enchanted for peak efficiency: an intelligent stove heated instantly with a simple command, while the pantry monitored her stores of exotic ingredients, sending silent alerts if supplies ran low. Alongside, her cooled storage room held countless rations and rare delicacies sourced from distant districts, many items found only in the elite markets of Downtown Zodiac, Twinscott, Whiteland, and even some exported from Scorpion. Lined with thermally enchanted runes made by her, the room kept the rarest ingredients and fine spirits impeccably preserved.
Above, the second floor housed her Sunroom, a personal observatory that opened into the stars. The glass ceiling was charmed to retract, revealing a breathtaking view of the night sky, while her custom-built telescope could map constellations and chart star alignments automatically. Seventeen often found herself here in the early hours, bent over the wide desk, surrounded by her intricate star charts, each mapping the celestial energies that guided the Zodiac Kingdom.
The Master Bedroom was a sanctuary of calm and dark elegance. Her bed—a massive, high-set fortress of pillows and dark silks—was tucked beneath a shadowed canopy. Against the far wall stood an enormous floor-length mirror, enchanted to offer more than just reflection. This mirror held a diagnostic spell, able to detect even the faintest injuries or magical fluctuations, whispering quietly to her in tones only she could hear. Her diaries, carefully stored in the closet, were locked with a time-delay spell, safeguarding her most sensitive thoughts. They were as much memory as history, preserving her journey and her secrets.
In the investigation room, shadows shifted around a Ghostlight Projector embedded in the ceiling. With the wave of her hand, she could summon floating maps, constellation charts, or mission data in holographic form, rotating and zooming in to study every detail. Her Artifact Safe—secured by complex Zodiac-specific runes—held dangerous relics and enchanted items she'd acquired. It was the ultimate testament to her mastery of both combat and artifact lore, each piece in its own pocket of time-stasis to preserve their original potency.
Below the floorboards, hidden by a concealed staircase, lay her training grounds. This basement was her proving ground, equipped with advanced holographic sparring partners that shifted and adapted to her moves, challenging her with tactics honed from years of battle. The weapons racks along the walls were enchanted to keep her gear in peak condition, sharpening and recalibrating each weapon as soon as it was placed in its slot. Each rack pulsed faintly with a dark energy, enhancing the durability of every blade and amulet.
Her personal Magic and Artifact Study Room was crowded with scattered sketches and runes from her ongoing investigations. The wall was pinned with maps of twisting mazes, spells no one else had ever cast, and sketches of new runes she was testing. At the room's heart stood her Enchanted Library, lined with rare tomes and scrolls she had painstakingly collected. Each book was bound to her presence, offering their knowledge solely to her.
In the adjacent Alcohol Collection Room, the ambiance changed slightly, a subtle warmth among the dark wood and shadows. Rows of enchanted bottles lined the shelves, many encased in faint stasis spells to ensure their eternal quality. The rarest of wines and strongest of whiskeys were stacked here, gathered from across the archipelago. Some spirits, distilled by her own hand, contained traces of magical essence, able to offer temporary bursts of strength or sharpened focus. The room adjusted its temperature as she entered, attuning itself to her mood, cooling when she sought solitude and warming when she felt at ease.
Seventeen's cabin was no mere shelter. It was the synthesis of who she was: relentless, guarded, and brilliant in her self-made arsenal. Every room, every hidden enchantment, every artifact held a purpose, empowering her for the dangers she faced, pushing her to the edge of skill and secrecy. It was both fortress and sanctuary, an enduring testament to the strength she had carved from every corner of the Zodiac Kingdom.
She had taken her time adjusting to the presence of the six, lurking in the shadows while they trained, but now Noah was pushing her to confront them. Today, he had insisted they needed to train together.
"You can't keep avoiding them forever, Seven," he had said, his voice laced with gentle authority. "Your abilities are volatile, and you need to learn to control them in the heat of a real battle."
She had rolled her eyes at him, but deep down, she knew he was right. "Fine. Let's get this over with," she muttered, pushing herself off the edge of her bed.
The training grounds were alive with energy when she arrived, the six laughing and teasing each other as they went through drills. The sight made her stomach twist.
"Look who decided to join the party," Joshua called out, grinning as he spotted her.
She forced a nonchalant expression, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't get too excited. I'm here for the training, not the social hour."
"What a shame," Claus chimed in. "I was hoping for an entertaining performance."
Sablina smirked, her arms crossed, her posture relaxed. "Maybe we should just stick to sarcasm. You're a pro at that."
Seventeen shot back, "And you're all amateurs at everything else. I'm just here to set the bar."
The banter flowed easily, a protective barrier around her as she kept them at arm's length. But she could feel their eyes on her, studying her every move.
Noah stepped forward, a serious expression crossing his face. "We're going to work on teamwork today. You need to learn how to cooperate with them. You've always been a lone wolf, and that won't work here."
Seventeen scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Great, let's all hold hands and sing a song while we're at it."
Draco, who had been leaning against a nearby tree, straightened up, his ice-blue eyes locking onto hers. "Sarcasm isn't going to save you in a real fight, Seven."
The sound of her nickname from his lips sent a rush of unexpected heat through her. "You think you can fight me? Please. You're just a distraction, De Lavissaye."
"Is that so? Maybe I'm the one distracting you," he replied, a wicked smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
Seventeen clenched her jaw, irritated by how easily he slipped under her skin. "You can try. But I loathe you, remember?"
Draco stepped closer, not breaking eye contact. "Oh, I remember. But you're going to have to try harder than that to make me believe it."
"Believe whatever you want, it doesn't change the facts." She waved a hand dismissively, turning her focus back to the group.
"Alright, let's get started," Noah said, clapping his hands together. "We'll break into pairs. daughter, you'll work with Draco."
"Great. Just what I wanted," she muttered under her breath.
The others paired off, Light with Claus, Sablina with Amelia, Hunter with Joshua since he was left, but she felt a sense of dread settle in her chest as she squared off against Draco. "You sure this is a good idea?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light even as tension crackled in the air.
Draco leaned in, a devilish grin on his face. "Are you scared of losing, Seven?"
She raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress the smirk that threatened to break her facade. "Not to you. But I can already tell you're going to make this excruciating."
"You're the one who's going to make it excruciating," he countered, his eyes glinting with mischief. "But I'm up for the challenge."
As they began their drills, Seventeen's focus sharpened. She could feel the pull of her powers, the chaos brewing just beneath the surface. Each movement they practiced forced her to confront her fears, and with Draco as her partner, the sting of their sarcasm became a familiar dance.
"Try not to trip over your own feet," he teased, dodging her attack with effortless grace.
"Says the guy who looks like he's trying to impress a crowd," she shot back, a wry smile forming on her lips despite herself.
Days spent in the shadows had made her cautious, but with every exchange, she found herself appreciating the banter more. Their sarcasm was like a lifeline, pulling her from the depths of her solitude. And as much as she tried to maintain her distance, the way Draco kept watching her, his eyes never straying far, stirred something deep within her.
Noah's words echoed in her mind: "You're part of a team now."
By the end of their training session, she felt the familiar weight of exhaustion settle in, but it was mixed with an exhilarating sense of camaraderie. She had expected to feel suffocated, but instead, it was refreshing to be part of something again.
And even though she pretended to loathe them, deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this was what she had been missing all along. As Draco smirked at her, the tension between them crackled like electricity, and for a moment, she felt the walls she had built around her heart begin to crumble. The memories of what they had shared before she stripped down from her Serena persona still haunting her.