The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the training grounds of Serpentpire. Seventeen stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of skepticism and annoyance as she surveyed the six gathered before her. She could feel their anticipation thrumming in the air, a stark contrast to her own reluctance.
"Alright, gather 'round," Seventeen called, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Let's go over what each of you can do, just so we're clear on what we're working with."
Draco stepped forward, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You mean we're not just here for a tea party?"
"Funny, Draco. You're lucky I even let you near me after our last 'adventure,'" she retorted, her eyes narrowing as she thought back to their previous encounters. "I'll start with myself. As you know, I have serpent summoning, which lets me call upon snakes to aid me in battle. I also have rebirth magic, allowing me to resurrect myself or others, but that's a last resort. My venomous touch can incapacitate, and also makes me immune to any kinds of poison, so I can handle them easily."
"Sounds like you've got the makings of a one-woman army," Hunter remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Seventeen shrugged, trying to mask the unease that gnawed at her. "Let's hope you aren't useless so I don't have to be that. Then there's my necromancy and soul manipulation, which might come in handy if things go south. I can also mend, which allows me to repair mutilated limbs or objects for a short time, such as a broken weapon. And, of course, I can shift into a serpent, giving me speed and stealth when I need it. I also have shadow magic, which I got because of my... different birth, as I was almost a Scorpio and that stuck on me."
"That's quite a repertoire," Claus said, visibly impressed but still stressed with her after what she had said the day before.
"I have a question," Hunter interjected and she turned her gaze to him. "You can shift your body, as in messing with our minds to see you in a way you are not, that's illusion magic. Isn't that's a Gemini's ability?"
["Damn it, he really is on my toes. What the hell?!"] She crossed her arms over her chest when she saw the puzzle looks from the others, the intense confused gaze from Draco as he bored his eyes on her, as usual. "It is illusion, yes. However, that is not illusion magic."
"That's bullshit," Hunter scoffed.
"No, it's not. The same way my mending is not healing magic, in more than a handful ways, it's more powerful. There are three types of abilities that surround illusions," she rose her right ring, middle, and index fingers. "Illusion Magic, Illusion Manipulation, and Illusion Crafting. They are different techniques involving the use of illusions, each with distinct characteristics and applications."
"How come we didn't know that?" Hunter frowned, insistently.
"Because you have no real knowledge about the real powers laying within the Zodiac Archipelago. You had no idea those of Ophiucus were still alive and not all dead like your little parents wanted. You have no idea of the real history of this Kingdom, of what we used to bring to the table that scared your ancestors enough so they banned us. All you know is what your parents manipulated you to, and that is, nothing. It's nothing compared to what exactly happened," she snapped, as hostile as she'd been the previous afternoon. "You know nothing," Seventeen hissed, her chest heaving.
Cassie came closer, caressing her back softly, "Hey, it's okay. Breathe."
"I'm breathing," she snapped hostilely.
"You idiot," Cassie slapped the back of Seventeen's head and she pouted annoyed, "don't talk to me like you talk to them. I'm older than you, I'm practically your older sister, and your best friend. Show some respect. Control that temper of yours around me or I'll kick your ass, tsk."
"Sorry," Seventeen mumbled, heat flushing her cheeks as she pouted, to the dismay of the others, except Joshua.
"Now close your eyes and take a deep breathe," Cassie ordered and Seventeen did exactly that, inhaling in and out, deeply. "You can't keep being so rude and snapping at them just because you're scared of letting them in and want to keep them away from your heart, Seventeen Whitlock," she slapped the back of her head again and she sulked. "Get a hold of yourself. This is not you, you're not like this, you're acting like a bitch, even more than you usually are. Poking them where it hurts them. You wouldn't want anyone to do that to you, would you?"
"But,"
"No buts," Cassie slapped the back of her head again and she clenched her jaw. "I'm not going to tell you to apologize, because I know you'd never do that, not even if Noah ordered, but that was mean, even for you. And now you're bitching out-"
"I'm not bitching out!" She groaned.
"Yes, you are. You are being extremely rude. They lost someone dear to them, the same way we lost people dear to us, no one is better than anybody when it comes to grief, Seventeen. That was mean, and Ten wouldn't have liked what you did," that was the hit, it made her look down without a word, hands clenched in fists and jaw tight. "I know you've been through a lot and you carry the weight of a world on this back of yours, but acting this way won't help you in the long run, girl. And I know that you're mad because the six you need for the prophecy were them and not the kids, but you need to focus on what matters."
"I know that better than anyone, Cassandra," Seventeen mumbled, her face devoid of emotion, a mask of ice. "That's why I'm here. If I were 'bitching out' as you claim, I would be in my cabin, refusing to train with them, because they are a constant reminder to me of the murderers of the six people I loved most in my life. They are the children of the killers of the kids, and I cannot unsee that. But I'm still here, aren't I?"
Cassie passed a hand through her curly pale white hair, letting out a sigh, "Then please, focus on the training, you need this, Seven. You need to learn how to train with them and sync, so you can fight together. Or it'll all be in vain. We can't let all that we lost be in vain. We cannot lose when the time comes."
She looked up, finally meeting her friend's orange amber eyes, a shadow of her face darkening her gaze, "I know. I'm here for that."
"But if you keep poking their traumas and losses, you won't work together. There will be no synchrony, Seventeen," she added.
"I also know that."
They stared at each other's eyes for a long moment, and while Joshua was tense next to his twin, the others were all in dismay by what they had just witnessed, and how Cassandra handled Seventeen like a brat kid, as if she wasn't the most powerful and dangerous person in the Kingdom, with almost no control over her abilities, making her even more dangerous. "Explain to them the difference of the illusion abilities, or they won't understand. Don't mock their lack of knowledge, it's not their fault."
She swallowed hard as if the sheer idea of that angered her, but nodded, looking away from Cassandra and to nobody specifically, feeling all their gazes on her.
"Illusion Magic is spell-based and versatile, allowing for the temporary creation of illusions through magical incantations. Illusion Manipulation is the power to alter existing illusions created by others, enhancing or reshaping them. Illusion Crafting is an advanced form of illusion creation focused on detail, customization, and durability, making illusions that can be more immersive and last longer. What I have, is illusion crafting, while the first two are from Gemini, the later is from Ophiucus."
"Good girl," Cassandra purred, making Seventeen's light skin turn ten shades redder. "It didn't kill you, did it?"
"I'm not their teacher, they can just go in the open archives when they get their first line, and are allowed to get into Solacehaven," she snapped, but this time there was no hostility in her voice, just annoyance.
"That will only happen when they complete six months with us," Joshua pointed. "They can't be in the dark for so long, Seven."
"I don't see why not," she mumbled under her breath. "Why do I have to be their teacher?"
"Because, you are with them in the prophecy, and your photographic memory makes your mind and archive. You also got a hand on teaching and passing down knowledge," Cassie tilted her head. "And, you are the heiress of Serpentpire."
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes annoyed.
"Um, what do you mean archives?" Sablina asked after a long moment of silence.
"What is this Solacehaven place?" Draco questioned curious, crossing his arms over his chest, eyes never leaving Seventeen. "Why aren't we allowed in there?"
"Oh, yeah, they really know nothing," Seventeen mocked under her breath, finally meeting Draco's unwavering gaze. "You didn't think Serpentpire was solely made of Ebonhold, did you?"
"Ebonhold?" He frowned.
She took a very deep breath, trying to have some patience, "It's the name of our military city, solely for training. But it only has 10% of our people, even if the territory is the widest. We don't force any of our people to train, we allow them to have free will, I doubt you understand that concept though, given your upbringing as the heirs of the Zodiac," the mockery slipped from her lips. "50% of our people are kids, newborns and toddlers and children, the innocents we save from the dark zones. 25% are people who chose not to fight but to live a peaceful life, and 15% are elders. 10% are the warriors. Us."
"Before you ask, Solacehaven is a city designed for family life, education, and the cultivation of knowledge. Known as the Heart of Serpentpire, it is where our people of all ages live, study, and explore the paths of wisdom under the guidance of elders. As well as live a life overall, free of the absurd rules of the twelve districts. The city is as prosperous as Downtown, or Whiteland and Imperious. I can tell, since I've been in both, and live in Downtown for quite a while in the mission. We don't have only people from Ophiucus here, obviously, there are many others from all constellations, but mostly snakes."
"And no, you cannot go there anytime soon. It's our sanctuary, we are the fourth line of protection for them, they are our treasure, and you are the children of the rulers who present all the dangers to our lives. We don't fully trust you and your motivations, even though you are part of the prophecy, they are still your parents and you spent too long being manipulated by them to just turn the switch and be fully on our side. We can't risk them. So, you will have to earn your entry, and for that, you need to be at least, a Shadow Initiate in training," she explained everything, just as Cassie asked her to.
"Fair enough," Light crossed her arms, "and what is this Shadow Initiate?"
"It's the 2nd of the 13 ranks in our military," Seventeen told her, staring at her sharp cat nails dyed in the darkest of all purple shades.
"You have ranks here?" Claus gasped softly.
Her eyes rolled back, "It may not look like it, but our society is refined, Claus. Ebonhold is built on the principles of discipline, endurance, and mastery, with each rank marked by a tattooed line on the curve of the right ear. Rising through the ranks requires skill, dedication, and time, with only the elite gaining all 13 lines and the coveted 13 dots that mark them as Serpentpire's finest."
Light's eyes beamed with interest, "How many elite serpents have the 13 lines and 13 dots?"
She rose her right index, "Noah. Enough for now, let's go back to sorting your abilities for our training."
"Alright, we went over yours, so what about the rest of us?"
"Alright," Seventeen continued, her gaze shifting to Light. "You have fire conjuration, which can be a powerful offensive tool. Enhanced strength rounds out your capabilities. Use that fire to create distractions and help fend off attackers."
Light nodded, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I'll make sure to channel that energy into our training."
"Hunter," Seventeen said, turning to him, "you're all about agility and precision with your archery. Your water manipulation can help you create diversions. Think about how to combine your abilities with Light's."
Hunter grinned, adjusting his stance as he considered their teamwork. "Water and fire? That'll be fun. I can create a mist to throw off our enemies, and she can turn it into steam for more visibility."
"Claus," Seventeen continued, "your light manipulation is critical for both offense and defense. You can create blinding flashes to disorient opponents or reinforce Hunter's arrows with light for enhanced impact. Your charisma enchantment can sway people, so don't forget to use that in our favor."
"I'm on it," Claus replied, a confident smirk on his face.
"Sablina," Seventeen said, turning to her, "your nature manipulation is crucial for healing and support. You can heal wounds, create shields, and manipulate the environment to our advantage. Earth manipulation gives you a strong foundation—literally."
Sablina smiled, enthusiasm lighting up her eyes. "I'll make sure to keep everyone standing after the inevitable chaos."
"And Amelia," Seventeen said, "you have time manipulation, which can give us a critical edge in battle. Slowing time can give us the upper hand to strategize or escape. Pair that with your air manipulation for versatility."
"Got it," Amelia replied, her voice steady. "I'll work on combining those skills."
As Seventeen finished outlining their abilities, Noah joined them and stepped forward, "Now, let's discuss how we can train effectively. We need to ensure everyone is familiar with their skills and how they complement each other."
"But I can lead the training," Seventeen interjected, her tone more defensive than she intended.
"No offense, sweetheart, but you're still getting a handle on your abilities," Noah said gently. "We don't want anyone getting hurt because of a lack of control. I think it's best if I lead the training sessions for now. You can participate, but we'll need to structure this properly."
Seventeen felt a surge of frustration, but she nodded reluctantly. "Fine, dad. But I want to be involved."
"Of course," Noah assured her. "We'll divide the sessions based on your skills. Each of you will pair up to practice your abilities, and then we'll bring it all together. Seven, I want you to work closely with Draco on your balance and serpent summoning, it'll help in many ways during battle. You both have a lot to learn from each other."
Draco's expression brightened at the idea. "I'll do my best to keep her in line."
Seventeen shot him a withering glare. "Oh please, as if I'd ever take orders from you."
Noah chuckled, breaking the tension. "Alright, I want you all to think about how you can combine your skills in pairs. The goal is to learn to work together, anticipate each other's moves, and create strategies that leverage your strengths."
With that, Noah outlined the training plan, ensuring each pair had a distinct focus while leaving room for individual practice. The others nodded, excitement bubbling as they began to strategize.
As they broke into their groups, Seventeen found herself standing beside Draco. She could feel the weight of his presence next to her, an almost electric tension in the air.
"Alright, Seventeen. What's the plan?" Draco asked, leaning in slightly.
She took a breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I'll summon my serpents, and you can manipulate the balance around it. If I can get the serpents to react based on your cues, we can create an effective distraction."
Draco nodded, his gaze intense. "Sounds good. Just don't let it bite me."
Seventeen smirked, her sarcasm returning. "I'll try to control it, but no promises."
As they began their practice, Seventeen summoned two crimsonfang vipers¹, its deep black scales glistening in the fading sunlight. Draco focused, channeling his balance manipulation to create a stable environment for the serpents to move in. They quickly fell into a rhythm, working in sync to enhance each other's abilities.
Meanwhile, Noah watched from a distance, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. He knew the path ahead would be challenging, but this team had potential—if only they could learn to trust each other.
The training continued as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Laughter and shouts of encouragement filled the air, mixing with the sounds of magic and movement. Seventeen felt the atmosphere shift; there was a camaraderie beginning to form, a bond that went beyond mere alliances.
Perhaps this would forge them into a formidable team that could face whatever darkness lay ahead. And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't have to fight alone anymore.
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¹Crimsonfang Vipers are highly venomous serpents found primarily in the dark, rocky caves and dense forests of Serpentpire. Their scales are a mesmerizing gradient from deep black on the head and tail to a rich crimson and then a smoky purple along their sides. They have hooded eyes that glow with an eerie, fiery red under moonlight. Known for their stealth, these vipers blend perfectly into the shadows, using their heat-sensitive tongues to track prey. Crimsonfang venom is so potent it causes a victim's blood to "burn" from within, creating an intense, feverish agony.