Years had passed since the day Veylara had become a constant in my life, her whispers guiding my actions, her power keeping me one step ahead of the chaos that seemed to gravitate toward me. Through it all, she'd maintained one constant rule: keep everyone at arm's length. It wasn't easy, not with Alaria relentlessly trying to claim me, her flirtations like a constant storm battering at my defenses. Sera, on the other hand, was the protective shield I hadn't asked for but desperately needed. She stood firm, always ready to counter Alaria's advances with a sharp word or a warning glare. And then there was Armand, the ever-watchful student council president, who would intervene with his calm authority whenever things threatened to escalate.
But today… today was different.
Veylara's voice had been particularly insistent that morning, her tone sharp and commanding. "Let her think she's winning," she'd whispered in my mind. "Let Alaria believe her games are working. Play along, Noctis." I'd stopped dead in my tracks, the request so out of character that I could barely process it. "You can't be serious," I hissed under my breath, pretending to adjust my bag as students bustled around me.
"I'm always serious," Veylara replied coolly, her golden eyes flashing in my mind's eye. "You've been holding her at bay for too long. Let her get close enough to trip over her own schemes. Trust me, darling." Her assurance didn't sit well with me, but I knew better than to argue. Reluctantly, I'd nodded, feeling a pit of unease settle in my stomach as I headed to class.
The classroom buzzed with activity as I walked in. My usual seat next to Sera was open, and she waved me over with a bright smile. I slid into the chair beside her, her golden hair gleaming under the sunlight spilling through the windows. "You're late," she teased, leaning in slightly. Her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "What happened? Spent too much time thinking about your fan club?" "Something like that," I said vaguely, not meeting her gaze. Sera tilted her head, her smile faltering. "You okay? You seem… distracted."
"I'm fine," I lied. But in the back of my mind, I felt Veylara's presence like a shadow I couldn't shake. Her voice whispered faintly, a reminder of the pact I'd made and the choices I now had to live with. Sera studied me for a moment longer, her brows furrowing as if she could sense there was more to my words than I was letting on. Before she could press further, the door opened with a dramatic swing, and Alaria walked in, commanding the room as always. Her crimson hair framed her sharp, heart-shaped face, and her emerald-green eyes glittered with amusement when they locked onto me. A slow, almost predatory grin spread across her lips as she sauntered toward us. "Well, well," she purred, her voice dripping with mischief. "If it isn't my favorite desk partner." I stiffened, but this time, I didn't push back. Instead, I let my shoulders relax and leaned slightly against the desk. "Morning, Alaria," I said, my tone light.
Sera's head snapped toward me, her expression a mix of disbelief and confusion. "What?" she whispered sharply under her breath. Alaria's grin widened. "No sarcastic remarks today? No scowling? What's gotten into you, Noctis?" I forced a smile, feeling the weight of Veylara's silent approval pressing down on me. "Maybe I've been too harsh," I said, shrugging casually. "Thought I'd try something new." Sera's confusion quickly turned to anger, her sapphire eyes narrowing. "What are you doing?" she hissed, her voice barely audible but filled with frustration. Alaria didn't give her a chance to say more. She perched herself on the edge of my desk, leaning in close. "Finally seeing sense, huh? I knew you'd come around eventually." I nodded, playing along even as my stomach churned. Sera, meanwhile, looked like she was about to explode.
"Noctis," she said through gritted teeth, "what the hell is going on?"
"Nothing," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just… talking."
"Talking?" she repeated, her voice rising. "You're letting her—" Alaria cut her off with a laugh, turning to Sera with a mocking smirk. "Oh, come on, Sera. Don't be so possessive. He's allowed to have other friends, you know."
Sera shot to her feet, her face flushed with anger. "Friends? Don't flatter yourself. You're nothing but a manipulative—"
"Ladies," a calm, commanding voice interrupted, silencing the room. Everyone turned to see Armand Vale standing in the doorway, his steel-gray eyes sharp as he surveyed the scene. He adjusted his blazer, his presence radiating authority as he stepped forward. "Is there a problem here?"
Sera clenched her fists, her voice trembling with frustration. "Alaria is—"
"Having a perfectly harmless conversation," Alaria interjected smoothly, her emerald eyes sparkling with faux innocence. She turned her charm on Armand, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Nothing to worry about, President." Armand's gaze shifted to me, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. I felt like he could see straight through me, peeling back layers I didn't even know I had. "Is that true, Noctis?" he asked, his voice steady but firm.
I hesitated, the weight of everyone's attention pressing down on me. "Yeah," I said eventually. "It's fine." Sera's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice cracking as she said, "You can't be serious."
Armand studied me for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before turning back to Sera. "Take your seat," he said gently but firmly. "There's no need for this to escalate." Sera hesitated, her emotions written plainly across her face—confusion, anger, and something that looked uncomfortably close to betrayal. Finally, she sat down, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. Alaria leaned closer to me, her voice a low, teasing whisper. "See? You're finally learning how to play the game." I didn't respond, my mind racing as Veylara's voice echoed softly in the back of my thoughts. Good, Noctis. This is the path we've chosen. Let her think she's winning.
But as I glanced at Sera, her hurt expression cutting deeper than I expected, I couldn't help but wonder if this path was worth the cost.
The rest of the day dragged on, the tension thick in the air. Sera barely spoke to me, her usually bright and cheerful demeanor replaced with stony silence. Every now and then, I caught her sneaking glances at me, her sapphire eyes flickering with a mix of confusion and hurt. Alaria, on the other hand, seemed to revel in the situation. She clung to me like a shadow, her mischievous grin never fading. Her laughter rang out every time she teased me, and while the others in the class gave us curious or amused looks, I could feel the weight of Sera's emotions like a storm brewing beside me. By the time the final bell rang, I was exhausted. I needed space—space from Alaria, space from Sera, and most of all, space from the whispering voice in my head.
You did well today, Veylara's voice cooed as I walked back to my dorm.
"Did I?" I muttered under my breath, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby. "Because it felt like I just made everything worse."
Worse? Oh, Noctis, you don't see the bigger picture yet. Trust me, this is necessary. Alaria thinks she's gaining control, and that's exactly what we want.
"And Sera?" I asked, my voice sharp. "She's not part of the plan, is she?" Veylara didn't respond immediately, and the silence was heavier than her words. Finally, she spoke, her tone softer. Sera will understand in time. She's strong, isn't she? She can handle a little hurt now for a greater purpose later.
I stopped walking, clenching my fists. "You don't know her like I do," I said quietly, my voice laced with frustration. Perhaps not, Veylara admitted. But I know you. And I know that you're stronger when you stop worrying about everyone else and focus on what truly matters.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me as I reached my dorm. The door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against it for a moment, letting the quiet of the room envelop me. Then, as if summoned by my exhaustion, Veylara appeared. Her golden eyes gleamed in the dim light, her silhouette framed by the faint glow she always seemed to carry. She stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "You're frustrated," she said, her voice softer now that we were alone. I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a bitter laugh. "Understatement of the year." She walked toward me, her movements smooth and deliberate, until she was standing close enough that I could feel her presence like a flame. Without warning, she wrapped her arms around me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder.
"I know it's hard," she murmured, her voice low and soothing. "But you're not alone in this, Noctis. I'm here to guide you, to carry the burdens you can't. Isn't that why you made the pact?" Her words sent a shiver down my spine, her golden eyes catching mine in the reflection of the window. "I didn't make the pact to hurt people I care about," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "No," she agreed, her voice like honey. "You made it to protect them. And sometimes… protection comes at a cost. But you're strong enough to bear it. I'll make sure of that."For a moment, I let myself relax into her embrace, the weight of the day fading slightly. But deep down, the unease lingered.
"What's next?" I asked, my voice steadier now. She smiled against my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. "Next, we keep playing the game. Let Alaria think she's winning, let Sera stay close enough to see but not understand. And when the time comes…" She trailed off, her smile sharpening into something darker, almost predatory. "…when the time comes, we'll have everything exactly where we need it. Control, power, protection—it will all be yours. You trust me, don't you?"
I turned my head slightly to meet her golden gaze, her face mere inches from mine. There was something hypnotic about her, the way her presence filled the room, commanding attention without effort. But even as her words wrapped around me like silk, doubt lingered in the corners of my mind. "Trust isn't the word I'd use," I said honestly, pulling away from her embrace. Her arms fell to her sides, but her smile never faltered, if anything, it grew sharper. "You're cautious. I like that," she said, tilting her head as if studying me. "But let me remind you, Noctis—you wouldn't have made it this far without me. You'd still be floundering in fear, letting others dictate your life. I'm the reason you're standing here now, ready to face whatever comes next."
"Maybe," I admitted, moving to sit on the edge of my bed. "But I'm not just going to blindly follow your lead. I need to know the full plan, Veylara. No more cryptic whispers or vague reassurances. If I'm going to keep playing this 'game,' as you call it, I need to understand the rules." Her expression softened, though there was a flicker of something behind her eyes—pride, perhaps? "Fair enough," she said, crossing the room with the grace of a predator and sitting beside me. "The plan is simple, really. Alaria is a wildcard. She's powerful, manipulative, and completely unpredictable. If we can keep her under the illusion that she's in control, she becomes an asset rather than a threat."
"And Sera?" I asked, my voice low.
Veylara's golden eyes darkened slightly. "Sera is your anchor. She keeps you grounded, whether you realize it or not. That's why she needs to stay in the dark, at least for now. If she knew the truth about me, about the pact, she'd try to 'save' you." She said the word with a hint of disdain. "And in doing so, she'd put herself in danger."
I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. "I don't like lying to her." Veylara reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against my clenched hand. "You're not lying," she said softly. "You're protecting her. Sometimes, the truth is a luxury we can't afford. Wouldn't you rather she stay safe and ignorant than risk her getting caught in something she can't handle?" Her words stung because part of me knew she was right. Sera wasn't equipped to deal with the darkness that surrounded me now, the tangled web of power and manipulation I'd been pulled into. But that didn't make it any easier. "So, I'm supposed to just keep her at arm's length?" I asked, my voice tinged with bitterness. "Pretend everything is fine while I'm neck-deep in this?" Veylara leaned in closer, her golden eyes locking onto mine. "You don't have to pretend with me, Noctis. That's why I'm here. Let me carry the weight. Let me be the one you confide in, the one who understands." Her hand moved to my cheek, her touch cool and almost comforting. "This is our pact. Our connection. You and I, against the world." Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I felt the faintest flicker of peace. But it was fleeting, swallowed by the ever-present storm of doubt and responsibility.
"Fine," I said finally, my voice heavy with resignation. "I'll play along. But if you're wrong about this—about Alaria, about Sera—I won't forgive you." Veylara's smile returned, sharp and confident. "You won't have to. I've never been wrong before." She stood, her movements as fluid and deliberate as ever, and turned to face me fully. "Now, rest. Tomorrow is another day, another game. And you'll need your strength." I watched her as she faded into the shadows, her golden eyes lingering for a moment before disappearing completely. The room fell silent, but her presence lingered, a constant reminder of the pact I'd made and the path I'd chosen. Lying back on the bed, I stared at the ceiling, the weight of the day pressing down on me. Veylara's voice echoed faintly in my mind, her words both a comfort and a warning.
You and I, against the world.