“What the fuck is that?” Serah asks as she looks at the large stone gateway in the middle of the cave, leading to nowhere in particular.

Samantha approaches the structure and touches it, hoping to sense something. “I don't know. But there's magical energy flowing through it.” She says, describing what she felt.

“Is it a magical portal? Or something?” Nickie asks.

“Probably.” Serah says, though not quite certain. “Maybe it leads to that new continent?” She suggests.

“Maybe. But this has to be reported back.” Samantha says before walking away. “C’mon. Let’s search the rest of the cave.” She says.

…

…

“We’ve confiscated whatever magical artifacts and magic books we’ve found. We just need you to confirm it’s all there.” Samantha says as she pushes a list forward.

The handcuffed man sitting across from them spits, his saliva landing on the piece of paper. “Do you think I’ll help you? Besides, a lot of that stuff isn’t even the college’s! You’re basically robbing us!” He says, accusing them.

Serah smirks. “To the winner goes the spoils. But we can forget that. We can give what’s yours back to you. All we need is the college’s stuff. We can even let you go.” Serah says.

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The man looks at her suspiciously. “You will?” He asks, in doubt.

“We will?” Samantha asks with a raised eyebrow. She wasn’t aware of this.

Serah smiles. “Yes, we will. We only need your cooperation.” She says to the man before looking to Samantha. “Think about it Samantha. We don’t have a blood debt with any of these people. Why should we do the college’s dirty work? We only need to bring back what they’ve stolen and report that they’re dead. Besides, this just isn’t my style. When I kill, it’s for my own reasons.” Serah says as she leans back without a care.

Samantha continues to stare. “And how do you expect to convince the others to go through with your plan?” She asks, not too certain about this decision.

Serah smiles. “They don’t have to know. We just need to let them know we’ll take care of it. Then… Then, our prisoners can just miraculously free themselves. And we can leave unburdened.” She explains.

The man was still in doubt. She looks to Samantha and raises an eyebrow. “Do you agree with this?” He asks, slightly impatient for an answer. “If you agree, we’re willing to cooperate. The college can have their stuff back, and even the portal to the new continent! We don’t care, we just want to go!” He says hurriedly.

Samantha gives Serah one last look and sighs. “Fine. But no one can know.” She says.

…

…

The deed was done and it was time for the group to go back home. Only Samantha and Serah bore the burden of that secret, but if Serah was being honest, it was better than more blood on her hands. She’s killed many people, sometimes without a choice, and sometimes, with the intent to take lives, but Serah has always moved according to her will, and this… Harming these runaway students was not her will. She couldn’t care less if they went on to steal and kill after they were let go; that wasn’t her problem. The choice presented in front of her was not that, it was whether she would mechanically kill as ordered, and her answer for that, was no.

So, Serah, with a light heart, continued her journey, moving forward as she always has. Nickie was none the wiser and also moved forward without a care.

As for Samantha, hesitation continued to echo in her heart, but eventually she simply let out a sigh. It might as well be for friendship. She thought, comforting herself. She would have preferred to do the job quickly and cleanly as requested. But, as everyone learns in life, things didn’t always go as they wish for it to, and if that was what Serah wanted, Samantha was more than willing to comply. She didn’t have too many friends in the world, and unfortunately, she felt she loved Serah more than she would like. But alas, that's also something people can’t control.