Selena hands her daughter, who had been resting on her shoulder until now, to one of the attendants of the palace, and steps through the portal once more. “Not quite. We both attended the last annual banquet, did we not?”

I stifle a chuckle, muttering under my breath. “Pff, that’s what you get for trying to act cool.”

A vein bulges on the side of the dean’s forehead, clearly irritated by my comment. He presses his lips together, controlling his response. “That’s…You know what I meant...”

He briefly glances at me and the boy behind me, before continuing. “Now then, to what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?” He asks Selena.

She pushes a lock of hair behind her ear before answering. “Oh, nothing grand. I’m only here to take my daughter and the boy behind you.”

The dean’s eyebrow twitches, and once again his gaze momentarily lands on Alden, before shifting back to Selena. He clears his throat, ensuring that his words are properly conveyed.

“Article 1, clause 1 of the DaiKar code of conduct for personnel and attendees… Trainees shall not leave DaiKar premises outside of permitted leave, no matter the reason.” He says rigidly, almost as if he was reading from the rule book itself.

When he pauses, and silence fills the air, I think that is the end of it, and an inevitable battle will break out. But then, he tightens his lips, and he seems struck by an old memory. With a regretful tone, he pursues, but not before letting out a small sigh. “...At least that’s what it says… but we’ve made exceptions in the past…”

Selena’s expression remains impassive, though her eyes glint. “Then surely you can make an exception again, old friend.”

Orion scoffs, running his fingers through his silver hair. “Perhaps, if it is only your daughter, I can. Out of consideration for our families’ history, and for our…friendship, I can make an exception.” As the last word falls off his lips, his gaze hardens. “But… that is where my leniency ends. The boy must stay.”

I’m not happy about it, but he’s right. Letting Sylvia return to her family might be in her best interest. I’m certain the FullCastle will do everything within their power to heal her, and ensure her safety. The real issue, as he pointed out, lies with Alden. No one knows why they want to take him away, and something tells me allowing it would be a grave mistake.

For an instant, not another word is spoken. The only thing that remains is the two virtuosos staring into the other’s eyes. Though they are still, the world seems to move. A certain pressure invades the atmosphere surrounding us. It grows steadily, until it begins to weigh down on all present. It is imperceptible at first, but eventually, even I find myself oppressed by it.

Danger permeates the air around Selena and she puts an end to the silence, her voice laced with chilling intent. “...Are you going to oppose my father’s will?” She asks, taking a step forward.

Orion matches her step, his hands twitching by his side, ready to move should the need arise. “...Daikar is meant to be neutral ground, I cannot allow you to break that principle… even if it is the will of the Scale bearer….”

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The tension thickens. Neither Selena nor Orion is willing to back down. It’s as tough a storm is on the verge of breaking, threatening to swallow everything whole.

Slowly, I raise my bow, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. “This is going to turn into a fight after all… How fun!”

Tobias, standing nearby, pushes his glasses up his nose, and the mysterious instrument within his sleeve seems ready to be summoned. “I await your command, Matriarch.”

But before anyone can move, a voice, this one new, resonates from the other side of the portal, putting a stop to it all. “Now, now. Why don’t we all take a second to breathe? I’m sure we can reach some sort of understanding!”

A man, his appearance strikingly similar to Selena’s, steps through the opening. Noticeably, his hair is of a ravenous black and his eyes of an even deeper blue than hers. What allows me to recognize him almost instantly, however, is the mole under his left eye in the shape of a cross, and most importantly… that disgusting smile. The scar across my eye aches, and I unconsciously grit my teeth at the sight of him.

‘Silas FullCastle…’

A supervisor from my time in the Coda. One I could never forget.

He strides to Selena’s side, and he amicably pats her shoulder, only to have his hand immediately swatted away. Unbothered, he smirks. “This is why father only calls on you to fight, Sele! You’re a terrible negotiator!”

She huffs, and does not even meet his gaze.

His smile as wide as it could be, he clasps his hands together and turns to the dean. “I completely understand your concern, my dear Orion, and I’ve come up with the perfect solution to ensure that everyone comes out of this satisfied!”

He gestures to the portal. “Why don’t we discuss this over a nice cup of tea?”

Still, the dean’s voice remains firm. “I do not plan to yield, Silas. Not on this.”

The dean gives him no opening, but Silas does not waver, his smile never fading. “You lack nuance! It is hardly about yielding or not, old friend! Rather, negotiation is about reaching common ground!”

The dean’s expression darkens as his vision shifts from Selena to her brother. Silas might not be as powerful as his sister, but even the dean cannot face them both at once.

Orion’s gaze sharpens. “Hmm…And what if I refuse to negotiate?”

Selena remains silent, and Silas completely ignores the aggressive intent. His eyes gleam as he steps closer. “Orion! Has age clouded your memory?” His smile, if it had been polite before, akin to that of a merchant, turns eerie, chilling even. “Think…. have you ever come out on the losing end of a deal with me…?

Those words seem to trigger something within the dean. He had been calm until now, but his facade momentarily breaks. His face hardens, and his control slips. Silas senses this and presses onto the offensive.

“One cup of tea wouldn’t hurt, would it?” He says, his voice silkily persuasive.

Looking at the dean, it seems as if all hell is about to break loose, but suddenly, Orion regains his composure, and he straightens, folding his arms behind his back. His eyes seem pained, and he closes them with resignation before answering. “...One cup of tea.”

Satisfied, Silas’ grin widens even further. “Perfect! Now, Tobias, retrieve that boy! Let’s show him FullCastle hospitality, yes?”

‘Seriously?!’

I snap, unable to hold my tongue any longer. I lash out before Tobias can even take a step. “What was that, Dean?! You’re going to let them take him away after all that??”

He does not even bother to face me, his voice cutting coldly through the air. “Stand down, Lauren. That is an order.” He warns me.

But I was never one to obey quietly.

The anger within me burns like a wildfire. I step forward, heart pounding. “So you just lie down and wag your tail in front of the FullCastles?! Is that it?? Well not me!! That boy isn’t going anywhere!”

Tobias immediately steps into a battle stance, the deadly intent in his eyes clear. “Dreadcaster… You forget your place…”

Despite his readiness to take me on, however, Selena takes a step. “I’ll face her.” She states.

Tobias stiffens, immediately protesting his master's decision. “Matriarch! I assure you I can handle this–”

She silences him with a look. “I have spoken, Tobias.”

She allows no room for further argument.

Tobias’ face twists with frustration, and he reluctantly yields. “...As you wish, Matriarch.”

Their antics are of no consequence to me. I channel intricate waves of pureflow to the muscles of my legs until they hum with power, readying a charge. “It doesn’t matter which one I fight! Hell, you can all come together if you’d like!” I yell, my voice fierce and defiant.

“If you want him… You’ll take him over my dead body!”