Bruno looked down at the Ticking Tryst, warily looking up every once in a while to check on Elizabeth. “Accept conversation request.”

Alyssa: How are you holding up?

Bruno: I’m just nervous. Is that the only reason you started the conversation?

Alyssa: Well, I wanted to apologize to you, too. For what I said a few days ago. It was very cruel of me, and I’m sorry.

Bruno: No, please don’t apologize. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have called you a coward. I see that a lot more tonight, since there’s so much on your plate than I ever anticipated.

Alyssa: Yes, I guess so. I was rather surprised to see my parents doing so well, haha. I was worried something bad happened after they never reached out to me.

Bruno: I’m glad to see they’re still doing well. If everything goes smoothly for the rest of the night, will you dance with me?

Alyssa: Wow, I think that’s the first time you’ve made a move. Usually I’m the one doing everything.

Bruno: I figured I should try to finally flip it around. Got bored of you bossing me around.

Alyssa: I’m going to look like a maniac if I start laughing to myself over here. Is it okay if I could ask you for a favor?

Bruno: Sure, what is it?

Bruno jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He had been preoccupied with watching Elizabeth, who was casually leaning on General Kristiansen now, and talking to Alyssa through the Tryst. He whipped his head around and saw a man with dark, almost blue, hair, smiling at him.

“Do you happen to be acquainted with the young woman in the blue ball gown? I saw you two walk in together earlier tonight.” He was incredibly charming, with one of those rare smiles that seemed to invite Bruno, close in on him, just him, and make him feel like the most important person in that room.

Bruno stuttered over his words before replying. “Yes, I do know her.”

“Well,” he said, adjusting his suit, “I’d love it if you could introduce the two of us. I couldn’t help but notice her as soon as she walked in.”

Bruno blinked at the strange man for a moment before laughing. “Of course. I’m sure she’d love to talk to you.”

[Message unsent by user.]

Stolen novel; please report.

Bruno: I’m sorry, someone just came up and asked to meet Morrigan. What did you need?

After Bruno left the man with Morrigan, he resumed his spot to watch Elizabeth, who still maintained her bold, boisterous aura behind a disguise of formality. Her hand would gently graze the General’s shoulder, lingering for just a moment before she would readjust her weight.

Bruno: Hello? What was the favor?

Elizabeth was now guiding the General down the hushed hallway. Bruno began to impatiently tap his foot as he waited for Alyssa’s response, growing increasingly nervous. Finally, he decided to leave the chat — although he left the chat open in hopes that the next time he checked, her message would be there.

Juro: The show is going to be starting soon in the main room. Let’s all meet up there.

Elizabeth: I’m with Kristiansen right now. I’ll update more once I’m out, but so far, the Leiths are in catastrophe. Their powers are weakening for seemingly no reason by the day, and the factions have split and have started to chip at each other. Void is completely gone.

Alyssa: No wonder this fundraiser has been so segregated. I’m under the chandelier. Let’s all meet there.

Bruno cringed at the appearance of Alyssa but quickly moved under the chandelier. He already saw Juro and Morrigan talking, both having adjusted to the atmosphere, although Morrigan seemed to be fueled by such a thrilling environment.

Juro grabbed Bruno’s shoulder as he approached. “You know, it seems like everything for the Leiths is completely falling apart, too. Do you think the Gods finally got sick of their abuse,” he whispered critically, pointing up toward the sky.

Morrigan quickly shook her head back and forth, laughing. “If God really was out there, do you really think Leiths would have been the almighty creation?”

Before anyone could join their conversation, the lights dimmed suddenly, Alyssa’s parents emerging into the beautifully-lit staircase. They almost seemed to sparkle as they stood, the shadows murmuring around them seeming to grow distant as they blared like a searchlight.

“Thank you for coming, everyone!” Alyssa’s mother announced, in a loud voice but not one that strained. “We commemorate all of you for coming to support one another for all future aspirations. It’s our duty as the most respectable people of Leith to come together and design our own futures.” She raised a glass of champagne in the air. “To Leith!” She cried.

“To Leith!” Glasses clinked in the air as people cheered, drinking the golden liquor.

Alyssa’s father cleared his throat, knocking on his chest. “Now, let’s begin the show!”

Suddenly, the chandelier above them began to swing, giving off an eternal glow that smoldered like a burnt lamp within the glass. Alyssa had already joined the group, yet none noticed her as she seemed to simply appear behind them.

People erupted from the glass of the chandelier, reaching out their hands as they dangled towards the ground, their skin translucent before they suddenly vanished back into the glass. They flickered in the lights throughout the room, setting the room ablaze so bright that the stars had to shield themselves in the sky.

Morrigan gawked at the sight, starstruck.

Morrigan: Is this… the shadow power?”

Alyssa: You could call it that. They can move through all reflections or shadows — any traces a human leaves behind. It’s rather beautiful, isn’t it? I find all of the powers are.

Morrigan: I’ve never seen it like this before. It really is beautiful.

Shadows suddenly gropped their way up the walls, locking everything into the dark abyss except the lights that only burned brighter and brighter in the rooms, reflecting on the glass windows and chandeliers.

Elizabeth: Fuck, he’s found the par—!

[Elizabeth has left the conversation.]

A violent, gargling scream erupted from the hallway as Elizabeth was strewn across the entire room, splattering straight into the ground, the sound of her skin burning as she slid for a few feet. The crowd murmured like whispering flies as they scattered from her. Before she could heave herself up, her arms trembling beneath her body, hands made of shadow ripped their way through the ground and hoisted her up into the air. They bound her as she struggled in the air, her wheezed breathes audible in the ever-growing chaos.

General Kristiansen marched out, every step booming on the marble floors. He held his chin up, eyes narrowed, as he walked out beneath Elizabeth. The paralysis gun was straddled around his finger as he guided it into the air.

“We have been infiltrated.”