Talia jolted upright with a gasp, her hands flying to her chest as she wheezed like she’d been held underwater.

Her golden eyes darted around in frantic desperation, trying to piece together where she was.

The dim light of early evening trickled through the cracks of the academy’s infirmary blinds, casting long shadows across the room.

Her gaze settled on Aeris, who was lying beside her, propped against the wall.

“Aeris…?” she croaked. Her breath hitched.

“The knights, the blood, Zarena”

She clutched at herself, yanking down the collar of her uniform and inspecting her arms, her stomach, her legs.

 "Where ..where is the blood? I was, he hit me, I was sure I was dead!"

“Talia,” Aeris said quickly, moving closer. She gently grasped her friend’s shoulder. 

“You’re okay. You’re safe. Just focus on your breathing. In and out, nice and slow alright?”

Talia’s whole frame trembled. 

“Aeris, what happened? What the hell was that? Why didn’t you tell me you could do all that? What else are you hiding from me?”

There was fear mixed with exhaustion in her words.

Aeris hesitated. Slowly, she raised her arms and gave Talia a questioning look. 

“Can I hug you?”

Talia blinked rapidly but gave a jerky nod. 

The moment Aeris pulled her into her arms, Talia let out a sharp breath and slumped forward, burying her face against her neck.

“I’ll explain everything,” Aeris whispered. “I promise. Just… not here. We don’t know who or what might be listening.”

Talia didn’t answer immediately, only nuzzled closer, her body still trembling. 

After a moment, she whispered, “I love warm hugs. I feel like I could melt…”

Aeris couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

Internally, her thoughts were far less composed.

 She’s so damn adorable.

Her heartbeat quickened at her overwhelming cuteness.

“I’m sorry,” Talia mumbled, pulling back slightly. 

“I’m just… I don’t know. My head’s a mess. Almost dying twice in less than a month will do that, huh?”

Aeris tilted her head. “Lia, it's fine as long you're okay, that's all I care about”

“I just feel like I'm suffocating you know, since I was…well attacked for want of a better term”

“Your heart’s racing. You’re having trouble breathing, your thoughts are spiraling, and you feel like you’re in danger even though you’re not anymore. That sound about right?”

Talia nodded. “Bingo, you nailed it.”

“Figured,” Aeris said softly.

 “That’s called a panic attack. You’re not broken or sick. Just… hurting. Give yourself time and be kind to yourself.”

Before they could share another word, the sounds of heavy boots and boisterous voices echoed down the corridor.

 The other first-years were returning from their assignment, some of them muddy, others laughing loudly.

 A few carried the body of the designated monster, its corpse lacerated, charred and most importantly dead.

“Well, well, well,” came a familiar grating voice. 

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

Aeris’s shoulders slumped. Tristan Draycott. Of course.

The egotistical dullard swaggered forward, a wide grin plastered across his face. 

“Slacking off during orientation? Bold move. But don’t worry, I picked up your slack.”

Aeris rose slowly, brushing dust off her skirt. 

"You’re bragging about killing such a low level dungeon beast? Congratulations on clearing the lowest possible hurdle.”

Tristan’s grin faltered.

“Honestly,” Aeris continued dryly.

 “A blind child could have dispensed with that lowly thing and here you are bragging.” 

Before Tristan could snap back, a sharp thwack sounded as a stern hand clipped him upside the head. 

“Enough, Draycott.”

The entire group seemed to instinctually straighten at once.

Striding toward them with elegance was a tall girl with ice-blue eyes and silvery blonde hair bound in a sleek braid. 

Her uniform bore the raven sigil of the Black Raven House, but the silver trim marked her status.

Aeris bowed slightly. 

“Lorelei Hildegard, in the flesh, a pleasure.”

Talia whispered under her breath. 

“The Brine Reaver…”

One of the strongest third-years in the academy and the current Vice Captain of Black Raven House.

“What brings a senior like you down to the rookies’ playground?” Aeris asked, voice measured.

Lorelei stared at her for a long moment before replying with a question of her own. 

“Why weren’t you with the other first years?”

Aeris tensed as the third-year stepped closer, her full attention collapsing upon her.

Before Aeris could invent a lie, a familiar, awkward voice piped up behind her.

“Uh..um that’s my fault!” Zarena suddenly sat up, rubbing her temples. 

“I..uh…faint a lot, frail constitution. Delicate and all that. They stayed behind to, uh, comfort me.”

Lorelei’s gaze silently shifted to Zarena. 

Her eyes narrowed before softening by the slightest fraction. 

“I see.”

A respectful nod followed.

 “Apologies are In order, it seems, I'll see that I'm sufficiently informed about my juniors moving forward.”.

 Lorelei said while stretching her arms.

‘As for your question, Miss Garland, I’m here at Lady Sorithra’s request, a security measure given everything that's befallen the House this year’.  

Her words, cold and succinct, really live up to her reputation. Aeris thought.

And with that the third-year pivoted and strode away without another word, Tristan stumbling at her heels.

Once they were gone, Aeris turned to Zarena. 

“That was quick thinking, well done”

Zarena smiled weakly.

"Thanks, you two are the reason I'm not six feet under so happy to help”

Before they could regroup, the sound of rushing footsteps echoed once again.

 Mary burst into view, her cheeks flushed, and behind her came Sorithra, calm but visibly relieved.

“There you are!” Mary exclaimed, eyes welling up. “Thank the stars, you’re safe!”

“We survived,” Aeris said, managing a tired smile. 

“Thanks to Talia, Zarena and a little luck.”

Sorithra’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. 

“I’d like to hear the full story. In my office, now”. Sorithra decreed her voice souring

The girls exchanged silent glances. 

“Yes, Professor.”

ater, after climbing the tower back to Sorithra’s office and spinning a carefully curated tale of fainting spells and getting lost in a sealed corridor, the instructor regarded them with a skeptical gaze.

“I see,” she said slowly. “That’s… unfortunate.”

A beat passed. Then she waved them off. 

“We’ll pick this up later, Dismissed.”

Out Sorithra office the girls stood up, but Aeris motioned for the others to leave first.

 “Hey Mary, can we chat for a second, in private?”

“Aeri? what's up?” Talia asked concerned

“Go on ahead Tali, We’ll talk later!” Aeris interrupted firmly.

Talia frowned, before nodding. She left with Zarena, leaving Aeris alone with Mary.

The other girl looked unusually subdued, her usual cheer replaced by anxiety and concern.

“Aeris… I was really scared, I  lost you and the others, I tried to follow, but the monolith rejected me. I'm sorry.” 

Mary whimpered, her words shaky and hoarse.

Aeris crossed her arms. Her voice was cold and blunt like a winter wind.

“Funny, isn’t it? You were the one who pointed out the monolith. You were the one whoI encouraged us to check it out.”

Mary’s breath caught.

“Aeris…”

“It’s awfully convenient that you weren’t pulled in like the rest of us. Almost like you knew.”

“That’s not fair!” Mary’s voice cracked.

“I didn’t…I would never!”.  Mary pleaded 

Aeris studied her face.

She didn’t sense a lie, but still, her gut churned something felt off.

“I don't understand why you harbor this…malice towards me, I’m sorry for what happened to Talia but I had nothing to do with that and I've been nothing but kind to you… So I…I don't understand you.’

Mary's voice cracked as tears started to well in her swollen eyes.

“No you're right, I'm…being an asshole, I'm sorry Mary,  I'm just a little on edge I guess"

Aeris shrugged feeling stupid for jumping the gun with zero evidence.

“I don't blame you, it's wise to be cautious especially after that horrific assault by one of my housemates”

Mary’s lips trembled as she turned her back.

“I will earn your trust, Aeris, if you but grant me the chance to do so”.

Mary said her words falling into a whisper.

“I suppose we’ll see about that in time won't we?”

  Aeris chimed before briskly passing the girl.

"Soon enough" Mary answered with a smile.