The sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs accompanied two figures as they emerged from the shadowy forest.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light on the ground below. Despite the moon's glow, the figures remained mostly hidden beneath their cloaks, moving steadily towards their destination.
These two were Arin and Tessa.
"A few days from now? What's going on?" Tessa asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Arin slowed his pace but kept his gaze fixed ahead, not bothering to turn toward her.
"You've heard the rumors, right?" he said, his voice even. "Everyone from the first year has, especially from the second years. What usually happens a week or so after classes begin?"
Tessa's eyes narrowed in thought, her fingers absentmindedly tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She frowned, clearly trying to figure out what Arin was getting at. Seconds later, her eyes lit up with realization.
"You mean the expedition, don't you?" she asked, now watching Arin intently.
Arin nodded. "Exactly. That's when we'll strike."
Tessa murmured to herself, "That makes sense. The Academy is protected. It'd be reckless to try anything inside the walls."
That was precisely why Arin hadn't planned to act within the Academy—too many risks. But...
"I still have something to take care of at the Academy, though," he muttered, a grin creeping onto his face as he thought about his next move before the expedition.
Tessa's eyes darted toward him. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Arin replied, his pace unwavering as the Academy's path came into view.
For a moment, Tessa hesitated, staring at him. 'I'm sure I heard him say something,' she thought. But she said nothing more, following him in silence.
The path leading back to the Academy stretched before them, framed by the same grassy meadows that had greeted them on their way into the forest. The moon bathed the landscape in its cool glow, and the gentle breeze made the grass sway, creating an oddly serene scene.
Their cloaks fluttered in the wind as they continued walking. Silence hung between them until Arin finally spoke again, breaking the quiet as they neared the Academy's towering walls.
"Tomorrow," he began, catching Tessa's attention, "the Weapon Training class will be a sparring session."
Tessa blinked. "How do you know that?" She asked—or at least, she was about to, but then realized she wouldn't get an answer. After all, as Chaos always said, "I have my ways."
"I see," she muttered, turning her gaze to the Academy's imposing walls. Yet, she knew he wasn't done speaking.
"You and Alex will be paired together," Arin continued, his tone calm but firm. "I want you to use your second fighting style."
Tessa froze in her tracks, her eyes locking onto him, glaring with an intensity that spoke volumes.
"Relax," Arin said, sensing the weight of her stare. "No need to look at me like that."
Without warning, Tessa stepped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. Her voice was sharp, frustration and disbelief seeping into her words. "You've known things before, fine. But this—" she said, her voice faltering as she searched his face. "No one knows about my second style. No one."
Arin sighed, closing his eyes for a brief moment. "I don't think you understand me yet, Tessa." His voice was soft, almost regretful. "And I don't think you ever will."
With that, he moved to step past her, but before he could take another step, she grabbed his hand, her grip tight, trembling.
"This isn't about understanding you, Chaos," she whispered, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. "Do you have any idea how much pain I've been through? How much I'm still going through?"
Tessa's words were sudden, but he remained silent, his expression unreadable as she continued.
"Do you know what it feels like to lose your parents? To know they're never coming back?" Her voice cracked, and the tears that had been threatening to fall began to spill down her cheeks.
Arin didn't move, his eyes squinted, but he still said nothing.
"I hide it every day," Tessa choked, her sobs becoming louder. "I pretend to be strong, to be cold, because I don't want anyone to see how broken I am inside. I try so hard to forget them, but their faces... they're always there. Do you know how that feels?"
Her voice trembled with every word, raw emotion pouring out of her. She was shaking now, her hands clenched into fists as she struggled to stay upright.
Arin closed his eyes again, and stayed quiet, waiting, knowing she needed to get it all out.
Her hands shook as she wiped at her face, but the tears just kept coming, her sobs uncontrollable. "I don't want to be . I hate this. But I have to keep going. I need my revenge. It's the only thing that keeps me going..."
Her eyes were already red from crying, and even her hands were damp with tears. She swallowed hard as she hiccuped, strands of hair clinging to her tear-streaked face.
Tessa's voice dropped to a whisper, so quiet he almost didn't hear it. "So please... just go easy on me. Please..."
Her fist came up weakly, hitting Arin's chest in a feeble punch. "I'm tired... Chaos... I'm so tired..."
Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, her sobs echoing in the still night air. She had finally let it all out, all the pain she'd been holding onto for so long.
Arin knelt beside her, his expression unreadable as he gently lifted her off the ground, cradling her in his arms like he had once before. Her face pressed into his chest, her tears soaking through his cloak, though the fabric's enchanted properties kept it from staying wet for long.
A faint smile crossed his lips. 'So this is what they mean in novels when they talk about character development...'
He started walking again, his steps slow and careful as Tessa's sobs continued to fill the air. She clung to his cloak, not letting go, as if it were the only thing anchoring her to the world.
"Tessa," Arin said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "The choices we make—they define who we are. What we become."
She didn't stop crying, but he felt her fingers tighten their grip, a small sign that she was listening.
His eyes drifted to the horizon as he thought about what lay ahead. "You want answers, don't you? About everything that's happening..."