Chapter 27: The Unlikely Team
The sun hung high in the sky, casting beams of light through the arched windows of the academy's assembly hall. Its golden glow did little to ease the tension hanging thick in the air as students clustered in groups, voices low and eyes darting. The instructor's announcement had ignited a frenzy of whispered strategies and hastily formed alliances, each team trying to secure the strongest members before the outing the next day.
Elyreina stood off to the side, fingers absently brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she glanced around uncertainly. Beside her, Reynard crossed his arms with an air of forced nonchalance, though his gaze flickered warily over the crowd. His jet-black hair caught the light, and his eyes narrowed when Zarek passed by, smirking with a team of well-known elite students already in tow.
"Figures," Reynard muttered, lips curling in mild disdain. "That bastard didn't waste any time."
Elyreina bit her lip, gaze shifting. They were three members short. As if sensing her concern, Reynard's expression softened slightly.
"We'll find others," he said, voice lowered. "We just need to—"
"Excuse me," a smooth voice cut in.
They turned to see a boy with dark auburn hair and amber eyes standing a few paces away, one hand tucked casually into his pocket. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were keen, flickering over them with quick, assessing glances.
"I don't suppose you need an extra member?" he asked, tone light but guarded. "Seems everyone else already has their picks."
Reynard's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "And you are?"
"Dorian," the boy replied, offering a faint smile. "Not exactly in high demand, as you can see."
Elyreina hesitated, glancing at Reynard, who shrugged reluctantly. They really didn't have the luxury of turning anyone away.
"I-I suppose you can join us," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "That is, if you're sure."
Dorian chuckled, stepping forward. "Not like I've got much choice. Besides, I've heard worse offers."
As they spoke, another voice cleared her throat nearby.
"If you're looking for a fourth, I'll join," the girl said evenly.
They turned to see a girl with deep violet hair cascading down her back and eyes a striking shade of amethyst. Selene's expression was calm, almost indifferent, but there was a flicker of determination in her gaze.
Elyreina blinked, surprised but relieved. "Selene! You—you're sure?"
Selene shrugged, crossing her arms. "Everyone else already has their teams. And you're… not the worst choice." Her eyes darted to Reynard briefly before she huffed softly, looking away.
Reynard smirked faintly. "Wow. Such high praise."
Dorian chuckled under his breath, and even Elyreina smiled timidly. With Selene and Dorian, their team was finally coming together.
But they were still one short.
"We still need one more," Elyreina murmured, almost to herself.
Reynard leaned back, scoffing. "Great. Maybe we'll get lucky and find someone who doesn't die in the first five minutes."
A voice spoke from behind them, smooth and almost amused.
"Like you all forgot about me."
Elyreina froze, eyes widening. That voice—she turned sharply, heart pounding painfully against her ribs. Reynard's eyes narrowed in disbelief, and even Dorian arched a brow, glancing back with mild curiosity.
But it was Selene's reaction that was the most surprising. Her amethyst eyes widened, lips parting slightly in shock. For a heartbeat, she seemed frozen in place, fingers tightening faintly against her sleeves.
Lyrian stood a few paces away, leaning casually against a pillar. His dark hair was slightly tousled, shadowed eyes glinting faintly with amusement. Though still pale from exhaustion, his posture was relaxed, almost indifferent.
Elyreina's lips parted, eyes glistening with a mix of shock and relief. "L-Lyrian?" Her voice wavered.
He smirked faintly. "Expecting someone else?"
Before he could react, Elyreina closed the distance, her arms wrapping around him in a tight embrace. Her fingers gripped the fabric of his cloak as if afraid he might vanish if she let go.
"You—" Her voice broke slightly, muffled against his shoulder. "You're okay…"
Lyrian hesitated, surprised by the sudden contact, but his expression softened briefly. His hand hovered awkwardly for a moment before he patted her back once, almost uncertainly.
"Barely," he muttered, though his tone was light. "Can't breathe, by the way."
She pulled back quickly, cheeks flushed but eyes still bright with unshed tears.
"S-Sorry! I just—you were—"
"Yeah, I know," he interrupted, offering a faint, crooked smile. "Miss me that much?"
Reynard snorted, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Tch. Cocky bastard." But his eyes were warmer than his tone suggested, relief hidden behind mock annoyance.
Dorian watched the exchange with an arched brow, lips curling faintly in interest. "Well, this just got more interesting."
Lyrian's gaze flicked to him, eyes narrowing briefly. "Who's this?"
"Dorian," the auburn-haired boy introduced smoothly, offering a lazy wave. "New guy. Don't worry, I won't slow you down."
Selene, who had been silent up to this point, cleared her throat almost awkwardly. Her eyes flickered to Lyrian, then away, expression unreadable.
"...Glad to see you're not dead," she muttered, trying for indifference but failing to mask the faint tremor in her voice.
Lyrian arched a brow, smirking faintly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Selene huffed, crossing her arms with a little too much force. "Don't. It wasn't." But her eyes lingered on him a second too long to be convincing.
Elyreina smiled softly, tension easing from her shoulders. Their team was complete.
Almost unconsciously, she moved a bit closer to Lyrian's side, as if reassuring herself that he was real and not some cruel illusion.
The instructor's voice cut through the noise.
"Form up. You'll be departing immediately. Remember—this isn't a simulation. If you die out there, that's it."
Reynard groaned softly. "Well, that's reassuring."
Lyrian's eyes darkened faintly, a ghost of a smile still lingering on his lips.
"Guess we'd better not die, then."
Dorian smirked. "Solid plan."
Selene rolled her eyes, but her fingers clenched subtly against her sleeves, betraying a flicker of nerves.
As the teams began to move, Lyrian's eyes glinted with a mix of exhaustion and determination.
The outing had barely begun, but the real battle was only just starting.