Raiven couldn't shake the feeling that Seraphine's arrival was more than coincidence. Her smile, the glint in her golden eyes—it was too familiar. Like a memory he couldn't reach. It was like she was sent there.
The final bell rang, and the halls emptied. As Raiven stepped into the corridor, his mind still clouded with questions, he heard soft footsteps behind him.
"Nice show you put on earlier."
He turned quickly. There she was—Seraphine. Or rather...
"You!" he blurted. "You're Seraphine..."
A playful grin danced across her lips. "Sera would be fine."
She walked beside him without asking, like they'd known each other for years. Somehow, it didn't feel wrong.
Raiven frowned. "Why do I feel like we've met before?"
Sera tilted her head, amused. "Maybe it's because we've actually met before and your memory's just too slow."
They laughed lightly. The tension from earlier felt distant—at least for a moment.
But not everyone was amused.
Senya was waiting by the lockers, her gaze sharp and unblinking as Sera and Raiven approached.
Sera offered a polite nod. "Nice to see you again, Senya."
As they rounded the corner, Raiven's steps slowed, Senya stood up ahead, arms crossed, leaning against his locker.
Her eyes darted to Sera, then locked on Raiven with cold intensity.
Sera's expression remained calm, but her posture stiffened slightly.
"Looks like your fan club is expanding," Senya said, voice sharp.
Raiven didn't respond.
She stepped closer, her voice dropping low—just loud enough for him to hear.
"You do remember the reason we haven't fought yet, right?"
Raiven raised an eyebrow.
Senya narrowed her eyes.
"This is school. That's the only reason. But if we ever meet outside these walls…"
With a wicked knowing smile she let the sentence hang, a deadly promise.
"Let the strongest live."
Raiven's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
Sera gently tugged his arm. "Come on."
They walked away; tension thick in the air. Behind them, Senya watched with an expression that said she was already counting the days.
That night, Raiven lay staring at the ceiling, the day's conversations spinning in his head. Sera. Senya. Secrets and shadows. It was getting harder to breathe through the normal.
Sera's familiarity… Senya's warning… the feeling that everything was accelerating.
Just as his mind began to drift—
Then—click.
His room's light flickered.
Once. Twice. A third time.
Raiven sat up, heart racing. Slowly, he turned to the window.
Outside, under the streetlamp, stood alone figure. Wind tousled golden strands of hair.
Sera.
She stood still, watching.
Not threatening.
Just... waiting.
And in that quiet, Raiven knew—things were only just beginning.