A Game of Patience

The chamber pulsed with darkness, its jagged stone walls bathed in the eerie glow of a single floating crystal—red like dying embers, deep like an open wound. Saraphine Vale stood before it, the shadows curling around her like smoke, drawn to the quiet storm of power thrumming beneath her skin.

Her lips curled, amusement flashing in her golden eyes.

"She has guts," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it echoed in the silence.

With a slow, deliberate motion, she lifted her hand, fingers hovering over the crystal's surface. A vision rippled through its depths—Aria Evercrest, standing tall in the void of the dream realm, defiance burning in her gaze.

Saraphine could still hear her voice. I don't bargain with snakes.

The words had been spoken with such certainty, such stubborn will. It reminded her of Celeste Evercrest—of the woman who had once stood against her, who had refused to bow even when the world trembled beneath her feet.

History had a way of repeating itself.

Saraphine inhaled slowly, closing her fingers around the crystal.

"Foolish girl." A whisper of magic slithered from her fingertips, latching onto the vision, distorting it. "You'll learn soon enough."

The tendrils of shadow wove through the chamber, stretching, twisting, seeking.

The game had only just begun.

---

The air was cool against Aria's skin when she jolted awake, heart hammering in her chest. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of something unseen pressing against her.

Saraphine.

Even now, she could still hear the woman's voice, silky and serpentine, coiling around her thoughts.

She clenched her fists, breathing through the unease. I won't let her get in my head.

With a deep breath, she threw off the blanket and sat up. Across the dimly lit room, Lyric was already awake, perched on the windowsill, scribbling in her notebook.

Noticing movement, Lyric glanced up. "You look awful."

Aria scoffed. "Great to hear first thing in the morning."

Lyric snapped her book shut and studied her. "Dream?"

Aria nodded, rubbing her temples. "Saraphine offered me a deal."

Lyric's expression darkened. "And?"

"I told her no."

A slow exhale. "Good," Lyric muttered. "But she won't let this go."

"I know."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension.

Then, the sound of something crashing in the next room made both girls turn.

"OW! Finn, that was my foot!"

"Well, Quinn, maybe your foot shouldn't be where I'm throwing things."

A muffled groan. "You threw it at my face."

Lyric groaned. "I hate mornings."

Aria smirked. "Come on. Let's go deal with whatever nonsense they're up to."

---

The library-turned-hideout was eerily quiet most of the time, its high-arched ceilings and endless shelves filled with dust-covered books giving it an ancient, forgotten feel. That peace was usually shattered the moment Finn and Quinn were in the same space.

When Aria and Lyric entered, they were greeted by the sight of Finn clutching his satchel like a lifeline, Kael standing with his arms crossed, and Quinn looking entirely too pleased with himself despite sporting a rapidly forming bruise on his cheek.

Aria blinked. "Do I even want to know?"

Finn gestured wildly. "Quinn threw something at me."

Quinn adjusted his sleeves. "It was a minor experiment."

Kael, looking unimpressed, added, "He tripped over Finn's satchel and somehow managed to make it everyone's problem."

Lyric pinched the bridge of her nose. "Do we have to babysit you two?"

"Actually," Quinn interjected smoothly, "Finn and I were in the middle of something very important."

Finn sighed dramatically. "I regret everything."

Quinn ignored him. "I have a plan."

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Oh, this should be good."

"I," Quinn announced, "am going to win over our dear Lyric."

Dead silence.

Lyric, who had been flipping through a book, slowly looked up, eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

Quinn grinned. "You heard me."

Aria coughed to hide her laughter. Kael looked like he wanted to walk into a wall. Finn, the traitor, beamed.

"He came to me for help," Finn said, looking far too entertained.

Lyric turned her glare on him. "You encouraged this?"

"Absolutely."

Lyric closed the book with a sharp snap. "Tell me this is a joke."

Quinn smirked. "Why would I joke about something so important?"

Lyric let out a slow, measured breath. "Because you think everything is a game."

"Not everything," Quinn said smoothly. "Just the things that amuse me."

Aria, struggling to contain her laughter, decided to help Lyric out. "I think he just finds you amusing."

Lyric turned to her, scandalized. "You too?"

Aria shrugged, grinning. "I mean, you are fun to watch when you're flustered."

Kael muttered, "This is ridiculous."

Quinn, utterly unbothered, smirked at Lyric. "So? Will you allow me to woo you?"

Lyric stood, grabbed the nearest book, and promptly smacked him on the shoulder with it. "I will throw you out a window."

Finn cackled.

Aria couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

For the first time since Saraphine's dream, the weight on her chest felt a little lighter.

---

Later that evening, after the chaos had settled and the group dispersed for the night, Lyric found Aria alone, staring into the flickering lantern light.

She hesitated before speaking. "I don't get it."

Aria glanced at her. "What?"

Lyric crossed her arms. "Quinn. Why would he be interested in me?"

Aria smirked. "You sound personally offended."

"I am," Lyric admitted, running a hand through her hair. "I mean, he flirts with everything that breathes. How am I supposed to take him seriously?"

Aria tilted her head. "Maybe that's exactly why he's interested. Because you don't fall for his antics like everyone else."

Lyric frowned. "Or he just likes annoying me."

"Also possible."

Lyric groaned, rubbing her temples. "I am not playing his game."

Aria grinned. "Then make him work for it."

Lyric smirked. "Oh, I will."

As she walked away, Aria chuckled to herself, warmth flickering in her chest.

For all the darkness looming over them, there was still laughter, still friendship. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough—for now.

But deep down, she knew.

Saraphine was still watching.

And the game was far from over.