Shattered Reflections
Valeforth Academy — Rooftop Observation Deck
7:13 PM — One Week After the Bridge Incident
The sky was painted in dying hues—indigo swallowing gold, clouds smeared like bruises over the sun. The wind cut sharp atop the academy's highest point, the rooftop observation deck usually reserved for flight drills and stargazing. Tonight, it was empty.
Except for two people.
Alyss stepped onto the rooftop with her ribs still bandaged beneath her uniform. Every breath still stung. Her hand trembled slightly, but she clenched it shut.
Noven stood alone at the railing, eyes fixed on the horizon. His posture was relaxed, detached—like nothing weighed on him at all.
Like he hadn't just vanished for a week.
Like she hadn't almost died.
She didn't announce herself. Didn't need to.
He spoke first.
"You should be resting."
His voice was low. Flat. Unconcerned.
Her jaw clenched. "And you should be explaining."
He didn't turn.
"I owe you nothing."
The words hit harder than any blow Black Vein had landed.
Alyss stepped forward, boots echoing on the cold metal floor.
"You knew. You knew they were coming for her. For me."
Silence.
"You let them use me," she said. "As bait."
Noven finally turned to face her.
There was no remorse in his eyes. No flicker of guilt. Just that hollow calm that always made her feel like she was staring into an empty house with the lights still on.
"I didn't let them use you," he said. "I used them."
Her stomach twisted.
"You used me."
"Yes."
The wind howled between them.
She didn't flinch. Didn't cry. Her voice was steady—but ragged at the edges.
"Callyn is dead. I nearly died. And you… you watched it all happen."
"I did."
"Why?"
Noven's expression didn't shift.
"To draw them out. The assassin. The butler. Unit IX doesn't move without bait."
"And if I had died?" she spat.
He looked at her then—really looked.
But his gaze wasn't warm. It was analytical. Cold.
"Then the mission would've failed. I would've adjusted."
Alyss felt something in her chest crack. She took a step back like his words physically shoved her.
"I thought…" Her voice faltered, then sharpened. "I thought you cared. Even a little."
"I don't."
The silence after that was unbearable.
It stretched out like a noose, coiled and patient.
Alyss looked away, jaw trembling.
"I fought for you," she said quietly. "Even when I didn't understand why. Even when everyone warned me about you."
"That was your mistake."
She turned back to him, fists clenched at her sides.
"Are you even human?"
Noven stepped forward, slowly.
There was no menace in his movement—no aggression. Just the same unnerving stillness that haunted every room he walked into.
"I am what Unit IX made me," he said. "You're just seeing it now."
Alyss blinked, but her voice was still defiant.
"Then I'll ask again. Why didn't you stop them?"
Noven stared past her, into the dying sky.
"Because killing Black Vein wasn't the goal."
"Then what was?"
His answer was a whisper.
"Letting her think she won."
Alyss shook her head. "So what? You're playing some long game while the rest of us bleed?"
"Exactly."
There was no hesitation.
Alyss stared at him, breathing hard.
Then she laughed—just once. Cold and broken.
"I don't know who you are anymore."
"You never did."
"I wanted to."
Noven met her eyes one last time.
"Then you were a fool."
He turned to walk away.
Alyss didn't call out. Didn't try to stop him.
She just stood there, as the last light bled from the sky, the wind scraping her skin like knives.
And for the first time since the attack, she felt something worse than pain.
Emptiness.