Chapter 13 – Raiders of the Lost Sass
The moment Lord Nightveil's voice echoed through the ballroom, enchanted lights flickered dramatically, casting eerie shadows along the obsidian walls. The artifact hunt had officially begun, and with it came chaos, noble-style.
Aeron adjusted his mask. "So we're doing this? Real-life dungeon crawling in designer shoes?"
"This is a noble tradition," Selene said with a scoff. "A test of cunning, intellect, and agility."
"So basically, hide-and-seek for the magically gifted and emotionally repressed," Lyra summarized, licking marshmallow off her wand.
The trio stepped into the grand hall, its endless mirrors reflecting them a hundred times over. Just as they were about to move, a group of girls in glittering masks brushed past.
"Oh look," one of them sneered. "The Valtoris stray brought his harem."
Selene turned. "Say that again, but slower. I want to remember which one of you I'll hex into a potted fern."
The group quickly scattered.
Lyra gave a low whistle. "And people think I'm the scary one."
"You're scary in a raccoon-with-a-spatula way," Aeron said. "Selene's more cursed-nobility-meets-knife-collection."
Selene smirked. "Thank you."
---
Room One: The Hall of Whispers
They entered a corridor where the walls whispered secrets—actual, personal secrets—to anyone who passed by.
"Selene once cried because she stepped on a snail."
"Lies," Selene growled. "That snail had a family."
"Lyra once wrote a fanfiction about Aeron marrying a refrigerator."
"I WAS TEN!" Lyra wailed.
"Aeron used to sleep with a plush goat named Mister Fluffkins."
He froze. "...How does this wall know everything?"
"It's enchanted to reveal your most embarrassing memories," Selene muttered. "We should move quickly before it leaks my search history."
---
Room Two: The Library of Illusions
Books flew through the air, pages fluttering like birds. A riddle hovered in glowing letters:
> "To find what you seek, you must see what is false. Speak the lie, and the truth shall fall."
"Easy," Aeron said. "I'm confident."
One book dropped.
"I'm emotionally available," Lyra said.
Two books fell.
Selene raised an eyebrow. "I enjoy your company."
All the books collapsed onto the floor.
A single gold key floated up from the pile.
"This house really rewards sarcasm," Lyra muttered.
---
Room Three: The Ballroom Maze
The main ballroom had transformed into a mirror maze. Every wall shimmered with illusions of masked nobles. Aeron kept walking into his own reflection.
"Ow. That guy's too handsome," he mumbled, rubbing his nose.
Selene was already five turns ahead, using magic to scan for real paths.
Lyra yelled from somewhere behind a column, "Guys! I think this mirror just proposed to me!"
They finally reached the center—a raised dais with a glass pedestal. But the artifact wasn't there.
A floating card read: "Too slow. Try harder."
Aeron groaned. "Now the quest is roasting us. Fantastic."
---
Meanwhile, Their Competition...
Other nobles roamed the halls, using enchanted gadgets, familiars, and even one suspiciously overconfident talking cat.
"I smell treasure," said the cat. "Also tuna. Anyone got snacks?"
Lord Nightveil himself floated above the chaos, sipping a glass of what looked like glowing moonlight and judging everyone equally.
---
Back to Team Disaster
"We need a new strategy," Lyra said. "Something wild. Unpredictable."
"We could split up," Aeron suggested.
Selene gave him a flat look. "Have you never seen a horror movie?"
"Fair point."
Lyra sighed. "Fine. We follow the chaos. If this is a party designed by creepy nobles with too much time and not enough therapy, then the artifact is probably somewhere ridiculous."
"Like inside a chandelier?" Aeron asked.
"Or hidden in plain sight, being worn by someone as a fashion accessory," Selene added.
They shared a glance.
Then all three turned toward the dance floor.
---
There, under the enchanted petals and magical music, floated the most outrageous mask of them all: a raven-feathered, ruby-eyed monstrosity sitting atop the head of Lord Nightveil's pet peacock.
"You're kidding," Aeron whispered.
"I never kid about fashion crimes," Selene hissed.
Lyra snorted. "So we have to steal a cursed peacock's hat. Cool. Just another Saturday night."
Aeron cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Distraction plan A: Lyra, go fake a magical meltdown. Selene, you're on glamour-duty. I'll grab the artifact."
"You just want to tackle a bird," Lyra said.
"It's on my bucket list."
---
Seconds later, Lyra screamed, "MY SHOE JUST TURNED INTO A LIZARD!"
Crowd: panics.
Selene: unleashes a dazzling flash spell.
Aeron: dives, rolls, and snatches the peacock hat off its head.
Peacock: screeches like an offended noble.
Guards: chase them.
Aeron: "RUN!"
---
Back at the Entrance Hall
They burst through the doors, breathless and triumphant.
Lord Nightveil descended dramatically. "Well. That was unorthodox. But effective."
He took the mask from Aeron, inspected it, and nodded. "You win the favor of House Nightveil. Use it wisely. Or foolishly. Honestly, chaos is entertaining."
Selene gave a little bow. "We aim to please."
Lyra slumped against a pillar. "I want cake and a nap. Preferably in that order."
Aeron grinned, the adrenaline still buzzing. "So... party success?"
Selene smirked. "Only if you dance with me before we leave."
Aeron took her hand, spinning her onto the dance floor.
Lyra watched them, munching stolen macarons. "I swear, if this turns into a romance novel, I'm hexing someone."
The chandelier above them sparkled as the music swelled.
And the Midnight Masquerade burned on.