The day after the duel, Luna sat across from Aria and Nyx in the bustling cafeteria, the clatter of trays and hum of voices filling the air. Her gaze drifted to Aria's neck, where a small, gleaming necklace caught the light.
Curiosity tugged at her.
"What's that?" Luna asked, her voice low. "The necklace… where did you get it?"
Aria glanced down, fingers brushing the pendant. A smile bloomed.
"You noticed, huh?" she chuckled. "I picked it up in the city today, between classes. Just a tiny shop I stumbled into."
Luna's eyes lingered on the shimmer—it was oddly calming. Before she could say more, Nyx cut in.
"Speaking of the city…" He sliced into his steak, voice lazy but with a sly undertone. "The banquet's coming up. You'll need something to wear, Luna. You kind of arrived with… nothing elegant."
Luna blinked, caught off guard.
"Ah. Right." She hesitated. "Well, I guess I can go. Why not?"
A pause. Then, half to herself: "I have a dress in mind that I want to buy."
Aria brightened, grinning wide.
"I'm going with you. I'll make sure it's perfect."
Nyx raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Oh? I had something in mind too, for her," he said, sipping his water.
Aria scoffed.
"No way. I'm choosing her clothes. Not you."
"Dream big, Aria," Nyx quipped, leaning back.
Their playful bickering rolled over Luna like a warm wave. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. For a moment, she let herself just listen. No pressure. No decisions. Just the noise of her siblings arguing about dresses.
Then she closed her eyes.
The sounds dulled. A brief silence bloomed behind her closed lids—calm and weightless, like holding her breath underwater. For a second, she wasn't anywhere at all.
When she opened them again, Aria was laughing, Nyx was smirking, and the clatter of the cafeteria returned in full. Luna smiled faintly. Maybe shopping wasn't the worst idea in the world.
The next day, Luna stepped into the Academy's waiting carriage, the leather seat creaking as she sank back with a sigh. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, striping the floor with gold.
Beside her, Aria adjusted the sleeve of her jacket, beaming.
"Ready?"
"Depends," Luna murmured. "Where exactly are we going?"
Aria leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"Luvien City. You'll love it—it's always buzzing with life."
She paused, then added:
"It's the main place students go when they need something outside the Academy. You'll see."
Luna peeked past the curtain. Trees blurred past, giving way to glimpses of cobbled roads and distant rooftops.
"We're starting at Lavia Clothing Store," Aria said with a smirk. "Clothes, accessories, shoes—hours of bliss."
Luna groaned.
"I'm done for. This day's going to be absolute chaos."
Aria laughed, her grin as radiant as the morning sun.
The carriage rolled through the gates of Luvien City, which creaked shut behind them as silent guards in black armor melted into shadow.
Luna, Aria, and Nyx stepped down just as it rolled into the heart of the city, wheels rattling over cobblestones.
Nyx turned, adjusting his coat.
"I'm off," he called, waving over his shoulder. "Got to visit the blacksmith."
"We'll meet at the clothing store, got it? Wait for me there!" Nyx shouted. Without waiting for a reply, he disappeared into the crowd.
Left alone, Luna and Aria stood at the edge of the street as the city's pulse swept over them. People passed in steady streams—adults in dark coats and fedoras walking with purpose, children darting toward a nearby park.
The buildings towered above: proud, weathered. Red-brick façades bore the marks of time—faded, rain-worn, ivy clinging to the edges. Arched windows stared like hollow eyes beneath steep, slate-gray roofs. Stone cornices curled along the tops, worn soft by decades of wind, but still whispering of a time when every detail mattered.
Luna looked up, awe blooming in her chest. The design stretched across the city like verses from an old poem.
She turned to Aria, smiling.
"Then, sister? What's next on the list?"
"First stop—Lavia Clothing Store," Aria said, grabbing her hand. "Time to get you something worthy of the banquet. So… prepare yourself."
As they passed a narrow alleyway, movement caught Luna's eye.
Two men burst into view, running like hellhounds were at their heels. They staggered with each step, nearly tripping on slick cobblestones.
One sprinted ahead, coat flaring behind him like a shadow in flight. A belt cinched tight at his waist, glasses catching the light as he turned corners with calculated desperation.
The second ran harder—boots slamming pavement, a faintly glowing pendant bouncing at his chest. Wide, darting eyes missed nothing. A survivor.
They veered left. Then right.
And froze.
At the alley's mouth stood a man cloaked in something the color of dried blood. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Motionless. In each gloved hand, a dagger glinted cold.
He stood like death given form.
The runners skidded to a halt.
A scream tore from both throats. One bolted, boots pounding. The other dropped, crawling backward on elbows and heels, breath shuddering.
The cloaked man stepped forward. Slow. Deliberate. A glint flashed beneath his hood—
A monocle catching city light.
"N-n-no, p-please! Don't hurt me!" the fallen man whimpered. "I-I didn't mean to—I swear!"
He fumbled through his coat. Coins spilled from his pouch. His hands shook as he tossed it toward the man's feet.
"Th-there! Take it! T-take it all!" Tears streaked his face. "Just don't kill me… please…"
The cloaked figure looked down. Picked up the pouch with his left hand—and crushed it.
Coins clinked. Leather creaked.
"Too late," he said, voice flat.
One dagger slipped free.
A flick—
A snap of motion—
The blade struck between the man's eyes.
His body snapped back, slammed into brick with a sickening thud.
Blood exploded across the wall, painting a grotesque mural. He slumped there, pinned. Lifeless.
The killer stepped forward. Gripped the dagger's handle. Yanked it free with a crack.
Then looked up.
He stared into the distance—the path the runner had taken.
His voice came low. Calm. Certain.
"There's no escape for you."