"But why does it have to hurt so bad?" Lila whined, rubbing her calves.

  Lunae responded with a delicate smile. "You've likely never exerted yourself like that before."

  "True. I usually sit around all day. At least Sonera's fine. But she's probably used to this whole thing."

  "What matters is that we survived."

  It was all a blur after the first few minutes of victory washed over the students. Yrix announced their success, dragged them out, and the sandy pit was never seen again. All the girls could focus on after that was leaping into a bed, finding a shower that their captor so conveniently rewarded them with, or, in Sonera's case, brooding outside of Yrix's office. But it was like Lunae said. All that mattered was that they survived. Or at least that was the case till the following morning.

  "No, but really, I can't move." Lila hobbled her way around the bunk beds.

  Rena smiled at the strange girl, hiding her own pain as she sat on the bedsheets of the bottom bunk. "It was a long day, wasn't it?"

  It was easier to make small talk when the room was far emptier than it was a day ago. The little distractions kept the girls from dwelling on the reality of the situation. Yrix was killing them all, slowly but surely. But still, it was hard not to feel confident. They had made it, a fact recognized by even the Arch-Flayer herself, who gave her students a day to rest.

  "How long were we down there anyway?" Lila huffed.

  "I have...no idea. It felt like a year." Rena whined. "What will you do with your time off? I'm probably going to go say hello to the remaining survivors. Things are a lot less cramped here, and they seem pretty interesting."

  "You kinda have to be interesting to be still alive. And yeah, more teamwork sounds good." Lila yawned, taking a seat next to Rena. "Me, though, I'm going to have a chat with Yrix. Get my bearings on this whole...situation."

  "You didn't expect to survive it, huh?"

  Lila turned towards Sonera, who was sitting with her knees touching her chin at the far corner of the room.

  "Well, at least some of us did." Lila sighed.

  Lunae passed by the girls, waving at them with another warm smile. "I'm going to check on Sonera. Maybe get her to eat something."

  "Yeah. Sounds good." Lila nodded. "I should...go now."

  It didn't take much for Rena to follow Lila's gaze, tracing it back to the farthest bunk where Ivy slept. She wanted to say something in that moment, but kept her mouth shut. She wasn't quite yet sure just how much she should hate Ivy.

  Lila glanced at Rena with a guilty expression before scrambling her way towards Ivy. "Yeah, I know. I know. But someone has to."

  The heiress's feet were dangling off her bed, as her thin hands clutched the edges. She didn't appear to be in the healthiest of states. Even Lila could see that to be a fact, judging her drooping head and disheveled hair.

  Lila climbed up towards her, stopping at one wooden peg away from the heiress as she caught a glance at her face. Ivy was completely exhausted. Apparently, she still hadn't managed to catch any rest.

  "You holding up?" Lila asked as quietly as she could so as not to warrant an attack.

  Ivy didn't respond, using an unusually gentle hand to push Lila away. She tried plucking at the girl's fingers to loosen her grip on the bed, and when that failed, she attempted the slightest bit of communication by turning her head the other way.

  "I uh...know it's been rough," Lila muttered. "I mean...I don't know you. But I can tell. Just wanted you to know that. You're not invisible."

  "Don't," Ivy whispered.

  The heiress hopped off the bed at the other side before dissapearing into the dark hallway leading to the bathroom. Lila wanted to give chase. She wanted it more than she had any right to. Despite what Ivy thought, she knew what it was like to feel invisible in her own little way.

  "She needs space," Lunae whispered into Lila's mind.

  Lila turned to see that her blue-haired friend was still halfway across the room, staring down at Sonera intently as she stood with that sheepish posture.

  "You've got to stop doing that," Lila replied using her own Psionic voice. "Reminds me of Yrix."

  Lunae's voice faded away. "I...I know. I'm sorry."

  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

  Ivy stumbled into the bathroom, reaching for the white sink attatched to the tiled walls Yrix had so lovingly crafted for the girls. She had cleaned the place up since the girl's last saw it, even going as far as to add two entire branches to that wing of the Aerie, featuring showers and a locker room. Or perhaps, they were always there, and the girls merely unlocked the ability to reach them. One never could fault Yrix for being inconsiderate. Cruel and maniacal, maybe, but not inconsiderate.

  "I can't..." Ivy stared at herself in the mirror, her sundered health coming into full view. "I shouldn't be here."

  Ever since she had awoken in the aerie, she felt utterly humiliated. The one moment she was given to escape her father, and it was wasted. Her mother was revealed to be a monster, she longed for the clutches of her frigid home, and to cap it all off, she was trapped in a place she hated, all because she was too slow. Perhaps, Ivy thought, her sister was right. Maybe the only way to escape her father was to leave it all behind. The pride, the power, and the family sigil all had to go.

  But she couldn't do it. Not now or ever. Ivy punched a hole clear through the glass mirror, forced her way into a shower, and spent nearly an hour cleaning herself, knowing full well she would just put on another set of her family's clothing.

  She didn't know if it was spite or self-loathing that directed her actions. But she refused to throw it all away. The Tesselation brooch would stay on.

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  "You want to know why?" Yrix stated plainly, sitting at her desk with a relaxed posture. "I can see it all over your mind, Lila, just spit it out."

  "Actually," Lila strained a smile. "I was gonna ask if you were going to let Sonera in. She's been sitting outside your office for hours."

  "Sonera doesn't want to see me, silly girl. She just likes to orbit around what she wants when she has nothing else to do."

  "Oh right...she uhhh."

  "She wants me dead. And I like it that way. Makes her a better student."

  Lila grimaced. "So about my earlier question."

  "Your feminine supplies are in the locker room. I stocked everything." Yrix replied as she waved her fingers in a somewhat agitated manner. "And yes, I checked on Rena, she's fine."

  "No, but that's part of the question!" Lila threw her hands up, staring up at Yrix and her towering desk. "What's with all the...morbid mother shit! You're an insane psycho murder lady and yet...you feel responsible enough to pay attention to our needs?"

  Yrix snickered. "It annoys you, doesn't it. To see something that doesn't fit your narrow worldview."

  "You're still evil, don't get it mixed." Lila frowned.

  "I love my students, Lila. That is all I have to say on the matter. The rest is up for you to decipher." Yrix eludicated.

  Lila wanted to get mad. She wanted to tell that alien sadist she was full of it. But without hesitation, her thoughts turned to Ivy, and her anger was not but ash.

  Yrix shrugged. "You're just not the sultry type."

  "Alright then." Lila grinned smugly. "What's on my mind right now, O mother mine."

  She thought that if she focused her attention on Ivy, it would throw Yrix off. Maybe even get the arrogant flayer to admit her shortcomings. But as with most things, Lila was being too optimistic.

  "You like guns."

  "Heh." Lila paused, her mouth agape. "What?"

  "You like guns," Yrix repeated.

  "But that's..."

  Yrix's center eye beamed with pride. She loved it when she cornered someone. It let her rant. "You think you're the first one to try and make a mental barrier? You're an open book, little Lila. My limitations in mind-reading are, in fact...irrelevant when you keep projecting yourself like this. I'd even argue a blank could read you."

  "A blank?" Lila tilted her head.

  "Someone with as much Psionic potential as a potted plant. And don't change the conversation. Your obsession with that girl, distasteful as it may be, is an exploitable cover-up. You use her disgust towards you as an obstacle. Overwhelming and immutable, it distracts you from how you really feel. Lonely. Cold. Afraid. You want her to be that...how do they say it...found family for you because your actual family is gone. So you bury your traits, one by one, in a sad attempt to forget. But I know you, Lila. Who you really are. You like guns. And if your brother were here right now, you'd be gossiping with each other about mine. And the Vesper's. and Sonera's."

  Lila had nothing to say. But her pain was apparent, and it brought Yrix immeasurable joy. That being said, a single spec of her conscience lit up, offering her student a way out of the gaping hole she just shoved her in.

  "I can arrange something, if you'd like." Yrix rested her face on her palm, scraping her armored elbow against the desk.

  Lila snapped out of her stupor just in time to suck her tears back into her eye. "Huh?"

  "You heard me. I can put togethor a collection of firearms for you. From Earth and beyond. Let you pick which one you like. Or, I can splice something togethor for you. Consider it my gift."

  "But why?" Lila sniffled.

  "Because I care about my students. In my own...special way."

  "I think I see why Sonera hates you."

  "But you don't hate me, Lila. The same way you don't hate that heiress." Yrix snickered. "Because you're a toothless little coward. And I love you for that."

  Lila didn't really have anything to say anymore. She would take up Yrix's offer when she was ready, for it was indeed that easy to lure her in. But moreover, she was just tired of everything. And to think it had only been a few days.

  "So," Lila muttered in a cold tone, turning to leave after one last bit of small talk. "What's for dinner?"

  "Lasagna. I threw in a little cookie for you."

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  Lunae always felt she had a considerable amount of patience. Never before had she any reason to doubt that. Not until she met Sonera. The silent girl was still caked in the blood and grime of the day before and was seemingly uninterested in her own preservation. For reasons unknown, she could do nothing but wait for Yrix's next trial.

  "Sonera." Lunae sighed, kneeling down next to the girl who remained in the exact same position she had been in since the first trial ended. "You need to eat something, please."

  Sonera did not respond.

  Lunae reached for the girl's hand, finding it limp and cold to the touch. "You fought very hard. You saved me. But your body won't heal on an empty stomach."

  She still did not respond.

  "If you don't take care of yourself. You'll die. No amount of rage will change that."

  Still no response.

  "If you die here. You won't get to fight Yrix."

  Nothing.

  "If..." Lunae stammered. "You won't get to remember him. And you won't be able to protect me."

  Sonera stared up at Lunae with a menacing glare. But Lunae, who was typically frightened with ease, didn't move an inch. Her determination to help her new friend clouded all other senses.

  "What happened?" Sonera spoke with conviction. "Where's Lunae?"

  "What do you-." Lunae hesitated, realizing she was about to be trapped in the one corner she had been trying to avoid since she first spoke to Lila.

  Sonera knew her type. She knew it well. Lunae was the kind of girl to feign her weakness and timid nature to seem harmless and approachable. It was a fine tactic. If she ever broke character, she could chalk it up to simply caring about a person. That sort of thing worked on Three.

  "Don't even," Sonera muttered, putting her face back into her own little shell. "I know."

  Lunae couldn't help but fall in, her voice breaking up and her breath becoming heavy. "Sonera I-."

  The soft-voiced girl released an agitated gasp. Shuffling herself next to Sonera, she placed the back of her head against the wall, practically slamming it into position. Lunae was annoyed. Primarily at herself.

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  "You're right, Sonera. But not in the way you think you are."

  Sonera replied sharply, picking at her own fingernails as her hands remained clasped around her shins. "This doesn't mean I'll leave you."

  "That's not what this is about."

  "Lunae. You don't have to keep up an act for my protection. If that's even your name."

  Sonera suddenly rose to her feet, placing a hand on Lunae's shoulder. The girl hardly had time to fix herself in response, her bare feet splayed out across the floor as she twitched with fright at Sonera's touch. She didn't quite know how to feel yet.

  "Just stick by me tomorrow. It will be alright." Sonera finished as she began to leave for the dining hall.

  "Wait!" Lunae reached out to her, grabbing the girl's hand, its surface still eerily cold. "There's something you should know."

  "..."

  Lunae spoke as softly as ever, only this time with a tinge of agitation in her voice. It was as if she had been deeply offended. Like she had something to prove. "It's what you don't know, Sonera."

  Sonera stared blankly.

  "You DON'T know me." Lunae continued. "And that's...acceptable. You're right in pointing out how easily I'd keep it that way. But please...don't assume."

  "I understand that pain." Sonera nodded, her voice still monotone. "But let people assume. It's easier that way."

  "No!" Lunae cried out, her passion causing her hair to shift for a brief moment, revealing her second eye. "I refuse! They don't know me! And they don't know you! The real you!"

  "You'll get over it." Sonera gently pressed her second hand onto Lunae's hold, signaling for her to let go. "I did."

  It was rather quiet in that part of the room. But just beneath the audible sounds of Sonera's footsteps was Lunae's stifling rage. She wasn't the kind to lash out like Ivy, or bury it inside like Sonera. She couldn't even deflect like Lila. All Lunae could do was cry, trading Sonera's position as she assumed a similar pose.

  She hated being misjudged. It was all her mother ever did for her. And it was all her people ever did to themselves.

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  "So, are we going to just pretend we don't exist to each other, or will someone break the silence?"

  Rena stood with her arms crossed, facing the three other girls who remained. Two of them appeared to be twins of sorts, distancing themselves from all others for reasons unknown. And as for the third girl, who was currently staring at Rena for an uncomfortable length of time, she was a different case entirely.

  "The names Alia."

  Rena blinked twice, trying to get another good look at the girl who just spoke. Her skin was of a much darker complexion, and her hair seemed to be unusually well-kept in its silky smooth state. She had a plain demeanor, yet an extraordinarily exotic apparel all at the same time.

  "You have...purple eyes." Rena scowled. "Was that before or after Yrix?"

  "Before." Alia ran her fingers through her straight black hair. "I was already something of a Psion before I came here. Not up to Yrix's standards, but certainly enough to take care of myself."

  Rena crossed her arms. "Is that why I haven't seen you much?"

  Alia was the cocky type. It didn't take a detective to figure it out. She was already leering at Rena with her whole body, bending her waist to the side, and placing a balled-up hand onto her hip. As if to prove a point, she curved her lips with anticipation before winking with her left eye, dissapearing in a shimmer of Psionic energy.

  "Oh," Rena whispered, trying in vain to locate the girl's purple-tinted trace. "That explains it."

  "Don't worry now," Alia spoke in a sinister tone as she whispered into Rena's ear from behind. "We won't have any problems, you and me."

  "That so?" Rena squinted her eyes with suspicion. She did her best, showing restraint, knowing full well how satisfying it would be to swivel around and flick Alia in the nose. "How come?"

  "Because I highly doubt you'll survive Yrix for long. All I need to worry about is whoever ends up being her prized pet. Or did you really think she'd have us fight a common enemy forever?"

  And with that, Alia dissapeared once more without a trace. Only Yrix could say for certain where she went, or what she was even doing all day. But Rena didn't have time to worry about that. All she wanted to do was warn Lila, whom she felt vaguely loyal to.

  "And here we thought one psycho was enough." A shrill, raspy voice called out to Rena from the top of a nearby bunk bed. "Now we have two."

  Rena turned to see two identical girls staring down at her, dressed in the same black lace dresses covered with ribbons and bows. They seemed to each sport pigtails of sorts, with minor variations in the black crystalline pins that dotted their dark hair. Unlike Alia, who evoked imagery of a young sorceress from a fantasy novel, the twins seemed more like an uptight cleaning service from a persnickety hotel. Or at least that's how Rena saw them.

  "Oh, you mean Sonera? She wouldn't hurt a fly." Rena replied with a smile. "Trust me. She's not that kind of crazy."

  "How would you know?" The twins spoke at the same time.

  "Because I grew up on a flotilla. I've seen enough crazy to fill a lifetime. And I know both Alia and Sonera's type. Not the same." Rena explained, placing both her hands on her hips as a sort of mockery towards the girls she had become agitated towards. "Trust me."

  "Well...that's fair, I suppose." The twins shrugged before pointing towards each other, their feet dangling in unison off the edge of the bunk bed. "We are Mina and Dina. Pleasure to meet you, miss..."

  "Rena. And the pleasure's all mine. You two seemed like well-behaved kids."

  "I'm afraid the bar is quite low on that count." Mina tilted her head, speaking on her own with a distinctly raspy voice.

  "What? With the spoiled Castillo girl tramping around? That's fair, I suppose." Rena chuckled. "Where are you two from?"

  "Nowhere in particular. We wander with our two brothers." Dina smiled, smacking her lips with her distinctly shrill tone. "Bounty hunters. Good at their job. Probably looking for us now, poor things."

  Rena frowned, her thoughts turning towards something painful. "I'm sorry to hear that. Yrix took a lot away from us."

  "How come you haven't changed your outfit completely?" Mina spoke abruptly, changing the conversation almost as fast as she rolled over onto her back, looking at Rena upside down. "It's kinda weird."

  "Well, to be honest...I'm not sure how. I saw Sonera do it for a bit. And that little brat gave herself a whole makeover. But I genuinely have no idea how they did it." Rena shrugged.

  "Ask Yrix. I'm sure she'll explain." Mina yawned, her boredom becoming apparent. "But basically, you just turn your memories into reality, using the fabric Yrix gave us. Pretty flexible stuff, she knew what she was doing."

  "Your memories?"

  "Yeah." Dina smiled, showing her perfect white teeth as she nodded her head. "We loved the kind of fit we've got on now since we were girls. Love it almost as much as our brothers love their stupid armor. So when we focused on it, the image and the feel, it sort of just...happened."

  "I'm afraid I don't have any iconic outfits in mind." Rena laughed, realizing she was probably the oldest, most mature student left standing. "But I get now why Ivy has one. Stupid little c*nt probably has a whole dresser full of perfect clothes."

  "Well...that's a shame." Both twins averted their gaze, ending the conversation on a bitter note. "Nice meeting you though...I guess."

  Rena turned to leave, unsure of how to feel. One student was genuinely threatening, and the others felt like they were lost in their own world. At the very least, she didn't feel like her day could get any weirder.

  Yrix had other ideas.

  - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  Sonera wasn't one for small talk. In fact, she wasn't one for talking at all. But something about Lunae's words left her thoughts scrambled and unfocused, as if whatever message the girl was trying to convey had been seared into her mind. It left Sonera feeling something other than concentrated rage at Yrix, and that upset her deeply.

  She was so bewildered, in fact, that she bothered to talk to Lila on her trip down the hall. Something about Lunae had rubbed off on her. The way that girl spoke, her soft, soothing accent, and the way certain syllables stuck to her lips were indeed hard to forget.

  "Lila." Sonera turned to her acquaintance with a spark in her step.

  "Oh." Lila scratched her head with a smile. "Hi Sonera. Is everything okay with Lunae? I was about to go talk to her, but she seems...kinda upset."

  Sonera looked down at her bruised feet, unwilling to admit she had done the damage. "Tell her whatever she wants to hear. How are you, Lila?"

  "I've been better. Yrix has me running circles around myself, and Ivy still hates me. But the worst part is that I still have no idea what I'm really doing here."

  "I know what you're doing here." Sonera pointed at Lila with one of her robotic gestures.

  "You do?" Lila shrugged. "No offense, Sonera, but you don't seem to be the observant type. I mean...have you looked at the mirror lately?"

  Sonera ignored that remark and focused on her best attempt at a pep talk. "You are here to survive, Lila."

  Lila tried not to chuckle a little, placing a friendly hand on Sonera's shoulder. "And there it is. Brutally simple."

  "I'm serious." Sonera squinted. "You will survive, Yrix. And you will find whatever it is you are yearning for out there, stronger than ever."

  "Why?"

  "Because we can't let her win."

  Lila's shoulders heaved as she stared at Sonera with a judgmental smile. "Practicing your small talk one-liners on me, huh? Lunae really have you that tied up?"

  Sonera frowned, flicking Lila's hand off her shoulder. "I've never known you to be a disengenuous person."

  "It's not disingenuous!" Lila giggled. "I get it!"

  "Get what?"

  "Sometimes...we don't know what to say, so we practice on other people in different conversations. And I'm not one to judge, Ivy's had me flat-footed since I met her."

  "I see." Sonera smiled. "I accept your explanation. Perhaps I am...not as focused as I should be."

  In a strange act of affection, Sonera patted Lila on the head before turning to leave with another one of her blank expressions. It was a blunt gesture, but Lila understood. Behind all that unbridled ferocity, Sonera had a knack for noticing people. And for what it was worth, she appreciated Lila. Maybe someday she could even call her a friend.

  "Don't forget to shower!" Lila called out.

  Heeding another one of her comrades' words, Sonera skipped the food and headed straight for the bathroom. She had almost forgotten about the nightmare Yrix had placed her in until the moment she encountered Ivy, who was still staring at the mirror with her dead eyes. Sonera wanted to say something. She wanted to be like Lila and Lunae, who were able to push aside their feelings and try to cheer someone up. But her presence was already enough to spoil her chances.

  "You." Ivy breathed deeply, her gaze still fixated on herself. "Lila sent you?"

  "No," Sonera replied in a monotone voice. "I was told to clean up."

  Ivy turned to face her with a tired expression. "Can I ask you something?"

  That was her chance. Sonera could try and socialize. Maybe go back to making Three proud. He was, at that time, the third person in her life to try and push such emotions out of her. It was also a great way to spite Yrix.

  "Yes?" Sonera replied, her cadence more genuine than before.

  "Were you always so robotic? Or were you born like that?" Ivy muttered.

  Sonera didn't know how to respond. But her silence spoke volumes. Ever since she had enough intellect to ruminate on the past, all she could remember was acting like the ice-queen of Mars. What brief moments of warmth she had usually centered around Three, and were almost always followed by fits of rage.

  "I don't just mean how...stilted you are." Ivy continued. "I mean your hatred. Your call to violence. Was that programmed into you?"

  "Mars was not kind to us." Sonera shrugged, thinking about what Three would say. "Perhaps I'll never know."

  "Oh. I'm well aware of your reputation. Your species, I mean."

  Somehow, Sonera didn't find that comment offensive. She actually agreed in her own sick way. Human colonies were all rather distinct, having lost their cultural connection to Earth centuries ago. And when it came to life on Mars, there wasn't much else beyond the fight for territory and resources.

  "My species." Sonera tilted her head. "I can't say I fit in."

  "Really?" Ivy raised an eyebrow.

  "Yes. We've always been...what you think we are. As far as I know. But I was...colder. Three always made sure to tell me that."

  "You even have numbers for names." Ivy snickered. "Typical. But alright, I accept your reasoning. You are more martian than most martians. Yrix will be thrilled."

  Sonera stepped closer to Ivy. She was still unsure of how to feel. But all it took was one peep into Ivy's gaze to find out what she felt.

  "Can I ask you a question?" Sonera inquired, her orange eyes glimmering for a brief moment. "Why do you hate Lila?"

  Ivy's response was almost as blunt as it was snappy. "Ask me a different question."

  "No. You already tried to read me. We're Psions, remember. And whenever I look at you, all I see is your hatred for her."

  "Good. That means you don't know a damn thing about me." Ivy sneered. "And I won't tell you one bit about how I feel towards her."

  Sonera wasn't as perceptive as Lunae. Nor as intuitive as Lila. But even her stunted mind could see Ivy's problem.

  "Is that it then? She's your axis?"

  "What?" Ivy opened her mouth in disgust.

  "I have my own. Haven't been subtle about it. My desire to kill Yrix. It encapsulates my desires. My legacy. My Psionic power." Sonera continued, her face getting closer to Ivy's as if she were accusing her of something. "But you. You have Lila."

  "Perposterous!" Ivy faked an exaggerated gasp. "She wouldn't ever be that important to me."

  "I won't claim to know you. Or to care." Sonera frowned. "But that girl has gotten herself wrapped up in your twisted story."

  "Excuse me!" Ivy snapped. "Who exactly is lecturing me right now?!"

  Ivy released her grip from the sink. She turned to fully face Sonera, and with a flick of her wrist, pressed a finger against her heart. It wasn't a subtle insult.

  "Oh, right. The braindead child assassin with as much wit as she has a woman's figure. I have my issues, I won't lie. This has NEVER been about me being perfect. But you cannot even begin to judge me. You lack the intellect, the maturity, and frankly, the awareness to be my therapist." Ivy ranted, pressing her finger deeper into Sonera's chest. "You're right, we're Psions. But you know what I saw in you? A dead, cold machine. No heart. No passion. Just the unwavering desire to destroy. And I won't take this attitude from a machine that lets itself get strung along by everyone it meets."

  Ivy pulled her finger back before storming off. In that instance, one would expect Sonera to throw a punch. But all she could do was look down and place a hand onto the spot Ivy had poked.

  *She didn't disagree.*

  __________________________________

  Once nighttime had set in the Aerie, Yrix appeared out of her office for an announcement. Her mere presence summoned the girls to their bunks, waiting eagerly for what she had to say. No one could expect what came next.

  "Sleeping arrangements. I have made them. Think of it as your new assigned positions. Deviate from them, and I will correct your behavior."

  Yrix's voice echoed loudly into the girl's minds, causing Lila to flinch.

  "Excuse me?" Ivy raised her hand, making a public request. "What exactly are these based on?"

  Yrix waved her off. "What I want. Now then, there aren't many of you left, so let's get to it."

  Yrix pointed to the upper-right corner of the room, closer to her office. "These two bunks will be where Mina, Dina, Alia, and Rena will stay. I like the complete oversaturation of vowels in your names."

  No one seemed to argue with her placement. All but Ivy, who could predict what would happen next. Only her fear of Yrix's wrath stopped her from interrupting.

  "Now, in the back left corner. These two bunks will go to Ivy, Lila, Sonera, and Lunae."

  A different kind of silence enveloped the room. It was dread. The kind of dread Yrix savored.

  "WHAT!" Ivy screamed.

  Sonera and Lunae didn't even have time to smile at each other before the heiress's voice climbed into their eardrums. Yrix, on the other hand, seemed greatly amused. As for Lila, she had already begun to feel helpless.

  Ivy walked over to Yrix, pointing up at her with an accusatory finger. "This has to be a mistake!"

  "It's not," Yrix stated plainly.

  "Why her!"

  "Because your inability to cooperate makes you stronger Psions."

  Ivy looked Yrix dead in her eye. It was the first time she had ever really stood up for herself since she had arrived at the Aerie. And Yrix was glad to see it.

  "If violence is the only currency you recognize, then let me purchase with it. I challenge Lila."

  "Huh?" Lila gulped.

  Lunae placed her hand onto her open mouth, while Sonera stared intently with an ominous glow washing over her eyes.

  Ivy continued her spiel, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "If I beat her. I don't have to be anywhere near her. Do you accept these terms?"

  Yrix nodded. "As you said. Violence is currency in my Aerie. So long as Lila accepts this duel."

  Lila felt every eye in the room lock onto her. She didn't even realize she was shivering with fright before Sonera grabbed onto her shoulder. She wanted to puke.

  "Why?" Lila whimpered. "I thought we could be friends."

  "Beat me and you can ask me that," Ivy grunted. "Now then, will you accept the challenge?"

  Lila was frozen in place, unable to say another word. Yrix was right to call her a coward. She felt no desire in her heart to face Ivy, not even if she said a thousand things about her mother. But little did the girl know, she had someone willing to spare her from such embarrassment.

  "I'll take her place," Sonera interjected before Yrix could speak up. "Fight me."

  "And what, let her be a coward?" Ivy fumed, unfazed by Sonera's entry into the fray. "This is between us."

  "No," Sonera argued, keeping her cool. "This is between you and your own nightmares. Lila is merely a bystander. Caught in your crossfire."

  Lila finally gained the courage to speak, grasping onto Sonera's sleeve as she opened her mouth. "Sonera, you don't have to."

  "No. I will." Sonera pushed her away gently. "So long as she accepts."

  At the risk of becoming the very thing she accused Lila of, Ivy had no choice but to acquiesce.

  "If Sonera loses, I won't have to be anywhere near her, correct?" Ivy looked over at Yrix with determination.

  "Correct." Yrix's fingers twitched with anticipation. "It's settled then. Follow me, we have a place for these sorts of disputes."

  Yrix flicked her wrist at the wall, tearing it apart into neat symmetrical segments. She was indeed that eager to get the fight started. Unwilling to test her at such a time, each student followed closely behind, with Lila trailing at the back.

  The poor girl was still shivering with fright. She didn't want to see Ivy get hurt. She didn't want to see Sonera push herself to defend a coward. And she most certainly didn't expect Lunae to come rushing to her side.

  "Hey," Lunae smiled with warmth in her eyes, wrapping her arms around Lila. "It's okay. Calm yourself."

  Lila's heart rate was out of control. If it wasn't for Lunae, who probably noticed her condition, she might have even fainted. Such were the times that she didn't even have a joke or a quip to use.

  "It's not okay." Lila looked at Lunae with shame written all over her face. "This is what Yrix wants. And she got it. Because of me."

  "You can't blame yourself, Lila," Lunae reassured the frightened girl. "Some things just happen."

  Lila sniffled, her gaze narrowing as she looked inwards in disgust. "You don't get it. She told me I was a coward this morning. She knew what was about to happen. Yrix has been one step ahead. And now...someone is going to get hurt, maybe even die, because I couldn't stand up for myself."

  "You are that someone, Lila." Lunae retorted with another smile. "And Sonera won't let you get hurt because of a bully."

  "She's not a bully. I refuse to beleive that."

  Regardless of what Lila thought, Ivy was the one following Yrix closely, the clatter of her heels against the outside pavement signifying her growing disdain. She wasn't afraid of Sonera, nor was she even that concerned with Lila anymore. All Ivy could focus on was the riven within her heart. So long as she could imagine fighting herself, beating someone as strong as Sonera should be light work.