Chapter 3 – Part IV – Veils and Venoms
When Yuri opened her eyes again, she was back in the throne room. Silence reigned, as if time itself were holding its breath.
Then, with a rush of fragrant wind and soft light, Ayame appeared in the center of the room, dancing among petals. Her kimono shimmered with illusions, and each step seemed to leave an echo in the void.
"I declare the trial complete," she announced in a voice both gentle and commanding. "The outsider has looked within herself… and survived. Almost a shame."
Yuri watched her, still shaken but steady on her feet.
Kayla made a single move: she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Always the spectacle, Ayame. But for once, could you enter like a normal person?"
"And miss the pleasure of surprising you, my dear?" Ayame tilted her head with a sharp smile. "Or does it bother you that Yuri passed your 'trial' without breaking under your theatrical style of suffering and shadows?"
Kayla's gaze darkened. A faint violet glow flickered between her fingers.
"Careful how you speak. I'm no longer inclined to tolerate your drawing-room jabs from the house of illusions."
"Oh, but I don't 'speak,' Kayla." Ayame drew closer, her movements as light as a breeze. "I see. I see how much it pains you not to be the central figure in the little heroine's heart anymore."
Kayla's eyes flicked to Yuri, then back to Ayame like a blade ready to strike.
"Watch yourself, kitsune. My patience has limits. And you've always loved to cross them."
For a long moment, the air seemed to tremble. Petals against flames. Illusion against raw magic.
Yuri stepped between them, hands open.
"Enough. We're not enemies. We want the same thing… don't we?"
Ayame laughed, this time sweetly. "Oh, how adorable you are when you try to bring order to chaos. Truly, I already adore you."
Kayla sighed but didn't reply.
Ayame turned with an elegant gesture. "Very well. I'll come with you. But don't expect me to follow orders, Kayla. I… am guided only by the beauty of the moment."
"Perfect," Kayla muttered. "Another damned artist in the group."
And so it was, while the echo of freshly bloomed tensions still lingered in the air.
But nothing would ever be the same again.