Kazimir walked slowly through the hall, hands in his pockets, his eyes heavy with thoughts that refused to quiet.
Kazimir (monologue): I'll just focus on mastering chi. Everything's cooled down now… it's something I can throw myself into. Something quiet.
As he turned a corner toward the training room, a sharp, venom-laced voice reached his ears.
Lilly (muttering angrily): "What has humanity come to…? These mortals are useless. I wish they'd all just drop dead. This world is beyond saving—why are they still here? Why haven't the gods wiped them out already? This academy… it's a joke. I'm done playing along. I'll destroy it all. Every last human."
Kazimir paused, shadows swallowing his steps.
Lilly (sensing him): "Come out. I know you're there."
He stepped into the open, eyes cold and unreadable.
Kazimir: "So those are your true colors. You're quite the manipulator."
Lilly: "And you're a fool if you think parasites can be defeated by you insects when even we, the heavenly dragons, failed. You're all just trash beneath me."
Kazimir: "You're walking into your grave with this. Don't tell me you're serious."
She smirked and stepped closer. Then, in one bold move, she took his hand and placed it over her chest, staring deep into his eyes.
Lilly: "Does my heart feel like it's racing to you? I'm dead serious. You all mean nothing to me. I came here to see if humanity had worth, but all I see are ants crawling over each other, pretending to matter."
Kazimir didn't flinch.
Kazimir: "All of a sudden you've got a mouth. Where'd the sweet act go, Lilly? If you go through with this, you'll witness the deepest depth of the Nullity. I will kill you—even if we were friends."
Lilly: "I'm not scared of you. You possess a power that shouldn't even exist. But it's wasted on you… you can't even use it properly."
Kazimir: "Who said I need it? You're so dumb you actually thought attacking the Astral Legion was a smart move. You know how many Vandors live there? If I don't get you first, they'll turn you into ash."
He narrowed his eyes.
Kazimir: "I didn't think dragons could be that stupid. But a heavenly one? I guess divine blood doesn't come with brains. No wonder humans stopped believing in you lot."
Lilly: "Once I unleash my dragon form, I can match you. You're not a threat."
Kazimir: "Maybe not. But you're talking about storming a hornet's nest and thinking you're fireproof."
Lilly (smirking): "Mhm. But that's the thing… I tricked you."
Kazimir: "…Tricked me?"
Lilly: "How would Riah feel… if she heard you were touching another girl today? On a vacation, no less."
Kazimir deadpanned.
Kazimir: "I don't even know what you're talking about. And could you please remove my hand now? There's literally nothing I'm grabbing onto."
She released him and walked off, her heels echoing down the hall.
Kazimir stood still, eyes narrowing.
Kazimir (monologue): So that's her real face. I thought she was the angel of the group… turns out she's just another snake.
He looked up toward the corner of the hallway.
Kazimir (monologue): This mansion has cameras. She must've forgotten. Her little 'trick' is already recorded. Pathetic.
He exhaled.
Kazimir (monologue): Still… why does Gendai like me? I'm not exactly dating material. But hearing it from her… it makes me wonder what they really see in me. And Riah…
His expression softened.
Kazimir (monologue): You're flooding my mind again. Not like I ever stopped thinking about you. But tonight… it's different.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Riah: "So this is where you went."
He turned to see her standing in the moonlight, her hair glowing silver.
Riah: "I woke up and noticed you weren't beside me. Something bothering you?"
Kazimir: "A lot. Angelly started an argument, Gendai overheard and got emotional. She confessed she likes me. I told her the truth, and now she's even more upset."
He sighed.
Kazimir: "Then Lilly… I found out her secret. She hates humanity. Wants to destroy the Astral Legion. Tried to fake an assault to keep me quiet. But… we have cameras. She's exposed."
Riah: "…And I slept through all of that?"
Kazimir: "Yep."
She sat beside him on the bench, legs folded gracefully.
Riah: "So. Lilly's an imposter. What do you want me to do?"
Kazimir: "Nothing. For now, let's keep it between us."
Riah: "Alright. It's our secret. And… you're having trouble meditating, aren't you?"
Kazimir: "I can't focus right now."
Riah: "Don't overthink it. You told Gendai the truth—you were honest. As for Lilly… if you can't kill her, I will. For the academy."
He looked at her, surprised.
She smiled softly.
Riah: "What? I'm the only one who can tell when you're not at 100%. That says something, doesn't it?"
She leaned on his shoulder.
Riah (gentle tone): "Lilly's just a dragon with a bruised ego. She couldn't handle losing to mortals. That's all."
Kazimir: "That actually… makes sense. A suicide mission with a pride complex."
Riah (playful): "There's that smile. I made you laugh, huh?"
Kazimir: "A little."
Riah: "Good. Now come on, it's late. You should get some rest."
Kazimir: "I can't. I need to master chi."
Riah: "You need sleep first, genius."
Kazimir: "I'm not tired."
Riah: "You're literally exhausted. Stubborn Vrasnai."
She stood, offering her hand.
Riah: "Since you're too stubborn to rest, then come with me."
Kazimir: "Where to?"
Riah: "The stars are out tonight. Let's watch them from the rooftop."
Kazimir (sighing): "There's no escaping you, huh?"
Riah (grinning): "Not at all. And it's not that you can't escape me—you just don't want to."
Kazimir: "Shut up. You're not funny."
Riah: "Haha! Come on, slowpoke!"
They reached the rooftop. The stars stretched endlessly across the sky, the moon hanging full and bright.
Riah: "The moon's beautiful tonight…"
Kazimir: "It's a full moon."
Riah (quietly): "You said once… the moon would always guide me. That stuck with me."
Kazimir: "Is that so?"
Riah: "You and I… we're not so different. You hold the Nullity. I carry Purity. We orbit each other… waiting for the moment we align."
Kazimir: "What happens when we do?"
Riah: "I don't know. But we'll know it when it happens."
Kazimir: "Hmph. That's poetic."
Riah: "Maybe… it'll be an eclipse."
Kazimir: "…An eclipse?"
Riah: "When light and shadow meet. When our paths truly become one."
She stood and stretched.
Riah: "It's late. Time for sleep."
Kazimir: "…Yeah. You're right."
Riah: "Let's go, moon boy."
Kazimir: "Tch. Fine."