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The great obsidian doors to the war chamber creaked open, letting in a draft of heat and tension. Hades sat at the far end, leaning into his throne with the lazy dominance of a man who ruled not just the room, but the air itself. His eyes slid from one figure to the next as three familiar presences entered behind Hazel.
Ares. Lycan. Alyssa.
Hazel could practically hear the underworld itself groaning at the dynamic about to unfold. All three of them — in Hades' presence — and her stuck in the middle. The kind of awkward you could slice with one of Hades' swords.
Still, Ariana inside her wasn't about to let that awkwardness simmer in silence. No, she'd stir it.
"Oh my gods, look at you three," she said, striding forward with an exaggerated grin, arms already outstretched. "Did someone order the reunion package? Because I am living for this."
Before any of them could process it, she looped her arms around Lycan's neck, squeezing him with enough mock affection to make his ears twitch.
"Missed you, wolf-boy," she murmured, patting his shoulder like he'd been away at summer camp rather than surviving whatever underworld politics kept him gone. Then she released him and moved to Ares, planting her hands dramatically on his chest before pulling him into a hug that was somehow both teasing and sincere.
"Vampire king, you've been slacking," she accused in a singsong tone. "I leave for a bit, and when I get back, poof — you're nowhere. Unacceptable."
Ares smirked, as though he might say something flirty in return, but Hazel had already turned to Alyssa. This hug lingered just a heartbeat longer, softer in its sincerity. "And you… I actually expected better from you," Hazel muttered with a mock glare, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her relief. "I came back and none of you were here. Do you know how insulting that is?"
Alyssa stepped back, arms folding across her chest. "We had… matters," she said smoothly, though her eyes flickered toward Hades in a way Hazel didn't miss.
"Well, now you're here," Hazel said, clapping her hands like a host corralling reluctant guests. "And we're all going to—"
"I need to speak with you. Alone."
The interruption sliced through her tone like a blade. Alyssa's voice was calm but commanding, the kind that didn't leave room for argument.
Hazel raised a brow, glancing between Hades and the two kings. "Uh, okay. Boys, would you mind—?"
"We'll wait outside," Lycan said quickly, though his gaze lingered on her as if reluctant to leave. Ares gave a knowing smirk, brushing invisible dust from his coat before following.
Hades looked like he might protest — his territorial streak flashing — but after a long, unreadable stare at Alyssa, he rose and left without a word.
The doors shut with a finality that made Hazel frown.
Alyssa turned on her heel and gestured toward a chair. "Sit."
Hazel blinked. "You're bossy today."
"Sit."
Something in Alyssa's tone made Hazel obey without another quip. She lowered herself into the chair, confusion knitting her brow. Alyssa didn't take the opposite seat. Instead, she knelt on the cold stone floor, eyes level with Hazel's, and took Hazel's hand between her own.
"What are you doing?" Hazel asked, half-nervous, half-amused.
Alyssa's gaze was intense, the playful friend gone, replaced by something urgent — almost reverent. "I had a dream."
Hazel tilted her head. "Okay… and?"
"In this dream," Alyssa continued, her voice dropping lower, "you were surrounded by light. Not flame. Not magic. Powerful light. Your aura… it was celestial."
Hazel's amusement faltered. "Celestial?"
Alyssa nodded once, her grip tightening on Hazel's hand. "It wasn't human. It wasn't demon. And it was not of the dark realm. I know the feel of magic from the high witches and from demons— this was something else. Older. Purer."
A prickle crawled up Hazel's spine. "Sounds… poetic."
"This is serious, Hazel." Alyssa's tone sharpened. "There's an old prophecy… one the witches only whisper about because speaking it aloud feels like tempting fate."
Hazel swallowed, her skepticism warring with curiosity. "Let me guess. This is the part where you tell me I'm secretly the reincarnation of some legendary queen who—"
"The phoenix," Alyssa interrupted. "A being born only once every thousand generations. The soul of flame that rises through mortal shell. She can ignite war or end it. And if she exists, she could change everything."
Hazel stared. The words rang with the kind of drama Ariana's modern brain associated with blockbuster trailers. She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Alyssa… I think I know what you felt in your dream."
Alyssa's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Hazel leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like they were sharing a secret. "I'm… not from here. Not from this world, I mean. I'm from… another realm."
She half-expected Alyssa to gasp, or to nod knowingly like this confirmed some great suspicion. Instead, Alyssa just… blinked at her. "Another realm," she repeated flatly.
"Yes. I was in my own world — normal, modern, absolutely no fiery birds involved — and then I woke up here, in Hazel's body."
Alyssa tilted her head, her lips parting like she was about to respond, but then closing again.
"You're looking at me like I'm insane," Hazel said.
"That's because you sound insane," Alyssa replied bluntly. "Do you hear yourself? You think I dreamed your aura was celestial because you're from some… alternate world?"
"Well, yeah." Hazel shrugged. "Makes sense, right?"
"No. No, it doesn't." Alyssa let go of her hand only to reach into the folds of her dark gown. She pulled out a small, round talisman — silver with a faint etching of wings across the surface. "Whether you believe me or not, this will suppress your aura. At least enough to keep certain… eyes from noticing."
Hazel took it gingerly, turning it over in her palm. The metal felt cool, but pulsed faintly against her skin. "This is very… witchy," she teased.
Alyssa gave her a look. "Wear it. Always. And do not lose it."
Hazel smirked and slipped it into her pocket for now. "Sure. I'll keep it next to my lip gloss."
"This isn't a joke."
"I know," Hazel said, though the sparkle in her eye betrayed her lack of full belief. "But honestly, Alyssa, if what you felt wasn't my 'other realm' energy, then… I don't know what to tell you."
For a long moment, they just stared at each other — Hazel certain she was right, Alyssa certain she was.
Finally, Alyssa sighed, rubbing her temples. "You are impossible."
"And you are dramatic," Hazel shot back. "We're a perfect pair."
They both laughed then — the tension breaking, if only slightly. But as Hazel watched Alyssa rise to her feet, a small unease lingered in the pit of her stomach. Because even if she didn't believe in phoenixes or celestial auras…
…Alyssa had looked afraid.