"Oh? Here at last?" Yrix chimed, standing outside of her office as Imura strolled up to her.
The other students watched in silent horror, save Alia, who seemed more impressed than anything. Such was their terror that Imura didn't even bother to look their way. In fact, she hadn't registered the presence of a single student.
To her, they were all livestock. No amount of boasting from Yrix could change that simple fact. She didn't even bother to say a word till she was inside the office.
"Who the hell?" Rena shuddered, watching as the Psion's sharp black heels stepped into the room before the door was shut.
"You modeled this place after their history." Imura scoffed quietly. "Of course you did."
"Well...I always was a stickler for details." Yrix joked. "It helps calm them down."
Imura would have smacked her lips if she had any. "Is that why you brought me here? To keep them calm."
"Just pick one." Yrix rolled her eye.
"One question first."
"Yes?"
"Who killed Omizen."
"Well, technically it was a group effort but-."
"Who undermined his ego. We both know that's where it all fell apart."
"Lila."
Imura squinted. "Ah, yes. The native. She's a spry little one."
Yrix posed smugly, taking a seat on her chair as Imura leaned against the wall with one leg. "That was fast."
"I've never been bad at gleaming minds, Yrix, that was slander. Just as slanderous as the idea that you can't teach."
Both Psions stared at each other in silent acknowledgment. The empire was known for its gossip-mongering almost as much as its military prowess. And for talented Psions like themselves, it was common to receive some sort of flak to tatter their otherwise perfect reputation.
"So you want Lila." Yrix redirected the conversation.
"You disapprove?" Imura replied, fiddling with her black trident. "Thought you said they were talented."
The Arch-Flayer shrugged. "They are, with proper motivation. But Lila is...not nearly as savage as the others."
"Then what do you propose we do to remedy this?" Imura hissed. "I want her face."
Yrix gestured towards the corner of her room, tearing away the carpet to reveal a hatch. Imura didn't show any surprise. She knew her friend loved to put unnecessary effort into possible occasions.
"Put her down there." Yrix snapped her fingers. "See if her friend follows."
"Friend?" Imura seemed confused.
The Arch-Flayer laughed. "Hah! Not even you could glean that. The heiress is truly an enigma."
"You mean I'll have to face two of them."
"Will that be a problem?"
"Not for my pack." Imura boasted confidently.
"Mind you," Yrix explained carefully. "That is assuming Ivy will come to Lila's aid."
Imura stated plainly. "I did feel her cowardice. She has no heart."
"Well then, there's nothing more to discuss?"
"Bring them here. We'll chat after I've had my fun."
"Right. The faces go to you. The rest to the Emperor. Assuming you win."
Imura tilted her head with curiosity. Never before had Yrix shown such confidence in anything except herself. For that reason alone, she decided not to underestimate her prey.
Still, it was hard not to feel excited. She was rarely treated to something so special.
Yrix was a good friend.
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Huh?" Lila shifted in her seat, clinging to Ivy's hand with all her strength.
"What is it?" Ivy replied with a flicker of unease.
"Yrix wants to see me."
"Don't go," Sonera interjected as she tried to lean in, her arm restrained by Lunae's affectionate pull. "Don't listen to her."
"I have to." Lila sighed. "We both know what'll happen if I disappoint her."
"Lila..." Lunae's face drooped with concern.
The Earthling sat up, pulling away from Ivy. She didn't want to leave the heiress's side, where it felt safe and warm. But she had a mission to prove Yrix wrong.
"In case I uh...die." Lila smiled at Ivy. "Just know it feels... nostalgic being with you. Like it always should have been."
Ivy blushed, her face turning red as a beet. She wasn't prepared for that compliment, let alone one so romantic. But for all her bluster, she was unable to stand up and stop Lila.
She was scared. That Psion had reminded her of her own vulnerability. If anything could awaken the terror that resided within her, it would be Imura.
Ivy would rather get electrocuted by Omizen another hundred times than face down Imura. That's how strong she felt. Sonera was quite the opposite in that regard.
She wanted nothing more than to run after Lila and punch Yrix in the face.
"Don't." Lunae tugged at her arm. "You can't."
"I can and I will," Sonera growled. "She can't take Lila from us."
"Have faith in her."
"You felt that monster's presence, same as I did," Sonera argued. "Lila doesn't stand a chance."
"I-..." Ivy stammered, unable to speak.
Just then, a tight pang in her chest sent the heiress reeling. Yrix was calling for her as well, but she couldn't imagine even getting up from her chair. She was a coward.
"I can't do it." The heiress lamented. "I can't."
Lunae let go of Sonera momentarily and sat at Ivy's side. She couldn't make the heiress any braver, but she could comfort her.
"It's okay. We all have our limitations." Lunae smiled.
"But...I should be there for her. If she mattered-."
"Love isn't so simple."
"So you say. Even if she is a pet, I should feel brave for her!"
Ivy yanked her hand away from Luane and stormed off. She was practically forcing herself to move, not out of bravery, but for fear of Yrix.
"I'm sorry," Ivy whispered to herself. "Lila."
The Earthing was spot on. Her relationship with Ivy did feel familiar, but for all the wrong reasons. Ivy had always been a coward.
She was unable to stand up to her father and incapable of coping with her new mother. And the girl who had stolen her heart would suffer for it.