"Everyone, come now," Layla whispered urgently, sending a quick text to Vorden and Fex, who were still not at their positions. "Both guards are outside. Only Mr. Truedream and the students are inside!"
Moments later, Vorden arrived—just in time. He crouched near one end of the corridor, his sharp eyes scanning the hall, while Layla took her position at the opposite end. The tension between them was palpable. All that was left was for Fex to show up and make the distraction.
Layla's heart jumped at the sound of footsteps echoing from behind. She nearly panicked—until the figure came into view. It was Fex. Relief washed over her for a second, but it didn't last long when she saw two more figures following closely behind him.
They were two random first-year students, his roommates from the dorm. Their eyes looked vacant, tinted with a faint red hue that glowed in the dim corridor light. They moved stiffly, like puppets.
Layla frowned. "Who are they?"
"Distraction," Fex whispered with a sly grin. His tone was light, but there was a dangerous confidence behind his eyes.
If it were anyone else, Fex might've felt guilty about what he was about to do. But these two had attacked him for no reason before. So, in his mind, they were fair game. "Think of this as karma," he muttered under his breath, his fingers twitching like he was plucking invisible threads.
The faint red in the students' eyes flared brighter. They stumbled forward at his command.A few seconds later, the two turned the corner—bumping into each other clumsily.
Layla pressed herself to the wall, her pulse quickening.
From the other end, Vorden peeked cautiously.
Meanwhile, Fex's fingers danced in the air like a conductor guiding a silent orchestra. The two students began shoving each other. First a light push. Then harder. Then it escalated into a full-blown brawl.
"Hey! What are you two doing? Get out of here!" the larger guard shouted, his voice booming down the corridor.
But they didn't react. Their eyes were empty, their faces blank, consumed by the last command given to them.
"Damn it…" Layla whispered. "He's really doing it."
The guards' irritation grew as the fight intensified. Fists swung, bodies slammed against the wall. Fex's fingers flicked faster and faster, sweat trickling down his forehead. He had strings attached to both their bodies — not real ones, but thin crimson threads of energy only an expert eye could see.
Layla and Vorden exchanged wary glances, watching at fex's strange gestures. They couldn't see the threads, so they assumed it was some kind of weak mind control.
For Fex though, this was no simple trick. Controlling one body was easy. Two—coordinating movement, timing, and reactions—was a mental storm. Each jerk of his finger was like pulling on a nerve. One wrong move, and the illusion would shatter.
He tugged a string, and one of the students' elbows jabbed forward, hitting the guard square in the stomach.The guard didn't even flinch. His armor absorbed the blow like it was nothing.
"What—did it not hit?" Fex muttered. "Guess we'll try harder."
He yanked again, harder this time, making the student swing with more force. The elbow struck the guard again — still no reaction.
That armor was tough. But Fex noticed the guard's face twist in anger. That was enough."Oh, he's mad now," Fex said, smirking faintly. "Time to bail."
With a snap of his fingers, he pulled his strings back. The two entranced students immediately turned and bolted down the hall, mimicking Fex's movements. The large guard roared and ran after them, his heavy boots pounding against the floor — but his armor slowed him down. Strength came at the cost of speed.
Layla exhaled in relief. "One down…"
But her relief didn't last long. The second guard was still at his post — unmoving, vigilant, his gaze sharp.
Vorden, watching from the other end, clenched his fists. "Damn it. We can't get inside while he's there."
Layla scanned the hallway for anything she could use. Her eyes fell on a small potted plant beside the corridor. "That'll do."
With a deep breath, she lifted her hand. The plant trembled, then slowly began to rise, suspended in the air. She guided it forward, inch by inch, keeping it as silent as possible.
The guard noticed it too late. The plant drifted right in front of his face — and then he lashed out, smashing it to the ground. Soil scattered across the floor.
But he didn't move from his spot.
"Not good enough," Layla murmured. She looked over at Vorden.
He sighed. "Guess it's my turn."
'Alright, Raten,' he muttered internally. 'Looks like you're up.'
Raten's voice echoed inside his mind, cocky as ever. "Finally. Looks like I'm just going to have to kick his arse!"
Vorden smirked. His demeanor changed, posture straightening, eyes sharpening — as if another person had taken over. This was no longer hesitation; this was intent.
Layla could see the shift from afar. "He's doing it…" she whispered.
Inside, Fex's students were still running laps under the guard's pursuit, giving just enough time for the others to act. Layla steadied herself, prepared to intervene if needed. Every breath felt stretched. Every second could break their short made up plan apart.
"Alright," Vorden whispered to himself, cracking his knuckles. "Let's make it quick."
He stepped out from the shadows, and turned on the invisibility ability and approached the guard with a casual grin — like a predator confident in the outcome.
The hallway lights flickered above them, tension thick in the air. Behind him, Layla could feel the hum of adrenaline, the quiet pulse of danger.
The pieces were in motion. Every one of them were prepared to do their best.