ShadowBound: The Need For Power

Liam carried two heavy duffle bags like they were sacks of air, barely flinching as he followed Dylan down the hallway. Dylan, on the other hand, looked like he'd just crossed a desert with fifty pounds of bricks on his back, wobbling slightly as he unlocked the door to his dorm.

"Ah, home sweet home," Dylan sighed dramatically, stepping into the room and stretching his arms wide like he was entering a sacred temple. "Smells like old books, my socks, and freedom."

Liam dropped the bags just inside the doorway with a dull thud, giving the room a brief glance before turning to leave.

"Yo, this place missed me," Dylan said, flopping onto his bed. "Even the dust feels friendlier."

From the next dorm over, a muffled voice called through the wall, irritated and rough: "Can you idiots shut up? It's too early for your voice to sound like a goose getting strangled."

Dylan's eyes lit up. "Wait a damn second... was that—?"

The door next to his opened with a soft creak, and out stepped Asher, shirtless, with his signature white hair ruffled and sleep still clinging to his eyes.

"Of course it was," Liam said blandly, already halfway through turning around.

Asher yawned, stepping into Dylan's room like he owned the place. "You two are loud enough to wake the damn dead. Can't a guy sleep in peace for five minutes without hearing your tragic commentary on dust?"

Dylan grinned wide. "Aww, welcome back Mr. Meanhead. Took the break off to find some peace and quiet, huh?"

Asher scratched the back of his head. "Tried. Failed."

Then Dylan's eyes narrowed. He squinted. "Wait… what is that?"

Asher blinked. "What?"

Dylan pointed dramatically. "You've got a lipstick mark on your cheek!"

Asher froze. "...What?"

Liam, with his usual monotone, gave a subtle gesture toward his own cheek, mirroring Asher's left side. "You've got a mark."

Confused, Asher marched to the mirror above Dylan's desk, leaned in, and there it was—bright red, smeared just slightly on his pale skin.

His face flushed crimson.

"...What the hell," Asher muttered, rubbing at it frantically with the heel of his palm.

Dylan broke into uncontrollable laughter, nearly falling off the bed. "Broooo. You walked all the way from the front gates to your dorm like that. Everyone definitely saw. You're famous now."

"Shut up," Asher growled, still scrubbing. But the more he rubbed, the redder his skin got.

"Don't be shy!" Dylan grinned. "A little public display of affection never killed anyone. I'm honestly impressed. Didn't think a sour lemon like you had a girlfriend!"

Asher rolled his eyes so hard they nearly rotated out of his skull. "I don't have a girlfriend."

"Then who—?"

"It was my mom, idiot," Asher snapped, deadpan. "She kissed me on the cheek before I left."

Dylan paused, blinked, then burst out laughing again. "Even better! Mama's boy with battle scars!"

Asher groaned, muttering something unintelligible under his breath while Liam simply turned around and walked out without a word, leaving the chaos behind like he always did.

"Welcome back, boys," Dylan grinned, hands behind his head. "We're so back."

***

In another hallway of the dorm building, sunlight spilled through the tall arched windows, illuminating the polished floors as the returning students bustled about. Ariana strolled quietly, her steps light, clutching a book to her chest as she watched her classmates hauling luggage and greeting old friends. She smiled softly, glad to see the Academy breathing again.

As she rounded a corner, her shoulder bumped into someone—hard.

"Ah—sorry, I didn't see—" she began, but the words caught in her throat as she looked up.

It was Charlotte Raven.

Charlotte strode like a war-maiden turned temptress—tight leather breeches clinging to her hips, sheer netted sleeves tracing her arms, and a cropped corset that flaunted more than it hid. Her lips, shimmering with berry gloss, curled into a knowing smirk.

"Well, well, well," She purred, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Look who we have here."

Ariana barely got a breath in before Charlotte wrapped her arms around her in a full-on, tight squeeze.

"I missed you so much, Specs!" she said dramatically, rocking Ariana slightly from side to side. "You have no idea how boring life is without your innocent little face around."

Ariana squeaked, blushing even from the hug. "I-I missed you too, Charlotte... It's nice to see you again."

Charlotte pulled back just slightly, still holding her by the shoulders. Her eyes narrowed with a glint of something wicked.

"So…" she began, slowly, mock-serious and overly dramatic. "Tell me, what was it like… spending two whole weeks here… alone... with my dear Liam Hunter?"

Ariana's brain short-circuited. Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

"Wh–uh–I–It was normal! N-Nothing happened! I mean–we—we ate! And trained! And—I studied! Yes! Studying!" she blurted in a flurry of panic, her face going full cherry red.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing side-eye. "Mhm. 'Studied,' huh? With Liam? My broody boy? Alone?"

Ariana buried her face halfway into her book like a shield. "I–It wasn't like that! I swear!"

Charlotte tapped her chin playfully. "You're stuttering like a girl who's seen more than just his fire magic…"

"Ch-Charlotte!!" Ariana squeaked, practically steaming.

Charlotte giggled, letting go of her. "Relax, relax! I won't press. But you're glowing like a magic core after resonance training—something went down. I just know it."

Ariana groaned softly into her palms. "You're impossible."

Charlotte smirked, flipping her curls over her shoulder. "No, you're adorable. You should see yourself right now, like a bunny caught in a love spell."

Ariana sighed, trailing behind her. "We really didn't do anything big, okay? It was just… quiet. Peaceful."

"Uh-huh," Charlotte hummed. "Well, peaceful can be pretty intense when it's with someone you like. Especially someone with daggers, red eyes, and a jawline carved by the gods."

"Charlotte!"

"I'm just sayin'!" Charlotte laughed. "You're lucky, Ari. Liam doesn't open up to people easily. If he let you that close… it means something."

That shut Ariana up real fast.

"But don't think I'll let you have him though."

Charlotte winked. "Anyway. Tell me everything later. And perhaps lend me one of your cloaks—I need something to toss over this before a knight mistakes me for a siren tempting his soul."

With that, Charlotte strutted off, hips swaying, leaving Ariana flustered, confused, and maybe just a little bit… giddy.

She watched Charlotte disappear down the hall, her dramatic strut and unapologetic confidence leaving a vapor trail of chaos in her wake.

"She's so… Charlotte," she muttered under her breath, adjusting her book and sighing.

A voice called from behind, soft and composed, with a hint of amusement.

"She's in an even more severe attire than usual. I'm surprised the hallway didn't catch fire."

Ariana turned quickly, blinking in surprise—and then smiled wide.

"Sheila!"

Standing there was Sheila, her long white hair cascading over her shoulders like silver silk. She stood in poise and elegance despite the medium-sized luggage at her side, her deep blue eyes shining with warmth.

"It's so good to see you again!" Ariana chirped, stepping forward and wrapping Sheila in a gentle hug.

Sheila returned it, her embrace calm and comforting. "Likewise, Ariana. You look well. Your smile's… brighter." Her lips curved into a teasing little smirk. "Seems like the Academy was kind to you during the break."

Ariana immediately went red again. "W–Why does everyone keep saying stuff like that?! I didn't do anything weird, I swear!"

Sheila tilted her head, amused. "Did I say anything about weird things?"

Ariana covered her face with her book. "I'm not surviving today…"

Sheila laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Relax. I'm just teasing. Though, Charlotte did pass me on the stairs earlier and asked me if I had any 'holy water for our girl Ari.' I assume she meant you."

Ariana let out a muffled whine behind the book. "Of course she did."

Sheila adjusted the strap of her bag and gave a small sigh. "It feels strange being back. The air still has that same buzz, but something's different. Heavier."

Ariana peeked out from her book. "You think so too?"

Sheila nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "Yes. The everything feels … tense. I don't know if it's just me, but… I wouldn't be surprised if the semester gets complicated."

Ariana's eyes shifted, her mind flashing briefly to Liam… his flames… his growing power… and everything they didn't talk about during those quiet times.

"Yeah," she said softly. "Complicated sounds about right."

Sheila gave her a knowing look, but didn't pry. Instead, she smiled again and lifted her luggage slightly.

"Anyway, before I get too philosophical in the hallway—would you help me with my bags?"

Ariana smiled and reached for the other handle. "Of course. Let's get you settled in, Princess."

"Don't call me that," Sheila said with a dramatic sigh. "It makes me feel like I should be wearing a crown and scolding people for stepping on carpets."