The Phantom’s Gambit

Octavius scoffed, pushing himself off the wall. "I don't know what kind of world you've lived in, but we don't do things like that here."

[Well, there's always room for change.]

Octavius rolled his eyes. "I doubt the kind of change you're thinking of is a good one."

[It depends on how you see the word 'good'. My kind of change is good for me.]

"You're impossible."

[That's what makes me so lovable.]

Octavius raised an eyebrow at that statement. "I wouldn't go that far."

Void's smile turned mischievous. [You will, once I'm done with your look.]

With that, Void seized control of the body, his movements swift and deliberate. He strode over to a nearby chair, positioned in front of an ornate mirror, and sat down with a flourish.

[Now, for what we need to change. Let's start with the eyes,] Void said, his gaze locked on Octavius' reflection.

Octavius watched in awe as his brown eyes transformed into a deep, piercing blue. The color change was so vivid that it seemed to shimmer in the light.

He breathed out in shock. "You have magic."

Void's response was nonchalant. [No, it's just a flimsy trick I picked up from an old acquaintance.]

With a wave of his hand, Void continued to alter Octavius' appearance. His jawline became more defined and chiseled, shedding its former oval shape.

As Void worked his magic, Octavius' physique began to shift. His core muscles contracted, tightening his abdominal walls and revealing a set of chiseled abs. The transformation was subtle yet striking, enhancing Octavius' natural lean physique.

Void stepped back, admiring his handiwork in the mirror. Octavius' new appearance was a far cry from his former self. The changes were impressive, especially considering that Void had already healed and removed Octavius' wounds.

[And now, for the names.]

Octavius tore his gaze away from his reflection, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, 'and now for the names'?"

[We need to change it. We can't show up there with your name. So, let's give it mine.]

"No," Octavius objected. "We are not doing that."

[What? It's better than yours, and no one knows about me so it's only fair.]

"Your name means 'empty.' It's in no way better than mine."

Void shrugged. [Fine, we won't use either of our names. Any suggestions, genius?]

"Maybe we can work on that later, but I've been trying to figure out how I can get into the academy. The problem is, I don't have any magic."

[Remind me of how you planned to exact revenge again?]

Just then, a sleek black cat leaped into the room through the open window, its eyes gleaming in the dim light. Octavius stared at the cat in fascination, with a curious expression.

Void raised an eyebrow. [What? You don't know what that is? It's a cat.]

"I know what it is. I've just never seen one up close." Octavius cheeks turned a shade of pink as he stuttered out in defense.

He eyed the cat warily. "And it looks like a stray cat. They're... unpredictable."

[You're afraid of cats.] The statement hung in the air, sounding more like a question than a declaration from Void.

"You didn't tell me your reasons for wanting to form an alliance with me," Octavius pointed out, as he steered the conversation in a new direction.

"So far, you know my goals, and I don't know yours," he continued. "What is it that you hope to gain from our partnership, Void?"

[Isn't it obvious? I want you gone as soon as possible. And I can't kill you and take your body, I need your… Permission to do so.]

"Right, but you've not told me the reason why you snatched my body as soon as I was gone. What are your goals? What did you plan to achieve with my body?"

Void doesn't say anything for a while. Octavius waited, his eyes fixed intently on his reflection in the mirror.

[Let's say we have similar goals.] Void finally let out.

"You're not going to tell me?"

[I already offered to help you. That's more than enough.] Void responded nonchalantly. [And we should set some ground rules if this is going to work. My first rule is, if we're in a death-threatening situation, I'm going to let you die. And then I'll flee with your body afterward.]

"That's not how rules work."

Void shrugged out a response. [Well, I thought you should know. Because I'm not going to throw myself between you and a stake or arrow. Or whatever it takes to get your kind killed.]

"You just said you can't inhabit my body again without my permission," Octavius pointed out.

[That's why I need you to agree to this.]

"No." Octavius spat out. "I am not letting you have my body if you're just going to let me die." He stood up from the chair. "You know what? How about you go find someone else's body!"

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon the cat, which was sitting serenely on the bed, licking its paw. "Go be with the cat—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Octavius felt Void's essence leave his body, and he stumbled backward in surprise at the sudden shift.

He watched as Void essence moved into the cat's body, and the feline was now moving about in agitation. 

[What did you do to me?] Void demanded through the cat, panic-stricken. 

Octavius' eyes widened in amazement at what he had just done. As Void continued to yell at him to get him out of the cat's body, Octavius finally responded, "Come out."

Void immediately obliged, but instead of reentering Octavius' body, he stood beside him, breathing heavily.

Void turned to Octavius, his eyes blazing with curiosity. [What— how the hell did you do that?]

Octavius stuttered, still trying to process what had just happened. "I don't know."

A slow smile spread across his face as an idea hit him. "But I think I might have figured out a way to get into Wysteria Academy."