Chapter Text
Flora stares at the ceiling, her gaze piercing the shadows that danced in the dim light. Sleep had become a foreign concept, evading her no matter what remedies she tried—counting sheep, melatonin, warm milk, or meditation. She had never before struggled with rest, but that was before the night with the blood witches and scrapers. Since then, sleep had slipped away like a shadow in the dark, always just out of reach.
With a resigned sigh, she slowly props herself up in bed and glances at Stella, who slept with an unsettling stillness. Peaceful was an understatement—Stella’s tranquility was a façade masking profound loss. Bloom might still be alive, but Beatrix was irretrievably gone.
Flora swings her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet touching the cold floor. She glances down at her pajamas, realizing they were far too conspicuous. Dark workout clothes would be more appropriate for her nightly escapades.
Quietly, she dresses in dark athletic wear, grabs her phone and keys, and slips out of the suite. The hallway was deserted, its silence amplifying her footsteps. The school had imposed a strict curfew after the recent disturbances, forbidding anyone from venturing outside their rooms, especially after 10 PM. Flora checks her phone—it was 1:08 AM. With a determined nod, she proceeds down the hall, intent on walking off her insomnia.
She slips through the school’s gates and into the grounds, her senses alert for any sign of specialists or professors. She couldn’t afford to be caught; losing her scholarship would mean returning home to her parents’ modest means, a fate she could not bear.
As she neared the edge of the grounds and the encroaching forest, she casts a wistful glance toward the cemetery. The thought of Beatrix’s grave there tightened her chest with a pang of grief. The finality of death was a bitter lesson she had been forced to learn far too soon. If she had known the horrors awaiting her, she might never have come here.
A sudden noise from the cemetery jolts her, and she crouches behind a tree, her pulse racing. She peers through the shadows and sees a figure emerging from the darkness. Her breath catches in her throat as she recognizes Riven. Relief washes over her as she realizes it was only him. She lets out a quiet, shaky laugh, grateful it wasn’t anyone else.
Curiosity piqued, she wonders what Riven was doing out here at this hour. He wasn’t one for rules, but why the cemetery? Was he paying his respects to Beatrix, with whom he had a tumultuous past? She has heard about their brief, toxic relationship, and though she didn’t understand it, she knew he had some connection to her. But right now, she has to focus on her own needs and continues her walk.
She turns to move deeper into the forest but collides with a solid form. Startled, she looks up into Riven’s smirking face. His amusement was evident as he caught her off guard.
“What are you doing out here, Flora?” he asks, arms crossed, his head tilted in mock curiosity.
Flora rolls her eyes and shoves him lightly. “You scared the shit out of me!”
Riven stumbles back with a laugh. “Sorry, couldn’t help it!” He glances around. “What’s your excuse for being out here?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk,” Flora replies, her annoyance creeping into her voice.
Riven raises an eyebrow. “You know you’re not supposed to be out here.”
Flora studies him, noting his casual attire—black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, not his specialist gear. “I could say the same thing about you. You’re not on patrol. What are you doing out here?”
Riven hesitates, his gaze dropping before meeting hers again. He was wrestling with whether to reveal his secret—his nightly visits to Beatrix’s grave, a ritual of grief and solace he kept hidden. The pain of her loss was a wound he couldn’t heal, and he sought comfort in talking to her at night. But he kept it a secret, believing no one would understand.
“Just finding a spot to relax. Gonna have a quiet night with my vape,” he finally says, his voice betraying none of the real reason for his visit.
Flora eyes him skeptically, knowing he was lying but deciding not to press further. As she turned to continue her walk, Riven’s hand closes around her wrist, halting her.
“What are you doing out here?”
“I told you, I can’t sleep. Just needed a walk. Is that okay with you?” Her voice held a note of irritation, though she felt a pang of guilt. The sleepless nights and lingering anxieties made her shorter-tempered than usual.
Riven releases her wrist and takes a step back, sensing her distress. “Alright… I’ll let you go. Have a good night,” he says, turning toward the school.
Flora’s heart sinks as she realizes she hurt his feelings. “Riven, wait, I—” She was cut off by the sound of approaching voices.
Riven turns, noting the distant specialists who wouldn’t dare report them, knowing the repercussions. “It’s fine, it’s just—”
Before he could finish, Flora begins to sprint towards the barrier, her fear taking over. “Fuck!” Riven exclaims, sprinting after her. She dashes through the barrier and deeper into the forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her heart pounding with terror as if she were reliving the horrors of that fateful night.
“Flora!”
The dense forest loomed dark and oppressive, its canopy a tangled mesh of gnarled branches that allowed only slivers of moonlight to pierce the suffocating darkness. Heart pounding, she sprints through the undergrowth, the damp earth muffling her footfalls.
“Flora it’s me!”
She feels the tree branches and thorns tug across her arms and face as she whips past them. She feels like she’s going to hyperventilate. She feels her body crying out for her to stop. She needs to stop but she was scared. Were they still after her?
She quickly turns her head to look behind her and sees it’s Riven behind her. She can feel the wave of relief wash over her. She takes one more step but feels herself falling. The ground beneath her gives way with a sickening crack. She had no time to scream as she plunges into the void, the chill of the subterranean air rushing to meet her. Her descent was chaotic, the walls of the hole closing in with a brutal speed, and the shrieking rush of wind drowned out her frantic breaths. The darkness was absolute, swallowing her whole in an unending spiral of terror as she plummets into the unknown.
Riven’s heart drops as he watches Flora vanish from his line of sight. He rushes to the edge of the hole, his breath quickening. Peering down into the shadowy abyss, he spots Flora huddled at the bottom. She is sitting on the cold, uneven ground, cradling her arm, which was twisted at an unnatural angle. The dim light from the moon above casts eerie shadows on her pained expression.
Desperately, Riven kneels at the edge, his voice tinged with fear. “Flora, are you okay?”
Flora blinks through the haze of agony, the pain nearly causing her vision to black out. She struggles to steady her breath, trying to focus through the intense throbbing.
“I’m okay… I think my arm is broken,” she manages to shout back, her voice strained but clear.
Riven’s face contorts with worry as he shakes his head, trying to remain calm. “Hold on, I’m going to get help. It’s going to be okay.”
He fumbles for his phone, quickly navigating to Sky’s contact information. He knew Sky would be furious at being roused in the dead of night, but this was an emergency that demanded immediate action.
Just as Riven’s thumb hovers over the call button, a sudden, violent force slams into him from behind. He barely has time to react as he is shoved forward, teetering dangerously at the edge of the hole. With a gasp, he loses his balance and is hurled into the dark chasm.
Flora’s eyes widen in horror as she watches Riven plummet. His body twists in mid-air before crashing onto the ground beside her with a heavy thud. Dust and debris explode around them, settling in a suffocating silence.
The fall was sudden and disorienting, the impact jarring his senses. The world around him spins and blurs. As Riven lays dazed, struggling to regain his bearings, the creature’s roars echo from above, it’s shadow disappearing from view. His head ached violently, and a throbbing pain surged through his body. He feels his eyes flutter shut to drift off into a painless oblivion.
“Riven?” Flora’s voice cracks with panic as she reaches out, her heart pounding as she strains to see him through the settling dust. Flora’s frantic eyes searched through the swirling dust and darkness for any sign of Riven. She could hear his labored breathing and finally sees his form sprawled awkwardly on the ground beside her. She tries to push through the pain in her arm and crawls towards him, her movements slow and agonizing.
“Riven, are you okay?” she asks, her voice trembling. She doesn’t get an immediate reply and she can feel herself starting to panic. What if he was seriously injured? How were they going to get out?
Suddenly Riven groans, his body barely moving but she hears it. Flora lets out a breath of relief.
Riven opens his eyes and immediately regrets it. His vision swims as he forces himself to focus on Flora. “Flora…what happened?”
Before she could answer, the ground trembles slightly, and a low, guttural growl echoes from above. The air grows colder, and Flora’s blood runs cold as she realizes that the creature was still lurking nearby. Her heart pounds in her chest as she glances nervously around, trying to make sense of their dire situation.
“We have to get out of here,” Flora says, her voice urgent despite the pain. “Can you move?”
Riven tries to push himself up but winces in pain. “I don’t know. My head’s spinning.”
Flora’s eyes dart frantically around the narrow, dark space, searching for anything that might help them escape. The panic of their situation hits her hard as she fumbles for her phone. When she pulls it from her pocket, the screen is shattered and unresponsive. Her heart sinks further as she glances at Riven’s phone, discarded and equally broken on the cold, hard ground.
Desperation fuels her search for an exit, but the walls of the pit are unforgiving—jagged and uneven, offering no reliable footholds. Her gaze locks onto a few protruding roots and rocks that might serve as handholds, but they are frustratingly out of reach.
Just as her hope seems to wane, Flora’s breath catches in her throat. She gasps involuntarily, the sound escaping her despite her attempt to stay silent.
“What is it?” Riven hisses, his voice strained and urgent. He knows any noise could alert the creature above.
Flora’s voice trembles with disgust and fear. “There are bones down here. Not just animal bones… people too.”
Riven’s face tightens with grim determination. He wasn’t ready to join the ranks of the pit’s previous victims. “We need to find a way out, now,” he insists, his voice barely masking his dread.
Flora’s eyes narrow with a desperate resolve as she forces herself to focus. “Do you see anything we can use?”
Riven squints into the dim light, spotting the roots and rocks. “Those roots might be our best bet. Can you use your magic to get them down?”
A wave of despair crashes over Flora’s face, and tears slip down her cheeks. Riven’s concern deepens.
“What’s wrong? Is it your arm?” Riven tries to sit up, his heart racing with worry. Her injury might be worse than he realized.
Flora shakes her head, her voice choked with frustration. “My magic—it’s failing me. Ever since the scrapers, I don’t know what’s wrong.”
Riven drops back to the ground, frustration and fear warring in his eyes. “It’s okay…we’ll figure something out.”
With a grimace of pain, Riven slowly turns onto his stomach, wincing as he pushes himself upright. Each movement is a struggle against the agony of his dislocated shoulder and shifting ribs. Nausea swirls in his gut, but he shoves it aside. He takes a moment to assess his injuries: concussion… check, dislocated shoulder… check, bruised ribs… check.
Flora follows suit, her movements painfully cautious with her broken arm. The growls and tremors from the creature above seem to grow more insistent, a constant reminder of their precarious situation.
She tenses, her eyes straining to make out the beast’s form. “What do you think that thing is?”
Riven shakes his head. “I didn’t get a good look, but I’m pretty sure it’s not inviting us to a tea party.”
When they finally reach the roots, Riven grabs onto them, testing their strength. They hold firm, but he knows they won’t last forever.
“Grab onto these,” he instructs Flora, extending a root towards her. “We’ll need to pull together.”
Flora takes a deep breath, ignoring the excruciating pain in her arm as she clutches the root with her good hand. Riven positions himself behind her, pushing with all his remaining strength. Flora struggles to lift herself, but her one-handed efforts are in vain. Frustration boils over, and she cries out as Riven helps her back down.
She meets Riven’s gaze, seeing the exhaustion and pain mirrored in his eyes. “I don’t think I can make it up there. I’m sorry.”
Riven pulls her into a careful embrace, his smile a weak attempt at comfort. “It’s okay… I’m not sure I could make it either.” His smile falters, but he tries to lighten the mood. “What a mess we’re in, huh?”
Flora manages a small smile in return, comforted by his presence. If anyone could get them out of this, it was Riven. She’s grateful he’s with her—he never backs down from a fight.
Riven struggles to sit back down against the cave wall, pain etched across his face. “Come on, sit down. Save your strength.” He pats the ground beside him.
Flora gingerly takes her place next to him, being careful not to jostle her broken arm. She turns to him, her voice soft but edged with worry. “What time do you think it is?”
Riven glances up at the sky, the distant stars offering little solace. “I’d say it’s close to 2:00 a.m. We’ve got a long wait ahead before anyone notices we’re missing.”
They sat in the deafening silence of the pit, the only sounds breaking the quiet were the sporadic chirps of grasshoppers, the distant hoot of an owl, and the whisper of rustling leaves. The chill of the night seeped into their bones, amplifying the tension of their predicament.
Riven finally shatters the stillness, his voice low and weary. “Have you told the girls that your magic isn’t working?”
Flora shakes her head, her expression somber. “No. They’ve got enough on their plates with Bloom missing. I didn’t want to add to their burdens.”
Riven’s eyes soften with understanding. He knew the weight Sky carried, struggling to hold it all together while Bloom was gone. And Musa—he’d seen how she threw herself into training, pouring all her energy into becoming stronger. Riven himself had been working with her daily, trying to help her through her own turmoil.
He reaches out and gently squeezes Flora’s hand, his touch warm against the cold. “You were incredibly brave that night. I don’t know what’s happened to your magic, but with time, you’ll get it back. Just remember, you’re not in that place with the scrapers anymore. You’re safe here.”
Flora gave him a pointed look. “Right now, I’m in another dangerous situation.”
Riven let out a soft, rueful chuckle. “True, but you need to remember that your magic is yours to control. It doesn’t control you.”
Flora leans her head back against the rough wall, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m terrified of losing my magic again. It felt like losing a part of my soul.”
Riven thought of Musa, who had relinquished her magic willingly, a sacrifice he hadn’t fully appreciated before. Musa had chosen to live without it rather than endure the emotional turmoil it brought. He understood now how deeply the loss had affected her.
“I can’t promise that you won’t face this again,” he says softly. “But I do promise that Sky, the girls, and I will do everything in our power to make sure you never feel that way again.”
Flora turns her gaze to Riven, seeing him in a new light. Despite his initially abrasive demeanor, she had always sensed a kind soul beneath his tough exterior. Riven had a knack for being sweet and funny, not to mention he was undeniably attractive. It was a shame his heart was already spoken for.
She knew all about Riven and Musa’s bond—how they spent hours together and the way their connection was evident in their interactions.
Flora had harbored a crush on Riven when she first met him, but watching him and Musa together had made her realize they were meant for each other. The depth of their connection was clear in every shared glance and every text message Musa received from him. They were endgame.
Flora manages a genuine smile. “Thank you, Riven. I know you and the others will protect me, just like you are now.”
Riven shifts uncomfortably, a groan escaping his lips. The throbbing pain in his shoulder and ribs was relentless. What he wouldn’t give for a warm bath, some painkillers, and a full night’s sleep.
“Were you visiting Beatrix?” Flora’s voice broke the silence, her tone probing and inquisitive.
Riven tensed, every muscle in his body going rigid. He wasn’t in the mood for this conversation. He kept his gaze fixed on the shadows, unwilling to meet her eyes and see the sympathy that he dreaded.
He nods curtly, hoping she’d drop it. But Flora presses on, undeterred. “How long were you together?”
A heavy sigh escapes Riven. He knew she wasn’t going to let it go. “A couple of months… It wasn’t that serious.”
Flora’s eyes narrow, sensing the standoffish nature of his response. She could feel the pain radiating from him like a wounded animal, a raw vulnerability that he was struggling to hide. It was clear to her that Riven felt he wasn’t ready for another relationship—especially not one with Musa. He needed to move on, but she wasn’t sure he understood that yet.
“It’s nice that you visit her,” Flora says gently. “I’m sure she appreciates it.”
Riven snorts. “Maybe…I doubt she notices since she’s dead.”
Flora places a light hand on his arm, her touch meant to comfort. “You did everything you could for her. She chose her own path. You need to focus on yourself now—on your happiness and your future.”
Riven nods, the weight of her words settling over him. He knew he needed to let go of Bea, but it was easier said than done. Just a little longer, he thought. Just a little longer before he could fully move on.
He manages a faint smile. “You’re right… I am moving on.”
Flora’s eyes brighten. “Moving on to Musa, huh?”
Riven’s smile widens despite himself. He looks away, unable to suppress the warmth in his eyes. “Maybe…”
Flora lifts one leg, bending her knee with a stretch, and grins. “You two are so cute together… Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
Riven chuckles, shaking his head. “We’re just friends.”
Flora laughs, lifting her other leg and stretching with a wince. “No, we’re friends… You two are definitely more than that.”
Riven fell silent for a moment, contemplating her words. “Well, if we make it out of here alive, I promise I’ll ask her out.”
Flora’s face lit up with excitement, and she lifts her arm to cheer, only to hiss in pain. She’d almost forgotten about her broken arm. Wincing, she raises her other arm and cheers. “Can’t wait to hear all about the first date!”
Their light-hearted moment was abruptly shattered by a piercing growl that echoed through the pit. Both of them freeze, their faces going pale as they look up towards the sound. The creature, a monstrous entity with glistening scales and eyes that glowed with a malevolent green light, loomed ominously at the top of the hole, its menacing presence a stark reminder of their dire situation.
Riven yanks Flora close, his heart pounding as he presses her against his chest. He flattens himself against the jagged wall, his body trembling with both fear and cold. The crushing weight of the situation was only exacerbated by Flora’s rapid, panicked breaths and the sharp, involuntary winces that crossed her face every time he jostled her injured arm.
His hand clamped over her mouth, a silent plea for her to remain still and silent. The darkness seemed to press in around them, broken only by the faint, eerie glow of the creature’s eyes as it loomed above. They stayed like this, a tense bundle of fear and discomfort, until the creature’s growls and shifting footsteps receded into the distance.
Slowly, Riven removes his hand from Flora’s mouth. She exhales shakily, the breath uneven and ragged. “Is it gone?” she whispers, her voice barely more than a quiver in the oppressive silence.
Riven strained to listen, his ears attuned to every subtle sound. “I don’t know. If it is, it’s not far. We need to get out of here, now.”
As he leaned his head back, his mind wandered to Musa. He thought of her fierce determination, her unwavering courage. He longed to call or text her, to have her by his side, blazing into battle with her characteristic fiery resolve. A bitter laugh escaped him, silent in the dark. His little warrior pixie—she’d make quick work of this nightmare.
————————————————————————-
Musa’s deep in a wonderful dream - a night out with her friends, laughter echoing, and Bloom among them. The warmth and joy of their shared moments were so palpable that her heart ached with nostalgia.
But then, without warning, panic seized her. She bolts upright, her voice piercing the darkness as she cries out, “Riven!”
Terra was jolted awake by the sudden shout. She blinks in confusion, her mind scrambling to make sense of the chaos. “What’s wrong?”
Musa turns to Terra, her eyes wide with fear. “Riven’s in trouble.”
Terra scrambles to sit up as Musa leaps out of bed, flicking on the lights. The harsh brightness slices through the dark, and Terra squints against it, trying to clear the fog of sleep.
“How do you know?” Terra’s voice was thick with concern.
Musa, already pulling on her clothes, shakes her head. “I don’t know exactly. I just feel his distress. He’s in pain, scared, and cold.”
Terra frowns, her concern deepening. “Your magic never did this before. Do you know where he is?”
Musa shakes her head, opening the door to their room. “No, but this feels different from the usual emotions I sense. It’s more intense.”
Terra quickly gets dressed, urgency driving her movements. “I’m coming with you.”
In the living area, Musa turns on the lights and hurriedly gathers her gear while typing furiously on her phone.
“Who are you texting?” Terra asks, trying to keep up.
“Sky,” Musa replies, her focus on her phone. “He needs to know what’s happening.”
Terra starts knocking on the doors of the other girls’ rooms. “Hold on… I need to wake the others.”
Stella and Aisha emerge, their sleep-disheveled appearances a stark contrast to the urgency of the situation. Aisha notices Terra and Musa dressed and ready. “What’s going on?”
“Riven’s in trouble,” Terra says, pulling on her shoes and sitting down. “We’re heading to Sky’s.”
Stella’s eyes rolled with skepticism. “What did he do this time?”
Musa shoots Stella a glare, her exhaustion and fear raw. “He’s in danger, maybe out in the forest. He’s cold, hurt, and terrified. I can feel it.”
Aisha opens her mouth to respond, but Musa cuts her off. “I don’t have time for explanations. Either you come or stay. I can sense everything he’s feeling. He’s in serious trouble.”
Aisha nods resolutely. “We’re coming… Just give us a minute.”
Terra looks around frantically. “Where’s Flora?”
Stella dashes into their room and returns, her face pale. “She’s not there. Her phone and sneakers are missing.”
Terra immediately dials Flora’s number. “Go get dressed!”
Musa watches anxiously as Terra’s expression darkens. “It’s going straight to voicemail.”
Musa’s heart clenches with rising dread. “Where is she?”
Terra shakes her head, her face etched with worry. “Do you think she’s with Riven?”
The thought struck Musa like a punch to the gut. Flora and Riven? Out alone together? The idea was almost unbearable.
Before she could respond, Stella and Aisha emerge from their rooms, now dressed and ready.
Aisha grabs her keys. “Do we have any idea where he is? And where’s Flora?”
Terra wrings her hands nervously. “I can’t reach her. Her phone is off.”
Stella places a comforting hand on Terra’s shoulder. “I’m sure she’s fine. Let’s just focus on finding Riven and then we’ll figure this out.”
A knock at the door makes everyone freeze. Terra’s heart skips a beat. She knew deep down it couldn’t be Flora; Flora wouldn’t be knocking.
Musa hurries to the door and swings it open, revealing Sky in his specialist gear, a fierce look of determination on his face. He storms into the suite, his presence commanding. “What’s the situation? What happened?”
Musa meets his gaze, her voice trembling. “It felt like Riven called out to me. He’s hurt, scared, and in danger. It’s urgent. I can’t explain it fully, but it’s real.”
Sky pulls Musa into a tight embrace, sensing her panic. His own fear surged, mingling with the urgency of the situation. Riven was missing, and they needed to act quickly.
The girls look on curiously. Since when were Sky and Musa close enough to warrant an embrace like that?
“Musa, you said he might be in the forest?” Aisha asks, her jacket in hand.
Musa nods, pulling away from Sky. “Yes, it’s cold and dark there. That’s all I know.”
Sky heads for the door, his expression grim. “Alright, let’s move. Be cautious and stay out of sight. We can’t afford to let anyone know Riven’s out there.”
They all nod and follow Sky out of the suite. Terra closes the door behind them, her gaze lingering on Flora’s nameplate. “Where are you?” she thinks, her worry escalating.