The darkness was so thick it almost felt like it had weight. I stood alone in an infinite void, where there was no cold or heat… only a silence that ached in my ears.

  A sudden burning sensation flared in my abdomen. As if something was devouring me from the inside, as if my own heart had turned into a branding iron. The pain intensified, and I couldn’t help but clutch my stomach. Something inside me was pushing, writhing like a caged beast.

  A gasp escaped my lips when I realized what was happening. The flesh was splitting open—not in clean cuts, but with an almost inhuman brutality. I could see, between torn skin and blood that shouldn’t be there, the dark, red-tinged edge of a sword. A blade that seemed to beat, as if it had its own heart.

  The pain was so intense my legs buckled. Every tug to free the sword was like an electric lash. Tears burned down my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t leave it inside.

  —Blood Crown… —I heard, unsure whether it came from within or from the blade itself. A voice so cold and burning it scorched my throat.

  My hands were bleeding when I finally pulled it out completely. The blade was long and straight, black as night, with red veins glowing like embers. I held it before me, trembling—and for one brief moment, rage and fear fused into a single heartbeat.

  I drew it… and the world began to beat again.

  I jolted awake. My body shook, and my heart thundered in my chest. The dim light of the helicopter blinded me for a moment, and I felt the warmth of Neyra beside me, her breathing steady. We were still in flight, surrounded by the soft thrum of the blades and the faint warmth of the blankets.

  Velka, sitting across from me, looked at me with a mix of curiosity and concern.

  —You okay, Lyss? —she asked softly, as if afraid to wake me from a deeper dream.

  I nodded, though I knew the real answer was more complicated.

  —Yeah —I lied in a whisper—. Just… a bad dream.

  But it wasn’t just a bad dream. It was a promise. A crown of blood that now belonged to me, pulsing like a secret I wasn’t ready to share.

  The helicopter touched down at the Seravenn base with a dull thud. The blades kept spinning for a few more seconds as we disembarked one by one. The icy air hit my face, but I no longer felt pain—just a bone-deep exhaustion, as if my skeleton weighed more than it could bear.

  Velka came up beside me with her usual smile, that one that always felt halfway between a hug and a tease.

  —Well, gorgeous —she said in a playful tone—. Enjoyed the ride? How does the great and slightly dumb goddess feel?

  —The wounds don’t hurt as much now —I murmured, trying not to blush—. But some parts of me still feel heavy.

  —That’s normal —Velka replied, tapping my shoulder lightly—. Just don’t go full drama queen on us, goddess of rancor.

  Caelia, always so serious and composed, was the first to move ahead. She opened the base doors with the calm of someone used to being the center of gravity… but then stopped in her tracks. Standing before her was Irhena. Tall, sculpted like flame, with red eyes that looked like they could devour the world.

  For a moment, no one spoke. Only their gazes collided—two forces that knew far too much about each other. I saw Caelia’s fingers tense, and her breathing quicken just slightly. Something shifted in her eyes. Not fear. Not hatred. Something… older.

  Irhena smiled, a smile of fire and danger.

  —You took your time —she said in her deep, half-mocking voice—. With your skill, I expected you to finish earlier… But I didn’t just come out to see you, sweetheart.

  Caelia took a deep breath, though her voice faltered.

  —Then what did you come out for, if not to torment me?

  Irhena tilted her head, letting her fingers rest on Caelia’s shoulder with the tenderness of a caress… or a threat. Then she looked at me. Right into my eyes, as if she could see what I had just dreamed. Neyra shifted behind me, tense. Velka said nothing, but her gaze was fixed on Irhena, like a wolf measuring another.

  —You —Irhena said, her eyes glowing—. I feel something strange in you. It’s not just rancor… it’s rage. A rage you still don’t understand. Rancor is just the seed. When it blooms… I’ll be here, waiting for you.

  Her voice chilled my blood. The force behind her words was so real it left me breathless. But somehow, I found the courage to speak.

  —Please… don’t bother Caelia anymore. I don’t know what happened between you, but stop tormenting her.

  Irhena narrowed her eyes, and her smile vanished. It happened in a blink—her hand shot out and slapped me so hard my vision went white. A ringing filled my ears and the metallic taste of blood spread in my mouth as I staggered. Velka and Neyra reacted instantly, weapons drawn, eyes blazing with fury.

  I didn’t know what hurt more—Irhena’s slap… or that Caelia hadn’t stopped her.

  Irhena looked down at me with contempt.

  —Don’t get involved in things you don’t understand —she said quietly, but her words struck deeper than the blow.

  Caelia stepped forward, her voice now a blade.

  —That’s enough, Irhena —she said, with that calm only she could command.

  She came to my side, steadying me with one arm, and then faced Irhena directly.

  —It’s always been the same with you… —she said in a low, firm voice—. There’s no reasoning, no talking. Only your rage… and you never understand it.

  Irhena tilted her head again, that crooked smile beginning to fade.

  —Is that what you think? —she asked, almost amused, though something deeper and darker flickered in her eyes.

  —It’s what I know —Caelia replied, not looking away—. And you keep proving me right.

  For a heartbeat, the air between them felt as thick as the fog in the mountains.

  —Lower your weapons —Caelia ordered Velka and Neyra, eyes still on Irhena—. We’re leaving.

  Velka hesitated, but obeyed. Neyra lowered hers reluctantly. Irhena said nothing else. She just watched us leave, her ember-red eyes fixed on us, and that smile—fierce and unyielding—vanished completely. As if Caelia’s words had struck harder than any blow.

  Inside the base, Velka and Neyra couldn’t hide their anger. Caelia walked ahead with her usual poise, but before we got far, she turned to me.

  —I appreciate what you did —she said, looking me straight in the eye—. But Irhena was right about one thing: don’t get involved in what you don’t understand.

  Her words echoed softly. I knew she didn’t say it to hurt me, but to make clear that her past wasn’t mine to carry.

  —I’m sorry —I murmured—. I really didn’t know what I was stepping into.

  —And that’s why I appreciate it —she nodded, with a faint smile. But her eyes… her eyes still held something I couldn’t read.

  Velka and Neyra came closer then, nearly crushing me with their energy.

  —Lyss! —Neyra beamed—. Are you okay? Did it hurt?

  —A little —I admitted—. But I’m fine.

  —You did it! —Velka added, pulling me into a hug and grinning—. You spoke up to Irhena, my goddess!

  —I don’t even know where I got the courage… —I confessed with a tired smile.

  —But you got it! —Velka laughed—. Now let’s go see what’s next.

  Confernce room Seravenn

  They brought us into the command center’s conference room. The four of us sat in stiff chairs, ready to receive the briefing. There was a heavy silence in the air, as if we all knew something important was about to shift.

  Then she entered—Ambassador Myra Haldenn, escorted by her spokesperson. The Ambassador was... ethereal. Her presence felt like a whisper that stole the breath from your lungs. She wore an iron mask shaped like a woman's face, with closed eyes and lips, and from them flowed black tears, like liquid onyx. She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. Her figure said everything.

  The spokesperson addressed us with a clear, precise voice.

  —Due to increased tension along the border, direct entry into Eiswacht is no longer viable. Therefore, High Command has determined two possible infiltration routes: covert aerial transport or through a hidden tunnel system.

  He paused, his eyes sweeping across the table.

  —But before that, you will undergo an intensive adaptation period of five to seven days. During this time, you must fully internalize the identities assigned to you. Not just their names, occupations, and routines—but their gestures, their tone of voice, even their silences.

  An aide stepped forward and placed four tablets sealed with Seravenn’s crest on the table.

  —Inside, you’ll find surveillance footage, private interviews, classroom sessions, walks, and conversations—everything necessary to become them. There is no room for error. A single wrong gesture could cost you your life.

  I swallowed hard. Studying someone to perform them like a role… it felt more unsettling than I expected. Like I’d have to erase a part of myself to succeed.

  Then we were each handed thick dossiers. I opened mine with slightly shaking hands.

  Name: Dr. Carolin Schulz

  Specialty: Advanced magical containment

  Education: University of Strahlsheim, capital of Eiswacht

  Hobbies: Reading magical treaties, meditation, late-night walks

  But what made me stop cold was a line I hadn’t expected.

  Marital status: Married to Susanne Weber

  Susanne Weber, specialist in applied energy flow manipulation.

  They met in university and married shortly after graduating.

  —“My wife…?” —I thought, stunned.

  That was when I heard a teasing whisper in my ear.

  —Hello, love.

  I spun around. Velka was standing there, her grin full of mischief and charm.

  —W-what…? —I stammered.

  She held up her identity sheet. Sure enough, it read:

  Name: Susanne Weber.

  Your wife.

  —Picture it —Velka said with a sultry lilt—. Little kisses, hand-holding... maybe even some nighttime cuddles. Or dirtier things —she added with a wicked laugh.

  I was speechless. Velka was my friend… which made it even worse. I knew how much she was going to enjoy this. Neyra stepped over and elbowed me lightly.

  —Don’t worry, Lyss. She only bites if you ask her to.

  —I can’t believe this… —I muttered, rubbing my forehead.

  Caelia, silent until now, spoke with calm authority.

  —You’ll only need to act as much as necessary. Don’t let Velka’s personality cloud your focus.

  —And you two? —I asked, trying to get my mind back on track.

  Velka lifted a brow, clearly delighted to stay in character.

  —I’ll be your foul-mouthed wife. Caelia will pose as a diplomat, an official contact who only appears at specific embassy events. Neyra will handle administrative duties—chief financial officer for the Aurora Project’s commercial division.

  —Which means we can still stay in contact —Neyra added seriously—. And help if anything goes wrong.

  The Ambassador raised a hand, and the spokesperson resumed:

  —You have exactly one hundred fifty-six hours to prepare. You’ll each have a holographic assistant and access to restricted material. Do not leave the compound under any circumstances. Three hours before insertion, the entry method will be confirmed.

  Silence returned to the room.

  —That is all. May the Crown protect you.

  The Ambassador turned and floated out with footsteps too soft to track. Ghostly.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  Once we were alone, we opened our folders. Velka, naturally, was the first to resume the teasing.

  —Dr. Schulz, are you ready to share a bed with me while reading spell journals by candlelight?

  —I can barely handle this folder. A bed’s too much to ask —I muttered.

  —I’ll see you all snuggled up soon enough —she winked.

  —Velka, can you even stay in character for a whole week? —Neyra asked, amused.

  —A week? I’ll never drop it —she said with a laugh.

  I rolled my eyes.

  —I’m going to need emotional tolerance training…

  Caelia interjected, serious and focused.

  —Start now. We’re no longer ourselves. Every word, every reaction, could be under scrutiny in Eiswacht.

  I nodded. The weight of this false identity settled on my shoulders like a second skin… and I was afraid of how well it fit.

  Velka clapped me gently on the back.

  —Relax, wifey. I’ll protect you… even from yourself.

  I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So instead, I took a breath—and kept reading.

  We left the briefing room in silence, as if the Ambassador's words still weighed on our shoulders. We walked down the long corridor of the headquarters until we reached the platform where a sealed transport vehicle waited for us—unmarked, discreet. Even the guards stationed there avoided looking at us for too long.

  Velka was the first to climb in. She offered me her hand with a crooked smile.

  —Come on, wifey. I don’t want you fainting before we even get to the honeymoon.

  I rolled my eyes but took her hand. It was warm, steady. Firmer than I expected.

  —I don’t even know where to start —I muttered as I climbed in after her.

  —Start by not dying of embarrassment every time I call you “wife,” —she whispered, already inside the vehicle, settling beside me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Neyra and Caelia sat up front. The transport pulled away without ceremony, gliding through the inner roads of the complex. Outside, night fell over Seravenn like a heavy blanket.

  Caelia opened a crystal tablet and silently reviewed her character’s documents. Neyra was practicing a specific hand gesture—something her cover identity did when greeting people. She repeated it with a frown, as if that one motion would determine the mission's success or failure.

  Velka wasn’t doing any of that.

  Velka was watching me.

  —What? —I asked, uncomfortable.

  —I’m imagining what kind of books Carolin reads to relax —she said with feigned innocence—. Magical treatises? Romantic poems? Scandalous novels about fellow researchers?

  I nudged her with my elbow.

  —Cut it out.

  —I’m not teasing, wife. I’m exploring your inner world.

  I said her name quietly, hoping it might lower her tone.

  —Velka...

  She went quiet for a second. Her eyes, just for a moment, weren’t mocking or playful. She looked at me like she was searching for something she wasn’t sure she wanted to find.

  —Relax, Lyss —she finally said—. I’m just trying to make this a little easier.

  And for the first time since the mission began, I wasn’t sure if she was speaking as Susanne... or as herself.

  The transport stopped in front of a gray building—neutral, functional architecture. Two floors, sealed windows, no visible symbols. The “academy.” Our temporary home.

  We stepped out one by one, each holding our dossier. The morning air was thick with humidity—and something else: the certainty that the days ahead wouldn’t be training, but a test of identity.

  Caelia was the first to enter, punching in the access code with surgical precision.

  —Five days —she said without looking back—. Five days to stop being us… and start becoming them.

  Velka paused next to me before crossing the threshold.

  —Don’t worry, Carolin —she said with a half-smile, softer this time—. If you get lost… I’ll hold your hand.

  And without waiting for me, she went in.

  I lingered for one more second, staring at the metal door that closed behind her. Swallowing hard.

  I knew none of this would be easy. What I didn’t know was whether I could pretend to be someone else... without forgetting who I truly was.

  Magical Girls academy media quarters

  The media room was elegant, proyectors, some forniture like sofas, but everything had a militaristic view, it was kinda boring

  Caelia connected the data core, and within seconds, selected footage began to play—carefully curated clips of the four women we were meant to impersonate. These weren’t standard surveillance videos, but moments taken from real life—walks, formal conversations, repetitive habits, natural gestures. Daily life, distilled.

  The first file showed Carolin Schulz and Susanne Weber in a university library. Susanne was flipping through a thick tome on magical engineering while Carolin took notes in silence. Now and then, they glanced at each other. A brush of fingers. A discreet smile. In another video, in a park, Carolin gently adjusted Susanne’s scarf, and she returned the gesture with a short kiss on the lips—habitual, not passionate.

  —At least they’re not overly affectionate —I murmured, unable to hide my relief.

  Velka, seated beside me, lowered the volume and looked at me with a serene expression.

  —You don’t have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable —she said, her voice devoid of teasing—. Just what’s necessary. Cheek kisses, holding hands, maybe a kiss on the lips if the moment demands it… that’s all.

  I looked at her, grateful.

  —Promise?

  She held up her pinky with a small smile.

  —I swear on my pinky, temporary wife.

  I linked mine with hers. It was silly. Childish. But… it brought me peace.

  —Thanks.

  —Anytime, Carolin —she whispered.

  Then came the footage of Caelia as Elsa Voigt. Imposing. Her way of walking was measured, almost military, even in civilian spaces. She didn’t gesticulate much; when she spoke, it was with brief, direct sentences. You could tell she’d been trained to leave an impression without raising her voice.

  —She’s literally just like you —Velka said, arms crossed.

  —That’s why they picked me —Caelia replied with a slight nod, like it didn’t deserve more attention.

  Next was Neyra. Her cover identity, Lena Bauer, had a charming laugh, always spoke with her hands, and greeted people with a subtle bow ending in a smile. She loved asking about people’s families. She radiated warm elegance, as if she knew exactly how much to give—and how much to keep.

  —Yours is really sweet —I said, watching Neyra.

  —I hope I can pull it off —she said, visibly nervous—. When I try to copy her tone, I sound like an old radio presenter...

  —Then show us your greeting —Velka suggested, amused.

  Neyra stood, took a deep breath, and greeted an imaginary superior with her right hand over her chest, then a light bow and a smile.

  —Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to see you again. I hope your sister is recovering well.

  —That was perfect! —I laughed.

  —Really? —Neyra asked, blushing.

  —Completely —Caelia said, without a trace of sarcasm.

  Then came my turn.

  —Come on, Lyss, act like Carolin —Velka nudged.

  I stood up, brushed my hair aside like Carolin did in the clips, adjusted my voice… and failed miserably.

  —Velka, have you read Van Brenn’s treatise on triple containment? Maybe we can compare notes after meditation —I said, too fast, too stiff.

  Velka burst out laughing.

  —No no, you’re not a doctor! You sound like a stage actor in a bad avant-garde play!

  Caelia sighed elegantly.

  —Practice in front of the mirror. And rewatch the videos. It’s about rhythm, not copying lines.

  Velka patted my back, this time more gently.

  —We’ll improve together, wifey. Besides, you’re not so bad. If you were the real Carolin, I’d already have you in the park giving me one of those kisses you dread.

  I laughed, covering my face with my hands.

  —Velka…

  —Yes, my love?

  —Stop enjoying this so much!

  She didn’t answer. She just smiled—and this time, her gaze lingered a second longer than usual. There was no teasing. Just a faint spark that made me look away and suddenly think of Silas.

  Was it wrong to feel guilty about this game? Even if it was just a cover?

  I closed my eyes for a moment.

  It was just a mission.

  We were just acting.

  Only… five days to stop being Lyss.

  Identity Rehearsal

  The multimedia room at the academy had oversized screens, uncomfortable chairs, and an echo that made everything sound slightly too dramatic. We had spent hours reviewing footage of our counterparts, taking notes on speech patterns, facial expressions, involuntary gestures. By then, our backs ached, but no one wanted to be the first to give up.

  —Okay —Velka said, perching on the edge of a table—. Time for improv. I’ll be Susanne. Lyss, you're Carolin. Caelia and Neyra, you’re the judges.

  I brushed my hair back like Carolin would, took a deep breath, and sat across from her. Velka squinted dramatically and gave me a deliberately sweet smile.

  —Darling, did you review the results from the second spectrogram? The containment model won’t stabilize itself.

  —Of course —I replied, trying to sound serene and methodical—. But we can't compare directly to the Nadelmann protocol data. The resonant flow interference still needs to be isolated.

  Neyra raised both eyebrows, impressed. Caelia nodded with silent approval.

  Velka leaned in with an affectionate gesture, just like in the park video.

  —I'm so proud of you, my love.

  I turned toward her, trying to smile… but what came out was some sort of horrifying grimace.

  —And I of you, dear —I said, before clearing my throat like I’d swallowed a bug.

  Caelia was the first to laugh. Not loud, but clear. Her laugh was rare—restrained, like it hurt her to allow it.

  —You need practice with expressions —she said, chuckling—. You look like a snake trying to kiss.

  —It wasn’t that bad! —I protested.

  —It was tragic —Neyra said, amused—. But charming.

  Velka stood up with theatrical flair.

  —Halt! Characters broken. Execution incoming.

  Without hesitation, she pulled out a toy gun she had brought from her room—one of those opaque plastic ones that shoot foam darts—and pointed it at me dramatically.

  —Double agent detected! Eiswacht’s government executes her for failing a marital scene!

  —Nooo! —I screamed through laughter as the dart hit my shoulder—. That wasn’t in the script!

  —Eliminated! —Velka shouted, turning to Neyra—. You laughed too! Dead!

  —But I didn’t even act! —Neyra protested just before taking a dart to the arm.

  Caelia raised an eyebrow.

  —If you shoot me, the gun mysteriously disappears —she warned.

  —Oof, alright. Elsa Voigt survives… for now —Velka muttered, lowering the toy.

  We collapsed onto the floor in fits of laughter. Then Caelia pulled us back to training. This time: movement.

  —How you walk is just as important —she said, serious—. Spies don’t trip over their own shoes.

  —We don’t even have shoes yet —I pointed out.

  —Then train in socks. If you can walk elegantly in socks, shoes will be easy —she declared like it was doctrine.

  Velka picked up her toy gun again.

  —Every step out of character… bang!

  —This is unfair —Neyra muttered, trying to walk like Lena Bauer, somewhere between grace and practicality.

  —You laughed a lot during the fake conversation! —Velka replied, firing another dart—. Dead!

  —You’ve killed me three times today!

  I tried walking like Carolin. Straight, but not stiff. Serene, but not arrogant. On the third step, I tripped on the carpet.

  —Bang.

  The dart hit me square in the back.

  —Ow! I’ve been executed again!

  —Fourth execution for Dr. Schulz. This is becoming a concern —Velka announced, grinning.

  Caelia crossed her arms. Her stride was perfect. Not a single misstep.

  —Don’t you ever fail? —I asked, crawling across the floor in defeat.

  She shrugged.

  —I’m already Elsa. I don’t need to imitate her.

  —Show-off —Neyra muttered.

  We kept practicing until night caught up with us. We still didn’t have the clothes or shoes our aliases would wear. But we were starting to feel them… even just a little.

  And for the first time in a long time, I laughed until my stomach hurt.

  The academy hallways were quiet. Only the soft hum of the night lights accompanied our steps as we walked back to the dorms, still laughing from the day’s failed training session. The white walls, usually cold and sterile, seemed less severe after so many hours of laughter.

  —My stomach hurts from laughing —Neyra whispered, rubbing her belly.

  —I feel like I was executed—legitimately —I replied, smiling. —Four deaths, and none of them honorable.

  Velka mimed reloading her toy gun.

  —I can make it five, Dr. Schulz.

  We stopped at the intersection connecting the east wing to the dormitories when a cheerful murmur broke the silence. Turning around, we saw them.

  Reia walked with a light step, the hem of her skirt swaying with each movement, her school blazer flawless, and a golden tie glinting softly under the artificial lights. Beside her, like a constellation of contrasts, walked Nysha, a girl I recognized thanks to something Velka had said earlier, and two others whose names I didn’t know.

  Each one wore a personalized version of the same school uniform: Nysha’s had purple accents, another had navy blue trim, and the third had a crimson armband wrapped tightly around her arm. Despite the sharp differences in posture and expression, they looked... coordinated. Like pieces of a strange puzzle.

  —Oh! Good evening! —Reia called out, her smile brightening the corridor more than the lights themselves. —We didn’t know you girls were still up!

  Her voice was soft, melodic. You could almost feel the warmth it left behind.

  —Reia? —Velka muttered, surprised. —What are you doing out so late?

  —We were given some rest tonight —said the girl with the navy trim, her voice calm and soft. —First free night since we got back from mountain training.

  —And we decided to enjoy it —Nysha added, tucking her dark hair behind one ear. —Walk around, talk… breathe.

  —It’s strange to have a moment without orders —said the girl with the crimson armband, her voice low and firm.

  We drifted closer to them without really thinking about it. The day’s tensions melted like sugar in tea. We weren’t separate squads or carriers of different emotions: we were just girls, sharing a pause in the war.

  Reia stepped forward slightly and placed a hand on her chest.

  —Let me introduce us properly —she said with a little flourish. —I’m Reia Solenne, bearer of Hope.

  She pointed to Nysha, who nodded politely.

  —This is Nysha, her heart guided by Fear.

  Then she gestured to the other two.

  —Caelyn, shaped by Sadness. And Virelle, who walks with Anger, though hers is silent.

  —Oh —I blinked, realizing I hadn’t known their names until now. Somehow, that made it all feel more real.

  —And you? —Reia asked, her gaze full of soft curiosity. —Training for your mission?

  —Yeah… —I nodded, scratching the back of my neck. —Practicing our fake identities today. Not our most glorious moment, but at least we laughed a lot.

  —That’s what matters —Reia said, her expression glowing. —Laughing realigns the soul. And when the soul is aligned, magic flows better.

  Velka looked at her with a mix of intrigue and barely hidden affection.

  —Do you always talk like you came out of an old fairy tale?

  —Maybe I did! —Reia giggled. —But I like being this way. It reminds me of who I am. Even if— —she glanced at Nysha, Caelyn, and Virelle— —not everyone understands it.

  —It’s not that we don’t understand… —Caelyn said gently. —It’s just that you’re like the sun. Some of us are made of shadow.

  —But even shadows need light to exist —Reia replied, still smiling.

  For a moment, no one spoke. Only the sound of breathing, and the distant murmur of a door closing in another wing, filled the air.

  —Still… —Nysha murmured, eyes on the floor. —It’s nice to see someone talk like that and still make sense.

  Virelle looked toward a window, hands folded behind her back.

  —I... don’t hate how it feels. You talk about hope. I… I’m still learning what to do with my anger.

  —And I’m learning to live with my fear —Nysha added.

  —And I… —Caelyn closed her eyes briefly. —Sometimes I don’t even know where this sadness comes from.

  Reia stepped to the center of our small group and raised her hand like she was making a solemn declaration.

  —Then let’s make a pact —she said clearly. —Tonight, none of us are defined by our emotions. Not resentment, not fear, not anger, not sadness. Tonight, we’re just magical girls in silly school uniforms, walking through the halls looking for a little peace.

  —And if we don’t find it? —I asked, unable to hide my smile.

  —Then we make it up —Reia answered, winking at me.

  We all laughed, even Caelia—though hers was more like a quick breath through her nose.

  We walked with them a little longer. We didn’t talk about the mission, or fake names, or weapons or death. We just shared that absurd, warm moment.

  And when we finally returned to our rooms, I knew that night wasn’t just another one. It was a crack in the darkness.

  And through that crack, for a fleeting second, something like hope shone through.

  As we reached the final corridor, the moment to part ways arrived. The group of girls with the school uniforms stopped at the east wing, while we turned toward the dormitory section. Reia gave us one last bright smile.

  —Sleep well, undercover ladies —she said playfully, giving us a small wave.

  —I have to ask —I said, pausing—. Why the school uniforms? I thought we were all supposed to wear the standard academy ones.

  Reia looked down at her golden tie, then up at me, her eyes full of cheerful mischief.

  —We asked Mom, or well Venesse for permission —she replied—. She said if we were going to carry something as heavy as this war, we could at least do it wearing what made us feel most like ourselves.

  She twirled once, her skirt fluttering.

  —So we chose this. Something to remind us who we are, even when the world wants us to be weapons.

  —It suits you —I murmured, honestly.

  She winked.

  —Good night, Lyss. May your dreams be lighter than your burdens.

  With that, the four girls continued down the hallway, their footsteps soft, like a fading song.

  We reached our dorm and stepped inside. The room was quiet, dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the blinds. For a few seconds, none of us said a word.

  Then Velka broke the silence.

  —Alright, no way I’m sleeping over there tonight —she said, grabbing her mattress and dragging it across the floor.

  —What are you doing? —I asked.

  —What does it look like? I’m making a girl pile. Come on, it’s tradition after the first big mission.

  —It wasn’t a mission —Caelia muttered, but she didn’t object. She just sighed, then helped move the beds together.

  Neyra grinned.

  —Well, I’m not sleeping alone either. Count me in.

  Soon enough, the four of us were under the same thick blanket, limbs tangled, hair everywhere, warmth spreading between us like an invisible spell.

  —I can’t believe we actually did it —I whispered. —The training, the trench, the artilleries…

  —You were amazing, Lyss —Neyra said softly.

  —You scared the crap out of me —Velka added. —But yeah… you were amazing.

  —Try not to almost die next time —Caelia murmured, her eyes already half-closed.

  —I’ll do my best —I smiled.

  Silence settled again. But this time, it wasn’t heavy. It was soft, like a lullaby.

  The war hadn’t ended. Our mission hadn’t even started. But for that one night, surrounded by my friends, wrapped in their warmth and quiet breathing…

  I didn’t feel like a weapon.

  I felt human.

  And slowly, the four of us drifted into sleep.

  Together.