The arena had long since cleared, but the echoes of the duel still lingered in the air.
Zane walked beside Sera in silence, tension hanging between them like a blade waiting to drop.
"You know..." he said, trying to break the silence, "I really thought you'd use your Sky Dream powers back there."
Sera kept walking, saying nothing.
Zane continued, hands in his pockets. "But I'm kinda glad you didn't. I mean... didn't want Valerie getting hurt or anything."
Zane froze a step ahead of her, turning. "What?"
"So you do care if she gets hurt," Sera muttered, her voice low and tight.
"What? No, that's not what I—"
"I need some space," she said sharply, spinning around to face him.
She shoved him back. Hard.
Zane stumbled, shocked. "Sera—"
Before he could get another word out, her wings burst open, radiant and full of motion. With one beat, she launched into the sky, wind howling in her wake as she vanished above the academy towers, direction unknown.
Zane just stood there, mouth slightly open, heart sinking.
Zane closed his eyes and sighed. "Nyx, not now."
"No, this is exactly now. I mean, wow. She really hit the classic 'I need space' and actually flew off into the distance. I'm impressed."
"I messed up, didn't I?" Zane muttered.
"Oh, you definitely did. But don't worry. The universe loves a guy stuck between two angry elemental powerhouses."
Zane groaned, watching the sky. "Why can't anything ever be simple?"
"Because that would be boring, darling."