The forested section of the dungeon was eerily quiet. Faint rustling leaves, distant monster cries — and Zane's steady breathing were all that filled the silence. Valerie walked beside him, arms crossed behind her back, occasionally throwing sideways glances his way.
"You've been quiet since we killed that wyvern," she said, brushing some dirt off her purple hair. "Still thinking about Sera?"
Zane nodded, scanning the area. "She's not answering her relic. I just... I hope she's okay."
"She's strong," Valerie said, almost wistfully. "Stronger than me. That's what makes this hard."
Zane looked at her. "Valerie—"
She cut him off with a forced smile. "Let's focus on surviving this place first. Talk later."
They continued until they reached the dungeon's midpoint: a ruined temple with shattered pillars and creeping vines. The atmosphere twisted — the air shimmered, and out stepped another pair from the fog.
Tension crackled instantly.
Sera's hair was tousled, her clothes slightly torn, her eyes fierce — but the moment they landed on Valerie's proximity to Zane, something in her shifted. She didn't speak.
"Looks like we all made it out alive," Adrien said casually, but even he noticed the standoff brewing.
Valerie stepped slightly closer to Zane, eyes locked with Sera. "We handled our half just fine. What about you, sister?"
Sera narrowed her eyes. "Barely."
Zane stepped forward. "Sera, are you—?"
"I'm fine," she said sharply, walking past him. "Let's just finish the trial."
But as she brushed past Valerie, the space around the half-sisters shimmered. For a brief second, Zane saw it in both their eyes — anger, jealousy... and heartbreak.
Then Nyx's voice echoed in his head, laced with mischievous amusement.
"Ah, Zane... it seems you're the treasure everyone's fighting for. How deliciously messy."
Zane sighed. The dungeon's dangers were one thing. But this?
This was something else entirely.