CHAPTER 19: FEAR THEE

[The council Hallway—]

Principal Camila stood rigid along the council hallway, Standing in front of her was Principal Darren. The council chamber was empty now, the weight of their decision still clinging to the air like smoke after a fire. Silence had settled, but not peace.

Her hands clasped behind her back, silver robes glowing faintly against the dim corridor. Across from her, Darren leaned casually against a marble pillar, his cloak of black and crimson draped like a shroud.

The silence between them was sharp, brittle and dangerous.

"You must be pleased with yourself," Camila began, her voice carrying calm steel. "The vote went your way. The council has allowed the supernaturals to march into the mortal world, to face Venom’s creatures head-on."

Darren’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Pleased? No. Relieved, perhaps. Someone had to stop hiding behind walls. The multiverse burns, Camila. Hesitation kills faster than any blade. You know this."

She stepped forward, the clack of her heels echoing in the vast corridor. Her eyes narrowed, sharp enough to cut through. "Don’t pretend this is about noble urgency. I know why you wanted them out there. You think war favors you. That chaos makes you stronger."

Darren’s smile faltered into a sneer. "Careful with your words."

"Careful?" Camila’s laugh was soft and bitter. "No. You should be careful. You think I don’t see the way you maneuver, the way you push and prod, steering every conversation toward bloodshed. The council may buy your act. But I don’t."

For a heartbeat, Darren’s eyes gleamed with something dark. "And yet you voted with me."

"Yes," she said simply.

His brows furrowed. "Why?"

Camila tilted her head slightly, her golden hair catching the torchlight. "Because I’m playing your games. And sometimes the best way to destroy a game is to sit at the table."

"Is that so?" Darren replied.

"I know you’re jealous of me, you’ve always been jealous of me because my words carry more weight than yours" Camila did not hold back her tongue as she let it known.

"Camila, you are paranoid. I don’t know what you are talking about" Darren pressed. His words hung heavy, each syllable deliberate. Camila’s expression sharpened, but she pressed on further, stepping closer until their faces were nearly level.

"You see, Darren," she whispered, "I voted your way so you’d believe I stood with you. So you’d lower your guard. But I am not your ally. I am your shadow. I’ll let you build your schemes, lay out your plans, gather your pawns... and then I’ll strike. When you least expect it."

Darren’s jaw clenched, his gaze was like molten fire. But before he could reply, Camila leaned in, her voice dropping to a dagger’s edge.

"You devil’s are good at gaslighting, But I am Camila. It don’t work on me. Tell your master Venom," she hissed, "that he’ll never be free. Not while my chains hold. Not while I breathe. I bound him with blood and soul a century ago, and not even your schemes can sever that. He will stay caged, always half a ghost, And you..." her eyes gleamed like steel catching light, "I’ve got my eyes on you, Darren. Every step. Every word. Every lie."

Her words lingered in the air like thunder rolling in the distance.

Then, without waiting for his response, she turned. Her cloak swept the floor as she strode down the corridor, the torchlight dimming behind her. Each step echoed with finality until her figure disappeared into the dark.

Darren stood there, frozen in silence. The faint smile that returned to his lips was colder no and razor-sharped. He whispered into the emptiness:

"Hmmm."

A rustle stirred from the shadows at the far end of the hall. From behind one of the pillars, a cloaked figure emerged, their hood pulled low, face hidden in shadow. They bowed their head slightly.

"She suspects you," the figure said quietly, their voice distorted, as if layered with echoes.

"Of course she does," Darren replied, tone casual, though his eyes glinted with fury. "Camila has always been clever. But suspicion isn’t proof. And suspicion won’t stop what’s already in motion."

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[The Dormitory — Soda and Valkyrie’s Room]

Soda stood in front of the mirror, twisting left and right, holding up yet another glittery blouse against her frame. The room already looked like a boutique explosion— skirts draped across the desk chair, sequins sparkling from the floor, half-open drawers spilling fabric.

"What about this one, Val? Be honest." She struck a pose, lips pursed.

From her spot on the bed, Valkyrie leaned back on her elbows, her expression was calm. "It’s nice... but I liked the yellow stripes one better. That one looked...you know... more like you. This one looks like you’re trying too hard."

Soda groaned, letting the blouse fall onto the growing pile at her feet. "But I need something hotter. Something that screams ’look at me’. Sky and his friends are going to be there, and I refuse to fade into the background like some boring background dancer."

Tekna smiled faintly, shaking her head. "You don’t fade, Soda. You burn the whole place down everytime." Valkyrie followed up with a chuckle.

Soda held up a glittery yellow dress next. "What do you think, Tekna?"

Tekna tilted her head.

"Hmm... looks like you’re trying to hack attention, not hearts. It’s too much Soda. Are you sure you’re going for a music session? Sounds like a date to me..."

Soda pouted and swapped it for a silver mixed with yellow one. "Haa’ like a said earlier. Sky and his friends WILL be there"

"Okay, this one?"

Tekna smirked.

"Hmmm...Classy. Only If you want to look like the academy’s chandelier."

Soda groaned like she’s about to give up.

"Urgh, y’all can’t be serious right?"

"I think you should go for the yellow stripes as Val said earlier" Teckna said pointing out to the dress.

"See? Thank you" Valkyrie replied.

Before Soda could reply back, a knock rattled the door. The girls froze, mid-breath.

"...Were you expecting anyone?" Val asked, brows knitting.

"No, maybe it’s Jaz or Lily" Soda whispered, eyes darting around the mess. "Oh God—what if it’s the hall monitor? Or worse—"

Val pushed off the bed and crossed the room, smoothing her hair back. She opened the door—

And behold who it was...

Sky.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, with his golden hair catching the lantern light in the hall. Behind him, half-hidden but absolutely smirking, were some of his friends— watching like a pack of vultures.

Val blinked, frozen in place. He smiled, a little sheepish, but boyish enough to make the moment worse.

"Uh... hey," Sky said, voice awkwardly smooth.

"Hi," Val echoed, gripping the doorframe as though it might anchor her.

Inside the room, Soda’s eyes went wide as saucers. Her room was a warzone of clothes, and she suddenly felt like she’d committed some cardinal sin. She dove behind Val, kicking stray skirts under the bed, whispering at herself: "Act normal, act normal, act..."

Sky cleared his throat. "So... Valkyrie." He paused, glancing back at his friends, then met her eyes again. "I was wondering if you’d like to hang out. Just the two of us. Tonight?."

Val’s brain short-circuited. "Oh— Uhm...I don’t kno—"

"She’d love to," Soda blurted, popping up behind her like an overeager stagehand.

Val spun on her. "Soda...?!"

But Sky’s grin widened instantly, like that was all the confirmation he needed. "Perfect. Midnight. At the riverside."

He gave Val one last lingering look before turning away. His friends erupted in laughter, their voices echoing down the corridor.

"Sky pulled it off!"

"Didn’t think he’d actually do it!" Randy said.

"Man riverside and midnight is crazy" Tyson echoed lastly

The noise trailed off with their retreat, leaving Val frozen in the doorway, speechless.

Slowly, she turned to face Soda, who was practically bouncing in place, eyes sparkling.

"Are you insane?!" Val hissed, shutting the door.

Soda clasped her hands under her chin, squealing. "Val. Do you realize what just happened? Sky asked you out! Sky!"

"I was going to say no!" Val snapped, exasperated.

"Which is exactly why I said yes for you." Soda flopped onto her bed dramatically, arms spread wide. "Honestly, you should be thanking me."

Val’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "What. Is. Wrong with you?"

"Everything," Soda replied sweetly, then burst into laughter. She sat up again, though her grin flickered with a trace of disappointment. "Although... that means he won’t be at my music session tonight."

Her shoulders slumped for a moment before she forced a smile. "But hey— who cares? He’s yours for the night. Don’t mess this up."

Val rubbed her temples, sinking onto her bed. "You’re unbelievable."

"Unbelievably brilliant," Soda corrected, rummaging through the pile of clothes again. She yanked out a sleek gold dress, shimmering but simple, and tossed it at Val. "This one. Riverside-worthy. And you better not be late."

Val stared at the dress, stunned, while Soda grinned triumphantly.

"Start practicing your dreamy stares," Soda teased. "Midnight is coming."

Val groaned into the fabric, muffling her voice. "Why is this my life?"

Soda just laughed, already spinning toward the mirror again, humming under her breath. "Uh— am late for the music session. See y’all later"

"Well... that escalated quickly. One second we’re knee-deep in selections, the next you’re booked for romance under the moonlight. Val, remind me never to let Soda negotiate on my behalf." Tekna said as all three girls laughed in unison