Lara.
Elyssara.
Daphinia.
Caev.
All watching.
All waiting.
The world splits.
And Seren steps through like a woman rewriting the past.
The stenchof Virellin hits her first—it always does. Piss, shit, ale, and meat gone to rot.The beautiful aroma of home.
Lara, Daphinia, and Caev land with grace through the Gateway.
“Fucking humans,” Caev complains, burying her nose into the crook of her elbow.
The soot-covered walls of abandoned buildings stretch into the Virellin sky either side of the witches, giving them cover. Seren crouches low, dagger already palmed, peering around the corner.
She never did this with Ronyn and El. Was never extended the trust. Was never taught the skills. But now? She won’t wait. Won’t let someone else decide what she’s ready for. She’ll fucking prove it to herself.And them too.
“The Flesh Circuit wagons try to blend in with the trade wagons. They’re always cages covered with a tarp,” Seren whispers over her shoulder.
Lara steps closer, her midnight skin glowing in The Barrier’s light.
“You know of this circuit?” she asks. Though it’s not really a question.
Seren turns, voice hushed in the volatile Virellin night. “Elyssara saved me from it. It’s how we met.”
Lara grunts in response, her face remaining unreadable. The lack of care stings, and Seren hates that it does.
Lara takes another step forward, closing the little remaining space between them.
Her voice is low, unflinching. “Survival is not just staying alive, little witch,” Lara says. “It is living long enough to earn your power… and deciding what to do with it.”
Lara’s gaze pins Seren in place, sharp enough to cut.
“Survival is desperation,” she says. “It’s instinct. It’s fear. Anyone can do it. Even prey can survive when cornered.”
A pause.
“But to look at the world as it is… and decide to change it with your own bleeding hands?”
Her voice lowers.
“That takes guts.”
Her eyes do not move. Only bore deeper into Seren’s.
“The Widow knows exactly what she’s asking of you with this Harrow.”
Seren doesn’t answer. She doesn’t need to.She’s already moving.Because she knows the world has always relied on girls remaining too frightened to become dangerous.
She swallows hesitation, shoving it down so low it disappears into the abyss where the rest of her pain lives.
