But today, Fantine haphazardly rushes through the southeast wing, at one moment almost tripping over her own feet. Her urgency is driven by fear; her normally gentle face is warped with blind panic.
Finally, she reaches the office wing and begins pounding furiously on a door.
There’s no response.
There’s a muffled groan from behind the door.
There’s a click, and the door opens partially, revealing a very dazed Dys who just woke from a nap.
Upon seeing Fantine’s distraught expression, Dys begins to understand the severity of the situation.
Fantine:
Dys… please, the courtyard… you have to stop them…
Dysdamion:
Wait what? Who? What happened?
Fantine struggles to find words, but isn’t able to. She pauses to try and catch her breath, and Dys gives her a knowing nod.
As they pace through the hallway, Fantine tries to explain the situation.
Fantine:
They just came back out of nowhere, so I didn’t know what to do… I was going to try and hide them because you know how… how Miss Sofya feels about the whole thing but then she suddenly showed up and like… how did she even know?
Dysdamion:
Wait. Who came back? Why would-
Fantine:
And she was so angry! I tried to explain but before I could even do anything she already drew her weapon… She was serious, Dys, I swear. I saw it in her eyes. And there are kids in the courtyard too, what if they get hurt? I can’t even stop her, and… and…
They reach the courtyard.
When the scene of the courtyard greets their eyes, Fantine gasps in shock.
Several students are also present in the courtyard, but stand away from the scene, unsure of what to do.
There stands Sofya, clad in black and scarlet with her warblade beside her. From her kiseru, smoke thicker than ink pours forth, crystallized into numerous blades, all aggressively pointing towards the throat of her target:
Tien Fong Xen.
He stands with arms outstretched using his own body as a shield, placing himself between the shadow blades and the person behind him. His Eden aura clashes against Sofya’s with such intensity that the air feels viscous; droplets of pure Eden begin to condense in the form of tiny crystal pieces suspended in the air around them.
The figure standing behind behind Tien clasps her hand anxiously. She is familiar to some, and a stranger to others. Her face wears an unreadable expression. In contrast, Sofya’s face is twisted with a frigid fury.
Sofya:
How dare you show your face at this school again, Headmaster.
Tien:
…Stand down, Moriagorre.
Sofya:
…
Dys, overcoming his shock, tries to intervene before it’s too late.
Dysdamion:
Hey guys, can we just maybe talk it over for a bit? Maybe fill me in, too? I have no idea what’s going on, but…
Sofya completely ignores him.
Sofya:
You are absolutely in no place to give any orders to me, the other teachers, or even the students. After the disaster you purposefully put our entire school through, what makes you think you can earn back our trust?
Tien:
I suppose you are referring to the incident with the pirates and the relic, am I correct?
Her only answer is an accusing glare.
Tien:
Yes, I did take risks to secure that relic. And yes, the consequences were messier than I expected. But it was within my expectation that everyone would be able to handle it. And in the end, our gambit was successful.
Sofya:
So now you think you can also be the one to decide what we risk our lives for?
Tien:
No, but when the need arises, I expect you as well as everyone else to.
With a disgusted sigh, Sofya shakes her head, reaching for her warblade.
Sofya:
Don’t just assume everyone will simply do what you want them to do, Tien.
Tien:
The same can be said for you, Moriagorre. Are you sure your actions coincide with the wishes of everyone else?
Sofya:
You willingly put all of us in danger. I am acting in the best interest of the academy.
Tien:
Yet you point your blade at me, and at her...
For the first time, Sofya takes notice of the lady standing behind Tien. Fair skin like crystal. Eyes deeper than the darkest winter. Hair purer than freshly fallen snow. Her clothes clean and ethereal. Was she…