The air smelled of metal and magical dust.

  We boarded the transport without a word.

  Velka dropped into the nearest seat, wiping off the last specks of blood with a makeshift cloth —none of it hers, of course. Neyra followed, her face tight, lips pressed in a hard line. I... didn’t know how to walk without looking at the floor.

  —That was —I finally said— rougher than I expected.

  —They were soldiers, —Neyra replied flatly—. Sometimes brutality isn't a choice. It's a method.

  Velka let out a long sigh, resting her head against the wall of the vehicle.

  —Did you see that guy? The one who tried to run and slipped on his own teammate? I mean, there are ways... and that definitely wasn't one.

  I laughed, though it sounded hollow.

  —So what now? —I asked, trying to sound casual.

  Neyra checked a small device on her wrist.

  —No debrief. What’s strange is that we haven’t received any message from the Veils yet.

  —Maybe they’re busy cleaning up the mess —Velka muttered—. Or uncovering more... surprises.

  I tensed. Something in her tone made me repeat the word silently.

  —Spies? Do you really think...?

  Neyra nodded without looking at me.

  —The seals were real. So was the ring. And that tech... I’ve never seen anything like it in our bases.

  Velka turned to me, more serious now.

  —Someone, back home, sold something. And it wasn’t cheap.

  I didn’t say anything else. I focused on the steady hum of the transport. The overhead lights flickered on and off, like even the system knew we’d touched something we weren’t supposed to.

  Velka stretched her legs and murmured:

  —I wish Caelia were here. She’d give us a quick answer and slap us for asking.

  —Or for breathing —Neyra added.

  I smiled, reflexively.

  But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something... had cracked.

  Not just out there.

  But inside too.

  Some time later in the Veil Council Evaluation Chamber

  Location: Inner Security Core, Sublevel 1.

  Access restricted to active Veil members.

  The room was bathed in white light without shadows.

  At the center, a circular obsidian table held the remains of the intercepted convoy: scorched metal fragments, half-burned documents, and a containment box with the recovered prototype.

  Six figures stood around it. Each with a title. Each with weight.

  Lady Daryenne Maelstrid, the Hand of Blood, studied the rings displayed on a floating tray. Her gaze was surgical.

  —Level three forgery magic… but this signature was forged with internal access. No doubt: one of our own facilitated this.

  Minister Sael Vynther, robed in violet with an uncovered face, narrowed her eyes.

  —What was the purpose of this “exchange”? Information? Technology? Both?

  Dr. Cirelle Thaynn, her coat glowing with sealed runes, lifted the containment box.

  —This is… an arcane mask. Capable of replicating emotional and illusory signals. Inspired by a real power?

  Ambassador Myra Haldenn remained silent. Her eyes tracked the remnants like traces of an unseen crime.

  Elore Stryvann, the Eye of War, tapped the table softly with her knuckles.

  —This wasn’t smuggling. It was a test. A controlled leak. They wanted to measure our reaction time.

  A long silence followed. Then a clear voice, carrying a golden echo, filled the room.

  —Then let us answer.

  It was Seraphine Vaeloria.

  She wore unadorned imperial white. Her expression reflected no anger — only certainty.

  —Identify the spy. Interrogate him. Extract every last memory.

  And then… send a message.

  Venesse Aerla, the last to arrive, spoke barely above a whisper:

  —To whom?

  —To everyone —the Queen answered without hesitation—. Let even those who serve in the shadows remember… Seravenn does not forget.

  The royal seal lit up in the center of the table.

  And the session ended.

  Nightfall at the Academy

  We returned to our room as if our boots were made of stone.

  No urgency. No words. Just the silent echo of a day that felt like three.

  Neyra was the first to collapse onto the makeshift bed.

  —Don't wake me up unless another war starts.

  Velka dropped backward beside her, tossing her jacket halfway across the room.

  —You sure? Because if the alarm goes off, I’m kicking you to the showers, princess.

  —Mmm… acceptable —Neyra mumbled—. But only if you carry me, darling.

  —Disgusting! —Velka threw a pillow straight at her face.

  I let out a soft laugh and sank down beside them. The blankets were already a mess from the night before, so we just squeezed in wherever we could.

  Velka, as usual, ended up hugging something. This time, it was my leg.

  —Velka…

  —Shut it, cloud.

  Neyra chuckled, her eyes already half-closed.

  —Think tomorrow will be calm?

  —Not even in your dreams —I said—. They'll probably wake us up with another alarm, or a prophetic vision, or a rogue demon.

  —Great —Velka groaned—. Just what I wanted. Are there no shifts to save the world?

  —If there are, we get all of them —Neyra sighed.

  I closed my eyes.

  For the first time in hours, the weight on my chest felt… lighter.

  Not because we were fine.

  Not because anything was fixed.

  But because we were together.

  And for now, that was enough.

  I couldn’t remember when I’d fallen asleep.

  Only that—for once—the silence didn’t hurt.

  When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a foot.

  Not just any foot: a bare one, warm, slightly cold at the toes… planted firmly against my forehead.

  —Neyra…?

  I tried to move, but found I couldn’t.

  Velka had my arm pinned.

  She was hugging my forearm like a plushie, and not only that…

  One of her arms had somehow ended up around my waist during the night, and her hand now rested—quite firmly—on my chest.

  I swallowed.

  My cheek was pressed against the edge of the improvised mattress, where I’d ended up after last night’s chaos.

  A faint sound of heavy breathing told me both of them were still asleep.

  —Gods…

  Velka murmured something in her sleep.

  —Mmm… so soft… is this a cloud or…?

  I flushed.

  —It’s not a cloud, Velka —I whispered, mostly to myself.

  Then Neyra’s foot twitched and lightly kicked my cheek. Twice.

  With rhythm.

  That was it.

  —Enough!

  I slipped out from the tangled embrace and the battlefield our bed had become—carefully, but with conviction.

  Velka groaned and stretched, drooling slightly onto the blanket. Neyra stirred and muttered something about “corrupted arcane codes.”

  I looked at them in that state:

  Velka’s face was completely squished, hair stuck to her cheek, with that “I could sleep for three more days” expression.

  Neyra’s hair was so disheveled she looked like some escaped magical lab creature.

  I couldn’t help but laugh.

  —You two look like burnt-out spellcasters.

  —Mmmh… Lyss? —Velka cracked an eye open and then shut it again—. Tell me it was a dream… or that I still have my dignity.

  —Can’t promise the second one.

  We laughed together.

  Neyra mumbled something incomprehensible and then sat up, eyes half-lidded.

  —What time is it? —she growled, her voice more wrecked than my patience.

  I glanced at the wall clock.

  —…Quarter to twelve.

  They both shot upright as if a magical explosion had gone off under them.

  —WHAT!?

  —We haven’t been summoned yet!?

  —That’s not normal —Velka muttered while grabbing her towel—. After what happened with the arcane core, we were at least expecting a rapid-fire reprimand and if it didn’t came yesterday it will come today.

  —Maybe Caelia’s taking the heat on her own? —Neyra suggested, more worried now.

  —No —I shook my head—. Not after last night. They needed all of us.

  Velka raised an eyebrow at me.

  —Then it’s time, General Velcrux. Lead us to the shower offensive!

  We headed to the baths together.

  Between jokes, laughter, and the occasional fight over soap, I managed to unwind a bit. Velka never missed a chance to splash me, and Neyra seemed to take “arcane cleansing” very seriously—shaping the foam into tiny magical beasts.

  —It’s not a contest, Neyra.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  —Everything in life is a contest.

  As we stepped out, drying our hair and still laughing, a sudden chime froze us in place.

  A special transmission.

  Velka went pale.

  —It’s… from the palace.

  The shift in the air came just a second before the voice did.

  As if the world had paused to listen.

  The metallic yet solemn voice of the announcement system echoed through the air:

  —Attention. Squad “Shadows of the Crown.” Urgent summons to the Throne Room.

  Queen Sheraphine Vaeloria is calling you personally. Priority: Supreme.

  I froze.

  —Us…? Why?

  Neyra swallowed hard.

  —That’s never about anything minor.

  Velka was already adjusting her uniform, muttering:

  —Told you. Too quiet. Something’s coming…

  And this time, it didn’t sound like a joke.

  We were already ready. Impeccable uniforms, hair dry and tied up.

  My back still ached from being squished all night between two lunatics, but I did my best to hide it.

  Three firm knocks hit the door.

  —Squad Shadows of the Crown. The vehicle is waiting.

  We stepped into the hallway, and the moment I saw the car… I froze for a second.

  It was majestic.

  A long, armored vehicle, painted in deep black with silver and gold filigree.

  On each side, the emblems of the Magical Girls and the Inverted Rose of the Crown shimmered.

  Everything about it screamed: “sacred,” “untouchable,” “property of absolute power.”

  —Gods… —I murmured, mostly to myself.

  —Uh-huh, and I was the dramatic one —added Velka, though her smile was more tense than usual.

  We got in without another word.

  The interior was lined in dark velvet, with soft lights and hand-embroidered details.

  I sat in the middle. Velka to my left, Neyra to my right.

  —What do you think is going to happen? —I asked quietly.

  —They’ll probably yell at us a bit —said Neyra, clearly uneasy.

  —And then?

  —Depends —Velka shrugged—. Sometimes you get scolded, sometimes thanked.

  Sometimes you get promoted.

  Sometimes you disappear…

  —Velka! —Neyra snapped, elbowing her again.

  —Kidding! —she laughed, patting my thigh—. No one’s disappearing, Velcrux. They just want to see us and ask questions… It’s normal.

  I didn’t say anything else.

  The car purred gently and took us straight to the imperial center.

  When we arrived at the castle, I felt a pressure tighten around my chest.

  The structure was immense, built entirely from obsidian and enchanted steel.

  It wasn’t beautiful.

  It was imposing. Intimidating.

  More temple than palace.

  The walls reflected our movement like they were watching.

  The statues greeted us with eyeless stares.

  —Anyone else feel like there’s no echo here… but everything’s listening? —Velka muttered.

  And every step we took down those corridors felt like an echo… of something greater.

  The interior was cold.

  Not from temperature, but from emotional absence.

  There was a living energy there. Like a whisper that never quite spoke.

  Finally, we passed beneath a black stone arch and arrived at the Throne Room.

  I saw her.

  Sheraphine Vaeloria.

  The queen wasn’t wearing her full armor this time.

  She wore a dark ceremonial outfit, fitted, with high shoulders and a long veil descending from her crown of black thorns.

  Her dress had light plates and runes embroidered in ancient red thread.

  She rose from her throne with a graceful gesture and gave us a small nod.

  —Velka Aurel. Neyra Solvine.

  —Her voice was firm, refined, as if every word had been precisely calibrated—. A pleasure to see you both again.

  Then her eyes landed on me.

  For one second, just one…

  I saw something.

  A flicker.

  Fear.

  Rage.

  A spark of something older than war.

  And suddenly I felt my spine go cold.

  As if someone had said my name out loud… in a dead language.

  —And you must be… Lyssandra Velcrux.

  I swallowed hard.

  Then nodded.

  —You are one of the most extraordinary cases we’ve seen in generations.

  To control a power like yours so soon after activation… is remarkable.

  I commend you, daughter of Rancor.

  “Daughter of Rancor?”

  The phrase lingered in my mind. I didn’t reply.

  The queen returned to her throne.

  —I’ve read the report. But I don’t trust paper.

  I want to hear everything. In your own words adn I mean the one where commander Vorn got injured.

  Velka and Neyra began explaining.

  The infiltration.

  The recovery of the engine.

  The ambush.

  When it was my turn, I spoke of the figure I had seen.

  The shadow vanishing down the hill.

  The queen didn’t interrupt. But by the end, her face had tightened.

  —A bomb capable of severing a Magical Girl’s arcane flow…

  That isn’t possible with conventional technology.

  Eiswacht has made a breakthrough we cannot ignore.

  She fell silent for a few seconds.

  Then stood up.

  —In light of this… and with your commander still recovering… you are being assigned an internal intelligence mission.

  —Internal? —Neyra repeated.

  —Yes.

  —The queen took a few steps closer—.

  We suspect the presence of a spy within our capital.

  The bomb, the sabotage… and yesterdays mission someone in Seravenn opened the door for them.

  Velka pressed her lips together. Neyra lowered her gaze.

  —We don’t want you taking further risks in open combat… and we need to know who’s hiding beneath our own roof.

  She paused.

  Her voice dropped in tone.

  —You will be embedded under false identities.

  Assigned roles, documents, residences, and routes.

  Starting tomorrow… your war will be different.

  Then, simply, she nodded.

  —You may go. May the Crown protect you.

  We bowed.

  And left.

  But in my chest, the only thing I could feel… was that look.

  That split-second.

  The fear.

  The anger.

  The recognition.

  The queen had seen me.

  And something… had unsettled her.

  We left the throne room in silence.

  The obsidian’s darkness seemed to swallow our steps.

  And I could still feel that gaze.

  That single moment.

  The queen looked at me as if she already knew who I was…

  Or what I could become.

  —You’re quiet —Velka said, breaking the silence as we walked down the hallway that led to the main atrium.

  —I’m just… thinking —I replied, lowering my gaze—. The mission sounds important. I’ve never done something like this. A real infiltration.

  —It’s easier than you’d think —Neyra added, crossing her arms—. All you need is a solid backstory, a fake personality… and to not start flinging corrosive magic in the middle of a market.

  Velka nudged me gently with her elbow.

  —Relax. It feels weird the first few times, but then you kinda start to enjoy it.

  —Enjoy it…?

  —Well —she laughed—, not like a party. More like a game with potentially lethal consequences.

  I just nodded.

  We climbed back into the same transport vehicle. It still smelled of magical incense and new leather.

  We then arrived to the academy

  —How about a bit of training?

  —Training? —I asked, clearly surprised.

  —There’s a new simulation room, right? It wouldn’t hurt to sharpen our reflexes. You especially —she added with a mischievous grin.

  —I second that —Neyra added—. Your magic is destructive. We need to see how destructive… without dying in the process.

  —Thanks for the vote of confidence —I said dryly.

  As we walked through the academy’s halls toward the simulation sector, a thought crossed my mind.

  —Are we the only squad living here?

  —For now, yeah —Velka replied—. But only because we’re the newest and least deployed squad.

  —What about Reia? Her squad?

  —Oh, Lumina Umbrae —Neyra said—. They technically live here… but you never see them. They’re on diplomatic missions, public events, or training somewhere else. They’re the most visible squad and, paradoxically… the most absent.

  For some reason, the idea of a squad that visible yet that absent unsettled me. Like living statues—beautiful, distant, untouchable.

  —And the other squad?

  —Blood of the Throne? —Neyra replied, lowering her voice slightly, as if it deserved reverence—. They’re a shock squad. Deployed when things go to hell. To break enemy lines, force surrenders, win impossible battles.

  —Their commander’s name is Irhena Draeven —Velka added—. Her emotion is anger. Literally. They say even her own squad fears her.

  —She’s strong. But… very unstable —Neyra continued—. Caelia knows her. You could ask more once she wakes up.

  The name made my skin prickle, though I wasn’t sure why.

  Velka grimaced and chuckled under her breath.

  —Rumor says the Veils don’t like having her around. The further from the capital she is, the better the Council sleeps.

  —Velka… —Neyra warned—. Don’t start with your theories again.

  —Hey, if I told you I was right, you’d have to believe me.

  —That’s exactly why you don’t —Neyra muttered.

  We stepped into the simulation room.

  —Let’s see if you manage not to make another crater today, Velcrux —Velka teased.

  It was a massive dome, covered with enchanted crystal panels and magical projectors capable of recreating any terrain. A programmed battlefield already awaited us: urban ruins and three simulated enemy tanks at the far end.

  Velka winked at me.

  —Get ready, rookie. You know how much I enjoy watching your transformation.

  —Huh?

  —Yeah, that part where your true self comes out and the uniform fits perfectly around... certain curves. It's art.

  I turned crimson.

  —Velka!

  —What?! Did I say something wrong?

  Neyra was already transforming, bursts of golden and green light swirling around her as if this were theater.

  I had no choice.

  I closed my eyes. Breathed.

  It wasn’t the battlefield that scared me.

  It was what came after.

  The mission. The infiltration.

  What if I couldn’t lie? What if they found me out?

  What if this time, I was the one who ruined everything?

  I thought of the Rancor.

  Of what that bomb did to Caelia.

  Of what that shadow made me feel.

  And I transformed.

  My uniform appeared like a second skin. Purple and black, with details that flowed like solid smoke. The emblem of Crown’s Shadows shone on my chest.

  Velka wore her light armor, elegant, with silver lines that emitted a kind of artificial calm. Neyra was pure chaos. Even standing still, she glimmered and crackled.

  The simulation room activated with a deep hum.

  The terrain shifted before us, reconstructing into a city in ruins: rubble, collapsed buildings, simulated smoke.

  —Objective: eliminate three enemy tanks advancing through the northern sector. Time limit: five minutes —the system’s voice announced.

  Velka rolled her neck and stretched her arms like this was part of her morning routine.

  —Ready, girls?

  Neyra was already in position, staff charged, scanning the surroundings.

  I… didn’t know where to start.

  I moved behind them, awkward. Every rock looked like a threat. Every corner, a trap.

  —Lyss, cover the rear —Velka ordered.

  —The… what?

  —The rear. Where we could get ambushed.

  —Ah! Right.

  I headed toward where I thought the rear was. Tripped over a fractured concrete block. Nearly fell.

  —Why couldn’t I focus?

  My body knew what to do. But my mind… it kept seeing marketplaces. Hallways. Eyes watching.

  Pretending.

  Pretending not to be me.

  Neyra saw me.

  —Don’t look at your feet. Look at the field. Think like a hunter, not a scared tourist.

  My cheeks flushed.

  —I’m not scared!

  —Then prove it! —Velka shouted, right before casting a defensive spell forward.

  The simulated tanks appeared at the far end. Not real, but they still felt oppressive. Like they could kill us for real.

  They fired.

  Velka leapt to the side, creating a magical barrier with a fluidity that made me feel even more useless.

  Neyra channeled energy into the enemy’s field projectors, disabling one of the tanks’ sensors.

  —Lyss! Flank from the left!

  I obeyed. Ran along the side of a shattered structure, but when I peeked out, I fired before aiming.

  My first shot missed. The second… too.

  The third, pushed by my frustration, obliterated an entire tower.

  —That was a support pillar, not the tank! —Neyra yelled from across the field.

  —I’m sorry! Sorry!

  —Lyss, think! It’s not just about power. It’s about control —Velka added, almost sounding like Caelia now.

  One of the simulated rounds hit me. I hit the ground again.

  This time, it hurt more. The system must’ve increased the realism level.

  I wanted to scream. To give up.

  But then… I felt it.

  The Rancor.

  That thick, dark heat, filling every corner of my chest.

  The tank that hit me was right in front of me.

  —No...

  I stood up, the air vibrating around me.

  —DON’T… TOUCH ME!

  I loaded my sniper rifle, took a breath… and fired.

  The magical projectile didn’t just take out the tank.

  The dome shook.

  Simulation panels collapsed. A light post fell onto a console.

  Everything shut down.

  Silence.

  Velka looked at me, eyebrows raised, a crooked smile tugging at her lips.

  —Well… we’re gonna get yelled at.

  —Again —Neyra added.

  I felt stupid. I pointed at the floor, head lowered.

  —Sorry. I didn’t mean to...

  Velka walked up and ruffled my hair with a warm hand.

  —Relax. You just need more training. You’ve got the power, Lyss. You just need your mind and your magic to stop fighting each other.

  Neyra nodded.

  —It’s not about the damage. It’s about you. If you don’t control your emotion, it’ll control you.

  We stepped out of the destroyed simulation room. The fresh hallway air helped cool down my thoughts. I could still feel a faint sting on my arm—the simulator had been more realistic than I expected.

  Neyra glanced at the enchanted wristwatch she wore.

  —Can I stay with you two again tonight?

  Velka threw an arm around her shoulders.

  —You don’t have to ask anymore.

  I nodded, feeling a little calmer.

  For now… I was safe.

  And I wasn’t alone.

  Steam filled the mirrors in the communal showers, wrapping everything in a warm and quiet mist. We walked barefoot, towels wrapped around us, chatting as the hot water ran in the nearby stalls.

  —Do you think Caelia’s going to be okay? —I asked, breaking the soft hum of the water.

  Velka ran a hand through her wet hair before answering.

  —The doctor said she would be. So… all we can do now is trust that.

  A brief silence followed. Then Neyra spoke, her voice softer than usual.

  —Caelia helps me sleep.

  We looked at her.

  —Sometimes… my obsessive thoughts won’t let me close my eyes. And she just… talks to me. About anything. Nonsense. Politics. Spell structure. Even weird plants. Whatever it takes to distract me —she smiled a little, but didn’t quite meet our eyes—. That’s why I hate sleeping alone.

  I’d never heard her speak like that. For a moment, her voice didn’t sound like the cold strategist… but like a girl who just wanted to feel safe.

  Velka tilted her head with a mischievous look.

  —So that’s what you two were doing at night… and here I thought it was something way more scandalous.

  —VELKA! —Neyra shouted, red as a strawberry. She grabbed the nearest towel and threw it in her face—. Is that how you act after I open up emotionally!?

  She tackled her like it was a war mission. The scene was so absurd, so sudden… I couldn’t help but laugh.

  But it wasn’t a timid giggle.

  It was a clear, free laugh that shook my shoulders and made me clutch my stomach. For a moment, I felt like someone else.

  They both froze. Looked at me, mouths slightly open.

  —Was that… your real laugh? —Velka asked, still pinned under Neyra.

  —That was… adorable —Neyra added, laughing too.

  —What? Was it really that weird…? —I said, trying to stop, but I couldn’t.

  —Super weird! And as punishment… —Velka reached out and, using her magic, levitated a bucket of cold water from one of the stalls.

  —Velka, no—!

  The bucket hit me square on.

  —AAAHHH!! —my scream echoed through the marble walls.

  Velka grinned with devilish innocence.

  —If you’re gonna play, you’ve gotta handle the consequences.

  We returned to our room still laughing, wrapped in towels, our wet feet leaving marks on the cold marble floor. Once inside, with warm lights glowing and calm returning to our bodies, Velka dropped another bomb.

  —So… are you finally going to show us what’s under that towel?

  —WHAT?! NO! —I hugged myself like it could protect me from the world.

  —Come on, you’ve seen Neyra and me already. Things have to be fair!

  —I’m not comfortable —I said, red to my ears—. I always shower with this… —I showed the dark swimsuit-like undergarment I wore under the towel.

  —Ugh, cheater. That’s cheating.

  Neyra came to my defense instantly.

  —Velka, if she’s not comfortable, don’t push her. Not all of us are exhibitionists like you.

  Velka raised her hands, feigning innocence.

  —Alright, alright… I surrender.

  We put on our pajamas. The silence turned warm, comfortable—like the kind of quiet that leaves room for something more than routine.

  I was tired, but happy.

  —If you weren’t Magical Girls… what would you be? —Neyra asked suddenly.

  Velka answered right away:

  —I’d be a chef. Or a caretaker at an orphanage. Or both. Though I think I’d be terrible at sitting still all day…

  Neyra smiled.

  —I’d design magical weapons. But not for fighting. Just… art. A mix between tech and emotion. You, Lyss?

  It took me a few seconds.

  —I’m not sure. But I like knitting. And baking.

  —Seriously? —Velka smiled, genuinely surprised—. One day you’ll have to make us dessert. Just so we know you’re not lying.

  —I’m not promising anything —I replied with a timid smile.

  —What time do we get up tomorrow? —I asked, rubbing my eyes.

  —We’re being summoned at nine. So, if we want to look decent… seven —Neyra said, already lying down.

  We set up the triple bed again.

  —I want the edge this time —I said, raising my hand.

  —Why? —Velka asked.

  —I move around a lot. Don’t want to wake you.

  The truth was… I didn’t want Neyra’s foot on my face again. Or Velka’s wandering hand… on my chest.

  I settled on the side. Felt their bodies close. Warmth. Trust.

  A part of me… didn’t want the night to end.

  Velka whispered:

  —Good night, Lyss.

  Neyra added:

  —We’ll be okay. The three of us. Always.

  I nodded, closing my eyes.

  And that night... I didn’t have nightmares.