Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series

"Perfect!" Lopt clapped once.

He glanced around and took a step forward, motioning for them to follow. "Come on, let’s take the scenic route."

They didn’t head to the usual sparring grounds or the Training Hall. Instead, Lopt led them down a hidden pathway just west of the first year dormitories, one they hadn’t used before. Lopt activated it using the torch as a switch, opening a small passageway that was barely noticeable if someone doesn’t look at the wall with such intent.

The walls felt closer, the air cooler, and the silence between the occasional drip of water made the tunnel feel endless.

"Where are we going?" Aiden asked.

Lopt turned his head slightly, his grin visible in the dim torchlight. "Somewhere better."

"Better how?"

Lopt chuckled, his voice dropping into a sing-song tone. "Less people. Less rules. More fun."

"You mean less witnesses?" Aiden asked, smirking.

"Exactly," Lopt purred. Then he turned fully, walking backward as he spread his arms wide. "Gentlemen, tonight… we fight outside the academy."

The tunnel led them out into the cool night air, a clearing nestled between dense trees. It led directly outside the academy, where Lopt had opened a door above the passageway. When the four got out, they noticed how the trapdoor camouflaged perfectly with the surrounding area, almost like it was never there.

Sevan eyed the door curiously before Lopt closed it, the door blending in with the grass.

"This leads to the forest?" Sevan asked.

"Yep," Lopt replied nonchalantly. "It’s the only passageway that leads outside of the school. Tricky to spot."

Sevan nodded his reply, but kept his eyes on the now camouflaged passageway.

Aiden stared at Sevan. He could almost hear the cogs working in his head.

The academy’s towering silhouette loomed in the distance, but out here, there were no professors, no curfews, no rules.

It was the perfect spot for a secret sparring session.

But they weren’t alone.

Aiden stopped in his tracks the moment he noticed a figure standing a few feet ahead, partially hidden in the dim light.

The person was motionless, almost blending into the shadows, but there was no mistaking the long, wavy black hair.

Lopt narrowed his eyes, tilting his head. "Huh." He muttered under his breath, "There shouldn’t be anyone here." His voice wasn’t joking anymore- just a low, cautious murmur.

Aiden, however, immediately recognized her.

"Emmeranne."

The name left his lips before he even thought about it.

At that, the figure shifted. A faint breeze rustled the leaves, and under the pale moonlight, Emmeranne turned her dull, dark brown eyes toward them. She looked the same as always. Always unreadable and expressionless, that Aiden thinks either she really just had a bad childhood or if she’s one of those kids he would see who would act nonchalant because they’re emo.

But something about her standing alone in the middle of nowhere at this hour sent an uneasy feeling crawling up Aiden’s spine.

"Well, well." Lopt grinned, but there was an edge to it now. "Fancy meeting you here."

The night air was cool, crisp, and laced with something unspoken.

Emmeranne stood there, motionless, illuminated only by the faint silver light of the moon.

There was something about the way she watched them- not with suspicion, not with hostility, but with an eerie lack of anything at all. Like their presence didn’t matter. Like it never had.

Aiden wasn’t sure why that made him uneasy.

Then, Lopt broke the silence.

"Now, now," he drawled, stepping forward with the casual grace of a man who had never once feared for his life. He tilted his head, blue eyes gleaming with mock curiosity. "What’s this? A lone soldier patrolling the night? How noble." He clapped his hands together, grinning like the whole thing was a joke only he understood.

"Or, wait. You’re not following us, are you?"

Emmeranne didn’t blink. "What are you doing, bringing them outside?"

Lopt’s hand flew to his chest in mock offense.

"Oh, you wound me!" he gasped, staggering back dramatically as if she had stabbed him instead of just asking a question. "As if I would ever—ever—corrupt these pure, innocent, law-abiding students!"

Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan all gave him a pointed look.

Lopt, undeterred, grinned wider. "Fine, fine. You caught me, Captain. We’re up to some good old-fashioned mischief."

He took a step closer, his voice lowering slightly, all playful charm but with something unreadable beneath. "But tell me, tell me- " He leaned in, tilting his head. "What about you, Emmeranne? What are you doing out here at this ungodly hour?"

There was a pause.

Emmeranne didn’t answer right away, and for a moment, Aiden wondered if she was even going to. Then, in that same quiet, dull voice, she said:

"Walking."

Lopt let out a low whistle, stepping back. "Walking, huh? How very… mysterious. And in the middle of the night too. Convenient. With what happened to Savion, I’d think the forest would spook you firsties, but I guess not!"

There was something too casual in the way he said it.

Then, as if something had just occurred to him, his eyes widened, and he gasped.

"Wait a second," He pointed a finger at her, taking another step forward with mock suspicion. "You’re not… a spy, are you?" He clutched his chest dramatically. "Oh, the betrayal. The deception. I trusted you-"

Emmeranne blinked at him. "No."

Lopt beamed. "Good answer." Then, his expression didn’t change, but his voice did. It was subtle, the way his usual carefree tone dipped into something lower, something sharper.

"Then tell me, Nyx-"

Aiden frowned.

Nyx?

Had Lopt messed up her name?

Before Aiden could question it, Lopt’s grin widened, and his voice turned mockingly sweet.

"Where does your loyalty lie?" He took another slow step forward, clasping his hands behind his back. "The academy? Or… somewhere else?"

Aiden didn’t know why, but suddenly, the air felt heavier.

Lopt probably had cemented his suspicions with Emmeranne, seeing as he was openly hostile with her.

If she’s an accomplice, Aiden should really distance himself with her. Who knows if he’ll kill them too.

He glanced at Emmeranne, expecting… something. A reaction, maybe. Confusion, irritation, suspicion. But she only stood there, still and unreadable, like she was used to this question. Like it was the easiest thing in the world to answer.

"The academy."

The words came without hesitation, as far as Aiden could hear.

Lopt watched her for a moment longer, his blue eyes flickering with something Aiden couldn’t place.

Then, ever so slowly, his mocking, knowing smile curled further.

"Oh, I don’t know about that."

There was no shift in Emmeranne’s expression.

Lopt, as if sensing it, only grinned wider.

But then, just as quickly as it had come, the moment passed.

He suddenly spun on his heel, throwing an arm over Aiden and Adrian, already leading them forward. "Well, this has been fun! But I believe we have a sparring session to attend, gentlemen." He turned his head, calling out over his shoulder in a sing-song voice.

"Do be good, Nyx. Don’t stay out too late now~!"

Sevan hesitated for only a second before following.

Aiden risked one last glance back-

Emmeranne was still standing there, watching them, her expression unreadable. She looked like she wanted to go with them, but chose not to at the end.

As they walked through the cool night air, the weight of their encounter with Emmeranne still lingered in Aiden’s mind.

After a few moments of silence, Aiden finally spoke up.

"Why did you call her Nyx?"

Lopt, who had been casually twirling a dagger between his fingers, paused for just a fraction of a second.

Then, without missing a beat, he smirked and flicked the blade up, catching it with ease. "Oh? You caught that, did you?" He turned to Aiden, eyes gleaming with something too amused.

"My, my. You’re a perceptive one, aren’t you?"

Aiden frowned. "So? Was that a mistake, or-"

"Or is it a nickname?" Sevan cut Aiden off.

Lopt grinned, waving a dismissive hand. "Now, now. Why the interrogation?" He sighed dramatically, draping himself over Adrian like a lazy cat.

"It was just a random name, nothing for you boys to worry your little heads about."

Aiden didn’t believe that for a second.

But before he could press further, Lopt suddenly clapped his hands together, snapping the tension in half.

"Alright! Enough about that, enough about that. We’re here to spar, not gossip!" He stepped forward, stretching his arms over his head. "And who better to prepare you for your little duels than yours truly?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Are you actually going to take this seriously?"

"Of course!" Lopt said, offended. "I am the epitome of professionalism!"

Then, with a wicked grin, he stepped back, and in a flash of magic, his body shifted, distorted-

A second later, standing before them was...

Lochan.

Well, kind of.

If only if it weren’t for his nose, which was absurdly large.

Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan stared.

Lopt (or Lochan?) spread his arms wide, grinning. "Behold! Your opponent, the most intelligent, handsome, and oh-so-lovable Lochan!"

Sevan snorted. "His nose-"

"Too big?" Lopt said, tilting his head dramatically. "Really? I thought I captured his essence quite well."

Then, in another flash, he shifted again.

This time, he was Shiloh.

But his eyes were completely lopsided, one nearly shut while the other was absurdly huge.

"What do you mean?" he mimicked in a high-pitched, exaggerated voice, striking an arrogant pose. However, he had Shiloh’s exact voice, only more high pitched.

"I’m clearly the best first-year. I’m clearly stronger than you. I clearly have fashion sense!"

Adrian actually choked on laughter.

"Okay, okay, that’s funny," Sevan wiped a tear from his eye. "Do Ambrose."

Lopt didn’t hesitate.

In an instant, he shifted into a ridiculous version of Ambrose, whose muscles were too exaggerated to even look functional, his arms so large they barely bent.

"HAHAHA!" Lopt bellowed in an absurdly deep voice, flexing comically. "I AM STRONG! MY NAME IS AMBROSE AND I SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS WITH FISTS! I AM INVINCIBLE. STRIKE ME WITH A FRISBEE AND YOU SHALL NOT KILL ME!"

At that point, Aiden lost it.

Even he had to admit- this was hilarious.

Adrian was doubled over laughing, Sevan wheezing, and Aiden had to cover his mouth to keep from outright bursting.

Lopt- still in his grotesque Ambrose form- grinned at them all, clearly pleased with himself. Then, as if nothing had happened, he cracked his knuckles and got into a fighting stance.

"Alright, boys," he said, his voice suddenly normal again, despite his ridiculous form. "Time to get serious."

And just like that, the sparring session began.