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End of the Hunt
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Atlas’s team was close to the end. His heart was pounding, anticipating the outcome. He couldn’t hold back a grin, even as cold sweat dripped down his forehead. For once in those three years he’d been at Wyndham, the prize was within reach.
A long, stretched out creek echoed in the forbidden wing.
His eyes snapped wide. He could feel the drop of his heart. Slowly, Atlas turned his head to the side, where the fourth door stood tall. And he simply watched. He watched as the other team, who were trailing behind his own until now, pushed open the gates to the Enchanted Archive.
He swallowed, closing his dropped jaw. His lips curved back into a grin, and he dug his nails into his palms, restraining his anger. “Ha… Well,” he turned back towards his team, noticing the same look of disappoinment on their faces. Of course, they were so close, and it was a matter of pure chance who the winners would be. “We did our best, right? You were all amazing,” he smiled, his voice oddly relaxed. “Better luck to us next year!”
He stayed at the gate, the tension in his jaw turning to pain, watching as the other team — Renlin, Thalia, Desdemona, a few unfamiliar students — held the prize which was meant to be his. It was bitter. A lump in his throat, his palms shaking beneath the wrath of his nails. And yet, as he met the eyes of each person walking out, he gave them a warm smile. “Congratulations,” he chuckled lightly. “I’m so proud of you all. This hunt was a blast, I must say.”
As the students retreated back to their dorms, Atlas felt a weight lift off his chest. His door closed with force, not quite a slam but tense nonetheless. He leaned against the wall, running his hands through his hair.
“I failed… Again,” he sighed loudly, sinking to the ground. He chose to sit like that for a while, letting his thoughts swirl through his mind. “Why do I even bother working so hard if… If the final choice was going to be based on luck?” he murmured, his voice muffled by his knees. “I mean, it makes no sense. Renlin beat me. Renlin. And I thought he was the type to neglect his education?” he chuckled to himself. “And that girl… Desdemona? She bought all my lies that night, there is no way…”
Taking a deep breath to prepare himself, Atlas rose to his feet.
“What do you… think…” his voice trailed off. Looking into his eyes was his reflection — twisted and unrecognizable, as if an image put through the distortion of water. A lump formed in his throat again, and his tone dropped to a raspy whisper. “I see how it is…” he let out a strained chuckle, turning away so he doesn’t have to see it. “Alright, alright… Maybe I am a bit jealous. But you don’t have to rub it in like that.”
His hands landed on the knobs of his dresser, swinging it open. “I mean, I have every right to be. Because I really do work hard, unlike the rest,” he glanced over his shoulder, towards the mirror standing behind him. His reflection was now so distorted, he could barely see a silhouette of a person. With a sigh, his head fell down. Eyes trailed over his wardrobe, the pieces of clothing going unregistered as his mind began to stray from the present.
Will I ever win? — Don’t think about that now.
How will I become recognized if I continue to be mediorce? — Just don’t think.
If only I could turn back time. — No. No use in thinking. Just focus on the present. Don’t let your mind wander, no matter what.
His hands began to shake, gripping the doorknobs to steady himself.
The party. There was going to be a party in celebration of the winners that night. That’s why he’d opened the dresser to begin with. Nodding, he shuffled through his clothes, baggy and mostly in shades of black. There wasn’t a single thing in his wardrobe that didn’t fit Atlas. Well, specifically, not a thing was unlike his style. Because when it came to his character and his sense of fashion, the two were mismatched. Nobody would guess his personality by appearance alone. And if they somehow did, it would be a deeper, hidden part of himself that not even he could face yet.
He tilted his head, considering his options. Nothing here would be different enough, no matter how he styled it.
Unless… He used his illusion magic.
His lips spread into a grin, laughing under his breath.
Yes… That’s it…
⊱—⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅—⋅༻✧༺⋅—⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅—⊰
Umbra Party — with Kairo
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The door of the Umbra Coven swung open, and behind it stood Atlas — short black dress barely covering his thighs, and over it a frilly apron, tightened with black laces. He walked with his back straight, heels clicking faintly against the floor muffled from the music. Towering above most students, now at a height of 6’5, he felt a strange surge of excitement. As the others laid eyes on him, he shot them a barely restrained grin. Lights bathed his skin in every color, and they brightened the usual gloomy atmosphere of the common room. Usually, Atlas preferred to avoid stepping foot on Umbra territory, but today was an exception.
He scanned the room, looking for some familiar face. Renlin, perhaps, as he deserved a thank you for organizing this party. And… A proper congratulations. He had won, after all.
But instead his gaze landed on a cowboy hat, sticking out in the crowd. He tilted his head with a smile, as beneath it he saw the face of his teammate from the scavenger hunt.
Atlas covered his lips, laughing to himself, as he lifted the other arm in the air. Golden ribbons began to swirl towards his palm, slowly materializing into a disc. They glowed faintly against his black glove, mixing with the lights. In his hand now laid a round drink tray, six glasses of drinks popping on top of it.
With grace, he swung it from above his head down to his chest. Offering it forward with a small bow, his eyes met Kairo’s. “Hey, we meet again,” he winked. “Kairo, right? Fancy a drink?”
Now, if his new friend would accept a glass, it would act like any other. Cold, smooth surface against his palm, and he’d feel the weight of the liquid inside. But as soon as it meets his lips and the drink pours down his throat, it would fade to dust, with not even a taste.
⊱—⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅—⋅༻✧༺⋅—⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅—⊰
@CerealKiller ✧ Kairo Elias Hall
Mentioned:
@Madilfill ✧ Ren
@raviola ✧ Mona
Very briefly present/mentioned:
Thalia and the rest of her team
Team Adrian’s Favs
@Nil
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