The Disaster Born's

Chapter Thirty Four - Ash

"Ash?" Leon's voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts, blunt and jarring as he snaps his fingers right in front of my face. I blink rapidly, pulled back from the overwhelming sight of Alysia, alive and vibrant, engaged in conversation with Ember. The truth weighs heavily on me—I haven't spoken a word to her since that day. I can't risk it, not when her safety hangs in the balance. I keep having flashbacks of her dead in my arms.

"You gonna stare at her all day, or are you gonna go talk to her?" Leon presses, raising an eyebrow in challenge, his tone teasing yet serious. The insistence in his voice makes my stomach churn.

"He's right, Ash. You haven't spoken for days." Talon joins in, his brows furrowed together in concern that I can't quite shake off. I force myself to act care free, smirking as I shrug, "I'm good." It sounds hollow even to my own ears. Leon rolls his eyes, and Talon follows suit, their concern palpable yet infuriating.

"GOOD MORNING!" The Over Lord's booming voice reverberates through the air, a thunderous announcement that rattles my bones. "IF YOU ARE STOOD HERE RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE MADE IT!"

My heart races as he continues, the gravity of his words sinking in. "THE ONLY THING STANDING IN YOUR WAY IS YOUR INITIATION! THERE WILL BE A BALL TONIGHT, PICK A PARTNER AND JOIN US AT THE DISASTER BALL!" Each proclamation sends ripples through the crowd, excitement and anxiety mingling in the air. "Enjoy today, as tonight you will be Disaster Born, and your responsibilities and duty to this world start tomorrow!"

Despite the chaos swirling around me, my gaze is drawn to her across the sea of faces. I quickly look away, my heart pounding in my chest. Leon, sensing my turmoil, throws his arm around my shoulders, a playful grin on his face. "You gonna ask her or what?" His teasing tone does nothing to quell the storm within me.

I shake my head, a laugh escaping my lips to mask the storm of emotions happening inside of me. "No, I'm not going." The bluntness of my words hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken feelings. If I can't go with her, then I'd rather not go at all. They'd never know the truth, and neither would she.

Then, as if summoned by my thoughts, I watch her making her way toward me, confidence radiating from her every step. My throat tightens as I gulp, fear and anticipation battling within me. Her green eyes lock onto mine, and suddenly, Leon's voice breaks the moment as he taps my shoulder. "Talon, let's leave these guys to talk, yeah?" He pulls Talon away, guiding him toward Ember, leaving me alone with her.

"You've been quiet," Alysia says, her soft voice washing over me like a gentle breeze, igniting a flurry of tingles across my skin. "Been busy," I retort, forcing my tone to sound casual, as if I don't care. But I can see the anxiety flickering in her eyes as she nervously twirls a strand of hair around her finger.

"Ash, if it's about the fire—" I cut her off, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "What about it?" I ask, frowning as I place my hands into my pockets.

She hesitates, opening her mouth as if to say something profound, but I sense the tension in the air. "You don't have to lie to me, Ash. I would never think any different of you," she replies, her voice calm yet strained, revealing a hint of annoyance that pulls at my heart.

"I'm just not interested in having a weak partner, alright?" The words feel like knives as they slice through the air, tearing at the fragile facade I've built.

"What?" Her confusion is evident, eyes widening in shock, her mouth slightly agape as she processes my words.

Alysia remains unaware of how she escaped the fire; I had begged Talon and Leon to lie, to spin a tale about a Dusk Wraith attacking me instead. "I'm sorry, Lys, truly," I murmur, the weight of my guilt pressing down on me as I turn to walk away, leaving her standing there in disbelief.