𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒚𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 | Riven

𝟎𝟓

═━ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 ━═

Fallin's face was set in fierce concentration as she moved swiftly, circling her opponent. Her body was a blur of motion as she dodged a punch aimed at her ribs, swiftly retaliating with a sharp kick that connected with his shoulder. The specialist stumbled back, barely regaining his balance before she closed in again. Just as he raised his arms to block, Fallin extended her hand, her eyes glowing as she used her powers. A sudden gust swept in from behind her, forcing him back with unexpected strength. He barely managed to stay upright, gritting his teeth as he struggled against her wind.

With a final, hit, she struck, forcing the first year to the ground and pinning his arm. He tapped the floor, signaling his defeat, and Fallin released her hold, finally breaking her intense focus with a small smile.

Around them, scattered students and specialists who had gathered for training started clapping. Her father, standing off to the side, nodded approvingly, a hint of pride in his otherwise stern gaze. Fallin turned, catching her breath, and extended her hand to her sparring partner. "Good game. You're getting faster," she said with a nod, helping him to his feet. He gave her an appreciative smile, nodding in respect.

With a final glance at her father, Fallin walked off the training mat, heading toward the nearby bench, where Terra was sitting to grab a drink. She took a long sip, feeling the satisfying ache in her muscles after the hard-fought session.

Since Queen Luna's speech, everything had changed. The academy's training measures had been tightened; they were no longer limited to separate training for fairies and specialists. Instead, fairies were learning to fight hand-to-hand alongside specialists, honing both magic and combat skills to better defend themselves if the Burned Ones ever returned. The air around the academy felt charged, tense, as every student, fairy or specialist, trained relentlessly with an urgency that hadn't been there before.

It had only been a few days since Beatrix's capture, and yet the whispers surrounding her and the events of the past week refused to die down. Rumors rippled through the academy, feeding on themselves and growing with each retelling. Some said she was mental. Others believed she was just a pawn in a larger scheme. Whatever the truth was, it was impossible to ignore the murmurings that filled the hallways and training grounds.

Fallin leaned back, glancing around the bustling training area. "You were great", Terra greeted her, after Fallin caught her breath, making the blonde smile at her, "Thanks Terra." 

"That vine restraint move's not half bad, Ter," said a girl approaching with a confident, casual stride. Fallin recognized her immediately: Kat, one of Stella's close friends. Her heart ached at the thought of her friend, who she hadn't seen again after she had left Alfea with her mother. She had left without even saying goodbye, and though Fallin knew the circumstances were complicated, it still hurt.

Terra, meanwhile, seemed stunned, blinking at Kat as though she'd just been caught off guard. "Thanks," she replied, her voice shaky but warm. "It's, uh, it's all about the...tensile strength of the cellulose." Her face flushed even redder as she fumbled through her explanation. Fallin snickered softly, amused by Terra's awkward try to impress the specialist. 

Just then, Riven flopped down onto the bench beside her with a casual smirk. "Ah, tensile strength," he said with a teasing tone. "Hot." There was a hint of his usual sarcasm, but his voice lacked its usual bite. 

She hadn't really spoken with him since the party, but she knew that he really cared about Beatrix and finding out that she only used him, must have been pretty hard on him. Though he tried to shrug it off, Fallin could see that it hit him more, than he wanted to admit.