The Long Way Back | Lady Lesso

Chapter 7

The morning after the Enchanted Garden trial brought an unexpected shift in the air at the School for Evil. The usual cacophony of shrieking Nevers, stomping ogres, and the occasional hex being hurled across the halls was quieter, as if the school itself held its breath.

You awoke with a strange sense of anticipation you couldn't quite place. You had barely gotten out of bed when Anya burst through the door, her black tunic slightly askew.

"Did you hear?" she whispered, eyes wide with something akin to awe.

"Hear what?" You asked, pulling on her boots.

"Lady Lesso chose today's lesson herself. No one knows what it is, but some say it's only for the students she's testing for leadership," Anya said, lowering her voice as if the walls themselves were listening.

You stilled for a moment. Leadership testing? The thought sent a mix of pride and dread surging through her. "And you're sure I'm part of this?"

"Of course, you are," Anya scoffed. "You're the one who fought off the serpent yesterday. Besides, Lesso's been watching you. Don't think we haven't noticed."

The comment sent a shiver down your spine, but you brushed it off quickly. "Well, I guess I'll find out soon enough," you muttered, heading for the door.

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The lesson was held in the Hall of Shadows, a cavernous space deep within the school that seemed to pulsate with the dark magic embedded in its stone walls. The flickering green torches cast long, eerie shadows that danced across the floor, creating an atmosphere thick with tension.

When you arrived, a small group of Nevers had already gathered. Their usual sneers and whispers were replaced with nervous glances, all of them aware that today's lesson was different.

At the center of the hall stood Lady Lesso, her crimson cloak a stark contrast against the dark stone. Beside her, to your surprise, was Lady Dovey, her golden presence radiating a soft warmth that felt almost out of place in the sinister hall.

"Welcome," Lesso began, her voice slicing through the uneasy silence. "Today's lesson is a test—not just of skill, but of your ability to adapt, to lead, and to survive."

Dovey smiled faintly, stepping forward. "Collaboration is as much a part of leadership as power. Remember that."

Lesso's eyes narrowed, a glimmer of amusement in them as she glanced at her counterpart. "Yes, well, we'll see how well collaboration fares under pressure."

With a wave of her hand, the room transformed. The walls dissolved into thick black mist, leaving the students standing in an endless void. The torches flickered out, replaced by an eerie green light that seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere all at once.

"Your task is simple," Lesso's voice echoed, though her figure was nowhere to be seen. "Find the source of the light. But beware—the void is alive, and it does not like intruders."

The students barely had time to react before the ground beneath them shifted, sending several of them sprawling. Shadows began to coalesce around the edges of the void, forming indistinct shapes that growled and snapped.

Your instincts kicked in immediately. You grabbed Anya by the arm, pulling her upright as the shadows began to close in.

"This isn't just a test," Anya hissed, her voice trembling. "She's trying to kill us!"

"No," You said, your mind racing as you scanned the void. "She's testing whether we'll break."

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The group quickly fell into disarray. Some students bolted in random directions, their panic drawing the shadows closer. Others froze, unable to move as the creatures circled them.

"Get it together!" You barked, your voice cutting through the chaos.

To your surprise, a few of the students hesitated, their eyes flicking to her for guidance. It was a small opening, but it was enough.

"Stay close to the light!" you ordered, pointing to the faint green glow in the distance. "And for the love of evil, stop running! You're just making them angrier!"

Tedros' voice rang out from somewhere behind you. "You're actually decent at this, Never."

You turned to see him emerging from the mist, his sword drawn and his cocky grin intact. "What are you doing here?"

"Apparently, Dovey thought I could use some practice working with your kind," he said with a shrug. "Lucky me."

You rolled your eyes but you didn't have time to argue. The shadows were closing in, their growls growing louder.

"Fine," you said. "If you're going to be here, make yourself useful. Cover our flank while I get the others moving."

Tedros gave a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

As you moved toward the light, the group began to function as a unit. You took the lead, your sharp commands keeping the students focused and moving forward. Tedros fought off the shadows with surprising skill, his sword flashing in the eerie light.

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The closer you got to the source, the more the void seemed to resist. The shadows grew larger, their forms becoming more distinct—wolves, serpents, and monstrous figures that defied explanation.

Finally, you reached the source of the light: a pulsating orb suspended in midair. Its glow was almost blinding, casting long shadows that flickered and writhed like living things.

"Now what?" Anya asked, her voice shaking.

"We take it," You said, stepping forward.

Before anyone could stop you, you reached out and grabbed the orb. The moment your fingers closed around it, the void erupted into chaos. The shadows roared, their forms dissolving into a swirling maelstrom that threatened to consume everything.

You held your ground, clutching the orb tightly as its light grew brighter and brighter. The void screamed around you, but you didn't let go.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The void dissolved, the shadows vanished, and the Hall of Shadows returned to its original state.

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Lady Lesso stood at the center, her expression unreadable. Lady Dovey watched with a small, knowing smile.

"Well done," Lesso said, her voice calm but carrying a weight that made it clear this was no ordinary praise.

You felt your knees threaten to give out, but you stood tall, refusing to show any sign of weakness.

"Leadership isn't just about power," Lesso continued, her eyes locking onto yours. "It's about control—of yourself, of others, and of the chaos around you. Remember that."

You nodded, the weight of Lesso's words settling over you like a mantle.

As the students filed out of the hall, you glanced back at the two deans. Dovey whispered something to Lesso, and for the briefest moment, you thought you saw Lesso smile.

Whatever lay ahead, you knew this was only the beginning.