The Long Way Back | Lady Lesso

Chapter 10

The creature's growls echoed through the Pit, a constant reminder that time was running out. The dark-eyed boy had taken a few steps closer, his eyes never leaving you, as if he knew something you didn't. Something that made your heart race with the weight of the choice in front of you.

You glanced over to Tedros, struggling with the creature, his focus split between it and the rest of us. His usual bravado was absent, replaced by a hesitation that made him seem vulnerable. He was still trying to prove something, trying to maintain the image of the hero—something you had always thought you admired. But here, in the Pit, it was clear: he wasn't the only one with something to lose.

And that was when you understood.

Loyalty wasn't just about trusting others—it was about trusting yourself, knowing where your allegiances truly lay.

You looked back at the dark-eyed boy, his smirk wide and almost predatory. He moved towards you, as if the distance between you two wasn't a barrier. You could feel the air between you crackling with some kind of dark energy, a power you couldn't yet understand, but it was tempting—so tempting.

But you couldn't make your decision based on that pull. Not yet.

You turned back toward Tedros, charging forward with all the determination you could muster. The creature lunged at him, its massive claws swinging dangerously. Tedros, his sword held high, swung with everything he had, but the creature's sheer size made it difficult for him to land a decisive blow.

"Watch your back!" you shouted, rushing to his side.

He looked up, startled, but didn't hesitate. Together, you fought the creature off, its snarls growing more frantic as we pushed it back toward the Pit's walls. The creature's claws scraped against the stone, sending sparks flying in all directions.

The dark-eyed boy's laugh was audible now, but it wasn't one of victory. It was cold, calculating. He knew you would win. But there was something in the air, something that told you he didn't care about the outcome of the creature at all. He was watching you.

You caught his gaze once more, and this time, something flickered there—something not quite human. A strange mix of admiration, amusement, and perhaps even... pity?

But you had no time for that. Tedros needed you, and for now, he was the ally you could trust.

With a final, combined effort, Tedros and you struck at the creature, severing its claws and forcing it to retreat into the shadows. It howled one last time before disappearing completely, leaving only the lingering stench of sulfur and blood behind.

The Pit fell silent, and you breathed a sigh of relief, the adrenaline fading as the tension in your body slowly released.

"Nice work," Tedros said, still catching his breath. "Guess I don't need to worry about you after all."

You managed a small, tired smile. "Don't get too comfortable. I'm only here because I had no choice."

The dark-eyed boy, who had remained still through the entire confrontation, finally moved toward the center of the Pit. He was walking slowly, deliberately, like someone who knew the game better than anyone else.

"You've chosen your side," he said, his voice cold but not unkind. "Just remember—there are always consequences."

Before you could respond, Lady Lesso's voice cut through the stillness, sharp and commanding.

"Enough," she said, stepping down into the Pit. Her crimson cloak swirled around her, the darkness of the Pit bending to her will. Her eyes, dark and unreadable, swept over the group before resting on me.

The tension in the air thickened. You could feel her gaze piercing you, not in judgment, but in... evaluation. As though she had been watching you this entire time, knowing that you would make the right choice—whether you understood it or not.

"Today's test is over," Lady Lesso announced, her voice carrying with a power that silenced everything else. "But what you've shown me—what I've seen in each of you—will be remembered."

She turned, her gaze now fixed on the dark-eyed boy. "You've made a wise choice, Zane. We'll see how you progress from here."

Zane's lips curled into a satisfied smile, but he said nothing in response. There was something about him that unsettled me—a quiet power that seemed to match Lady Lesso's. He knew how to play the game. But so did you.

"And you," Lesso said, her eyes locking onto me. "You surprised me, Y/N."

Your heart skipped a beat. It wasn't praise, not exactly—but there was something in her tone that hinted at approval. A small flicker of something beneath her usual cold demeanor. And for a moment, you felt something stir inside you, a strange connection.

You weren't sure what it was, or if it was even real, but it was undeniable.

"You've chosen to stand with your own," Lesso continued. "But loyalty isn't just about standing together when it's easy—it's about standing when everything falls apart."

Her words hit you harder than you expected, reverberating through you like a hammer striking stone. There was a weight in her eyes, a depth of meaning that made your pulse race.

You wanted to argue with her, to ask her what she truly meant, but you stayed silent. Something told you she would answer in time.

"I will be watching you, Y/N," Lady Lesso said softly, her gaze unwavering. "And when the time comes, you'll have to choose. Your allegiance will be tested—beyond the creatures of this Pit. And when it is... make sure you choose wisely."

With that, she turned and walked out of the Pit, her cloak trailing behind her like a shadow.

The students filed out after her, but you stayed behind for a moment, your mind spinning. You felt a sudden weight pressing on you, a responsibility you hadn't fully grasped until now. It wasn't just about surviving here anymore. It was about becoming something—or someone—greater. And you didn't know if you were ready for that yet.

As you turned to leave, Zane's voice followed you, cold and distant.

"Lesso has a way of making people believe they have choices," he said. "But in the end, we all know who the true master is."

You didn't answer him, but his words lingered in the air like a poison. Something told you that Zane understood Lesso in ways you didn't yet. And that realization made your heart race again—not in fear, but in anticipation.

What game was Lady Lesso playing, and where did you fit into her plans?

Only time would tell.