The clearing was eerily silent after my declaration. I had just promised not to run anymore, which sounded good in theory. In practice? I was still exhausted, half-drowned, and convinced that Seraphina would turn me into a human torch any second.
Lyra stretched out her legs, her expression unreadable. "So, what's your plan, oh fearless leader?"
"Plan?" I repeated. "I thought you had one."
She gave me a flat stare. "You're the one with the crazy ex. Your problem, your plan."
I rubbed my temples. "Okay. First step: don't die. Second step: make sure she dies less than me."
System chimed in. "Brilliant strategy. Truly, you're the Napoleon of not dying."
"Can you go five minutes without making my life worse?" I snapped.
"No promises."
Lyra's gaze flicked to the dark forest around us. "We don't have long before she finds us again."
"Then we need to think fast."
---
The Setup
Lyra began gathering materials from the clearing—twigs, leaves, and oddly glowing rocks she found under some bushes. I watched her with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Setting a trap," she replied without looking up.
"Care to elaborate?"
"If we can't outrun her, we have to slow her down. These rocks? They hold residual magic. If I place them right, we might just have a chance."
"'Might' doesn't fill me with confidence."
"Would you prefer no chance at all?"
I sighed. "Point taken."
We worked in silence, arranging the magical rocks into a rough circle around the clearing. Lyra muttered a few incantations under her breath, and the rocks began to glow faintly.
"Now what?" I asked.
"Now we wait," she said grimly.
---
The Calm Before the Storm
Waiting for Seraphina to show up was torture. Every rustle of leaves or distant animal call made me jump. My nerves were frayed, and I could feel sweat trickling down my back despite the cool night air.
"Why does she want you so badly?" Lyra asked suddenly.
I sighed. "Because she's convinced we're soulmates. And because I made the mistake of saving her life once."
Lyra frowned. "You saved her, and now she wants to kill you?"
"Yandere logic."
"Yandere logic is terrifying."
"Tell me about it."
System, ever the commentator, added, "You should write a guidebook. 'How Not to Date Psycho Pyromaniacs.'"
"I hate you."
"I live for your hatred."
---
The Arrival
The air around us suddenly grew hotter. My skin prickled, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
"She's here," Lyra whispered.
Flames flickered in the darkness, and Seraphina stepped into the clearing. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and a twisted smile played on her lips.
"Alex," she said sweetly. "You didn't think you could run forever, did you?"
I swallowed hard. "Actually, I was kind of hoping."
Her gaze flicked to Lyra. "And you brought a friend. How cute."
"Back off," Lyra said, raising her staff.
Seraphina laughed—a high, unsettling sound. "Do you really think you can stop me?"
"I think we're about to find out," Lyra replied.
---
The Trap is Sprung
Seraphina raised her hand, and a ball of fire bloomed in her palm. Just as she was about to hurl it at us, Lyra shouted a word of power. The glowing rocks flared to life, creating a shimmering barrier around the clearing.
Seraphina's fireball hit the barrier and exploded in a shower of sparks.
Her smile vanished. "Clever."
"Yeah, we're full of surprises," I said, trying to sound braver than I felt.
Seraphina stalked around the edge of the barrier, her eyes narrowing. "This won't hold me forever."
"It doesn't have to," Lyra said. "Just long enough."
"Long enough for what?" Seraphina asked, her voice dripping with contempt.
I grinned. "Long enough for me to do this."
I reached out with my still-awkward magic, channeling every ounce of frustration and fear into a single burst. Flames erupted from my hands, shooting toward Seraphina.
She dodged easily, but the fire forced her back a step.
"Not bad," System said. "For a beginner."
"Now's not the time!"
---
The Final Push
Seraphina's fury grew with each passing second. She hammered at the barrier with fireballs, each one more powerful than the last. The rocks began to crack under the strain.
"We can't hold her much longer," Lyra warned.
"Then we need to end this," I said.
"How?"
"By doing something incredibly stupid."
I stepped forward, letting the barrier drop just enough to expose me. Seraphina's eyes lit up with triumph.
"You finally stopped running," she said.
"Yeah," I replied. "Because I'm done being afraid."
She hurled another fireball at me. I raised my hands, channeling everything I had into a shield of flame. The two forces collided, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
For a moment, we were locked in a battle of wills. And then, slowly, my fire began to push hers back.
Seraphina's eyes widened. "Impossible!"
"It's called survival," I said through gritted teeth.
With one final burst of power, I sent her flying backward. She hit the ground hard, the flames around her sputtering out.
Lyra rushed to my side. "Is she…?"
"Out cold," I said, breathing heavily.
"For now," System added helpfully.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
---
Aftermath
We stood over Seraphina's unconscious form, the clearing eerily quiet.
"What do we do with her?" Lyra asked.
"Run," I said. "While we still can."
Lyra nodded. "Agreed."
As we disappeared into the forest, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of relief and dread. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
But for now, I was still alive. And that was enough.
---
To Be Continued…