[INT. ILLUSION WORLD – LIGHT SCHOOL ENCAMPMENT – EARLY MORNING]
The light filtered weakly through the misty canopy. Dew clung to the leaves like spectral tears. Birds chirped faintly in the illusion world, but the Light School camp was quiet. Too quiet.
Their bodies were battered. Spirits strained. Every breath felt like it might tip them back into unconsciousness.
Lyrion, the center of their strength, still lay unconscious beneath the shelter of a massive tree's shadow, his aura flickering faintly in rhythm with the divine seal on his back.
The rest of the Light School team was barely holding themselves upright.
---
Suddenly, movement.
From the thick underbrush emerged a squad of ten figures, clad in sleek metallic robes of dark gray and obsidian — the emblem of Nonliving Creation glowing faintly on their chests.
Rhegor led the group, a subtle smirk on his lips.
> Rhegor (calmly):
"You fought well last night."
The Light School team immediately stood on guard, though their stances were shaky.
> Veloria:
"We're not in the mood for another fight."
> Rhegor:
"Relax. That's not why we're here."
He raised both hands in a disarming gesture.
> Rhegor:
"We've seen how your team handled yourselves under pressure."
"You've proven you're the strongest group in this realm."
"We'd rather be allies… than enemies."
The Light School team exchanged glances.
---
[INT. TEMPORARY NEGOTIATION – SAME AREA]
Auron, Syleria, and Aria sat across from Rhegor and two of his lieutenants.
> Aria:
"You want to ally with us now? Why?"
> Rhegor:
"Because if we don't, we'll just become part of the 20 who get eliminated."
He gestured toward the sky glyph still counting down the remaining participants.
> Rhegor:
"Only the top sixty survive this round. And right now… we'd rather survive beside you than die against you."
His tone was sincere — or close enough.
> Kairo (muttering):
"Still feels wrong."
> Veloria:
"They're calculating. But we are too drained to refuse."
Finally, Veloria stepped forward.
> Veloria:
"Alright. Temporary alliance."
"But if anyone betrays us, you'll regret it before the gods themselves."
> Rhegor (grinning faintly):
"Understood."
They shook hands. The illusion world held its breath.
---
[LATER – CAMPFIRE PERIMETER – NIGHTFALL]
The Light School team rested in a protective semicircle near the fire.
Rhegor and his team quietly took their positions, weapons sheathed, heads low. One even began placing barrier runes around the camp.
> Auron:
"They're setting up protections for us?"
> Aria:
"No. They're setting it up… so we won't see them coming."
> Kairo (sighing):
"Let's just sleep with one eye open."
Veloria remained near Lyrion, brushing stray strands of hair from his forehead. His chest rose and fell in slow rhythm.
> Veloria (whispering):
"You better wake up soon, idiot. I can't protect you forever."
Ray and Rika sat nearby, quietly mending gear, eyes flickering between each other and the supposed allies.
---
[INT. ILLUSION WORLD – HOURS LATER – DEAD OF NIGHT]
Rhegor stood slowly from his resting position, eyes glowing faintly.
He signaled to his comrades with a simple flick of his fingers.
The Nonliving Creation team rose like phantoms — silent, swift, prepared.
> Rhegor (coldly):
"Now. While they're vulnerable."
He walked toward the center of the camp — toward Lyrion.
The Light School's core. The heart of their strategy.
> Rhegor (quietly, to himself):
"Cut the head… and the body crumbles."
He raised his blade, aiming for Lyrion's heart — unconscious, unaware, completely still beneath the tree's shadow.
But then—
> Voice (sharp, horrified):
"NO!"
Veloria burst from the side, her eyes wide, her body moving faster than thought.
She shoved herself between the blade and Lyrion's chest.
> SCHHHNK!
The blade sank into her side.
She gasped, blood spraying into the firelight.
> Veloria (screaming):
"LYRION—!!"
---
TO BE CONTINUED…