Round 43 Transcript

Halia stands there, stunned into silence by Jeane's cold dismissal. She'd expected defiance or pleading—maybe even a hint of remorse—but this? This complete lack of care?

I can't believe she just... kicked me out like that. The shock quickly turns to burning anger. Fine. If she wants to play it this way, I'll find my own solution.

Without a word, Halia storms towards the door, her hand already reaching for the handle. She pauses midway, glancing back at the others—Silra still slumped and used, Abby cowering in fear, Hera looking torn.

They're just going to let this happen? For a moment, she considers waiting, giving them a chance to stand up with her. But then Jeane's voice cuts through the silence again:

"Oh, and Halia? Don't come back until you've learned some fucking respect." The sorcerer's tone is casual, almost bored—like kicking out a party member is just another day at the office.

Halia clenches her jaw. Respect? She wants me to show her respect after all this?

The decision point looms large in front of her. She could storm out now and find her own way to deal with their twisted dynamic—maybe even report them for the monsters they've become. Or she could swallow her pride, stay, and try to fix things from within.

Which is it going to be?

I stare at Halia, her hand on the door handle, ready to abandon us all. Part of me wants to run after her, beg her to stay—to remind her that we're stronger together than apart.

But then I think about Silra—broken and used against the wall—and my resolve hardens. Maybe this is for the best, I tell myself firmly. Halia's whining was only going to make things worse anyway.

Jeane meets my gaze, a challenge in her eyes. I straighten up, lifting my chin defiantly. "Don't worry," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "We'll handle this without her. Silra and I can take care of ourselves."

It's not entirely true—but what choice do we have now? Halia's gone off on one of her righteous tangents again, and Jeane... well.

Jeane is the only reason we're still alive at all.

I glance over at Abby in the corner, huddled like a scared rabbit. Poor kid. She doesn't deserve to be caught up in this mess with us.

"Abby," I say softly, "why don't you go wait in my room for now? I'll come check on you later."

She hesitates briefly before nodding, scurrying off down the hall like a frightened mouse.

Good. One less complication to deal with.

I turn back to Jeane, trying to project more confidence than I feel. "So... what's our next move?"

I watch Halia storm out, a flicker of something—annoyance? amusement?—crossing my features before settling back into cold composure. Pathetic. Can't even handle a little… friction between party members without throwing a tantrum.

Hera shifts uncomfortably beside the still-gaping Silra, and I roll my eyes internally. Don't worry about her, pet. She'll be back when she gets bored of whatever sulking fit this is supposed to be.

My wings twitch with barely contained energy as I turn my attention to the remaining pieces on this chessboard. Now then—Abby scurries away like a frightened mouse, Hera looks conflicted and useless, Silra is barely conscious but deliciously used… and me? Still hungry for more.