The Afterlife Academy Saga

Chapter 17

17

And just like that, everything was different.

I broke apart from Ryoko to look in her dark eyes, hoping mine reflected my overwhelming gratitude.

“You did it,” she beamed, flecks of light dancing around her irises.

I brushed my fingers along her cheek, overwhelmed with affection. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“How do you feel?”

“Strange…” I waved my hand in front of my face, confused by the faint sensation. Almost as if my hand wasn’t here.

From the corners of my eyes, I could see black smoke curling in pillars. Yet, when I turned to look at it properly, it wasn’t there. But I could feel it, tugging on me, luring me closer, much stronger than ever.

The Veil. It was here, hidden in the shadows, swirling around Ryoko. The smoke was almost palpable, touchable. It beckoned for me, inviting me with whispers and wishes from voices I didn’t recognise or knew.

Were those souls calling for me?

As I straightened my back, my wings moved along. The sensation was foreign and yet at the same time, familiar. They’d always been a part of me, but this was really the first time that I experienced them.

“They look good, right?” I asked, twirling around to show them to Ryoko.

A warmth shimmered in her eyes. “Really good.”

“I feel like I could just pop in and out of the Veil. Is that weird?”

“I don’t know? You’re talking to another first-year here. Maybe ask Sim or Flavia?” she suggested with a little smile.

“I couldn’t have done this without you.” I pulled her closer, my confidence soaring now that I had my wings and the girl. “And I don’t ever want to do this without you.”

Ryoko looked up at me, her entire face beaming with hope. “Really?”

“Really.” A clarity accompanied my new wings, helping me understand what I’d been too dense to see. The occasional touches, the conversation about Dragon mates, the kiss… She was giving me all these hints and I’d just blown past all of them.

But not anymore.

I took her hands in mine, hoping I got the right end of the stick. “The way I feel about you… It’s new and different, I’ll admit that, but I think that’s what makes it so special. I don’t have any experience with relationships, but that’s because I’ve never felt this way before… About anyone.”

“I…”

“You don’t have to say anything or decide right now. I should really go out there and see how Flavia and Sim are getting on with the link. But I just needed to get this off my chest, to let you know how I feel before I say something stupid again.”

She pulled a guilty but bemused face. “You’re quite good at that.”

“I’m starting to realise that, yes.” I pressed a quick kiss on her cheek, hoping that I’d done the right thing by putting myself out there. I wasn’t afraid of rejection, but I knew it would hurt if that was the case.

If things were different, I’d spend the entire day figuring this out with her, but time was a luxury we didn’t have right now.

With a last longing look at Ryoko, I pushed the metal door open and emerged from the bedroom in full glory, hoping my wings would impress Flavia.

“Wow.” The third-year stood up from the couch. “Ylva. You did it!”

“Actually, it was Ryoko who figured it out.”

“Turn around, let me get a good look at you.” The genuine excitement in Flavia’s voice was the kind of approval I needed. She’d seen plenty of wings, she’d know if mine were adequate.

I twirled around, enjoying the extra weight that my new assets provided. If I could have them out all the time, I totally would, but I heard others complain about how draining it was. That being said, I felt alright so far. If anything, my wind magic had grown louder and stronger with my wings than without.

Flavia clapped in excitement. “Looks great. I can’t believe you got them so early too. It took me and Oda—”

Her breath stocked as she realised what she said. Grief flashed across her features, threatening to spill out.

“Flavia?” Sim reached out to her for reassurance, but never actually touched her. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” With a sniff, she recalled her emotions and just like that, the pain and hurt was gone. Instantly, she covered the momentary lapse with a broad smile.

I’d never have guessed it was fake. Now that was impressive. Sad because there had to be a reason she knew how to do that so well, but nonetheless, impressive.

“How are you two getting on?” I asked, hoping the change of topic would make her feel more comfortable.

Flavia held up a small box. With a click, she opened it up to reveal a rough metal chain. “Finished. I think. This is as good as it’ll get.”

“Really?”

Sim held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“I used what I found,” Flavia explained. “I don’t know whether it’ll work, but… there’s only one way to find out.”

“And that’s to try,” I added. “I guessed.”

The third-year handed me the box. “Do your thing.”

Carefully, I accepted the chain. A strong, sour smell wafted up from it, stinging my eyes. Whatever they used as a poison, it was potent. If this didn’t work… If it didn’t hold Astrid, in her state, she wouldn’t return from the Veil. She would pass through and die. But if we didn’t try, her fate would be sealed. There was risk on either side but only one of them could actually save her.

With the three others, I stepped into the sleeping quarters. Astrid’s heavy breathing rasped through the air, an indication that she hadn’t improved yet.

I gulped as I looked at her. “Are we really doing this? What if I do it wrong?”

Flavia placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be alright. When you’re in the Veil, establish the connection. You can’t lose her. With your Shadow Walking, you don’t need to be there too long.”

“What if the link breaks?” An awkward, tension-filled silence answered my question and I nodded. “Okay. Don’t let the link break.”

“You can do it,” Ryoko said, trying her best to sound cheerful but missing the mark.

I tied the metal chain around Astrid’s wrist, who groaned in pain as the poison sizzled into her skin. This better work…

My shoulders tightened, the strain of my wings already taking a toll on my body. Now I understood why Valkyries didn’t have them out permanently. It was way too hard. If I didn’t hurry, they’d retract and we’d be back where we started.

As I wound the chain around my own wrist, I shot a last look at the other three. Hope flickered through Ryoko’s eyes, encouragement played on Flavia’s face, and Sim just looked congested.

“I’ll be back for you, I promise,” I said, already feeling the effects of the poison. It was quickly dazing my senses and with every clap of my wings, more dark smoke curled around me. I was shifting into the Veil, hopefully, with Astrid.

With my fingers crossed, the material world vanished and the signature grey smoke of the Shadow world engulfed me.