CHAPTER 35: The Thirty-Fifth Fracture

Karna didn’t say anything.

He just floated above the courtyard, arms folded behind his head, golden artifacts spinning slowly in the air around him—like he was watching a sunset instead of the storm gathering below.

And then—she appeared.

Not with sound. Not with fanfare.

Just… presence.

Reality folded inward like it had been waiting for her.

She stepped into view from nowhere and everywhere at once, and the courtyard shifted. Gravity itself seemed to lean toward her.

She was stunning. Dangerous. Divine.

Maybe 5’6”, with long blue hair tied in a side ponytail that swayed like silk in low gravity. Her eyes caught the last light of dusk and made it theirs—sharp, unreadable, like moonlight reflected on dark water.

Her outfit shimmered with crystalline-blue layers and shifting fractal glyphs. The high collar gleamed like shattered glass held together by pure will. Semi-transparent sleeves ghosted past her wrists. Her corset—ceremonial, armored—looked like it had been forged from starlight.

Hex-rings drifted around her ankles like planetary orbits.

A staff-spear pulsed beside her, flickering between forms—as if undecided on the kind of violence it wanted to bring.

Above her head hovered a broken crown of glass and starlight.

Not worn.

Not offered.

Declared.

She stepped forward.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Her heels struck the courtyard stone with the rhythm of punctuation—turning silence into tension.

I raised my voice—measured, steady.

“Who are you? And how do you know my name?”

She tilted her head, amused. Then smiled—slow and deliberate.

“You’re definitely cute.”

In a blink, she closed the twenty-foot gap between us.

No flash. No surge. No warning.

Just… there.

Her hand pressed gently against my chest—light, curious. Not invasive. Like I was a puzzle she’d once solved but hadn’t seen in years.

Saaya moved first. A flash of motion. Her spear carved through the air—aimed straight for Avalon’s throat.

It never landed.

The blade slammed into something unseen. The air cracked with recoil. Saaya stumbled back, wide-eyed.

“What the hell?” she breathed.

I glanced down at Avalon’s hand. “You gonna move that? I have a girlfriend, in case you missed her trying to kill you two seconds ago.”

Avalon’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, I noticed. She’s adorable when she’s mad.”

She leaned in—close enough that the air around her seemed to hum.

“But you, Sukara… even with your divine rewriting and scalar manipulation, you wouldn’t land a hit on me.”

Her fingers slid downward—not indecent, just enough to unsettle. Measured. Intentional.

“Though,” she added, voice like velvet, “if you wanted to touch me… I’d let you.”

Then she lifted her skirt slightly. Not revealing. Just daring.

“CLOSE YOUR EYES, SUKARA!”

Saaya dove across the space between us, practically shielding me with her entire body like a jealous, golden-haired storm.

Avalon burst out laughing, twirling away like the whole world was her ballroom.

Alric lowered his stance with a sigh. “Yep. Saaya gets jealous way too easily.”

Then he turned to Avalon, casual as ever. “You’re Avalon, aren’t you?”

She twirled to face him mid-spin. “I am. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Above, Karna opened one eye—his golden artifacts glowing brighter now, like they were paying attention too.

I blinked. “Wait. You’re Avalon?”

She winked. “That’s right.”

“SHE’S EVIL, SUKARA. DON’T TRUST HER!”

Saaya’s voice cracked with emotion.

Avalon giggled. “You’re all so entertaining. I won’t lie… I do find him very alluring.” She met my eyes with pointed intent. “I know he has a girlfriend. But a girlfriend isn’t a marriage.”

My face went scarlet.

Saaya caught it instantly.

“Why are you blushing?!”

“I—I can’t help it, okay? Back on Earth I was just the science dork no one talked to. Now I’ve got two women flirting with me in one day! Let me have this!”

Alric groaned. “Here we go again…”

Saaya crossed her arms. “You have me now, remember?”

My tone softened. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

I took her hand gently, brushing my other hand across her cheek. She looked away, cheeks warm, but didn’t let go.

Avalon smirked. “We’re still young. I’ve got time to change your mind, Sukara.”

I sighed.

Saaya turned on Alric, practically vibrating. “First Yuuka, now Avalon! Who else is going to fall for him?!”

Alric threw his hands up. “I don’t know! What do you want me to do—ask Karna?!”

From above, Karna’s voice drifted like a lazy breeze.

“The sunset really is lovely tonight… like starlight trapped in amber.”

I glanced up. “Really, dude?”

He smiled.

Then I turned back to Avalon, squinting slightly.

“Hold up. Why aren’t you wearing a uniform? Every other student I’ve seen here wears one. You and Karna don’t.”

Avalon glanced to Karna. He descended slowly, feet touching down with practiced grace. The golden artifacts flared once before settling.

Karna answered calmly, “We earned the right. We’re the strongest in this academy. It makes sense we have… a little leeway.”

Avalon nodded. “Our power is beyond anything the average student here could imagine.”

I took a step back, considering her words.

Then I looked down briefly, smirked, and met both their eyes.

“I don’t know how strong you two are… but I’m willing to bet I’ll be the one who makes you tremble.”

Karna’s lips curled into a rare grin.

Avalon raised one brow, intrigued.

“Guess we’ll have to see,” Karna said, stepping forward.

The two golden artifacts behind him ignited—burning brighter than ever.