[Hider=Seren][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/KRURxYv.jpg[/IMG][/hider]The best way to describe it would be like sweat-slicked, elongated fingers slipping cotton ball after cotton ball into Seren's ears, through the corners of their eyes, and filling to the brim the pouches of their cheeks. It was wrong and [b]off[/b], and Seren couldn't help but just stand there. They could still hear the ringing of the alarm going off in the ears, and they had heard Raphael's reaction as well, but here they stood. Some slimy creature crawling under the doorway were they supposed to be going through, and here they stood feeling [b]off[/b].

[Color=gold]”I said don’t get in the way! Stay behind me until I get rid of it, then get inside!”[/color] With the words leaving his mouth, Raphael nearly threw Seren behind him. [I]'Am I moving?'[/I] Seren thought absentmindedly. They were in no state to catch themself, and so they fell right side first atop the grass. They had enough sense about them to know they needed to get up, but taking it slow seemed so much easier. Lazily they rolled onto their back, their knees bent to the sky as they stared. [I]'What is this feeling?'[/I] They asked themself. Whatever feeling was, it began to hollow Seren out. Emptying. [I]'Is this a dream?'[/I] Their head lolled on the grass, horns forcing their neck to arch as they looked up to the blue expanse of the sky. The sky was clear, but not empty. Winged spirits flocked overhead. The flock wasn't attacking, but dancing? Almost. Their formation was fluid and weaved in and out of their original pattern, and their bodies only helped in aiding a comparison to. sewing needles; they were thin and [I]sharp[/I].

Seren wasn't the kind to space out, and when they did it was introspective, but this? This was surreal. It was like waking up inside a dream; they could feel the vulnerability of reality, and it was soft. Something inside of them started slipping, but they couldn't really pay it any mind. With that slip though, came a the strings of clarity like a cool, light breeze. Light gleamed to life in their peripheral vision, and swiped at something Seren couldn't quite see at their angle. [I]'Raph.'[/I] They dully thought. Blinking away their lethargy, Seren slowly rose to a siting position. They had enough sense to know where they needed to be. They put their hand to the earth to stabilize themself, and pushed off from it to stand. Languidly, they tossed their head back to see the sky, and it was not soft. Like falling arrows the spirits overhead descended with a murderous intent that cracked over Seren's body. Reality snapped back into place. They had been sleeping awake, because this was not a dream. This was survival. They needed to move. Panic whipped at their heels, and just in the nick of time as Raph hurriedly snatched their hand, pulling them to the door. A deflated, gelatinous form dissolved beneath them as they stepped pass the threshold. So far Seniors ensured that the spirits hadn't breached the halls, but the two still ran for better safety in numbers with their grade.

[Color=gold]”Come on, move. We gotta get back to the orientation room.”[/color] exhaustion coated his voice. It finally struck Seren that Raphael had just saved them.

[Color=FAD7A0]"Right. Right. Thank you so much. Thank you."[/color] Seren huffed, exasperating their already breathy voice into a mere whisper. Once again, Seren felt a pang of guilt towards the boy. Here he was fighting and trying, and all Seren could do was feel off. They couldn't help but think of their sisters. Their sacrifices, their effort. [Color=FAD7A0]"Right,"[/color] Seren said to themself as they were dragged back to The Orientation Hall. [I]'Focus, Seren. Be strong. Remember why you came here.'[/I] They commanded themself, unintentionally tightening their grip on Raphael's hand. In a stark contrast, there was even more chaos inside the hall than out. The welcoming screaming of unprepared freshmen was enough to make their shoulders hike. [I]'Remeber why you're here.'[/I] Something had to be done. Scanning the room made them clench their jaw. Twisted figures attempting to look human, and gnarly beasts prowled and swarmed. Some crowded around a girl standing in an indoor meadow; others lashed out at a bicking duo; and dozens faced off against the upperclassmen filling through the hall like they've trained for this.

"Work together and don't get isolated! Help each other and don't abandon your fellow students!" A brave voice called out among the masses before stepping out towards one of the leading spirts amongst the horde. His chivalry would soon be cut short however by the shadow spirit stalking him, which had begun rising from the floor behind the unsuspecting Atlan. A head took form out of the inky creature, or more specifically: three rows of teeth from an expanding jaw.

[Color=FAD7A0]"Stop!"[/color] Startled into action, Seren reached out in the Shadow's direction; their fingers hooking like claws without even thinking to. They didn't have time to think about it, impulse just took over as demonic magic surged through their veins; coating their eyes sickly yellow.  Still, Seren had never used their abilities so willingly, or aggressively. The strain of it took the breath out of their lungs. However the demonic origin of their power proved enough to momentarily effect the spirit. Momentarily. It did paused briefly, head bobbing dazedly, before Seren's eyes faded back to normal. At this, the creature quickly sunk back into the flow and zipped straight at the cambion.

[@CherryWitch]
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