Hallways buzzed with college laughter, gossip, footsteps echoing off polished iron floors. Banners of the Hive hung from the ceiling, crimson and gold, reminding everyone who protected them.
And at the center of it all.
Roxer.
ROXER
Students parted naturally as he walked, like water around a stone. His Hammerian build filled the corridor, broad shoulders wrapped in a uniform tailored just enough to show dominance without effort.
JaJa followed beside him, arms crossed, grinning at anyone who flinched.
JAJA
"Relax," Roxer said loudly, flashing an easy smile. "As long as the Brothers Trinity are on this island, Dragon Hive will always be safe."
Cheers followed him.
Some students clapped. Others laughed nervously. A few Scytherians and Amazons exchanged looks as Roxer's gaze lingered too long, too confident.
"Hey," Jah Jah added, nudging a student with his elbow. "You ever think about what it'd be like being protected by real strength?"
Roxer laughed. "Careful, Jah. You'll scare them."
He didn't look sorry.
Plum watched from across the hall.
PLUM
Unimpressed.
Plum "Men, always the loudest in the room but are usually saying nothing of importance."
She stood quietly with Einstera and Xiu, her posture calm, hands folded. Her eyes weren't fearful, just tired.
EINSTERA
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XIU
"I don't get it," Xiu said softly, glancing toward Roxer. "But he's kind of... cute."
Einstera scoffed. "He's annoying."
Plum didn't answer right away.
"I just want things to be simple," Plum said finally. "A home. A family. No walls. No alarms, someone to snuggle with."
Her stomach growled "And something to eat."
She didn't say the rest.
That she wanted a daughter.
That she wanted to give her the love she never had.
Einstera leaned against the window. "I want to know what's beyond the Iron Wall."
Xiu blinked. "You'd really leave?"
"Yes," Einstera said without hesitation. "This place feels... paused, not to mention I hate half the school, I really wants to eat them."
Across campus, another group drew attention for entirely different reasons.
Yusuke sat alone at a bench, tablet balanced on his knee, scrolling through academic results. Perfect scores. Again.
YUSUKE
Students passed him carefully.
Some whispered. Some stared.
No one sat too close.
"He's intimidating," someone muttered. Another "Dude that's Yusuke, is the schools smartest studsnt."
Roxer noticed.
His smile faded just a little.
"Gamer class," Roxer said aloud, passing by. "Always think life's some kind of level you can beat."
Yusuke didn't look up.
"Funny," he replied calmly. "I think strength without strategy is just wasted motion."
Jah Jah growled. Roxer laughed it off, but his eyes lingered, sharp.
After school, the city quieted.
Burajiru and Yusuke stood at the edge of an empty street, shoes digging into cracked pavement.
"Ready?" Yusuke asked.
Burajiru stretched lazily. "You always say that."
They ran.
The world blurred.
Mach 800.
Every time.
They skidded to a stop at the same mark, laughing, breathless.
"Still tied," Burajiru said.
Yusuke frowned. "You ever think about joining taking the honors test, i think you'd be perfect?"
Burajiru blinked. "Nah. Too daunting."
BURAJIRU
Yusuke studied him. "You know you could be the strongest on the island, right?"
Burajiru calm. "Stronger than you? Never in a million years."
Yusuke stared.
Then softened.
"It's okay to talk to somebody," he said. "Anybody would get depressed on this island."
Burajiru lay back in the grass, staring at the sky.
"Do you think it really matters?" he asked quietly. "Fighting parasites? They've been here forever."
Yusuke sat beside him. "Didn't you hear the announcement?"
Burajiru "No, i sleeping."
Yusuke "The Empress updated us all on the current war, she says once the war between the Surface Explorers and the Parasite King is over, we'll be sent in to clean up what's left."
Burajiru "Guess you'll be going beyond the iron wall."
Yusuke "Yes, the truth will set us free."
Burajiru smiled faintly. "Sounds cool, bro. All I want is a family."
Yusuke snorted. "You're in the right place. Families get treated better than single folks here."
Burajiru rolled onto his side. "Feels more performative than real love, you know?"
Yusuke opened his mouth. "True love is a concept I don't actually agree with, I think."
He stopped.
Burajiru was already asleep.
Yusuke stood quietly, watching him for a moment.
Then he turned and walked away.
Above them, the Iron Wall loomed, silent, patient.
Waiting.