Episode 6

 The dungeon-level interrogation room was cold, humming softly with suppression magic. The walls shimmered faintly—barriers layered on barriers—meant to keep even the most dangerous abilities locked down.

Mirabelle Hale sat in the chair, wrists bound, posture relaxed to the point of arrogance.

“Mirabelle Hale.” Amber’s voice was calm, controlled. “How did you get into the academy?”

Mira leaned back in her chair, chains rattling softly. A grin tugged at her lips. “Magic.”

Echo scoffed. “As if.”

Mira tilted her head, feigning innocence. “What? You have magic as well, don’t you?”

“There’s more to getting into the academy besides magic,” Stra said, arms crossed.

Mira laughed lightly. “Yes, because you would know.”

“Yes, she would know,” Amber said sharply. “How else do you think students get into the academy?”

Mira shrugged. “Not sure… magic?”

“You—” Echo snapped.

“Amber,” Stra interrupted smoothly, “take Echo to go get a breather. But don’t stay gone longer than five minutes.”

Amber hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.” She glanced at Mira. “Can you handle her?”

“Of course I can.”

The door shut behind them.

Mira smirked. “Now let me go, Star.”

Stra’s expression darkened. “No. You got yourself caught. You almost blew my cover.” She stepped closer. “If I let you go, I’ll be the first suspect.”

Mira’s voice wavered. “No! I don’t want to be here- it’s not fair that you and Eliza and—”

Stra clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Shut up,” she hissed. “We can’t be rash. Nothing will happen to you if you cooperate. Just don’t give them any valuable information. Do you understand me?” Her eyes bored into Mira’s. “You want to make your precious Vivi proud, yes?”

Mira glared. 

“You—”

The door opened.

“Echo is turning in for the night,” Amber said.

Stra straightened instantly. “I couldn’t get anything out of her. I think it’s best to come back tomorrow. Let’s turn in.” She paused. “Can you lock this up?”

She left before Amber could respond.

Amber turned slowly back to Mira. “How do you know Stra?”

Mira blinked. “What?”

“Don’t even think of lying.”

Mira sighed. “Well, you clearly know already. But I’m not sure it’s a fact you want to know.” Her eyes hardened. “Forget it. If you know what’s good for you.”

Amber’s hand twitched. “You wretched—”

Bonk.

Stra exhaled slowly, lowering her weapon. “I really didn’t want to have to do this so early on.” She looked at Mira. “But I can’t have the others finding out.”

She knelt beside the unconscious Amber.

“Mira,” Stra said quietly, “enter her dream. Get rid of the information she just found out.”

Mira hesitated. “And you’ll get me out of here?”

“Tomorrow,” Stra replied. “Someone will come for you. I need to get Amber to her room.”

---

Stra staggered slightly under Amber’s weight as she turned a corner.

“Stra?” Aziza asked, startled. “What’re you doing with Amber?”

“Just what I needed to do,” Stra replied evenly. “Can you take her back to your dorm?”

Aziza nodded. “Ah– yes.”

“Woah!” Birdie said, appearing suddenly. “What’s going on here?”

“Just heading back,” Stra replied smoothly. “Mira used her powers on Amber during interrogation. We didn’t move fast enough.”

Birdie frowned. “Is she okay??”

“Yeah. Just sleeping. Aziza’s taking her back.”

“…That makes sense,” Birdie said slowly. “Well.....goodnight.”

They split off.

---

Birdie knocked on room 333.

“Roselyn. Myskai. I need to speak to you.”

“One second!” Myskai yelled. “Butter Snips! Behave! No! Stop!! Ugh—Rose, can you just get the door?”

“I’m busy, Myskie.”

“Put the book down! You’re not even reading it! I know you’re just thinking about that guy!”

“I am not thinking about that despicable guy.”

“Just open the door!”

Crimson sighed and opened it. “Oh. Hi, Birdie. Come in.”

“What brings you here at this lovely time?” Myskai asked cheerfully.

“It’s like five in the morning,” Birdie said. “But—um—I just saw Stra and Amber.”

“Oh?” Crimson said. “Did they already finish the interrogation?”

“I’m not sure,” Birdie replied. “Amber was knocked out. Stra said Mira used her powers.”

Myskai froze. “But powers can’t be used in the dungeon… unless someone turns off the barrier system.”

“Crimson! Batman!”

Kosmo burst in.

“Kosmo?” Crimson said.

Arthur followed, rubbing his eyes. “I swear, I got more sleep when I was king.”

“What is it this time?” Myskai asked.

“That wench escaped,” Arthur said flatly.

“How?” Crimson demanded.

“No idea,” Kosmo replied. “All cameras are down.”

“I thought those were meant to prevent unknowns,” Arthur grumbled.

“They are,” Myskai said slowly.

“Where is Stra right now?” Crimson asked.

“In her dorm,” Kosmo replied.

“Are you positive?”

“Of course,” Arthur said.

“It’s weird,” Kosmo added. “Cameras in the girls’ dorms are still on. Everything else is off.”

“…What?”

“Wait,” Kosmo said, pulling out a device. “One camera’s back online.” His face went pale. “Eight figures. Leaving school grounds. Now.”

“Kosmo—” Myskai said. “Teleport us.”

The world folded.

They reappeared from open air.

Nothing.

“No one’s here,” Arthur said.

“How can someone leave so fast?” Birdie whispered.

“Someone can’t,” Crimson replied quietly.

“Not any normal person,” Myskai added.

Crimson clenched her fists. “Oh,” she muttered, “how I hate villains.”

And somewhere beyond the academy walls.... eight shadows disappeared into the dark.