Episode 11

 Sleep had never been kind to Roselyn Crimson.

When she slept, she dreamed.

And when she dreamed—

People got hurt.

Crimson’s hands shook violently as she pressed them against someone’s chest, trying desperately to stop the blood slipping through her fingers. Rain hammered against stone around them, cold and merciless, while somewhere far away alarms blared through the darkness.

“No no no no no no.”

Her voice cracked.

“It’s okay. It’ll be okay. I promise.”

Another cough.

Weak.

Fading.

Crimson’s breathing hitched sharply.

Everything around her felt blurry now. Smudged at the edges.

“Everything will be okay. We’ll get back soon. Just hold on a little longer. Please.”

The person in her arms wasn’t moving enough anymore.

“…No no no…”

Her hands trembled harder.

“Open your eyes…”

Nothing.

“You just have to wait a little bit longer. You can do it.”

Rainwater mixed with tears down her face.

“It’ll be okay.”

Silence.

“Please…..”

---

Crimson jolted awake.

A sharp gasp tore from her lungs as she sat upright too quickly—

“Ow—”

Pain shot through her side instantly.

“Rose?”

The room was dim, soft morning light leaking through half-open curtains. Myskai sat beside the bed, her hair braided loosely, arms folded, though concern flickered across her face the second Crimson moved.

“Are you okay? Another nightmare?”

Crimson pressed a hand to her forehead, breathing unevenly.

“This is why I don’t sleep.” grunt “Oww…”

“Careful,” Myskai said immediately. “You went through a lot last night.”

Crimson leaned back against the pillows with visible annoyance.

“I can’t believe I blacked out.”

“It was after we caught Ebony and Mira, you were exhausted.”

That made Crimson’s expression sharpen slightly.

“Did you get them in the cells?”

“Yeah.” Myskai nodded once. “But I put them in the deeper ones this time.”

“Good.”

For a moment, things were quiet.

Too quiet.

Then—

knock knock

“It’s Ryder.”

Crimson exhaled. “Come in.”

The door creaked open and Ryder stepped inside carrying two cups of coffee and the exhausted look of someone who had absolutely not slept either.

“You good?” He asked.

Crimson stared at him flatly. “After being slammed by like 3 forces at once and then to keep going…what do you think?”

“I did try warning you.”

“Like that helped.”

Ryder smirked faintly—

Until another figure appeared in the doorway behind him.

Ash leaned lazily against the frame like he belonged there.

“Well at least you’ve still got your snarky spirits.”

Crimson groaned immediately.

“Pierce, way to go and defy my orders.”

“Hate to break it to ya, dove, but I don’t really abide by your orders if I remember correctly.”

“Hm.” Crimson crossed her arms painfully. “Were you not trying to help out my team?”

Ash tilted his head slightly, “Would you care to elaborate on what this team is? I’d really like to know who I'm aiding if I’m going to help.”

“I don’t—”

“I get it,” he interrupted smoothly. “You’re a rose with many thorns. But I’ll tear through them all and get stabbed over and over till you tell me.”

A new voice cut in immediately.

“Dam…you’ve got a real one alright.”

Everyone looked toward the doorway.

Ace was leaning casually against it, arms crossed, clearly far too entertained by this situation.

Crimson blinked.

“When did—”

“Careful princess,” Ace said with a grin. “He’s locked.”

“How did—”

“Did you need something, Ace?” Myskai cut in before Crimson could fully combust, already opening her chewing gum pack.

“Just came to check up on Roselyn. After last night, everyone is a bit worried.” Ace shifted slightly. “Oh, Kosmo is here too.”

A teleportation flash burst behind her.

Kosmo appeared instantly.

“Boss!” he said dramatically. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”

Crimson sighed like she was already tired of everyone.

“No one can beat me. No matter how hard they try. I always win in the end.”

Ace raised an eyebrow.

A small one.

But enough.

Crimson noticed.

And looked away first.

“Okay,” she muttered. “Now I need to—”

“Sit back down,” Myskai interrupted immediately. “You need to do nothing but recover. Ryder and I can take care of everyone and the interrogations.”

Ryder nodded, holding Myskai’s gaze for a second longer than necessary, then turned and pointed at Rose sternly. “So don’t even think of trying to do anything. We’ll notice.”

Ace’s grin widened slowly.

“I’m sure Ash could stay with her. Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.” She glanced between them mischievously. “She can tell him her story that way too.”

Crimson sat upright instantly.

“No—”

“That’s not such a bad idea,” Ash said smoothly.

He didn’t even hesitate.

“Can you check on Elias for me, Ryder?”

“Sure, man.”

“But—”

“Stay with him, Rose,” Myskai said while standing. “We’ll be back later.”

Ace saluted lazily. “See ya, princess.”

Kosmo teleported them out before Crimson could protest further.

And just like that—

Silence.

Well.

Mostly silence.

Ash dropped into the chair beside her bed comfortably.

Crimson looked horrified.

“I didn’t—”

“You’re stuck with me now.”

That stupid smirk appeared again.

“You—”

“I’m all ears, dove.”

“If you’re all ears, then stop cutting me off!! I didn’t agree to tell you anything.”

Ash leaned back casually, completely unbothered.

“Well I’m not going anywhere.” He folded his arms behind his head. “And I bet it’d get pretty awkward if we just sat here in silence. Not a word spoken. Nothing but our breathing…”

He tilted his head slightly.

“…sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it?”

Crimson stared at him.

“How are you so popular when you act like this?”

“Act like what?”

“An obnoxious…talkative…” She groaned softly. “Ugh, forget it.”

Ash blinked dramatically.

“Did I just make the one, the only, Roselyn Crimson forget her words?!”

“THIS is what I’m talking about.”

Ash laughed.

Actually laughed.

Warm. Easy. Real.

“You’re really something.”

Crimson rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched slightly despite herself.

“So are you, Mr. Popular.”

“Mr. Popular?!” He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Okay, Miss Secret Agent, are you going to tell me why you’re attending this academy when you clearly have no use to? Why you have a band of followers? Why you seem to already have all the education and training this school can offer and a load more experience?”

His expression softened slightly then.

“Why are you here?”

Crimson’s gaze drifted toward the window.

The sky outside was finally normal again.

Calm.

Too calm.

“I could ask the same to you,” she said quietly. “You clearly don’t need this place either. Why are you here?”

Ash shrugged lightly.

“I’m a student. Just attending school with my potential over performance motto.”

Crimson stared at him for a moment.

Trying to decide something.

“Huh.”

A pause.

Then finally—

“…Fine, I’ll tell you, Ash.”