Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 183: Star Players, Part Twelve

{Lianna}

{January 20th}

Lianna and Enverna sat side by side on the couch in their dimly lit dorm room, the soft glow of the television casting flickering shadows across the walls.

The news anchor’s somber voice filled the room as he reported the latest developments.

"More Watchful members have been found dead outside of Telvan," the anchor announced, his expression grave as images of the crime scene flashed across the screen. "We still don’t know what’s taking them out. The Watchful’s administrator has yet to issue an official statement. Perhaps-"

With a heavy sigh, Lianna reached for the remote and turned off the television, the sudden silence echoing in the room. Enverna turned to her, concern etched into her features.

"How are you feeling?" Enverna asked softly, her voice a soothing presence in the quiet room.

Lianna’s brow furrowed as she searched for the right words.

"Frustrated, mostly," she admitted, her voice softer than usual. "I hate feeling so powerless, like there’s nothing I can do to stop these people."

She leaned back against the couch, her thoughts drifting back to her childhood for a moment.

"I remember watching players like us on TV when I was younger," she mused, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "I used to dream of being one of them, of making a difference in the world."

Enverna listened quietly, her gaze soft and understanding.

She reached out and gently squeezed Lianna’s hand in reassurance.

"All this stuff has kinda gotten in the way of that, though," Lianna muttered.

"I know it’s frustrating, Lianna," she said gently. "But, right now, we’re doing everything we can."

Lianna managed a small smile, grateful for Enverna’s comforting presence.

"Maybe," she conceded, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I can’t help but feel like I could be doing more. I didn’t think other adventurers would end up needing more help than civilians. Agh, I wish I could be in two places at once."

Enverna leaned in and pressed a series of gentle kisses to Lianna’s cheek and shoulder.

"Hey," Enverna said softly. "Why don’t we go train? It always helps clear your mind, right?"

Lianna’s smile widened at Enverna’s suggestion, grateful for the distraction.

[What would I do without you?]

"Yeah," she agreed, feeling a sense of determination welling up inside her. "Let’s do it."

With renewed resolve, Lianna and Enverna rose from the couch and got ready.

---

Caroline sat vigilantly by Mel’s bedside in her hotel room, her sword resting within arm’s reach, ready to defend against any potential threat.

The soft sound of Mel’s breathing filled the room. Like it had a million times now, the fight played back once again in Caroline’s mind.

[How I wish I had another opportunity...]

A sudden knock at the door broke the stillness, causing Caroline to tense momentarily before steeling herself and rising to her feet.

Gripping her sword tightly, she approached the door cautiously, her senses on high alert.

Opening the door slowly, Caroline’s eyes narrowed as she prepared for the worst.

However, her apprehension melted away as she recognized the familiar face on the other side.

She was surprised.

"Zura." Caroline blinked.

"Yo," Zura nodded. "Can I come in?"

"O-Oh, certainly."

Zura entered the room with a cautious step, her expression a mix of concern and sympathy as she glanced at Mel’s prone form on the bed.

She moved to sit beside Mel, her eyes flickering with worry as she took in her friend’s condition.

"How is she?" Zura asked quietly, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Caroline sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion.

"She’s still unconscious," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "Should be just another day or two, now."

Zura nodded in understanding, her gaze shifting back to Mel’s still form.

After a moment of silence, she turned to Caroline with a troubled expression.

"Caroline, I... I want to ask," Zura began hesitantly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "If you were to fight that girl again, what are the chances you’d win?"

Caroline’s brow furrowed as she considered Zura’s question, her mind replaying the events of their encounter with the mysterious assailant.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, she nodded slowly.

"Quite high," Caroline admitted quietly, her voice tinged with determination. "I believe if we had been more prepared, if we had fought smarter, we would have definitely won."

Zura’s expression darkened at Caroline’s words, a heavy sigh escaping her lips.

"I wish I could say the same," she confessed.

"Huh?"

"I wish I could beat her in a fight too," Zura explained. "But, I’m not too sure."

"What do you mean?"

"I’m a Paladin, Caroline." Zura looked down at her fingers she was fiddling with, hunched over and sighing. "My job is to protect people. And yet... I feel like I’m too weak to actually do that."

Caroline looked back at her.

Unfortunately, Caroline couldn’t relate.

She’d been strong since the day she started training. She’d never been in a position like Zura’s in, fearing an opponent she could not defeat at all. Even against Jack, when Caroline was nearly absorbed, that had only happened because Caroline moved to defend someone else. If it had just been them, Caroline couldn’t see herself losing.

[But, then again, I lost to a much less powerful opponent,] Caroline thought. [Perhaps I should restrain this confidence of mine.]

She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Zura’s shoulder, offering what little solace she could.

"Well... you’re not alone, Zura. We’re all in this together. If you are not strong enough on your own, you need not worry. I, and the others, will be by your side."

Zura nodded silently, her gaze fixed on Mel’s still form behind her.

After a moment of quiet contemplation, she rose to her feet, her expression a mix of determination and resignation.

"I should go," Zura said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. "I just... I wanted to check in on Mel. Make sure she’s okay."

Caroline nodded in understanding, offering Zura a small but reassuring smile.

"Farewell."

Zura turned and made her way to the door, her footsteps echoing softly in the silent room.

Caroline watched her go. And as she returned her attention to Mel’s still form, she couldn’t help but feel her competitive spirit simmer.

[Next time, that girl won’t be so lucky.]

---

{Enverna}

As Lianna and Enverna stepped out of the virtual reality simulator, Enverna breathed out a satisfied sigh.

"Goodness," she said. "We’re making progress quite quickly."

Lance: 30

"The statistics reflect your feelings, Miss Alter," G.E.M. said, "as today, you and Lianna have shown a 54% increase in efficiency."

"Send us the detailed reports again, alright?" Lianna asked.

"Of course."

Soon, they walked out of the building. The cool night air greeted them as they exchanged weary smiles, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins from the simulated battles they had just endured.

But their moment of respite was abruptly shattered as a sudden barrage of projectiles whizzed through the air.

"GET DOWN!" Enverna called out as she tackled Lianna, pulling her back in the building. The narrowly avoided a barrage of arrows and spells, each projectile embedding themselves in the walls and each spell crackling and fizzling.

Lianna and Enverna looked at each other.

"Lianna," Enverna said, "check all their statuses. If that girl is among them... She must die here."

Lianna nodded.

"I know."

"Good."

With that, Enverna brought her spear out, just as Lianna brought out her bow.

The counterattack was about to begin.