The Phantom’s Gambit

Will you relax?] Void asked, exasperated, as he watched Octavius pace nervously around the house for what felt like the umpteenth time.

Despite Octavius' refusal to let him back into his body, Void could still sense his anxiousness, as if it were his own.

[It's not my fault you're not the one who can enter other animals, ] Octavius snapped, his frustration simmering just below the surface. [But hey, maybe I can put in a good word with Amy for you, so you can get a glimpse—]

Octavius' patience snapped, and he cut Void off with a curt, "Just shut up!" He halted mid-step, his annoyance momentarily freezing him in place.

Void's response was breezy, unaffected by Octavius' tone. [I don't know how to do that.]

Octavius stepped forward, his finger pointed accusingly at Void's face. "You know, you deserve a punishment for what you did."

Void found the whole situation ridiculous and snorted out a laugh. [Yes, Ovavius, punish me and take away my TV privileges.]

Octavius opened his mouth, ready to say something, but he closed it back. He didn't know what "TV privileges" meant, but he knew it didn't sound good, especially coming from Void.

With a scowl, Octavius dropped his hand he used to point at Void and turned to another direction, resuming his agitated pacing around the room.

[If you're worrying about the girl, Amy, she's fine, ] Void spoke out. [She has her father with her.]

But Octavius continued his agitated pacing, his mind consumed by his concerns. Void's patience began to wear thin.

[Can you stop doing that?!]!Void whisper-yelled in exasperation.

Octavius shot back, "If it bothers you so much, maybe you should leave me be and do your own thing."

[Man, I wish I could, believe me. But in case you're incapable of processing, let me remind you that we're sharing your body. I feel your emotions, and your anxiety is annoying. You're being paranoid.]

'Maybe,' Octavius conceded. The time of his death was approaching, and it filled him with crippling anxiety. He felt weak and restless, his senses on high alert.

It wasn't Amy he was worried about, per se, but the delay was gnawing at him. Where were they? Why were they taking so long?

Octavius doubted Void could understand his concerns. The entity didn't have a typical family or experiences. He wondered if Void was even capable of feeling.

"You're a douchebag," Octavius muttered, frustration getting the better of him.

Void's response was unsympathetic. [Maybe I am that, but trust me when I say that cursing me won't get you anywhere. Caring makes you weak. You're just working yourself up over nothing. Stop stressing about things you can't control. Think logically instead. Sit down, wait, and if they don't return, we'll go check things out.]

"That is not what makes me worry!" Octavius yelled out in frustration. He wished he could control how he was feeling right now, but he simply couldn't. "And if you don't understand that, leave me the fuck alone!!" 

Octavius' hand instinctively flew to his mouth, as if to physically restrain the words that had just escaped. He had never uttered the word "fuck" out loud before, and certainly not as a reprimand. His eyes darted to Void, who was grinning proudly.

[Well, look at you, All grown up.]

Before Octavius could respond, the door swung open, providing a timely distraction from Void's teasing. Void's expression turned serious as he pushed himself away from the wall and approached Octavius.

[They're back, so you have no choice but to let me in now so I can converse with Alaric]

Octavius murmured a quick "Get in" as Alaric and Amy entered the room. Their attention was immediately drawn to the mark on Amy's forehead.

"She got in," Octavius thought to himself as Alaric and Amy approached.

But despite her recent acceptance into the Academy, Amy didn't look triumphant. She had left with excitement radiating from her face, but now her expression was bitter, her smile forced as she tried to conceal her true emotions.

Octavius' gaze narrowed, as he wondered what could have caused the change in Amy's demeanor.

Just as Octavius was about to question her, Void intervened, his voice a cautionary whisper in Octavius' mind.

[Whatever you're thinking of doing, don't, ] Void warned. [It's out of character for me, at least. And it would come across as suspicious. The girl wasn't the reason you came back to life, so stay on track.]

As Void finished speaking, Amy brushed past him, heading towards her room without a word. Her abrupt departure was swiftly followed by Alaric's apologetic intervention.

"Forgive my daughter's manners," Alaric said with subservience as he half-lunged forward, as if intending to kneel.

Octavius watched the exchange intently, his curiosity piqued. 

'Who or what was Void, and what kind of power did he wield to inspire such deference from a vampire' He wondered. 

Vampires were formidable creatures, ranked B in the hierarchy of monsters. Yet, Alaric's behavior suggested that Void might be an entirely different caliber of being.

Void's nonchalant response, however, was dismissive of the entire incident. [Girls and hormones.]

Octavius' attention was redirected as Void continued, his voice devoid of emotion. [Any feedback from the Passage rites that I might know?]

Alaric began to recount the events of the Passage rites. "The ritual was successful, and Amy has been marked as a member of the Academy. She's been assigned to the Healers' faction."

'The healer's fraction?' Octavius wondered to himself... Astonished.

[That's impressive,] Void said curtly to Alaric.

Alaric continued, unaware of the subtle exchange between Void and Octavius. "As I was saying, the ritual proceeded without any major issues. However, there was a notable moment when one of the Academy's elders seemed to recognize Amy."

Void's expression remained neutral, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "What else happened during the ritual?" he inquired.

Alaric hesitated, knowing what Void wanted to hear but he felt the need to give a full account of the ordeal. "The elder's behavior was... odd. He seemed to be studying Amy, and he mentioned that she had her mother's look. Apparently, they had a history."

Again, not what Void wanted to hear, but he allowed Alaric to continue With an unreadable expression.

Alaric continued, "The last announcement during the ritual was regarding the talent trials. They're looking for students with exceptional abilities, and only ten members will be selected to join the Academy after the tests. After the announcement, I looked for Amy and escorted her back here."

Void decided to ask the question, as Alaric wasn't forthcoming.

[And the carriage?] Void inquired.

Alaric's smile was cryptic. "He's been taken care of. No one suspects a thing."

Octavius frowned, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. When had Alaric and Void discussed the carriage driver? He had no recollection of such a conversation.

Octavius' frustration grew as he realized he couldn't infiltrate Void's thoughts as easily as Void could with his. Their connection only allowed him to sense Void's emotions, and even that was a rare occurrence.

A growing sense of unease settled in the pit of Octavius' stomach. 'How did Void manage to build such a formidable mental barrier?' He wondered.

[That will be all, Alaric, ] Void said, dismissing him with a curt nod.

With that, Void turned, his hands tucked into his pockets. [I'll teach you how to build a mental barrier, so you can stop pestering me with your inane thoughts, ] Void told Octavius as they made their way to their room, his voice taking on a different tone.

 [And in return, you'll put me back in the cat. I'm sure Amy needs to take a shower after all this—]

But before Void could finish, Octavius' voice cut in. "Get out of my body."