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lilbabypanda-blog2 · 13 days ago

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Two sides of a Gem (Part15)

Aventurine x (stoneheart) reader

Part14

BlackSwan moved ahead, her presence cutting through the oppressive atmosphere like a blade. Her veil seemed to ripple in the thick air of the memory zone, the faint glow of her golden-purple eyes lighting their path. Behind her, Y/N and Aventurine walked side by side. The journey back to the surface of the Dreamscape wasn’t easy—the air itself felt heavier with every step, as if the zone was actively trying to pull them back.

Aventurine kept his head high, his mismatched eyes scanning the shifting shadows with an air of forced indifference. His usual calm smirk tugged at his lips, but his clenched jaw betrayed the strain of maintaining his composure.

Y/N walked beside him, her exhaustion evident in her slower steps and shallow breaths. Still, she refused to show weakness, her crimson eyes focused ahead and her expression firm. She held herself together for Aventurine’s sake, determined not to add to his burden.

BlackSwan glanced over her shoulder. “Stay close,” she said, her voice cool but firm. “The Dreamscape knows when you’re trying to leave. It won’t let you go easily.”

Y/N nodded, gripping Aventurine’s sleeve briefly for reassurance. “We’re fine,” she said, though her voice wavered slightly.

Aventurine caught the tremble and glanced at her, his expression softening for a brief moment before he straightened again. “Speak for yourself. I’m perfectly fine,” he said, his tone light, though the stiffness in his posture was unmistakable.

Y/N shot him a sidelong look, raising a brow. “Sure you are.”

He opened his mouth for a retort but hesitated as the shadows around them seemed to thicken. The faint whispers they had been ignoring grew louder, more insistent. Faces and fragmented voices appeared in the darkness, fleeting but vivid.

“Don’t let them distract you,” BlackSwan warned, her pace quickening.

The air grew colder, and a faint metallic tang lingered, sharp against their senses. Aventurine’s usual smirk faltered for a moment before he cleared his throat, forcing a casual tone. “So, uh… how did you manage to smuggle in your cornerstone? Not exactly standard procedure.”

Y/N blinked, thrown off by the question. “My cornerstone? Ruby modified a velvet box to mask its energy signature. It passed through security like a charm.”

Aventurine’s mask slipped for the briefest second, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Huh. That’s convenient,” he muttered.

Y/N caught the shift in his tone, narrowing her eyes. “Wait… did you get yours through?”

Aventurine hesitated for half a heartbeat before attempting a shrug. “It got confiscated at check-in. No big deal.”

Y/N stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Your cornerstone got what?”

Aventurine waved her off, resuming his pace. “It’s fine. I’ll get it back when we leave.”

“Are you serious?” Y/N caught up to him, her exhaustion forgotten for the moment. “You’ve been walking around here without your cornerstone this whole time?”

“It’s not a big deal,” he insisted, though the edge in his voice suggested otherwise.

Y/N’s gaze softened, her worry cutting through her frustration. “Aventurine… that’s dangerous. You know how unstable the Dreamscape can be without something to anchor yourself.”

He sighed, running a hand through his damp blond hair. “I’m managing just fine,” he said, his tone tinged with defensiveness.

BlackSwan’s voice cut through the conversation. “Save it for later. Focus on getting out alive.”

The shadows around them surged suddenly, the whispers turning into a cacophony. Shapes began to form—twisted, inhuman figures with glowing eyes and jagged limbs. The air grew colder still, the oppressive weight pressing down on them like a physical force.

“Stay close,” BlackSwan ordered, summoning her crystalline tarot cards with a flick of her wrist.

Aventurine’s usual composure cracked further as the figures closed in. He glanced at Y/N, who was already preparing to summon her cornerstone’s power. Despite her exhaustion, she stood firm, her crimson eyes blazing with determination.

“You’re not fine,” she muttered, gripping his arm briefly.

“Neither are you,” he shot back, his voice quieter but laced with reluctant gratitude.

Y/N gave him a faint smile before stepping forward, her cornerstone glowing faintly in her grasp. The shadows lunged, but she stood her ground, ready to fight.

The Dreamscape trembled violently as the battle raged on, shadows clawing at their every step. BlackSwan moved with precision, her dark tarot cards slicing through the air while jagged crystalline hands erupted from the ground, shattering beasts before they could get close. Aventurine stood his ground, his cyan shields shimmering as they blocked relentless strikes. He summoned volleys of spinning poker chips and dice, slamming into the advancing monsters with bursts of imaginary energy.

Despite their efforts, the onslaught was unyielding. The shadowy beasts seemed endless, each one more monstrous than the last.

Y/N stood at the center, her crimson eyes blazing as she lashed out with waves of crimson energy, cutting through the darkness. Her fiery strikes kept the creatures at bay, but the tide wasn’t turning. She could feel the exhaustion creeping in, her movements slowing as the battle dragged on.

The beasts roared, their combined cries shaking the ground beneath their feet. One lunged at Aventurine, its claws swiping dangerously close.

Y/N’s hand shot up instinctively, crimson energy surging outward to form a protective shield around him. The creature slammed into the barrier and dissolved into ash, but the strain of maintaining the shield weighed on her.

“Thanks,” Aventurine said, his voice tight but grateful. His mismatched eyes flicked to her briefly, and he couldn’t help but notice how worn she looked, though she hid it well.

The largest of the beasts emerged from the shadows, its hulking form towering over them. Its glowing eyes locked onto Y/N, and it let out a guttural roar before charging straight at her.

Y/N didn’t flinch.

She took a deep breath, her crimson energy flaring like a heartbeat. Flames erupted around her, swirling in a vortex of heat and light that scorched the ground beneath her feet.

The air crackled with raw power.

Y/N closed her eyes, allowing the energy to consume her, reshape her. The flames danced higher, their intensity blinding as they enveloped her completely. The battlefield grew silent for a brief moment, the creatures hesitating as they sensed the shift.

When the flames subsided, Y/N stood transformed.

Her battle suit was sleek and radiant, glowing with a fiery crimson hue that seemed to pulse with life. The fabric clung to her like a second skin, designed for both elegance and combat. Golden accents traced along her arms and legs, forming intricate patterns reminiscent of phoenix wings. Her long ponytail flowed behind her, streaked with ember-like highlights that shimmered with every movement.

Her weapon—a magnificent greatsword—gleamed with crimson energy, its blade radiating an intense heat that seemed to distort the air around it.

Y/N opened her eyes, now glowing brighter than ever, and stepped forward.

The largest beast roared again and lunged at her, its claws poised to strike. Y/N raised her greatsword and met its attack head-on, the blade slicing through its limb with a burst of flame. The creature screeched, stumbling back as crimson energy coiled around her like a living shield.

She didn’t stop.

Y/N thrust her free hand forward, summoning a wave of crimson energy that surged outward, creating a protective barrier around BlackSwan and Aventurine. Flames danced along the edges of the shield, burning any beast that dared approach.

With a sharp swing of her greatsword, she unleashed a fiery arc that sliced through several creatures at once. Another wave of crimson energy followed, forming spikes that erupted from the ground, impaling anything in their path.

“She’s… incredible,” Aventurine muttered under his breath, his mismatched eyes wide as he watched her fight. His heart pounded in his chest, a strange warmth spreading through him. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her—her power, her precision, her sheer presence.

A massive shadow beast lunged at her from behind. Y/N spun around effortlessly, her ponytail whipping through the air as she swung her greatsword upward. The blade sliced through the creature, flames erupting in its wake.

She raised her free hand, crimson energy swirling around her fingers before erupting into a blazing phoenix-shaped construct. The fiery bird screeched as it soared across the battlefield, incinerating a wave of beasts in its path.

BlackSwan watched her closely, her golden-purple eyes narrowing slightly. There was something about Y/N’s transformation, the way her power seemed to resonate with the Dreamscape itself. BlackSwan’s expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of understanding crossed her face. She said nothing, choosing to focus on dispatching the remaining creatures.

The battle reached its climax as the largest beast charged at Y/N once more. She planted her feet firmly, her greatsword glowing brighter than ever. Flames coiled around her, merging with her crimson energy as she swung the blade with all her strength.

The impact was cataclysmic.

A massive explosion of fire and crimson light engulfed the beast, reducing it to ash in an instant. The shockwave rippled across the battlefield, scattering the remaining creatures and leaving the area eerily silent.

Y/N lowered her greatsword, her breathing steady despite the strain. The flames around her began to dim, though her crimson energy still pulsed faintly.

Aventurine approached her slowly, his mismatched eyes filled with awe. His chest felt tight, his heart still pounding as he tried to find the words. “You…” he started, his voice soft but tinged with admiration. “That was… amazing.”

Y/N offered him a small smile, her crimson eyes warm despite her exhaustion. “Thanks, Kakavasha. But it’s not over yet.”

BlackSwan stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Y/N for a moment before addressing the group. “We need to keep moving."

Y/N nodded, gripping her greatsword tightly as she prepared to move forward. Aventurine hesitated, his mismatched eyes flicking to her again. The warmth in his chest hadn’t faded, and he couldn’t shake the image of her—the phoenix that had turned the tide of battle.

As they moved deeper into the Dreamscape, the tension lingered, but so did a newfound sense of determination.

The eerie corridors of the distorted hotel seemed to stretch endlessly, twisting and turning as if alive. With every step, the oppressive weight of the Dreamscape grew heavier, but Y/N’s shield kept them safe, its faint crimson shimmer steady despite her exhaustion.

After what felt like hours of navigating the labyrinthine halls, the group found themselves stepping into a familiar space. The warped version of the hotel’s lobby where Aventurine and Y/N had started came into view, its unnatural distortions just as unsettling as before.

BlackSwan halted, her violet-gold eyes scanning the area carefully.

Y/N lowered her sword, the crimson energy around her flickering faintly. She glanced at Aventurine, who looked as if he were trying to appear nonchalant, his mismatched eyes fixed anywhere but on her. She could tell he was still shaken, though he did a decent job hiding it.

“You’re quiet,” she said softly, breaking the silence.

Aventurine shrugged, his tone clipped. “Just tired of this place. It messes with your head.”

Y/N’s crimson gaze lingered on him for a moment before she turned her attention to the distorted space around them. “There’s something about this zone. It’s not just memories being twisted—it’s something deeper.”

BlackSwan raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. “What are you getting at?”

Y/N hesitated, her grip tightening on her greatsword. “I’ve been sensing… interference. Something is affecting my powers—like they’re being dimmed. At first, I thought it was just the nature of the Dreamscape, but…”

She trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the faint crimson energy still lingering around her. It pulsed irregularly, flickering like a dying flame.

“It’s not the Dreamscape,” she continued. “It’s something else. A path.”

Aventurine furrowed his brow. “A path? You mean like an Aeon’s influence?”

Y/N nodded, her expression grim. “Yes. But it doesn’t make sense. Penacony is supposed to be on the path of Harmony. What I’m sensing here… it’s the path of Order. Ena.”

The name hung heavily in the air, the implications sinking in.

Aventurine’s mismatched eyes widened, his usual mask slipping for a moment. “Order? Ena’s path?” He glanced around the room, unease creeping into his voice. “That’s impossible. This place shouldn’t have any connection to Order. It’s Harmony’s domain.”

“Exactly,” Y/N said, her tone firm. “That’s why it’s so concerning. Ena’s path is long fallen. Its remnants shouldn’t be here.”

BlackSwan’s gaze sharpened, her usually calm demeanor giving way to a flicker of concern. “If what you’re saying is true, it means Penacony’s Dreamscape has been compromised. The presence of another path—especially a fallen one—could have catastrophic consequences.”

Aventurine shook his head, trying to make sense of it. “But how? How does a fallen path worm its way into a place like this? And why would it affect your powers?”

Y/N hesitated, her crimson eyes flickering with uncertainty. “I don’t know yet. But the interference is real. It’s like my flames and energy are being dimmed, i feel weaker then usual—somethings tied to Ena’s path.”

A tense silence settled over the group, the weight of the revelation pressing down on them.

Aventurine finally broke the silence, his tone laced with disbelief. “So, what? We’re dealing with some ancient leftovers of Order? Sounds like a headache waiting to happen.”

“It’s more than that,” Y/N said quietly. “If Ena’s influence is here, it could mean something—or someone—is trying to awaken it.”

BlackSwan’s gaze darkened, her mind clearly working through the implications. “If that’s true, we need to tread carefully. The Dreamscape is dangerous enough without the meddling of a fallen path.”

Y/N nodded, though her exhaustion was evident in the way her shoulders sagged slightly. She glanced at Aventurine, who had fallen silent again, his gaze fixed on the flickering distortions of the lobby.

“You okay, Kakavasha?” she asked softly.

He didn’t respond immediately, his mismatched eyes clouded with thought. Finally, he looked at her, offering a faint smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m fine. Just… thinking.”

Y/N didn’t press him, though she could tell he was unsettled. She turned back to BlackSwan, her expression determined despite her weariness.

“We need to find out what’s causing this,” she said firmly. “If Ena’s path is interfering with Penacony, we can’t ignore it.”

"I agree, but not now." BlackSwan said as she motioned to follow her.

The Dreamscape's endless distortions shimmered away as the trio finally reached the boundary between memories and reality. BlackSwan’s violet-and-gold aura rippled like silk in the dim light, her movements measured as she guided Y/N and Aventurine through the threshold.

“Time to wake up,” BlackSwan said, her voice smooth but firm, as threads of her energy wrapped gently around them.

The sensation was disorienting, like plunging into icy water. The Dreamscape’s surreal glow faded into nothingness, replaced by a warm and muted light.

Y/N opened her eyes to find herself back in her room at the Penacony hotel. The bed beneath her was like a deep basin filled with glowing, dreamlike liquid that cradled her form. The dim lighting reflected off the viscous surface, creating soft ripples as she stirred.

She sat up slowly, droplets of the dream liquid slipping off her skin as her body adjusted to reality. Exhaustion weighed heavy on her, her limbs aching from the strain of their journey.

Across the room, the faint shimmer of violet energy flickered into existence. Y/N’s crimson eyes snapped toward the source, narrowing slightly as BlackSwan materialized, her veil and sharp gaze unmistakable.

“Ever heard of knocking?” Y/N muttered, her voice dry but tired. She swung her legs over the side of the dream-basin bed, droplets of the liquid sliding to the floor.

BlackSwan didn’t react to the sarcasm. Instead, she took slow, deliberate steps toward

Y/N, her golden-purple eyes fixed on her with a weight that made Y/N’s skin prickle.

“You’ve recovered quickly,” BlackSwan noted, her tone neutral but sharp. “That’s impressive. Most wouldn’t have survived pushing their limits like that.”

“I’m full of surprises,” Y/N quipped, masking her unease with her usual edge. “What do you want, BlackSwan?”

BlackSwan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as though studying Y/N under a microscope.

“Your power,” BlackSwan said finally, her voice quiet but deliberate, “it’s extraordinary. But it’s not just raw strength. It’s something… different.”

Y/N’s brow furrowed. “What are you trying to say?”

BlackSwan tilted her head, the veil framing her face shifting slightly. “The cornerstone you’re using… it’s not natural.”

The room fell silent, the faint hum of dream liquid and distant rain the only sounds.

Y/N’s crimson eyes flashed with warning, but she kept her voice calm.

“You’re mistaken,” she said coolly, her tone clipped.

BlackSwan didn’t flinch. Instead, she stepped closer, her gaze unrelenting. “Am I? I’ve seen true cornerstones. Yours doesn’t feel the same. It’s artificial, isn’t it?”

Y/N’s fingers curled tightly against the edge of the basin bed. Her exhaustion evaporated, replaced by a sharp tension. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

A faint smirk tugged at BlackSwan’s lips, though her gaze remained sharp. “Don’t insult me, you can't lie to a memokeeper

Y/N. I’m not here to accuse you—I’m here to warn you.”

Y/N tensed, her crimson eyes narrowing. “Warn me about what?”

BlackSwan’s expression turned serious, her tone dropping to something almost gentle but no less grave. “Secrets like yours don’t stay hidden forever. The wrong person finding out could ruin you. Or worse....”

Y/N’s chest tightened. Despite her calm façade, her mind raced.

BlackSwan stepped back slightly, her form already beginning to dissolve into a faint shimmer of violet light. “Don’t worry,” she said over her shoulder, her voice edged with a strange mix of amusement and warning. “Your secret is safe with me—for now.”

The light flared and faded, leaving Y/N alone in the quiet room.

She sat there for a long moment, staring at the rippling surface of the dream liquid. Slowly, she leaned back against the headboard, her breathing steady but her mind anything but calm.

As the rain outside the window grew heavier, Y/N’s crimson eyes flickered with something unreadable. BlackSwan’s words lingered like a shadow, pressing down on her as the question echoed in her mind: How long can I keep this hidden?

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