EX CLASS AWAKENING: THE GOD OF SONGS

Pink smoke and bad ideas

The three of them had been walking since the ice rain, legs heavy but spirits strangely light, when the road decided to play a trick. One minute they were passing rusted billboards promising long-gone roller coasters, the next minute a sagging big top rose out of the dark like a drunk uncle who refused to leave the party. The circus tent was battered, red-and-white stripes faded to pink-and-dirt, poles leaning like tired soldiers. Fairy lights still blinked in weak yellow pulses along the entrance arch, powered by who-knows-what stubborn generator. Music—scratchy calliope notes—floated out, cheerful and wrong, like laughter at a funeral.

Tony stopped first. "That's… a circus."

Lila tilted her head. "In the middle of nowhere. After the world ended. Sure. Why not."

Elias's breeze tightened around them. "Patrols," he murmured. "And they're not normal dogs."

They crept closer. Two shapes padded along the perimeter fence—huge, too huge. German shepherds maybe, once. Now their fur grew in patchy black-and-red clumps, ribs showing under skin stretched tight like drum leather. Spikes of bone poked through shoulders, eyes glowed dull amber, and when one turned its head, its jaw unhinged sideways to reveal three rows of needle teeth. The second one sniffed the air, head snapping toward them so fast the motion blurred.

"Mutant dogs," Tony whispered. "Guarding a circus. This is officially the weirdest night of my life."

They didn't have time to back away. A soft pop of pink smoke bloomed behind Tony like someone had set off a glitter bomb. Warm arms slid around his waist from behind, soft curves pressing against his back, lips brushing his ear.

"Hello, handsome," a voice purred, sweet as honey and twice as sticky. "You smell like music. I like music."

Tony froze. Lila spun, water surging. Elias's wind sharpened to blades.

The woman stepped around Tony with a dancer's grace, pink smoke curling off her like expensive perfume. She was tall, impossibly beautiful, pink hair falling in perfect waves to her waist, eyes the color of cotton candy, lips painted glossy red. Her outfit was a black corset top that barely tried to contain her, cleavage so dramatic it deserved its own zip code, paired with thigh-high boots and a skirt that floated like it had forgotten gravity existed. A tail—actual tail—swished behind her, heart-shaped tip flicking playfully.

She smiled at Lila first, slow and hungry. "And you… oh honey, that water power? Delicious. I could drown in you all night." Her gaze slid to Elias next. "And you, wind boy… I bet you're fun in a storm."

Lila's cheeks went bright red. Elias coughed, wind faltering for half a second.

Tony felt heat crawl up his neck. The woman's presence was heavy, sweet, pulling at something inside him like a magnet made of sugar. His knees wobbled. His brain short-circuited. He almost smiled back.

Then instinct kicked in.

He pursed his lips and let out one sharp, clear whistle—high and commanding, the kind that cuts through noise like a knife.

The woman flinched as if slapped. Her pink smoke recoiled, curling back into her skin. Her eyes cleared, pupils shrinking from dreamy hearts to normal slits. She blinked twice, then laughed—bright, delighted, a little surprised.

"Well well," she purred, stepping back but keeping that dangerous smile. "Someone's got bite under all that shy. I like it."

Lila recovered first, water still swirling at her feet. "Who are you?"

The woman gave a playful curtsy, tail swishing. "Mistress of Seduction. Seraphina Lune. S-Class hunter, ringmaster of this lovely little disaster, and currently very interested in the three of you."

Tony crossed his arms, trying to look tougher than he felt. "You control minds?"

"Desires," she corrected, winking. "Big difference. I don't force anyone. I just… encourage. Very enthusiastically." She looked at Lila again, biting her lip. "Especially pretty ones with water tricks."

Lila flushed darker but didn't back down. "We're just passing through."

Seraphina laughed again, musical and wicked. "Everyone says that. Then they stay for the show." She gestured at the tent. "Come inside. I have food, beds, and answers. Plus I promise not to bite… unless you ask nicely."

Elias stepped closer to Lila, wind humming protectively. "We don't trust easily."

Seraphina's eyes sparkled. "Smart. I like smart." She looked at Tony once more, tilting her head. "But you… you whistled me down like a naughty puppy. That takes talent. Or power. Care to share?"

Tony met her gaze, heart still racing but steadier now. "Not tonight."

She pouted, dramatic and adorable. "Tease." Then she spun on one heel, pink smoke trailing behind her like a scarf. "Suit yourselves. But the road's dangerous, sweethearts. And I do love company."

She sauntered toward the tent entrance, hips swaying, tail flicking a final invitation. The mutant dogs watched her pass without moving a muscle.

Tony, Lila, and Elias stood in silence for a long moment.

Lila finally spoke, voice a little breathless. "She's… a lot."

Elias rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah."

Tony stared after the pink smoke trail, then looked at his friends. "We're not going in there, right?"

Lila and Elias exchanged a glance.

Tony sighed. "We're going in there, aren't we."

They nodded.

Tony rubbed his face. "Great. A seductive S-Class circus ringmaster. This is how we die."

But he followed them anyway, because sometimes the weirdest doors are the ones you have to open.

The calliope music started again, cheerful and wrong, welcoming them inside.