LYRIAN
Lyrian tightened the straps on her pack, the early morning mist curling around her ankles as she worked. It was time for her and Reone to move on, and they were preparing to break camp.
The forest around them was waking — faint birdsong echoed through the branches, wind whispered through the leaves, and somewhere nearby, a soft waterfall murmured over smooth stones.
But her mind was far from calm.
She couldn't stop thinking about it — the mysterious figure from last night. The strange way it looked. And even stranger — the soft, pulsing light that had glowed from its palm as it healed itself.
She had never seen anything like it. Never even heard of anything like it.
It wasn't a Sylph. Of that much, Lyrian was certain.
But if not a Sylph… then what?
She couldn't find an answer, and not knowing drove her mad. How she wished Nova was here. She'd know.
Her hand froze mid-motion.
Should I tell Reone? Lyrian wondered silently.
She hesitated, chewing the inside of her lip. He'd ask why she hadn't told him immediately — and she wouldn't have a good reason. Reone might even get angry.
Her heart thudded. After everything that had happened between them last night, Lyrian didn't want to risk any tension coming between them.
No. She exhaled softly, forcing the thought away. I'll keep it to myself.
The mysterious figure was gone now, and it wasn't likely to return. There was no reason to bring it up… right?
"Lyrian."
She blinked and looked up. Reone stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"Huh?" she said before quickly adding, "Sorry — did you say something?"
Reone gave her a half-amused, half-frustrated look. "Yeah, I've been trying to get your attention for a while."
"Sorry," she said again, trying to sound apologetic. "Guess I was lost in thought."
He tilted his head, studying her with a thoughtful frown. "You seem distracted this morning. Everything okay?"
Lyrian blinked innocently, forcing a smile. "Yeah, everything's great. Did you need something?"
Reone didn't seem entirely convinced, but he didn't push it. "Actually, yeah. I can't find the firestarter we took from Damon's place. Where'd you put it after breakfast?"
Her mind went blank. She pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to remember. Then it hit her.
"Oh! Right!" she exclaimed, facepalming herself. "I took it with me when I went to collect firewood. I must've left it there. Ugh, I can be such an careless."
Then she straightened, brushing the dust from her clothes. "I'll just go grab it."
"Sure," Reone said with a casual shrug.
But his eyes followed her as she walked away. Something about her felt off. Forgetful, distracted — not like the sharp, focused Sylph he knew.
He frowned slightly, wondering why. Maybe it was because of last night — the kiss they'd shared, and their decision to put their relationship and feelings on hold until the mission was over. Was she feeling awkward about it?
That was possible, Reone thought. He himself was still affected by it. He'd found it hard to sleep, replaying everything she'd said, remembering the look in her eyes before she'd pulled away.
But no… something about Lyrian's unease didn't feel like simple awkwardness. She'd been calm when they parted last night — perfectly normal.
So maybe something else had happened afterward?
He placed a hand on his waist, thinking it through. Then froze as another thought struck him. Now that he thought about it, Lyrian had started acting strange much earlier — when he'd woken up during the night and found her in the forest, collecting firewood, she'd said.
But what if something else had happened before he found her?
He frowned. No, that couldn't be. He'd asked her directly, and she'd said nothing was wrong. And Reone couldn't think of a single reason she'd lie to him.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Maybe I'm just overthinking again," he muttered.
Rhys would've said his paranoia was acting up — and this time, Reone agreed. His theory didn't make any sense.
Deciding not to waste more time on needless thoughts, Reone returned to packing. He slung his bag over his shoulder just as Lyrian reappeared, a triumphant glint in her eyes.
"I got it!" she said, flashing the firestarter.
"Good," Reone replied, handing her pack over.
She tucked the firestarter inside and slung the pack over her shoulder. "Ready when you are."
She looked so innocent and cute at that moment that Reone felt a pang of guilt for ever doubting her. A soft warmth rose in his chest. Remembering their agreement, he told himself to focus.
"We've been making good time," he said, adjusting his sword. "If we keep this pace, we'll reach the Temple of Echoes on schedule."
Lyrian smiled faintly. "Then let's not waste daylight."
"That's the spirit," Reone said with a grin.
They left the campsite behind, the forest slowly swallowing their footprints.
*****
Hours passed.
The air grew heavier, thicker. Light filtered through the trees in dappled gold and green.
The silence between them stretched thin. Lyrian walked beside him, unusually quiet, gaze distant, brows furrowed. Every so often, she glanced toward the trees, eyes sharp and wary — as if she expected something to leap out at them.
Reone noticed, of course. He noticed everything about her.
He sighed softly. Maybe Lyrian wasn't the problem. Maybe he was just imagining things again. Rhys was totally right about him. He was—
"Reone, stop."
Lyrian's sudden whisper froze him mid-step.
"What?" he asked.
"Shh. I hear something."
She lifted a hand, closing her eyes. Her resonance flickered faintly around her — a soft shimmer of blue light rippling like a quiet song.
Reone went silent, watching her.
A few seconds passed. Then Lyrian's eyes snapped open, her face pale.
"People," she whispered. "Coming this way. Men. A lot of them."
Her expression darkened, eyes narrowing. "And their energy…" She hesitated. "I'm getting a bad feeling."
Reone blinked, stunned. He hadn't thought anyone else was in this forest. But he knew better than to doubt the best sound Sylph there was.
Before he could say anything more, distant voices drifted through the trees — harsh, rough, getting closer.
Reone cursed under his breath. "Damn it."
He grabbed Lyrian's wrist and pulled her behind a thick tree trunk. Their faces were close, their breaths mingling.
Reone forced himself to focus again.
Both of them peeked from behind the trees.
A dozen men — maybe more — trudged into view, armored in mismatched plates.
"This way, lads," the huge one barked, stepping into a shaft of light. His body was covered in red and black veins that pulsed faintly beneath his skin. His companions looked just as monstrous, making Lyrian's stomach twist.
Reone's blood ran cold. He knew those sickly markings — the signs of resonance stolen from resonant beings at work in non-resonant beings.
Lyrian's eyes widened in horror.
The realization hit them both at once. "They're Nullborn Extractors!"
Reone's hand tightened around the hilt of his spiral as the truth settled over them like a shadow.