A hush fell over the clearing as the girl stepped forward. There was something hauntingly familiar about her—golden eyes bright with warmth, a tumble of blonde hair, and a smile so open it seemed out of place in this wary world. Still, I could not place her. Her pristine white cloak, embroidered with golden thread, caught the sunlight, and though her dress was simple, she carried herself with an air that was neither noble nor commoner.
Liora and Kael stood tense at my sides, both on edge. The silence pressed in until I finally spoke, my voice colder than I intended. "Who are you?"
A flicker of hurt crossed her face, but she recovered quickly, her tone impossibly gentle. "You told me you'd never forget me. Was that just a promise to be broken?"
Her words sent a jolt through me. Memories surfaced shards of a darker time. I remembered a girl with sunlight in her hair and laughter in her voice, always trying to coax words from me, always undeterred by my silence. She had been sent by the temple, tasked with helping me control the wild, dangerous power that had awakened after I watched the Empress murder my mother. I had been cold, withdrawn, my heart locked away behind grief and fear. Althea, with her boundless energy and relentless kindness, had been the only one who dared to reach for me.
"Althea?" The name escaped me in a whisper, edged with disbelief.
Her face lit up, and before I could protest, she closed the distance and hugged me tightly. "You remember! I'm so happy, Elaris."
I stood stiff in her embrace, the memory of her golden-retriever optimism clashing with the shadow I carried. She had always been the light to my darkness, chattering away even when I refused to answer, never giving up on me, not even when I'd pushed everyone else away.
She pulled back, eyes shining. "I'm here to help you again, Elaris. To help you control the power inside you." She glanced at Liora and Kael, then back at me, her voice gentle but insistent. "Where are we going?"
"Ethernelle Forest," I replied, my voice measured. I wasn't sure what to feel about Althea's sudden reappearance—her happiness was so bright, it almost hurt. Beneath it, I felt a tangle of sadness and suspicion. I couldn't help myself; I had to ask, "How did you know I was here?"
She grinned, mischief dancing in her golden eyes. "Oh, you know me—I have my secret sources." She winked, her smile as playful as ever.
I frowned, confusion flickering across my face. "What sources?"
Althea leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I was on my way to meet you at the palace when I overheard a couple of maids whispering. They said the Empress was having a secret conversation with someone important. Apparently, she killed a man because he failed his mission." She glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "One of the maids heard the Empress mention a girl and Virelia."
Her gaze flickered to Liora and Kael, who stood a few paces away, watching us warily. "Don't trust them," Althea murmured, her tone suddenly serious. "They might have been sent by the Empress to kill you."
I shook my head, guilt tightening my chest. "They can't be. They were terrified just facing an illusion." The memory of the illusion's reality haunted me, but I couldn't tell anyone—not yet. If they ever learned the truth, they'd never forgive themselves for what they'd done.
"What illusion?" Althea asked gently, tilting her head.
I blinked at her. For a second, I thought I saw… something. A flicker. A shift. But it was gone now.
I looked away, shaking it off. "Nothing," I said flatly, turning to the others. "We're getting late. Let's go."
Her brows furrowed, but she didn't push.
As we started walking through the trees, the pendant pulsed faintly against my chest.You have the map, right? it said in that low voice that only echoed in my mind.
The one that lady gave you.
Umm… yeah, I replied silently, glancing down. I still have it.
Then use it. That map is enchanted. It can teleport you to the Forest.
Oh. That explained it. The paper had always felt weird — warmer than usual, like it was humming with magic. So that's why it felt different from a normal map. Teleportation magic.
I stopped walking and pulled the scroll out of my bag.
"This map…" I said aloud, "can teleport us to Ethernelle Forest."
Kael looked at me with narrowed eyes but said nothing.Liora froze, her expression uneasy — that look again, like I was something dangerous.
"Scared of me, like always," I muttered under my breath, loud enough for her to hear. Her gaze dropped, confirming what I already knew.
Althea tilted her head, curious, but didn't speak.
I opened the scroll fully. The glowing ink pulsed, forming a shifting symbol at the center — like a key.
"Touch the center," I instructed. "And hold tight."
They hesitated but followed. My fingers met the glowing mark, and instantly, wind surged around us like a mini cyclone. Leaves scattered, light wrapped us in gold —and then—
everything disappeared.
We teleported straight into the heart of Ethernelle Forest.
It was... breathtaking.
The trees stretched high above us, their leaves glowing faintly in the golden light that filtered through the thick canopy. Soft moss carpeted the ground, and tiny sparkles floated lazily in the air like the forest was breathing magic.
Liora and Kael instantly spread out, scanning the area, hands near their weapons, always cautious.
I stayed still, letting the atmosphere soak in. Then I heard light footsteps behind me.
Althea approached, wearing that same sweet, sunny smile she hadn't stopped flashing since we reunited. Her white cloak with gold embroidery shimmered softly in the dappled light.
She walked up beside me, tucking a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear, and said casually,"So… that pendant. You were talking to it about the map earlier, right?"
I blinked. "Huh? Yeah… why?"
Her eyes sparkled a little too much. "It's fascinating. It talks back to you. Like... really talks. I saw how it helped you with the teleportation magic."
I gave a small laugh. "It nags more than it helps, honestly."
She leaned in a little. "Still, it's rare. Most relics don't have that kind of awareness. You're lucky. Or maybe cursed," she added lightly, voice like a joke — but her smile didn't reach her eyes for just a second.
I shrugged. "Yeah, well, lucky me."
She tilted her head, still smiling. "Just be careful. Old magic like that... sometimes it wants more than it gives."
Something about the way she said it made the air feel colder for a moment — but I shook it off.
"Right. Anyway," I said, forcing the conversation forward, "you're here to help me control my power, right?"
She nodded brightly, back to golden retriever mode. "Yup! That's what I'm here for."
I glanced over at Liora and Kael. "This place is safe, right?"
Both of them gave me a stiff nod, Liora keeping her eyes locked on Althea like she was trying to read her soul.
"Cool," I said. "Then let's get started."
Althea set the ancient mirror on a mossy stone, its silver frame etched with runes that shimmered in the forest light. "Channel your magic into the glass, Elaris," she instructed, her voice soft but insistent. "Let it show you what you fear most. Only by facing your darkness can you hope to control it."
I hesitated, feeling the pendant's reassuring weight against my chest. Still, I extended my hand, letting my power flow into the mirror. The surface rippled, and instead of my reflection, I saw flashes of memory—my mother's final scream, the Empress's cold eyes, shadows twisting at the edge of my vision.
"Don't look away," Althea murmured, stepping closer. "Embrace it. Let the darkness become part of you."
A chill ran through me, but before I could respond, the air in the forest changed. The birds fell silent. The ground trembled.
From the shadows, monsters emerged creatures of horn and fang, drawn by the surge of magic. Their eyes glowed with hunger as they closed in. Kael drew his blade instantly. "HIGH-CLASS BEASTS. ON GUARD!"
Althea stepped back, calm as ever.
Kael was already in the fray, slicing through the nearest brute with a flash of steel and magic. But there were too many.
Liora was handling the lower-class monsters — fire darts flying from her palms, sharp and fast. She moved with precision, but her face was tight with fear. Her eyes flicked to me and back again, unsure if I was the cause or the solution.
Then — a screech.
A shadow loomed over her. A massive, high-class beast leapt, claws aimed right at her.
She froze.
"Liora—!" I shouted.
I moved without thinking. Power surged in me like a flood breaking through a dam.
A wall of crackling violet light exploded between Liora and the monster — my barrier magic.
The monster slammed into it with a horrible crunch and howled, stunned. I followed up with a blast of pure energy, sending it flying into a tree with a sickening crash.
Liora was on the ground, trembling, wide-eyed.
I reached down, breathing hard. "You okay?"
She nodded slowly, her voice soft. "You… saved me."
"Of course I did," I muttered, helping her up. "We're in this together, aren't we?"
For the first time, her expression softened. Not fear. Just… surprise. Maybe even something like trust.
Behind us, Althea watched with that same unreadable smile, the mirror's surface now dark and still.
Althea clapped lightly behind us. "See? You're getting stronger already."
I turned to Althea, fists clenched, anger boiling in my chest.
"Why did you do this, Althea?" I snapped, the air around me sparking faintly with magic. "If something had happened to Liora—if even one of us got hurt—then what?"
Her eyes widened. She looked stunned. "Elaris… I… I'm sorry."Her voice cracked. "I didn't know your magic would attract high-class beasts. I thought maybe… small creatures, maybe wild energy. I—I was wrong."A tear slipped down her cheek as she turned to Liora."I'm sorry. I truly am. I would never put you in danger on purpose."
Liora crossed her arms but didn't look away. Her lips were pressed in a thin line, but after a long pause, she gave a small nod.
"…Just don't do anything reckless like that again."
Kael sighed, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "We get it. But if something like this happens again…" He looked directly at Althea. "We'll have no choice but to leave you behind. Elaris's safety is our top priority."
Althea lowered her head. "Understood…"
I nodded silently, tension still clawing at my ribs. The mirror was gone now—back in her bag—but its presence still lingered in my mind like a stain.
As the moon rose, we finally decided to settle down. I pulled out the travel kit I'd bought from the markets of Virelia. The enchanted canvas unfolded and formed itself into a sleek, dark-purple tent with silver shielding sigils carved into the fabric.
A soft barrier of warmth and protection settled over us as we entered.
"It should keep out monsters, weather, and noise," I said quietly.
Liora touched the sigils. "Fancy."
We all curled up inside, exhausted. Kael took the far corner, Liora beside the entrance, and I lay in the center with the pendant still warm around my neck. Althea was beside me, her back turned, silent.
One by one, we fell asleep.
The Saintess:
They sleep too peacefully.
The tent was quiet—shielded by the magic Elaris had so casually summoned from that travel kit. Impressive, really. She didn't even realize how much power she was leaking.
Liora was curled at the entrance, her brow furrowed even in sleep. The girl didn't trust easily, and tonight hadn't helped. Kael, as expected, slept with his hand near his weapon. Dutiful. Predictable.
Elaris… was dreaming.
A soft breath. A twitch of her fingers. Her aura shimmered faintly beneath the surface, like a fire too powerful to contain.
The Saintess opened her eyes. Gone was the innocent gleam, the golden retriever warmth. Something colder lingered behind those golden irises now.
She sat up slowly, silently. Not even the wards twitched at her movement.
From beneath her robes, she retrieved a small crystal—dark as a moonless night, veins of red flickering within like distant lightning. She held it close and whispered,
"Sanctum Communae."
A hush fell over the tent. The world bent—only slightly, but enough. A shimmer in the air, and then a figure appeared in the crystal's glow: robed in darkness, its features hidden, save for two molten eyes that seemed to see.
The voice was soft and sharp, like a knife in velvet."You failed."
She didn't flinch."The mirror worked. She reacted. But… not enough. The monsters were a miscalculation. She saved the maid. She still clings to the light."
A pause.
"She must break. You know this."
The Saintess nodded. Her tone was a whisper laced with venom."She trusts me. Not fully, but enough. I can push her further."
The figure leaned closer, though it never truly moved."Then push. Let her believe you are the cure… even as you become the curse."
The glow began to fade."This is your final chance, Althea. If she resists again…"
"She won't."The Saintess smiled—slow, soft, and chilling."She's already walking the edge. I'll give her the final nudge."
With a quiet chant, she dispelled the magic."Lux Veritas Claudatur."
The crystal dimmed. The world returned to silence.
She lay back down between them—sweet, smiling, golden-haired Althea.
The girl who came to help.
And as the tent's glow dulled, only one thought echoed in her mind:
"Soon, she'll see. All light must cast a shadow."