Lyra sat close to the chimney, her hands held out to the faint fire. The warmth barely reached her fingers. Behind her, Kairis and Kael were arguing again — about something that didn't even matter. Their voices faded into the crackle of burning wood, melting into the quiet around them.
I haven't seen Illythra... or anyone familiar here, Lyra thought, eyes fixed on the fire. Are they all gone? Is this because of me?
The door creaked open. A gust of cold air swept through the room, making the flames waver. A man stepped in — long black coat dusted with snow, silver eyes reflecting the light, pale blue hair falling over his shoulders.
Azel.
Lyra froze. Kairis did too. For a moment, no one spoke — it felt like time stopped.
Azel's face shifted — surprise flickered across it, then calm, then something close to relief. A small smile touched his lips, one he didn't mean to show.
"You're alive," he said quietly.
Kael, who was leaning against the wall, smirked. "Heh. Guess I was right."
No one laughed. The silence after that was thick — not cold, just heavy.
Lyra stood up slowly, her steps quiet on the old floorboards. "Where is everyone, Azel?" she asked softly. "Mom, Dad, Illythra… the kingdom. Why are you here?"
He didn't answer right away. The sadness in her voice made it harder for him to look at her.
Kairis turned away, her fists tightening at her sides. Kael stayed silent, eyes lowered.
Azel's hand curled slightly at his side. "They are…" he began, then stopped.
Lyra's breath caught. "They what?" she whispered. "You mean… they're gone?"
He didn't speak.
Her voice broke. "Azel! Tell me!"
He looked back at her, voice soft. "Please… sit. I'll explain."
Lyra blinked as a tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
She turned her face aside, breathing unsteady as she swept away her tears . When they all sat near the fire again, the silence felt heavier — like the room itself was holding its breath.
After a moment, Kairis spoke. "Then tell us… what really happened?"
Azel drew in a slow breath. "After you disappeared, your father searched for you — even into forbidden lands. It broke him. Your mother took the throne, but the nobles had already begun moving. When the rumors spread that the heir of Eryndor was gone… they used it."
He paused, eyes on the flames. "Then Chronis betrayed us. Joined Obeleria. The war that followed destroyed everything. The gods turned silent, and one by one… the deities faded. Before the last one vanished, they sealed the land — to protect what was left."
Lyra's hands tightened in her lap. "So… it really was because of me," she whispered.
Azel shook his head immediately. "No. Don't say that. They had been planning for years. You were only the reason they used."
Kairis didn't speak. Her hands trembled slightly, the firelight flickering across her face.
The chimney crackled softly, filling the quiet.
Then Kairis spoke again, quieter. "If the deities were sealed… there must be a way to unseal them."
Azel nodded slowly. "There is. They're bound by royal blood. Only you, Lyra, can call them back. But it won't be easy. They'll test you."
Lyra looked at the fire for a long moment, then nodded.
Kairis moved closer and hugged her gently. Lyra smiled faintly. "Thanks… I needed that." Kairis smiled back, soft and sad.
Azel's voice dropped low. "I'm just glad you're alive."
He stood then, turning toward Kael. "Thank you."
Kael tilted his head, smirking. "Forgot about me already?"
Azel chuckled under his breath. "Not this time."
He walked toward the door, stopping for a second before leaving. "Rest tonight. We'll decide tomorrow." Then he stepped into the cold.
The door closed softly behind him.
Kairis turned to Lyra. "You okay?"
Lyra nodded faintly. "Yeah… I just need to think."
But inside, everything hurt — guilt, anger, loss, all tangled together.
I can't fall apart now, she told herself. Not yet.
Outside, Azel walked through the quiet snow. The wind pressed against his coat. He stopped before another small house and knocked gently.
"Come in," came a tired voice.
Inside, the village elders sat near their own dim fire.
Azel stepped in, bowing his head slightly. "You knew she was coming, didn't you?"
An old woman nodded. "We did."
Azel's voice was low. "Then you also know where we'll go next."
The elders exchanged glances. One of them finally spoke. "The lost heir has returned. How could we turn away again?"
Another woman smiled faintly. "We can't undo what's gone. But we can help now. Eryndor fell because we were silent. We won't be this time."
Azel bowed his head, a small smile forming. "Thank you."
The old woman stood and touched his cheek gently, her voice soft. "You've protected us long enough," she said. "Let us protect you, just this once."
Azel's eyes softened. "...Alright. Thank you."
The fire burned quietly, and for the first time in years, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter.