The walk back to the inn was unbearable. The silence between us wasn't the quiet kind—it was heavy, filled with an unspoken weight that pressed down on all of us. The pain of losing Kaivya wasn't just physical; it was like a raw wound on all our souls. Every step seemed slower than the last, every breath a struggle. I could still hear the sound of her last cry, still see the image of her falling crumpled to the ground. Her blood. Her silence. No one spoke, not even Daren, whose usual stoic demeanor felt more grim and distant now. Elaris clung to my side, her hand brushing mine occasionally as if to reassure herself that I was still there. Alaria walked behind us, her emerald eyes locked on the ground, her shoulders trembling. Her sharp wit, her fiery remarks—none of it came now. She was silent, broken. We all were. When we reached the inn, it didn't feel like a relief. The warm glow of its windows seemed dimmer, the cheerful sounds of adventurers inside muffled by the weight we carried. We stepped through the door, and the noise stuttered for just a moment. Heads turned, curious eyes following us as we made our way to a corner table. I didn't look at anyone. I couldn't. My head was pounding, my chest tight with emotions I couldn't name.
We sat down heavily, the table shaking slightly under the weight of Alaria's daggers as she dropped them onto the surface. She slumped into her seat, her head down, her hands trembling on her lap. Elaris was beside me, her lavender eyes filled with tears she hadn't shed yet. Daren sat across from me, his jaw tight, his gray eyes scanning me like he was trying to read my soul. The silence between us grew heavier, unbearable, until Daren broke it with his low, steady voice. "Noctis," he said, his tone sharp yet quiet. "We need to talk."
I didn't look at him. I couldn't. "Not now," I muttered, my voice barely audible. "Yes, now," he snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "We just lost Kaivya because of that… thing. And I need answers." Alaria flinched at the mention of her name, her emerald eyes narrowing as she glared at Daren. "Don't you dare put this on him," she said, her voice shaking. "It wasn't his fault."
"No, it wasn't," Daren said, his gaze never leaving mine. "But he knows something. Something he hasn't told us." Elaris looked at me, her hand resting gently on my arm. "Noctis," she said softly, her voice trembling. "If there's something you're keeping from us… please. We need to know." I clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms. My head was spinning, my heart racing. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, though my voice lacked conviction.
"Don't lie to me," Daren said, his tone colder now. "You've been acting strange for months. And during that fight—you weren't just using magic, Noctis. That wasn't normal." I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on the grain of the wooden table. Daren leaned forward, his gray eyes piercing. "Who is Veylara?" he asked, his voice low. "And what is she to you?" The air felt like it had been sucked out of the room. My throat tightened, my heart pounding in my chest. "I… I don't know," I said weakly, though the words felt like ash on my tongue.
"Don't," he growled, his patience clearly wearing thin. "You've been carrying something, Noctis. Something dark. And we deserve to know what it is." Alaria slammed her hands on the table, her chair screeching as she stood up. "Leave him alone!" she shouted, her emerald eyes blazing. "He's been through enough—"
"No," I said, cutting her off. My voice was quieter than hers, but it carried enough weight to silence the table. "He's right." All three of them turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. I took a deep, shaky breath, my hands trembling as I finally looked up at Daren. "She's… she's not just a voice," I said, my voice cracking. "She's something else. Something ancient. She calls herself Veylara, and I—"
"You made a pact," Daren interrupted, his tone grim. "Didn't you?" I nodded slowly, the weight of the confession settling over me. "Yes," I whispered. "I made a pact with her years ago."
Elaris gasped softly, her lavender eyes filling with worry. Alaria stared at me, her jaw clenched, her fists trembling at her sides.
Daren's face darkened, his gray eyes hard. "Do you even know what she is?" he asked, his voice like ice. "No," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't."
He leaned back, exhaling sharply. "She's the Queen of the Void," he said, his voice grim. "An ancient being of pure destruction and manipulation. She's not just some shadow whispering in your mind, Noctis. She's a devourer. A destroyer."
"That's not true," I said, my voice shaking. "She's not like that. She's helped me."
"Of course she has," Daren said sharply. "That's how she works. She gives you power, makes you think you're in control. But she's the one pulling the strings, Noctis. And when she's done with you, she'll destroy everything." His words hit me like a physical blow. My chest tightened, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. "You don't understand," I said, my voice cracking. "She's not like that anymore. She's—"
"She's lying to you," Daren snapped, cutting me off. "She's always lying. That's what she does." I couldn't take it anymore. The weight of his words, the guilt, the grief—it was too much. I stood up abruptly, the chair screeching against the floor as I pushed it back. "Enough," I said, my voice shaking. "I can't—" Without another word, I turned and walked away, ignoring the calls of my companions behind me. I made my way to my room, slamming the door shut behind me as I collapsed onto the bed. "So," her voice slithered into my mind, soft and mocking. "They know now, do they?" I sat up, my heart pounding as Veylara appeared in the corner of the room, her veils shimmering like starlight. Her golden eyes pierced through me, her lips curling into a cruel smile.
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Oh, my dear Noctis," she said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. "I only want what's best for you. But it seems your… companions don't share the sentiment."
"They think you're dangerous," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Her laughter filled the room, cold and melodic. "Dangerous? Perhaps. But they underestimate you, Noctis. They don't see the potential you have. The power you could wield." I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. "Why did you choose me?" I asked. "Why me?"
Her golden eyes softened, though the smile on her lips remained. "Because you are special, Noctis. You have something they don't. A spark. A fire. And with my guidance, you could become unstoppable." Her words sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn't ignore the doubt creeping into my mind. "What's the real reason you're locked away?" I asked, my voice shaking. Her smile widened, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "Now, now," she said softly. "Some truths are better left unsaid. But trust me, my dear… when the time comes, you'll understand everything." The room felt colder, darker, as Veylara's veiled form loomed in the corner, her golden eyes shimmering like molten stars through the ethereal fabric. Her presence always unsettled me, like a chill that crept into my very bones, yet a part of me—whether by force of her magic or my own weakness—found her presence strangely comforting. I clenched my fists, my voice trembling as I finally spoke. "Why won't you just tell me the truth, Veylara? What are you hiding? Why were you locked away?"
Her veils fluttered as if stirred by an unseen wind, her expression shifting into something almost tender, though I could sense the calculated edge beneath. "Truth is a fragile thing, Noctis," she said, her voice honeyed and hypnotic. "And in the wrong hands, it can shatter more than it mends. Do you truly believe your companions would accept you if they knew everything? If they knew what you're becoming?" Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit. "I don't care what they think," I said, though my voice cracked under the weight of the lie. "I just want to know what you're not telling me."
Veylara chuckled, the sound like distant bells ringing through the shadows. "Always so determined, my dear. Very well. You want to know why I was locked away? It's because the gods feared me. They feared what I could offer mortals like you. Power without chains. Freedom without cost." She stepped closer, the faint glow of her golden eyes piercing me. "And yet they bound me, twisted me into the very thing they claimed to despise. A monster."
I took a step back, her words twisting in my mind. "You're saying this is all their fault?" I asked, my voice laced with doubt. "That you did nothing wrong?" She smiled, a slow, knowing curve of her lips. "Does it matter? All that matters now is that you've chosen me. And together, we'll rewrite this broken world." Her gaze softened, though her voice retained its sharp, melodic tone. "But you must trust me, Noctis. Completely."
"I don't know if I can," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "You've kept too much from me." Her expression darkened for the briefest moment before softening again. "You'll understand soon enough, my dear. Trust takes time, but I've already given you a glimpse of what we can accomplish together." She leaned closer, her presence suffocating. "But remember this: hesitation will only weaken you. The stronger your resolve, the stronger we both become."
Before I could respond, the door to my room burst open, and I turned sharply, my heart lurching in my chest. Elaris stood there, her lavender eyes red and watery, but her expression wasn't directed at me with anger or sorrow—it was directed somewhere behind me, as though she could sense Veylara's presence without seeing her.
"Elaris," I began, but she held up a hand to silence me. "Don't," she said softly, her voice trembling but firm. "Don't apologize, Noctis. This isn't about you."
Her gaze flicked back to me, and the pain in her eyes made my chest tighten. "We're leaving," she said abruptly, stepping into the room. "Alaria's already packing. Daren… won't be coming with us."
"What?" I asked, confused. "Why not?" Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she shook her head. "Because he's made it clear he doesn't trust you. And I can't stand by and watch him drive a wedge between us anymore." Alaria's voice cut through the tension as she appeared in the doorway, her emerald eyes alight with frustration. "Took you long enough to figure it out," she said, crossing her arms. "That man's been waiting for an excuse to tear Noctis apart." I stared at them, my heart pounding. "You're… you're serious? You're just leaving him behind?"
Elaris nodded, stepping closer to me. "I'm not letting anyone put you in danger, Noctis. Not even him."
"But… he's part of our group," I said weakly, my mind racing. "We've been through so much together."
"And now we're moving on," Alaria said firmly. "He made his choice when he tried to corner you about… her." She gestured vaguely to the air around us, her meaning clear. "He doesn't trust you, and we can't have that." Elaris placed a hand on my arm, her touch warm and reassuring. "This is the right thing, Noctis," she said softly. "We're better off without him." I wanted to argue, but the exhaustion from everything—the fight, the grief, Veylara's words—left me numb. I simply nodded, and Elaris smiled faintly, though the sadness in her eyes didn't fade. "Let's go," she said gently, tugging me toward the door.
As we stepped out into the hallway, Veylara's voice whispered in my mind, soft and mocking. "Your friends are as fragile as glass, Noctis. It won't be long before they shatter completely." I ignored her, focusing on Elaris's hand in mine as we made our way downstairs. Whatever lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: nothing would ever be the same.
The inn was eerily quiet as we descended the creaking wooden staircase. The weight of what had just happened hung over us like a storm cloud, casting a heavy shadow over every step. Elaris's hand remained firmly in mine, her touch steadying, even as my thoughts swirled in turmoil. Alaria trailed behind us, her usual sharp-tongued remarks replaced by a tense silence, her emerald eyes fixed on the ground. The common room was nearly empty, save for a few lingering patrons nursing their drinks. The innkeeper gave us a curious glance as we passed, but no one dared approach. They could probably feel the tension radiating from us, the grief and frustration that still clung to our group like a second skin. Elaris stopped near the doorway, turning to me. "Are you ready for this?" she asked softly, her lavender eyes searching mine.
I hesitated, glancing toward the staircase as if expecting Daren to come storming down after us. But the only sound was the faint creak of the building settling. I took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah," I said, though my voice lacked conviction. "I'm ready." Alaria scoffed lightly, though there was no real malice in her tone. "You'd better be, Noctis. We can't afford to second-guess ourselves now." I glanced at her, catching the flicker of something vulnerable beneath her usual bravado. She was trying to hold herself together, just like the rest of us. I gave her a small nod, and she smirked faintly in return before crossing her arms and looking away.
Elaris pushed open the door, and the cool night air rushed in, carrying with it the scents of pine and damp earth. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the quiet village. Our breaths misted in the air as we stepped outside, the cobblestone streets glistening faintly under the pale light. "Did you talk to the stablemaster about the horses?" Alaria asked, breaking the silence as we made our way down the street. Elaris nodded. "They're ready. He wasn't happy about us leaving so late, but I made sure he understood it was important." Alaria raised an eyebrow, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "Did you charm him with that motherly tone of yours?"
Elaris rolled her eyes, though a small smile broke through her somber expression. "Something like that." I walked in silence beside them, my mind still spinning. Daren wasn't coming with us. The thought was hard to process, and the pit in my stomach grew heavier with each step away from the inn. He'd been the steady presence in our group for so long, the one who always knew what to do. And now, he was gone. It felt wrong, like a piece of the foundation had crumbled beneath us. We reached the stables, where the horses were already saddled and waiting. The stablemaster gave us a curt nod as he handed Elaris the reins to a chestnut mare, its dark eyes watching us curiously. Alaria took the reins of a sleek black stallion, its coat shimmering under the moonlight. I approached a sturdy gray gelding, its ears flicking toward me as I reached out to stroke its neck.
"Let's go," Elaris said gently, mounting her horse with practiced ease. She looked down at me, her lavender eyes soft. "We'll figure this out, Noctis. One step at a time." I nodded, though my heart still felt heavy. Alaria climbed onto her stallion, muttering something about how she hated riding but didn't complain further. I mounted my gelding, gripping the reins tightly as we began to make our way out of the village.
The silence between us was thick, broken only by the soft clatter of hooves on cobblestones. As we passed the edge of the village, the trees loomed ahead, their dark silhouettes stretching toward the sky. The road ahead was uncertain, and so was everything else. As the shadows of the forest swallowed us, Veylara's voice slithered into my mind, cold and sharp. "This is the first of many losses, Noctis. But remember, you are not alone. You have me." I closed my eyes briefly, forcing the voice away as I tightened my grip on the reins. The road ahead was long, and for better or worse, we were walking it without Daren. But we were still a group, still together. And that would have to be enough—for now.