The morning sun warmed Arriel's face as he adjusted his grip on the hoverbike's handles, wind tugging gently at his wavy hair. Alone for once, without the usual voices of Kell, Lira, or even Mirable filling the space, he welcomed the silence. The path ahead was familiar—the winding road to Caraen Village, his hometown.
He reached the outskirts before noon. Fields swayed in the breeze, and farmers waved to him from afar. Arriel waved back with a soft smile. It felt good to be back.
His parents were the first to greet him. Tirriel stepped out from the small wooden home, wiping his hands on his trousers. "Arriel!" he beamed. Yewae followed, her eyes shining as she pulled her son into a tight hug.
They sat together over lunch—grilled fish, boiled roots, and fresh bread. Yewae fussed over him, brushing dust from his shoulder. Tirriel asked about the latest quests and whether Arriel was eating enough.
After lunch, Arriel made his way to the old village center and knocked on a small stone cottage. The door creaked open to reveal Old Man Ahetom.
"Well, if it isn't the Hero himself," the elder chuckled, leaning on his cane. "Still got that fire in your eyes."
They chatted a while, mostly about the old days and the changes in the world. Ahetom offered him a piece of salted jerky and sent him off with a pat on the back.
Arriel wandered the village alone. He greeted the baker's daughter, who was now running the stall herself. He helped a boy pick up spilled apples from his cart. The sun dipped lower as he sat on the edge of a quiet stream, watching it catch gold in the late light.
The wind turned cooler as he mounted his hoverbike again and made his way back to Veilden. The house was quiet when he arrived.
Kell was the first to notice. "Back already?"
Arriel threw his arms around him. "Missed you."
Kell laughed, caught off guard. "You're unusually emotional today."
Next was Lira, who stiffened in surprise at the sudden hug but softened quickly, returning it. "You okay?"
"Better than okay," he grinned.
He turned to Mirable, arms wide.
She blinked, side-stepped the embrace, and poked his forehead. "You're too slow."
They all laughed.
"Here," Arriel said, pulling a small cloth bundle from his pack. "Mom made snacks."
The kitchen filled with the scent of warm pastries and honeyed rolls. Lira's eyes lit up. Kell took a bite and gave a dramatic groan of delight.
"Way better than Lira's cooking," he said with his mouth full.
Lira picked up a spoon and waved it threateningly. "Wanna repeat that?"
"All hail Lady Yewae, master chef," Kell declared.
Arriel leaned back in his chair, watching them with a small smile. He felt grounded again.
Eventually, they cleaned up, and one by one, everyone retired to bed.
In the quiet of midnight, a figure stirred.
Mirable moved soundlessly, her steps light as feathers. She slipped out the door, leaving it to shut with a gentle click. The moon hung high, casting silver light through the sparse trees beyond the village.
In a clearing a short walk away, a dark figure stood waiting. Cloaked in black, with her usual sharp presence, Commander Elle raised her chin at Mirable's approach.
"You're late."
"They're light sleepers," Mirable replied calmly.
Behind Elle, a few other masked agents stood guard in the darkness, barely visible.
"You must convince them to join," Elle said firmly. "The Shadow Agents are ready to move. We need Arriel and Lira, with us."
Mirable crossed her arms. "It won't be that simple. They don't follow orders. Especially Arriel. He follows his heart."
Elle narrowed her eyes. "Time is short."
There was a pause. Mirable nodded slowly. "I understand."
Elle gave a short nod, then vanished into the night, her agents melting into the shadows.
Mirable stood alone for a moment longer. The stars above were bright, uncaring, scattered across the sky like shimmering questions. She inhaled slowly.
When she returned, the house was silent. She slipped through the door without a sound.
But in one of the rooms, Lira stirred beneath her blanket. Her breath even, body still—but her eyes had opened the moment the door clicked. She listened to the soft footsteps. She knew Mirable was back.
Still, she said nothing.
Instead, Lira closed her eyes again, letting sleep take her, questions swirling quietly in the dark.