We soon reached the hills, the scenery changing as the land gave way to expansive views of the sea. What I wasn't expecting was the sudden descent toward the coast, where the road seemed to drop right into the heart of paradise.
We drove down to the bottom, where golden sand beaches stretched out in every direction, the turquoise waters of the lagoon sparkling under the fading sunlight. The sight was breathtaking. I couldn't help but lean closer to the window, taking in the beauty of the place. It felt like something out of a dream, vast and untouched, with the sea lapping gently at the shore.
Zarich glanced over at me, a knowing look in his eyes. "Pretty incredible, huh?"
I nodded, my breath catching. "Yeah, incredible doesn't even cover it."
Safyrr's surprise was definitely living up to its promise.
We rolled to a stop in front of an L-shaped beach house, its front literally immersed in the sea. The sound of waves crashing against the sand filled the air, blending with the gentle hum of the car as we came to a halt. The house fit the whole beach vibe perfectly: tall white walls, wide and open, with floor-to-ceiling windows that seemed to invite the entire landscape inside. The light from the twin moons reflected off the water, making the house appear like something straight out of a fantasy.
Safyrr, who had been quietly watching me take in the view, finally spoke up with a playful smile. "I take it you like the surprise?"
I couldn't help but smile back, feeling the weight of the week already start to melt away. "Like it? I love it." I looked around, trying to take in every detail. "This place is… amazing."
She gave a small, knowing laugh as she opened the car door. "Welcome to my little sanctuary. Come, let's get inside."
Safyrr took Zarich and me for a tour of the house, which was just as stunning on the inside as it was on the outside. She led us through the airy, open spaces rooms with views that seemed endless, walls adorned with enchanted artwork that shimmered in the soft light, and subtle magical touches woven into every corner. When we reached the bedrooms, she gave me the freedom to choose my own space. I picked the one with a view of the lagoon, the moonlight reflecting on the water just outside the window.
Once we had all settled in, we gathered in the living room. Safyrr rummaged through one of her bags, pulling out a bundle of dried herbs, which she tossed effortlessly into the hearth. The fire crackled to life, the flames dancing with a faint blue glow as the scent of the herbs filled the room.
"Well, as much as this is a well-deserved getaway for you, Athena," Safyrr said, her tone shifting slightly, "we'll get to the fun part later. Right now, we need to figure out Cole's next move. If we succeed in figuring out his bigger plan, the better it will be for all of us."
The gravity of her words immediately cut through the air. The idea of solving the mystery behind Cole was sobering, far from the peaceful retreat I had envisioned. I opened my journal to the pages filled with my notes on everything involving Cole.
I traced the inked words with my finger, each note reminding me that this wasn't over.
"He didn't come alone," I said, looking up at Safyrr. "He brought three of his own people with him."
Safyrr raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Three? Interesting."
I nodded, my fingers tightening around the journal. "I talked to one of them that night at Lune Noire, right before he led me into the trap. His name was Barach."
Zarich, who had been quietly listening, looked between Safyrr and me. "Barach... and the others?"
I exhaled, feeling the weight of everything settling in my chest. "I don't know who the other two are yet, but I'm certain they're just as dangerous. Barach… he was calculated. He looked like the one in charge."
Safyrr absorbed my words, her gaze sharpening, while Zarich stayed unusually quiet, taking it all in.
I took a deep breath, the truth hanging between us. "And there's more," I continued, my voice low. "I ran into Lara yesterday in North Lowmere. She was coming back from somewhere, and I'm positive it was a meet up with Cole."
I let the weight of my words sink in, watching their expressions change. "Which means… he's set up shop in North Lowmere."
Zarich's jaw clenched at the mention of Lara, and Safyrr's eyes narrowed as she absorbed the new piece of information. "North Lowmere, huh?" Safyrr murmured.
"If he's settled in one place," Safyrr said, her voice low and deliberate, "that means he's no longer hunting. He's found a way to get back to the Shadowlands, and apparently, it's in North Lowmere."
I felt the weight of her words settle over the room. The pieces were clicking into place. Zarich looked between us, his expression darkening as the implications hit him.
"He came to Elarion with the purpose of finding the bearer of an exceptional and strong power," Zarich said, his voice grave. "And because Athena's power is locked up, he's thinking Lara is the one he's looking for. Right now, we know that he already lured her into his web."
Safyrr's gaze sharpened, her eyes flicking to me as she processed his words. "And now that he has her, what's stopping him from using her to get what he wants?"
The room was heavy with silence, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Zarich nodded slowly, his expression dark. "If he hasn't made his move until now, that means he hasn't figured out the exact path back to the Shadowlands yet. He's still working on it. But whatever it is, I believe he's trying to open a way, not to leave, but to bring in his army."
Safyrr's eyes narrowed, her voice steady but with a hint of urgency. "He's trying to finish what he failed to do years ago. He wants to gain control over the Leylines. Once he controls that, he'll have the power to reshape Elarion and the entire Omniverse in his image. And he thinks Lara can control the Leylines. He thinks she's one of the—-"
"Nyxeris…," I whispered under my breath.
Safyrr's expression shifted, her eyes locking onto mine. "The Nyxeris. Yes. They were the only group ever known to control and maintain the Leylines. Cole is using Lara, manipulating her into believing he's the 'good guy', so that he can bend her at his will. But she's not a Nyxeri. And when he realizes that… when he sees she can't do what he thinks she can, he won't hesitate to discard her, and do something unpredictable to get what he wants."
"So his army would just be a distraction," I said slowly, my mind racing as the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. "While he moves on to the Leylines' power source."
Zarich nodded, his expression grim. "Exactly. His next move is to unleash his army against Elarion's warriors as a distraction, drawing attention away from what he's really after."
I couldn't shake the unease settling deeper in my chest. "Is there any way we can warn the Celestial Guardians?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration. "They're the known protectors of the Leylines' power source, right? They need to know what's coming."
Safyrr's expression hardened, and she shook her head. "The Celestial Guardians won't bother acting on a theory, Athena. They won't make a move until they have concrete proof. And in reality, the Leylines aren't actually being threatened right now. Not by Lara. She doesn't have the power to control them." She paused, her gaze shifting to Zarich for a brief moment, then back to me. "They won't intervene unless it becomes an undeniable, active threat."
I felt a surge of frustration rising inside me. "So what do we do then?" I asked, trying to steady my voice. "What's our next move to prevent total chaos in Elarion?"
Zarich and Safyrr exchanged a quiet glance, a conversation passing between them in silence. Finally, Zarich spoke, his tone steady but filled with the weight of the decision. "We can't handle this on our own," he said. "We need to involve the Council. They have the resources and authority to deal with matters like this. It's the only way we'll be able to stop Cole."
Safyrr nodded, her face serious. "Zarich will take charge of relaying everything to the Council. They're the ones who can mobilize the proper forces and get this under control."
I opened my mouth to respond, but Safyrr cut me off before I could say anything. Her gaze softened slightly, but her tone was firm. "As for you, Athena," she said, her voice low and filled with warning, "you need to stay away from this. Stay as far away as possible."
I stared at her, confusion mixing with the anxiety creeping up my spine. "What do you mean?"
Zarich's eyes darkened as he spoke, his voice grave. "Cole has already left his mark on you. You're one of the two he came looking for. And if he starts doubting Lara's ability to control the Leylines... he'll come back for you."
The weight of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt a chill run down my spine as the implications sank in.
Safyrr's eyes were sharp, her voice unwavering. "If you want to stay alive, stay out of this. The more you involve yourself, the more dangerous it becomes."
I nodded, the heaviness of her words settling over me. I wanted to argue, to say that I couldn't just walk away from everything, but I knew she was right. Cole wasn't just a threat to Elarion; he was a threat to me.
Zarich's gaze was serious, his tone soft but filled with authority. "I have a meeting with the Council tomorrow morning. I'll leave Lara and you out of the details for your safety. Right now, your priority is to focus on staying safe and well. We'll handle the rest."
I nodded, the weight of his words settling in. The situation was spiraling fast, and I had to trust them to take the lead.
Safyrr, sensing the tension still hanging in the air, stood up with a smile, trying to break the heaviness of the moment. "Come on, you must be hungry," she said, her voice light. "Let's have dinner."
She grabbed one of her bags, the familiar magic glinting as she swung it over her shoulder. With a flick of her wrist, she dropped it onto the kitchen island. A subtle glow of magic pulsed through the bag as she opened it, and within seconds, containers of food floated out, landing gracefully on the countertop.
I watched as she effortlessly unpacked the meal, a mixture of colors and aromas filling the room. Safyrr looked over her shoulder with a smirk. "I know it's not the usual, but trust me, it'll be just what you need. After everything today, we could all use something a little… magical."
Zarich chuckled and stepped toward the kitchen, pulling out a chair. "I'll take whatever you're offering at this point," he said, his voice light but grateful.
I joined them, sitting down at the table, my mind still racing, but the warm, inviting scent of the food grounding me for the moment. Safyrr served us the meal, her smile returning as she placed a steaming bowl in front of me.
"Eat, relax, and try not to think about the mess we're all in right now," she said, pouring us each a drink. "We'll figure it out. Together."
For a brief moment, I let the tension slip away, focusing on the simple comfort of the meal in front of me. It wasn't much, but it was a small reprieve from the storm that was coming. And for now, that was enough.
The next morning, I woke to the soft sounds of the sea outside, the rhythmic lapping of the water against the shore calming my restless thoughts. As I stepped downstairs, I was greeted by the quiet hum of the house. Safyrr was already up, the room filled with the faint scent of incense and the warm glow of morning light filtering through the windows.
She looked over her shoulder with a smile. "Come with me," she said, her voice light but inviting. "I've prepared a spot for us."
I followed her outside, stepping onto a stone path leading to a terrace elevated above the sea. The sight that met me was nothing short of breathtaking. The sky, painted in deep violet hues, met the glowing red of the Elarion sun, casting a surreal, dream-like quality over everything. The water below shimmered, reflecting the odd, beautiful mix of colors.
Safyrr reached the fire pit in the center of the terrace, and with a flick of her wrist, she lit the flames. They danced brightly, casting flickering shadows on the stone and giving off a welcoming warmth that cut through the cool morning air.
She motioned toward a circular, cushioned bench surrounding the fire pit. We sat, the cushions soft against my body as I leaned back, letting the quiet calm of the scene wash over me. The sound of the waves lapping at the shore added to the sense of serenity.
Safyrr glanced at me, her face thoughtful but warm, and then handed me a cup filled with a swirling concoction that gave off a fragrant, calming scent. "Drink this. It'll help ease your mind," she said gently.
I took the cup, the warmth of it soothing against my hands, and brought it to my lips. The liquid was smooth, with a rich, earthy taste that settled deep into my chest, grounding me. As I lowered the cup, Safyrr asked, her tone gentle, "What's on your mind, Athena?"
I paused, unsure where to begin. "Everything," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper. "It's hard to keep pushing it all down. I think about what Cole might be planning... what's going to happen to Lara. It feels like the walls are closing in, and I'm running out of time."
Safyrr remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the fire, the flickering flames casting shadows on her thoughtful face. Finally, she turned to me, her expression calm yet filled with understanding. "I know it feels heavy, Athena. I know Lara means a lot to you. But you'll have to let the Council handle this. For your own good and hers."
The weight of her words settled over me. I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out at first. The truth was, I didn't want to let go, to trust someone else with Lara's fate. But deep down, I knew Safyrr was right. The Council had the resources, the knowledge, and the authority to deal with Cole. I couldn't shoulder this burden alone.
Safyrr's eyes softened, sensing the conflict inside me. "I know it's not easy, but you've done what you can. Now, it's time for the rest of us to step in. And when the time comes, we'll all face it together."
Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps approached, and Zarich joined us, already dressed in his Council guard uniform, sleek and all black, fitting him perfectly. He gave a brief nod in my direction, and offered a quiet "morning," to Safyrr.
"I'm heading to the Council Court for the meeting," he said, his voice steady as always. "I'll see you both tomorrow. I'll text you when it's over."
With that, he turned, his footsteps fading as he made his way toward the house entrance. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving a stillness in the air. Though the weight of the situation remained, there was something about his calm confidence that made me feel like things were finally starting to move forward.
Safyrr turned to me with a knowing smile, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, now that the serious business is out of the way…" She paused, her smile widening. "Are you ready for the fun part of this getaway?"
I raised an eyebrow, still processing everything we'd discussed. "Fun part?" I asked, a little hesitant but curious.
Safyrr's grin deepened. "You've been through enough for now. It's time to unwind. Don't worry, this weekend won't just be about strategizing and worrying. There's much more in store for you."
She motioned toward the house, her movements graceful. "Go change into your swimsuit and meet me downstairs. We're heading to the beach."
I blinked, feeling a surprising sense of relief. A break from everything, something as simple as the beach, it sounded perfect.
A few minutes later, I was back outside, dressed in my swimsuit, standing on the back terrace. The air was cooler now, and I could feel the ocean breeze tousling my hair. Safyrr was already there, looking relaxed in her own swimsuit, with a calm smile playing on her lips.
She nodded toward the sand. "Come on, let's get down to the shore. You need to feel the water."
I followed her down the stone steps, the sound of the waves growing louder as we walked. The beach stretched before us, golden sand meeting the glittering, turquoise water. The soft red glow of the sun reflected off the waves, making everything feel surreal and peaceful.
Safyrr glanced at me, her expression easy, as if she could sense the tension leaving my shoulders. "I thought this might be a good way to unwind. The ocean has a way of making everything else fade away, doesn't it?"
I nodded, a soft smile creeping across my face. The beach, the calm, the endless water, it was exactly what I needed. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe again.
Without another word, we both headed toward the water, the cool, salty breeze brushing against my skin. It wasn't just the water that was calming; it was the simple, peaceful presence of being here, away from all the chaos.
After a refreshing swim, we made our way back to the shore, the cool water receding behind us as the warm sun embraced our skin. We settled on towels on the soft sand, the sound of the waves crashing nearby blending with the occasional distant call of sea-hellions. It was peaceful, and for the first time in days, I felt the tension in my body begin to melt away.
Safyrr stretched out beside me, a contented sigh escaping her lips. She seemed at ease, her eyes closed as she basked in the sun. The silence was comforting, but it didn't last long.
"So," she said, her voice playful, as she shifted slightly on her towel, "how's your love life going?"
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. My mind went blank for a moment, trying to process the sudden shift from the weight of everything we'd been discussing to this lighthearted query.
I laughed softly, feeling a little nervous. "My love life?" I repeated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know, it's... complicated."
Safyrr opened one eye and raised an eyebrow. "Complicated? What does that mean?"
I hesitated, but the words slipped out before I could stop them. "Riven... kinda confessed his feelings for me. And I told him I needed time."
I paused, the weight of the situation sinking in, then sighed. "He said he'd wait for me. That he would wait as long as it took."
Safyrr's gaze softened, and I could tell she was processing my words. After a moment, she gave me a knowing smile. "And how do you feel about that?"
I sighed, looking down at my hands, unsure how to answer. "He said he's willing to try and let me in, piece by piece. That I'm the only person who matters enough to him to do that." I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. "And I feel like an asshole for leaving him behind after he literally opened his heart to me."
Safyrr's smile faded slightly, and she reached over, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "You're not an asshole, Athena. You're just trying to protect yourself. But it's okay to let someone in, especially if they're willing to be vulnerable with you. The question is, do you feel ready to take that step?"
I met her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I'm ready to let go of all the walls I've built."
Safyrr nodded slowly, her expression understanding. "It's okay to take your time. But don't let fear stop you from experiencing something real. Trust your heart. If you want to try, you have to let yourself."
I stared out at the ocean, the rhythm of the waves calming my thoughts. Maybe I didn't have to have all the answers right now. But Safyrr was right. If I wanted to find what was worth holding on to, I'd have to let myself feel it, no matter how messy or uncertain.