Chapter 20: ⚡ Chapter 19

At Tharavine

Vespara’s sharp eyes scanned for Dunira the moment she arrived. The door to the small wooden house stood broken, its frame splintered. Outside, burnt leaves littered the ground, charred branches tangled in heaps, and the scent of smoke still clung to the damp air. Pools of water shimmered on the earth, but they were interrupted by strange, blackened scorch marks—like lightning had struck the ground repeatedly.

A woman stood a few paces away, trembling, her shawl drawn tightly around her. “We heard the sound of an attack,” she told a Crestbore officer in a breathless rush. “When we came out, there was nothing—just… destruction. But then I saw three children, in Valethir uniforms, running towards Vielpond.”

Before Vespara could respond, Sirevan’s voice called from inside. She stepped over the broken threshold and followed the sound.

Sirevan stood beside a woman bound to a chair. Her skin was marred with strange black lines, as though smoke had seeped beneath it, curling in unnatural patterns. Vespara removed the cloth tied over the woman’s eyes—only to find that the irises were gone. Her eyes were a uniform, ghostly white.

“She’s alive,” Sirevan said grimly, “but her mind has been tampered with. Take her to the lab. And… make sure this incident stays quiet. Find an excuse if you must.”

Meanwhile, in Solyndor

Sansa sat propped up in a soft bed, a pale blue blanket draped lightly over her. Her mother was seated to her left, holding her hand with quiet firmness. They shared the same gentle grey eyes, the same pale skin, the same bold streaks of silver in their hair.

To Sansa’s right, perched on a chair almost as tall as the bed itself, sat a healer—a rabbit the size of a human, dressed in neat blue robes with a nurse’s precision. Round spectacles rested on her nose, and a leather healing satchel hung at her side. She leaned forward, one of her large ears tilted towards Sansa’s chest, listening to her heartbeat.

“Hmm,” the healer said after a moment, adjusting her glasses. “Heartbeat’s steady. And you look much better now. No running about for a while, alright?”

Sansa nodded obediently.

At the foot of the bed, Dunira and Kaelric watched—not shocked, but unable to hide their intrigue.

“In Igniseth… who are the healers?” Dunira murmured, still staring at the rabbit without blinking.

“Humans. Like us,” Kaelric replied, his tone casual but his eyes fixed on the healer.

As they continued to observe, he added under his breath, “Probably there spirit fauna is a rabbit healer.”

Narrator’s voice: Spirit fauna are gifted species found differently in each clan—gifted guardians of the clan, bound to specific duties.

“Ahem, ahem…” The rabbit straightened her back, speaking in a polite, well-measured voice. “And do note—our ears are quite sharp as well.” She adjusted her spectacles with a dignified nod.

Dunira winced slightly. “Sorry if we made you uncomfortable…”

“We were just… curious,” Kaelric added quickly, stepping in to soften her apology.

“It’s alright,” the healer said, her voice warm. “You’re young. Curiosity is good.” Then she smiled faintly. “By the way, my name is Onissa. Just as the Emberkin dragons spirit founa of Igniseth guard the Fire Heart—” Kaelric’s throat bobbed at the mention— “and the mighty lions protect the forests of Tharavine,” she glanced at Dunira, “we rabbits in Solyndor guard our people. The citizens here are our priority.” Her expression softened into something deeply maternal as she spoke.

Sansa’s mother gave a grateful smile. “And we are so thankful, Miss Onissa. To have someone like you to rely on… truly, you are our guardians.”

Onissa’s ears dipped modestly as she stood. “I should go now. Take care, Sansa.”

As she left, the door opened again—this time revealing a tall man, dressed in immaculate, regal attire. Without a word, he stepped inside and seated himself in the chair beside the bed.

Arionth’s deep voice cut through the quiet.

“Are you both good friends of Sansa?”

“Yes, Father,” Sansa replied from her bed before either Dunira or Kaelric could answer.

Both of them nodded politely, Kaelric and Dunira sitting upright on the clean, flower-printed sofa across from him.

“Then tell me,” Arionth said, “what exactly happened?”

They hesitated—eyes falling to the floor, silence stretching between them.

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“If you don’t speak,” Arionth warned, “I’ll have to inform your parents about the condition in which the three of you arrived here.”

“No!” Dunira and Kaelric blurted at once.

Kaelric took a breath and explained, “Some people tried to rob Dunira’s house. The door was broken… and since her parents are away, we brought Sansa here. She was injured.”

Sansa added softly, “Yes, Father. I suggested it. Dunira will stay here tonight.”

Arionth’s sharp gaze moved from Dunira to Kaelric, then back to Sansa. After a moment, he gave a short nod.

“Very well.”

As he rose to leave, a servant entered and bowed.

“Master, Sir Vanre is here to see you.”

Arionth’s tone eased. “Ah… I’ll come.” He glanced once more at Kaelric and Dunira before stepping out.

Arina, Sansa’s mother, moved closer to the children. “Go wash your hands and face. I’ll bring you some clothes, and then we’ll have dinner.” She too left the room.

Dunira and Kaelric crossed to sit near Sansa.

“It’s fine,” Sansa whispered. “No need to tell Father anything—for now.”

Dunira tilted her head. “Are you some kind of princess of Solyndor?”

“If I’ve ever said anything wrong to you, forgive me,” Kaelric added.

Sansa laughed. “No, nothing like that. My father is simply respected here, that’s all. This is the first time he’s met you—and in these circumstances, anyone would act a bit guarded. But he’s a good man, so don’t worry.”

“You two should stay here tonight,” she continued. “Dunira’s parents aren’t home, and my father’s been away for a while too,” Kaelric noted.

“How strange,” Sansa mused. “Such a perfect chance for you both to spend time with your parents gone… and then those bloody Noctherians had to interfere.” Her eyes drifted upward in frustration.

Dunira and Kaelric just stared at her—half wondering if she was even real.

Then looked at each other awkwardly smiling.

---

Later, Sansa showed Dunira around the house. The building shimmered faintly, its white-stone walls carved with elegant patterns that caught the light like silver. Dunira wore a long, pale silver-white dress—soft and comfortable—the one she had been given upon arrival.

They stopped at a small fountain in the hall where water streamed gently over polished stone. Sansa studied Dunira, who was gazing quietly at her surroundings.

“What was it you wanted to talk to Sirevan about?” Sansa asked.

Dunira’s eyes flicked to hers, hesitant. “It was about something I saw… in the Green Lake.”

Sansa’s gaze sharpened. “Are you hiding something, Dunira?”

Dunira broke eye contact, staring into the rippling water. “I met someone there… I don’t know who. But he was one of the Shadow Men. There were other Valethir students—and some ordinary people—all hypnotized. But Lira… I didn’t see her anywhere.”

“But…?” Sansa prompted.

Arionth ended his meeting with Sir Vanre.

“Until the next meeting—take care of yourself,” Arionth said.

The tall man in the black coat and long shrug leaned on a walking stick topped with a deep blue stone. He nodded, his dark eyes drifting toward Dunira as he passed she was talking to Sansa and he thought she doesn't look from solyndor.

His gaze lingered for several seconds before he left without a word.

Dunira barely noticed—her mind already overloaded.

From the left, Kaelric appeared with another man. This newcomer’s blonde hair fell loosely to his shoulders, his grayish eyes sharp yet warm. He wore a loose, white medieval-style shirt and trousers—his charm impossible to ignore.

They stopped in front of Sansa and Dunira.

Dunira’s eyes widened slightly, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

“Hi—welcome to Solyndor,” the man said fixing his blonde hair. “I’m Sylus… Sansa’s older brother.”

“Uh… oh. Hello, I’m Dunira.” She leaned toward Sansa, whispering, “You never told me you had a brother.”

“There’s nothing special to tell,” Sansa replied flatly. “Why are you here?”

“Well,” Sylus began with a grin, “I was showing Kaelric around. And now I suppose we’re friends, right?” He glanced at Kaelric.

“Uh… y-yeah,” Kaelric muttered with a half-hearted smile.

Sylus’s eyes lit with suggestion. “If you’re leaving tomorrow, I could drop you both off.”

Before Dunira could respond, Kaelric and Sansa shouted in unison, “No!”

She blinked, confused. “Huh?”

Kaelric added, “We have to leave early tomorrow for the Academy, and I don’t want you to worry. We’ll see each other often now, don’t be concerned.”

> Sylus chuckled softly, a relaxed, almost teasing smile playing on his lips. “Of course. Goodnight, then.” He turned to Dunira, tilting his head in a subtle, flirtatious gesture. “Bye, Dunira.”

He walked away, and Dunira found herself watching him leave—captivated, but not in love. She was still too young for that; it was more the quiet admiration of someone magnetic. She smiled faintly… until she turned and found Kaelric staring at her intently, his brow furrowed in suspicion.

“Uh… Sansa, can I use your crystal orb? I need to talk to Mom and Vespara,” Dunira asked, sidestepping Kaelric’s gaze.

“Sure,” Sansa said.

---

Meanwhile, in Lunareth, Navalyn was stood outside of Serenya’s house, her thoughts heavy.

Her sister’s trembling voice echoed in her mind: I’m telling you, Navalyn—she’s kidnapped, but alive. She tried to reach me in a dream. She’s in Lunareth, near where she was lost…

Navalyn shook her head, staring toward the mist-cloaked jungle.

Then a hand appearing behind her and tapping her shoulder.

Navalyn flinched in surprise

“Hey—relax, it’s me,” Thalen said

She exhaled shakily. “Yes, yes… I’m just tense. Dunira’s not answering the orb, and she hasn’t reached out herself.”

“Don’t worry. She’s probably at Sansa’s house,” Thalen reassured her. “It’s freezing out here—come inside darling. I’ll help with dinner.” He kissed her forehead and walked away.

Navalyn remained, her eyes fixed on the jungle. Her fingers brushed the blue-stone pendant at her neck—until a sound drifted to her ears.

It was a melodious voice, soft as a song: hmm… hmmm… mmm

She stepped toward it—two, three paces—until the trees parted to reveal a warm, blue waterfall shrouded in mist.

Her lips curved into a smile. “It’s been a while…”

From the cave behind the falls, a figure emerged—skin tinted blue, clothes delicate and flowing like water. Black, sharp eyes marked with drops of blue, and a mermaid’s tail that shimmered as it left the water. Stepping onto the ground, her tail transformed into legs.

She was a Siren—Lunareth’s Spirit Fauna. With graceful poise, she smiled and in a whisper she called her name which echoed around the forest

“Navalyn…”