Chapter 8: 🩸Chapter 8, Eyes that tremble 🩸

🌫️ Scene: Lunareth Outskirts — Nightfall

The forest was unnervingly still.

No wind. No birdsong. Just the sound of Myna’s breath, as she crept between the trees. Her eyes darted between twisted trunks and creeping mist.

“Lira?” she whispered.

Then louder — “Lira!”

No reply. Just the hush of leaves, brushing like whispers.

Suddenly — a rustle behind her.

She whirled around.

Branches twitched.

Nothing there.

Or… too much silence to trust it.

She took a step back — and turned her head forward again.

Front of her

A figure.

Tall. Unmoving. Half-born of the fog.

Its face was swallowed in shadow…

But the eyes —

Red. Glowing. Hungry.

Locked on her.

It didn’t speak.

It didn’t run.

It just began walking.

Slow. Certain.

Myna’s breath hitched.

Her limbs refused to move.

The air felt thick — like it didn’t want her to leave.

Then — her voice found her.

Sharp. Raw.

She screamed..

duniraaa

---

Scene: Dunira’s Room – Night

The cold breeze swept through the balcony, brushing against Dunira’s skin as she stared at the moonlit sky over Theravine, she was worried.

Hope you're home Myna?

The door creaked open behind her.

“Dunira,” her mother’s voice came gently — a little hesitant.

Navalyn stepped in quietly, sadness flickering in her expression. She sat beside her daughter and reached out, gently placing a hand on her cheek. With a soft touch, she lifted Dunira’s face.

“What’s the matter, my dear? You seem so sad.”

Dunira looked down again, her voice barely above a whisper.

““Did I disappoint you and Father?”

Navalyn’s voice trembled. “No, sweetheart. If anything, maybe we failed to see your heart. You were scared. You acted out of love. If my sister had gone missing… I would've done the same.”

She squeezed Dunira’s hand.

“The Crestbore Division is searching. I believe they’ll find Lira. But… you need to return to Valethir.”

Dunira turned, surprised. “But you said—”

“I know,” Navalyn cut in gently. “I said no before. But I don’t want you to live in fear, hiding from the world. I want you to face it. You’re growing up, One day, you’ll have your own life, your own family. we can’t hold you back from it.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Tears welled in Dunira’s eyes. She looked away, trembling slightly.

“Please don’t say that… It feels like I’m leaving you all behind. Like I’m drifting away. But I’m still your I’ll always be, No matter how much I grow up — when the world gets too loud, when things hurt… the only word I’ll ever cry out is Mother.”

Tears glimmered in both their eyes as Navalyn pulled her into a tight embrace.

No more words.

Then, from the doorway, Thalen leaned in with a grin.

“Hey,” he teased. “Any love left for your father

Both Dunira and Navalyn laughed.

Thalen walked in and gave Dunira a warm hug.

“You’ll always be my little princess. No matter what.”

---

Author's view (Narrative Voice)

For Dunira, this moment was something rare — something sacred.

These are the kind of moments we often miss…

When we open our hearts, not just to speak, but to listen — to understand how much we’re loved, and how much we love in return.

But the truth is…

Your mother’s daily meals, her tired “I love you” through food.

Your father’s quiet routines, heading to work each day without complaint.Those are “I love yous” too.

Sometimes… the hardest thing in the world is putting love into words.

But even in silence — it’s always there._

: The Next MorningMist curled low over the village, turning the path ahead into a pale, shifting blur.Dunira stepped outside, her satchel slung over one shoulder. Ready for academy

But the fog looked… strange.It moved as if it had a will of its own.

Like it wasn’t just covering the road — but showing it.The trees swayed slightly, their leaves rustling with whispers.

Their branches curled in odd shapes, almost pointing — almost guiding.

Dunira’s brows furrowed.

Still, something inside her pulled her forward.She kept walking, eyes sharp, senses alert.

And then —

She stopped.

By the base of a tree ahead, slumped against its trunk…

“Myna!”

Dunira ran.

Dust clung to Myna’s skin, her dress torn and her arms scratched. She was bruised but breathing.Without hesitation, Dunira knelt and gently lifted her friend in her palm.

“You’re okay… You’re okay now,” she whispered, holding her tighter.

As she carried her, the mist shifted again, parting to reveal a towering banyan tree, ancient and grand — its roots like arms, its presence like a guardian.

Dunira approached carefully and whispered under her breath:

“Thelin… Veer Nosha.”

A glow shimmered at the base of the tree — a secret entrance revealing itself like the tree had opened its heart.

Dunira stepped inside.

What lay beyond was something out of a hidden dream.

A miniature village — delicate, vibrant, glowing with soft lights — hidden within the roots and hollows of the tree.

Tiny homes carved out of bark and petals. A winding path of moss and glowing stones.

Dozens of tiny miniature beings peeked out curiously from their leafy windows and mushroom houses — their wings flickering like glass.

And when they saw Dunira, they smiled.They knew her.

They whispered greetings.

Some waved. Others flew up with petals and a sparkling powder that trailed behind like stardust.

Dunira’s breath caught — but her eyes turned quickly to Myna.

“She’s hurt,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please… help her.”

They led her gently to a leafy platform, shaped like a soft bed made from a giant petal.

Dunira laid Myna down as a tiny elderly miniature floated closer — her wings slower, but her presence deeply calming. Her name was Vima.

Vima placed her palm gently on Myna’s forehead, frowning softly.

A soft light bloomed at her touch

“She’s afraid.”

Her voice was tiny, but her tone was firm.

Then she touched Myna’s hair — slowly, reverently.

Because hair holds memory.

Vima’s eyes flickered, trying to see. But something was clouded.

“She ran… she was being chased,” Vima murmured.

“Whoever it was… Myna was terrified of them.”

Dunira’s heart sank.

"I should’ve stopped her.”

Vima looked up.

“She… she went to the outskirts. To find Lira,” Dunira whispered.

“This is my fault. Please forgive me.”

Her voice cracked. She stared at Myna, broken and still.

Vima’s hand rose again and gently touched Dunira’s head, smoothing her hair like a mother.

A warm, silent reassurance.

But the moment her fingers brushed Dunira’s scalp —

Her expression changed.

A flash.

A woman with a knife. A blood-oath. A group of students — one was Lira.

And then…

Those red eyes.

Vima gasped.

She stumbled backward, nearly falling — miniature wings flapping in shock — others rushed to hold her up.

Her eyes wide, she stared at Dunira.

“Those… those eyes…

Dunira froze. “Whose eyes?”

Vima trembled. “They weren’t clear in Myna’s memories… but in your dreams, they were. Perfectly clear. Those eyes… they belonged only to them…

”Her voice wavered.

“No… no, it can’t be. It’s a mistake. I’m confused. Go now.

”Dunira stepped forward. “Belonged to who, Vima?”

“I said leave!” Vima snapped, her voice cracking.

Dunira took another step toward her, desperate — but a few miniatures floated in front of her, gently blocking her path.

“Dunira… it’s time for you to go. We’ll take care of Myna now.”

Dunira glanced back, one last time.

Vima was walking away slowly, her hand trembling against the wall.

But she looked… haunted.

Like she had just remembered something she’d spent years trying to forget.

> (Vima had seen something. Something she didn't want to believe. But now… she couldn’t unsee it.)

___

Meanwhile at Valethir Academy — History of Auralis Class

The morning sun filtered through crystal windows, casting prismatic shadows across the ancient walls of the classroom.

Inside, students sat scattered across sleek stone benches, the glowing orb at the center of the room pulsing gently — a magical record-keeper of Auralis's history.

Sansa leaned over her desk, whispering to the girl beside her.

“Dunira still isn’t here. She said through the crystal orbs yesterday that she’d be back today.”

Kaelric sat just ahead of her.

His shoulders tensed.

He didn’t turn — but his jaw tightened.

Sansa frowned. “I’m thinking of going to see her after class.”

Kaelric shifted in his seat, opening his mouth slightly —

“can i..”

But before he could finish, a spark cracked across his fingers.

“Ah!” he flinched.

Professor Arena — a graceful but sharp-eyed woman from Solyndor — narrowed her eyes.

“Kaelric,” she said with a spark in her tone. “Since you’re so charged up today… stand and tell us: which was the first elemental clan in Auralis?”

Kaelric stood, exhaling through his nose.

“Lunareth,” he said evenly. “The Water Clan. The first to rise. Then came the other five.”

A clear voice cut through the silence behind him.

“Not five. Six.”

It was Vespara, entering the class

“You’re ignoring the Noctherians,” she added calmly.

Professor Arena pursed her lips. “…Yes. Six were born. Though the Noctherians have since vanished, they were once one of us.”

The class murmured slightly.

Vespara glanced down — but not before Kaelric noticed the flicker of pain on her face.

She was hiding something. It was clear.

“Professor,” Vespara spoke up, her voice steady, “If it’s not too much trouble, may I speak with Kaelric privately?”

Arena blinked. “…Of course. Alone?”

“Yes,” Vespara said, standing. “Please send him with me.”

Arena looked between the two, unsure, then gave a reluctant nod.

---

She walked him towards an empty Library

The grand library stood in silence — no wind, no students, just shelves of glowing scrolls and whispering tomes.

Vespara paced slowly between two tall bookcases. Kaelric followed her quietly.

"I was wondering why Dunira isn't coming academy these days,” u two seems close do u know anything, she said without turning.

Kaelric folded his arms. “There are many students missing these days. Fear is keeping them away. Why are you so concerned about her in particular?”

Vespara paused.

Just as she opened her mouth to reply—

Kaelric tilted his head and asked calmly, “Your pendant. The one you always wear. You aren’t wearing it today.”

Vespara blinked.

She reached for her neck instinctively — and froze.

Gone.

Kaelric pulled something from his coat pocket — her pendant, gleaming softly in his hand.

“I believe you’re looking for this,” he said. “Now… may I ask — where exactly did you lose it?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you implying something, Kaelric?”

“I’m not implying,” he said, “But I am starting to wonder.”

“Ever since you arrived, strange things have happened — and always around her. And now your pendant shows up in a place no one should’ve been.”

Vespara’s eyes narrow.

“That proves nothing. You’re wasting time and meddling where you shouldn't.”

Kaelric raises the pendant — but doesn’t hand it over.

“If this is nothing,” he says, pocketing it again, “then you won’t mind if I hold onto it. Crestbore may want a look.”

Her expression shifts — barely — but enough.

“Be careful,” she says, voice sharp. “You’re walking into things bigger than you understand.”

Kaelric:

“Then maybe it’s time someone did understand.”

He turns and walks away.