The atmosphere in the lecture hall shifted as Professor Kurosaki descended, his geta clicking against the polished wood floor. Sora couldn’t pull her eyes away, her ears perked up, the noise of his shoes somehow mesmerizing in its rhythm, echoing softly as though the world itself bowed to his entrance—it was magic, she knew it was, but it didn’t make it any less impressive.
The glowing lanterns around the hall flickered and silk tapestries weaved while he proceeded with deliberate grace, one hand clasped behind his back and the other holding a thin, weathered book. Only once did his fiery gaze leave the manuscript to sweep over the gathering of vulpes and other magical creatures before returning to his study.
Sora’s ears twitched, caught in the stillness that seemed to stretch forever as the professor glided down one step at a time. The air in the room compressed, or was it her lungs? Whatever it was, it made her feel as though even the walls were holding their breath.
Her tail bristled involuntarily at the sheer weight of his presence, her heart racing faster with every deliberate click of his shoes. She stole a glance at the others around her; some vulpes exchanged nervous looks, their gray or black tails lowering submissively, while others stared straight ahead, visibly tensing under his silent scrutiny. Everyone could feel his judging eyes, despite not being in them.
At the front, Fen stood rigid, her four tails curling protectively around her legs. Sora couldn’t remember ever seeing the Huli Jing so tense, her usual snark and defiance replaced by what looked like genuine nervousness.
Upon reaching the desk at the bottom of the hall, he closed the book with a decisive clap, the sound reverberating like a gavel striking judgment. The silence fractured like a taut string, snapping everyone out of the spell and causing a collective sigh of relief to flow through the air.
With a subtle, self-assured smile, he lifted his gaze to Fen, his sharp, amber eyes locking onto her like a predator appraising its prey.
“How,” Kurosaki began, his voice smooth and low but carrying effortlessly through the hall, “would you judge those gathered here today, Fen?”
The murmurs began immediately. Sora caught fragments of whispered conversations around her.
“Judge us? What does he mean?” one vulpes muttered, her gray tails swishing nervously.
“Are we already being evaluated?” another asked, his voice barely audible as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Only Nilly and Wendy seemed somewhat resistant to the show, arms crossed below. Her brunette sister glanced up, ears twitching with annoyance upon spotting her at the top, and those judging emerald eyes were on a whole new level. She could practically feel the heat as they flicked to Aelion beside her.
I’m not trying to ditch you! Sora internally growled, trying to distract herself by studying Fen now that she had the full hall’s attention. Fen looks…better? She gained her fourth tail, which is big.
Fen’s jaw tightened, and she inclined her head slightly, her hands resting over her tails in what seemed to be a grounding gesture. When she spoke, her tone carried the same careful precision Sora had come to associate with her, yet the bitter note wasn’t there.
“Judgment is subjective, Professor. Each here has the potential for growth, as your spell upon your entrance proved, though it lies dormant in many. It depends…on the soil in which they are planted, as you taught me last night.”
Last night?! Sora’s legs knotted together as she saw similar lifted eyebrows from the female vulpes around the hall. I expected this to be a different kind of classroom but let’s not go crazy, Fen! Maybe I’m reading too much into it… Too many J-dramas.
Kurosaki’s gaze didn’t waver at the student’s looks or nudges to one another, but a faint, approving smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “A diplomatic answer and turning my own words on me,” he mused, glancing down at the book he’d placed on the desk. “It seems following my guidance to gain your fourth tail has shifted your outlook. Perhaps you have found suitable soil for your own roots, after all. You certainly are worthy to be my aid.”
Sora didn’t miss the slight shiver that ran down her tails at the praise. “I will merely do as you instruct, Professor.”
Focus darting between them, Sora’s couldn’t believe her ears. No sarcasm. No deflection. No snide response or smirk. It’s not fear. She certainly respects him, but is there…a crush there?!
Sora’s tail flicked thoughtfully as the whispers around her grew quieter. Her gaze returned to Fen’s bright tail, a white contrast to her others. Fen’s met the two apex vulpes of…everything, Mom and Aunt Inari, and all she felt was terror and bitter envy… But all of that seems to be gone. What did he do to her? Her eyes were drawn to her fourth tail. Well, give her power, I guess.
The lecture hall remained still as Kurosaki turned his back to Fen, stepping away from the desk with a deliberate, unhurried grace. His voice snapped her out of her reverie, effortlessly drawing every gaze back to him as his geta once again clicked softly against the polished floor.
He began a slow circuit around the circular room. One hand clasped behind his back and the other trailing thoughtfully against the edges of the tables the listeners sat at, the gesture carried a casual elegance that belied the weight of his presence demanded. The question was if it was a spell doing it or his cadence alone.
“I see,” he began, his voice low but resonant, carrying effortlessly through the hall, “that there are many more creatures gathered here than is typical of my vulpes lectures. Curious.”
Sora’s ears perked as he paused mid-stride, his fiery gaze sweeping across the room. Her tail stiffened as his words seemed to weigh down the air, their meaning subtly prickling the edges of her mind with Aelion beside her.
“Within the vulpes district, there are no shortages of excellent instructors, my colleagues,” Kurosaki continued, the faintest hint of amusement flickering in his tone. “So, why are you here, in my hall? Perhaps it is the traditional scenery,” he mused, gesturing briefly to the glowing lanterns and woven tapestries. “Perhaps my magic infused into these walls caught your attention, or maybe it was merely a friend’s recommendation.”
He resumed his slow pacing, his gaze lingering momentarily on Wendy, Nerida, and Nilly before moving to a cluster of vulpes whose gray tails twitched under his scrutiny. “But what is it you expect from me? What is it I expect from you?” His words, soft yet laced with an edge, carried an unspoken challenge.
A murmur rippled through the room, but it was quickly stifled as Kurosaki raised his hand slightly, commanding silence with the barest motion. His expression remained enigmatic, his amber eyes flicking between individuals, as though peering into their very souls.
“And you,” he said suddenly, his voice directed at the top row, causing Sora to stiffen as his gaze locked onto her. “Sora, I presume. A special admittance student who saw fit to skip the opening ceremony finds herself in my hall, and dressed rather boldly, might I add. What a radiant dress that captures the dark, star-strung heavens.”
Heat flushed Sora’s face as all eyes locked onto her. She opened her mouth to respond, but Kurosaki’s attention had already shifted away from her, his fiery gaze sliding to Aelion.
“And beside her,” Kurosaki continued, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips, “Aelion, the top Merit Student, sits beside her… A mysterious fae disconnected from all lineage and discovered in a cleansed Shadow Pit who was adopted by High King Oberon. Quite the story, or so I’ve heard.”
A shiver ran up Sora’s tail as the image of the tall and handsome husband to High Queen Titania flashed inside her mind. He’s adopted by the High King of Avalon?! Wait, but he couldn’t get into the school except by merit? And he was found in a Shadow Pit that corrupts fae into Unseelie? Huh?!
Aelion’s jaw tightened, and Sora caught the faintest flicker of displeasure in his otherwise composed expression. The silver-haired fae’s lips pressed into a thin line, his green-tinted tattoos pulsing faintly. Sora’s ears twitched as her curiosity spiked, and she risked a sideways glance at him.
Kurosaki continued as if unaware of the charged tension his words had sparked. “Both of you are testaments to what diligent effort and raw talent can achieve. Aelion, rising from the bottom of fae society, given no special treatment, to stand here, a symbol of perseverance.”
His voice carried an almost reverent quality, though there was an undercurrent of something Sora couldn’t quite place. “And Sora Moore…a mysterious young vulpes with unique magic unheard of in time immemorial, recommended by High Queen Titania herself. Yet, she knows almost nothing about her own spellwork. Not only that, but she brings more enigmatic figures to my hall,” he noted, his gaze flicking to Wendy. “Truly, reality is fascinating.”
Sora’s breath caught, and her tail puffed slightly. All eyes were now on her, the full weight of their stares squeezing the air from her lungs, and the way they seemed to single her out, made her pulse quicken. At least she wasn’t alone in the feeling by Aelion’s tight fist.
“What should you all take from this?” Kurosaki asked, resuming his slow circuit of the room. “Envy and laziness will get you nowhere. Each and every one of you come from high or low, yet you are the self-governing agent unto yourselves.
“Just as you found your way to me, it is you who decides what rules you follow and what ones you break. What lesions you internalize and those you allow to drift into the wind.” He paused, shifting to look up at her with sparkling eyes and a long swish of his nine red tails that sent a warm gust circling the hall. “I quite enjoyed the chaos you brought to the Opening Ceremony, Sora.”
“You do?” she whispered, unable to help herself. It wasn’t like she’d tried to cause a commotion.
“I do,” he chuckled, turning to smile at Aelion, who showed a slight frown. “It embodies the vulpes spirit in such a rules driven society like the fae. I admire many things about Avalon. Yet, despite their chaotic roots, fae are rather hampered, in my humble opinion, by the fear The Darkness has instilled in them.
“There are many mysteries within Avalon, hidden within its ancient lore, its forgotten histories, and its potent magic. They lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered by those with the curiosity and determination to seek them out.”
The hall was utterly silent now. Kurosaki’s voice lowered slightly, taking on a conspiratorial edge. “Of course, I am not authorized to teach such things.” A faint, teasing smile played on his lips and made Sora once again realize how true vulpes really were. “However, there is a new instructor you may find…enlightening.”
Sora couldn’t help her fingers pressing into her lap, knowing exactly where he was going. Sure enough, he said, “Professor Sela, once a princess of the fallen kingdom of Honeydew, and formerly an Unseelie Queen, now offers her own insights. I had the opportunity to attend her mock class with the other staff and found it…enthralling.”
The pause that followed was deliberate, heavy, as Kurosaki allowed the implications to settle over them. She had not expected this to be her first lecture.
He’s really selling Sela’s class… I really should check that out next, if anything to see how she’s doing.
“Mastery,” Kurosaki said into the silence, his voice deep and steady, “requires the understanding of both positive and negative elements. Magic is not inherently good nor evil; it is a tool, like any blade or hammer, shaped by the wielder’s intent… Something all the more real for our Lady Sora Moore. To wield it with wisdom, you must first understand its foundations.”
He stopped in the center of the room, his gaze sweeping across the gathered students one final time. “Many of you grew up on instinct, only capable of commanding the messiest of spellwork. Some of you have a better grasp than most but have…other reasons to be in my introductory lecture,” he chuckled while looking up at Aelion. “Yet, for the majority of you, it is the fundamentals that is why you are here.”
The lecture hall stilled further, a reverent quiet settling over the crowd as Kurosaki raised his hand, a faint shimmer rippling through the air. Sora could see Aelion’s light glare from the corner of her eyes.
This professor certainly knows how to get people’s attention, Sora internally mumbled, turning her focus back on the nine-tailed Nogitsune.
“Magic,” he began, his voice smooth and commanding, “like science, is bound by rules and laws. It is not chaos, as some may believe. It is simply another framework of reality. And, like science, it requires understanding and mastery of these principles to be wielded effectively.”
Sora’s ears twitched, her curiosity piqued, as Kurosaki paused to let the statement settle. The air seemed to hum around him as he continued. This was why she was here, to learn.
“Now, you might ask, why bother with the kit things for children? After all, you could simply pick up a feather and move it across the room.” He lifted a hand, and in a subtle flick of his wrist, a feather materialized out of thin air, weightless and pristine, drifting gently in the air before him.
Sora’s throat constricted; she felt a subtle disturbance in the magical field around the room. She instinctively reached out with her senses, trying to understand the weave he was using, but it was too intricate, too seamless for her to unravel. And yet, a faint impression lingered in her mind, like a whisper—something about pulling it from elsewhere, a smaller space, perhaps a pocket dimension?
Kurosaki’s fiery gaze shifted briefly to her, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips as though he sensed her struggle. “To levitate a feather across a room with magic,” he said, his voice smooth as silk, “is, on the surface, more difficult than simply using your hand. But…is it really?”
The feather began to move, gliding effortlessly through the air as he gestured. It danced and twisted, mimicking the natural currents of a breeze despite the still air of the hall. The ease with which it moved was mesmerizing, yet Sora could feel the immense depth of control beneath the surface.
“From birth,” Kurosaki mused, his tone instructional but laced with a faint edge of challenge, “you have honed your motor skills and trained your senses to interact with the world. Every movement, every action—practiced and perfected over years, decades even. But if you were to strip all of that away, return to a state of untrained infancy, would it still be so simple?”
The feather hovered in place, spinning lazily as his eyes swept the hall. The foxes around Sora exchanged uneasy glances, some shifting in their seats. Her own tail flicked restlessly as she tried to imagine what it would mean to start from scratch while looking down at Wendy, who now seemed enthralled. The black thorns coiling up from around her chair made Sora’s fingernails dig into the table.
Aunt Rose… Wendy may look and even feel like a vulpes or tanuki, but she’s made of Null-Void, whatever that is. She’s having to learn how to do everything again and hold herself back… Maybe I’m being too sensitive. Wendy’s struggling through a lot right now.
Her gaze shifted to Aelion as Kurosaki continued his lecture, her chest becoming heavy. I want to explore this huge, magical realm and I’m getting caught up in so many things. But…Wendy really does need me. I shouldn’t get distracted by boys right now. Keep focused! I need to practice this stuff with Wendy. Is Aunt Rose calling out to us because she knows Wendy is struggling?
“Magic,” Kurosaki said, letting the feather vanish with another flick of his wrist, “is not unlike these motor skills. To grasp it, to truly wield it, you must first understand what it is. You must experiment. You must stumble and fall. You must go through the growing pains. Magic is not a tool in the conventional sense—it is a field, a force, a presence woven into the fabric of existence itself that must be experienced as reality itself was for your motor skills.”
He paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing. “Like gravity, it is ever-present where it exists, shaping and interacting with all things. Yet, unlike gravity, it is not bound solely by the physical. Magic flows in, through, and around all things. It infuses life, matter, and thought. But,” he said, his gaze sharpening, “not everywhere. On Earth, for example, its presence is diminished, weaker. This realm, by contrast, is rich with it, saturated to a degree that allows for phenomena you would call miracles, even done by the most inept witch or wizard on Earth.”
Sora’s ears twitched again at the mention of her home planet, her thoughts briefly flashing to her own struggles with magic back home during her transformation.
I did have to experience all of it…mess up, she winced while remembering the interaction with Lori and the activity center employee. I guess I’m on the fast track since mine literally functions off of desires while these vulpes have to learn how to mold it without autopilot…
Her vision settled on Fen as Kurosaki brought her into the lesson. I can see why she hated and envied me… Why Daisy was so stunned by what I could do. I do have cheats baked into me because I’m a Founder. I can’t take that for granted. I guess that means I am a magical field in myself… Founders have their own personal field that reshapes…no, creates reality, like Diane said, which is crazy to think about.
“Fen?”
The dark-haired woman sallied forward with a confident smile, her yellow eyes darting up to her as if a whip, daring her to zone out.
“But we are not here to debate where magic thrives and where it falters,” she continued, pacing now in a slow circle, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished floor in tandem with the professor’s geta. “We are here to build a foundation. To wield magic, you must first understand the framework of existence… Some more than others.”
Subtle, Sora internally grumbled, seeing Aelion’s frown turn into a curious smile now as he tracked the energy that passed between their stares. Yeah, she was wrong; Fen wasn’t over their talent differences. Don’t forget it’s my magic that kept you from being vaporized by my mom, puffy tails. You get to play teacher’s pet because of me, so maybe lay off a bit more with the envy.
Fen’s voice grew slightly firmer, commanding attention and pulling Sora out of her mental snarls. “There are four fundamental aspects of all things that we must begin with: the Physical, the Spiritual, the Magical, and the Intelligent planes. Together, they form the foundation of reality as we know it.”
Kurosaki stopped, turning to face the room directly, his gaze sweeping over them. “Are there more planes? Absolutely. But these four are the pillars, or so we understand them to be. Just as science is always evolving, so is the magical field of research. Without understanding these basics, you will not understand the forces you seek to master.”
The air in the hall seemed to grow heavier, charged with the weight of his words. Sora’s tail bristled slightly, her mind already racing with questions. The Physical and Intelligent planes she could fairly accurately grasp. She assumed her dream dives involved the Intelligent plane. However, the Spiritual plane was a bit more vague, and she felt like it had something to do with how she sensed people’s auras. The magic was a bit more of a mystery, as well. Sure, she could sense it as if it were the wind blowing against her skin, gain abstract insights by studying the magic others used, yet they were like splattering paint on a canvas to be interpreted.
Kurosaki’s sharp gaze flicked over the room one final time, his voice lowering as he posed the question that would mark the beginning of their lesson. “Now, shall we begin with the Physical? Or perhaps you would prefer to start with what you cannot see?” His smile was faint, almost teasing, but his eyes burned with the promise of deeper knowledge. “Shall we dive into the deep-end first?”
After laying down the foundations of magic, Kurosaki transitioned seamlessly into summarizing the four fundamental aspects—Physical, Spiritual, Magical, and Intelligent. He outlined how they intersected and overlapped, painting an intricate web of interconnected forces. His explanations flowed like a melody, each point building on the last, but he kept the discussion light, hinting at deeper complexities without diving too far into advanced topics.
“For now,” Kurosaki concluded, his geta clicking softly as he moved back toward the desk, “consider these aspects not as separate entities but as threads in a single tapestry. Pull one, and the others shift in response. Mastery begins with understanding this balance. And now,” he added, his amber eyes gleaming with a teasing challenge, “we leave the basics behind and approach the threads themselves.”
The room stirred as the professor shifted into a discussion of more advanced concepts. He introduced the idea of “weave harmonics,” the way magical currents could resonate to amplify or dampen other fields. Demonstrating with a shimmering globe of condensed light, he explained how different harmonics could influence magical outcomes, shifting the globe between vibrant hues with a flick of his wrist.
The demonstration left most of the lower-tailed vulpes—including Sora—wide-eyed and overwhelmed, their nervous whispers rippling through the hall. It became clear that many would need more time to process the foundations before tackling such abstract ideas.
Gradually, higher-tailed vulpes and more advanced students began to filter into the room, their presence a quiet signal that the lecture was transitioning to the next level. Sora stood, sensing it was time to leave, though she couldn’t help but glance back at Kurosaki, his gaze flicking to her as if catching her hesitation.
She turned to Aelion, who was rising beside her. “Hey, Aelion… Will you come by in the morning on Friday?” she asked, her voice soft but hopeful.
Aelion gave her a faint, warm smile, his green-tinted tattoos seeming to glimmer faintly in the hall’s light. “I’d be happy to. Though you should know, I have my own lectures you might want to attend. You’re missing out on a lot by skipping the fae-specific sessions. Culture is another thing you’re supposed to learn here, by the way, and I can help with that.”
Sora chuckled awkwardly, her heart fluttering at the invitation. Now that has to be a date signal! C’mon… Why do you have to ask me that now when I’m trying to be a good sister?!
“I’m, umm, just trying to figure out where I fit in all of this. Rain check. Thanks, though—seriously, later! I’ll definitely take you up on private lessons.”
With a grin and a nod, Aelion turned and began to make his way out of the hall. Sora’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she noticed Kurosaki still watching them, his focus flicking between her and Aelion as the fae left. A strange pulse emanated from the professor that made her shiver, almost imperceptible, but she could feel it—waves of curiosity radiating from his spiritual field.
So, this is what a professor with nine tails and a sharp mind feels like… It’s like he’s analyzing every one of us on more levels than I can count. It’s…kind of a little creepy but that’s probably just because I’m not used to it. There’s something about him, though…
As she descended the stairs to meet Wendy, Nilly, and Nerida, Wendy was the first to speak, her dull emerald eyes sliding past her to Aelion’s retreating form. “He’s cute,” she flatly noted, her tone making it impossible to tell if she was serious or teasing. “Didn’t think you were into the tattooed boys.”
Sora’s cheeks burned as she instinctively smacked Wendy’s tail with her own, glaring at her. “Wendy!” she hissed, glancing back nervously to see if Aelion had heard. Fortunately, he was too far away, but a few vulpes nearby had caught the comment and giggled, their attention briefly following the fae prince—yeah, he was a prince!
“I didn’t say anything untrue,” Wendy added with an accusatory smirk.
“Whatever,” Sora mumbled, trying to change the subject. “I want to check out Sela’s class next, but first…” She hesitated, her tone softening. “I need to take care of something private with Wendy.”
Nilly’s sharp ears perked up, and her already large eyes grew wider. She nodded knowingly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face that reminded her of unstable Nilly for a moment. “Got it! We’ll scout ahead for the best seats. Right, Nerida?” she said, grabbing the timid siren by the arm. “I’m sure it will be packed after that endorsement.”
The siren girl hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “Uh… Sure. I-I can try…”
Before Sora could respond, Nilly had whisked her away, leaving her to wonder just how much the feline really knew. Given Nilly’s origins as the literal Cat Mother, it wouldn’t be surprising if she was already aware of Aunt Rose since, well, she’d already infiltrated the prison with them.
Wendy sighed softly, drawing Sora’s attention back to her. The unspoken tension between them hung in the air for a moment before Wendy stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “I’m just worried,” she murmured, her tone carrying a rare warmth.
Sora smiled, returning the embrace and feeling the weight that had compressed her heart melt. “I know. Thanks for always trying to look out for me, Sis. I just…I guess I’m trying to do too much. I’m not trying to ignore you…”
Wendy pulled back slightly, her mouth pushing to the side. “Let’s skip that part for now. Not why I’m mad, but it’s okay. Have you…”The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Sora’s eyes flicked to the faint black thorns curling around Wendy, the pressure in her chest rising again with the brunette’s confirmation that she is still mad, tugging at her when she wouldn’t tell her way. Then again, maybe it was something they needed to chat about in a more private space.
“Yeah, I’ve seen them,” she admitted, knowing no one would remember this particular topic. “Should we see what Aunt Rose wants since she keeps reaching out?”
Wendy gave a dismissive shrug that caught her off-guard. “I feel her emotions through them. She just wants to send her support. Uh, yeah, I can feel her intentions,” she added with a grin. “She’s checking in, I think. Just saying she feels me and poking out to say she’s thinking about us. How’s Eyia?”
“Just…a wellness check, huh?” Sora mumbled, clearing her throat as her chest warmed, and a faint laugh escaped her lips. “Eyia and Jin are…going through their own thing. But, umm, nothing too ominous then from our prickly auntie? Isn’t our life crazy, though? A prisoner aunt who could go full evil if we’re not careful?”
Wendy smirked. “Another day in the abnormal life of a fox and squirrel.”
Their laughter felt like a brief reprieve from everything happening around them. Together, they turned toward the hall’s exit, and headed for the former Unseelie Queen’s class. The lesson and the unusual behavior of Fen and Ember tugged at her mind, though.
Everyone that came here before us is acting…kind of off. Maybe I’m just being too paranoid. I mean, Jin’s Jin… She didn’t change, but…yeah. Ember changed a ton, and even Fen seems a bit different. How Wendy’s mad at me now… Kari. Yikes, don’t get overwhelmed!
One thing at a time. One thing at a time, she mentally repeated, finding her sister’s hand to squeeze it for comfort. Our adventure has only just begun and Professor Kurosaki is right… There are so many mysteries to uncover here.
Neridaddd’s ears flicked at the chatter around her as she and Wendy passed into the bustling vulpes lecture district. The flickering lanterns overhead cast soft, warm light against the intricate carvings on the walls. Despite the lively atmosphere and Wendy’s previous hug, a muted tension hung between them.
Sora bit her lip, glancing at her sister’s furrowed brow and stiff posture, the occasional swish of her puffy tail—it was obvious. Okay, Wendy’s the queen of bottling things up and trying to deal with it herself… Wait!
She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Wendy to slow and turn.
“What’s with that look on your face?” her sister huffed, mirrored emerald eyes locking onto her. “Why are you glaring at me now?”
How did I miss it? Kari and Wendy might as well have been cut from the same cloth! Sora internally ranted, crossing her arm and puffing up her chest. Wendy has trust issues, just like Kari. Wendy feels like she has no control, just like Kari. And Wendy is just as stupidly stubborn as that bone-headed wolf! Okay, maybe not as stubborn… Kari’s a different breed, literally. But the point stands!
She also realized she couldn’t read her sister’s emotions—her spiritual aura—like everyone else after she’d basically turned into the brooch on her dress’ front.
“Alright, spill it,” Sora demanded, not unkind but blunt, just how she learned to deal with Kari. “What''s been eating you, Wendy? I’m not moving from this spot until we sort this out. You’ve been giving me the silent treatment all day—you know the look. Did I miss your birthday or something? Because I know I haven’t!”
Wendy stopped jaw slackened, vision widening slightly before narrowing. Her ears twitched, and she adjusted the brown strands of her hair. “You’re so dramatic, Sora,” she muttered, but her squirrel tail somehow puffed up even more. “I said we don’t need to talk about it.”
“Yeah, no,” Sora quipped, crossing her arms. “You keep deflecting and confusing me, which only makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
Wendy streamed out a breath, gripping her elbow as her gaze shifted to the holographic display shimmering ahead. Sora followed her pouty eyes to Mistress Katie Milla’s image—a nine-tailed gray vulpes with an air of serene wisdom and mischief, her voice magically amplified for distant students as she spoke about some more intimate subject that made her cheeks darken. Wendy gulped, causing Sora to refocus on her sister and try to blot out the conversation about the groves Ember had mentioned.
“Why are you harping on me?” Wendy mumbled, her voice barely audible over the murmurs of passing students, many of which gave them intrigued glances. “I’m…dealing with a lot. You know I am. I’m not perfect.”
Sora’s ears perked. “When did I say you were? It’s like you’re expecting me to read your mind!”
“Can’t you?” Wendy asked with a somewhat strained smile. “That would make things easier.”
“Wendy… I get it," she whispered, stepping closer to pull her into a hug to break the tension, sighing with relief as her sister’s muscles loosened slightly. “I know things haven’t been easy—heck, I do get it—when have they ever been since Kari came into the picture? I’ve lived it with you! But you’ve been more than ‘dealing with a lot.’ It’s…like—like… Mmmgm…”
Wendy’s head sagged against the side of hers, resting her chin against her shoulder, a dry chuckle shaking her frame. Yet, it sounded more tired than amused. “You’re kind of hilarious when you struggle to express yourself…”
“Growl and glare at me all you want,” Sora huffed with mock seriousness, her tail flicking behind her, “but it’s hard to pin down, okay? You, Kari, Eyia—”
“Yeah, I know,” Wendy admitted, her expression softening as she pulled back. Her fingers traced the edge of her sleeve as she looked her in the face, her tail curling protectively around one leg. “It’s not Kari.”
“It’s…not?”
“No,” Wendy reaffirmed, pushing her lips to the side and averting eye contact. “It’s just…you.”
Sora blinked, her nose wrinkling and feeling the slap across the face that shattered her internal peace. “Me?! What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Like I said, you’re just…you.” Wendy glanced her way before it shifted away again, her ears drooping slightly. “Open, trusting…running headfirst into things to battle everyone’s bully. It’s…maybe I’m a little jealous… Scared.”
“Jealous?” Sora echoed incredulously. She tried to laugh it off, but Wendy’s folded ears and averted gaze made her pause. “Wendy, what do you mean… I’m worried now.”
“Maybe not jealous isn’t the right word,” Wendy quickly clarified, her voice growing more hurried, returning eye contact. “Not jealous-jealous. It’s just—you’re so quick to trust everyone. This new Aelion guy—yeah, I heard his name and how you spoke to him, Miss Breathless.”
“No need to burn my face off,” she grumbled, this time her eyes darting away and heat rising in her cheeks. “I’ve got problems.”
Wendy’s smile returned, genuine this time and gentle. “I don’t think that’s necessarily a problem or else I’d be a hypocrite. I mean, yeah, it’s a part of the problem, but yeah. It’s Nerida, Ember, and how you said she’s acting weird as hell… Even Nilly.”
Sora’s tail stiffened at the mention of the Fire Fairy. Ember’s sudden formality and mature cadence was something to investigate.
“And then,” Wendy continued, her tone sharpening, “there’s that nine-tailed Kumiho—”
Sora’s whole frame became rigid. “Wait, what nine-tailed Kumiho?! When? Where?”
Wendy bunched her mouth to the side, clearly regretting her words, which made Sora want to strangle her sister. “Look, she approached me when I was with Eyia. A cute, single-tailed gray vulpes that was all bubbly… Eyia called her out, and she transformed into a tall, elegant, woman, who had this…predatory air about her. You know Kumiho in stories—yeah. Diane warned us about her, right? Well, we both know how we feel about Diane, and Yeon-ah made a lot of sense.”
The dots connected in Sora’s mind as her fists clenched, remembering the damnable Foundation witch’s warning. Yet, something didn’t quite add up. “Well…if she was dangerous, Eyia would’ve attacked her on sight… So, weird? Wait, what are you even trying to tell me! I’m confused.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not totally new,” Wendy muttered, shifting uncomfortably with a short laugh. “You do have this way of narrowing in on specific things and throwing everything out of the window… Umm. Yeah, Eyia didn’t trust her either—FYI—but she said something I can’t shake. It’s…exactly how I’ve felt.”
Sora placed a hand on her hip and gave her brown-haired sister a dull stare. “No, the ancient, manipulative fox lady knew exactly how to manipulate you. Wait… That is kind of suspect,” she admitted, unable to grasp Wendy’s fluctuating aura at all.
“Sure…” Wendy sighed and moved forward to take her hands, looking her in the eyes. “Whatever her reasons, I agree with her warning… You’re too relaxed, Sora. Too open. And honestly? Cross my heart. She’s right. You scare me because I’m afraid you’re too friendly. You’re stretching yourself too thin. Seriously.”
Sora opened her mouth to argue, but Wendy cut her off, her tail lashing. “Just listen! You’re flirting with fae boys—understandable, sure—but c’mon, Sis! You dragged in a random siren—don’t get me wrong, Nerida’s sweet—but look what you’re saying about Ember? And I love Nilly. I do! She’s adorable and lovey…but there is a…side to her.”
“Nilly’s fine,” Sora protested, squeezing her hands back, though a pang of doubt coiled in her chest while remembering the double Nilly event; waking up to a feral teen Nilly that looked like she wanted to devour her wasn’t the best memory, or how she acted to Ember. “Wait…”
Vision blurring, her brow furrowed. What did Nilly say to Ember before chasing her around the room in her cat form… No, it was Ember that translated it. Something about… I can’t remember. I need to investigate it in my dreams.
“Is Nilly fine?” Wendy pressed. Her voice softened as she glanced around the bustling district. “Look, I’m not saying everyone in Avalon is out to get us, but this place…it’s mystical, fun, and there’s so much to explore, but it’s also…dangerous. And with Yeon-ah’s warning—”
Sora had to physically keep her claws from coming out. “Warning… What warning? Did she threaten you?”
“It’s not like that…” Her sister released her hand and stepped back, arms folding and glancing back at Mistress Katie Milla’s hologram. “Sora, You’ve kept me safe and given me a place to always come back to to feel loved.”
A sudden chill ran down Sora’s spine as Wendy tilted her head and flashed her teeth with a short laugh. Heat rose in her chest as her broken and recovering sister continued. “You’ve been the one stable thing in my whole life. I could never be mad at you… If you’re the sky, I’m like a satellite in your orbit… I want to keep you safe, like you’ve kept me from spinning off into space.”
Sora’s ears flicked back, and her tail stilled mid-sway as Wendy’s words landed like a hammer against her chest. For a moment, she could only stare at her sister, Wendy’s uncharacteristic vulnerability, her smile, cutting through her frustration.
“Wendy…” Sora’s voice softened, her hand dropping from her hip to brush against her side. “I—” She stopped herself, swallowing the tightness rising in her throat. “You’ve been through so much already, and I know I haven’t made it easier—bringing in so many people. But…I’m trying, okay? I want to be here for you, like always.”
That sudden laugh of Wendy’s still echoed in her ears, unsettling in a way she couldn’t place. The chill in her spine lingering. Sora forced a shaky breath, her tail resuming its flick as she moved forward to embrace her again, letting the heat in her throat rise up to her face and spread through her body, her voice lowering to a whisper.
“I get what you’re saying, I really do. Avalon’s…a lot. And yeah, maybe I’m a little too quick to trust people.” She gave a weak laugh while pulling back and brushing her fingers through her bangs. “Okay, maybe more than a little.”
Wendy’s rosy cheeks and smile grew as she held up two fingers. “Just a little.”
“Yeah, but I’m not dragging anyone into our orbit unless I feel like they deserve to be there. Trust me,” she pleaded. “Nerida’s Kari’s roommate. I have to get a feel for her… For Kari’s sake. Nilly’s…Nilly, and Nilly isn’t going anywhere. We both know that,” she chortled. “Even Aelion—there’s something good in him that… I can’t explain it,” she growled. “I just… I can’t turn my back on some people, Wendy. Not after what we’ve both been through.”
Wendy’s gaze lightened slightly, but her tail twitched—a telltale sign that she wasn’t entirely convinced.
“And Yeon-ah’s warning?” Sora pressed, her voice taking on an edge. “You’re not telling me everything, are you?”
Wendy’s lips pressed into a thin line, her ears folding back for a fleeting second. “Yeon-ah…”
* — * — *
Yeon-ah’s silver tails flicked lightly as she stepped into the secluded courtyard nestled deep within Avalon’s labyrinthine pathways. Soft bioluminescent moss coated the edges of the stone bench she approached, its faint glow illuminating the faint mist curling at her feet.
Her hand lightly passed over the bright lilies she passed before sitting with practiced grace on a stone bench. Raising her delicate fingers to brush over the polished, enchanted crystal necklace nestled between her bust, a faint shimmer rippled across its surface.
A shadowy, nine-tailed vulpes materialized from it to hover in front of her, swirling, liquid shadows flowing off it. For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by the faint rustle of the enchanted flora overhead. Then, a soft, feminine voice emerged, melodic yet unyielding.
“Yeon-ah,” the imposing magical hologram greeted, the tone simultaneously soothing and chilling. “What have you observed?”
Yeon-ah straightened, her ears tilting slightly forward in deference. “Sora is spinning in circles,” she began, her voice steady but low. “She’s confused, overwhelmed, and her emotional center is fraying. It’s the perfect time to guide her…subtly, of course.”
A faint chuckle emanated from the depths of the shimmering void. “Excellent. Ensure that she remains uncertain. Wendy may offer a more…accessible path. She is tethered to Sora in ways the others are not. Work on her.”
Yeon-ah hesitated for a fraction of a moment, her gaze flicking to the distant horizon where Avalon’s towering spires pierced dark clouds between the World Tree and floating islands. “She’s—resilient,” Yeon-ah murmured. “More so than you anticipated.”
The voice responded with a note of approval. “Good. That is why she must be nurtured…properly. The Elders agreed to our terms. Our little star must shine in the right direction. Be patient, Yeon-ah. Her trust is a precious thread—easily woven into our tapestry, but just as easily frayed.”
A flicker of uncertainty danced across Yeon-ah’s otherwise composed expression. Working for someone was not something she was accustomed to but the Elders had been quite…gracious with their forgiveness and compensation.
“She is fiercely protective… Her emotions, though, and the…feeling I get from her soul is…more than a little volatile. I want to shrink away from that void that seems to devour all magic around her like a black hole.”
“Don’t fret,” the voice interjected with light amusement. “She can be turned to our side if you wait for her to come to you. You’ve offered the bait and she cannot resist. Her loyalty to Sora is both her strength and her weakness. The bond between them will either serve our purposes or crumble beneath its weight. Either outcome will suffice.”
Yeon-ah shivered at that but nodded slowly, the flicker of doubt vanishing as her usual poise returned. “Understood. Everything is proceeding as planned then. And…the others?”
“ Stay clear of Kari or Jin,” the shadowy vulpes flatly stated.
“Obviously.”
“If you’re careful… Eyia could be brought into alignment, which would be a massive boon to us.” The connection wavered, the swirling void shrinking until only her reflection remained. Yet, the voice lingered for one final, lingering statement, its edges tinged with affection that felt almost maternal. “Remember, Yeon-ah… There is no room for error. Your gift and its effects on all Kumiho who have rallied to you depend on this. Sora is our key, and the door must open… As terrifying as that will be.”
As the shadows dissipated, Yeon-ah let out a slow breath, her shoulders lowering slightly as the oppressive presence faded. She traced her fingertips across the crystal’s surface, her gaze thoughtful. A quiet murmur escaped her lips.
“She’s our key, hmm…” Her expression flickered, a moment of hesitation betraying her as she lifted her hand to press against her breast; the power pulsing within her responded, sharp and as vibrant as a supernova, curbing all cravings for human flesh. The courtyard fell silent again, save for the faint rustling of the trees overhead.
A cure for all Kumiho… A hopeless lie I could fall for…or truth? We will see.
Rising, Yeon-ah adjusted the folds of her school-girl uniform, smoothing out nonexistent creases. With a soft hum, she stepped back into the Academy’s winding paths through a fold in space, her tails swaying elegantly behind her as she reinstalled her single-tailed transformation.
This will be fun!
* — * — *
Sora’s tail stiffened as Wendy’s ears flattened ever so slightly, her emerald gaze darting around them. The bustling vulpes district seemed to shrink, its lively hum dimmed beneath Wendy’s next words.
“Yeon-ah mentioned…Diane,” Wendy muttered, fidgeting with her fingers. “She said Diane is here, and it sounded like…a warning. I know it sounds stupid, but I’d trust Yeon-ah more than that witch… The Foundation, with what they did to my mother and with Avalon.”
Sora’s claws threatened to emerge, her fingers twitching at her sides as her chest tightened. Diane…
That single name pulled her back to the Foundation’s sterile halls, where false smiles masked venomous intentions and every favor came with a price. Only her mother’s indomitable influence had gotten her out of that. Other memories returned. Fen and the vulpes twins turned into unwilling slaves, notwithstanding any of their crimes… What she’d so cruelly done to Wendy, even if it had helped her break free from her mother.
She forced a slow breath through her nose. “What did Yeon-ah say exactly?” Sora asked, her voice quieter now, though her pulse hammered in her ears. “Did she say Diane was threatening us, or…”
Wendy shook her head, lips pressing into a thin line. “Not directly. She just said she’s here, which, you know, doesn’t make sense. Don’t the Foundation and Avalon hate each other? She framed it like she’s ‘keeping an eye on things’ or something like that. Why would she be allowed here?” Her tail swished sharply. “But c’mon, it’s Diane. We both know she never just ‘observes’ anyone.”
Sora folded her arms, her gaze drifting to the glowing lanterns above, their light flickering like restless stars. “No, you’re right. Diane always has an angle and doesn’t do anything without an agenda. I think she wants everyone to know that… I don’t know.”
“Right?”
Her jaw tightened and she showed a reassuring smile as she held up a fist, saying, “Okay. Heard you loud and clear, Sis. I’ll be careful. I won’t bring anyone else into the group—no new people, I promise. Not until we figure out what’s going on. Our goal is to train here, right? I’ve already learned a lot in just one lecture! Let’s use that to investigate.”
Wendy let out a long breath while meeting her knuckles, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “Thank you, Sora,” she murmured, her tail swaying again. “I just… I needed to hear that I’m not being paranoid! Yeah, we all know I hate Diane. It’s a lot right now, you know? And if Diane’s around… No, let’s just cut that out for now!” she laughed, rubbing her shoulders as a shiver ran through her.
The brunette tilted her head, her tail suddenly curling slightly around her leg. A hint of amusement glimmered in her eyes as she opened her arms invitingly.
“You know, fist bumps are cool and all,” Wendy murmured, her lips twitching into a lopsided smile, “but you know what’s better?”
Sora blinked, her tail flicking as her ears perked. The playfulness in Wendy’s tone caught her off guard, but the vulnerability behind her words struck a deeper chord. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her sister, whispering, “A hug?”
“A hug? Always!” she giggled, feeling the relief in her breathing. “You know, at this rate, we might set a new record for sisterly hugs in a single day. But…I could use another one. You’re stuck with me, Sis. Always.”
Wendy chuckles softened, resting her head against her shoulder. “Good. I’m holding you to that.”
Sora hesitated, her gaze flicking toward the distant branches of the World Tree visible beyond the district. The idea of stepping into Sela’s shadowy lecture hall tugged at her now that the tension was gone—a mix of curiosity and a need to check in on the former Unseelie Queen. “Let’s see how Sela’s doing. Kurosaki said her lectures are…enlightening. Right? And she’s already kind of in my orbit, right?”
Wendy raised an eyebrow while pulling away to give her a playful glare, her skepticism clear. “Right. Enlightening. I’ll have to take your word for it since I don’t know much about her. Well, let’s see if she can teach us without scaring us off first because… I don’t think I’ve even met her once.”
“Wait, really?” Sora smirked. “You’re in for a treat. Ready?”
Positive vibes flowing, Wendy took her outstretched hand as they moved toward the teleportation gate. The witch was still plucking at the corners of her mind, though.
Why is Diane really here? Whatever it is, I’d bet my tail I’m a part of whatever plan she’s cooking… I don’t want to think I’m the center of the universe, but sometimes…
She sighed internally, drawing inward while squeezing Wendy’s hand as she returned it. Yeah, sometimes, I can’t help but think I’m in some story as the main character. If that’s the case… Ahem!
Hello, audience! Just your hopeful, new, sixteen-year-old little sister here, trying to get through life. Maybe try to put in a good word for me with whoever’s pulling the strings, she snickered inside, not that it felt all that joyful—more stressful. Mom?! Joking. Joking. Maybe…
Because Wendy needs a break! Seriously. Tail slash you face! Leave my Big Sis alone! She’s been through enough… Way more than enough. Give her a win. Unless… Unless that win is me. Huh… Noelia, too. Dad… Auntie Rose. Well, okay. But I’m watching you! Or me. Or whatever! Just, be nice to Wendy. Period. Bye!
* — * — *
Sela hovered gracefully down the shadowed corridor leading to her lecture hall, the darkness just leaving the skies outside. Her iridescent wings emitted a faint, ethereal shimmer. The dim light from the glowing bioluminescent fungi around the area casting elongated shadows across the intricately carved stone walls.
Her gaze drifted between the remnants of Unseelie design she’d cultivated the previous day in the twisting, chaotic patterns. Disgusting… Yet, I can’t bring myself to so much as look at honey without bursting into tears. Dammit.
Restraining a shiver, she pressed the worn tome in her arms against her chest, its ancient cover adorned with runic symbols of The Darkness—not that she needed it after living it. The bone-shivering symbols around the hall now caused her heart to quiver with wary reverence rather than reverent pride.
What has become of me… How can the High Queen tolerate me when the Academy shuns me to this…place. She paused, flowing black waters running down the walls shimmering to show the writhing shadows beyond the smooth stone. Perhaps this is the best place, between The Darkness and Light to show them, but who will dare remain in this place for a lecture?
Sighing, she rubbed the ridiculous book’s tattered binding while continuing her somber flight before any student would arrive. It wasn’t like there was anywhere else she needed to be…nor was wanted.
Despite Sora’s purifying influence—no, because of it—the memories of her corrupted reign and the devastation she had wrought to her own family still lingered in every beat of her bleeding heart. The sound of her wings against the cool air was soft, almost swallowed by the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to cling to her like a second skin.
It feels like…I’m wearing someone else’s body. When will this torture end… Is redemption ever possible for the Unseelie? I suppose… I am that experiment. And, of course, my first visitor would not be a student…but an enemy.
As she rounded a bend, a figure emerged from the shadows, as though conjured by the dark itself. Diane stood there, her posture casual, yet her eyes gleamed with calculated sharpness, the corners of her lips curled in an ever-present smirk. Queen Magsatra had warned her about this dubious human witch and her background during her orientation.
Draped in her tailored attire, the mortal witch exuded an unsettling confidence for the level of power she held, her very presence a stark contrast to the suffocating corridor.
“Well, well,” Diane liltingly opened. “If it isn’t the Unseelie Queen of Miami herself. Or should I say, the former queen, turned humble instructor. No more gray skin or white hair. A fae of honey, if I’m not mistaken with that hair and peachy skin. Quite the fall from grace, Your Majesty. Or…does that title require subjects?”
Sela’s wings fluttered subtly, betraying a flicker of irritation before she steadied herself. What an introduction. I should expect nothing less from someone who sees themselves as a pupil of the Three of One.
Her grip on the tome tightened imperceptibly, and her violet eyes locked onto the moral. “Your tongue is sharper than your bite. How…unfortunate,” she smirked. “Your teacher would be disappointed, Diane,” she smoothly returned, tone carrying a touch of regal detachment. “What business does the Foundation’s pet witch have in Avalon…or this space between light and dark? You seem to be outside your jurisdiction.”
Diane’s smirk widened as she took a measured step closer, her gaze dropping briefly to the book in Sela’s arms. “Oh, I see you haven’t lost all of The Darkness within you; that is quite the retort. Respectable. And nothing of consequence to you,” she mused, her tone light but edged with menace. “Just ensuring the safety of our dear Sora. You know how attached I am to her well-being, as the representative of the Foundation,” she lied.
“What humor you have. I can feel you seething… It seems my presence here will disrupt your investigation. How very unfortunate,” she returned, the shadows pressing in as her countenance darkened with her controlled smile. “Your concern for Sora is as hollow as your loyalty to the Foundation. You cannot lie to an Unseelie, witch. If Sora’s safety truly mattered to you, you wouldn’t be skulking in the shadows like a serpent in search of her prize.”
The dark-haired woman’s chuckles tinged with her French accent, the sound soft yet cutting but the foaming umbra closing in caused her to retreat a step. “My, my, such hostility. And here I thought we might find common ground, given your…unique history with power.”
Her gaze flicked once more to the book. “So…you were the one who checked out The Mórrígan’s Ninth Age diary… How fascinating. Treading on such perilous ground, aren’t we, dear Sela? I’d think such volumes would be restricted to you.”
The former queen’s expression darkened for the briefest of moments before her regal composure returned. “Knowledge is a tool, not a weapon,” she countered. “Unlike you, I do not wield it to manipulate and destroy…anymore, that is.”
“Is that so?” Diane’s eyes gleamed with amusement, her smirk unwavering before bowing her head. “Forgive me if I find that hard to believe, but I pay my respects, Queen of No Kingdom. After all, wasn’t it your ‘knowledge’ that led to the downfall of your kingdom? So many lives lost… Such a tragic waste of resources.”
A flicker of pain crossed Sela’s face, her fingers tightening on the book until her knuckles turned white. But she did not rise to the bait that would see consequences, given her precarious position. Instead, she drew herself up.
Her voice steady, though touched with a faint edge of sorrow, she kept her emotions in check, despite the white locks that ran down her honeyed hair. “You know nothing of The Darkness you seek. I do not deny my past and it is no one’s fault but my own. But I walk a different path now—a path that Sora’s light has made possible. So…”
Shadows curled in, black miasma flowing out of the obsidian walls and corrupted liquid as the space twisted with her now light-absorbing aura, causing a lump to form in the woman’s throat at the compressing atmosphere, threatening to pull her into the void below.
“…Allow me to make this perfectly clear. I will not tolerate your presence in my district. If you want to visit. Input a request. As of now, consider yourself properly warned…because I cannot guarantee your safety.”
The woman tried to regain her confidence as the tendrils crawled up her legs to draw her into the abyss, her smirk softening into something almost pitying.
“I figured as much… And, yes. Sora’s ‘light.’ A beacon for the lost, isn’t she? But tell me, Sela…” she whispered as the sealing Unseelie magic sank past her pitiful defenses. “Enjoy your lecture, Unseelie. May you find redemption while teaching children about what festers below their feet. How long do you think that light will last in a place like this? Avalon has a way of snuffing out even the brightest honey… Your mother was evidence of that, I hear.”
Swallowed and teleported out of the zone, back to the nearest terminal outside of her ‘given’ territory, Sela remained standing in the corridor. Slowly dropping to the ground, her wings folding tightly against her back before unfurling slightly, their iridescent glow reigniting to push back the encroaching shadows now that she was alone.
She closed her eyes briefly, drawing a slow, steadying breath as the echoes of Diane’s words pierced her aching heart. The Darkness within her stirred faintly, a shadowy whisper in the back of her mind, but she pushed it down, the warmth of Sora’s purifying power anchoring her resolve to never allow such corruption to taint her again.
She straightened her posture, her expression hardening. Whatever Diane’s agenda, Sela would not allow herself to be drawn back into the shadows or for her to make gains in her space, no matter how little influence she had.
With measured steps, she continued toward her lecture hall, the tome in her arms a reminder of the power she had once wielded—and the responsibility she now bore.
As much as I hate you, Sora… As often as I cry now… I can’t deny the warmth you’ve let free.
Sela’s hand trembled as she pressed it to her heart, the glow flickering beneath her skin. It wasn’t the fire of domination that once consumed her or the sharp pride that had ruled her every decision—it was softer, quieter. Memories surfaced unbidden: her mother’s lullabies, weaving love into every word; her father’s steady hands, strong and unwavering as they guided her steps; the gentle hum of her people’s laughter under twilight skies.
The ache hasn’t faded with time, and it never will… But woven into it is a fragile promise I fear so much as dared to believe in. Sora’s light doesn’t absolve my sins like some savior, Diane, but it leaves something just as profound—a chance to hold onto the echoes of what I burned.
For the first time in centuries, her lips curved into a faint smile—a true smile—a whisper slipping past them, soft as a breath, “Honey blood… I will never let you go again.”
She clutched the tome tighter, her wings catching the faint glow of the bioluminescent fungi, shimmering in quiet defiance as she stepped forward into the shadows ahead. Memories of her energetic and bubbly mother joining her antics and getting into trouble with her to face her exasperated but devout husband.
Even if this house fell apart… Your hearts beat on inside me. Bound by light, tested by darkness.