Enaeya

All I felt was fear, a cold, suffocating shroud that wrapped around my heart as I forced myself to move, bolting down the narrow hallway of the inn. The walls of the inn, adorned with elegant carvings of ancient trees and celestial beings, seemed to close in on me, echoing the chaos that surged below. My breath came in panicked gasps, my heart beating loudly, and tears blurred my vision, trailing hot against my pale cheeks. I had to reach someone. I had to find help, no matter the cost.

The air felt charged with something unnatural, a frisson of dread, as I stumbled down the narrow staircase, my breath coming in sharp gasps. I couldn't shake that dreadful unease; the sensation that something dreadful had swept through our temporary home - my sanctuary - transforming it into something fearsome, unrecognizable.

Kian and Kira had been fine moments before, sleeping peacefully, young and innocent, and yet now, chaos reigned, like the storm that brews just before disaster strikes. The two of them are companions who were with me throughout my eventful journey, but now both of them are convulsing in their bed, their bodies bending and twitching as though they were puppets manipulated by a cruel puppeteer. I felt helpless, trapped in a nightmare that had taken shape in our simple accommodations in the city of Liriendel.

I reached the last remaining steps of the wooden staircase, the polished wood beneath my feet felt slippery with dread. I could hardly comprehend the chaos unfolding around me. The warm, wooden beams of the inn that had held laughter and camaraderie now encased shouts of urgency and horror. The moment I reached the lobby, I was met with chaos.

I saw Haldir, the elven innkeeper with gold hair that glinted like the sun, stood at the center, barking orders with an urgency that resonated through the air. His emerald eyes wide with concern as he directed his employees amidst the chaos of physicians rushing in, their faces grim as they clutched their satchels of herbs and innocent remedies, as well as elven soldiers rushing inside with urgency. their uniform strikingly elegant, like glistening emeralds flashing in the lantern light.

The inn, usually a safe haven, was now a bubbling cauldron of panic. The sight before me was pure horror - humans convulsing on the floor like broken marionettes, their veins darkening with a traumatic hue that sent shivers down my spine, their screams a cacophony of agony. Each cry felt like a dagger to my heart, but Kian and Kira were my priorities. I had to find a way to help them.

With determination sharpening my resolve, I rushed to Haldir's side, hoping that my frantic presence would rouse him into action. "Mister Haldir!" I shouted, my voice cracking under stress, my heart racing as I fought to get Haldir's attention amidst the clamor. "They need help! Kian and Kira are upstairs! Please, we have to help them!" I cried, the urgency coating my voice thick with desperation.

Haldir's steady emerald gaze locked onto mine, sharp and piercing amidst the chaos, his presence both commanding and calm. "Enaeya, stay calm!" His voice cut through the pandemonium like a sword. He barked a few more orders to his employees - calling for bandages, directing the soldiers. In moments, he turned back to me, understanding blooming in his eyes. "Show me to them!"

Together, Haldir and I ascended the stairs, my feet pounding against each step, anxiety threatening to consume me whole. Then we raced towards my room, urgency propelling us forward. The dim light of the hallway felt oppressive, as if even the walls sensed the dread hanging around us like a dark shroud. As we got closer, I could hear Kira's screams echoing in the corridor, bouncing off the walls and reverberating through my heart.

I had to reach them; I had to protect them.

Pushing through the door to the room I shared with Kian and Kira, I was met with an unbearable sight. Kian thrashed on his bed, the sheets soaked with sweat as a pained groan emitted from his lips. His face, usually stoic and calm, twisted in a rictus that made my heart splinter as he gripped his stomach as though seeking to crush the pain. Kira was on the adjacent bed, her small frame wracked with sobs, piercing screams that echoed with raw agony. Her innocent face was a mask of pain, and the sight drove shards of ice into my veins.

"Mister Haldir!" I cried, terrified of the horror unfolding before me. Kira was only a child - how could I stand by and watch her suffer?

My plea prompted the innkeeper to rush to Kira's side first; he knelt beside her, moving swiftly with a confidence that belied the chaos around us. I felt a surge of both fear and reverence, a mixture at the sight of his calm amidst chaos.

"Stay here, Enaeya, with Kian," he ordered, producing a small vial from the pouch at his side. "I need you to make Kian drink this."

With trembling hands, I took the vial from him then rushed to Kian's side, and my heart broke at the sight of him. His skin was clammy with sweat, his eyes squeezed shut against the pain. "Kian, please, you have to drink this," I pleaded, holding the vial close to his lips, feeling utterly helpless.

"Will it stop the pain?" I asked Haldir, desperate for a sign of hope.

Haldir shook his head, a shadow cast over his face. "It will only calm him for a moment. That's all I can promise right now."

Swallowing my fear, I nodded. I saw Kian's face twist in agony again, and without hesitation, I gently lifted him into a sitting position, cradling his head against my shoulder. "Kian," I whispered, my voice steady despite the trembling of my hands. "I need you to drink this for Kira. For me... just a little sip. It will help."

Kian's eyes opened briefly, a fleeting glance before the pain overtook him once more. The sight of him suffering was unbearable. I tilted the vial to his lips, urging him. "Please, Kian, help us. Just a sip."

He groaned, his eyes flickering towards me before closing tightly. "Enaeya... Kira..." he gasped between grimaces.

"I understand, Kian," I murmured, a shaky whisper of assurance. I couldn't bear to think of the pain he was enduring. "But drink this, please. It'll help, I promise."

He seemed to register my words, albeit dimly. I tipped the vial to his lips, letting the liquid slip past his clenched teeth with a gentle insistence. "Swallow, Kian!" I urged, fighting the rising tide of panic. The moment felt eternal as I watched him struggle, feeling so utterly helpless against the merciless tide of suffering.

I watched as he whimpered and thrived against the cool touch of the potion washing over the inside of his mouth. His thrashing became sharp twitches, and though his face remained strained, his breaths became slightly steadier.

"Enaeya-" Kian gasped, his voice strained and his eyes wide with panic, "What's happening?"

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice breaking. "But you're safe. We're here." I stroked his hair, heart aching for the truth that I could not tell him.

"Now, I need you to hold him still," Haldir instructed without looking, still focused on Kira, who thrashed wildly, tears streaming down her round cheeks. "Kira, sweetheart, look at me! You need to breathe with me. In and out. Can you do that?"

My heart ached, a heavy stone lodged in my throat, yet I gently layed Kian down on the bed, my hands steadily reaching for his shoulders. I pressed my palm down, trying to ground him, trying to let him know I was there for him. My free hand reached for Kira, who looked at me with eyes wide and desperate, filled with childlike fear.

"Kira..." I whispered gently, deciding to mimic Haldir's technique. "Breathe in with me. In... and out." I inhaled deeply, letting my voice carry reassurance, even as a wave of dread threatened to swallow us whole. I noticed Haldir's focus was intensive as he poured another vial - a thick, green potion - into Kira's mouth. The moment it touched her tongue, her screams softened. Just like that, the agony in her eyes lessened, replaced by a lingering confusion.

I felt Kira squeezing my hand weakly, and my gaze met hers, her eyes wide but filled with trust, despite her pain. "Enaeya," she whimpered, tears streaming down her little face. "I-I'm... s-scared."

My heart broke anew, the enormity of our situation crushing me. "I know, sweet Kira. Just hold on for me, alright? Mister Haldir is here. He'll help you. We won't let anything happen to you." I offered her a weak smile, hoping that even in her turmoil, it would provide some comfort.

Haldir's presence felt like a salve, and I turned back to him, watching as he tended to Kira with deft movements. He brushed her curls away from her face, and even amid her thrashing, he whispered soothing words that seemed to stroke away at the chaos in her mind.

"Enaeya, keep Kian still," he instructed, urgency lacing his voice. My hands moved on instinct, trying to provide some stability to Kian's sharp movements. As I held him down, I felt a growing warmth under my palm - a strange contrast to his feverish skin.

It felt as though eternity stretched out before us, the shadows of anxiety and fear lingering like an unwanted guest. I turned to Haldir, lightning coursing through my veins even as my heart pleaded for answers. "What's happening to them?"

Haldir's gaze met mine as he spoke. "I don't know. But we need to find the source of this affliction," he said calmly, though the fire of his emerald eyes revealed the desperation of his intent. "It is not a natural occurrence. Humans don't convulse like this without reason... and I fear it may spread."

"Spread?" I echoed, panic rising anew. "Then we need to get them out!"

"Stay together," Haldir commanded, though not unkindly, pulling universally toward the might of hope. "Enaeya, don't leave Kian. Kira!" he turned to the girl, "Can you hear me? Can you squeeze my hand if you can hear me?"

Kira's slight form trembled, but then she managed to partially open her eyes. She forced a weak nod and stretched out her tiny hand. Haldir immediately took it, his touch gentle.

"Stay with me, Kira, you're doing so well," Haldir soothed, and before long, Kira's breaths became steadier; the pain easing its grip on her fragile body.

"I'm... I'm tired," she whispered, eyes fluttering as fatigue wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

"I need you to listen to me, Kira. You are strong. You're going to be okay, but I need you to fight. Do you understand?" His tone was firm yet soothing.

The heartwarming light in Haldir's voice washed over Kira as she squeezed back. I felt the warmth of hope again, a delicate thread weaving through our collective anxiety.

Beside me, Kian finally drew in a shallow breath, and I met for a brief moment the light in his stormy gaze. Time slowed, ushering in the possibility of recovery that we so desperately clung to. I wanted to believe, and perhaps that was enough to forge a path forward.

"Together," I whispered, squeezing Kian's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his spirit against the darkness creeping in. Haldir nodded, calm determination reflecting in his eyes, as we prepared to face whatever lay beyond the walls of our sanctuary, united in our resolve to save not only those we loved but perhaps all that was teetering on the edge

...

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, spilling warm golden light into the small room I had claimed as our sanctuary for this fleeting moment. Liriendel, the elven city of whispering leaves and luminescent blossoms, cradled us in its serene embrace, yet I could feel the shadows creeping in due to the uncertainty lurking beneath the surface of our lives.

I sat on a wooden chair positioned between the two beds, where Kian and Kira lay sleeping, their small frames demonstrating the weariness of the battles they had fought - battles of pain and despair. The late afternoon light painted their innocent faces, but it tempered the dread in my heart. Although they had made it past the worst, it was more than a clammy illness that haunted me; it was the specter of loss, a cruel ghost that whispered in my ear and flicked tears from my eyes.

While wiping my cheeks with the back of my trembling hand, I couldn't divert my thoughts from the loss of Damian - my lover, my protector. I felt so alone in this vast world, even in the vibrant heart of Liriendel. He would have known what to say, how to calm the storm of panic raging within me.

I shook my head and, with a flick of my arm, strayed the memories of him far from the present moment. Instead, I concentrated on Kira as she stirred, an adorably tousled figure who seemed to chase away nightmares with every fluttering eyelid. Her curls danced with the residue of a dream, giving her face a peaceful expression. My heart softened; she was a beam of light, though sickly, and so much like the joy that had once enveloped my life with Damian.

I tried to fight my hands from trembling as I dabbed a towel into a bucket of cool water. My eyes, still red and puffy from the tears that had flooded them earlier, caught the glimmer of light on the water's surface. Every droplet seemed to mirror both my overwhelming worry and the deep love I felt for this brave little family I had stumbled upon.

When we first met, the moon had hung high in the sky, casting luminescent rays upon the path of our journey. Kira, a whirlwind of energy with curls that bounced like rays of sunlight, had offered me her rations despite being hungry herself. And Kian, her older brother and steadfast guardian, had eyed me with cautious curiosity. Yet, in that moment, I saw something in them both - a flicker of hope that replaced the haunting shadows of the past I carried with me. But now, all I felt was fear. I squeezed water from the rag, letting the droplets drip back into the bucket like the seconds dragging by.

I could not lose them. Not now. Not after everything.

I leaned over to Kira, placing the damp cloth on her forehead. The moment I touched her skin, she let out a soft whimper, and I fought back tears that threatened to spill over once more. I could hardly bear the thought of losing her. Unlike the vivid memories of laughter and adventures we shared - a treasure trove of simple joys that felt like both a balm and a blade - I could not imagine the silence that would follow should Kira's laughter fall forever silent.

I leaned over and kissed her forehead gently, a whispered lullaby escaping my mouth, "You are safe, Kira. You will be alright." My voice was soft, fragile almost, like it might shatter upon release. I clasped her small, delicate hand in mine, cradling it like a mother would - a protective gesture that felt foreign yet instinctive.

But it wasn't just Kira I was concerned about; my gaze drifted to Kian, sprawled out on the other bed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically, yet plagued by fever. I could see the softness in his calm aura that was a stabilizing force in tumultuous times, even through the haze of his sickness. He was my silent protector, always looking after Kira and ensuring my safety. Even when the world grew dark and despair threatened to clutch at my heart, Kian seemed to stand tall - a sentinel against the shadows.

I gently adjusted the cover around him, reminding myself of Damian - of the laughter we shared when he laid his dreams upon my heart like whispers of promises. But that was another life, one filled with light, before darkness enveloped it, stealing him away and leaving an indelible mark on my soul.

I glanced at the small tapestry hanging on the wall, images of elves dancing in nature, their smiles eternal despite the inevitable passage of time. It made me wonder about fate. I had lost Damian to a cruel twist of fate, and for a while now, I had feared that the shadows would continue to pursue me. It felt like a cruel jest to think that I had finally found joy only to lose it again.

"Please, just keep them safe," I murmured to the wind. My heart ached at the thought of losing another love, of feeling that suffocating emptiness once more. My fingers tangled in Kira's curls, and I tucked them behind her ear, a silent promise etched in the way I cared for her and Kian: I would do everything in my power to protect them.

But even as I thought of this, my fears from earlier reshaped into nightmares when the siblings became afflicted with the strange illness, where shadows consumed me completely, threatening to swallow me whole.

What if I lost them just as I lost Damian? What if I awoke one day, only to find Kira's laugh had been extinguished, the light in Kian's eyes erased? Fear dissolved into despair fueled by memories of my past - a past rich in love and sorrow, woven tightly into the fabric of my being.

The air was heavy with unshed tears as I caressed Kira's hand, each kiss marked with prayers for their recovery. "Please don't leave me," I whispered, not knowing if the words were for Kira, for Kian, or perhaps for the ghost of Damian that still lingered in my heart. "I don't want to lose anyone ever again."

I leaned back in my chair, eyelids heavy, letting the weariness settle like a heavy cloak over my shoulders as I will myself to find rest; perhaps sleep would offer clarity or insight into this strange sickness that seemed to engulf our world.

Just as my eyelids fluttered closed, the sound of rushing footsteps erupted from the corridor outside, shattering the fragile peace. I jolted upright and glanced towards the door I had cracked open earlier to invite the fresh breeze inside. Worries of my own situation receded as instinct took over; I needed to know if danger lurked in the shadows.

The rush of footsteps grew louder, but I could not discern the words being exchanged; only the gravity of the situation was palpable. My heart raced as the footsteps halted outside the adjacent room. With a straining effort, I leaned forward in my chair, my breath catching as two elven guards entered, lifting a man whose limbs hung loosely as though he were a puppet without strings. My heart sank; it was another victim, and like Kira and Kian, he had fallen prey to the mysterious illness that plagued Liriendel.

A flurry of muffled voices erupted into the small otherwise tranquil haven. I strained to listen, focusing on the one voice that stood out amidst the chaos. Following the guards were two others - a doctor dressed in flowing white robes and a young man with disheveled hair, dressed in a garment resembling that of a shaman. The young man had eyes that were a shade of brown reminiscent of earth, frantic and alive, carrying the weight of a thousand questions on his shoulders. I could tell he was someone who cared deeply for the fallen man, and I felt a sudden rush of kinship for him, though I couldn't explain why.

"Sir Misha, how long has he been like this?" the doctor inquired, his voice steady yet laced with anxiety as they paused at the door across from my own.

Misha's eyes darted anxiously toward the doctor. "I-I only found him unconscious about an hour ago, inside the greenhouse," he stammered out, his trembling hands gripping the hem of his tunic.

"I see. Let's go inside first and we'll talk there." The doctor's voice was steady yet urgent, guiding Misha as they vanished into the room, closing the door behind them. I could feel the weight of their urgency pressing against my chest. A sickening dread washed over me, and I turned my gaze back to Kira and Kian, their faces delicate as the petals of spring flowers, but so vulnerable under the uncertainty of their affliction.

I was overwhelmed by the thought that they weren't the only ones suffering. As I lay my head back, closing my eyes against the reverberations of worry, a soft sigh from Kira broke through my thoughts. I opened my eyes, my resolve rekindled by the sight of her tiny hand in mine. She was not alone; she had Kian, and she had me. Even as the shadows of illness loomed over us, I would not let despair settle in our hearts.

But fatigue washed over me again, pulling at my consciousness. As I struggled against its pull, the images from this morning receded from my thoughts, replaced with the warmth of the sun and the floral scent wafting in from the open window. I shouldn't have lingered too long in morose thoughts, I chided myself, as I desperately tried to focus on Kira and Kian.

At that moment, the sunlight danced through the leaves outside, casting playful patterns on the floor and illuminating Kira's sleeping face. She looked so peaceful, so untouched by the horrors that lurked just beyond the slender walls of our room. My heart swelled with love for these siblings who had quickly become like family to me. I promised silently to fight for them - whatever obstacles lay in our path.

As sleep bravely beckoned me again, I fought against its allure, but before I could muster the strength of will, my eyelids became too heavy. I succumbed to the pull of sleep, allowing myself to let go, knowing that whatever challenges awaited us in waking life, I would face them with love in my heart and a vow to protect Kira and Kian as they rested and recovered, even if that meant venturing into the encroaching shadows of uncertainty.

And in that moment of surrender, the soft light enveloped us, forming a fragile cocoon - the hope that dawn would break brighter tomorrow, where love would always triumph over fear. Just as my consciousness drifted, I caught one last glimpse of sunlight reflected in the innocence of Kira's face - before I finally drifted off to sleep.