MORE leaves fell from the dark sky and the scent of Vunmarian incense lingered even more in the air. She looked up at the house, its roof appearing old and weary, and a twinge of concern crept into her heart—she worried it might succumb to the elements without a struggle.

Unlike she had seen in her projection, the front porch was now cleared of leaves and she could see a chair on the side, though she doubted its ability to contain anyone.

She glanced at Zack and found him sporting a smile directed at her. It was clear they had both been processing the chaotic events in silence during their journey here. After her unexpected encounter with the strange woman, he led her away from the thickening crowd and got her water, which she took wordlessly.

When she could hear her thoughts again and her heart slowed in its race, she agreed to follow him. Her earlier anger had taken a backseat, displaced by the strange words of the woman. But now they were alone. He was at the forefront of her mind once again.

"You said you wanted to see it, right?" He looked back at the house in front of them. His childhood home. The place he had spent his formative years in and he had brought her here. Her lips cracked a smile. "Come on in."

With her hand still in his, they walked up the few steps.

As Karyn stepped across the threshold, she braced herself for the weariness of the interior, mirroring the run-down exterior. Instead, she was greeted with an unexpected scene that stole her breath away. A gasp escaped her lips, and her eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the surroundings.

To her right, a graceful staircase wound its way upward, beckoning with the promise of mystery. On the left, an archway led into the kitchen, a cozy nook that felt almost like a secret hideaway. The modest space was anchored by a small island, equipped with a sleek stool.

In the heart of the living room, a simple round table stood proudly, its surface adorned with a charming arrangement of plates, gleaming spoons, and mismatched mugs. A delicate bouquet of roses, vibrant and fresh, sat in a vase on a smaller table nearby, its colors contrasting beautifully against the warm wood tones of the room.

Soft lighting enveloped the space, casting a gentle, romantic glow that seemed to dance along the walls and filled Karyn with a sense of tranquility.

Her smile widened, yet her brows held a question.

"I remember you said you didn't think your birthday was special and after finding out you were the princess, I couldn't help but think how far from the truth you were. You are special. I know I was quite distant for the past few days, but that's because I was setting this up. After we came, Via drilled me the next day on who exactly you were and I couldn't keep it from her any longer. She's one of the few people that can figure me out so well. She offered to help set this up, and it's what we've been up to since. I'm sorry for being distant these past few days and I wish I could have spent more time with—"

She cut him off when she leaned in to capture his lips in hers. "Thank you." Her eyes drifted down to the first button on his shirt. "I admit, I was... bothered by your meetings with her, but I didn't want to intrude."

"There's no way you can intrude any further than you have invaded my heart. So please, always come. Always stay."

Her vision blurred when she raised her eyes to him.

"Karyn, the age of eighteen is quite a significant landmark. Though I don't usually pay attention to my age, but even I had to do something for my eighteenth. I'm sorry that I've ruined the day, but I hope the few hours left will be enough for me to make it up to you. If I haven't said it enough, I want you to know just how much you mean to me."

A single tear rolled down her eye.

"Karyn Whyte, would you go on a date with me?"

She couldn't help the chuckle that left her lips. It was that, or she would burst out in tears.

"Yes, yes, I would." She flashed him a smile and reveled in the dance of light in his eyes.

The dinner was even more pleasant than she could have imagined. Knowing that he set this all up for her made a flurry of feeling spread from her heart to her stomach and back. Endless.

"Can't believe Viatrix offered to do this." The light tinkle of dishes followed as they cleared up once they were done.

"Beneath all her exterior, she's nice when she lets you in."

"Just like you."

"So!" she started once they finished up in the kitchen. "Does the date reach all the way upstairs? I mean, do we get to see the rooms? Not that I want to do anything in particular, I just..."

"I have something you'll love upstairs. Come." He wiggled his brows and she couldn't help but furrow hers at his aloofness.

The two rooms upstairs were not as bad as she expected, once again betraying the exterior that shielded them. The rooms were stark and bare, with peeling paint and a few cobwebs lingering in the corners, whispering tales of neglect and abandonment.

The first was his parents' room, and there wasn't much to it. It was in the second she could see what he meant. In the corner stood a piano, its black cover covered in a sheen of dust. She gasped and turned to him; her smile matching his before she went over to the instrument.

She lifted the cover and sat down on the bench. "If this is your room, then this is yours, right? I didn't know you also played it."

The sound of the chord she struck came after, drifting out of the room.

"I don't." She turned to find him leaning on the doorframe with his hands folded and a tender look in his eyes. The intimacy of the moment intensified the hold his eyes held on her. "It was my mum's. She placed it in my room since I loved watching her play all the time."

Her hands immediately withdrew from the keys. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't—"

"Please." He pushed himself off the doorframe and walked over to sit beside her on the bench. "Play something for us?"

And so she did.

Even as her eyes followed her hands, ensuring each finger met the right key, she could feel Zack's eyes on her the entire time. When she finished, she turned to him and rambled about the history behind the tune, telling him about the tutor who believed she could be a global star someday.

They chatted well into the night, and Karyn couldn't help her elation when Zack told her he had some Wlerden films for them to watch. If Karyn could watch all seven hours' worth of movies that he brought, she would. The style and method of acting differed from what she had seen back at Emerfield. It was a fresh experience and even better, with Zack watching along the way with his priceless input when needed. Unlike her, he had grown up with these movies and had watched them more times than he could remember. And although he said these movies were the bane of his childhood, he never uttered a word to spoil it and let her experience it, laughing with her when she did, and consoling her when she cried.

Karyn didn't know what movie they were on when she slept, but for the first time she had a dream. Unlike the usual dark shadows that haunted her, she lay peacefully in a beautiful field of dandelions, embraced by the presence of the one man who held her heart completely.

♛ ♛ ♛

SLIDING out of Karyn's hold the next morning was admittedly one of the hardest things Zack had ever done. It was on a list with a few other items. Top of that list was saying 'yes' to his taskmaster every time she gave him an order. An order he couldn't question or defy.

He wanted to round her birthday off with something special. Something to remember him by. He knew their time together would end sooner or later. He only hoped it was later. It was one thing heavy on his mind the previous night. He didn't know what her reaction would be when she found out—if she found out. And if the stars in the night sky truly listened, he would pray that she never did.

Stepping out of the room, he headed down in haste. He wanted to be out and back and perhaps they could get breakfast together before regrouping with the others and finally making their way to their location. They had contacted Sahsa in the days leading up to Dwin Rhiena, and each of them knew the details. Jamie made everyone recite it at least three times to ensure it stuck.

As he stepped outside, the bright morning sun greeted him with its warm embrace. He instinctively shielded his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the brilliant light, and he stole a glance back at the house filled with familiar memories. He could hardly believe he had returned here after all this time. When he left, he had hoped it would be for good, dreaming of someday returning with his parents to reclaim the life they once had together.

How innocent he had been to believe that life would restore what it had taken away so easily. Time and again, it seemed whenever life removed something precious; it did so with no intention of giving it back. Now, he found himself lost in thoughts of his parents, and more recently, of Karyn.

Could he pursue her? Would he have the chance to win her heart? Was it possible that life could be gentle enough to grant him this one wish?

He hurried to the market, determined yet apprehensive. The streets were mostly quiet, with only a few early risers opening their shops, while some were just closing up. All the while, his heart raced with anticipation.

He had an idea in mind for Karyn, a slight gesture to convey his feelings. Initially, he had planned to surprise her by taking her to this special place first, but when she had shut him out, he reconsidered. He regretted not telling her about his plans. But again, that would have ruined the surprise and given how her smile set his insides alive yesterday, he would do it the same way all over again just to see that smile.

When he arrived at the shop, the owner was just opening up. After a brief conversation, the owner disappeared into the depths of the store to retrieve the item. Zack stood by, entranced by the beauty of the rose made of silver which the owner emerged with.

It was exquisite, unlike anything he had ever seen. The moment he had laid eyes on it, thoughts of Karyn flooded his mind, and he knew that she would cherish it. Excitement bubbled within him, and he could hardly contain his eagerness to witness her reaction. But then—

"It's been a while, Zacklan," came a voice from behind him.

The familiar name choked him with unexpected urgency. Only few people knew him by that name and even fewer called him by it. Turning around, he found two men in black, their expressions unreadable and hands buried in their pockets. Although they were strangers, a feeling of dread descended upon him.

"Your job is done. She has ordered you to come back."

In that instant, the world as he knew it came crashing down. The euphoria he had grasped so tightly slipped through his fingers like sand, leaving him cold and disheartened.

How naïve he had been.

Life had dealt him yet another cruel reminder of its harshness. He needed no more explanation; their words were crystal clear. His chapter here had reached its end.

Thoughts of Karyn swirled in his mind. Had she awoken yet? Would she look for him? How long could she bear his absence? Would she feel fear or anger when she finally realized that he wouldn't be back?

With each question, he found only more heartache. Life had dangled what he wanted right before him, made him believe he could have it, and then snatched it far, far from his grasp.

He glanced wistfully at the silver rose, rooted in place by a mixture of longing and resignation. Slowly, he dug his hands into his pockets as the owner of the shop returned.

With a heavy heart, he accepted his fate and took the rose with him.

♛ ♛ ♛

KARYN arose to silence. Although she could hear the faint movement of people from the open window, otherwise, was nothing. Her lips parted to a smile as she stretched, recalling last night's memories. It was a perfect end to her birthday. She would remember this one out of all the others.

But her smile faltered and her eyes fluttered open when she realized she was the only one on the bed. Was he making breakfast? She wasn't hungry, but she wouldn't pass up the offer either.

She got up and went out of the room, calling out to Zack as she did, but was met with silence. She checked his parents' room to find it empty before she bounded down the stairs. Upon reaching the ground floor, she realized there was no scent of breakfast or the clatter of plates. It was just mere silence.

"Zack? Did he go out?" She wondered out loud. The house wasn't big, so her search was complete in no time.

"Zack? Did he go out?" She wondered out loud. The house wasn't big, so her search was complete in no time. Could he have gone to Canlian to meet with the others? Yes, they all knew where they had to be and when, but she had assumed she and Zack would leave together. Did he plan otherwise?

Once she realized he wasn't in the house, she figured there was no point waiting. The thought of him already being back at Canlian made her feel sour, but she soon discarded it when another thought crossed her mind. Perhaps he had gone to bid goodbye to Azriel and Viatrix.

She wouldn't want to intrude on their parting, after all, she had intruded on their reunion.

With her mind at ease with the conclusion she came up with, she headed back to Canlian to meet with the others. But when she met up with them, a familiar feeling formed in her gut. One she recognized. Something was wrong.

Zack wasn't there when she arrived.

"But we can't just leave," Karyn whined. They had to leave soon if they hoped to arrive on time. The Jrin held various entry and exit points, all cleverly hidden during the day. Yet, each would open at just the right moment, but only for a limited time. The same applied to the exits. Once inside the tunnels, however, they would face the challenge of walking the entire way, ready to embrace whatever awaited them on the other side.

Though confined, the integrated lights and lush greenery would create a surprisingly pleasant and airy atmosphere, making their situation feel less like entrapment. Or so Zack had explained.

"We can't wait any longer. He should know this," Jamie insisted.

"He's probably saying goodbye to his friends," Salome said instead.

"He also has the contact details, the time, and the location. We can't wait."

"But..." Karyn stuttered, and before Jamie could interrupt, Gema spoke up instead.

"Ryn, Jamie's right. We have to leave. But—" She raised her hand to halt Karyn's incoming interruption. "But he's part of the team now and we can't leave him behind." Gema paused. "Which is why I will stay behind."

"What?" "Why?" Karyn and Jamie said at the same time.

"You all go ahead. I will wait behind for Zack, but I can only wait so long. I have no way of contacting him or knowing where he is."

"What if something happened to him? What if he's in danger? The men at the bar—"

"Ryn." Gema started, placing a hand on Karyn's shoulder. "Go. I'll wait for him. You are the princess, and you're also the reason we're heading to Dhandria. You must go. I can still contact Jamie and Marcela."

Salome stepped forward. "But will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine Sally. Don't worry about me. In no time, I'll be right behind you. And if anything comes up or jumps at you, you know what to do right."

And with exaggerated gestures, Salome spoke. "Duck! Slide! Kick! Punch!"

"Exactly!" The two of them shared a high-five. "When we get settled in the next place, we'll work on your blind spots and that right leg kick."

"Can't wait!"

"Now! Off you go! C'mon, before Jamie has an aneurysm waiting. I can see his veins bulging from here." Gema teased and Karyn couldn't even crack a smile as they left.

The further they went, the more the feeling grew. By the time they had reached their entry, the feeling had transformed into paranoia. She couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened to Zack. He had to be in danger. That was the only plausible reason. He simply couldn't have just... left.

Their entry was into a dimly lit and musty shop ridden with barren shelves, dusty corners, and worn-out tiles creaking under their every step. Along with the chipped paint on the walls, all painted a picture of abandonment. With Jamie leading the way, he pushed open the door, revealing a gaping pit that seemed to devour all light and sound. The void ahead emanated a cold and unsettling feeling that made Karyn's skin crawl, compounding her unease.

"How would we travel through that?" Salome asked.

"A fire from Gema would be useful. Maybe we can wait for a bit—"

"I'm sure they made provisions for light." And without waiting for any response or dispute, he jumped.

"Come on, Karyn." Marcela urged, and Karyn stared at the pit. The feeling in her stomach grew. Her mind chose that time to flash a mental image of her falling down a pit like she always did in her dreams, and the moment Kara's light had faded. So far, only bad things happened in tunnels. Who's to say this would be any different.

A hand on her shoulder brought her out of her reverie. "We'll be with you through it all. Trust me," Marcela encouraged, but Karyn could only half-nod before she leaped. When she landed, she found Salome's question about darkness answered.

Even though they found themselves deep within an expansive underground tunnel, the unusual architecture allowed glimpses of the afternoon sky above them. Rather than the claustrophobic confines typically associated with tunnels, this space felt almost cavernous, with wide walls that stretched far beyond their reach. The ceiling, rather than looming ominously, was a radiant expanse of azure, offering a sense of openness that contrasted sharply with their subterranean surroundings. The sunlight filtered down through distant openings, casting soft patterns on the ground and illuminating the path ahead, creating an atmosphere that was both surreal and strangely comforting.

But despite the welcoming environment, it was not enough to dispel Karyn's unease.

"See, nothing to fear, Salome," Marcela said as they trudged on. Below them, the floor was the same, leaf-covered with the occasional rise. Though no leaves fell from the sky.

Perhaps it was an illusion. The word brought Zack back to the forefront of Karyn's thoughts. Now she had entered, her heart silently prayed that for the first time, her Sense would be wrong and Zack would join them soon.

"I would love to see Dhandria. The land in the clouds," Salome said dreamily as she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Clouds! To be living on clouds. That's a dream. A land so soft, a breeze so ethereal. Oh, I would have so many tales for Manorve!"

Karyn couldn't focus on the young girl's ramble as the feeling she had had only multiplied. She was now glancing back from where they came. A slight tremble was forming in her left hand, and beneath it all, she yearned for Zack's touch. Even just a flicker of it would calm her now racing heart. Her tension must have been palpable, for Marcela noticed it.

"Karyn, they'll be fine." Marcela started and Karyn stumbled a bit.

"Don't worry Karyn. I'm sure Gema and Zack are on their way now. Everything would be fine," Salome said, but as she did, everything changed and the ball of dread in her stomach dropped.

It happened so fast, and Karyn barely caught sight of the arrow that whizzed past her, missing Salome's shoulder by mere inches. The young girl's shriek pierced the air, and Karyn's heart raced as she turned back. From what seemed like nothing, figures emerged, blurry at first but soon revealing their striking red garb.

"It was an illusion. We're being ambushed!" Jamie stated, taking a stance. More guards emerged from behind them and the fact remained glaring. Karyn eyes searched for any possible exits but there was only two ways they could go. Either they went back to their entry point, fighting through the emerging guards and hoping the point would still be open for them to escape. Or they drove forward as planned.

Marcela chose the second.

"Karyn, Salome go! Jamie goes with them! I'll hold off as much as I can."

Karyn watched Marcela's warm, inviting brown eyes shift into an unsettling and vibrant shade of green. From her olive-toned skin, thick, twisting vines sprouted forth, stretching and coiling with a life of their own as Marcela harnessed their power. Karyn could only make the first line of red guards charging toward them before an imposing wall of ice erupted from the ground, a crystalline barrier that separated them from Marcela and her unraveling magic.

Without needing any further encouragement, Karyn and the young girl at her side instinctively lunged further and deeper into the tunnel. She couldn't help but admire the girl's progress; her form had grown more assured and fluid during their recent days of intense training with Gema.

The sounds of anguish and shouts echoed behind them, a haunting reminder of the chaos they were fleeing. Karyn didn't dare to glance back until they reached a sudden stop, her feet skidding on the uneven ground, mirroring Salome's sharp halt. Jamie, the steadfast companion who usually kept pace with them, was unaccounted for. She could only assume he was further back, valiantly battling to fend off more guards that threatened to overwhelm them.

Before them loomed two red guards, one of fair complexion and the other with deep, rich skin. At first glance, they seemed almost unthreatening, standing there confidently as if nothing could shake their resolve. Yet Karyn knew the truth: appearances could be deceiving, and she had learned all too well not to underestimate her adversaries, especially those clad in the menacing crimson armor.

"Come on, girls. This could go a lot smoother. Just surrender yourselves, that's all." The dark-skinned guard some steps ahead of her had a smug look on his face as if he'd already won the battle, but Karyn wouldn't go down without a fight and neither would Salome.

Without warning, chains of silver sprang out from her fingers, shimmering as they lurched forward with insane speed to grip at the guard who spoke, the metallic clinks of the chains echoing through the air. He only darted sideways in the nick of time, the sound of his hurried footsteps mingling with the rustling of leaves under his feet.

The two guards drew their swords. Karyn was momentarily worried about the young girl, and the sight of the young girl brandishing a knife did little to lessen her worry. A knife against a sword. She could feel a knot of uncertainty tightening in her stomach, as she only had to hope the young girl was more familiar with its use.

They wasted no more time. Each going at each other, the clash of their weapons reverberating through the air. Karyn held nothing back as she lashed out at the guard, the swishing sound of her chains slicing through the air. He dodged them with nimble agility and stretched out to slash at her.

With her quick reflexes, she sent another chain to wrap around his sword. Pulling hard at it, she yanked it from his grip and flung it some meters away from them. But the guard remained persistent, his determination palpable in the air.

Dodging and shifting, he lunged at her, and she couldn't step back in time to miss his blow. His fist collided with her sides, the force of the blow stealing her breath away, and sending a wave of hot pain through her. She stumbled, the uneven ground beneath her feet adding to her disorientation, and didn't recover in time as he sent out another blow that connected with the sides of her face. The searing pain that came after pulsated through her cheek as the metallic taste of iron filled her mouth. Even as the world blurred around her, she spat red blood directly at the man, the wet splatter momentarily distracting him, but it was enough for her.

Reaching deeper inside her, she enlarged her chains, but she wasn't quick enough. He ducked and  slid his leg out tripping her balance. The collision of her back on her hard ground forced a groan from her. At that moment she wanted to remain down, waiting for peace to come in any form, but she couldn't. Not only was her life at stake but everything she'd been running towards.

She caught sight of the guard lunging for his sword and forced herself to roll over while he did

Back on her feet, their tango of clashes continued as each slash of his sword met a chain of her silver. She soon became on the defense as he lunged ahead, the force of his sword strikes growing stronger with each blow.

But when he reached out, and she shifted swiftly, one hand transformed the chain into a sword, and slashed at him, catching him on the sides. The sound of his pained grunt mingled with the tearing of fabric.

In a turn of events, she now had the upper hand, her confidence surging through her veins. She had cut through his garb down to his skin as blood oozed out, not doing much to stain the already red attire. The sight of his wounded form only fueled her determination, and his angry yell didn't faze her as she reached out again. She wouldn't stop as she caught him again, his shoulder this time, the sound of her strike mingling with his pained cry.

She was swinging wildly now, unrelenting in her attack, which forced the guard to his knees. And when she raised her sword, her vision remained as clear as ever, her whole being a swelling mix of fury and determination as she intended to strike him down regardless of where. But before she could deliver the final blow, a piercing scream shattered the air, causing her to freeze.

She turned in that moment, her eyes widening in horror as she witnessed Salome collapsing to her knees, hands desperately clutching at the sword impaled through her stomach. The sight of the blood-soaked blade emerging from her sent waves of revulsion and disbelief through Karyn. Her sword slipped from her trembling hand, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

Her instinct was to rush towards the young girl, to offer any help she could. But a cold, firm hand gripped her arm, causing her to cry out in pain as the person forcefully pulled her towards them.

With one hand still gripping her arm, the other clamped onto the side of her head. The pressure caused a searing pain to ripple through her mind, making her wince.

"Oh, you are going to be of much use to the cause." The person's voice, laced with chilling menace, resonated in her ears. She didn't need to see their face to know that they were far more sinister than the red guard she had just battled.

Her cries died in her throat as her vision dimmed, the world fading into darkness. The last image she saw was the guard, the one responsible for Salome's suffering, looking down upon the young girl, who was barely a teenager writhing in pain. The vow died on her tongue but burned within her as her eyes finally closed. She would find that guard and she would kill him for what he had done.

♛

ITNC: One can only freeze in Cosdn, where the snow is unmatched, unseen, and unforgiving.

Next stop: COSDN

♛

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The Sparkling Authoress,
Mis. A
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