"Is this... really my uncle's castle?" Alessia mumbled under her breath, her eyes wide with awe as she moved down the enormous hall. The stone walls rose high above her, with towering arches flowing gently overhead. The walls were covered with intricate carvings of legendary creatures and luminary symbols, all lighted by the warm glow of candles flickering in their sconces. Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, creating beautiful patterns on the floor. It felt lively, full of light and warmth, in contrast to the Endymion palace's chilly, depressing atmosphere. Joya, her uncle's appointed maid, followed her carefully, directing her toward the library. The calm echo of their footsteps echoed through the hall, providing a soothing counterpoint to Alessia's rapid thoughts. "This castle is beautiful," Alessia whispered almost to herself, her gaze drawn to the intricate features of the marble columns and gorgeous tapestries that adorned the walls. "It feels alive, like it has
"I can't enter, My Lady. Only those with Carrios blood are allowed inside." Joya's voice carried an apologetic tone, her eyes downcast. Alessia, still red-eyed from crying over Joya's painful story, stood before the massive wooden doors of the Carrios family library, her heart racing. She had been eager to explore the wealth of knowledge inside, especially after hearing whispers of the library's treasures. Her past life as Luna had been filled with books—her only escape from the world's cruelty. In this life, Alessia craved that same solace. But her curiosity was tempered by awe as the doors creaked open, revealing a sight that made her breath catch in her throat. "Well, Joya," Alessia muttered under her breath, a teasing smile on her lips. "I think I'd kill to own a library like this." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she stepped inside, wide-eyed with wonder. Shelves stretched from the polished marble floor to the vaulted ceiling, filled with thousands of leather-bound boo
"Uncle, are you sure I'm ready for this?" Alessia asked, gazing into the great halls of the castle as they made their way to the training area. Duke Andro Carrios walked behind her, his posture firm and his emerald eyes brimming with calm assurance. "You're all good. Your strength is already enough. Did the healer tell you so? And, Alessia, strength comes from more than just physical training," he said, his voice stern but gentle. "It's about developing willpower, dependability, and understanding when to stand firm. You're capable of it all. And you have my complete support." Alessia sent a quick glance at her uncle, the only member of her family who had ever shown her genuine concern. "I don't want to disappoint you." "You won't," he murmured, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Alessia, I believe in your goodness and your kindness. This world, Luminary, needs someone to rectify the wrongs. I know you can." Her heart was thrilled yet felt heavy. His comments held a weight she
"Fine. If no one wants to help me, I'll help myself," Alessia muttered under her breath as she walked down a narrow path behind her uncle's castle. The crisp air bit at her skin, but the cold was nothing compared to the icy stares she'd been receiving for days. The knights, the instructors assigned by her uncle—they all refused to look her in the eye. Their hostility was palpable, thickening the atmosphere like a storm waiting to break. She clutched the books she had taken from the library tightly in her arms, her heart heavy with disappointment, but she refused to let it break her spirit. Finding a small, secluded clearing beyond the castle's walls, Alessia exhaled deeply. The spot was quiet, peaceful. A place where no one would disturb her. Here, she could try to understand herself better. Try to become strong without needing anyone else. Sitting down on the cool grass, she placed the books in front of her and let her fingers trace the worn covers. "You're not like them," she w
"How could you be so reckless, Alessia?!" The sharp voice of her uncle snapped Alessia out of a hazy dream, pulling her from the darkness. She blinked her eyes open slowly, her body heavy with exhaustion. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar, the lavish drapery indicating that she was in one of the castle's private rooms. The pain in her body brought back memories of the explosion of her luminous light. "Uncle?" Alessia's voice was weak, but it was enough to silence the furious words coming from across the room. Duke Andro Carrios, standing near the door, immediately strode towards her, his face still a mask of frustration. "You're awake," he said, relief flickering in his emerald eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by anger. "How could you? Summoning your luminous without any guidance? Without anyone there to ensure your safety?" Alessia winced, both from the pain and the weight of his words. She hadn't realized how dangerous her actions had been. "I... I didn't know," she whi
"Are you sure you're prepared for this, Lady Alessia?" Troil Testmi's voice was stern, but there was a trace of anxiety as he looked at her armor. "The Vasselgrove Ruins aren't a place for the unprepared." Alessia looked up from the delicate silver etching she was running her fingers over in her armor. She smiled reassuringly, but her fingers quivered slightly. "Sir Troil, I wouldn't have arrived if I wasn't prepared. My armor might not seem impressive to some, but..." She paused, not wanting to appear cocky. "I crafted it myself. It's stronger than it appears." As they reached the ruins, Alessia could hear low giggles from a few of the knights moving beside them. Raizel, one of the most doubtful, snickered as he examined her small armor, his tone condescending. Raizel remarked, "It appears she's donning paper armor. She's certain to face death before she even makes it to the entrance." Alessia maintained her poise and ignored Raizel's jabs. She was not here to prove herself t
"Left," Alessia softly sighed, gently rubbing her temple as if it were the hundredth time. "I believe it would be best for us to choose the path on the left, Raizel. There appears to be a discrepancy with the path on the right." Raizel crossed her arms without bothering to glance her way. "Lady Alessia, the decision is not yours to make, whether it be right or left. I will consult the others," he mentioned casually, shifting his attention to the knights, seemingly unaffected by her words. Alessia discreetly tightened her jaw, suppressing a sigh while the skeptical knights looked her way. The flickering torchlight danced upon the damp walls of the ancient hallway, casting shadows that spread over the cracked stone. Troil observed from a short distance, his expression inscrutable. She wanted to speak with him, but he was busy organizing his own team, intent on finding a safe route ahead. As Raizel delved into discussions with his comrades, Troil made his way towards them, his eyes n
"It's Vorgath!" Alessia shouted, her voice trembling but clear as she recognized the ancient terror slithering toward them. "Everyone, stay alert! Vorgath hides in shadows, striking before you even see it!" Her warning echoed around the damp stone walls, but most of her comrades looked as though they had just witnessed a nightmare made real. Gritting his teeth, Raizel cast a skeptical glance at her. "Why should we trust you, Endymion? You're just here to—" A sudden hiss cut him off. The air grew thick, as though drenched in poison, and an oily black liquid shot from the darkness, hitting one of their comrades square in the chest. The scream that followed was horrendous, echoing through the chamber as his flesh melted, leaving only bone behind. The others froze in sheer terror, staring as their fellow knight collapsed—a lifeless skeleton where a man had once stood. "Get it together!" Alessia yelled, snapping them out of their horror. "Vorgath's too fast for us to stand here paralyze
"Why don't they believe us that we won't hurt them?" Alessia spoke up as she saw Kael'thar and his group pass by their cage. Their faces bore the weight of grief. "Maybe they think we'll burn them to ashes as soon as we get out," Raizel groaned, leaning against the far corner of the cage. Even though he was being snarky, he was clearly angry. Alessia ignored him, her attention fixed on the rabbit-eared child sitting outside their cage. The five-year-old girl was playing with a tiny wooden toy. Her silky, brown, fur-covered tail twitched as she giggled, clearly amused by Alessia's attempts to replicate her movements through the bars. "What is her name?" When Alessia requested in a hushed voice, a chimeralys stood guard nearby. The woman, whose face looked like a fox's, paused for a moment before responding. "Lirra." "Lirra," Alessia said, her voice gentle. "What a lovely name." As she delivered the toy to Alessia through the bars, the youngster smiled and her eyes brightened.
"Toran, you're moving too slowly a while ago," Kael'thar yelled, his voice loud and angry. As he talked to his friends gathering around the campfire, the yellow flames flashed in his eyes. Kael'thar clenched his teeth. A young chimeralys with bird-like features said, "We are doing our best, Kael. Our weapons are powerless against their swords and luminous abilities." His voice was tired. "But without more strength, we'll never get them back." Alessia moved slowly in her seat, and her head bowed as if she were asleep. Raizel and Sirena had already succumbed to exhaustion from their earlier feeding. When Kael'thar forced Raizel to eat like an animal in front of her watchful gaze, Raizel became furious. However, Alessia's only response was a silent, sarcastic smirk and an eye roll. The only sound in the camp was the chimeralys talking quickly, which made Alessia very interested. Even though it wasn't in her to listen, the weight in Kael'thar's voice drew her in. The old words
"Are you even listening to me, Sia?" In the tense quiet, Raizel's voice broke through. His tone was sharp and angry. Alessia leaned back against the wooden bars of their cage. She looked calm, but there was a hint of boredom in her face. Raizel's words hung in the air because she didn't answer right away. "I'm talking to you!" Raizel snapped at her, and his brown eyes narrowed as he glared at her. Alessia gave him a lazy shrug and raised an eyebrow. "I heard you, Raizel," she said in a low voice. "And you're just keep on repeating yourself." Raizel sighed in frustration and ran his hand through his messy hair. "Do you not get it? We wouldn't be here tied up like animals if you hadn't stopped us earlier!" Alessia crossed her arms and said, "Yes, I know." Her carefree attitude seemed to make Raizel even angrier. Raizel mumbled, "You're unbelievable," and his voice was dripping with anger. Sirena, who was sitting still, looked back and forth between them. Her aqua-blue eyes were
"Move carefully, Alessia," Sirena said quietly, her voice cutting with a mix of anxiety and desperation. Alessia's eyelids blinked open, her vision clouded. The first sensation she had was anguish, a dull, throbbing ache that swept throughout her body. She attempted to stretch, but the movement caused additional anguish in her arms and legs, and she winced. The sight of her wrists shackled with harsh ropes biting into her skin nearly stopped her heart. A small rustling sound beside her caused her to turn. Silena was beside her and aquamarine hair was tangled, her face pallid, yet her eyes were bright. "Sirena..." Alessia's voice croaked. She attempted to sit up, but her muscles refused, and she grimaced. "We're tied up," Sirena said gently, attempting not to draw attention to herself. "Don't move too much. You'll only hurt yourself more." Raizel's voice ripped through the air, harsh and full of wrath. "This is what happens when you let your emotions get the better of you, Sia.
"Did you even sleep last night, Sia?" Raizel's loud tone interrupted the morning silence, his gaze locked on Alessia's exhausted, disoriented face. Alessia blinked, trying to focus. "I... tried," she muttered. She clenched the edge of the table in their little room at The Dusty Oasis inn, her knuckles white. Sirena, who sat next to her, sighed heavily. "She didn't. She was restless throughout the night, and I can attest that it is not an easy task to sleep next to someone who is as restless as a puppy." Raizel crossed his arms. "You're worried about them, aren't you?" Alessia did not need to ask who he was referring to. The unsettling pictures of imprisoned Chimeralys she'd seen the day before returned to her mind—half-human, half-creature beings tied in chains, caged, or dragged across the marketplace like commodities. Their desperate eyes and broken spirits had gnawed at her heart all night. "How can I not be?" Alessia muttered, her voice shaking. "They are hurting. Animal-l
Raizel muttered, "Keep your head down, Alessia," as their horses slowed at the grand iron gates of Arcas. His tone was firm but soft, just enough for her to hear over the clamor of the busy entrance. "Remember, you're Sia Larkstone here." "I know," Alessia said, her voice firm despite the unease building inside her. She adjusted her cloak, the cloth brushing across her face, as if to provide comfort. Sirena said from her side, "And don't react to anything you see. The city thrives on fear and power. We know how reckless you are. Openly expressing compassion could endanger us all." The guards at the gate were equally terrifying as Sirena's warning. They wore black armor with elaborate crimson patterns and featured a snarling wolf carved in silver, something Alessia had never seen before. Their piercing eyes searched the crowd as they approached. "State your names and purpose," yelled one of the soldiers, his penetrating eyes lingering on Alessia for a moment too long. Raizel too
"This is it," Alessia whispered softly, standing in front of the Pathweaver, which was shimmering faintly in the meadow's dawn light. Raizel and Sirena stood a few feet behind her, silent yet alert. "I suppose this is goodbye." The Pathweaver turned its head, its iridescent appearance changing like sunshine over water. "Goodbyes are just pauses in the flow of life, Alessia. We may meet again, but perhaps not in the way you think." Alessia smiled slightly. "I still want to thank you. Thank you for guiding us, for your knowledge, and for... everything. I'm not sure how to convey it correctly, but I'm glad." The pathweaver's glowing eyes softened. "Gratitude is a unique and beautiful gift that requires no embellishments. I accept it, Alessia." Curiosity flared in her sight. "I wish I could call you by a name, but... you don't have one, do you?" Alessia asked. "No," the Pathweaver answered kindly. "We, the Guardians of Luminary, do not have names. Our identities are based on ou
"This place is incredible," Sirena said, reclining back on the soft grass of the meadow. Her aqua-blue eyes reflected the sun's waning light as it set behind the golden-leaved trees. "It feels like we've stepped into a dream." Alessia sat nearby, her back against the trunk of a tree that glowed dimly in the twilight. Her fingers carelessly touched the grass, its cool, silky texture grounding her amidst her racing thoughts. Raizel lay out on the ground, hands behind his head, seeming calmer than Alessia had ever seen him. "Dream or not, I'm just glad we're not fighting for our lives anymore." He looked at Alessia with a taunting grin on his face. "Though I have to say, Alessia, you really have a knack for charging headfirst into danger." Alessia smirked but did not answer. Instead, her gaze shifted to the Pathweaver, who was sitting on a tiny rock beside the stream. The creature's iridescent glow appeared to brighten as the darkness deepened, throwing an ethereal light across the
"Alessia! Wake up! You cannot give up now!" Sirena's words cut through the tiredness that had clouded Alessia's consciousness. Alessia's eyelids fluttered open and her body screamed in outrage. Her hands trembled, clutching the Blade of Lumina tightly. She forced herself to stand, despite her body feeling like lead and her knees shaking, as she confronted the Chimeran Trivaltus once more. "You're insane!" Sirena yelled, her voice tinged with panic and wrath, as Alessia pushed forward. "You're going to get yourself killed!" Alessia did not respond. She couldn't afford to waste words explaining her decision. This wasn't just about surviving the Forest of Nyssor; it was about demonstrating to herself that she wasn't weak anymore, that she wasn't the Alessia who cowered in fear. With an aggressive roar, the Trivaltus lashed out with its tiger head, exposing its huge fangs. Alessia avoided narrowly and rolled to the side. As she regained her footing, the lion head, the creature's co