-— Chapter 5: An Embarrassing situation
> Morning light spilled across the sky like liquid gold, dripping down the roofs and windows of Sil District.
Aislinn exhaled, arms stretched high above her head, her breath steady in the cool air. This little training ground — a patch of open earth behind the apartments ,was her escape.
Her fingers brushed the necklace resting against her collarbone before she tucked it beneath her shirt.
It's just an ornament, she reminded herself. Yet sometimes, when her heart raced too fast, she could swear it hummed.
Jenna sat on a broken wall nearby, still half-asleep, pretending to "supervise."
"You're insane," she yawned. "No one else works out this early."
"That's why I'm better than everyone," Aislinn said with mock pride.
"You're better at giving me second-hand exhaustion," Jenna muttered, tossing a pebble at her.
Aislinn grinned and continued stretching, but paused when two men passed by —bakery workers murmuring as they walked.
"…the alley near North Lane," one whispered.
"Burned black — just that spot. No one saw who did it."
"Those brats who used to bully that little girl live there. Creepy coincidence, eh?"
Aislinn's body tensed. She turned away, pretending not to listen, though every word sank deep.
Jenna noticed. "Hey… you okay?"
"Yeah," Aislinn said, but even she could hear how unconvincing it sounded.
---
The smell of bread and mint tea greeted her when she got home. Kamari sat by the window, sunlight spilling across her blonde hair, her small hands wrapped around a warm cup.
"You're up early," Aislinn said softly, hanging her jacket.
"I couldn't sleep," Kamari murmured, eyes still on the street below. "Too many noises."
Aislinn poured herself tea and sat down. "Did you hear about what happened near North Lane?"
Kamari's gaze flicked toward her, brief and unreadable. "Fire?"
"Yeah. Strange, isn't it?"
Kamari tilted her head. "Maybe someone dropped a lantern."
"Maybe," Aislinn echoed.
But as she looked down, her tea shimmered faintly — not her reflection, but a flicker of red, like fire. The necklace warmed against her skin, pulsing once.
She grasped it quickly, startled.
"Sis?" Kamari asked.
Aislinn forced a small smile. "Nothing. Just… it's warm today."
---
That afternoon, Aislinn went to the market to buy herbs. Aunt Harnel's sprig had worked wonders — Kamari had slept soundly for once.
The streets were busy, voices overlapping with whispers about the fire — how the ashes had formed the shape of wings, how people said the gods were angry.
Rumors always spread fast in Sil District.
"Aislinn!" called a familiar voice. It was the plump woman from the charm stall. "Looking for herbs again?"
"Yes, ma'am."
As the woman packed her order, her eyes lingered on the necklace peeking from Aislinn's collar.
"That's a beautiful stone," she said lightly. "Looks… ancient and precious."
Aislinn touched it instinctively. "It was my mother's."
For a moment, the woman froze — then smiled too quickly. "Oh, how lovely. Treasures from mothers are blessings."
But Aislinn noticed the flicker of unease in her eyes.
She paid and left swiftly, suddenly aware of how long everyone's gaze seemed to linger.
---
By twilight, the sky glowed purple. The building was quiet except for the hum of pipes and creak of old doors.
Aunt Harnel's door stood ajar. A faint scent of herbs and smoke drifted out.
"Aunty Harnel? Jenna? You left your door open," Aislinn called.
No answer.
Peeking in, she saw candles half-burned, herbs hanging like sleeping bats, and a bowl of shimmering water reflecting light that didn't seem to exist.
Her chest tightened. This looks… strange.
Then a voice spoke behind her.
"Curiosity is dangerous, my dear."
Aislinn jumped. "I—I'm sorry! I saw your door open—"
The woman smiled, though her tone felt too calm.
"It's all right, sweet one. Curiosity means you're alive. Just be careful where you point it."
Aislinn nodded quickly and stepped back. But before she left, she noticed Jenna sitting with her head bowed, silent.It was strange seeing the ever cheerful Jenna that quiet.
Back in her room, Aislinn shut the door fast.
She groaned, clutching her hair. "Ughhh, Ais, why would you peek into someone's room? So awkward!"
Even if Aunt Harnel and Jenna wouldn't be offended — they were close — she still cringed at herself.
Kamari, unable to bear her sister's dramatics, finally sighed.
"Linn? You've been standing there for five minutes grabbing your hair like someone who just gave their last Echoin to a cute kid."
Aislinn laughed. "What kid? What Echoin are you imagining?"
"Then what's wrong? You hardly ever look bothered. You always have that 'I'm fine, I got it all settled' face."
Aislinn faltered. She did have troubles — plenty ,but who could she tell? Not her fragile sister, not the gossiping neighbors, not even kind Aunt Harnel.
Everyone had their own burdens.
"I may have… accidentally peeked into Jenna's house," she admitted.
Kamari raised a brow. "You did?"
"Well, not technically. Their door was open, and I called for them, but no one answered. I thought maybe they were asleep — then Aunt Harnel caught me."
She groaned again. "So embarrassing."
Kamari burst into laughter.
"Mari!" Aislinn protested. "Don't laugh at your big sister's misery!"
"What? You can't expect me not to laugh when my oh-so-mature sister acts stupid!"
"Brat. Who are you calling stupid? I'm still a child too, and I'm allowed to be curious!"
"Sure," Kamari said between giggles. "But you're stupid for making a mountain out of a molehill. They left the door open — you were just trying to help."
"I know," Aislinn admitted. "But still, it felt weird. They might've been doing something personal."
"Did you see something?"
"Yeah. Candles, herbs… a bowl of sparkly water. Things I couldn't really recognize."
Kamari's voice lowered. "Hey, Linn."
"Yeah?"
"Don't you ever get curious about them?"
"You mean Jenna and her mum?" Aislinn asked. "Depends on what you mean by curious."
"Whoa. So you've noticed too," Kamari said, leaning forward. "They've always felt… different."
Aislinn nodded slowly. "Being close doesn't make you blind to the obvious. Jenna's my friend, and Aunt Harnel's kind, but—"
She hesitated. "Jenna's been acting off lately. Especially today. She wouldn't even look at me."
"I thought I was the only one who noticed," Kamari whispered. "They always act strange around the end of each quarter… like something's happening they don't want anyone to see."
Aislinn's eyes widened slightly. "Bingo. That's exactly it."
For a moment, neither spoke — the silence heavy, the night humming softly around them.
And somewhere behind the wall, faint as a whisper, a low chant began to echo.
---
> In the dark, the bowl of water in Aunt Harnel's room rippled — and the reflection inside shifted, showing not her face, but a flicker of crimson flame.
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Note: This chapter is dedicated to Marykefun thanks for your support and the power stones, I really appreciate your support and love.