I took a deep breath, trying to capture the view in front of me.
The stars and moonlight illuminated the field of tall grass and the forest beyond. Manaflies drifted on the rhythm of the night breeze, like a prime example of nature's dance. The wind moved with a slight rush, making my hair wave. In the air, the clear fragrances of water, mana, and nature were strong enough to be truly felt and lived. In the distance, glowing butterflies drifted through the dark.
If I weren't witnessing it myself, I wouldn't have believed anyone who tried to describe it. Maybe that's just how we are—we don't believe the feelings or experiences of others until we reach that same phase ourselves.
In the center of the field, amidst the brush of grass, a figure stood firm. Looking up like a beacon of hope in the depth of despair, her hands were joined in prayer and raised to her shoulders. She seemed to be reciting something, perhaps chanting a spell, as mana slowly formed a glowing circle around her. Her blonde hair whipped through the air like a witch preparing a curse, but her posture showed absolute faith in whatever she was praying for.
I didn't disturb her. I took the long way around, heading toward the distant lake.
The flow of water was audible in the quiet night. The dewdrops on the grass brought a cold sensation, yet filled me with a strange peace. To calm myself—to put an end to my spinning thoughts and the anxiety of something going wrong—I stripped my boots and socks off. I dipped my feet into the rushing stream. The chill was sharp and steady. It felt like placing myself directly into the flow of nature.
I saw my reflection in the clear water, but none of it felt real.
With a sigh, I leaned my head back to look up at the sky. It was filled to the brim with stars, manaflies, and the moon. I wished my mom were here. I wanted to fall asleep without the worry of catching a cold or being lonely. I wanted to show this view to her... I didn't know what this feeling was. Was it nostalgia, regret, or maybe just a deep craving? It didn't matter. To live a moment fully is to experience it fully.
As I took another deep breath, the soft rustle of stalks broke the silence. I sensed the calm, steady footsteps of someone walking toward me through the high grass. I didn't tense up. I already knew this quiet rhythm belonged to the only person I happened to know out here.
The grass parted, and Lysandria stepped into the moonlight, the silver glow catching the edge of her silhouette.
"So, you're awake," she said, her voice cutting through the sound of the water. "Our second soul, a deaf ghost, or more precisely—Ryn, the brother of Mira and Eron."
I smirked, replying with a touch of mockery, "You don't need to use that many names just to get my attention."
She sat down beside me, leaving a careful distance of a hand or two between us.
"Why didn't you run away when you clearly had the chance?" she asked, her eyes fixing on the water.
"I should be present here," I replied, "so I can suffer the consequences of the things I alone have done."
"Quite a responsible person," she remarked, a faint edge to her tone.
Then, she tilted her head, her next question laced with a mocking edge. "What if we try to harm Mira instead of you? To make you suffer the same pain you caused seraphine?"
My voice turned sharp and stoic. "Touch mira, and you'll find out exactly why God had me born before her."
{A/N , so very sorry for delay again but till last two days I was working on different systems of this universe so I genuiely forget I hadn't publish chapter}