After dinner, the evening settled like silk across the island. All sounds faded into quiet. It was time to rest.

  Guards patrolled the outer corridors, their footsteps echoing softly on the marble floor as they passed. Far above, the Fixxn stirred.

  Guardians of the Night, they were oath-bound watchers—protectors of the Living Core. Ancient and silent, the Fixxn soared high above L’Oubliée, cloaked in deep blood-red shade. Their immense wings stretched across the stars. Curved green horns crowned their foreheads, and sharp beaks shimmered faintly, as if tipped with starlight. They moved in solemn circles above the island, ever watchful, ever faithful.

  From her bed, Virelya stared through the open window, her eyes drawn to the far north—where a piercing energy shimmered. The Living Core pulsed like a radiant gem, nestled deep within the high mountains, its glow washing the peaks in sacred light.

  To her, it looked like a birth-star—ancient and always burning.

  Then, in the hush of shadow, a whisper stirred the air.

  “Hey… hey.”

  The voice came low, playful, threading through the dark.

  Virelya stiffened, her back still turned to the window. Slowly, she leaned toward her bedside, muscles tense.

  “Hey!” The whisper came again—closer now, louder. It sounded familiar, but strange in the night’s darkness.

  As she neared the bedside, Virelya moved without hesitation. Her hand snapped to the dagger beneath her pillow. In one swift motion, she slashed—

  Clang.

  Steel met steel, sparks flashing in the dark. Her dagger collided with another blade.

  “You scared me!” gasped the voice. “How can you just reach to slash someone like that?”

  Virelya exhaled sharply, her voice dry with sarcasm.

  “Well, maybe if someone didn’t sneak into my room in total darkness, I’d be more welcoming.”

  A soft chuckle came from the shadows.

  "You’re right. But this was a test—to see if you're more prepared than before. Just like when we were children."

  "I know, Seraphine." Virelya sighed and lowered her blade. ‘’and I always pass ."

  "Well, that’s up for debate," Seraphine replied, stepping closer to her sister. The shimmering light of the gem glinted off her features.

  "You have a beautiful view," Seraphine said, mesmerized by the light.

  Locking eyes with her sister in the moonlight, Virelya smiled. "Well... apart from Mother’s, of course."

  She moved toward the window, resting her hands on the carved stone sill. The silver light from the Living Core painted her face in soft luminescence.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she whispered.

  “Yours has the clearest view of the Core in the island.”

  Virelya said nothing at first, watching the glow dance along her sister’s cheek.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Then added softly, “I like this view.”

  She smiled faintly, though the light only deepened the shadow in her eyes.

  But Virelya narrowed her gaze, sensing something wasn’t right.

  “Your little test or the view doesn’t tell me why you’re here, Seraphine.”

  Seraphine didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stared deeper into the Core’s shimmer, as though it whispered secrets only she could hear.

  Then, in a hushed voice:

  “ A prophecy… is coming. I feel it more clearly than ever.”

  She clutched her head, her breath catching as doubt shivered down her spine.

  “It’s like a blade pressing against my heart''.

  "Your abilities must be playing tricks on your mind again. Even if it's true, only the High Priest of the Order can confirm whether what you say is real," Virelya said with a sigh.

  Seraphine spun toward her, her face tight.

  “I remember the prophecy from the Order—but this isn’t the same. This… this feels like something else entirely. I see things—moments overlapping, as if time itself is unraveling. Something extraordinary is unfolding beneath it all.”

  She stepped forward, urgency thick in her voice.

  “Let me ask you something.”

  “What?” Virelya replied, reaching for her water glass.

  Seraphine’s voice dropped to a near-whisper, her eyes never leaving her sister’s.

  “Have you ever wondered… what lies beyond the Veil?”

  Virelya froze. Her fingers slipped from the glass. She turned sharply, moving toward the far corner of the room where the shadows clung like secrets.

  “Seraphine…” she hissed, voice tight with fear.

  “You’re insane to even speak of that. Even if it’s you—if anyone hears… if Mother hears—this isn’t exile we’re talking about.” Her voice low and shook. “It’s death.”

  “I know. But you mean to tell me you’ve never wondered what lies beyond the Veil?” Seraphine’s voice trembled with fury; her eyes ablaze.

  “You truly believe this island is all there is? That this endless time —repeating for cycles—is life? Don’t you ever feel it? The stillness? The silence?”

  She stepped forward, breath sharp.

  “Haven’t you ever truly wondered if there could be more?”

  Virelya stiffened, her hand trembling slightly.

  “I… I do not wonder,” she said loudly, though her voice betrayed her.

  “I’m content. That’s what we’re meant to be, isn’t it? Our people want peace… not change. Peaceful is what we are.”

  Seraphine’s laugh was bitter, almost a growl.

  “Peace without growth is a cage, sister. If we never step beyond the Veil—never dare to explore—we betray every spark of purpose of the life given to us.”

  Her voice echoed in the stillness of the night, rising with the wind that rustled against the stone walls.

  “Do you really think nothing lies beyond? That this—this island, this chamber, this stagnant rhythm—is all there is? The living core itself has giving me glimpses. Shadows of the world beyond. I believe it still calls to us.”

  Virelya’s voice cracked.

  “I... I don’t know.”

  Suddenly, the great door burst open with a resounding bang. Five warrior women entered swiftly, armor gleaming even in the low torchlight. At their center stood Head Isla—''My daughters,” Isla said coldly, her voice slicing the stillness. “Awake in the depth of night, whispering… and examining thoughts that disturb the evening’s peace.”

  Her gaze, unflinching and iron-strong, locked on Seraphine.

  “Return to your chambers. We will discuss this at dawn.”

  “But Mother, I—”

  “Return, Seraphine.” Isla’s words rang like the crack of steel. No space for defiance.

  Seraphine glanced at her sister, fists clenched with restraint. Then, without another word, she turned toward the door.

  “Yes, Mother,” she said coldly

  Then Isla’s gaze turned—sharp and unforgiving—to Virelya.

  “And you… we will speak again. Let this night bring you no more wandering thoughts. Sleep now, daughter. Let not your mind drift into paths unworthy of your blood.”

  Her voice gentled, but it was the gentleness of a blade just before it cuts.

  “Sleep well, my child.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Virelya whispered, her words barely more than breath. The heavy door groaned shut, and silence fell again, thick and suffocating.

  She slipped beneath the sheets, yet sleep did not claim her.

  “Is there truly a world beyond the Veil?” she asked herself; eyes fixed on the stars beyond her window.

  And if there is…, what would I do? Could I break this cycle—and chase the freedom my sister dreams of?”

  Her fingers traced the moonlight spilling across the high southern mountains, where the distant glow of the Living Core pulsed like a heartbeat. Her thoughts swirled like mist—uncertain, bold, dangerous. And somewhere deep within, a quiet rhythm had begun.

  At last, she closed her eyes, the whisper of doubt still curling through her mind.

  As the first day of the Spire approached, the air grew thick with anticipation,

  shimmering as if holding its breath.

  And in that haze, a storm was waiting. Waiting for them all.