Kira stared at Baba Razz dumbfounded. She decided to wait a bit, thinking, "Maybe that's not the end." But when he didn't continue and stared back at her, she sat up straight and asked. "Don't tell me… that's the end?""Yes. The end," Baba Razz answered casually. "Do you mind getting me another glass of water?" He added."I do… very much mind," Kira responded, her eyes still wide from how dumbfounded she was. "You are not getting any water with that ending of yours. Lilith could not have possibly died like that.""Well, she did. She died. Just like that," he said, knowing fully well it didn't sit well with her. "I said I would try to make it a happy ending, but we don't always get what we want now, do we?""I guess we don't," Kira answered after some minutes of letting his words sink in, his words reminding her of her own situation. "But still, if there is a chance for a happy ending, we should take it.""We should," Baba Razz agreed. "Now, do I get that glass of water?" He asked aga
Everything was still except for the soft rustling of leaves settling back to the ground as Kira's chest rose and fell heavily.Her hands trembled, and her brown eyes, which had glowed, returned to normal.She had no idea what had just happened, and she had no time to think.Because—Baba Razz.Quickly, she turned back to him, his body feeling limp in her arms."Baba Razz," Kira whispered, her voice cracking as she pressed harder against his throat, desperate. "Can you hold on? I want to go get some help," she asked him, even though she knew he didn't have much time.Baba Razz's eyelids fluttered open, and he weakly reached up, touching her hands with his."No, no, no," Kira begged, tears already dripping from her eyes and onto his shirt. "I can find help in time. Baba Razz, please, you can't. You still owe me, you—you promised to listen to me, remember? I am not done bullying you." She tried to force a smile, assuring him that he would be fine, but her voice kept breaking.Baba Razz's
Kira didn't move after Baba Razz disappeared. She simply remained there, kneeling on the ground as her legs grew numb beneath her. Her hands were now rested on her lap, stained with Baba Razz's blood, her mind scattered and overloaded. Flashes of everything that had just happened kept replaying in her mind, and for that moment, she knew she needed to stay put, at least just for a little while before she would get up.There was too much to do, too much to understand, and too much to process. She felt that if she tried to figure everything all at once, she might be a danger to her own mind.She lowered her head, staring at her blood stained hands and where Baba Razz had been. He was gone now, completely gone, and she was all alone again.Kira sat there for what felt like an eternity, that even blinking her eyes seemed to have stopped. It was like her brain was trying to arrange everything into their given folders, process it all and then bring out to her what she had to do next, even
Far from where Kira was running, a name was whispered in New Orleans —a tentative whisper filled with sadness. "Bryan…?" Elara called out while standing in front of his bedroom door, her hands clasped together."Bryan?" She whispered again, but no answer. It was just the second day since the bond had been severed, but it felt like a lifetime, and no one had heard a word from him or Aiden since their cries had died down. She had even sent all the workers away when they had broken down, not wanting any other person to witness it, but now that the crying had stopped, the workers had returned.Sighing, Elara's heart clenched painfully, and she exhaled shakily, turning away to pace down the hall until eventually she ended up in front of the study, where Aiden was.Raising her hands, she knocked and called out. "Aiden, honey, are you in there?" But no response. "Are you both not hungry?" She asked gently, her hands on the door as if she could feel him. "I cooked. Very delicious, I tell
Kira had been running for a while, her breaths steady but deep, until she found a quiet clearing deep in the woods and decided to settle there for the time being.All of a sudden, she started feeling hungry, and when she spotted a small animal, instinct took over and well… a fire was made, and the result was a roasted meat.It wasn't perfect, but it was quite edible.Now, Kira was seated on a log she had found in the woods while tearing into the roasted meat. The juices dripped onto her fingers, but she had that under control and wiped her fingers on her pants before sighing and staring into the flames, thinking about her life."I am a mess," she thought, feeling like she was the most complicated, confused and disheveled person in the world.After she was done with her little feast, she reached for the small black bag she had kept beside her and opened it.She was expecting a letter or something handwritten, but instead she found a small glass vial, and it did not look ordinary at all
Kira blinked, her eyes still on the woman before her as the word echoed in her mind. Elves.It wasn't shock she felt or surprise; it was something else entirely. Something like a sense of awe, as if she was now inside one of those many stories she had heard as a child. It was a reality she had never thought would exist, and she had never thought she would ever witness."Elves?" Kira repeated, her eyes running over the woman's features, as if she had not gotten enough of that earlier."Yes, Elves," Lythari answered with a small, knowing smile and then lifted her hand to tuck a strand of her long silver hair behind her ear. It was at that moment that Kira saw them—the pointed ears, sharp and elegant. They were longer than human ears and curved gracefully, just like how she had seen in storybooks. It was…"Wow," Kira muttered, her lips parting slightly before she cleared her throat and pulled herself back. "I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that elves exist, considering that my ki
As soon as the guards opened the immense double doors, Kira and Lythari stepped inside and afterward, the doors closed behind them with a slow, resonant boom.Instinctively, Kira turned to glance back, exhaling softly before she then turned forward again, following Lythari deeper into the castle.The inside of the castle was just as breathtaking as its exterior. The halls were stretched high and vast, with towering golden arches that curved so beautifully and elegantly towards the ceiling. It was expected for the inside to be just as magical as everywhere she had seen, especially with the soft golden light that now filtered in through a massive stained-glass window, casting patterns onto the polished marble floors.The interior design was magnificent. It wasn't too much or too little; it was just the right amount of perfect. As they walked, Kira could not help but admire the beauty around her. Every step they took showed her how grand and ancient the place was, but despite this awe
After Queen Elyria had officially welcomed Kira, Kira bowed respectfully and thanked her."You are both dismissed," Queen Elyria said afterward, and on hearing that, Kira and Lythari exited the throne room and left the castle.Now as they stood outside the castle, Kira took a deep breath and looked around once again as she was beginning to feel more at ease."Kira?" She heard Lythari call, bringing her out of her quiet moment with her thoughts."Yes?" She answered."There is a place I would like to show you," Lythari said and then turned to her, her expression unreadable yet inviting. "I want to know what you think of this place.""Okay," Kira agreed with no hesitation. "Sure."Glad about Kira's response, Lythari started walking ahead, and Kira followed right behind her, her eyes wandering over the landscape as she followed Lythari.The next path they took was surrounded by tall trees, and the deeper they walked, the more beautiful trees Kira saw. And as they walked some more, she saw
Clenching her fists, Kira tried again, and again, and again, and each time, she failed to lift the bottle or even make it shake, and that failure was beginning to get frustrating."Can we just do something else today?" She asked Lythari, feeling the frustration slowly bubbling under her skin. "I need some kind of stress reliever right now, like combat. This. This is stressing me out a lot.""I don't see how that is any of my problem," Lythari stated, her voice in no mood for a debate. "Again.""Lythari," Kira called out. "I need some time before this.""Again," Lythari ordered, ignoring whatever Kira was saying. "All you have to do is lift the bottle. You say you are strong. You said you would lift it, and yet you cannot. Was it just an illusion?""It is not about that," Kira defended, her fists clenching as she tried to keep it together. "I just don't feel it, okay? I don't feel any power in me whatsoever.""Weak," Lythari scoffed as she stared at Kira so intently. "You. Are. Weak."
The days passed quietly, and Kira spent most of her time indoors.Sometimes, she would step out only for some fresh air or short walks as Lythari had recommended, and occasionally, Lythari would also visit and take it upon herself to show her around the elven lands. But despite all that, there were times when Kira would want to be alone, as the solitude somehow helped her.By the end of the week, Kira's mind felt clearer, and she felt stronger both emotionally and mentally. It was like now she could finally control herself.On the morning of the new week, a knock came at her door, and when she went to answer it, she saw that it was Eldrin, holding a few neatly folded garments."Lady Kira," Eldrin greeted with a respectful nod and stepped inside when Kira asked him too."Good thing you are here," Kira said while she watched him set the clothes down on the couch. "Lythari had offered me some of her clothes, and sincerely I loved it, but I also could not wait to have mine before I use u
Understanding Kira, Lythari let out a soft breath and nodded. "I understand." Then, after a pause, she gave her an answer. "You are a hybrid. Half wolf, half witch. You are also the first of your kind. Baba Razz knew this, and that is why he sent you to us—to help you find yourself.""But my parents… they were both werewolves," Kira said, searching her mind for any clue, anything she may have missed. "As far as I can remember, they showed none of that witch trait.""Are you sure about that, though?" Lythari asked carefully, understanding that it was a lot for Kira. "Baba Razz said you are the first of your kind. Which would mean no one else, even before you had been like this. It is also possible that somewhere in your lineage, someone had witch blood in them or was a witch.""Then, how am I the first? Someone should have been a hybrid before me," Kira said, taking a deep breath as she could feel the exhaustion creeping in more in her mind and every part of her body."Let me explain,"
The hand was raised as if whoever it belonged to was about to knock when Kira pulled the door open, and it nearly seemed like the knock would have landed on Kira's forehead if the person hadn't halted."Lythari?""Yes," Lythari responded, lowering her hand. "I was just about to knock.""Figured," Kira muttered and stepped outside, closing the door as Lythari moved aside to give her space. "So, what brings you here? I didn't think you would be coming to see me again today.""I forgot to tell you that part, and good thing you weren't asleep. I was hoping you wouldn't be," Lythari said while looking at her. "I need to introduce you to the Aethereian sisters.""Tonight? Like… right now?" Kira asked, not expecting any of that to happen so soon."Yes, right now," Lythari confirmed. "And before you start worrying about how you look, you are fine the way you are. Carry yourself properly, and even the dress will shape itself into your aura, or, is the better word, bend to your aura? Either way
Closing the door after the man she was expecting had come in, Kira turned to face him, an apologetic smile on her face for keeping him waiting."I apologize for keeping you out there for so long," she said, smiling softly as she also took in his look and realized that he also had those youthful features, yet still had the look of someone elderly, even the feeling."No, no, that's quite alright," the man shook his head, smiling back at her gently. "My name is Eldrin, and I am at your service," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring."I am glad," Kira muttered and then introduced herself. "My name is Kira, and it is an honor to have my clothes made by you.""That is very kind of you, Kira," Eldrin said, his expression softening and his smile growing wider as he was touched by her words. "So, shall we begin?""Of course," Kira nodded, and then found a position for them in the living room. "This is alright, right?""It is," Eldrin confirmed and set down his leather bag, unfastening its
Kira turned her head toward the bathroom door, wondering who could be knocking."Who could that be?" She thought and sniffed, quickly wiping her eyes with wet hands. "I am not expecting anyon- oh, the tailor."Then the knock came again, more insistent this time."I'm coming!" she called out, her voice slightly hoarse from the emotions she had just been lost in. "I didn't think he would be here so fast," Kira muttered to herself. "Or is it…me?""How long have I been in here?" She asked herself as she realized the water was already cold.Hurriedly, she reached for the soap and washed herself."Just a minute, please!" she added, splashing water over her face and rinsing her body, before standing up. "I'll be right there."With rushed movements, Kira stepped out of the tub, grabbed a towel, dried her body, and wrapped it around herself.She had gotten her hair wet but didn't mind it as she padded to the bedroom, and started getting dressed. The undergarment was not too fitted. It was in
Kira, shocked, stood frozen, her eyes locked on Lythari in disbelief. She watched as Lythari raised the key of the house in the air, holding it out to her, and that was when she realized it wasn't a joke… "But was it?" Kira asked herself inwardly, as she couldn't quite process it."Belongs to me?" She asked Lythari, feeling confused, or like she was missing something. "I don't understand," she muttered and glanced at the key, then back at Lythari. "I thought this was probably your house or a new house you wanted to move into, and you needed someone to tell you if it was good enough. I—""You thought wrong," Lythari interrupted her, and let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "You are an interesting one. This house belongs to you now, Kira. It is your new home.""But—" Kira muttered, still struggling to believe it. The truth was, she had actually fallen in love with the house, and now it's actually hers?"Take the key, Kira," Lythari said, holding out the key, her eyebrow raised a
After Queen Elyria had officially welcomed Kira, Kira bowed respectfully and thanked her."You are both dismissed," Queen Elyria said afterward, and on hearing that, Kira and Lythari exited the throne room and left the castle.Now as they stood outside the castle, Kira took a deep breath and looked around once again as she was beginning to feel more at ease."Kira?" She heard Lythari call, bringing her out of her quiet moment with her thoughts."Yes?" She answered."There is a place I would like to show you," Lythari said and then turned to her, her expression unreadable yet inviting. "I want to know what you think of this place.""Okay," Kira agreed with no hesitation. "Sure."Glad about Kira's response, Lythari started walking ahead, and Kira followed right behind her, her eyes wandering over the landscape as she followed Lythari.The next path they took was surrounded by tall trees, and the deeper they walked, the more beautiful trees Kira saw. And as they walked some more, she saw
As soon as the guards opened the immense double doors, Kira and Lythari stepped inside and afterward, the doors closed behind them with a slow, resonant boom.Instinctively, Kira turned to glance back, exhaling softly before she then turned forward again, following Lythari deeper into the castle.The inside of the castle was just as breathtaking as its exterior. The halls were stretched high and vast, with towering golden arches that curved so beautifully and elegantly towards the ceiling. It was expected for the inside to be just as magical as everywhere she had seen, especially with the soft golden light that now filtered in through a massive stained-glass window, casting patterns onto the polished marble floors.The interior design was magnificent. It wasn't too much or too little; it was just the right amount of perfect. As they walked, Kira could not help but admire the beauty around her. Every step they took showed her how grand and ancient the place was, but despite this awe