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2024-11-18 19:10:55The cafeteria was filled with the regular lunchtime excitement—students talking, trays being moved, and the smell of fatty French fries and suspicious pizza in the air. At the regular table, Lyra leaned into her chair, listening to Harrison going on about the history project with some of her attention while she looked around the busy cafeteria.
The conversations around them blended into a dull hum, the world moving on blissfully unaware of the forty-percent history project looming over their heads. “Why couldn’t we have gone for something normal?” Lyra asked, interrupting Harrison’s passionate monologue about Nerathia’s forgotten gods. “You know, like Greek mythology? Zeus, Athena… all that Mount Olympus stuff. Everyone knows it, and we could probably churn out a paper on Zeus’ love life in our sleep.” Harrison’s eyes gleamed with that familiar light—the one he always got when he was about to dive into an explanation none of them had asked for. He rested his elbows on the table, his grin widening as if he’d been waiting for this very question. “Come on, Lyra. Everyone’s going to do Greek or Roman mythology. Maybe even Norse if they’re feeling adventurous. It’s overdone. But this? Nerathia’s mythology is different. No one else will think of it. That’s what makes it perfect.” Rhett snorted, tipping his chair back on two legs as he crossed his arms. “Right, because nothing screams ‘easy A’ like choosing a mythology no one’s ever heard of.” Harrison, undeterred, pressed on. “Exactly! That’s the point. Nerathia is shrouded in mystery. Historians barely touch it because there’s hardly any documentation, but I’ve been doing some research. There’s this ruin, like, an hour from Evervale—” Lyra frowned, her stomach already twisting at where this was heading. “Wait. Are you talking about that old site outside of town? The one that’s off-limits because it’s under renovations or something?” Harrison’s grin only grew wider, his excitement palpable. “Exactly! That’s the one. It’s perfect—there’s so little information about the area, and it’s tied to Nerathia mythology. Any relics, inscriptions, or even hints would be a potent shot in the arm for our project.” Lyra did not look convinced. “You understand, off limits for a reason, it’s dangerous. The place is still under construction, the building is unsafe, and they are digging it out in parts. It’s not exactly safe.” Rhett nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Lyra’s right. I’ve heard they had to put up warnings because a few students tried to sneak in last year. One almost got stuck in a collapsed tunnel. I don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to die for extra credit.” But Harrison waved away their concerns as if they were minor inconveniences. “We’re not going to be stupid about it. Just a little exploring, nothing crazy. And think about the payoff! No one else in class will have firsthand research from a real site tied to ancient mythology.” Lyra glanced at Ivy, expecting her to be the voice of reason. Instead, Ivy was biting her lip, clearly deep in thought. Then, predictably, she smiled. “It could be fun,” she said with a shrug. “And we’re already stuck with this project, right? Might as well make it interesting.” Lyra sighed inwardly. Of course Ivy would agree—Harrison could probably tell her the sky was green, and she’d nod along. Despite their differences, Ivy and Harrison just worked. They balanced each other out in ways that sometimes made Lyra envious, though she’d never admit it. Harrison turned his pleading gaze to Lyra next, his smile triumphant. “Come on, Lyra. You’ve got that adventurous streak. You love mysteries.” Lyra sighed, narrowing her eyes at him. “I like mysteries that don’t involve getting squashed by ancient ruins, thanks.” Ivy chuckled, nudging Lyra’s arm. “You know you want to. And if it’s too risky, we’ll just turn around. No harm done.” Rhett groaned, lowering his chair back to all four legs and crossing his arms. “This is a terrible idea. If we get caught, we’re not just blowing the project—we could get suspended. Or worse.” “But you’re coming, aren’t you?” Ivy teased, casting him a playful look. "You never say no where Lyra's concerned." Lyra shot her a warning glance. "Ivy." "What?" Ivy said innocently, though her smirk betrayed her. "I mean, it's all cool. You two were an item at a point, but now you are all about staying friends, as if, it’s all platonic. But the attraction is still there. Everyone sees it.” Rhett ran a hand through his hair, his face flushing. “Ivy…” Lyra sighed, deciding to shut down the teasing before it spiraled further. “We’re friends. We’re better off that way, right, Rhett?” Rhett nodded quickly, avoiding her eyes. “Exactly. It’s easier.” Ivy shrugged, clearly unconvinced but letting it drop. “If you say so.” Harrison cleared his throat, eager to return the conversation to the task at hand. “So, are we all in this? We’ll head out to the site tonight. It’ll be after dark—less chance of getting caught. We go in, look around for a short while, and then come back out. Simple.” Lyra paused. The sensible side of her mind was screaming at her to decline. Yet, Harrison’s words brought to life the desire she had been suppressing. It was intoxicating to think how one could find something even the most astute of detectives would leave behind—an unsolved riddle. Reluctantly, she surrendered. “Alright. But if we get caught, I am going to pin it on you.” Harrison’s triumph was evident as he smiled, while Ivy joyously banged her palms together. “This would be too good! Like we’re going on a quest.” Rhett rolled his eyes, yet the corners of his mouth were slightly curved in amusement. “Yeah, right. ‘Quest’. Just don’t look at me if we have to start wading in the junk." With the plan already outlining a framework, they spent the remaining time of the lunch period analyzing additional aspects such as who would be in charge of driving, what equipment would be required, and how the construction workers could be avoided. By the time the lunch period was over, it was clear to all that the group was a very enthusiastic one, but Lyra could not do away with the persistent feeling that was eating her up from within. They proceeded to collect their belongings. Rhett shot her a glance from the corner of his eye. “Are you still up for this, Lyra? There’s still time to pull out.” Lyra shrugged, even if she knew that there was no turning back. “What’s the worst that can occur?” Rhett’s smile looked forced and his tone was restrained. “Famous last words.”
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The group rested beneath the canopy of stars, the firelight flickering low as the chill of the night settled in. Lyra and Viana had drifted into peaceful sleep, their figures wrapped snugly in soft, woven cloaks that bore the craftsmanship of Sylvaen’s villagers. The faint sounds of their steady breathing blended with the crackle of the dying embers and the occasional rustle of leaves stirred by the cool wind.Zarekth, seated a few paces away from the campfire, allowed himself to close his eyes. Just for a moment.He rarely afforded himself this luxury, knowing how vulnerable it made him. But tonight, weariness lingered at the edges of his thoughts, pressing down with a weight even he couldn’t ignore. His eyelids drooped, and in the obscurity behind them, remnants of something long concealed began to awaken. A whisper—initially faint and indistinct—intricately wove its way into his consciousness, gradually increasing in volume with each fleeting second.The words were foreign, sh
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Zarekth scowled, his patience already wearing thin. He cast a cold glance at Viana, who stood before him with a determined look in her eyes and a travel bag slung over her shoulder. The sight of her preparing to join their journey only added to his irritation. It was enough that Lyra had been thrust into his path—an unexpected weight he hadn’t asked for—but now this? Another mortal tagging along? He released a quiet exhale, gently squeezing the bridge of his nose.“You should go back,” Zarekth said, his voice flat and commanding. “This journey isn’t for you. It’s dangerous, and you’ll only slow us down.”Viana tilted her head proudly, indifferent to the biting coolness of his refusal. "I'm no longer a child," she said in a steady tone.“Alda knows that, which is why she let me leave. I’m seeking a better future, and I’ll find my own path when the time comes. But for now, I’ll travel with you both.”Lyra, standing at Viana’s side, crossed her arms and looked at Zarekth with a raise
