The night was silent, save for the gentle lapping of water against the riverbank. Lyria sat alone, knees pulled up to her chest, staring out at the moon's reflection on the lake. Its silvery light painted a serene picture, casting long shadows over the forest and illuminating the scene with a soft glow. Two swans glided gracefully across the water, their white feathers shimmering under the moonlight. The sight should have been comforting, but for Lyria, it only deepened the ache in her heart.
A single tear slid down her cheek as she watched the swans, their synchronized movements reminding her of a time long past. A time when she wasn't alone, when her big sister, Giselle, was by her side.
She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the memory.
The castle grounds were alive with the sounds of summer. Birds chirped from the treetops, and the warm sun bathed the area in a golden glow. Lyria, then only eight years old, was running across the meadow, her laughter ringing through the air as she attempted to control her newly discovered magic. Small sparks of light flickered at her fingertips, but every time she tried to cast a simple spell, it fizzled out with a puff of smoke.
"Come on, just work already!" Lyria grumbled, stomping her foot in frustration.
Unbeknownst to her, a pair of rabbits hiding in the bushes perked up at the sudden burst of energy. They emerged, followed by a fox and a small group of enchanted squirrels, all drawn to the chaotic aura surrounding the young girl.
"Hey, wait!" Lyria yelped as the animals charged towards her. She turned and bolted, her small legs pumping furiously as the creatures gave chase. "This isn't funny!"
Back in the castle, Giselle stood at the window, her brow furrowed with concern. "Mother, Lyria's been outside for a while. Shouldn't she be back by now?"
Selena, their mother, set down her book, a look of worry crossing her elegant features. "You're right. Go find her, Giselle. She might be struggling with her magic again."
Without a second thought, Giselle dashed out of the room, her long hair trailing behind her like a stream of silver in the sunlight.
Meanwhile, Lyria was sprinting through the field, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Scratches covered her arms and legs from where she had stumbled through the underbrush. The enchanted animals were relentless, nipping at her heels as if she were part of a game they refused to lose.
"I didn't mean to upset you!" Lyria shouted over her shoulder, tears of frustration blurring her vision. She tripped over a root, tumbling to the ground with a pained cry. "Please, stop!"
She lay there, unable to move, her tiny body racked with sobs. The animals circled her, their eyes glowing with the light of magic, and for a moment, Lyria felt true fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, crying out in a small, broken voice. "Giselle! Help me!"
The creatures lunged.
But before they could reach her, a powerful burst of wind sent them flying back. Lyria dared to open her eyes and saw her big sister standing between her and the magical creatures, her stance firm and protective.
"Giselle!" Lyria's voice was filled with relief and awe, but it quickly faltered when she saw her sister's face. Blood trickled down Giselle's temple, and there was a wild, almost feral look in her eyes. She looked nothing like the gentle sister Lyria adored.
The animals hesitated, sensing the shift in power. Giselle's aura flared, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath her feet. She advanced on the creatures, her eyes narrowed. "Get. Away."
One by one, the animals backed off, their aggressive postures melting into fear. They darted into the forest, tails tucked between their legs, not daring to challenge Giselle's dominance.
Lyria sat frozen, staring up at her sister. Giselle's clothes were stained with blood—both hers and the animals'...and her hair, usually so neat, was wild and tangled. For the first time, Lyria was afraid of her.
"Giselle…...." she whispered, her voice small and trembling.
Giselle turned to face her, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, she dropped to her knees beside Lyria, reaching out. Lyria flinched, and the pain in Giselle's eyes was unmistakable.
"Lyria," Giselle's voice softened, and she pulled her little sister into a tight embrace. "It's okay. You're safe now."
The dam broke, and Lyria sobbed into Giselle's chest, clinging to her as if she were a lifeline. "I....I'm sorry! I just wanted to practice my magic! I didn't mean to make them angry!"
Giselle's grip tightened, her own tears mixing with the blood on her cheeks. "You scared me, Lyria. I thought I lost you. Don't ever go outside alone like that again, do you understand?"
Lyria nodded against her, her tiny fists clutching the fabric of Giselle's dress. "I'm sorry, Giselle.....… I'm so sorry."
Giselle pulled back just enough to look at her, wiping away the dirt and tears from Lyria's face with a gentle hand. "Hey, it's okay. I'm not mad. I was just.....… so scared. I love you, little sister. More than anything."
Lyria sniffled, staring up at Giselle with wide, adoring eyes. "I love you too, Giselle."
Giselle leaned down and pressed a kiss to Lyria's forehead, her lips lingering there for a moment as if she could somehow seal the promise of protection with that kiss. When she pulled back, she gave Lyria a small, reassuring smile, despite the pain etched across her own face.
"Let's go home," Giselle said softly. "Mother is probably worried sick."
"Okay," Lyria whispered, her fingers still wrapped around her sister's hand as they stood up together.
As they walked back to the castle, side by side, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched out behind them. But Lyria didn't feel afraid of the darkness. Not with Giselle by her side.
Lyria opened her eyes, blinking away the tears that had gathered as she stared out at the moonlit lake. The swans had moved on, disappearing into the mist. She was alone again, but the memory lingered like a warm blanket around her heart.
She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, forcing herself to smile through the pain. "You always protected me, Giselle," she whispered to the empty night. "Even when I was foolish and weak…..... you were there."
A chill ran down her spine, and she suddenly felt as if she were being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she turned slowly, her eyes scanning the shadows beyond the trees.
There, half-hidden in the darkness, was a figure. Tall and imposing, dressed in black. The moonlight didn't reach their face, but the air around them seemed to hum with an intimidating presence.