The evening air was cool and still as Elara returned home after the day's chaos at the Luminaries Temple. She barely took off her cloak before heading to her room, excitement bubbling within her.
The day had gone better than she expected—her seeds of doubt, carefully planted within the faithful, had begun to bear fruit. The once-unwavering believers had voiced their doubts, causing commotion and confusion within the temple.
The chaos that unfolded gave her a deep sense of satisfaction, a quiet thrill at watching the pillars of The Divine Order start to crack.
Elara wasted no time in summoning Lucian. She had learned the spell he'd taught her by heart—his name whispered in the darkness, accompanied by the black smoke curling in the air. The mirror in her room shimmered, and a dark silhouette appeared.
Lucian's tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadowy mist, his cold, piercing gaze settling on her. His mere presence filled the small room, casting long shadows across the floor. But Elara wasn't intimidated this time.
Her face lit up with excitement as she rushed toward him, barely able to contain her enthusiasm.
"Lucian! You should have seen it today!" she exclaimed, her voice full of glee.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement as he watched her, arms crossed. Elara's usually composed demeanor had given way to an almost childlike excitement as she began to relay the events of the day.
"It was perfect!" she continued, pacing back and forth in front of him, her hands gesturing animatedly. "The faithful, the ones I've been working on for days, they started questioning everything! During the sermon, they were openly voicing their doubts, and even some of the more devout were shaken!"
Lucian leaned against the wall, his eyes following her with amusement. Her energy was infectious, and for a moment, he was caught off guard by how different she seemed.
The cold, calculating Elara he had come to know was replaced by someone... almost innocent in her joy. It was strangely endearing.
"And the best part," she continued, her eyes gleaming, "is that no one suspects me. I stood there, watching it all unfold, and no one even thought to question me!"
Elara paused for breath, her chest rising and falling with excitement. She looked at Lucian expectantly, waiting for him to share in her triumph. But instead, he stayed silent, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice low and measured.
"And you think that's it?"
Elara blinked, her excitement faltering. "What do you mean?"
Lucian uncrossed his arms, pushing himself off the wall and taking a step toward her. His expression was unreadable, but there was a glint in his eyes that made her stomach drop.
"You think The Divine Order is just going to sit back and let this continue?" he asked, his tone cold. "You've sown the seeds of doubt, yes. But you've only shaken a few faithful. The real test is still to come."
Elara's smile faded, her joy deflating like a punctured balloon. She stared at him, her brow furrowing. "But... but the faithful were questioning everything! Isn't that enough?"
Lucian's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the way her confidence wavered.
"For now," he replied, his voice dripping with amusement, "but you forget—The Divine Order holds a powerful sway over the minds of their followers. They haven't retaliated yet, but they will. And when they do, they'll come back harder than before."
Elara frowned, the weight of his words sinking in. The thought of The Order reinforcing their control over the faithful sent a chill down her spine. She had been so caught up in the thrill of her success that she hadn't considered what would happen next.
Seeing her crestfallen expression, Lucian couldn't help but laugh, a low, amused chuckle that filled the room.
"You look so dejected, little one," he teased, stepping closer to her. "Did you really think this would be so easy?"
Elara crossed her arms, pouting slightly, a mix of frustration and embarrassment flooding her face. "You didn't have to rain on my parade, you know," she muttered.
Lucian tilted his head, clearly entertained by her reaction. "Someone had to. It was getting a bit too adorable watching you revel in your little victory."
Elara shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "Adorable? Really?"
He chuckled again, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "Yes. You get this... cute little glimmer in your eyes when you think you're winning."
Elara's cheeks flushed slightly at the word "cute," and she turned away from him, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I was just... happy it was working," she muttered under her breath.
Lucian's laughter softened, but his teasing tone remained. "Well, don't get too comfortable just yet. We still have a long way to go before this Order falls apart. But..." He paused, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "You did well. Today was a step in the right direction."
Elara glanced over her shoulder at him, her pout slowly fading as his words sank in. "You think so?"
Lucian nodded, his expression serious once more. "Yes. But remember—The Divine Order is not a foe to be underestimated. They'll retaliate, and when they do, you'll need to be ready."
Elara took a deep breath, steeling herself. She knew he was right. The fight was far from over, and there would be challenges ahead. But for now, she allowed herself a moment of satisfaction.
Turning back to face him fully, she gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Lucian. For the reminder... and for the compliment."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Don't get used to it."
Elara let out a small laugh, the tension between them easing. "Oh, trust me, I won't."
The room fell into a comfortable silence, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows against the walls. For the briefest of moments, the weight of their mission seemed to lift, replaced by the lightness of their banter.
But as always, the shadow of The Divine Order loomed in the distance, waiting for its chance to strike back.