Slowly, Nyx's eyes opened to gentle, dim light filtering through her room. The air was heavy with silence, and for a moment, she couldn't understand why the warmth that normally was beside her was nowhere to be found. Her body ached-her muscles stiff due to days of non activity. She groaned and pushed herself up, slowly, as if her muscles were protesting the effort. Her legs felt faint under her, but she steadied herself to take a deep breath before she rose.
She pushed open the door to her room and was shocked to see Zed, the boyish young mage she had been caring for until a while back now a promising young man with a calm, serious face. She knew by that look she needed to know-no more the boy who had needed her so much. Her eyes had filled up with quiet strength from growing up too fast.
"Madam," he greeted her with a polite bow, his voice steady.
Nyx offered him a faint, tired smile. "Zed," she replied softly. "Get me a battlefield report. and something to eat. I'm starving."
He nodded hastily and got out, leaving her to her solitude. Nyx stood at the threshold for a moment, feeling the weight of silence settle about her. She went into her room, her eyes straying to the rain-stained window. The world outside was all grey. She heard, behind it all, the steady beat of the rain.
She sank down into the chair by the window, her body exhausted. Her forehead against the cold glass was almost a comfort. She closed her eyes for a moment, closing out everything except the sound of the rain.
And then, as if the storm had somehow called for it, a memory rose up. Zephyr. She could almost hear his voice, almost see his familiar grin, feel his presence, sitting right beside her. She felt a small tug at the corner of her mouth, a bitter-sweet smile. He was the one thing that, when he came into her mind, still gave her peace among the chaos.
Her mind reeled back further. She was a little girl once more, running through the lush forests of the Elven Kingdom, her laughter echo-ed off the trees. She could hear footsteps behind her, a call that came out stern, yet loving, by turns.
"Now, Your Highness! You can't go skipping off like this. You're the princess!"
Nyx glanced back over her shoulder, her heart playing a light dance with excitement. "Catch me if you can!" she teased, darting ahead.
The woman chasing after her soon caught up to her, almost panting but still running fast. She swept Nyx into her arms and took off toward the palace.
When Nyx reached the throne room, she ran to her mother. She stood there, surrounded by the love and safety of her family even though she was meant to be in trouble.
"Nyx," her mother said softly, a smile playing on her lips. "You need to apologize to Nana for running off like that."
"Yes, Mother!" Nyx responded eagerly, her face lighting up with innocence. She turned to the elderly woman who had been chasing her. "Sorry, Nana!"
She smiled warmly, though an edge of exhaustion flickered in her eyes. "You're lucky I love you so much, Your Highness," she teased, lifting Nyx into a playful spin. "But now it's time for a bath and bed. We'll talk more afterward."
That night, Nyx slept peaceful in bed, surrounded by the love and laughter of her family. But then the serenity of that night shattered when fire and smoke suddenly consumed the world outside.
She woke up to screams, crackling flames, and a drowning smell of burning. Her heart was racing. She desperately sought her mother, whom she finally found but in her death throes, too late now. Weak and nearly unconscious, she whispered something only: "Survive, Nyx. You must live."
Tears streamed down her eyes as she clung to her mother, but there was nothing she could do. The world she knew fell about her feet. Nana pulled her back, hurrying her to the safety of Arcanon. Out of the smoldering remains of their home, promising to heal her heart in the arms of a new family.
Once in Arcanon, the King had taken her in; he'd raised her as his own. He'd vowed to defend her, raise her like a daughter. "From now on, you are my daughter," he had said to her, his face solemn with the weight of something lost.
Now, in the silence of her room, all these seemed to be so far from her. The warmth of her family, the comfort of a life she could never go back to—it was all so far away.
The knock on the door broke her reverie. Zed entered, carrying a bowl of porridge, still steaming.
"Master," he said softly, placing it on the table. "I brought your food."
Nyx raised an eyebrow. "Oatmeal? Are you trying to nurse me back to health?"
Zed smiled softly. "It's what you need to regain your strength. You haven't fully recovered yet."
Nyx gave him a weary but grateful smile. "Thanks, Zed."
As she took a few bits into her mouth, Zed briefed her. "You had been unconscious for three days. The first two days, we have been losing to Valoria. But yesterday, we caught up. The rains have forced both sides to call a truce for the day, but we will continue tomorrow. You must rest. Tomorrow's battle may be the turning point."
As if he were reading from the same page, Zed mumbled, "Please, Nyx. Don't overexert yourself. We need you at full strength."
Nyx nodded dully, her mind already waltzing away. She stayed back in the silence after Zed left. It was too heavy to bear, and she felt like she could almost feel the steady presence, almost hear the sound of Zephyr's voice in it.
She couldn't, though. There wasn't time to be lost in such thoughts. She had to do something.
Once she was sure Zed had left, Nyx rolled out of bed, leaving a magical duplicate in her place to keep up the illusion of unconsciousness. She hastily donned her battle garb and melted across the floor without a word. Then, hardly noticing it was happening, she climbed out the window with her heart pounding in her chest, sliding down into the cool night air.
For once, the rain didn't stop her. She moved quickly through the shadow to the castle. And found her Nana inside. The tension between them could be palpable.
Nyx grinned and jumped into an embrace, surprising Nana with her tight hug. "Nana, I found you!"
Nana was taken aback, but soon regained composure as her face softened up, and she sighed. "What are you doing here? You should be resting."
Unruffled, Nyx drew away with a grin to provoke. "I flew all the way here just to see you! And now, you're telling me to act more mature? What kind of Nana is that?"
Nana tried to stifle her merriment, her eyes betraying her concern. "You shouldn't be here, Nyx. You need to rest. You were supposed to be unconscious for another two days."
Nyx wiggled her eyebrow. "I'm frightfully ill, Nana. Only you can cure me."
Nana's expression softened not an inch. "Cease this farce. You are still convalescing. Do the Arcanan troops know that you're here?"
Nyx spoke in a hushed tone. "I slipped away."
Nana glared, her fingers wrapping around Nyx's ear, her grip hard. "You're returning to camp. If I hear even a rumor of you slipping off again, there will be reprisal."
Nyx let Nana lead her back to the castle, but she said nothing. When they got back to camp, Nyx slipped into her room, closed the window as quietly as she could, and snuggled back into bed.
Her eyes fluttered closed almost immediately. The weight of the day and everything else faded as she gave in to the sleep she needed desperately.