The days following the Rift's first disturbance felt like a blur to Valerie. Every corner of the Sanctum was brimming with preparations, discussions, and strategies.
Yet, despite all the chaos, one thing was becoming painfully clear: Valerie wasn't at the center of it all.
Veader and Keira had become a united front, working in tandem to gather the remaining Keepers, issuing orders, and overseeing the defenses of the realm.
Valerie had been included in some of the briefings, but she quickly found that the conversations and decisions were rarely directed toward her. More often than not, they spoke in hushed tones, their eyes darting toward her only when necessary.
Sky was the only one who seemed to notice her discomfort.
"You're awfully quiet today," he remarked one evening as they sat on the balcony overlooking the shifting skies.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a gentle light over the Sanctum, but Valerie felt no warmth in the moment.
"I'm just… thinking," Valerie replied, staring at the vast landscape beyond.
"Everyone's so focused on Keira. I feel like I'm invisible here."
Sky studied her for a moment, his usual easy smile replaced with a more serious expression.
"That's because you are."
Valerie looked at him, surprised by the bluntness of his words.
"What?"
"Not in a bad way," Sky clarified, shaking his head.
"But you have to understand, Keira's been the face of Aeloria for a long time. When she returns after completing her mission, people are going to turn their attention to her. Especially Veader."
He gave a small, knowing smile.
"And that's not something you can easily change."
Valerie let out a sigh, her shoulders sagging.
"It's just… I thought I was supposed to matter here. I thought I had a purpose. But every time I try to make myself heard, it's like they don't even notice."
Sky's expression softened, and he leaned back against the stone railing.
"I can't promise it will change overnight. But you're not invisible. Not to everyone."
"Every time I'm around, it's always about Keira. She's the one getting the praise, the attention. Veader barely looks at me when she's around."
Frustration creeping into Valerie's voice.
Sky's smile faltered slightly.
"It's not that he doesn't see you. It's that he's focused on something much bigger right now. The Rift, the realm, Aeloria. All of it. Keira's mission was important—so naturally, she's getting the spotlight."
"But what about me?" Valerie asked quietly.
"What do I have to do to be seen?"
Before Sky could respond, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. Keira walked onto the balcony, her presence instantly commanding attention.
Her sharp gaze flicked between the two of them before landing on Valerie.
"What you're doing out here, human," Keira said with a smirk.
"Shouldn't you be inside, learning how to wield the power you were brought here for?"
Valerie stood, trying not to let the hurt show in her eyes.
"I was thinking."
Keira's smile turned to something closer to a smirk.
"Thinking's a luxury. You'll learn that soon enough." She turned to Sky.
"Are we ready for the next phase?"
Sky nodded, but there was a hesitation in his eyes as he looked between Valerie and Keira.
"Yes. We've got everything in place. Just waiting for your signal, Keira."
Valerie felt the weight of the conversation press against her chest. It was like she was standing in the background of a play, watching as the characters she had no part in moved around her.
As Keira and Sky moved to discuss further matters, Valerie took a step back, her mind racing. She was supposed to be part of this.
She was part of this. But somehow, it felt like everyone else had already decided where they stood, and she was just an afterthought.
Later that evening, Valerie sat alone in her room, the quiet of the Sanctum pressing in around her. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the stone walls, and she couldn't help but feel small in the vast, empty space.
Her thoughts churned in her head—uncertainty, frustration, the feeling of being overlooked.
She stood and walked over to the window, gazing out at the darkened landscape. The Rift was still out there, its pull undeniable. She had to admit, she was scared. Scared of being lost in this place, of not having any real purpose.
Her mind wandered to Veader. He was the one who had brought her here, the one who had trusted her, even when he barely knew her.
There was a knot in her stomach as she wondered if maybe she was just a pawn in a game that had already been decided before she ever arrived.
But deep down, a quiet voice told her to keep fighting. To push through the silence, to prove to herself—and to everyone else—that she wasn't just someone who could be ignored.
She didn't know how yet, but Valerie was determined to find her place in this world.