Daughter of Dusk

I managed to slip back to the Manor after my dreamlike interaction with Soren unnoticed. Not that I was necessarily surprised at that. For all I know, Nox and Melinoe were likely still in the study with Father. It’s not as though they’d notice I was gone.

It’s a wonder I didn’t try to sneak out before.

The familiar scents of the library envelop me the next morning, the leather covers, the old and dusty pages. Even the weighted feeling of the room is comforting. The ceilings in this place are just as high as the ones in the hall, but they don’t tower over me here. They open the space as if welcoming me back. The black wooden bookshelves are a maze in themselves, promising knowledge and adventures on every shelf, complete with intricate lanterns on each end that fill the space with a warm glow. Bookshelves also line the walls, reaching all the way up and greeting the edge of the ceiling. There’s a small balcony to my left, where I spend most of my time. This is the one place where I don’t feel as though I have to look over my shoulder at every turn, the one place where I feel as at home as I can.

I head up the black marble steps to the balcony, and after a few twists and turns through the dark bookshelves, I find the space that I’ve set up quite well for myself.

A white cushion sits tucked into a corner of the shelves, the fabric soft to the touch. I can’t be sure what it is made from, but I love the feeling of it against my skin. I’ve fallen asleep in here on several occasions under the gentle lantern light.

Surrounding the cushion are about five large stacks of books and yellowed parchments I have been working through. I have a terrible habit of going to the various shelves and picking out more books than I can keep up with, but I think it adds to the space. It makes me feel like the area is mine; for no one else.

Besides that, it keeps me busy. I’ve learned to be comfortable in isolation.

As I get settled, I find my mind wandering to my adventures from last night. Exploring Zala for the first time: a world void of colour.

And Soren, of course.

I’m still in disbelief over the events that transpired yesterday. I told him my secret. A secret I was sure I was going to keep until my grave. But . . . I don’t know what came over me. It felt wrong not to tell him the truth about who I am at that moment. And knowing that he’ll help me with my Enas wishes despite that . . . I think it says a lot about him.

And then there was Rhea, his mother. I was able to use my healing powers to help her. I was actually able to help someone. I know I didn’t have to help; I know that going into a village was dangerous. But seeing Soren so happy made it all worth it. And on top of that, he’s able to help me with his mother’s book.

I smile to myself.

His eyes are still the feature that stands out to me the most. They feel like they could see anything and everything I’m thinking or feeling; I’m still utterly mystified by them. If his eyes were even a hint bluer, they wouldn’t be classified as silver. I feel like they should belong to someone cold and calculating, like my brother. But Soren had so much warmth in his gaze, it’s a wonder they were even that colour to begin with.

I bite my lip as I run a hand through my hair.

I decide to do my own research until Soren can get here, on the off chance that I missed something in my previous searches. But, just as before, there’s nothing to even suggest a hint of transportation magic in the library, much to my chagrin. If it was so commonplace during the war, why does Father want to keep it hidden from me? It makes no sense.

Soon, it’s mid-afternoon, and I jump as the doors of the library creak open. “Luna? Are you in here?”

My heart flutters at the sound of Soren’s voice. “Coming!”

I practically race down the stairs and enter the open area of the library, where he stands holding something behind his back.

I slow my pace, catching my breath as I walk up to him. “Hello.”

“Hi.” He bites his lip with a chuckle. “Was I interrupting something?”

My cheeks flush. “No, sorry, just excited, I guess.” I absentmindedly brush my hands through my hair, remembering when he did the very same thing last night. “You’re done for the day? It’s still fairly early.”

“Darius wanted to have a lesson with Nox and Melinoe, and he was very insistent I didn’t need to be there for it, so he let me go,” he replies before looking around with a wide smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in here, this room alone is like four times the size of my house,” he says with a laugh, garnering a chuckle out of me before he holds out a thick, leather-bound book to me. “Here’s the book on transportation magic. Mother said you can use it for as long as you need. Consider it her thank you for helping her.”

I take the book with numb hands before carefully flipping through the brittle pages. Transporting in Zala, How to Create a Portal, Travelling from Zala to Enas . . .

I shut the book and hold it tight against my chest. “This is exactly what I need. I can’t thank you enough for helping me with this.”

He smiles. “It’s no problem. Like I said, I’m curious about it too.”

I grin and lean against a wall that connects to the upstairs balcony, sinking to the floor as I open the book to the chapter about travelling to Enas. Soren quickly joins me and looks over my shoulder, and my heart skips a beat as I resist leaning against his shoulder.

I bite my lip with a grin and turn my attention to the words on the page.

In the days before the War of Darkness, transportation magic was a secret kept by the royal family. It wasn’t until Leader Gryphon waged war on the humans of Enas that he realized he needed to share the technique if he had any hope of getting his army there.

Oh really?

I remember Father mentioning Leader Gryphon at times; he’s Father’s ancestor, after all. Legend says that he wanted to conquer Enas to avenge the Goddess Umbra: the creator of our world. The Gods of the Elements – Terra, Aqua, Aer, and Ignis – left her out in the creation of Enas, so she crafted our world out of spite, giving Zala life with her final breath. But I’ve heard Father talk about Gryphon enough to know he didn’t truly care about Umbra and her story. His conquest was about power, nothing more.

Leader Gryphon found a trove of amulets hidden in the mountain, ones that would allow Shadow Wielders to travel to Enas without losing their powers. Some say that there are still a few amulets there, but they have never been found at the time of writing.

So, I could theoretically find one in the mountain, and I wouldn’t have to worry about my powers! But it does seem unlikely at this point.

During the war, a loathsome group of humans of Enas received a divine intervention from their creators: the Gods of the Elements. The Gods gifted this group of humans elemental abilities, just as Umbra had gifted us, her people, with the power to manipulate shadow. Our amulets were destroyed by these humans and we had no choice but to retreat.

“Am I the only one picking up on a bitter feeling from whoever wrote this?” Soren jokes.

I snicker before returning my attention to the book.

This supernatural group of elemental-wielding humans was placed on the island of Kera for their own protection after the war. Though transportation magic is not as common in the absence of amulets, the art remained alive for travel within Zala. But to jump to Enas, it is theorized that Kera would be the easiest place in Enas to travel to due to the high concentration of supernatural humans that live there.

A tingling feeling fills me as I take in the words. Something about this island – Kera –feels familiar, even if this is my first time reading about it. I don’t understand how I’ve never come across it before. I always knew Elemental Wielders were isolated from the rest of Enas, but I was never completely certain of the logistics of that separation. I suppose I assumed they had their own section of Enas, but a whole island? I had no idea.

But there’s something about Kera that just . . . I can’t explain it. A force beyond my own comprehension is whispering in my ear, sending chills down my spine. But it’s not the kind of chills that paralyze you in place. This is something instinctual. Something more powerful than fear.

I have to get to Kera. I know I do.

But even still, Father lied to me about transportation magic. Itwasn’terased, or even forgotten. Why didn’t he want me to find out about it? It obviously would have given me a way to escape this place, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s another reason.

I press my lips together and resume reading, but my heart skips a beat as Soren leans against my shoulder.

Transportation magic is a simple technique that can be used by Elemental Wielders from Enas and Shadow Wielders alike, but the execution requires great concentration and skill on the part of the Wielder. Be advised that Shadow Wielders can survive on Enas for short periods of time depending on their strength, but must return quickly if they wish to keep their powers. The same can be said for Elemental Wielders, though they can stay in Zala for longer due to the dark energy having a slower effect on them.

“Huh, that’s good to know,” Soren comments.

The technique is as follows: focus your energy wholly on where you want to go with your hands held out, and, if done correctly, a portal will appear before you. These can only remain open while the Wielder is concentrating, but step through, and you’ll be transported to your destination.

“Seems easy enough,” Soren says as we reach the end of the page.

I nod, handing the book to him and get up, heading to the center of the open area. “We’ll see if I have enough power to do it.”

“I think you do,” he encourages.

I smile back before shutting my eyes. Focusing on where I want to go.

Kera. I want to go to Kera.

Kera . . .

My fingertips buzz, and purplish sparks ignite in the air before me.

“That must be it!” He says. “Keep going!”

I shut my eyes again. Come on. . .

But then, something smothers my powers, like water extinguishing a flame, leaving nothing but smoke.

What just happened?

I give my fingers a shake before opening and closing my hands. It was working before, wasn’t it? Why did I lose it? Did I lose concentration?

He walks over to me. “What happened? It looked like you had it there.”

“I don’t know.” I run a hand through my hair. “Maybe it’s just because it’s a new technique for me. Hang on.”

I try again, only for the same thing to occur. I almost have a grasp on the sparks, and then it’s gone in a flash. But it doesn’t feel like it’s a limit of my own powers. It’s . . . it’s almost like something is blocking my ability to do it.

I turn to Soren. “Am I missing something?”

He scans the chapter before shaking his head. “No, it looks like you’re doing exactly what you need to be doing. That’s strange it’s not working.”

I bite my lip with a frustrated sigh. I must be missing something. Or maybe I’m just not strong enough to do it. Maybe Melinoe and the rest of them are right. I’m weak, no matter how much time and energy I put into training by myself. I can’t ever compare to Father or my brother and sister.

“Maybe this was hopeless. I don’t even know if I’m strong enough to do this.”

Soren frowns. “It’s just new, you’ll figure it out in time. And besides, you’re plenty strong! At least from what I’ve seen.”

“Oh please, I am not. Not compared to Nox and Melinoe.” I cross my arms, looking away.

“I don’t think Nox or Melinoe could have healed my mother,” he says without missing a beat.

I stare at him wide-eyed. “That – that’s different. If they could heal, I’m sure they could have helped her too.”

“But would they?”

“I don’t know. Probably not.”

“Exactly. But you did.” He nudges me. “You don’t have to compare yourself to them, you know.”

“Why not? Father always does.” My tone is more biting than I intended.

His face softens. “Luna . . .”

“What? It’s true.” I uncross my arms and fidget with my fingers. “And besides, they are stronger than me, thanks to Father spending so much time training with them. That’s why I have to get out of here. They’ll eat me alive when Father assesses their abilities next week.”

“Well, I haven’t known Nox and Melinoe for very long, but I can already tell you have a strength that they don’t.”

“And what’s that?”

He puts the book under his arm and takes my hands, sending the negative cloud around me away as I connect to the silvery hue of his eyes.

“You’re kind, Luna. More than they ever will be. And that alone makes you strong, whether you believe me or not.”

He gives my fingers a gentle squeeze, sending a jolt of electricity through my arms.

I’ve never felt this . . . safe with anyone before. But it doesn’t make any sense. I should be terrified. I should be carefully planning my next steps to avoid ruining this. But I’m not.

If anything, it’s the opposite.

“Tell you what,” he starts. “You keep practicing, and I’ll see if my mother left any notes in here about what to do if the technique doesn’t work. She has all kinds of little bits of information handwritten in here that might be useful.”

“Okay. Just . . .” I trail off as a silver chain peeking from the neckline of his shirt catches my eye.

Hmm, I don’t remember him wearing that yesterday.

I reach for him, weaving the delicate chain between my fingers. “What’s this?”

His eyes light up with realization. “Oh! Of course. I – um – I have one more thing for you.”

“Oh?”

He hands me the book. “So, you need an amulet to keep your powers on Enas, right?”

I nod. “Well, there’s the ones allegedly hidden in the mountain. But I don’t know if they’re still there, or if they even exist at all. It could just be a myth for all we know.”

Soren looks to the side with an impish grin. “I think I might have something better.”

I frown. “Something better?”

He lifts the silver chain from underneath the neckline of his shirt, pulling it over his head and handing it to me.

Hanging at the bottom of the necklace is a black, ridged stone, encased with strategically placed silver wire to keep it in place. Despite its unpolished exterior, the ridges of the stone glimmer, reflecting the dim light of the room. There’s a silvery sheen that almost seems to be coming from within, allowing me to see all the secrets it could possibly hold. There’s a dark energy coming from it, but it’s not like the corrupted darkness that comes from Father. This darkness is pure, concentrated; I’ve never felt anything like it.

“Soren, I . . . it’s beautiful.” I run my fingers along the swirling silver metal before the pieces connect in my mind.

There isn’t a chance . . . none of them survived.

But then, here it is, right before me.

Does Soren really have an amulet from the war?