In the luxurious music hall of the Star Lumina inn, the delicate notes of a piano floated melancholically.
Melodía, eyes closed and fingers gliding over the keys, let the music speak for her. Every chord conveyed thoughts and emotions she couldn't express in words.
A discreet knock on the door interrupted her moment of peace. Her brow furrowed.
—I said I didn't want to be disturbed. —Her tone was cold and authoritative, but her hands remained on the piano.
The door opened cautiously. A maid appeared in the doorway, standing impeccably, unfazed by the reproach.
—My apologies, Lady Melodía. —She lowered her head slightly in respect—. But a young woman from the Aeris tribe insists on seeing you.
Melodía stopped playing. The last note echoed briefly but sharply through the hall.
—A wind elf? —she asked, slowly turning, her expression caught between surprise and displeasure.
—Yes, Lady Melodía. However, according to the inn's rules, only light elves have access. I informed her, but she refuses to leave. She says it's important.
A frustrated sigh escaped Melodía before she elegantly rose to her feet. She adjusted her pearl-white dress and cast one last glance at the piano.
—Where is she?
—In the main lobby.
Melodía nodded sharply and left the hall with firm steps.
In the lobby, Yuna stood with her arms crossed, wearing a serious expression. Melodía frowned. She had known Yuna for years, but she had rarely seen her like this.
—I already told you, I'm not coming back. —Her voice was cold, cutting.
Yuna didn't react immediately.
—Can we talk outside?
Melodía raised a suspicious eyebrow but eventually relented.
As they stepped out, the cold air greeted them. The snowfall had stopped, but the winter chill still lingered. Melodía crossed her arms.
—What do you want now? You already know my answer.
Yuna looked her straight in the eyes.
—I came to apologize. I should have done it sooner. —Her tone was firm but sincere—. I'm sorry I didn't come earlier. I want you to come back to the group.
Melodía let out a dry laugh.
—I already told you, we're not—
A slap cut her off.
The sound of the impact echoed in the quiet morning. Melodía reached for her cheek, stunned.
—You do realize that striking an ambassador could cause problems between our tribes, don't you?
Yuna didn't waver.
—I don't care.
Another slap. Harder.
Melodía staggered for a moment before regaining her balance.
—Enough! —she shouted, and without thinking, she struck back.
Both of them froze, their faces inches apart. The tension was palpable.
Their gazes clashed like two raging storms, filled with pride, anger… and something deeper.
It was Yuna who broke the silence.
—Stop hiding behind that "tough girl" facade. —Her voice was firm but carried a sincerity so raw it was almost painful—. You're more than that, and you know it.
Melodía stepped forward and grabbed Yuna's jacket roughly, her eyes burning with fury and confusion.
—Stop acting like you're better than me. How many times do I have to tell you that I don't acknowledge you as my leader—or as my friend?
Her voice wavered slightly.
Yuna held her gaze, unwavering, but with a hint of sadness.
—If we're not friends… —she whispered, her voice breaking—. Then why did you come to my house every week? Why is there a piano on my terrace? Why is there a room decorated just for you, waiting for your return?
Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she didn't look away.
Melodía's grip slowly loosened.
—Do you think this is easy for me? —she whispered, her voice trembling—. Being a leader wasn't something I chose.
Yuna took a deep breath, and without stopping her tears, her expression grew firmer.
—I want you to come back. Not for what you can bring to the group or because you're a light elf. But because you're my friend, and I know how hard your life is.
Melodía remained silent. It was as if Yuna's words had shattered all her barriers. Finally, her shoulders trembled, and a sob escaped her lips.
—I always… wanted to be your friend, too. —Her voice was barely a whisper as she covered her face with her hands—. But you and your tribe intimidated me… that warmth you all had. I had never felt so accepted before.
Yuna waited in silence, letting her pour her heart out.
—At first, I thought they only accepted me because I was a noble. But you… you and your tribe never cared about that. —Melodía trembled slightly—. And when Haruto arrived, and you two got closer… I felt like I no longer had a place with you.
Yuna stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm embrace.
—I never left you behind, Melodía. —she whispered firmly—. I've always admired you more than you realize. I know how hard you work to meet your tribe's expectations, and I know it's not easy.
She pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes and smiled—that same warmth that had always defined her.
—Melodía Luminis… would you be my friend?
Melodía looked at her and, through her tears, smiled.
—It would be my pleasure.
And she hugged her even tighter.
A loud growl broke the moment.
—I see you haven't changed at all. —Melodía raised an amused eyebrow.
—I didn't have time for breakfast. Want to go to a café? I know one you'll love.
—Of course, I have some things to tell you.
As they walked, they caught up with each other until they arrived at the cozy café The Honey Nook.
At the entrance, two identical dwarven girls greeted them with bright smiles. One had pigtails; the other had her hair loose, but both radiated contagious energy.
—Welcome to The Honey Nook! We're Lyra and Mirna. How can we serve you? —they chimed in unison.
—How adorable. —Melodía smiled—. A table for two, please.
The twins moved in perfect sync, guiding them to a cozy corner.
—What would you like?
Melodía took a moment to think before responding elegantly:
—Your finest tea, the house specialty, a selection of cakes, and toast with assorted jams.
The twins nodded energetically and quickly left. Shortly after, they returned with the order, placing each dish with precision, as if it were part of a rehearsed choreography.
Melodía took a sip of tea, letting its warmth melt away the tension inside her. As she did, her gaze drifted between the cup and the café's décor.
She was gathering her words.
—There's something I need to tell you, Yuna. —she finally said, setting the cup down delicately on its saucer.
Yuna, who had already taken a bite of her pastry, looked at her attentively.
—What is it?
Melodía avoided her gaze for a moment, tracing the rim of her cup with her fingers.
—I have to return to Astralith.
Yuna's brow furrowed.
—Return? Why?
—My father isn't satisfied with what happened in Stonehollow. Asking Solis for a favor was… —she hesitated—. A sign of weakness in his eyes.
Yuna stared at her in disbelief.
—Weakness? Melodía, you helped Haruto. You showed bravery and empathy, not weakness.
Melodía let out a bitter laugh.
—Maybe in your tribe that's admirable, but in Astralith, showing anything less than perfection is unacceptable. My father believes I've disgraced our lineage. He wants me to return to "correct" my mistake.
Yuna reached out and gently squeezed her hand.
—Melodía, what you did wasn't a mistake. You weren't an ambassador or a noble's daughter. You were you. The person I admire.
Melodía let out a long sigh before meeting her gaze.
—But what if "being myself" isn't enough? What if I'm not what this group needs?
Yuna tightened her grip, her voice filled with unexpected determination.
—Don't say that. You're part of this group. And more than that, you're my friend. Isn't that enough?
Melodía hesitated before answering.
—In two weeks, the Luminis family's carriage will arrive. My father expects me to return.
—Do you want us to go with you? —Yuna asked with concern.
Melodía shook her head firmly.
—I appreciate the thought, but I have to face my father and the nobles alone.
Yuna tilted her head, thoughtful.
—Two weeks… Then we have time.
Melodía raised an eyebrow.
—Time for what?
Yuna rested her elbows on the table, a knowing smile on her face.
—Thalindra wants to join the group, but she had two conditions: go to a dungeon… and bring you back. Seems like she took a liking to you.
Melodía blinked, surprised.
—Thalindra said that?
—Yeah. And she doesn't seem like the type to hand out compliments easily.
Melodía remained silent, weighing what she had just heard. The warmth of the café contrasted with the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Finally, she nodded.
—Alright, I'll join you. —Her voice was firm, but there was a hint of resignation—. But after the dungeon, I have to return to Astralith and face my father.
Yuna smiled, satisfied. But before she could respond, Melodía added gravely:
—I need to settle things before I awaken Mizuki's wrath.
Melodía's eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and concern.
—I can't ignore my family's standards or the expectations of the light elves… but before I face my father, I want to prove that I'm more than just a reflection of his ideals. I want to be myself, even if just for a moment.
Yuna leaned in, placing a reassuring hand over Melodía's.
—Then let's do it together. The dungeon will be our first step in proving who you really are.
A faint smile crept onto Melodía's lips.
—I suppose I don't have a choice, do I?
—None. —Yuna grinned mischievously—. Now, let's finish this tea and get to work.
Meanwhile, in Mythara…
The dryad Cherri walked lightly through the forest, inspecting unexplored corners in search of potential intruders.
With every step she took, sakura petals delicately drifted behind her, forming a floral veil that marked her path.
—A refreshing bath would be nice. —she murmured, running a hand over her forehead to wipe away the sweat.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The sky darkened, and an eerie cold seized the forest. The air grew heavy, and a shiver ran down Cherri's spine.
She tried to teleport to the great sakura tree, but something held her back. It was as if her body had been chained to the ground.
—I'm glad to see you strolling so carefreely… —a female voice resonated through the air, each word laced with overwhelming authority.
Cherri tried to turn around, but her body resisted. Fear wrapped around her as she felt the presence behind her.
—Cherri, my dear, do you know why I'm here? —The voice continued, cold and solemn, like an echo piercing through her very being.
With great effort, Cherri managed to turn around slowly. Before her, the light seemed smothered, and a figure emerged from the shadows. She needed no further clues. Trembling visibly, she fell to her knees before the silhouette.
—Goddess Mizuki, what an honor to see you in the mortal realm. —she said, her voice shaking—. What brings you to this humble forest?
The majestic and imposing figure showed no sign of approval.
—You do know that I see everything, don't you? —Mizuki said, her tone relentless—. If I recall correctly, I sent a human to this forest.
Cherri, now trembling, searched for the right words to respond.
—If you mean Haruto, he's in good hands. He is accompanied by two elves from our forest. —Her voice tried to remain steady, but the fear was palpable.
Mizuki's eyes glowed with an unsettling light as she took a step forward.
—Oh, really? Because the last time I saw him, he was locked in a cell, treated like a criminal by the light elves, who, if I remember correctly, are under your command.
Cherri's heart stopped for a moment. The goddess's pressure was overwhelming, and if what she said was true, she was in serious trouble. She knew there were no valid excuses before Mizuki.
—I will correct this matter immediately. —she said quickly, bowing her head even lower, almost touching the ground—. I will do whatever it takes to make up for this.
Mizuki paused, evaluating her with a gaze that seemed to pierce through her soul.
—You'd better, Cherri. I don't want another event like the dark elves' incident. —The threat in her voice was unmistakable, and the memory of that tragic event still weighed heavily on Mythara.
The cold air that had engulfed the forest slowly began to dissipate, but Cherri remained kneeling, her body trembling and her mind racing.
When she finally lifted her gaze, Mizuki was gone, but her presence had left an indelible mark.
Cherri took a deep breath, knowing she had a great task ahead of her…
In Thalindra's forge, the heat of the furnace illuminated her face as the hammer struck down precisely on the glowing metal.
The Umbranite rested on a nearby table, its sinister aura contrasting with the sparks that flew in rhythm with her work.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, but a satisfied smile adorned her face—she was finally shaping her greatest dream.
In the snow-covered alleys of Molgaroth, Haruto ran, carrying crates over his shoulders.
Each firm step marked his determination, and though he panted from the effort, his pace never faltered.
His mind was set on improving, on becoming stronger. The curious gazes of passersby did not distract him; to him, this was more than simple training—it was a path to change.
At The Honey Nook, Melodía and Yuna shared a moment of calm, between laughter and confidences.
Steaming cups of tea sat before them, while the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air.
Melodía, with a soft smile on her lips, finally felt lighter, as if an invisible burden had begun to lift.
Yuna, with her usual warmth, continued to fuel the conversation with words that strengthened their bond.
The world went on, but in those small fragments of life, the gears of something much bigger began to move. Finally, the needles of destiny began to turn.