"You know, Kai, we've been walking together for days now, and you barely say a word. You're not much fun to travel with."
Kai glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "I never asked you to come with me in the first place. You made that decision on your own."
Lyra pouted slightly. It was true that she had chosen to accompany him, but she had hoped that, after spending some time together, he would at least open up a little. Unfortunately, Kai hadn't changed a bit since they first met.
At last, the trees began to thin out, revealing a small village nestled in a valley.
The village was tiny—no more than fifty thatched-roof houses, each with modest vegetable gardens out front. A shimmering lake stretched nearby, its surface reflecting the afternoon light like a mirror. The air carried the scent of fresh earth and burning wood, giving the place a peaceful, almost dreamlike quality.
As they stepped onto the dirt path leading into the village, an elderly man approached them, his face lined with years of experience. "Hello there," he greeted, his voice kind but tinged with curiosity. "It's rare to see travelers pass through Eldrida. May I help you?"
Kai studied the man silently, but Lyra stepped forward with her usual enthusiasm. "Hi! My name is Lyra, and this is my partner—" She caught herself when she felt Kai's glare. "—um, my traveling companion, Kai. We've been on the road for days and happened to come across your village."
Kai internally groaned. Partner? Since when?
The village elder chuckled. "I see. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you both. My name is Tashi, and I serve as the head of Eldrida Village. If you'd like, I can offer you a place to rest before you continue on your journey."
Lyra's face lit up, while Kai's expression darkened. He hadn't planned on staying for more than a few hours, at best. Lodging wasn't part of his plan. But as he glanced at Lyra's eager face—and considered the relentless exhaustion tugging at his limbs—he sighed.
"We'd be grateful for your hospitality," Kai said begrudgingly.
Tashi led them through the village, sharing stories of its past. "Eldria has always been... unique," he said, his tone oddly weighted. "Over the years, we've witnessed many strange occurrences. Creatures not of this world. Horses with wings, beasts that cannot step into the sunlight... even disappearances. Some say the land itself is cursed."
Lyra perked up. "Disappearances? You mean people have just vanished?"
Tashi nodded solemnly. "Without a trace."
The village's peaceful charm now felt oddly fragile, as if something unseen lurked beneath its quiet surface. The houses stood still and silent, their presence almost watchful. Even the villagers' friendly chatter seemed to carry an unspoken weight.
Eventually, they arrived at a small, cozy house, where a warm fire flickered inside.
"Do you live here, Mr. Tashi?" Lyra asked.
Tashi shook his head. "No, this house belonged to a young couple long ago. Now, it stands empty, but I maintain it. I thought it would be a good place for you to rest. Come, sit. Have something to eat."
As they settled in, Lyra's gaze landed on a peculiar door in the back of the house. Unlike the others, it had no windows and was tightly locked. A strange, uneasy feeling coiled in her chest.
"What's in that room?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
Tashi hesitated. "That is a private village matter. It's best not to concern yourselves with it."
That answer only made Lyra more suspicious. However, she knew pushing further would do no good. For now.
***
Later that evening, after a hearty meal with the villagers and a refreshing dip in the lake, Kai and Lyra found themselves lying beneath the open sky. The stars were bright, but Lyra's mind was still clouded by thoughts of that locked door.
"Kai, what do you think about that room in Tashi's house?"
Kai barely opened his eyes. "What about it?"
"Doesn't it seem... suspicious?"
He sighed. "It's none of our business. Like he said, it's a village matter. And anyway, I don't like getting involved in other people's problems."
Lyra bit her lip. He wasn't wrong, but something about it nagged at her. "I think I'm going to check it out anyway."
Kai shot her a displeased look before shutting his eyes again.
Kai had already dismissed the idea, and maybe he was right. Maybe it wasn't her problem. But as much as she wanted to ignore it, curiosity gnawed at her. With a twinge of guilt, she quietly made her way back to the house.
Using her affinity with light, she willed the air's particles to form a delicate glow, illuminating the lock. With a small burst of concentrated energy, she forced it open and stepped inside.
The room was dark, the air heavy with dust. But what made her heart pound wasn't the eerie silence—it was the voice that greeted her from within.
"Hi, Lyra. How are you?"
Lyra's breath caught in her throat. She lifted her light, revealing a young girl with pink hair—sitting alone in the dimly lit room.
Her stomach twisted. "Who... who are you? How do you know my name?"
"My name is Amara. Nice to meet you."
Lyra took a hesitant step forward. "Tashi told us this house was empty... I didn't expect to find someone here, let alone in a locked room."
Amara tilted her head. "Tashi lied to you. But not out of malice. He's just... worried about me. Everyone is."
Lyra frowned. "But why—"
Amara cut her off. "Hey, do you think we could just talk for a bit?"
There was something disarming about her. Despite the situation, she radiated an air of warmth, even innocence.
Lyra hesitated but then nodded. "Alright... let's talk."
They sat across from each other on the floor.
"So, where are you from?" Amara asked.
Lyra smiled. "A busy place far from here. Too many people, too much noise. I always wanted to travel and see the world."
"Sounds nice," Amara said wistfully. "I've never left the village."
Lyra tilted her head. "Never? Not even once?"
Amara shook her head. "I don't think I'd be welcomed anywhere else."
"Why?"
A small, almost sad smile crossed Amara's lips. "It's complicated."
Lyra wanted to press further but sensed that Amara wasn't ready to talk about it. Instead, she changed the topic.
"What do you do all day, locked up in here?"
"I read, I think. Sometimes, I talk to the stars."
Lyra blinked. "The stars?"
Amara giggled. "Yeah. They listen. More than most people do."
Lyra couldn't help but smile. "I never thought of it that way."
They talked for a while longer—about little things, the village, the lake, the sky. It was strangely easy, like talking to an old friend.
But as the minutes passed, Amara's voice grew softer, her eyelids heavy. She stifled a yawn, shifting slightly where she sat.
"You should rest," Lyra said, standing up. "It's late."
Amara blinked drowsily but gave a small nod. "Yeah… maybe you're right."
Lyra hesitated for a moment before stepping toward the door. "I'll see you again."
Amara didn't respond right away, just watching her with an unreadable look. Then, quietly, she said,
"Goodnight, Lyra."
With that, Lyra slipped out, carefully shutting the door behind her. The house was silent, the air still. She moved quickly through the empty village, her footsteps the only sound in the night.
Why was Amara locked away?
She would soon find out.