CHAPTER 4 WHISPERS OF THE NIGHT.

  Night had settled softly over the garden. The teasing conversations of the evening had faded into a quiet calm, a gentle stillness that wrapped around the three of them.

  Elena and Lyra sat on the grass near Eclipse. Lyra sprawled comfortably against his wings, while Elena leaned against his stomach. A soft, chilly breeze drifted through the garden. Without a word, Eclipse extended his wings, covering them both. The small, protective gesture drew a quiet sigh from the two women.

  A few minutes passed in peaceful silence before Lyra spoke.

  “The sky looks beautiful tonight, doesn’t it?” she murmured, eyes fixed on the stars.

  “It does,” Elena replied, leaning back. “Especially tonight… the stars seem brighter, as though they’re at peace too.”

  “Of course,” Lyra said, closing her eyes and letting the night air wash over her face.

  “It’s the Lunar Moon. They’re showing their gratitude… to her. The stars, the moon… everything seems content under her care.”

  “You’re right,” Elena said softly. “We’re all at peace, aren’t we? Content, knowing that it’s her we serve. For so long, we were lost, unsure of ourselves. But she guided us… taught us… cared for us as if we were family.”

  “I’ve served her for… I don’t know, since the THRYSMEL,” Lyra said, her voice reverent. “I was a Star Goddess then. I had only heard rumors of her in the Celestial Court. But the first time I saw her… I didn’t feel fear. I felt the need to protect her. That’s when I knew I wanted to serve her.”

  “Well,” Eclipse said, finally speaking, “we’ve all served her for a THRYSMEL. I remember when she introduced me to you, Lyra. Elena and I were both surprised to learn you were a Star Goddess.”

  “It’s not easy to abandon a title like that,” Elena added, smiling softly as she reached for Lyra’s hand. “But you left it all behind… just for her.”

  “That instinct to protect her… that was enough,” Lyra said. “Since then, I’ve felt at peace.”

  “You’re right,” Eclipse exhaled. “We’ve all felt that protective pull toward her.”

  Flashback: The First Meetings

  They did not meet Her together. Fate, it seemed, preferred patience.

  Elena: She had been lost—not in place, but in purpose. Her power felt heavy, every step shadowed by doubt. When She appeared, it was without judgment—just a quiet presence walking beside her, as if she had always been there.

  “You’re holding yourself back,” She said softly.

  Elena stiffened. “You shouldn’t be here.”

  “I know,” she said, faintly smiling. “But I am.”

  Elena hesitated. “What am I supposed to do with all this power?”

  “Learn to trust yourself,” she replied. “I’ll walk with you until you do.”

  And somehow, Elena believed her.

  Lyra: She met Her beneath the open sky, long before relinquishing her title as Star Goddess. The heavens were restless that night, constellations tugging at their ordained paths. Lyra found her alone, gazing upward.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” Lyra said, her voice carrying authority. “This place isn’t safe for mortals.”

  “I know,” she replied.

  “Then why stay?”

  “Because someone needs to remind the stars to rest,” she said softly.

  Lyra felt an unexpected pull to move closer. “If harm finds you,” she said after a pause, “it will answer to me.”

  Her smile made the promise feel sacred.

  Eclipse: He found her where shadows gathered thickest, where even light hesitated. Wings partially unfurled, he stepped forward.

  “You know what I am,” he said.

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  “Yes,” she answered.

  “And you’re not afraid?”

  “No.”

  Silence stretched.

  “You should be,” he said quietly.

  “I’ve been afraid before… but not of you.”

  Eclipse studied her long and carefully, then folded his wings. “Then stay.”

  Time passed. Paths converged.

  When she finally brought them together, there was no ceremony—just three figures beneath a sky that seemed to hold its breath.

  Lyra spoke first. “So… it’s you.”

  Elena glanced between them. “You both know her?”

  Eclipse exhaled slowly. “It appears we serve the same one.”

  She looked at them. “I never asked for devotion. If you wish to leave, you still may.”

  None of them did.

  Elena stepped forward. “Then we stay.”

  Lyra inclined her head. “I will protect you.”

  Eclipse’s voice was low, certain. “And I will stand beside you.”

  She smiled softly. In that moment, the trio understood: this was not chance, but a bond freely chosen—one that would endure far longer than a THRYSMEL.

  Back to the Present

  The memory faded, leaving a warm calm in its place. Elena and Lyra shared a quiet smile; Eclipse gave a slow, approving sigh.

  Then the garden shifted—not a sound, not a light change, but a gentle easing, like the world exhaled.

  Eclipse’s wings stilled. Lyra opened her eyes. Elena felt it first: a familiar warmth spreading through her chest.

  “She’s here,” Elena whispered.

  Lyra’s fingers shimmered with faint starlight before fading. “I know.”

  Eclipse didn’t move, but his presence sharpened, protective without tension. “I sensed her steps before she took them.”

  A portal of purple-gold light appeared near the dome-like structure. From it emerged Her, followed by another silhouette. Moonlight framed her form, the Lunar Moon’s glow bending toward her as if acknowledging her presence. Even the air seemed to bow.

  “You should be resting instead of being out here,” she said.

  Before she could continue, the trio and the silhouette bowed.

  “O Empress of the Frozen Eternities, Sovereign of Ice and Aeons, Lady of Eternity. Untouched, Unyielding, and Absolute. Before whom we bow,” they intoned in unison.

  “How many times must I say—no need for all the titles and bows?” she said with a soft sigh. “And speak to me as if I were anyone else, not… this.”

  "And address you as if your were someone common , definitely not".the silhouette spoke up.

  “Rise,” she said after few minutes.

  The trio and the silhouette straightened, permission granted.

  She crossed her arms, gazing at them. “Why not summon the Empire, the Celestial Court, to greet me—and you?” she asked, glancing at the silhouette. “You came with me. Why bow as if seeing me for the first time, Clara?”

  “I know,” Clara replied calmly, “but that doesn’t mean I don’t show respect. And today, the only time I bowed was now. Besides, Luna… everything bows to you anyway.”

  Luna shifted her gaze to the trio. “And you three?”

  “We’ve not seen you in a long time,” Lyra said, smiling. Elena and Eclipse nodded. “It feels natural to address you as we do.”

  “Fine,” Luna said with a sigh. “But when we’re alone… no titles, no bows. Am I clear?”

  The trio and Clara exchanged glances and nodded.

  “So, how are you three doing?” Luna asked as she walked toward Eclipse, who was resting, and sat down near where Lyra had been sprawled.

  “We’re doing well, but what about you? You look like you haven’t been sleeping properly,” Elena noted as she, Clara, and Lyra sat beside Luna.

  “I’ve been sleeping fine. Plus, that’s a funny question to ask an eternity-old being. You all know I don’t need sleep—it’s a human thing,” Luna said, clearly amused at the mention of sleep.

  “Yeah, sleeping for three hours doesn’t count, not with the amount of pressure you put on your body,” Clara remarked, leaning closer to Luna.

  “Well, it doesn’t really matter. How is everything back in VARK? I’ve been getting reports that the Triarchs have been sending expeditions to find it.”

  “That matter has been handled by me. They’re trying to reach the empire, not knowing who rules it or that it has been hidden for a reason,” Elena said calmly.

  “You do know people in VARK miss you. Every time I go there, children run up to me, asking me to deliver their letters and asking when you’ll visit,” Lyra said with a bright smile, resting her head against Elena’s shoulder.

  “That’s sweet. You should send those letters here when Clara comes for her weekly visits. Now that I think about it, it’s been a year since I last went there,” Luna noted, gazing at the night sky.

  “Fine by me,” Clara said with a smile.

  As the conversation flowed naturally, everyone felt at ease, grateful for the rare occasion of having their empress with them.

  Back at the Ashrnborn Empire

  The Ashrnborn Empire, a formidable realm forged in the heart of flame, is ruled by elemental fire. Its cities rise like molten citadels, glowing with the energy that courses through the land and its people. Strength, passion, and unyielding ambition define the empire’s character, while its ruler harnesses destructive and transformative forces to expand and protect the dominion. From fiery forges crafting legendary weapons to blazing banners symbolizing unbreakable resolve, the Ashrnborn Empire stands as a testament to power, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of those who command the flames.

  In the Flameborne Tribunal, authority is absolute. This council does more than advise—it decides matters of great importance, judges disputes, and commands the empire with unwavering authority.

  “So, another expedition has been sent to find VARK. I don’t even know if this VARK exists,” said a young man, his voice carrying authority rivaling that of his sister.

  “You should be patient, Aag. This VARK empire has always been mentioned in ancient texts and ruins,” a middle-aged man replied.

  “But that doesn’t mean we should keep sending expedition after expedition,” Aag said, slightly impatient.

  “You have to keep your patience, brother. You know rushing won’t help,” teased another young man leaning against the window.

  “I know, Theo, but I can’t help wondering if there really is an empire strong enough to rival us and the Triarchs,” Aag said, glancing toward Theo, who slowly walked to the large mahogany table.

  “I’m eager to know about it too, but we can’t rush. Besides, we’re trying to find the Book. Once we locate it, it might give us clues to find VARK,” Theo said as he sat beside Nar, who remained silent, busy reviewing empire matters, while Mr. Vale examined reports.

  “He’s right, Aag,” Mr. Vale said, finally looking up from his reports.

  "And somewhere in the shadows, a clue long forgotten was stirring, waiting for the right eyes to find it."

  To be continued…

  ------------------End of chapter 4 ----------------