3~15

Eira walked alone back down the torn streets of Órns as night grew, the stars lighting up the skies in all directions. Her glowing red eyes filled with growing tears, brewing from pure anger with everything taking place.

"Damnit... so fucking stupid..."

She murmured painfully to herself before nearly walking into someone passing by.

"You alright, little fairy?"

A tall man asked Eira. He wore shades, blocking out the faint hues of red behind the dark lenses. He was built, not too **** but his muscles were out on display, cruising past his tightly fitted sleeveless tuxedo. His black hair was tied back into a small tail with a freshly trimmed beard. Eira's red gaze met the man, her spiritual senses blocked by her own rattled nerves.

The man's expression was neutral, his voice smooth as he approached Eira. He slowed his pace, his eyes fixed on hers, his gaze unwavering.

"You seem a bit... distraught. Would you like to talk about it?"

He asked, his tone gentle, yet laced with a hint of curiosity. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his stance relaxed, yet alert. The streets around them were quiet, the only sound being the distant hum of the city's nightlife. The man's presence seemed to fill the space, his aura calm, yet intense.

Eira's gaze lingered on the man, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to read him. Her spiritual senses were still muddled, but she could sense a faint aura of calmness emanating from him. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should open up to this stranger. The man's expression remained neutral, his eyes locked on hers, waiting for her response. The silence between them stretched, the only sound being the distant chirping of crickets and the soft rustling of the wind. Suddenly, a faint scent of smoke and leather wafted through the air, mingling with the man's cologne, and Eira's curiosity was piqued.

"It's nothing... nothing more than a foolish family squabble."

Eira said softly, her eyes stuck locked with his. The man pursed his lips into a fine line, rubbing his chiseled chin as he examined her, as if he was reading into her very soul.

"Enlighten me. If its about time, need not to fret. I have all the time in the world, young princess."

His lips curved into a gentle smile, offering a hand to Eira.

Eira's gaze faltered, her eyes drifting to the man's outstretched hand. She hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly before she took his hand, her touch light. The man's smile deepened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Let's take a walk, then."

He said, his voice low and soothing.

"Sometimes, talking about nothing can be quite... enlightening."

He began to stroll, his pace leisurely, as he guided Eira through the quiet streets of Órns. The city's nightlife swirled around them, but the man's presence seemed to create a bubble of calm, drawing Eira in with his gentle demeanor.

Even with his calmness, her eye colour appeared to deepen to an even redder hue. Eira pursed her lips, narrowing her brow as her gaze lingered on the stone path.

"It's infuriating... my brother managed to grow quickly into power, to 'protect' us."

Eira emphasized the word, finding herself able to speak her thoughts without some imaginary wall holding her back.

"Fucking his way to the top more like it. Abandoning me, his son... with news of our father's ****, I thought he..."

Eira's knuckles were turning white in his grasp, visibly shaking as her words spilled out to this random stranger without filter. His grip held firm against her strength, listening in to every word, every detail the fairy was saying.

The man's expression remained calm, his eyes never leaving Eira's face as she spoke. His grip on her hand was firm, but gentle, a steady anchor as her emotions swirled. He nodded slowly, his chin dipping in understanding, as Eira's words tumbled out.

"It sounds like there's a lot of hurt and anger there."

He said, his voice low and even.

"Feeling abandoned and betrayed by someone you care about can be... devastating."

He paused, his eyes locking onto hers, his gaze intense.

"But it takes a lot of courage to acknowledge those feelings, to let them out."

His voice was soothing, but his words were laced with a hint of curiosity, as if he was probing deeper into Eira's emotions.

"You are right to feel this way, justified even."

He spoke calmly, stopping their short walk just to step out in front of her. His gloved hand gently caressed Eira's chin.

"I am?"

Eira asked, he nodded in reply.

His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze piercing.

"You are."

He repeated, his voice firm. His thumb stroked her chin, a gentle, soothing motion.

"Your feelings, your emotions, they're valid. Don't let anyone, including yourself, diminish them."

He paused, his eyes searching hers.

"You have a right to be angry, to be hurt. Acknowledge it, own it, it's a part of you."

His voice was low, hypnotic, drawing Eira in.

The man's words hung in the air, his gaze still locked onto Eira's. His thumb continued to stroke her chin, a gentle, soothing motion. The city around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a bubble of calm. Eira's eyes, still a deep red, seemed to bore into his, as if searching for something. The man's expression remained calm, his eyes never leaving hers. He leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone.

"Tell me, little fairy, what do you want to do about it?"

"I want... the pain to stop... my love is miserable, and my family... is up in ruin... I just, want to take my kids and leave... get stronger, and show my brother... impress him, show him that he does need me..."

Eira stammered, her compiling deep desires were willingly being brought out for this stranger.

The man's eyes sparkled with interest, his gaze intensifying as Eira's words spilled out. He nodded slowly, his thumb still stroking her chin.

"I see."

He said, his voice low and thoughtful.

"You want to prove yourself, to show your brother that you're strong, capable, and needed. All the while protecting those closest to your heart, it's admirable."

He paused, his eyes searching hers.

"And what if I told you, I could help you with that?"

His voice was laced with a hint of intrigue, his eyes glinting with a promise of power.

"Help?"

Eira asked.

"How..."

As if on cue, his hand let out a faint glow onto Eira's chin - red with a shadowy residue entering the fairy from the slight touch. He smiled calmly before releasing his grasp on her. Eira's gaze hardened red, rubbing her chin gently before looking up at him.

"That should do it."

The man shifted his gaze away, staring up at the night sky before glancing back to Eira.

"What is your name, fairy?"

"I am Eira Luwane Helga Wyn-Wolflace.."

She replied, her voice firm. The man's smile grew, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"A pleasure, Eira. I am Odium."

He bowed his head, his black hair falling across his forehead.

"It was... enlightening speaking with you."

Odium's gaze lingered on Eira's, his eyes searching hers before he turned to leave.

"Eira, how would you feel to be a guest to my wedding. Bring the children, nothing like a harmonious wedding to mend ones spirit through these dark times."

Odium's words hung in the air as he walked away, his long coat billowing behind him. Eira watched him go, her mind reeling with the sudden invitation. A wedding? What could Odium's wedding possibly have to do with her? She thought back to their conversation, trying to make sense of the strange encounter. The glow on her chin still lingered, a faint tingling sensation that seemed to be spreading through her body. Eira's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. Who was Odium, really? And what did he want from her? As she stood there, lost in thought, the city around her began to stir. The night air was filled with the sound of soft chatter and whispers, the distant clang of swords from the training grounds of Ad Laera Academy. Eira's gaze fell upon the academy, had they really just walked this far in such a short time?

The academy's towers loomed overhead, their windows glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Eira's thoughts were still reeling from her encounter with Odium, but as she gazed at the academy, her mind began to focus on the tasks at hand. She had to get back to her children, to make sure they were safe and sound. And then there was the matter of her brother, Julian... Eira's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenching as she thought about his recent actions. She pushed the thoughts aside, knowing she had to prioritize her children's well-being.

As if controlled by some unseen ****, Eira entered the academy, her eyes glazed over as if in a trance as she made her way to the dorm room where her fiancee and both babies were fast asleep.

Eira's wandering gaze lingered on Halston, approaching him slowly with her grimoire floating up from the table into her grasp. Climbing up into bed and leaning down from the bunk - her red eyes stared down at him, withering vines began forming out from her grimoire, following the path of her gaze.

"Fu'lo Ta."

She whispered, casting her judgement spell on the spot. Without a flash of light, her vines coiled around him in all directions under the sheets; wrapping around his mouth, arms, legs... thorns punctured into his skin, draining away his life source.

Halston's eyes snapped open, his body tensing as he felt the vines wrap around him. He tried to struggle, but the thorns had already punctured his skin, draining him rapidly. His eyes locked onto Eira's, a mix of shock and fear reflected in them. He tried to speak, but the vines had wrapped around his mouth, muffling his voice. His body began to weaken, his vision blurring as the life was drained from his core. The babies, Caliste and Athan, slept peacefully, unaware of the horror unfolding beside them.

"Do not take this personally."

Eira whispered under her breath. Even thought connected by imprinting, Halston wasn't spoken as her desire. Her inner turmoil was currently silenced, feeling nothing as she watched his eyes rolling back - his skin wrinkling, aging under the weight of the spell until the skin began straining against the bones. Eira threw the sheets up over the upper half of his body, covering him up before her younger twin siblings could see.

Sage and Soyer stirred, rubbing their eyes as they sat up in their bunk beds.

"Eira, what's going on?"

Sage asked, her voice groggy with sleep. Soyer's eyes widened as he took in the scene, his gaze fixed on the lump under the sheets.

"Is that..."

He started to ask, but Eira's expression silenced him. Her eyes, still red and unyielding, met theirs, a warning to not pry further. The twins exchanged a nervous glance, sensing the darkness emanating from Eira.

Eira's expression softened at the sight of Soyer and Sage, offering a gentle smile.

"Both of you, grab Caliste and Athan. We have a wedding to attend..."

She spoke softly to them.

Sage and Soyer shared another wary glance, but Eira's gentle smile put them at ease. They nodded, carefully lifting Caliste and Athan from their cribs. Soyer cradled Athan in his arms, while Sage picked up Caliste, who began to stir and fuss. Eira's smile grew, her eyes still holding a hint of red, as she helped the twins gather their things.

"Let's get dressed, we don't want to be late."

She said, her voice soft and soothing. The atmosphere in the room remained tense, but Eira's calm demeanor helped to mask the darkness that had just transpired.

Once they gathered all they needed, vines coiled out around her, cradling onto her siblings and any luggage they managed to put together. Her hands gently rubbed over their scarlet tuffs of hair, gently caressing them with loving care.

The vines wrapped around Eira, her siblings, and their belongings, forming a secure and intimate bundle. As she caressed Sage and Soyer's hair, they leaned into her touch, their eyes closing in comfort. Caliste and Athan, now awake, gazed up at Eira with wide eyes, their tiny hands reaching out to grasp her fingers. The group's collective breathing slowed, a sense of calm and unity settling over them as they prepared to depart for the mysterious wedding.

Within Eira's sight, light and dark spirits were making themselves visible just outside of their window. Ushering a happy trail toward the moonlit skies.

"Hmm, huh, hmm, hah"

One light spirit hummed happily meeting her face. Eira didn't understand a single word said, watching it's little nubs gesturing for her to follow. Eira began flapping her wings, guiding her small crew out of the dorm room. The rows of spirits began following suit behind them with one leading the way toward the skies above.

"Do not worry you four... we're going to a safer place... as a real family."

The spirits, a mesmerizing procession of lights and shadows, trailed behind Eira and her family as they took to the sky. The wind rushed past them, carrying the whispers of the spirits, which seemed to be a gentle, ethereal melody. Sage and Soyer gazed about in wonder, their eyes wide with excitement, as Caliste and Athan cooed and babbled, enjoying the sensation of flight. The leading light spirit, still gesturing and chattering, guided them toward a distant, shimmering light on the horizon. As they flew, the academy and its surroundings grew smaller, until they were just a tiny, twinkling patch in the darkness...