Shadow Beings

18. The Golden One

I recognised the unfamiliar voice almost immediately.

I slowly turned around to meet the girl's golden, electrifying eyes that reflected kindness and confidence, though a peaceful aura stemming from a long experience reverberated around her. Her voice was soft but strong, welcoming yet carrying a slight sense of something akin to modest authority. Her messily curled hair descended till her elbows as if red flames gently danced about her head. It was a bold background to the simple yellow dress she wore.

She was alluring, and the ethereal kindness never faded from her aura.

"Aurelia?" I asked.

She slowly nodded. "Jay has told me so much about you." She smiled.

"How did you know that I'd come here?"

She took a slow step towards the fire and said, "I can speak to the essence of the flame. I've known for a while, now."

Her tone was lively yet benign, her smile lightening the room.

"Oh," I mumbled. Carefully, I lifted the brown metallic key and presented it to Aurelia.

"May I borrow this? I assume you already know why I need it, and I promise to return the key as soon as the job is finished."

Aurelia's gentle laugh filled the room and she nodded, radiating an aura of warmth and joy. For a moment, it felt as if the fire brightened in harmony to her voice and my mind relaxed as I sighed with relief.

"There's a lot to tell you. Have a seat."

I nodded and sat on the comfortable, wooden chair, sitting with a straight and alert posture out of habit. Aurelia, however, folded her arms and sank back in her chair with a casual smile.

"I suppose I should start from the beginning?" She rubbed her neck and continued with a gentle smile.

"I've been living in isolation at this mansion here, which is why I am so familiar with the land. Something happened seven years ago, you see. The Phoenexias were invited to the Annual Ball that year."

Of course. The Phoenexias would join our Annual Ball every ten years for the sake of unity and healing the grief of the day. They did the same from the Hearth on the other days, but they visited once in a while to pronounce the effect for the sake of the shadow-trappers.

I nodded. I had attended a ball with the Phoenexias only once before, though it was only briefly and I could barely remember anything.

"Being the head Pheonexia family, we were naturally the first to meet Jay. I recall that even on such a formal occasion he wore a black jacket with black jeans. He didn't seem to care about his attire and I quite appreciated that," Aurelia said with a soft chuckle.

"He never cares about his outfit. I picked up that habit from him," I said with a grin and something fond flickered in her brilliant eyes. "Though he always has a reason."

A sweet smile came on Aurelia's face as silence filled the room momentarily. She continued with her story and a lively light flickered into her eyes.

"He began to discuss some serious matter with my father, so I took my sister Ariana to look around Sylva Vita. She's the last remaining Wind Phoenexia, so she really adores lively scenes. Or at least she used to, anyway."

A mix of sorrow and pride reflected on the Phoenexia's expression as it relaxed furthermore as if no point of negativity could bring her down anymore.

"Ariana is a good girl, she really is. She always has a vibrant aura around her but she doesn't show it to anyone because of the nature of her existence, perhaps. She won't talk about it to anyone - other than the spirit of the Valleys, perhaps - but I can see how much the responsibility weighs down on her. The worst consequence of this exile of mine might be transferring some of my duty to her... I can only hope I've done enough from her."