Tears of midnight Crystal

Chapter 6

Eryx Pov.

Every morning after my training session, I found myself drawn back to the forest. My instructors and fellow trainees thought I was simply dedicated to honing my skills in the secluded, tranquil environment, but the truth was, I was hoping to see her again—the girl without the marks in her eyes.

The first time I saw her, it was as if the world had stopped for a moment. Her presence in the forbidden forest, where no one was supposed to venture, intrigued me. She didn't have the elemental marks that signified power, but there was something about her that captivated me. Her curiosity and courage were evident, even in the way she moved through the trees.

Each day, after enduring the rigorous training sessions, I would make my way back to that same spot, my heart pounding with anticipation. The forest, with its dense canopy and whispering leaves, had become a place of hope rather than a forbidden territory. I would sit on a fallen log, the one where I first saw her, and wait.

The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. The sound of birds and the rustling of small animals were my only companions as I scanned the area, hoping for a glimpse of her. Days passed, and though she didn't appear, my resolve never wavered. The memory of her face, the way she seemed so out of place yet perfectly at home, kept me coming back.

One evening, as the sun began to set and the forest was bathed in a warm, golden glow, I heard a rustling in the bushes. My heart leapt into my throat, and I stood up, straining to see through the thick foliage. There she was, stepping cautiously into the clearing, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw me.

I took a deep breath, summoning the courage I had been lacking. "Hi," I called out softly, trying not to startle her. "I'm glad you came back."

She looked hesitant but didn't turn away. Instead, she took a few tentative steps closer. "You're the one from the other day," she said, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"I've been hoping to see you again," I admitted, feeling a warmth spread through me. "I wanted to ask your name."

She paused, considering my words before finally replying, "I'm Hestia."

"Hestia," I repeated, savoring the sound of her name. "I'm Eryx."

We stood there for a moment, the silence between us filled with the sounds of the forest. Finally, I asked, "Why do you come here, to this forbidden place?"

Her eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite place—determination, perhaps, or defiance. "I come here to feel free, to escape."

I nodded, understanding more than I could express. "I come here hoping to see you," I said quietly.

"Even though you don't have powers, there's something about you... something important."

As she turned to face me, her eyes widened in surprise at my words. Her face, illuminated by the soft, dappled light of the forest, was a picture of ethereal beauty and genuine emotion.

"P-paano mo nalaman? Na wala ak-"

"That you don't have powers?"I cute her off.

She nodded innocently. Really? How can she be this innocent?

"The marks, woman. You don't have marks." She opened her mouth. Looked surprised.

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you," she whispered.

For accepting that she doesn't have powers? Nahh. Even if I don't know that she doesn't have one, I'll always ended up falling inlove with her.

From the moment I saw her, she became the most captivating part of the forest. Her beauty was not the conventional kind that stories often exalt, but something far more profound and arresting. It was as if nature itself had conspired to create her, weaving its charm into her very being.

Her hair, a cascade of dark, silken waves, framed her face with a natural elegance, catching the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees. Each strand seemed to shimmer with its own secret, glistening in the soft light. Her eyes, devoid of the marks that signified power, held a depth and clarity that drew me in. They were like the clearest pools of water, reflecting both the curiosity and courage that lay within her.

Her skin, kissed by the sun, had a warm, golden hue, smooth and unblemished. It contrasted beautifully with the lush greenery of the forest, making her appear almost ethereal, like a nymph from ancient legends. Her lips, often curved into a thoughtful smile, were the color of wild roses, soft and inviting.

But it was more than her physical appearance that captivated me. There was an effortless grace in the way she moved, each step light and purposeful. Her presence had a calming effect on the surroundings, as if the forest itself acknowledged her uniqueness and responded to it.

At ang kanyang boses, kapag siya ay nagsasalita, ay parang himig, nakapapawi at malinaw. Nagdala ito ng isang tiyak na lakas, sa kabila ng kanyang kahinahunan, at kapag siya ay tumawa, parang ang buong kagubatan ay sumama, na umaalingawngaw sa kanyang kagalakan. May init sa kanyang mga salita, isang katapatan na nagpaparamdam sa bawat pag-uusap.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees, we sat together on the fallen log, talking about everything and nothing. For the first time, the forbidden forest didn't feel so lonely. It felt like the beginning of something new, something neither of us could have anticipated.