Darkness or light...?

6.

rex's pov:-

As we continued our trek through the forest, the events of the past hours weighed heavily on my mind. The memory of the intense sword fight with Zaria played on repeat, her sudden shift into a raging force catching me off guard. It was as if a switch had been flipped, turning a friendly spar into a life-or-death struggle. The intensity of her anger left me reeling, unable to comprehend what had sparked such fury within her.

But it wasn't just Zaria's unexpected rage that troubled me. The encounter with Cyria lingered in my thoughts like a haunting specter. In the brief moment our eyes met, I sensed a profound emptiness within her gaze, a void devoid of emotion or humanity. It was a chilling experience, leaving me with a sense of unease and foreboding.

As we drew nearer to the village of the elves, I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension gnawing at my gut. 

As the village of the elves loomed closer, our footsteps echoing through the dense forest, Calix's voice cut through the quietude with a sense of urgency. He halted our procession with a firm hand gesture, his eyes alight with excitement, his smile directed towards Zaria and Wish.

"Before we reach the village," Calix began, his tone firm yet eager, "there are a few points I need to make clear." His words hung in the air, drawing our attention like a magnet, I couldn't help but notice the gleam of anticipation in Calix's eyes, a sign that whatever he had to say held great importance.

With a nod of agreement, Zaria and Wish turned their focus towards Calix, their expressions a mix of curiosity and readiness. It was clear that they, too, recognized the significance of Calix's impending revelation.

As Calix's voice carried through the forest, outlining the details of Aurora Vale, a sense of anticipation mixed with caution settled over us. However, his next words brought a twist to our expectations.

"So, I'll start with the name of the village, which is 'Aurora Vale'," Calix began, his tone carrying a weight of significance. "Here, humans and elves coexist, but it's important to note that witches and wizards are not exactly welcomed with open arms."

The revelation struck like a bolt of lightning, sparking a flurry of questions and concerns in my mind. How could a place that seemed so idyllic be wary of our kind? What had caused such distrust between the magical community and the residents of Aurora Vale?

"This village serves as the capital of both the nature and muggle kingdoms," Calix continued, his voice tinged with a hint of somberness. "But despite its importance, witches and wizards often face prejudice and suspicion from the locals."

As his words sank in, a heaviness settled over our group. It was clear that our arrival in Aurora Vale would be met with skepticism and possibly hostility. We would need to tread carefully, mindful of the delicate balance between our magical heritage and the wary eyes of those who called the village home

"We must find a place to stay," Calix's voice broke the silence, drawing our attention back to the present moment. His words carried a practical urgency, a reminder that despite the beauty surrounding us, we still had practical matters to attend to.

He continued, his tone shifting to one of explanation. "Also, to inform you, there is going to be a royal ball in the muggle palace. And no, we cannot go, Wish, unless we are invited... Anyhow..." His voice trailed off momentarily as he scanned the area, his eyes finally coming to rest on a point ahead.

"We are here," Calix announced, his words punctuated by a sense of finality. I followed his gaze eagerly, my eyes landing on the entrance of the village. It stood before us like a beacon of possibility, its beauty a stark contrast to the dense forest we had traversed to reach it.

As we stepped closer, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me...

zaria's pov:-

As we entered the ancient village of Aurora Vale, a sense of unease settled over me like a cloak of shadows. I had been trying to avoid Rex ever since our intense sword fight, the memory of his piercing gaze and skilled maneuvers still fresh in my mind. But as fate would have it, we found ourselves seated at the same table, awaiting our food in awkward silence.

Attempting to distract myself, I struck up a conversation with Rufus and Calix,  Rufus, with his jovial demeanor and Calix, with his quiet wisdom, proved to be pleasant company, their words a welcome respite from the tension that lingered between Rex and me.

As we chatted, I couldn't help but steal glances in Rex's direction, my heart quickening each time our eyes met. His gaze held a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, mirroring my own conflicted emotions. But before I could dwell on it further, our food arrived, a colorful array of dishes that tantalized the senses.

As we began to eat, I felt Rex's gaze on me once again, his scrutiny sending a shiver down my spine. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, suddenly acutely aware of his presence beside me. Just as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, Wish came to my rescue, inviting me to join their table.

With a grateful nod, I accepted the offer, exchanging seats with Jude as I moved to sit beside Wish. The change in scenery brought a sense of relief, the tension in my shoulders easing as I found myself surrounded by familiar faces.

As the conversation flowed around me, I couldn't shake the feeling of Rex's eyes on me, his silent scrutiny a constant reminder of the unfinished business between us. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside....

As we stepped out of the tavern, the familiar sounds of the bustling street surrounded us, but amidst the clamor, a voice pierced through the noise, causing a jolt of unease to ripple through me. My heart quickened its pace, each beat thudding loudly in my chest as I froze in place, my senses on high alert.

"I see you're back early,"