Echoes of Olympus; The Return of the Forgotten Gods

Chapter 10

Avaia's POV
When Dorian and Seraphina arrived at my house later that night, they found me tending to my wounds. My father was slumped in a chair, snoring softly, while my brother's weak coughs echoed from the next room. The sight of Dorian and Seraphina at my door, their faces etched with distress, made my heart skip a beat. I quickly ushered them inside, my mind racing with concern.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice gentle yet insistent as I took in their haggard appearances.Dorian and Seraphina exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Seraphina's posture was stiff, her eyes downcast, and the air around them crackled with tension. I noticed how she clung to Dorian's sleeve, her knuckles white with the force of her grip.Dorian, always the protector, spoke first, his voice carefully measured. "We need your help, Avaia. We have nowhere else to go."

As I looked at them, standing so close, a pang of something—jealousy, perhaps—shot through me. Despite my own struggles, the sight of their shared burden made my heart ache. "You can stay here," I said firmly, pushing aside my pain. "We'll figure this out together."

I looked at my friends with a mix of concern and curiosity. The bruises on my face still ached, but I ignored the pain. "What happened?" I asked again, my voice more insistent this time.Dorian and Seraphina exchanged another glance. Seraphina's body language was a symphony of distress—her shoulders hunched, her eyes refusing to meet mine, and her fists clenched tight at her sides. Dorian noticed this too, and his protective instinct flared.

"It's... complicated," Dorian said, his voice careful and guarded. "We just need a place to stay for a while."

I frowned, sensing that there was more to the story than they were letting on. "You know you can tell me anything, right? We're friends. We look out for each other."

Dorian nodded, his emerald eyes filled with appreciation, but I could see the weight of the unspoken words in them. "I know, Avaia. But right now, we just need some rest. It's been a long day."

I glanced at Seraphina, who gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, her eyes finally meeting mine with a silent plea. Understanding her need not to relive whatever had happened, I backed off. "Alright," I said softly. "You can take the spare room. It's not much, but it's safe."

As I led them down the narrow hallway, the shadows cast by the flickering candlelight danced on the walls, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, the weight of our collective burdens pressing down on us. The tension in the room was palpable, each of us wrapped in our thoughts and fears.

When we reached the spare room, I pushed the door open, revealing a small, cluttered space. "It's not much," I repeated, my voice softer now, almost a whisper. "But it's safe."

Dorian and Seraphina stepped inside, their movements slow and hesitant. Dorian's hand brushed against Seraphina's arm, a silent gesture of reassurance, and I felt that pang again. I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As they settled into the room, I watched Seraphina closely. Her usually bright eyes were dull, her shoulders slumped as if carrying the weight of the world. Dorian's touch was gentle and sweet compared to the harshness we had all grown used to. He was a rock, steady and unyielding, and in Seraphina's eyes, I saw a glimmer of something—relief, gratitude, maybe even hope.

"Thank you, Avaia," Dorian said, his voice breaking the silence. "We appreciate this."I nodded, giving them a small, reassuring smile. "You're welcome. Get some rest. We'll talk more in the morning."