Aetheria : The Lost Legacy

Secrets in the morning Light

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the clearing where the two cabins stood. The air was crisp, carrying the fresh scent of pine and damp earth. Kai sat on the steps of the cabin, her silver hair slightly damp from her morning workout. She cradled a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, savoring its warmth as she gazed into the forest, lost in thought.

Clara emerged from the cabin, her curly brown hair still tousled from sleep. She had spent most of the night poring over an old history book she had found tucked away in the cabin. With a cup of tea in hand, she approached Kai, her dark eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and unease.

"Kai," Clara began, hesitating slightly, "I found something last night... about the war in Aetheria. It's vague, but it mentioned a wizard—Vespera Nightshade—who started it all."

Kai's piercing blue eyes shifted to Clara, her expression becoming unreadable. "What did it say?" she asked, her voice low, almost a whisper.

Clara sat down beside her, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her cup. "Not much detail, just that she wanted to remake the world using some kind of forbidden magic. It's terrifying, really. But the book didn't go into specifics."

Kai's gaze hardened at the mention of Vespera, a name that seemed to carry a heavy weight. "Keep this to yourself for now," she advised, her tone firm. "We don't know who we can trust."

Clara nodded, her anxiety evident. "Do you think she could still be a threat?"

Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, the tension in her shoulders increasing. "Anything's possible," she said, her voice tinged with caution. "But for now, let's focus on what's in front of us."

Clara nodded again, and the two fell into a comfortable silence, sipping their drinks as they watched the forest come alive with the morning light.

After a few minutes, Clara turned to Kai, her expression softening. "How about we take a walk?" she suggested. "Clear our heads a bit before the day really starts."

Kai considered the idea for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, that sounds good," she agreed, setting her coffee aside. They stood up and began walking towards the edge of the clearing, where the trees thickened, creating a natural path into the forest.

As they disappeared into the woods, Jax and Evelyn stepped out of their cabin. Evelyn immediately noticed the empty spot where Kai and Clara had been sitting. She nudged Jax, nodding toward the path they had taken.

"Looks like they're off on their own," Evelyn remarked, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity. She tried to keep her voice light, but there was an undercurrent of something deeper—something she didn't quite understand yet. "Do you think there's something going on between them?"

Jax frowned, his expression tightening slightly. He had always been protective of Clara, ever since they first met at Eldergrove Academy. She had this innocence about her, a warmth that drew people in, and Jax couldn't help but feel a little possessive. "Maybe," he muttered, his voice tinged with jealousy. "But Kai isn't the kind of person who gets serious. She plays with a girl until she gets bored."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, surprised by the bitterness in Jax's voice. "Do you really think that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by Jax's unexpected comment. She had been trying to get a read on Kai ever since they arrived, but Kai was a mystery—a puzzle she couldn't quite solve.

Jax shrugged, but his gaze remained sharp. "I've seen it before. She's... charming, but she doesn't commit. I just hope Clara doesn't get hurt." His tone was more serious than Evelyn was used to hearing from him, and it made her pause.