Bloodlines of the Damned

New Beginnings and Lingering Thoughts

The campus felt quieter than usual that afternoon. The bell had rung hours ago, signaling the end of the school day, but the noise and bustle of students slowly faded as the sky outside began to shift into twilight.

Most of the students at Valerian Academy had already scattered—some heading to the dorms, others disappearing into the nearby town. But Lyra wasn't in a rush to go anywhere. She had nowhere to be.

As she walked along the familiar stone paths, the weight of Vane's absence pressed heavily on her chest. Every corner she turned, every classroom she entered, it was like he was still there—his presence lingering in the empty spaces.

It's been a week. I should be used to it by now.

But she wasn't.

Lyra found herself slowing her pace, looking at the oak trees lining the walkway. The branches swayed in the wind, casting long shadows over the ground. She had always loved these trees. They had a quiet strength to them, a kind of stoic presence, just like Vane. She smiled faintly, remembering how he used to joke that the trees at the academy had seen more than a hundred years of history—and still had secrets to tell.

She shook her head. Stop thinking about him, Lyra. He's gone. Two years. You'll survive.

But the thoughts didn't stop. They never did.

The reality of Vane's departure kept knocking against her mind like a persistent tide. She had promised herself that she wouldn't crumble. That she wouldn't let his absence swallow her whole. But it was hard when every thought, every memory, pulled her back to him. To the whispered promises in the dark.

Her footfalls slowed even more, until she was practically strolling, trying to ignore the tightness in her chest. She wasn't sure where she was going, only that she wanted a break. A distraction.

Then she heard it.

"Hey, Lyra! Wait up!"

Lyra turned and blinked, startled from her reverie. Kaia, the new girl who had quickly become her closest friend, was waving at her from across the courtyard. Lyra offered her a small smile and adjusted her backpack.

"Hey, Kaia."

Kaia jogged over, her light blonde hair bouncing with each step. She looked way too cheerful for someone who was supposed to be heading home. The girl had an almost endless supply of energy that Lyra both envied and admired.

"You've been quiet lately," Kaia said, falling in step beside Lyra. "Everything okay? You've been zoning out in class, and I haven't seen you at lunch the past couple of days."

Lyra's heart sank. She hadn't meant to distance herself from Kaia—she just hadn't been able to focus. But how could she explain it? How could she say, I'm not okay. My heart's in two places—one here, and one with someone I'm afraid I might never see again?

"Yeah, just... stuff." Lyra shrugged, trying to brush it off. "School's been a lot. You know how it is."

Kaia gave her a skeptical look, eyes narrowing slightly. "You sure? Because you're normally way more into our magic talks. You get this look in your eyes like you're about to solve an ancient riddle or something. But lately, you've just been... somewhere else."

Lyra winced at the truth in Kaia's words. She couldn't hide it. Not from Kaia, who had a way of reading people like an open book. But how could she explain what was going on inside her? How could she tell her about Vane? About the Dark Forest and the fear that gripped her every night when she lay awake wondering if he would return the same?

"I'm fine, really," Lyra said, though it sounded less convincing the more she said it. "Just... personal stuff." She tried to smile, but it came out half-hearted. "You know, just trying to keep up with everything."

Kaia wasn't convinced.

"If you say so," Kaia said, her voice softening. "But seriously, you need to take a break. You've been working yourself too hard. You deserve some downtime. You're always so serious! Let me treat you to coffee. I found this amazing little café across the street, and I swear, the cinnamon mocha there could bring the dead back to life." She paused, giving Lyra a grin. "Or at least make you smile."

Lyra couldn't help but laugh at that, despite herself. A small weight lifted from her chest. Maybe Kaia was right. She did need a break. It wasn't like her to turn down coffee—and it wasn't like she had anything else pulling her attention right now.

"Alright, alright," Lyra said, relenting. "Cinnamon mocha sounds good."

Kaia beamed. "Yes! You'll love it. Trust me."

They made their way to the café across the street. The walk was a welcome distraction, and soon the familiar hum of the city outside and the smell of fresh coffee enveloped Lyra's senses. It wasn't the Dark Forest, or Vane's absence—but for the first time in days, she didn't feel like she was drowning in her own thoughts.

They arrived at the café, which was busy but cozy, with the smell of warm pastries filling the air. Kaia led them to a corner table by the window. Lyra was grateful for the change of scenery.

As they sipped their drinks, Kaia chatted about random things—her classes, her most recent crush on a cute boy in history, and how she swore she'd never drink the school's cafeteria coffee again. Lyra found herself listening, even laughing at Kaia's exaggerated stories.

But still, a part of her mind drifted back to Vane.

She couldn't stop thinking about the promise he'd made. I'll come back. I swear it.

The words had echoed in her mind ever since he left.

What if the forest changes him? What if it makes him someone else? The thought lingered in the back of her mind like a cloud threatening to storm.

She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to push it away.

"Lyra?"

Kaia's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

Lyra blinked, startled. She hadn't even realized she was staring out the window, lost in thought. Kaia was looking at her with an expression that said she'd noticed something was off again.

"Yeah?" Lyra replied, forcing a smile.

"You're doing it again." Kaia's voice was gentle, but there was an edge of concern in it. "What's going on? You're way too quiet today."

Lyra sighed. She knew Kaia wouldn't let it go. "It's just... I've got a lot on my mind," she said. It wasn't a lie.

Kaia set her coffee down and leaned in a little, her eyes softer now. "Hey, whatever it is... you know I'm here for you, right? You don't have to carry it all by yourself."

Lyra looked at Kaia, grateful for her friend's sincerity. Kaia didn't ask questions she didn't want to answer, didn't pry. But Lyra could feel the warmth in her words.

"Thanks, Kaia," Lyra said, her voice thick with gratitude. "It's just... there's so much I can't talk about. Not yet. But I'm okay. Really." She forced herself to smile again, this time more convincingly.

Kaia didn't push further. She simply smiled back, though her eyes still held a hint of concern.

"I know you are," she said. "But you don't have to go through everything alone. I get that you're trying to figure it all out, but I've got your back. Always."

Lyra felt a knot in her chest loosen slightly at Kaia's words. She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear that, how much she needed to be reminded that she wasn't alone. Not entirely.

But as they sat in the cozy warmth of the café, sipping their coffee and chatting about the trivial things of school life, Lyra's thoughts kept drifting back to that promise. To Vane, wherever he was. To the Dark Forest, and the silence that now stretched between them.

She had promised herself she wouldn't crumble, but sometimes it felt like the weight of the world was too much to carry alone.