Fates Entwined

Chapter 3:Mortal Bonds

Risha leaned over her desk, flipping through papers while Miri balanced a pencil on her nose, feet propped up on the edge of Risha's workspace.

"You could at least pretend to be productive," Risha muttered.

Miri smirked, letting the pencil drop. "And deny you the joy of watching me master the art of distraction? Never."

"Six months in, and you're still not taking this seriously."

Miri rolled her eyes. "I'm plenty serious, Rish. Just not in the boring way you are."

Risha opened her mouth to retort, but the memory of Val's furious decree from months ago replayed in her mind.

The Great Hall of the Immortals shimmered with golden light, its arched ceilings adorned with constellations that pulsed gently, as if alive. Risha and Miri stood before the Council, their heads bowed in the rarest display of contrition.

Val, the youngest member of the Council yet the most imposing, paced before them. His dark hair flowed like ink, and his eyes glinted like the edge of a blade.

"You have disrupted the Sanctum of Harmony," Val began, his voice low and measured, which somehow made it scarier. "A sacred ceremony. Do you even comprehend the consequences of your actions?"

Risha risked a glance at Miri, who stood straight-faced, though her fingers twitched nervously.

"It was an accident," Risha said, her voice small.

"An accident?" Val's voice rose, reverberating through the hall. "You released the Eternal Winds into chaos. It took the Council three mortal weeks to restore order. Do you know what that did to the balance of the cosmos?"

"Probably... not great?" Miri ventured, unable to suppress her sarcasm.

Risha elbowed her.

Val's gaze hardened. "You think this is a joke?"

"No, Lord Val," Risha said quickly.

"Your actions show otherwise," Val snapped. He turned to the Council. "These two have done nothing but flaunt their disregard for our laws. It's time they learned the value of accountability."

Risha's heart sank. "What do you mean?"

"You will be sent to Earth," Val declared. "Stripped of your immortality. Hidden in mortal forms. Your mission is to help three humans each in ways that will meaningfully alter their lives. Only when you succeed will you be allowed to return."

"And if we fail?" Miri asked, her tone more defiant than fearful.

Val's eyes bore into hers. "Then you will remain mortals. Forever."

Risha snapped back to the present as Miri tossed a balled-up napkin at her head.

"You're doing the thing again," Miri said.

"What thing?"

"The brooding thing. It's not a good look for you."

"Funny, I was just thinking about how this whole mess is entirely your fault."

Miri grinned. "You're welcome."

Before Risha could respond, Miri's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and perked up. "Oh, gotta go. Yoga class starts in ten."

"You do yoga?"

"Since yesterday," Miri quipped, grabbing her bag and striding out the door.

The yoga studio smelled of lavender and eucalyptus, a calming oasis from the chaos of the office. Miri rolled out her borrowed mat, glancing around the room. She wasn't here for yoga, not really. She was here for the universe to hand her her next human.

But instead, it handed her something—or rather, someone—else.

"Hey, first time?"

Miri turned to see a man, about her age, standing beside her. He was tall and lean, with messy brown hair and a relaxed smile that practically screamed nice guy.

"Does it show?" she asked, gesturing to her mismatched workout clothes.

He laughed. "A little, but you're doing great so far. I'm Neil."

"Miri," she said, shaking his hand.

As the instructor began the class, Miri tried to focus on her poses but found her eyes drifting to Neil. He seemed so... at ease, unlike most humans she'd met. After class, as they rolled up their mats, he offered her a bottle of water.

"Thanks," she said, taking a sip. "So, what's your story? You don't seem like the stressed-out type."

Neil shrugged. "I'm just a guy who likes yoga. Keeps me grounded."

"Grounded?" Miri raised a brow. "That's suspiciously zen for a mortal."

"Mortal?"

"Uh, I mean... normal person."

Neil chuckled. "And what about you, Miri? What brings you here?"

"Long story," she said with a grin.

"Good thing I like long stories."

Later, as Miri walked home, she replayed their conversation in her head. Neil was different—easygoing, kind, and clearly not in need of help.

Which was a problem.

Her mission required her to help three humans. Could she really afford to waste time on someone who didn't need saving?

But as she reached her apartment, she couldn't shake the feeling that Neil might be more important than she realized.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the city, a figure watched her. His molten gold eyes burned with quiet fury. It was Eron and he seemed happy. " keep getting distracted."