The wooden house shivered under the forest wind, moss slipping from the beams as if it were breathing. A faint, sharp wail threaded through the trees, growing until it filled the heavy air.
Soft footsteps rustled through the dry leaves. The door gave way with a sigh of ancient wood.
"What a disgusting place."
Under a black cloak, sapphire eyes landed on the cradle. The newborn, wrapped in trembling silence, moved her tiny fingers as if grasping at the air. The white blindfold over her eyes couldn't hide the irregular glow of her irises.
Selene stepped closer. Her hands brushed the baby, lifting her gently. A rune drawn in the air made space shiver;
She created a portal and stepped through it, arriving in a room.
dark wood scented of wax and time, heavy curtains filtering the light, a huge bed dominating the space with a stern yet elegant presence. Chandeliers sparkled on polished surfaces, deep rugs muffled every step.
Selene removed her cloak. Scarlet hair tumbled over her shoulders, her pointed ears twitched slightly. Green eyes captured every detail.
The baby continued to cry, tiny and fragile. Selene placed her in the crib beside the bed, setting a fox-shaped doll beside her. The small hand reached out, touching the soft fur, the crying didn't stop, but it softened.
With one hand, she lifted the blindfold from her eyes. Beneath it, white irises stared at the ceiling. Selene tilted her head, a silent smile spreading across her lips.
Floating runes trembled in the air. A glow, and a bottle appeared in her hands. She lifted the baby, letting the milk flow gently over her thin lips, and the crying ceased.
Selene sat on the bed, the baby finally calm in her arms.
A knock at the door made the air jump. A trembling female voice pierced the room.
"Madam, the Empress is calling you."
Selene turned, cold "Tell her I have nothing to discuss, I'm leaving tomorrow."
The voice hesitated, uncertain "Madam, the Empress said she won't let you go otherwise"
Rage clenched Selene's teeth. She inhaled deeply. The baby in her arms remained still, white eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"Tell her to come to my garden tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
Turning back to the baby, she spoke softly "I haven't given you a name yet. I'll call you Liora."
After drinking the milk, the newborn fell asleep. Selene placed her gently in the crib and lay down on the bed.
She remained still for a few moments, her gaze lost on the ceiling. Liora slept deeply, her steady breathing filling the room with a reassuring rhythm.
Selene rolled onto her side, a hand resting over her chest. Fatigue lingered, the kind that quietly accumulates when one stays awake too long. Yet sleep would not come.
She rose slowly, almost afraid that a sudden movement might shatter the fragile silence of the room.
Her fingers traced the stiff spine of a book, any book would do, as long as it could anchor the storm still raging in her mind.
She sank into a chair and opened its pages. Words weaved themselves before her tired eyes, forming a steady, familiar rhythm that pulled her far away from everything.
The night slipped by silently, swallowed by the pale light of dawn.
With Liora still in her arms, heavy with sleep, Selene stepped outside. The morning air brushed her face, cool and scented with dew.
The garden welcomed her with its quiet, blades of grass sparkled in the light, and the spot where she took breakfast each day.
She sat down gently, holding the little one close. Liora did not move; her warm breath brushed Selene's skin, a barely perceptible whisper.
A faint rustle.
On the other side of the table stood a figure. A fox-woman, like Selene in appearance but with sharper, more confident features.
Her hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and her mature eyes held a knowledge Selene had known since childhood.
The woman studied her without hurry. Her gaze lingered on the newborn, the human face peeking out from under the blanket.
"Sister" she said at last, her voice heavy with unasked questions. "That child you hold, she's human?"
The wind stilled. Even the birds seemed to hold their song.
Selene lowered her gaze to Liora, brushing a thumb across her cheek. She did not look up, did not justify herself, did not explain.
"I'm leaving this afternoon." The words slipped out, carrying the weight of a decision made long ago.
Empress Katerine's expression was heavy with sorrow as she spoke "I know you won't change your mind, but do you really have to go to that place?"
Selene answered calmly "I don't have much time left. I just want Liora to survive the chaos that's coming."
The empress's face darkened further. Selene lifted her eyes slowly, her expression unreadable "When I'm no longer here, could you take care of her?"
Katerine froze. It was the first time her sister had ever asked her for a favor.
In Selene's eyes, once bright with hope for the future, there was no light left. Softening, the empress whispered "Sister, I promise I will."
Selene rose, ready to head to her room "Thank you."
Watching her go, Empress Katerine could not stop blaming herself for failing to sway her.
Afternoon arrived. With preparations complete, Selene climbed into the ox-drawn carriage.
The journey ended at last. Stepping down, Selene's gaze fell upon the lake. The water mirrored the sky perfectly, calm and undisturbed.
A stately stone manor overlooked the lake. Large windows reflected the water like glass. Sculpted columns framed the entrance, and a well-kept garden sloped gently to the shore.
Selene walked toward the house, thinking quietly, 'I'll do my best to raise you in the days to come'.
Twelve years passed quickly. Inside the stone house, a young girl cooked lunch, a tiny creature perched on her shoulder giving directions.
When the task was done, she carried the tray to the room next to the kitchen.
Selene lay there, pale, eyes closed. Hearing the door open, she blinked slowly and saw her daughter, Liora.
A girl with golden hair and completely white irises, her ethereal gaze catching the light.
Selene offered a faint smile "Liora, you don't need to bring me food. I feel my time is almost up."
No sooner had the words left her lips than her breathing stilled.
Liora's heart, long braced for this moment, leapt violently at the sight of her mother's stillness.
The tiny creature on her shoulder shot into the air, voice sharp with panic "Quick! Use your Essence to capture her soul!"
Without hesitation, Liora quickly sketched some runes in midair, in the direction the creature indicated.
Selene's soul, rising, was abruptly stopped by an unknown force and funneled into the body that Liora held in her hands.
Emberly gazed at the body Selene had entered, a tiny fairy with hair red as fire, bright blue eyes, and delicate iridescent wings, dressed in petals and light leaves.
She let out a laugh "I can't wait to see Katerine's reaction when she finds out her sister is inside a fairy's body!"
Liora spoke coldly "Don't use her name so intimately."
Emberly sighed "Listen, Liora, I know I'm repeating myself, but your relationship with Katerine it's unlikely to work. To her, you're just the girl her sister raised."
Liora opened her mouth to reply, but a knock came at the door.
She placed Selene on the bedside table and, opening the door, said to Emberly "Keep an eye on my mother."
Guided by the Essence in the air, she moved toward the front door. Reaching it, she opened it.
The Essence of the person standing there was familiar. Blushing and feeling her heart pound, Liora smiled "Katerine, it's good you came. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Katerine stepped inside and sat on the armchair in the living room. Liora was about to sit down, but she didn't notice the distance between her and Katerine.
Ending up sitting on Katerine's lap.
She leaned close, whispering in her ear with a sweet voice "What does my dear niece have to tell me?"
Mechanically, she began recounting everything that had happened with Selene.
When Selene opened her eyes, the world around her had become enormous. A voice cut through the vastness.
"You're awake, then."
Turning toward it, she saw a small fairy, blue-skinned, hair white as snow, eyes bright, wings translucent with shifting iridescence, clad in petals and light leaves.
It was the fairy her daughter had bound. Once tiny, it now stood slightly taller than her.
"What have you and Liora done?" Selene demanded, tension threading her voice.
The little fairy pouted "My name is Emberly. I'm not 'you.' I had nothing to do with this. Liora insisted on using this method to keep you alive."
Selene felt the explanation was too vague. Her impatience showing, she demanded "Where is Liora?"
Emberly noticed the sharp edge in her tone and replied calmly "She's outside, talking to her romantic interest, and filling her in about your situation."
Having received her answer, Selene moved toward the door, or rather, she soared with her wings.
She channeled the Essence within her body, bending the force of space around the handle, and the door swung open effortlessly.