That evening, the sky above Aarohi's village looked unusually clear. The stars shimmered brighter than usual, and the moonlight painted the forest in soft silver shades.
Aarohi walked along the narrow path that led toward the small forest cabin where Arion was staying.
Her heart felt light and happy.
Every day with Arion had begun to feel more magical than the last.
When she arrived, she found him standing outside the cabin, looking up at the sky.
"You look serious," she said, walking toward him.
Arion smiled faintly.
"I was just thinking," he replied.
"About what?"
"About how strange life can be."
Aarohi tilted her head in curiosity.
"Strange in what way?"
Arion looked back toward the moon.
"Back in Lunaris, everything was predictable. Every day followed the same rules and traditions. But since coming here… everything feels different."
"Different good or different bad?" she asked.
Arion turned toward her.
"Different beautiful."
The two of them began walking slowly through the forest. Fireflies glowed gently around them like floating lanterns.
After a few moments, Arion spoke again.
"There's something I haven't told you," he said.
Aarohi stopped walking.
"What is it?"
"In Lunaris, traveling to Earth is forbidden," he explained. "If the queen discovers what I've done, she will demand that I return immediately."
The words hit Aarohi like a sudden cold wind.
"And if you refuse?" she asked quietly.
Arion didn't answer right away.
"I don't know," he finally admitted.
Aarohi looked down at the ground.
The thought of Arion leaving made her chest tighten.
But before either of them could say more, a strange energy suddenly filled the forest.
The wind stopped.
The fireflies vanished.
And a glowing circle of silver light appeared in the air.
Both Aarohi and Arion stepped back in shock.
From the glowing portal, a tall figure slowly stepped forward.
The warrior's armor reflected the moonlight like a mirror.
Arion's expression immediately changed.
"Kael…" he whispered.
The guardian's glowing eyes moved from Arion to Aarohi.
"So it is true," Kael said.
"The prince of Lunaris has fallen for a human."
The peaceful night had suddenly turned into the beginning of a conflict neither of them could escape.