Long ago, the union of the Sun and Moon brought forth a daughter.

It was said that she possessed both cosmic balance—the radiant warmth of her mother, and the enchanting luminosity of her father.

However, her existence was feared as it may disrupt the equilibrium.

To escape the wrath of the gods, the Sun and Moon chose to keep their daughter away, and was brought to the mortal world where she, later on raised her kin.

Her descendants came to be known as the Luminae.

For many years, the Luminae lived in harmony with mankind, bestowing them with knowledge and secrets of the cosmos.

Humans revered them, but soon they wished to covet their power.

Thus, came the Great Divide, and mortals haunted the Luminae for their blood and magic, pushing them to the brink of extinction.

This text is described in Eldaresh by Pomona Parvati to honor our brothers and sisters that perished during the Great Divide.

May Solana and Aleron—

The book was snatched from me.

Mother stood there, heavily breathing by the door.

"Mother, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

I let out a yelp as she yanked my arm, her nails bore into my flesh.

"What's happening?" I thought she would punish me for going in her study. But her expression told me otherwise.

"We're going away." she answered simply.

My brows snapped into a frown. "Where?"

"Far from this place."

"But we just arrived here."

Our lives were in constant motion for as long as I could remember. Tonight was different. There was urgency in her steps.

"Mother?" I called for her attention. "Where are we going?"

"Don't ask. Make haste and pack your things." Her words fell out into a rush. "Lira!"

The tone jolted me into action.

I fumbled for my belongings, clothes, rations—I traced the rim of the Book of Knowing. I could fit this in my cloak.

"Leave that." Mother demanded.

I glanced back at her. "What?"

She squeezed her eyes tight. "I said, leave the book!"

"But...?" I stammered because she never once raised her voice at me.

She saw how that affected me. Her mouth lingered ajar, contemplating whether to say the next words.

Mother held my gaze. "The Silver Guards... are here."

A cold chill sent shivers down my spine.

The Silver Guards haunted us for centuries. Although mother tried her best to shield me from the horrors, I have seen what they did and capable of doing.

Lifeless bodies of Luminae, scattered across the streets, devoid of their dignity and magic.

"I did not feel their presence until a few hours ago." Mother paused. "They must have developed new weapons against our kind."

My mind conjured up all frightening images of Silver Guards barging into our home, killing us with no hesitation. I shivered at that thought.

"Maybe they won't hurt us. After all, we're still mortal." A part of me hoped that she would agree. That everything would be fine.

In the dimly-lit lantern, the despair in her eyes spoke volumes.

"As long as you have it in your blood, you're their enemy." she spoke slowly, holding my gaze once more as though she wanted me to immortalize her words in my mind.

"Promise me, Lira. You will never tell anyone who you are."

It was not going to be an easy escape.

The horizon remained shrouded in obsidian hues, stars just began to cast their dim glimmers.

The forest was dark, but vibrant streams of light began to follow us.

They swirled and pirouted like playful spirits, illuminating the trees and dark corners of the forest.

I was no stranger to this display, yet it never failed to evoke a sense of wonder.

"Ignore it, Lira." Mother chided.

"Why are they here?"

"Just don't touch them, and they will disappear." she cautioned, echoing the same words spoken each time the lights appeared.

Yet, contrary to the promise, they persisted, even as the biting cold seeped through our clothes.

Even as we arrived at an inn outside the fort, and mother fell asleep in the sanctuary of ivy-colored walls, the lights stood as silent companions beyond the windows, casting a glow that seemed to shine brighter each second.

As I lay, they sat outside as distant orbs, dancing just beyond my reach.

Back in Heatherglenn, the lights had always maintained a respectful distance. There were nights when, from my bedroom window, I would see them shimmer beyond the treetops. Or on days that I would stroll the gardens, they would float over flowers yet refrain from approaching too closely.

I never understood why, and I didn't have the courage to ask mother.

This time they defied their previous tendencies.

They flew so close that I could reach them if I tried.

Unable to sleep, I rested my chin on the windowsill, finally voicing the question that lingered in my thoughts:

"What are you?"

I fixated on them, yearning to feel their warmth. A wild urge gripped me then. Curiosity, perhaps.

But before my fingertips could graze them, they scattered, forming a beckoning trail that seemed to guide me somewhere.

"Wait! Where are you going?" I cried out.

Beside me, mother stirred in her sleep. She never spun tales about myself. Or our kind. Everything I learned came from stolen moments in her study, where hidden volumes held cryptic truths I yearned to comprehend.

The last time I attempted to catch the lights, she punished me severely for it.

What if they never come back?

If I return before she awakened, she would never know I left.

I wouldn't be long.

***

Tables were full of patrons, laughing through pints of ale. Their noises mingled with the group of musicians playing in tbe corner. As I descended, the barmaid's eyes flickered briefly towards me, but made no comment. The memory of how mother slipped extra coins for her secrecy played in my mind. I shouldn't make eye contact.

Pulling the cloak tighter to my face, I followed the direction of the lights.

They led my eyes to a distant path—the very forest we came from. I hesitated on the threshold of the inn. What am I doing? Yet, something resonated deep within me. Its weight beckoned me forward.

"Where are you taking me?" I whispered.

I slipped between towering fir trees. The stillness of the forest broken by the scrunch of dried leaves against my feet. Inhaling deeply, a rich earthy scent lingered in the air, that of damp earth and cool mist.

Once the lights had come to a standstill near a river, they piroueted below my feet, tracing intricate designs along the forest floor, illuminating the moss and fallen leaves with radiance.

As I tried to grasp them, the lights soared skyward, teasingly out of reach. I laughed.

I don't think it would allow me to get close, so for a moment, I only watched. The lights urged me to catch them.

When it perhaps realized I wouldn't fall for its antics, it finally drew near like curious spirits. Their glow casted a halo of radiance. I opened my palms then, and I was surprised to see them nestle gently between my trembling fingers. Their warmth pulsated against my skin. Heart racing, I closed my eyes.

A surge of energy jolted me awake.

A current of electricity passed through my body, igniting every nerve ending with pulsating energy.

The wind grew stronger, blowing my hair across my cheek. Clusters of trees rustled harshly.

I didn't have to see myself to know that something was different. Still, I sat by the river. In the water's gentle current, something bright flickered in my reflection.

What was that?

Only then did I realize it was me.

I was glowing.

My breath quickened.

A soft glow glided across my skin, casting a radiant light that lit me up like the stars in the night sky.

Is this why my mother warned me about them?

I should be guilty for going against her orders. Yet, something else coiled within my chest. As if the lights had woven themselves into the fiber of my being and I couldn't wait to do it again.

The thrill was intoxicating and ended a few moments before a voice echoed in the expanse:

"Who are you?"

Startled, my gaze swiftly shifted, and there by the river's edge, stood a young man. His azure eyes, like slivers of the sky, reflected curiosity as they met mine. Why did I not see him? How much did he see?

He wore a simple tunic, the fabric a muted color—chestnut, the same hue as his tousled hair.

As I observed him, relief washed over me—he must be a rogue knight. But he wasn't carrying any weapons. Yet, I dared not to bring my guard down. After all, many harbored ambitions to have a Luminae's blood, fueled by the allure of gold coins.

"How did you get in here?" It wasn't a direct inquiry to me. He drew closer and I stepped back. "I won't hurt you."

A lie sprung to my tongue, but it was quick to die under his suspicious gaze.

"I followed the lights—fireflies." I said, truthfully, knowing he might dismiss me as a naive wanderer.

A brief pause. "Lights?"

"Yes, sir," I admitted. "I didn't mean to deviate from my path, but I was curious and wanted to see them closely."

A pause lingered, and I became aware of his silence, his unbroken gaze piercing through me. His eyes, as intense as the night, held a depth that demanded my attention.

He turned serious, caution evident in his expression. "Wolves frequent these areas, you must return home."

Suddenly, footsteps disturbed the forest quiet, followed by a commanding voice, "Who? Who broke through the wards?"

"I don't know, General..." Another man spoke. "I fell asleep and I saw something bright in the forest."

"Asleep?" There was a snarl in his voice. "Would you like to sleep forever, Lieutenant? I can arrange that for you."

My heartbeat spiked as I glanced at the rogue knight. That must be their leader. He could choose to turn me in—

"You have to go," he whispered instead.

I scanned my surroundings, the forest stretched with endless trees. I struggled to remember the way back to the inn. How? There is a possibility that I might stumble upon more rogue knights, or worse, Silver Guards.

I turned to him. "I need help out of the forest, please!"

"I don—

"Just show me the way and you won't see me again."

I saw his hesitation, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and began walking away. When I looked back, the man had vanished, leaving my heart heavy with uncertainty.

I have to find my way back before they see me.

I didn't know much about rogue knights, but tales of their disturbances haunted the kingdom. They can kill me if they wanted, they take orders from no one—let alone from someone like me.

Cold sweat slid on my spine as I faced the rows of trees, lost and without a clear direction. If I die here today, my mother will never find out. Why did I have to follow the lights? I wanted to cry. What a foolish girl I had been!

The distant sound of hooves spurred me to hide behind a tree. Did they see me? Oh, heavens! What if they did?

In that moment, an arm encircled my waist, swiftly lifting me up. Panic set in, but before I could scream, I found myself face-to-face with the same azure eyes—the knight from before!

He hoisted me onto his horse, his hands withdrawing almost immediately. My heartbeat slowed from relief and unshed tears caught in my lashes.

Perched atop the steed, I didn't know what to say or do. All I knew was how grateful I was to leave the forest and get back to my mother.

"T-Thank you for helping me," I finally whispered in a small voice as he navigated the horse quietly.

His face remained stony, and his eyes looked strangely into mine again. "I better not see you lurking around these parts of the forest again or the consequences will be dire for you, understand?"

I clutched the saddle harder. "I understand."

Inhaling the crisp forest air, my thoughts drifted back to the warmth and comfort of the inn we left behind that morning. My body ached for the soft embrace of a bed and the promise of a hot meal. I knew we couldn't linger there, but I longed for more rest.

In the darkness of the forest, where even the moon struggled to pierce the thick canopy ahead, I couldn't ignore the eerie feeling. The absence of lights suffocated me, as if the shadows were closing in on us.

How I wish the lights would appear again. But since that night in the forest, they were nowhere to be seen.

The memory weighed heavily in my mind. I have yet to confide to mother about what happened. Perhaps I should tell her n—

"Let's sleep here for the night. It will be miles away to the next town." mother's voice broke through my thoughts.

Nodding silently, I sank to the forest floor, my limbs shattering slightly.

"Where's your cloak?" mother asked, retrieving the last match stick from her pack. She struck it against a rock, and a small flame flickered to life. It illuminated her face; every line and curve spoke of her exhaustion.

"I don't know..."

"You must sleep now, Lira." she whispered. "We'll set forth at dawn."

"How long until we reach Heatherglenn?" I murmured with weariness.

"Soon," mother replied softly, her gaze fixed on the flames.

I could briefly recall the map in Mother's study. Beyond the domain of Sileron, nestled on the fringes of the Golden Sands, lies Heatherglenn. It had earned a reputation as a haven for those who are fleeing the king's tyranny. It was said that the king himself hesitated to venture there, for it lay perilously close to the border of the enemy kingdom of Vattoria.

It offered the best chance at sanctuary. Mother and I could disappear there and live in peace away from the watchful eyes of the king's silver guards.

The warmth of the fire chased away the chill of the night air. I huddled close to it, and before I surrendered to sleep, I made a silent promise to myself: tomorrow morning, I would tell mother the truth.

 ***

In the heart of the raging inferno that consumed the village, amidst the chorus of agony and despair, I stood motionless, paralyzed by the devastation unfolding around me. My eyes darted frantically, searching for a familiar face amid the chaos, but found only the relentless advance of the flames.

As the heat licked at my skin and smoke filled my lungs, I glimpsed a distant glimmer of light, beckoning like a beacon of hope amid the darkness.

Lights are good, my father told me so.

With trembling steps, I approached, tears mingling with ash on my cheeks as I called out in desperation, "Father?"

But as the figure drew closer, the illusion shattered, revealing not the comforting embrace of a loved one, but the cold, metallic gleam of armored soldiers. My father's aura seemed to emanate from within his armor, a cruel mockery of the warmth and protection I had once known.

A sob escaped my lips as realization dawned, but before I could retreat, the soldier bearing my father's likeness raised their weapon, the blade shimmering in the fiery glow.

***

With a jolt, I snapped awake, gasping for air as my heart pounded in my chest. Blinking away the remnants of the nightmare that still lingered in my mind, I scanned my surroundings, the dying embers of the campfire casting eerie shadows in the predawn light.

My gaze fell upon my mother, bound and gagged on the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks at the sight of my clueless form.

What's happening?

Before I could rush to her side, a chilling voice sliced through the silence, freezing me in my tracks.

"Good morning, little one."

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I turned to face the menacing figure looming over me, a sword held threateningly at my throat. Fear clenched my heart as I struggled to find my voice, my mind reeling with questions and dread.

Trembling, I met the gaze of a Silver Guard. Frightening visions clouded in my mind: of Silver Guards dragging mother away in chains, and her dead body disposed for all to see after they have taken everything from her. I gagged, something unpleasant rising in my throat.

"There was a surge of lights through the forest..." the guard's voice trailed off.

Realization hit me then. Could it be the lights that I touched? Did I alert them here? A burning regret tightened in my chest.

Mother looked up, eyes sharp, "My powers were taken from me. There's no reason—"

"Silence, witch!" the guard snapped. His eyes bore anger that I couldn't describe, almost as if there was a deeper reason behind them. He continued, "The king has granted you a life of isolation, sparing you from punishment while it was your people who suffered from your deceit."

I knew little about mother because she always evaded questions about her past. What did she have to do with the king?

I have to save her.

In that instant, mother's eyes locked with mine. Her gaze conveyed a message, stay where you are.

"That's enough!" Another voice barked. "She will be questioned in the capital, not here, Lieutenant."

"Raise your head." a voice commanded.

The first thing I saw was the intricate patterns adorning his armor, depicting celestial constellations. He was no ordinary soldier. The way he carried himself suggested he had higher authority than the rest.

I backed away, thinking foolishly that I could escape him.

The guard who caught me, held me down, "What do we do with the girl, Commander?"

He aimed the sword at my heart. The scar that marred his face, I would never forget it. At that moment, I didn't allow myself to be scared.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the feel of hard steel.

It didn't come.

Instead, a protective aura enveloped me, so warm that it was akin to the soothing rays of the afternoon sun.

When I opened my eyes, mother lunged forward to strike the commander.

"Lira!" she cried out. "Run!"