Aetherials - Part Two

...𝕬𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖆𝖑𝖘...

...Part Two...

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

recompose myself, forcing my body upright. The room tilts, my stomach lurching as though the floor is slipping out from under me.

One hand shoots out, clutching the edge of the bed, knuckles whitening as I wait for my vision to sharpen, for the ringing in my ears to fade. Somewhere deep down, I already knew—it was the price of bending time, of twisting it to my will. A toll my body couldn't ignore. With a heavy sigh, I steady myself, dragging my feet toward the dresser, fingers raking through clothes in a half-dazed.

I pull out a faded band tee which used to belong to Ryan and a pair of simple black ripped flared jeans. I peel off the sweat-drenched clothes from the night before, fabric clinging stubbornly to my skin like it resented letting go.

"This sucks!" I groaned, loud enough that maybe—just maybe—Ryan would hear and feel guilty.

The clothes hit the floor in a damp heap as I tugged on the fresh set I'd dragged from the dresser. By the door, the body-length mirror caught me, and I froze. My reflection stared back—pale, hollowed out, with shadows etched beneath my eyes like bruises.

I rubbed at them furiously, as if I could erase the truth with enough pressure. When that failed, I muttered curses under my breath and reached for the old shoulder bag draped across my chair.

The bag was worn, frayed at the seams, but reliable.

It had to be.

One by one, I shoved in the essentials: phone, charger, earbuds, brush. Small things, familiar things—anchors to normalcy. Things I couldn't risk being without, not on some remote island I hadn't even seen.

I turn back to take one last glance at my room before I step into a world I know nothing about. Old worn movie and band posters cling stubbornly to the wall, their corners worn with age. My small twin bed—dragged from house to house—sits in the corner, my childhood stuffed animals piled at his edge.

On the dresser, framed pictures of me and my brother catch my eye, but it's the photo of Calvin that stops me. My footsteps fall steady against the floor as I cross the room and lift the frame.

It was the summer before the eighth grade—his mom insisted we pose in front of the maple tree we grew up playing around. I trace my finger over the smooth glass, studying the fine lines of his face. Shaggy brown hair parted just enough to reveal foxlike hazel eyes, the faint crinkle of his nose as his smile reached them.

My chest tightens at the memory. Do I have to leave behind this life—leave behind Calvin?

Ryan's voice echoes through the apartment, tearing me away from my thoughts. "Delphine let's go!"

I slip the picture of Calvin into my purse, sparing one last glance at my bedroom. The familiar space feels smaller now, quieter. With a steady breath, I open the door and step forward into an uncertain future.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

The door shuts behind me with a soft click, sealing the memory of my mundane life away. Hot tears sting my eyes as I move down the hallway, inhaling the faint traces of laundry soap, old wood, and dust—breathing in the memories as if I could hold onto them a little longer.

I pause when I reach the living room, my gaze locking on my brother. He stands where the large glass window used to be, his figure framed by the pale light of dawn. He glances back at me over his shoulder—then a sudden shiver runs through the air as a pair of feathery white wings unfurl from his back.

My breath hitches in my throat. The sky before him is dark, touched with the first colors of morning, and his wings sway gently, as if aching to brush the horizon.

"Wings... you have wings?" I stammer, my voice dazed and uneven. He runs a hand through his obsidian-black hair, exhaling as if the weight of truth presses on him.

"You'll learn more once we reach Crownspire—we don't have much time." He turns fully then, extending a large hand toward me, his gaze steady, urgent, impossible to refuse. I grab his hand, gripping it tight. His weight shifts as he pulls me into his embrace.

The scent of salt and soot lingering from last night is gone, replaced by the warm, musky trace of timber wood cologne.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

Pressing my body tight to his chest, I feel him take a step off the ledge of the shattered window, my stomach twisting as the ground vanishes beneath us. The wind tears through my hair, sharp and cold, as the faint scent of the sea breeze tickles my nose. Every muscle in my body braces for an impact that never comes. I work up the courage to open my eyes, just a sliver. The heavy beat of wings thrums around me—matching the beat of my quickening heart.

Each heavy flap reverberates in my chest.

Wind lashes against my face, stinging my eyes until salty, hot tears blur the world below. "Ryan don't you dare drop me!!" I scream—my voice barely audible over the wind.

A low rumble of laughter vibrated in his chest—then, in the next instant, we were nose-diving through the air, plunging straight towards the sea

"What are you doing!" I scream, my voice tearing against the wind. Terror clawed through me—ripping out of my throat in guttural screams as I clung to him, nails digging crescents into his arms.

"Open your eyes Delphi!" His shout carried low and soothing, wrapping his arms tighter as the sea rushed closer.

I open my eyes to find Ryan carrying us just over the sea, skimming the tide. The water shimmers beneath us, catching the first lights of day. And when the current shifts, it sprays us with a mist of silver droplets. In awe, I extend my hand, guiding my fingers through the cool, rippling waves as we skim the surface of the sea.

His cheek rests warm against my ear, the curve of his smile pressing into me as he flies us upward into the vast sky.

His voice breaks the spell between us. "Look, over that way." He adjusts my body against his, angling me toward the silhouette of an island slowly emerging from the sea.

The island rises toward the horizon, twisting into rugged, rocky mountains. Perched atop the steep slopes sits a magnificent white and gold structure, opulent and imposing, resembling a castle straight out of a dream—or a legend.

"That's Crownspire," He says, gesturing toward the grassy, fir-lined slopes at the base of the mountain.

"And that's Aetherium Academy." His finger traces upward, resting on the dazzling white-and-gold castle perched atop the jagged peak.

"Ryan... it's so beautiful," I gasp, my chest tightening as my eyes drink in the sight.

The sunlight glints off the white and gold spires, and for a moment, all the fear and uncertainty from earlier melts away, leaving only awe.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

We land on our feet, sinking slightly into a soft bed of white sand. To my right, a weathered stone pier juts out into the port. Before I can even take in the scene, my brother is already striding toward a worn path of dirt and rock, winding between ancient leafless trees and towering firs. At the western edge of the pier, I catch sight of a few older men casting their lines into the water, their quiet focus a stark contrast to my own rushing pulse.

With a quick spin on my heels, I hurry after him. Our feet crunch against the gravel as we trek deeper into the woodland, the towering trees swallowing the sky above us. From the air the island had seemed so small—down here, it feels endless.

I break the silence first. "Are there... other people here?"

Ryan gives me a quick side-glance before answering, his words hesitant, as though he's trying to explain the obvious. "There are. The island's alive with villages—most of the residents are either Aetheriels or Fae-kind."

My mouth drops open. "You mean... fairies?!"

He pauses, weighing his response, then smirks. "Fairies, goblins, trolls—you name it."

I stumble over my next thought, struggling to wrap my head around it. "...Vampires?"

A low laugh rumbles from his chest, echoing between the trees. "No, Delphine. Vampires only exist in those ridiculous teen novels you read."

As we follow the winding path, the forest thickens to our right. More of the trees stand lifeless than alive, their skeletal branches clawing at the sky. Through the tangled trunks, a lake glimmers into view, its surface dancing with blues, greens, and flashes of yellow light, as though the water itself is alive.

"That place is Hallow's Grove," Ryan says, catching my gaze. "Legend claims the first Aetherials were born in those waters. But... it's only a story."

I narrow my eyes at him, a teasing smile tugging at my lips. "Well, so were fairies, goblins, and trolls—but look where we are now."

As we round the long bend past Hallow's Grove, the stillness gives way to a hum of life. In the distance, a town sprawls across the land, its voices carrying down the path like a rushing stream—laughter, the clatter of wheels, the low drone of chatter blending together.

"That is Brezlow." Ryan says.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

As we draw nearer, I take in its charm. The village is nestled snugly at the base of the mountain, homes and shops clustered together in cozy rows. And there—straight north, beyond the rooftops—rise winding stairs carved of white marble and inlaid with veins of gold, leading ever upward toward the mountain's heights.

"Brezlow is where most of the Aetherials live," Ryan explains, his voice casual, like he's reciting a fact I should already know. "It's also where Aetherium students sneak off to when they want to skip training. Biggest town on the island. You can find just about anything here."

My eyes flick from him to the bustle of townsfolk. The first thing I notice is the clothing—fine silks embroidered with threads of silver, purple, crimson, and green, fabrics that shimmer as they catch the morning light. Then, as I look closer, the people themselves. Some look...normal, just like me. But then I spot a group gathered outside what seems to be a fabric shop.

I freeze.

They're taller than most, with long, willowy limbs and sharp, elegant features. Their almond-shaped eyes tilt upward, glowing faintly beneath heavy lashes. But it's their ears that steal my breath—slender, curling skyward into delicate, pointed tips.

"N-no way... that's a Fairy!" I blurt, jabbing my finger in their direction. Ryan reacts instantly—his hand shoots out, clamping mine and forcing it back to my side.

His breath hisses between his teeth. "Delphine—they are people, not zoo animals!"

Heat rushes to my cheeks, but I bristle anyway. "Well, excuse me. Up until, oh, about twenty minutes ago, I didn't even think they existed."

I fold my arms across my chest in a pout, then wiggle my fingers together in a tiny gesture. "Aren't they supposed to be small, with wings?"

He exhales through his nose, the sound equal parts sigh and growl, as though clinging to his patience by a thread. "You have a lot to learn," he mutters.

A pause. "And first—don't point at people. It's rude."

As we near the base of the gleaming steps, I can't help the flicker of disappointment tugging at my expression. The town is alive with color and sound—market stalls bursting with silks, laughter spilling from tavern doors, the scent of roasted bread drifting on the breeze—and yet we pass it all by.

Ryan catches the shift in my face, his voice softening. "Don't worry,"

he says, almost like a promise. "You'll have plenty of time to explore. This is your home now."

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

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