LYRIAN
Laughter, music, and the shimmer of Resonance filled the air as the Sylphs and Legion warriors celebrated years of growth, friendship, and power. The grand hall sparkled under lights that danced like captured stars.
The MC's confident voice cut through the noise.
"Everyone, give it up for tonight's performers-the one and only Resonance!"
The crowd erupted.
"We're ready, Nova. Do your thing," Lyrian whispered.
"On it," Nova said with a confident smile.
On stage,Nova made the giant screen flicker once before revealing one glowing word:
THE RESONANCE.
It was the name of their band,named after the magical energy that empowered each of them.
Gasps and cheers filled the room when the screen flickered to reveal the name of the crowd's favorite Sylphs band:
Lyrian, Sylph of Sound; Mia, Sylph of the Volcanic Heart; Seren,Sylph of Water, Diamond, Sylph of Light; and Nova, Sylph of Logic.
With a snap of Diamond's fingers, the spotlight found them.
Lyrian stepped to the center of the stage, her microphone catching the light.
"Hey, everyone!" she greeted, her warm, musical voice carrying across the hall. "We're Resonance-I'm Lyrian, and these are my friends: Mia on flame drums,Seren on the violin, Diamond on keys, and Nova on electric strings!"
Thunderous applause followed.
"We're so honored to perform for you guys at the end of our journey. Can you believe we're finally here?" she said, smiling at the faces before her. "Three long years of sleepless nights, spells gone wrong, last-minute tests, and way too much cafeteria food-but we made it!
"This next song is for all of us who refused to give up. Stand up, dance, and celebrate your last days at Arcannum like the legends you are!"
The hall roared with approval.
Resonance began to play.
As she always did before singing, Lyrian closed her eyes and imagined her boyfriend Reone's face.
Her voice rose-pure, emotional, and strong-blending with the rhythmic heat of Mia's drums,Seren's haunting tune, Diamond's harmonic keys, and Nova's electrifying strings. The crowd clapped, sang along, and even a few professors joined in.
The band dazzled with their talent-especially Lyrian's otherworldly vocals.
But behind her radiant smile and awesome moves, her heart ached.
Because the one person she truly wanted to see in the audience- Reone-was nowhere to be found.
Neither were his friends, the Legions, who also happened to be the boyfriends of her bandmates.
Lyrian's eyes searched the crowd again. Still nothing.
Reone not being there stung. She wanted spend time with him,Lyrian thought sadly.
The song ended in a burst of applause, sparks showering through the air from Mia's drums.
"Thank you, Arcannum!" Lyrian shouted, waving at the cheering crowd. "Good night!"
The girls left the stage, laughing and catching their breath.
"Where do you think the guys are?" Mia asked, pulling her hair back. "They missed the whole performance!"
"No clue," Lyrian admitted.
"Probably busy impressing a prettier, stronger group of girls with their fancy Legion muscles," Diamond muttered.
Nova adjusted her glasses. "Highly improbable. Statistically speaking, no group surpasses our collective performance ability or aesthetic appeal."
Diamond smirked. "Okay, You have a point."
They all laughed as they made their way backstage.
"Lets go sit.My heels are killing me," Seren groaned.
"Mine too," Diamond sighed.
"You too, Diamond?" Mia gasped dramatically. "The girl who claims heels are an extension of her soul?"
"Even me," Diamond said, laughing as they found seats near the back.
*****
Lyrian leaned back with a dreamy smile. "I can't believe we're actually graduates. It feels like a dream."
"I know," Diamond replied. "I thought I'd never survive three years here."
"I always knew we would-except maybe you," Nova teased.
"Excuse me?" Diamond huffed.
Nova didn't look up. "Well,The odds of your survival weren't great.Less than fifty percent."
"So her graduating is a miracle?" Seren asked, amused.
"Precisely."
Diamond groaned. "You're all impossible."
"Well, I'm factual," Nova replied. "You spent more time reading fashion magazines than textbooks."
Diamond rolled her eyes.
"I'm just glad to be going home to my kingdom. They actually appreciate their stylish princess."
"Here we go again," Nova muttered.
"You know, Diamond, Mia and Seren are princesses too," Lyrian pointed out, "but they doesn't remind us every five minutes."
Diamond crossed her arms. "Lyrian, do I need to remind you who gifted you that ridiculously expensive purse you're holding?Because it wasnt Mia or Seren."
Lyrian sighed, deciding not to argue.But only because her heart just wasn't in the banter.
Reone still hadn't shown up.
She scanned the crowd again. Finally, she spotted the Legion: Rhys, Sire, and Mikey walking toward them-but no Reone.
"We're here!" Rhys called, grinning as he swept Mia into a hug.
"Sorry we're late," Sire said, leaning toward Diamond, who crossed her arms.
"You missed our whole performance."
"I know, Princess.We were occupied." Sire said with a smile. "Professor Hawkins had us cleaning out the Dragon Arena. Said it had to be spotless before we left."
Mikey groaned. "He was even with us the entire time to make sure we got the job done.It was brutal."
Nova gestured for Mikey to sit. "I can't even imagine."
"It was far from a fun experience,I can tell you that," Rhys said dryly.
Diamond sighed dramatically. "You poor things."
"Does that mean I'm forgiven?" Sire asked hopefully.
Diamond hesitated, then smiled. "Maybe."
"Need me to prove how sorry i am?" he teased-and lifted one of the marble benches with one hand, twirling it effortlessly before setting it down again.
Diamond's lips curved. "Stop,Show-off. You're forgiven."
Everyone laughed.
"So...where's Reone?" Lyrian asked quietly.
"I think he went back to our dorm," Rhys said. "Cleaning dragon muck didn't exactly put him in a good mood. You know how he gets."
Lyrian nodded, disappointment flickering in her chest.
"By the way," Mikey said, "congrats on being valedictorian, Lyrian."
"Yeah-well done," Rhys added.
"Thanks, guys. And congrats to you too, Rhys," Lyrian smiled.
"Pretty impressive," Mia said. "You being valedictorian and Reone being salutatorian. You two might be the strongest couple in the school."
Diamond smirked. "Reone's not gonna see it that way. He's probably fuming right now." She dropped her voice into a terrible imitation. "'I can't believe Rhys got number one in.stead of me."
She laughed-until everyone gave her the same unimpressed look.
"What? That was a good one!"
Lyrian stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. "I'm gonna go check on my boyfriend."
As she walked away, Diamond whispered, "What's her problem?"
Nova sighs.
"And they say I'm the tactless one," she muttered.
*****
The boys' dorms were quiet, dim, and heavy with the smell of metal and oil. Reone hunched over his hoverbike, tools clattering against the floor. His jaw was tight. His thoughts were tighter.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Reone?" Lyrian's voice was gentle. "Come celebrate with us."
"I'm busy," he said without looking up. His voice was low, strained. "Last thing I need is Rhys rubbing it in that he's valedictorian."
Lyrian sighed, stepping inside and setting her bag on his desk. "Rhys isn't like that. You're the one who takes offense at everything he says."
Reone finally looked up.
She was breathtaking-dark hair, heart-shaped face,expressive blue eyes. The blue dress she wore shimmered softly in the light.
He reminded himself she'd just taken his rival's side.
"If Rhys is so perfect," he muttered, "why don't you go be with him?"
"Don't start, Reone," she said quietly. "I just wanted to spend time with you before leaving for Auralis tomorrow morning."
He froze.
"You're leaving tomorrow? You told me it was next week."
"Plans changed," she said. "My father's sick. I have to be with him."
For a moment, his expression softened-but his fear of showing emotion quickly hardened it.
"You didn't tell me."
"You didn't answer my calls," she snapped. "You've been MIA for days."
"I had things on my mind."
"Really? More important than spending our last days together?"
He wanted to tell her the truth-that he'd been meeting his estranged father,who wanted him home just to run the family's weapon manufacturng empire, now that he'd graduated-but the words wouldn't come.
He'd never been good at talking about his messed up relationship with his family.
"Just know it was important," he muttered.
"Fine," she said sarcastically. "I'll just take your word for it."
Silence stretched between them.
Then softly, she said, "Maybe you could come with me to Auralis. We could spend some time together... make up for everything."
Reone hesitated. The thought was tempting,spending time with her-but what if her family didn't approve of him? Her father was sure to be like her, warm and light; he was ice and darkness.
"No way," he said finally. "Auralis is boring."
Her heart sank. She turned away, hiding her hurt expression.
Reone focusing on the bike again,missed her reaction.
Her eyes drifted to Rhys's side of the room-lined with photos of him and Mia-and tears stung her eyes. Reone's side was bare. Cold. Like him.
She whispered, "We're graduating and heading in different directions. Maybe it's a sign we're not meant to be. That we...should break up."
The words hit Reone like a blade.
Part of him had always expected this. Beautiful, brilliant Lyrian had always been too good for him.
It had only been a matter of time before she realised it and ended things,Reone had known.
Still,this moment was a huge shock to him.
He gripped the bike for support, his chest tightening. "If...If that's w-what you want."
If she wanted to leave then Reone wasnt going to stop her.No matter how much he loved her, Reone knew he would never love Lyrian the way she deserved.He was just too broken,he thought.
She deserved so much more than him.
Lyrian bit her lip, tears rising. "Aren't you even going to pretend to care?"
"This is your decision," he said, voice low but sharp. His was wearing his armor now-words forged to protect a heart that was cracking.
She bit her lip harder. Part of her had hoped that he'd stop her-that he'd fight for her. But to fight, he'd have to care,she thought.
"You're right," she whispered. "It is what I want."
She turned toward the door. "Goodbye, Reone."
He looked up, eyes burning, silently begging her to stay-but no words came.
"Goodbye, Lyrian."
She hesitated... then left.
The moment she stepped into the hall, she let out a low whimper, feeling like her whole life was ending.
Lyrian walked around in a daze, unable to believe what had just happened.
But she knew she couldn't go back to the party-she'd only ruin it for her friends. So she resolved to leave for Auralis tonight.
At least there she was free to cry her heart out.
And there would be nothing to remind her of Reone,that heartless jerk.
A fresh set of tears rolled down her face.
She couldnt believe she had wasted three whole years into their so-called "relationship".
Lyrian wanted to forget him.
And she would, she vowed, wiping the tears from her eyes.
******
When the door shut behind her, Reone picked up the motorbike, ready to throw it against the wall-but stopped.
If anyone saw this, they'd think he was weak.
His father's voice echoed in his head:
"Don't show weakness, son. That's how you lose everything."
But maybe that's why he'd lost Lyrian in the furst place.
Still,He set the bike down and sat heavily on his bed, head in his hands.
His ways were too deeply engraved into him.
******
A few minutes later, the door creaked open.
Rhys stepped in, frowning at the scattered tools. "Reone? You okay?"
"Fine," Reone muttered from the bed.
"Really? Because I just saw Lyrian leaving, and she looked wrecked. What happened?Did you two have a fight again?"
"She broke up with me."
Rhys froze, then sighed. "I'm sorry, man."
"You're not surprised," Reone said flatly.
Rhys hesitated. Reone was right. He wasn't. He was only shocked their relationship had lasted this long.
He didnt want to hurt Reone's face but he had to be honest.
"No, I'm not," he admitted quietly. "You're not the easiest person to be with. I should know-we've been roommates for three years."
Reone let out a short laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "True."
Looking at his Frenemy, Rhys worried he might be slipping into a dark and unreachable place.
He was concerned because despite years of bickering , Reone actually mattered to him.
He suspected that the sentiment was mutual though Reone would die before he ever admitted it.
Rhys sat beside him, thoughtful. "Hey, wanna come with me to Echian next week?"
"What?" Reone asked, looking at him in disbelief.
He was the second person to invite him in a day--a new record.
"I'm going to start training to be King. I could use someone who won't flatter me just because of my title. Besides... you could use a change of scenery."
Reone stared for a moment, then looked up at the ceiling.
Echian was far away and he couldnt stand Rhys. But then again, Lyrian was gone.Tthere was nothing for him here,nothing except going home to his father.Compared to that Echian and Rhys sounded...tolerable.
"Echian,huh?"he murmured. "Alright. Let's go."