2 YEARS LATER
LYRIAN
It had been two years since graduation.
Two long, bittersweet, world-shifting years that had changed Lyrian in ways she hadn't expected.
After leaving Arcannum Academy, she had returned home to Aurilis, the music capital of Ruminia, to spend time with her father.
For a while, those days had felt peaceful-quiet breakfasts, laughter echoing through the house, songs drifting through the walls like sunlight.
It had felt almost like childhood again.
Almost.
Because even then, in those quiet hours, there were ghosts-memories of Reone, of how they'd been, and how it had ended.
But overall, she had been happy.
That fragile happiness, however, hadn't lasted.
Her father passed away a few months later, leaving her world muted once more.
Since then, Lyrian had buried herself in her music-concerts, interviews, festivals across the kingdoms.She'd risen fast, becoming one of the most celebrated voices in all of Ruminia.
She was the only of Resonance who had pursued a music career.
Seren was ruiling Auralia with her wizard husband Dane.Nova had formed a Tech company with Mickey and Diamond was busy training to be queen of her kingdom,Pyros. Mia was also training to be Ehian's queen but she was still pursuing a career in painting.
They had all found their way and they were all happy with their choices.Even Seren who was in an arranged marriage.
Lyrian could only be glad that everyone was as happy in their chosen path as she was.
On stage, she felt Unstoppable.
Radiant.
It was only when the lights dimmed and the cheers faded,that she felt that something was missing.
And no sound could fill that emptiness.
Not even her own.
She'd tried to tackle this-dating a few people : a composer, a producer, even a charming actor once-but nothing ever stuck. No one made her feel the way Reone once had.
Like she was the only thing that mattered in a world full of magic.
Now, standing before the Palace of Echian, suitcase in hand, Lyrian felt her pulse quicken.
Tomorrow was Mia and Rhys's wedding.
The girls had planned a small reunion beforehand-the first time all of Resonance would be together in over a year.
A year since they'd fought the Sisterhood-that corrupted trio of sylphs who had nearly broken the balance of magic.
A year since they'd done what no one thought they could-destroyed them.
The victory had come at a cost, though.
The darkness they'd faced had scarred them all in ways none of them wanted to admit.
They'd gone their separate ways after that battle, needing space to breathe again.
To heal.
And now, they were finally coming back together.
Lyrian should have been overjoyed.
And she was-just not completely.
Because he would be there too.
Reone.
They hadn't seen each other since the breakup. Not once.
When they had all banded together to fight the sisterhood,he'd been at another mission in another place.
And she hadnt minded.
Seeing him again meant stirring memories she'd spent years forcing down.
She'd heard rumors-that he'd left Legion unlike some of his friends and joined Rhys's army.
When Lyrian first heard that, she'd been shocked.
She knew that he would have done anything to not have to go back to his Father but joining the army...Rhys's army?
"Reone?He'll hate that. I bet you that he'll quit in a week,"she'd said.
But he hadn't.
He'd stayed. He'd thrived.
Recently he'd even been promoted to lieutenant,the youngest ever apparently.
Somehow, it seemed to Lyrian that he'd changed.
And yet, knowing Reone... part of her still doubted it.
*******
When she arrived that evening, the palace halls glimmered like starlight-walls of silver glass and polished crystal reflecting every flicker of torchlight.
The moment Lyrian entered her room, the door burst open.
"Mia!" she squealed as her best friend threw her arms around her.
"You made it!" Mia laughed, warmth and light in every word.
"I told you I would," Lyrian said, hugging her tightly.
Behind Mia came, Seren, Mia's sister, and Diamond, glittering in a gold dress, and Nova, her datapad already projecting a floating list of wedding arrangements that were supposed to help Seren with her duties as the maid of honour.
They all hugged each other,getting emotional.
"You've been impossible to reach," Diamond teased, flipping her silver-streaked hair. "Too famous for us now?"
"Never," Lyrian said with a shy grin.
"It takes me getting married just to see you," Mia joked.
"Sorry," Lyrian murmured, rubbing her neck. "I've just been... busy."
"What matters is you're here now," Seren said softly-always quick to forgive.
They toasted to old friendships, to new beginnings, to surviving what they once thought they couldn't.
For a while, it truly felt like nothing had changed.
Until Mia's smile faltered.
"What's wrong?" Lyrian asked gently.
Mia hesitated. "It's Rhys. A few weeks ago, he was attacked-by his cousin, Damon. A powerful wizard. He's jealous of the throne. Rhys fought him off, but Damon escaped. We think he might try something during the ceremony."
Lyrian's eyes widened. "Mia, that's-awful."
"I know." Mia sighed, her shoulders trembling slightly. "I'm trying not to panic, but-"
"Hey," Lyrian interrupted softly, touching her arm. "You don't need to. Rhys isn't alone. He's got you, the Resonance girls, and the whole army to protect him. And the guy can handle himself."
Mia smiled faintly. "That's exactly what Reone said too."
The name hit like a shockwave.
Lyrian's glass slipped from her fingers, spilling wine across the white carpet.
"Shoot-I'm so sorry!" she gasped, grabbing a napkin.
Everyone froze.
Mia's eyes widened. "Lyrian, I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine," she said quickly. Too quickly. "You can talk about him. He's part of your life-and Rhys's. I'm over him. Us."
"Are you sure? It's okay if you're not," Diamond said gently.
"I am," she replied, too fast again.
The silence that followed was unbearable.
Nova cleared her throat softly. "Maybe we should let Lyrian rest. She's performing tomorrow."
Lyrian managed a weak smile. "Yeah. I'll see you in the morning."
When they left, the room felt suddenly too quiet.
She felt bad for cutting the reunion short.
Sprawling across the bed, she closed her eyes and exhaled.
"Get it together, Lyrian," she muttered.
But rest wouldn't come. Her chest felt tight. Restless.
She needed air.
Quietly, she slipped out of her room and into the unfamiliar corridors, searching for a place to think.
******
The gardens outside were silver and still, bathed in moonlight. Fountains whispered softly in the distance.
Perfect, Lyrian thought.
She sat on a stone bench beneath a glowing crystal tree, the wind brushing her hair like an old memory.
She began to hum-low, soft, aching.
It was her mother's song. The one she used to sing for her and her father.
The one Lyrian sang whenever she needed to remember them-
whenever she needed to feel like they were still with her.
The melody drifted through the air-gentle, haunting, alive.
Unbeknownst to her, someone heard.
******
Reone was on his way to a late-night council meeting when the sound reached him. Familiar. Fragile.
Impossible.
He stopped in his tracks.
That voice.
He didn't need to doubt who it belonged to.
Reone knew he shouldn't go to her. He'd managed to stay away for two years-not that she'd made it difficult.
Still, he couldn't walk away.
He told himself he'd just say hi.
It was inevitable anyway. He was gonna talk to her sooner or later. Might as well get it over with.
He followed the sound of her voice like a moth to a flame until he saw her-sitting beneath the moonlight, her aura soft and alive, Resonance pulsing faintly from every note that left her lips.
She looked older. Sharper. More beautiful.
But still the same.
He waited until the last note faded before stepping forward and clapping softly.
Lyrian froze.
When she turned, her eyes widened.
"Reone," she whispered.
"Lyrian. Still got it," he said, a small, unguarded smile on his lips.
"Thanks," she murmured, barely audible. She hadn't been expecting him-not tonight. And definitely not looking like that.
The navy-blue army uniform fit him perfectly, the dark fabric molded to his frame, a purple insignia gleaming at his collar.
He looked stronger. Calmer.
They stood in silence for a moment before Reone broke it. "How've you been?"
"Great," she lied. "Busy. You?"
"Same," he said simply. "And I heard you've been conquering every stage in Ruminia. I'm proud of you."
Her throat tightened. "Thanks. And you're not doing too bad yourself-Lieutenant Commander of the Echian Army. That's... unexpected. I remember the days when I heard all about how you couldn't stand Rhys. Now you work for him?"
"Well, the alternative was going to make weapons with my fatherwho i still cant stand, so..."
Lyrian's breath caught. She hadn't expected Reone to bring up his father. It had always been a touchy subject.
Out of habit,she didn't press further, even though she wanted to.
"Anyway," she said softly, "the job suits you. You've always loved giving orders."
He smirked. "I only do it when I have to."
That earned a small laugh from her-a sound Reone had missed more than he'd ever admit.
Then his tone shifted. "I heard about your father," he said quietly. "I'm sorry, Lyrian. I know how much he meant to you."
Her eyes softened. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means a lot."
They stood there a heartbeat too long, the air thick with everything left unsaid.
A guard appeared at the edge of the garden. "Lieutenant, they're waiting in the council room."
Reone nodded once, then turned back to her. "It was good seeing you again, Lyrian."
Before she could reply, he leaned down and kissed her cheek-gentle, uncertain, warm.
When he pulled away, their eyes met for just a second.
Then he was gone.
Lyrian stood frozen, heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she lifted her fingers to her cheek, the ghost of his touch still there.
For the first time in years, she felt something.
Not emptiness.
Not grief.
Something alive.
But she caught herself before the feeling could bloom too far.
She knew where that road led-where they led.
Not again, she thought, clenching her fist.
She would protect her heart this time. No matter what.
With a steady breath, Lyrian turned back toward the palace. She needed to rest.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
And she was right.