Chapter 15 – Echoes of Twin Flames
"You're in my spot, y'know."
Her voice carried a strange duality — strong enough to command kings, gentle enough to comfort a child.
Her hair fell in long, black waves, soft yet untamed, with a white flower tucked behind her ear like a quiet rebellion. Her face was sharp but calm, the kind that held secrets without needing to speak them. Her eyes blue just like Damon's. She wore a fitted black and red outfit with gold accents, ceremonial yet battle-ready, the neckline bold and unapologetic. At the center of her dress, there was a stylised crest marked her not just as royalty, but as someone chosen — someone dangerous, if crossed.
Damon turned, half‑chewing, half‑staring, apology and confusion tangled on his face.
"Sorry… didn't think anyone would be up here."
The girl smiled, soft but sharp, like she already knew him. The dog hopped onto Damon's lap, settling lazily, leaving space for her beside him. She didn't ask. She just sat, took Damon's plate, and started eating.
Damon blinked. Didn't she get enough at the banquet?
She swallowed, turned slightly.
"So… Mother didn't tell you about me?"
He tilted his head. "Hazel's your mom? Wait— can fairies even give birth to humans now?"
She snorted. "You're new here, sure, but come on. Hazel? My mom? No way."
Damon paused, his brain connecting dots it shouldn't.
"You're… you're my—"
"—Sister," she finished, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Nyra."
For a moment, Damon just looked at her. Quiet happiness flickered in his eyes — the kind he didn't have to fake.
"Mother wanted to keep it a surprise," Nyra said, gazing forward. "Because you always wanted a sister."
He smiled faintly. "…She was right."
Then came the frown. "But why should I believe you? Mom told me my father died before I was even born. So unless we're twins, this doesn't make sense."
Nyra turned to the dog. "Do we look alike?"
The dog barked once. "She looks like you if you were a girl. Too pretty, though."
"Thank you," she said, holding out her hand. The dog sniffed it, tail wagging.
"Why do you smell almost the same as Damon?" he asked.
"It's… complicated," Nyra said softly. "We were supposed to be twins. But your eterna went crazy in the womb — it delayed my birth by two years."
His chest tightened. Every breath felt borrowed, stolen from the years she should have lived.
Damon looked down, guilt flickering across his face. "You… understand him?"
She smirked. "Yeah. I thought he was a talking dog?"
The dog scoffed. "Me? A talking dog?"
"Ohh, I guess you've bonded with him. But then how do I understand him?"
"Wait— 'bond'?" Damon asked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Nyra straightened. "It's not what you think. Mother wanted to tell you herself, but you rushed her for answers, remember?"
He looked away. "Yeah. I wasn't exactly happy with her actions. At the time."
"Sooner or later I hope you understand that what she did was also for you — and for two whole planes."
She tapped her knee. "Bonding's when two beings — where one's a pet — become more than partners. They're for each other. Always. They hear each other's thoughts, feel each other's pain, push each other forward. They can even change each other's mind in certain cases. It's rare… like seeing a blue sun twice."
"I really don't understand you," Damon said, confused.
Nyra sighed. "Okay, picture this: a human and a lion. If they fought together, they'd be the deadliest duo on the field."
The dog wagged his tail. "I guess I'm not his bond."
Nyra laughed. "Why not?"
"Because I've been trying to get him to confess his feelings to a girl, and his mind won't budge."
Nyra's eyes lit up. "Oh? A girl?"
Damon glared. "What makes you think I like her that way?"
Nyra smiled slyly. "Anyway— imagine two beings who fight together. They don't guard themselves. They guard each other. That's why a bonded pair is nearly unstoppable."
Damon nodded slowly. "At first, I wanted Gamishi to have a bond… so it could change him. But now?" He looked up. "Now I hope he never does."
She smiled. "It doesn't work like that, brother. A bond reflects who you are. If darkness becomes your truth, your bond mirrors it."
"Then how old are you anyway?" Damon asked.
"Fifteen," she said. "But remember— time runs differently here. And once you hit nineteen, aging slows to a snail's crawl."
Damon raised a brow. "Then how old's Mom?"
Nyra smirked. " A thousand nine hundred and thirty‑four years old. "
"What?" He blinked. "She's old enough to be Dad's ancestor. Maybe she even is."
"Dad?" Nyra echoed.
"Yeah. She married a man on Earth to keep me safe."
Nyra took his drink, sipping casually. "Don't worry. Tolrex and his minions already confirmed they're not related in that way."
Silence stretched.
"What are you thinking about?" Nyra asked.
The dog chuckled. "He's just worried about the girl. Maybe his dad too."
"Who's this girl?" Nyra asked, leaning forward. "And didn't your dad… hurt you?"
Damon's voice dipped. "How'd you know that?"
"Because we've been watching ever since Mother faked her death."
He stared, wide‑eyed. "How?"
"Science and eterna combined," she said simply. "If you want the details, ask Tolrex."
Then she teased. "You still didn't answer. Who's the girl?"
He sighed. "Natsuki. She's my best friend. But… I wish she was more."
"Aha," Nyra said, smiling.
He smiled too. "You'd like her. Your names even rhyme."
Nyra smirked. "I have a lover too."
Damon froze. "…Eh?"
"I'm kidding," she laughed. "There are boys from royal families who seek my hand, but I just… want someone who likes me not because I'm the princess. Someone who helps people. Spars a little. Draws. They're not interested in my interests."
Damon chuckled. "They're just blind, then."
Before she could reply, Hazel buzzed in, yanking Damon's hair. "Found you! You vanish more than your father ever did."
She looked at Nyra. "Hello again." Then turned to Damon. "Tolrex is waiting. He needs to tell you something before your trip back to Earth."
Nyra's face fell. "You're going back?"
"Just for a while," he said. "There's someone I need to see."
She looked down. "…Oh."
"What?" he asked gently.
She stood, eyes wide and soft, trying to melt his heart. "Take me with you."
Damon sighed. "Mom won't allow it."
"But I'll do as asked."
Her eyes glimmered — the ultimate little‑sister weapon. Damon chuckled helplessly, feeling powerless — not to fate, but to family. "Fine. I'll ask. But no using your eterna there, got it?"
She grinned. "Deal."
Hazel led them through the castle — guards bowing, nobles waving. Damon nodded politely, Nyra practically skipping beside him.
They entered the lab, every corner filled with tech and light.
"You really have been watching me, haven't you?" Damon said flatly.
Everywhere — holograms of him fighting, walls of equations, scientists whispering his name.
Nyra laughed. "You should see the lower level."
He looked down. Massive machinery, weapons, glowing cores. Damon noticed a skinny boy forcing himself into a suit. He asked what it was for.
"Helps weaker eterna wielders get stronger," one said.
"Uses minimal energy for massive output," the other added in sync.
The twins startled everyone except Damon. They introduced themselves as Seren and Meyren.
Damon blinked. "Do you two rehearse that?"
"In our sleep," one replied.
Then Tolrex appeared, adjusting his lenses. "Please forgive the sisters, Damon. They've been wanting to see you. But…" He removed his glasses. "There's something you should know."
He led Damon and the dog into a private sector filled with ancient symbols.
"Your father," Tolrex said, "had a companion — not just any beast. A wolf the size of a dragon. I believe its spirit resides in your dog."
The dog blinked. "So… I can turn into that thing?"
"Yes—"
The dog didn't wait. He barked, spun in circles, tail wagging madly.
Damon sighed. "So why's the spirit inside him?"
Tolrex's eyes dimmed. "Only the Eternal One knows."
They met their mother by the balcony, light glinting off her crown.
"Ready to leave, my son?" she asked.
"Yes," Damon said, "but I have two favors to ask for."
"Anything." The Queen replied swiftly.
"First, a gift for a lady — Nyra can pick it."
The Queen smiled. "I see you've met Nyra. And the second?"
He exhaled. "Could you let Nyra come with me."
The Queen's smile faded. "No. Anything but that."
"Why? Are you afraid someone'll hurt her?"
"You underestimate your sister, Damon, like you underestimated Kuroshi."
"Then why can't she come to Earth at least once?"
"Because I'm afraid she'll hurt someone… or something."
"C'monnn. What if I take full responsibility?"
Her gaze softened, but her tone didn't. "Only if she promises never to use her eterna there."
Nyra bowed. "I promise, Mother."
She grabbed Damon's hand, made him bow too.
As they left, Hazel whispered beside the Queen, "You wouldn't guess where they met."
The Queen smiled faintly. "The top of the castle, wasn't it?"
Hazel nodded.
The Queen looked out into the stars. "They get that from their father."