Just like the night before, Lior woke up again—same time, same quiet. She was used to it now. She glanced at the other bed. Kira was still asleep, peaceful and warm.
Lior stood up and stepped outside the cabin where they stayed during their time in Myrrhvalen. Her white pajama dress fluttered gently as she walked down the empty road, not knowing where she was going—just letting her feet lead.
She stopped at a small bridge. Below it, the river glowed soft blue, like moonlight in motion. Lior sat at the edge, letting her feet dangle close to the water.
The river whispered. Each ripple made a sound like a secret. Silver fish leapt from the surface, catching the light as they danced. It felt like they were there just for her.
Then...something moved.
She felt it before she saw it. Fast. Behind her.
She dodged, just in time.
Floating above the water was Crown Prince Brin. His hands glowed with swirling waves, ready to strike.
Lior didn't move. She didn't blink.
She lifted her right hand. Ice formed quickly, shaping into a sword that shimmered like stars. Brin's eyes widened. He stepped back.
"What… what are you?" he asked, voice shaking.
Lior didn't answer. She walked forward, calm and cold. With each step, the water beneath her froze. The river listened to her.
Brin backed away, unsure.
"I warned you," Lior said, her voice steady. "Don't threaten us."
She raised her left hand. Ice shot out, sharp and fast. Brin dodged and threw water—but she caught it in the air, froze it, and sent it flying back. It shattered near his feet.
Brin growled. He raised both hands. A wave rose behind him, wild and tall. He sent it crashing toward her.
Lior didn't move.
She lifted her arms. Ice spread like wings, freezing the wave before it could touch her. It hung in the air like a frozen sculpture.
Brin gasped. His power was failing.
"You asked, What am I?" Lior said, stepping onto the frozen wave. "Someone you should never challenge."
She ran forward. Her ice sword glowed. Brin blocked with a shield of water—but it cracked under her strike.
The fight grew fast. Brin tried whirlpools. She froze them. He sent sharp jets of water. She turned them into snow. Her ice danced around her, protecting her, striking back.
Brin slipped on the frozen ground. Lior stood over him, calm and strong.
"I'll forget this happened…" she said. "But next time, if you accuse us again, I won't be so kind."
Brin looked up, breathing hard. His hands trembled. The river was quiet again—only the soft crackle of ice remained.
Lior opened her hands. Light gathered in her palms like morning sun. Brin flinched, afraid she might strike.
"You won't remember this," she whispered, her voice soft as wind. "It will feel like a dream…"
She cast the Spell of Dreaming Light.
The glow wrapped around him, gentle and warm. His eyes closed. The fear faded. He fell asleep.
The wind stirred, lifting him like a leaf. It carried him through the forest, past the palace walls, and laid him gently on his bed. He groaned softly, lost in dreams—visions of ice, light, and silence.
Lior stood by the river, now frozen still. She breathed out slowly.
Her magic was fading. But it was still there—quiet, loyal, waiting.
She raised her hand one last time. The ice melted. The river flowed again. The world returned to calm.
"Come out," Lior said. "I know you're there."
From behind a tree, someone stepped out. "What's his problem?" the voice asked.
Lior smiled. It was Jex—her friend, always curious, always close.
"He accused me," Lior said softly. "But he was right."
Jex looked at her hands, worry in his eyes. "But you used your magic…"
"It's okay," Lior said with a gentle smile. "He won't remember. It'll feel like a dream."
Before Jex could reply, Lior ran toward him. He laughed as she jumped onto his back.
They walked back to the cabin. The road was quiet. The trees swayed gently. They talked. They laughed. And the weight of the night slowly faded.
When morning came, it was time for everyone to return home. The friends said their goodbyes and climbed into the carriage that would take them back to their kingdoms.
But Lior noticed something in Thalmyra's eyes—a strange, quiet look. She walked over, curious. Before Lior could even ask, Thalmyra spoke, as if she already knew why Lior had come.
"I'm really sorry for what my roko did to you at the party," Thalmyra said quickly, her breath catching from nerves. "I was busy talking to the other royals and nobles… I didn't watch over you. I only found out this morning that my roko caused a scene. I'm truly sorry…"
Lior smiled gently and placed her hands on Thalmyra's shoulders to calm her. "It's alright. There's no need to worry. I don't blame your roko…" Though deep down, she did blame him. They were judged unfairly—just because they came from a place known for thieves.
"But I understand," Lior continued. "Your roko only wants to protect the kingdom. He's the future of Myrrhvalen."
After their quiet talk, they said goodbye.
Inside the carriage, as they began their journey, Lior couldn't help but glance back at the palace terrace. There, standing still, was a figure watching them.
Their eyes met.
The figure's gaze was serious, steady. There was something in it—an aura that spoke of strength, of a future that could shape the palace for the better.
Lior was the first to look away. She sat down on the soft seat inside the carriage.
The ride was quiet. No one spoke. No one joked. It was as if each of them was lost in their own thoughts, carrying the weight of everything that had happened.
But one thing is for sure, that they are all thinking the same—their next move.
Lior didn't bother to look at them. She could feel their eyes on her, watching, waiting. But they couldn't speak openly about their next move—not while they were traveling. Someone might overhear.
So Lior spoke in her mind. Using their black magic, they could talk silently, as if they were just having a normal conversation.
'Father sent me a message last night,' Thorne said. 'He's asking when we'll move. Time is running out.'
Thorne's father held a high rank in the Hollow—one of the Builder Body, strong and skilled in battle.
'It's been two months since our last mission,' Kira added. 'Maybe it's time to start again…' She was eager, ready to move forward.
'But Lior's power is fading,' Jex said, his voice filled with worry. 'We can't go if she's not strong enough. It's too risky.'
Lior glanced at Jex, her eyes sharp. 'You don't need to worry about me,' she said firmly. 'We'll finish this mission. I won't wait for my power to return—because even I don't believe it will.'
Her friends turned to her, shocked. Their faces showed fear, concern. But Lior stayed calm, serious.
'I'll take the risk,' she said. 'It's just power. If it's meant to come back, it will. If not… then we move forward anyway.' She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
'But—' Keal started to protest, but Lior shook her head.
'Responsibility comes first,' she said. Deep inside, she was scared. 'I don't think I'll vanish from the world just because I lost my power.' she joked, trying to lighten the mood.
But no one laughed. Her friends only looked more worried.
Lior took a deep breath. There was nothing more she could do. She didn't understand what was happening to her, or why her magic was fading—especially now, when danger felt so close.
The carriage was quiet. Everyone was thinking about Lior—the friend who always protected them. And now, when she needed help, they felt helpless. Useless. She had always kept them safe… and now they couldn't do the same for her.
'We'll make our next move in Thryssvessra,' Lior said. ' We leave the day after tomorrow. It's far, and cold. But by then, Glacielle won't be home—she'll be spending time with Thalmyra.'
She looked at Keal, who had quiet feelings for the princess of Thryssvessra.
They continued planning, speaking silently about what they would do once they reached the ice kingdom. When they arrived at the Hollow, they didn't go home. Instead, they headed straight to their hideout.
There, they began to prepare—gathering what they needed for the journey, and training while they still had time.
They never accepted a mission unless they were ready to finish it.
At the hideout, they paused for a moment, looking at each other. Then, without a word, they split up—each one heading to their space to train, to prepare, to carry the weight of what was coming.
Absolutely, Divine. Here's a closing that gently seals the chapter with emotional weight, quiet resolve, and a touch of poetic rhythm—true to your style:
The hideout fell into silence as each of them stepped into their own space, preparing for what lay ahead. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, with loyalty, with fear.
Lior stood still for a moment, watching her friends disappear into the shadows of the Hollow. Her heart was heavy, but her eyes stayed clear. She had made her choice.
Power or no power, she would walk forward.
Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying the cold breath of Thryssvessra. It was coming.
And so were they.
Tomorrow would be for training. The day after—for the journey.
And after that… the unknown.
But for now, the Hollow held them close. Quiet. Waiting.
Like a promise.
'Wait for us our king. You will be reborn again…'