Aryel looked at Lucien's face with curious eyes, waiting for an answer.
Lucien's hands began to tremble. What should he say? Should he tell the truth? His thoughts were completely tangled.
He tried to speak, but no sound came out; it was as if something was stuck in his throat. After clearing his throat and swallowing, he finally managed to speak softly.
"You won't hate me just because I can read it, right?" he said, looking at Aryel with anxious eyes.
Aryel was aware of his state. She took Lucien's trembling hands into her own palms and held them.
"No," she said in a gentle but firm voice. "I just want to listen to your story. Being able to read those writings or having dark energy doesn't change who you are."
She paused for a moment.
"You're someone who fights beside me, someone who wouldn't even hesitate to risk his own life to protect his teammates when needed."
After taking a deep breath, she continued speaking. Aryel's cheeks were slightly flushed, but she didn't let go of Lucien's hands.
"That's why… I want you to share with me the burdens you've been carrying inside, the ones you haven't been able to tell anyone until now."
She added without taking her eyes off him:
"If you trust me, tell me."
After taking a deep breath, Lucien began to speak.
"Honestly, I don't know either… why I can read them. Or why I have dark energy."
After a short pause, he continued.
"My family was killed when I was little. My father worked in the magic tower; I don't remember him having dark powers. My mother was a loving woman. Her magic wasn't something used in battles, I think… it was related to nature."
His gaze drifted into the distance for a moment.
"I remember playing games with her in the garden. And I had an older brother."
His voice lowered slightly.
"But one day, when I came to myself, they were all gone."
"My uncle raised me," he went on. "He didn't tell me much. He wasn't affectionate, but he did everything he needed to do to raise me."
He paused briefly.
"When I came of age, he left me on my own and went somewhere else. He sends letters and money from time to time… but we haven't seen each other in a long time."
Lucien had told everything without stopping, in a single breath. It felt as if he would lose everything he wanted to say if he stopped. His mouth was dry.
When Aryel, who had been listening carefully, handed him her flask, Lucien was briefly surprised. He took it, drank a calm sip of water, and then continued.
"In my dreams, I'm in a laboratory," he said in a lower voice. "I'm small. They've chained me. They keep injecting a black liquid into me."
His brows furrowed.
"I'm cold. It hurts. Then suddenly, I wake up."
"I see this dream all the time," he added.
"And it feels like… there are very important things in my memory that I need to remember, but I can't reach them."
His breathing grew heavier.
"The more I try to remember, the more violently my head starts to hurt. Then I lose consciousness."
Without realizing it, Aryel had started gripping Lucien's hands even tighter.
"I thought," Lucien said, his voice trembling slightly, "if my dreams are real, then there might be a connection to Blackthorn. Maybe they're behind my family's death."
After a short pause, he added:
"That's why I investigate them. I volunteer for every mission related to them."
Lucien's eyes were filled with tears, but he tried not to show it.
"This is the first time I've shared this with anyone," he said in a low voice. "But you were right… when I share it with someone, I feel like the weight on my shoulders gets lighter."
Without hesitating for even a second, Aryel stepped closer and hugged Lucien.
"You've been through very difficult things," she said in a gentle but firm voice. "Please share your burdens from now on. I'll always listen to you."
She pulled back slightly and added:
"I'm here. Please know that."
Aryel's eyes were also filled with tears.
For a while, they stood there, holding each other tightly without saying a single word.
After some time, Aryel pulled back and wiped her eyes.
"I want to investigate the mystery behind my family's death together with you," she said. "Share everything you know with me as well."
Lucien nodded and shared all the details he knew with Aryel.
Without realizing it, time had passed quickly. The sun was slowly preparing to set on the horizon.
"We should head back now," Lucien said.
He stood up and extended his hand to Aryel. Aryel accepted his help and stood up as well.
"Would you like to watch the sunset?" Lucien asked shyly. "There's a beautiful place nearby that I know."
"Sure," Aryel said with a slight smile.
Aryel noticed her heart beating faster, but she decided not to dwell on it. Whatever was between them, letting it flow naturally felt like the right thing to do—for now.
Their hands were still intertwined. They weren't even aware of it; it felt as natural as breathing.
When they arrived at the spot to watch the sunset, the sun had already begun to sink. They quietly crouched down and focused on enjoying the view. Aryel gently rested her head on Lucien's shoulder. For a while, they watched the sunset without saying a single word.
Inside, Aryel wished that this moment could last forever.
But she didn't know that Lucien was making the same wish.
After the sun completely disappeared, Aryel was the one who broke the silence.
"We should head back now," she said. "They might be worried about us."
"You're right," Lucien said. "Let's go."
On the way back, Aryel finally decided to ask a question that had been on her mind for a while but that she hadn't dared to ask before. Her eyes were on the ground; she was very embarrassed.
"Did you… share these things with the girl you went out with before?" she asked quietly.
"Did you watch the sunset with her too?"
Lucien was surprised for a moment, then he started laughing.
"Where did that come from all of a sudden?" he said. "I told you I didn't have that kind of relationship with her. She was always following me around, but I never shared anything with her."
Then he cupped Aryel's face with his hands and gently lifted her head.
"I didn't watch the sunset with her either. I always came here alone."
He added with a smile,
"This is the first time I came with someone."
Both of their hearts were racing with excitement. They could almost hear each other's heartbeats.
"And stop bringing that girl up," Lucien said with a chuckle. "You've mentioned her so many times that if she suddenly appeared, I wouldn't even be surprised. She might be the last person I'd want to see."
"Alright," Aryel said, laughing. "I won't ask again."
After a brief pause, she added,
"But answer one last thing… what was her name?"
"Lina."
And just like that, the topic was closed. Talking about other things along the way, they returned to the guild.
When they arrived, the guards at the entrance told them they were urgently needed in Alex's office.
Both of them exchanged surprised looks and quickly headed there. When they entered, Griffine and Erin were already waiting with Alex.
Griffine spoke first, his tone slightly stern.
"Where were you? We've been waiting for you for hours. We thought something had happened."
Aryel immediately spoke up.
"We got carried away with training. We're sorry—we didn't mean to worry you."
Lucien nodded in agreement.
Alex looked directly at Lucien.
"Lucien, if Blackthorn is after you, you need to be more careful."
Lucien's eyes widened. Zarek's words about taking him flashed through his mind—he realized he had completely dismissed it.
"Why would they be after me?" he asked.
"Maybe they just want my dark energy. Just like they want Maia's time powers."
Alex's voice hardened.
"According to the report, he mentioned you directly. He was looking for the white-haired one who destroyed the transformed creatures in the cave."
He fixed his gaze on Lucien.
"Do you think that's a coincidence?"
Aryel stepped in.
"Yes, he said something like that. But since he was more focused on Maia, we didn't take it too seriously."
Alex nodded.
"If Blackthorn's interest is on you, then the people around you aren't safe either."
He paused.
"That's why you shouldn't stray far from the guild. From now on, I want you to train inside the guild. We'll investigate this, but until then, you must be extremely careful."
His tone grew even more serious.
"They wouldn't dare attack the guild directly. But if you're alone or in an unprotected place, they may try to trap you."
After taking a deep breath, Alex continued.
"Lucien, you are an important and valuable member of this team. Never forget that."
He turned his gaze to Aryel as well.
"But neither you nor Aryel are strong enough to face them yet. That's why I don't want you putting yourselves in danger."
Griffine took over.
"Focus on your training. You need to learn how to use your powers. You must grow stronger."
Lucien nodded.
"Understood. I'll be more careful so I don't put others at risk."
Aryel stepped forward.
"Zarek has probably gathered information about all of us and will pass it on to his leader," she said firmly.
"He said my powers were a threat to them as well. I'll most likely become a target too."
After a brief pause, she added,
"None of us are completely safe. But we can't live like this either. I'll do everything I can to become strong enough to face them."
Alex's voice softened.
"I believe you'll learn how to use the light within you. But this is a process. Don't push yourselves too hard."
Griffine interjected.
"You can train at home as well. The training hall in your house is even larger than the one in the guild."
"You're right," Aryel said, her eyes lighting up.
"I should talk to my father about this."
She muttered to herself,
"Why didn't I think of this earlier?"
Erin smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Still, don't worry too much. They won't risk an attack right now. The festival starts tomorrow," she said.
"Enjoy it."
After leaving the room, Lucien's face visibly filled with worry. Noticing this, Aryel tried to distract him.
"This could actually be a clue about your family's death," she said.
"If they're after you, maybe they're connected to it."
"You're right," Lucien replied.
"But that doesn't change the fact that we're not strong enough to face them yet. We need to train more."
"Would you like to come to our house?" Aryel asked, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
Lucien stopped in surprise, unsure how to react. But they did need to train, and the guild's training hall was almost always crowded.
"I think that would be good," he said finally.
"It's always packed here. Let's train at your place tomorrow, then."
"Okay," Aryel said with a smile.
"And in the evening, we'll all go to the festival together. It'll be so much fun."
***
When Aryel arrived home, she went straight to her mother's room. Her mother was deeply focused on a book. She had noticed Aryel enter but didn't take her eyes off the pages.
Knowing her mother well, Aryel sat quietly on the chair and waited. After a while, her mother finally closed the book and looked at her with curious eyes.
"I'm listening, my beautiful girl."
"Mom… I managed to use my light powers, at least a little," Aryel said.
"But I don't know how to get stronger, and right now, I really need to. We might be in danger."
Her mother stood up, walked over, and gently stroked Aryel's hair.
"My daughter, I've told you before. When the time comes, you'll be able to use them," she said softly.
"But before that, the friend who awakens your powers needs to use his own power without fear."
She smiled.
"Darkness is frightening, I know. But if it can be controlled, it becomes a very powerful weapon."
She added gently,
"His darkness brings out your light."
Aryel suddenly grew flustered and started stuttering.
"H-how do you know Lu-Lucien?"
Her mother smiled.
"Mothers know everything, my dear. You'll grow even stronger together—I'm sure of it."
Then she added lightly,
"And I also know what you feel for him."
Aryel was completely caught off guard.
"He… he's my friend, Mom."
Elyndra clearly enjoyed her daughter's embarrassed state.
"For now," she said with a chuckle.
"Mom, why are you embarrassing me?" Aryel muttered.
"Fate is pulling you toward each other," Elyndra said calmly.
"Whether you want it or not."
"Did you see a prophecy or something?" Aryel asked.
"You know I don't share what I see," Elyndra replied.
"I don't interfere with anyone's free will—yours or anyone else's. Your choices are your own."
"I know, Mom," Aryel said with a pout.
Elyndra wrapped her arms around Aryel and hugged her tightly.
"I think you need a bath, Aryel."
"I just came back from training, Mom. Sorry," Aryel said.
They both giggled.
"Mom, Lucien will come tomorrow. We'll train together," Aryel said.
"Please don't talk to him the way you talk to me."
Elyndra burst out laughing.
"Forget me," she said.
"You should be thinking about how your father will react."
As Aryel left her mother's room, she muttered to herself:
"Maybe I shouldn't have invited him here after all…"