The twin moons of Eldraya shimmered above the sky, one silver, one crimson, casting an eerie but beautiful glow over the mountain city of Aravelle. Tonight was a night of magic, music, and illusion—the annual Festival of Moons, where fire dancers spun rings of flame in the streets, and illusionists painted dragons in the air with their wands.
Among the sea of lantern-lit crowds, Elliot Finn moved quietly, his cloak drawn tight around him, his green eyes flickering with restlessness. He wasn't here to celebrate. He was here for her.
"Lyra..." he whispered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the beating drums and laughter.
Lyra Dain. The girl with storm-gray eyes and a wild, untamable spirit. The one who taught him how to summon wind with a whisper and who once kissed him beneath the Hollow Tree. She was everything—his strength, his weakness.
Tonight, she had called him to meet her at the Whispering Cave, a place that echoed your voice back with secrets it wasn't supposed to hear. It was a strange place for a romantic meeting—but Lyra was strange like that.
"Don't be late," she had said. "It's important."
Elliot slid between food stalls and masked dancers, ignoring the sweet smell of roasted honeyfruit. The night was alive with joy, but his heart thudded with unease. Something in Lyra's voice had felt… off.
---
The Whispering Cave lay just beyond the city, hidden beneath a waterfall that spilled into a quiet pool. Elliot slipped past the stone path and ducked under the icy water, emerging inside the cavern's cool, echoing silence.
She was already there.
Standing in a circle of glowing runes.
Eyes glowing silver.
And not alone.
"Lyra?" he said, stepping forward, water dripping from his cloak.
She looked at him—no smile, no warmth. Just a cold nod.
"I'm sorry, Elliot."
Three hooded figures emerged from the shadows. Their eyes glowed red, and dark symbols pulsed on their arms.
Cultists.
"Lyra, what is this?!" Elliot shouted, stepping back. His hands sparked with raw, unstable magic.
She didn't move. "You were always meant for something more, Elliot. This is the beginning of your power. You'll understand. One day."
Then the cultists struck.
Chains of shadow wrapped around his body.
His screams echoed through the cave as the ritual began.
And above them, the crimson moon glowed... like an eye watching everything.