Neven released his grip, his heavy gaze piercing through Alexander. A hint of despair flickered across his pale face. It was only then that Aria realized Lyra was missing. She had been so focused on finding Neven that she completely overlooked Lyra's absence.

"She...is gone." Neven's voice was hoarse, each word pronounced with deliberate pain.

Alexander sighed, placing a comforting hand on Neven's shoulder. "She sacrificed herself for us. We will remember her bravery."

"But that won't bring her back," Neven whispered, his eyes flashing with pain and anger. "She ignited the barrel of oil, sacrificing herself. There's not even a body left..."

That night, Neven's words echoed in Aria's mind, a heavy ache settling in her chest, as if something was lodged in her throat. The entire camp was engulfed in mourning for Lyra. Aria turned towards the newly erected gravestone, which was adorned with Lyra's hexagram badge.

As night fell, the members of Starguard stood silently before the gravestone. Archers launched a volley of flaming arrows into the dark sky, illuminating the night. Sable sobbed quietly, Alexander remained silent, and Neven's gaze was filled with hatred for Voidmarsh.

"She was a hero," Sable choked out. "We will never forget her."

"Yes, never," Alexander replied solemnly.

After that night, Aria withdrew into her tent, avoiding everyone. Lyra's death made her acutely aware of how close death was to each of them. Lyra had been more than a comrade; she was a dear friend. They had fought side by side, surviving countless trials. But this time, Lyra didn't return.

Aria's world became dark and desolate, her mood clouded by heavy, oppressive thoughts. Each day, she mechanically completed basic tasks before retreating to her tent, curling up in a corner, trying to escape reality. She couldn't face the outside world, her comrades' sorrowful eyes, or her own inner torment.

One day, Neven dragged her out of her tent. His grip unyielding as he pulled Aria outside. Initially, she resisted, but eventually, she gave in to Neven's persistence. She realized she had hidden away for too long, the outside world seemed foreign and distant.

As they stepped out, Aria felt the warmth of the sun on her face, squinting as she adjusted to the light. The camp was bustling with activity, preparations for the next battle underway. Suddenly, she noticed a crowd gathered around a figure, whispering among themselves.

Curious, Aria looked over to see a young man in black leather armor. His pale skin and strong build starkly contrasted with the Lunar Essence Clan members around him. Filled with curiosity, Aria asked, "Who is that?"

Neven pulled her aside, speaking in a low voice, "He's the injured man I brought back from our last mission.He's an Aether."

Aria then remembered dragging an injured man back on their way home, but her mind had been consumed with Lyra's death, and she hadn't noticed much else. Now, she realized the rarity of an Aether in their camp.

Everyone stared at the Aether as if he were a rare creature. Aethers were shrouded in mystery, and their appearance always caused a stir. Aria stood on tiptoe, peering over the crowd at the young man whose face held a stern, indifferent expression, seemingly unaffected by the attention.

"What happened that day? How did you end up bringing back an Aether?" Aria asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

Neven explained, "We found him on our way back. He was bitten by a Night Ghoul. But it looks like Aether healing abilities are impressive. Sage Solon said he'll be sent away once he recovers."

"Why are Aethers always so secretive?" she asked.

"Aethers are forbidden from sharing any information with us," Neven replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. "They always keep their distance from us."

"Why? Do you have a grudge against them?" Aria pressed, her curiosity growing.

"No, they just prefer to avoid us."

They wandered through the camp aimlessly, and Aria's mood slowly lifted. She felt Neven's concern and knew she couldn't dwell in sadness forever. Despite her pain over Lyra's death, she understood that as a member of the Lunar Essence Clan, she had to stay strong for her comrades still fighting.

Eventually, they reached the gorge. The wind that blew through the towering cliffs carried a stench of decay. They walked along the narrow path, the ground stained a deep crimson. Charred Night Ghoul corpses lined the road, yet to be buried.

Suddenly, a bright streak flashed by. Aria jumped back, staring at the arrow embedded in the ground. A hearty laugh echoed from above.

"Thorne..." Aria shouted angrily, looking up.

"Were you heading to Voidmarsh without telling me?" Thorne smirked, lowering his bow.

"We were just walking," Neven called back.

"Don't stray too far. I'm watching you," Thorne said.

"How many people are up there?" Aria whispered to Neven, noticing numerous ladders zigzagging up the cliff.

"I had them come out. Watch closely and don't get distracted," Neven replied, winking. He then shouted to Thorne, "Your aim is off! Do Serpents have poor vision in daylight?"

Aria tugged at his sleeve, urging him to stop.

"All units, stand by," Thorne commanded. "Target at 30 degrees ahead. Ready, aim."

A cacophony of sounds followed as archers appeared on the ladders, their black-skinned figures all pointing their arrows in the same direction.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Fire!" Thorne ordered, and arrows rained down.

As Aria stepped out of the gorge, she approached the animal that had been turned into a pincushion. Amidst the thick layer of arrows, she saw a pair of antlers—it was a hapless deer.

"Did Seraphina send all of Venom's archers?" Aria asked, looking at the deer gloomily.

"Most of the elite ones," Neven replied.

"What's the situation in Voidmarsh?" Aria inquired.

"We're facing a tough battle. Sage Solon is still preparing, hoping to end the war in Voidmarsh," Neven answered.

"Are we going in?" Aria asked, surprised.

"Lunar Essence Clan has limited forces. Unless absolutely necessary, we won't engage in a decisive battle," Neven said, worry in his voice as he looked towards the crimson-stained marsh ahead. "Our Lunar King only wants to protect the Moon Tower. Besides Starguard and Sage Solon's army, we have no additional soldiers."

"What about the Aethers? Have you ever thought about allying with them? If the Moon Tower falls, we'll be left to fend for ourselves," Aria asked.

Neven scoffed. "The Aethers won't ally with us. They always keep their distance and watch us. It's hard to tell if they're friend or foe."

"What about the Aether you rescued? You could get answers from him," Aria suggested.

"He's strange," Neven said, his expression odd. "He's very interested in you. Ever since he woke up, he's been asking about you."

"Me?" Aria asked, confused.

"Yes, he's asked a lot about you," Neven replied, his tone serious.

Aria felt a strange tension rise within her as she glanced back at the crowd. "Why is he interested in me? We've never met."

"Maybe they've heard about you," Neven speculated. "Aethers usually remain cautious around Lunar Essence Clan members, but his attitude towards you is different. Aria, you need to be careful and not trust their motives easily."

"I'll be careful," Aria said, still puzzled.

They walked on for a while longer,gradually moving out of range of the archers.

"Let's head back," Neven broke the silence, turning towards the camp. He seemed lost in thought, silent ever since the mention of the Aether.

Aria hesitated for a moment before following him. The orange-red light cast long shadows behind them. They walked back in silence, the uneasy atmosphere of the gorge lingering in the air, weighing her down with a sense of dread and foreboding.

Before long, Neven’s words became reality.

That morning, Aria was on her way to Alexander’s tent as usual when she was intercepted by an Aether who had been asking around for her. He wore sleek black leather armor, his robust frame complemented by a pair of slightly innocent eyes, and his hair meticulously braided into a small plait.

“Hello, Aria,” he said happily.

“You’re... Aether?” Aria asked, confused.

He stood tall and crossed his arms, as if the whole world lay at his feet, and proudly introduced himself, “Standing before you is the greatest warrior Aether has ever known... Felix.” Felix extended his hand, “It’s an honor to meet you.”

Aria looked at him with slight confusion and slowly reached out her hand.

Felix glanced down, switched to his other hand, and said, “Let’s try again.”

“What?” Aria frowned. “Forget it, I have things to do.” She walked away, not wanting to shake his hand and reveal her scaly hand to an Aether.

“Please, don’t go...” Felix stopped her again. He extended his left hand sincerely, “Just this once, I mean no harm. I just want to get to know you.”

Feeling very frustrated and annoyed, Aria thought to herself that if she didn’t comply with Felix’s request, she might never make it into Alexander’s tent. Reluctantly, she extended her hand again. Felix gripped her hand tightly, his eyes shining with excitement. “I’ve never seen... scales...”

“It’s none of your business.” Aria angrily shook him off and stormed toward Alexander’s tent, seething with anger.

Inside Alexander’s tent, the light was dim and the air was filled with the scent of herbs. Aria busied herself treating the wounded. Alexander, noticing her distress, asked, “Aria, you seem a bit unsettled. What happened?”

Aria sighed and replied, “Just a bothersome Aether named Felix. He said he wanted to meet me and made some weird requests.”

Alexander frowned, “If you need any help, come to me anytime.”

Aria sighed dejectedly and continued her work.

However, she hadn't expected Felix's pestering to be far from over.While she was on her way to deliver the last injured soldier back to the tent, Felix intercepted her again.

“Listen to me... Aria... don’t go... I have something to tell you.”

“Speak,” Aria stopped, clearly impatient.

Felix stepped closer, grabbing Aria’s hand, only to have her coldly shake him off again.

“Aria, wait. I came to say... please marry me,” he said.

“What?” Aria screamed. “Are you... crazy?”

“I’m serious. I can persuade my chieftain to agree to our marriage. I know it’s difficult to marry outside our clan, but I believe in true love...”

“If you’re so sincere, tell me, how much do you know about me? My name, my identity, my family background, and what I’ve been through—how much do you know?” Aria challenged.

Felix stammered for a long time, his face turning red.

“Then think it through before you tell me,” Aria said smugly.

She finally managed to escape the Aether and returned to the tent, lazily lying down on a woolen cot. Not long after, she heard Sable shouting outside, “Aria, come out quickly... that Aether, he’s challenging Neven to a duel.”

“A duel?” Aria sat up abruptly, finding it hard to believe her ears.

She followed Sable out, finding a crowd gathered. Aria pushed through the throng to find herself in the eye of the storm. Neven and Felix stood there, their argument heated.

“Do you have a marriage contract?” Felix, seeing Neven’s stern expression, smugly said, “Aha, you don’t. None of you have a marriage contract, so why don’t I have the right to marry her?”

“Kid, shut your mouth and leave if you’re healed...” Neven said impatiently.

“We’ll have an open duel, and the winner gets Aria.”

This enraged Neven. His brows furrowed, and anger erupted from his cold face. He ordered icily, “Tie him up and throw him out.”

The soldiers obeyed, swiftly subduing Felix. Despite his desperate struggle, he was no match for the trained soldiers. They bound him tightly and led him away. Felix shouted angrily, “Neven Everhart, you can’t do this to me! I have the right to challenge... you!”

Neven watched coldly until the soldiers escorted Felix to the edge of the chasm. The atmosphere grew tense and deadly. The spectators held their breath, not daring to intervene. Offending the Commander of the Starguard was akin to offending the entire legion. The soldiers mercilessly threw Felix into the Voidmarsh. His cries echoed through the canyon, gradually fading into the darkness.

Neven’s roar dispersed the onlookers. Aria hurried over, anxiously asking, “Did you really throw him out? That’s the Voidmarsh.”

“You heard him, that detestable guy...” Neven gritted his teeth.

“He speaks without thinking, but Felix meant no harm.”

“Aria, what do you want me to do, accept his challenge?” Neven said angrily. “I was gone for just one day, and you’re already defending him. How much do you care about him?”

“What are you saying?” Aria retorted sharply. “He’s been pestering me, and I didn’t agree to anything. But you’re the Commander. If you dislike him, you could accept the challenge, defeat him, and shut him up for good.”

Neven stopped, his face filled with barely concealed anger. “But what if I lose? Do you really want to marry him?”

“Impossible...” she asked, stunned.

“I don’t have Essence,” he admitted painfully.

Aria was shocked, speechless. She never expected Neven to openly admit his weakness. She stood there, suddenly realizing she had unintentionally exposed his scar. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...” she said softly.

Neven looked at her, the coldness in his eyes gradually melting away. He sighed and said quietly, “You don’t need to apologize, Aria. This is my problem, not yours.”

Aria wanted to say something to comfort him, but she couldn’t find the right words. She could only stand there, feeling the heavy atmosphere between them.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion in the distance. Soldiers rushed over, their faces full of anxiety.

“Commander Neven, the Aether we threw into the Voidmarsh has returned!” a soldier reported.