One Month Later

After meeting Lorienna’s so-called friend, things settled back into their usual rhythm.

Nyx still didn’t trust them. But they hadn’t done anything wrong—yet—so she let them be. That didn’t mean she wasn’t watching. She always was.

By now, her days had fallen into a predictable pattern:

•Meet up with Lorienna.

•Take on a hunter job.

•Spend time in the library.

•Eat dinner.

•Sleep.

•Repeat.

It wasn’t thrilling, but it was steady. And for now, that was enough.

The library had become her sanctuary. Lately, she’d been buried in texts about festivals and ceremonies, flipping through records of ancient traditions and forgotten celebrations. The histories were fascinating—some grand, some strange, some utterly ridiculous.

And then there was the buzzing.

It was faint, a crackle of static at the edges of her mind. It always came when she read something about the constellations—a whisper just out of reach, like someone trying to get her attention but never quite speaking.

She ignored it.

Then there was Lorienna.

Nyx didn’t know much about her beyond what she’d been told. And Lorienna didn’t know anything about her, either—or so she thought.

Lately, though, something had felt… off.

There were moments when Lorienna seemed like she was on the verge of saying something—lips parting, hesitation flickering in her eyes—only to snap her mouth shut and change the subject.

Nyx noticed.

But she didn’t push. If Lorienna had something to say, she’d say it.

Eventually.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nyx exhaled, feeling the weight of the morning air against her skin. Sunlight filtered through the towering elven trees, spilling golden light onto the cobbled streets of Alinthor. The city was already alive—traders arranging their stalls, scholars hurrying toward the archives, soft elven voices weaving through the air like birdsong.

Uriel’s voice stirred in her mind.

*The constellations are intrigued by you.*

Nyx adjusted the strap of her cloak, her fingers curling against the hood edges.

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“Let them be.”

Another message flickered through her thoughts.

*They are watching.*

She exhaled sharply, brushing silver fabric over her shoulder. “Let them, I don’t care l.”

She had been getting these messages for days now. Little reminders that she was under their gaze, that the constellations had turned their attention to her. But she wasn’t interested in their curiosity.

If they had so much power, where were they when she needed them?

A voice—light, teasing—cut through her thoughts.

“There you are.”

Nyx turned just as Lorienna approached, her silver-blonde hair catching the morning light, her emerald eyes sharp with amusement.

“You’re hard to track down, you know,” Lorienna said, crossing her arms. “I looked everywhere.”

“I wasn’t hiding.”

“Mm. Just vanishing mysteriously.”

Nyx didn’t respond, adjusting the silver veil draped over her eyes.

Lorienna sighed, but the grin never left her face. “Well, since I’ve finally found you, I have something interesting to share.”

Before Nyx could step away, Lorienna hooked her arm through hers, pulling her forward.

Nyx didn’t resist, but her mind didn’t settle either.

Something about Lorienna had started to feel… off.

It wasn’t anything obvious. Not something she could call out. Just small things—the way she hesitated sometimes, like she was choosing her words carefully. The way she always seemed to know things she shouldn’t. And now, as they weaved through the crowd, Nyx caught the way Lorienna glanced over her shoulder.

Once.

Twice.

Not a casual glance. Not idle curiosity.

She was checking for something.

Or someone.

Nyx stayed quiet.

For now.

The plaza was changing.

She could tell immediately. The usual quiet elegance of Alinthor had been replaced with motion—preparation.

Elven artisans perched on high ladders, stringing lanterns of enchanted glass across the walkways. The lanterns shifted color as they caught the sun, violet turning to gold, gold melting into deep blue. Performers practiced illusion magic in open courtyards, their movements leaving shimmering trails in the air. Merchants were setting up extravagant booths, draping fine silks over polished wooden counters, arranging gems that gleamed like captured starlight.

Nyx slowed her steps.

Her stomach twisted.

“What is this?”

Lorienna grinned. “The Queen announced it this morning—Alinthor is hosting the Ethereal Bloom Festival to celebrate unity between the elves and neighboring kingdoms.”

The words barely registered.

Because the moment Lorienna said them, Nyx felt it.

A pull.

A shift in the air, like an unseen thread had just tightened around her.

And then—

[A Constellation’s Will Has Been Issued.]

[Constellation of the proud Peacock God of Lust: “Create a Vision of Beauty.”]

[Task: Organize a grand festival showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Elven kingdom.]

Nyx froze.

Her fists clenched at her sides.

For so long, she had ignored the feeling that was pulsing inside her. Refused to acknowledge what was keeping her on edge, distracting her, making her feel uneasy. She had shut the feeling out. Denied it her attention since she didn’t know what it meant.

This was what that feeling was, the feeling of incompletion.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

The perfect setup. The perfect opportunity.

It was time for her to continue her journey of becoming strong.

She sighed in relief.

She had completely forgotten all about these wills that were given to her by the seven constellations before they disappeared from her.

Now she needs to continue with what she started in the forest 2 years ago.

Not only for them

But for Till as well.

And for the village that had been wiped from existence without a second thought.

This was her time—to claim these Wills, to grow stronger, to carve her path toward becoming a Constellation, just as she had vowed. So that what happened in Tivera would never happen again.

So that no one else would suffer the way Till had.

Lorienna was still talking, unaware of the storm brewing in Nyx’s mind.

“…which is why I think you’d be perfect for helping with the arrangements. The Queen’s court is already looking for people to take charge of different aspects—”

Nyx cut her off. “Take me to them.”

Lorienna blinked. “What?”

Nyx turned, fully facing her now.

“The ones in charge. Take me to them.”

For the briefest second, something flickered across Lorienna’s face.

Not a shock. No confusion.

Something else.

It was gone just as quickly. Replaced with a smile.

“Well, when you put it that way… Let’s go.”

And just like that, the wheels of fate began to turn.