The night air was cool and quiet as Missy and Jezel stepped out of the art studio. Missy walked Jezel back toward her home, Jezel talking and gesturing animatedly as she enthusiastically shared some of her recommendations. Missy smiled warmly, her heart lifting to see Jezel returning to her usual bright and cheerful self. The tension from before had dissipated, replaced by a sense of shared understanding and newfound closeness, though there were still unspoken words lingering between them, waiting to be addressed.
When they finally reached Jezel's home, Missy noticed a figure pacing frantically outside the door, his silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights. Arc's face lit up with a mixture of relief and anger when he saw them approaching. He rushed forward, immediately checking both Jezel and Missy over with a frantic energy that bordered on overbearing, his hands fluttering anxiously as he inspected them for any signs of harm.
"Where have you been? I've been trying to contact!" Arc scolded, his worry evident in every word as he checked Jezel from head to toe, ensuring she hadn't been injured. "I was about to go looking for you myself! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"
Jezel tried to wave him off, though the exhaustion in her voice was clear, her earlier enthusiasm giving way to fatigue. "I'm fine, Arc, really. You don't need to make such a fuss."
Missy nodded in agreement, though Arc wasn't convinced. His eyes darted between them, searching for any sign of injury or distress. "Are either of you hurt? Should I be taking both of you to the hospital right now? I can't believe you'd be so reckless with everything that's been happening in the city lately."
"Arc, we're fine," Jezel cut him off, her voice firm but gentle, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "I promise. No hospital. Just a long bath and some sleep, okay? That's all I need right now."
After several more minutes of Arc fussing over them, his protective instincts on full display, they finally convinced him they were indeed unharmed. He let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair, his shoulders sagging with relief. "Alright, I'm just—just glad you are both okay. But don't ever scare me like that again, you hear me?"
Jezel smiled, her expression softening as she hugged her brother tightly, burying her face in his shoulder. "I'm sorry for worrying you," she murmured, her voice muffled against his shirt.
Missy felt a warmth spread through her as she watched them, the sense of family between them clear and comforting. It was a bond she found both fascinating and slightly enviable, having never experienced such a connection herself. After exchanging goodbyes and promises to check in tomorrow, Missy made her way home, her thoughts still spinning from everything that had happened, the events of the night replaying in her mind.
When she arrived back at the shop, she found Aspen waiting for her at the table, concern etched on her face, her fingers drumming nervously on the wooden surface. Aspen was less intense than Arc, but the worry in her eyes was unmistakable, her gaze immediately scanning Missy for any signs of trouble.
"You're okay, right?" Aspen asked, standing as Missy entered the room, her voice laced with concern.
Missy nodded, offering a small smile to reassure her friend. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was a bit of an adventure, but nothing I couldn't handle."
Aspen studied her for a moment, then relaxed slightly, though the tension didn't completely leave her shoulders. "Good. I was worried when I heard about what was happening in the city tonight."
After checking on Missy and satisfying herself that her friend was indeed unharmed, Aspen sat down, looking thoughtful. Her brow furrowed slightly as she spoke, "I'm heading to another city council meeting tomorrow. If you're interested, you're welcome to come along. It might give us some insight into what's been going on lately."
Missy considered it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. After the confrontation with Rinale, she had wanted to keep a lower profile, wary of drawing too much attention to herself. But there was something about the council's recent activity that intrigued her, a nagging feeling that she couldn't quite shake. Besides, she enjoyed spending time with Aspen, and maybe she could learn more about what was happening in the city.
"I'd like that," Missy replied, her curiosity winning out over her caution.
Aspen smiled, clearly pleased by Missy's decision. "Great. It might be a bit dry, but it'll be good to get a feel for what's going on in the city."
After they talked for a little while longer, discussing the events of the day and speculating about what might be discussed at the council meeting, Aspen went to bed, leaving Missy alone with her thoughts. She wandered over to her borrowed tablet, her fingers hovering over the screen as she recalled Jezel's enthusiastic recommendations. Curious, she looked for some of the books that Jezel had suggested on their way home, scrolling through the titles with growing interest.
She picked one that caught her eye, curiosity tugging at her, and settled into a comfortable chair to read. The night passed quickly as she lost herself in the pages, her mind both distracted and comforted by the stories within. The characters and their struggles, so different from her own experiences, fascinated her, offering a window into the complexities of mortal life.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Morning came, the soft light of dawn filtering through the windows, and Missy found it hard to focus on her usual tasks. Her thoughts kept drifting back to what she had read the night before, the vivid imagery and compelling narratives still fresh in her mind. It wasn't until she finally settled into her rhythm at work, the familiar routines grounding her, that the day began to pass more smoothly. By the time lunch rolled around, she was looking forward to heading down to Arc's food truck.
When she arrived, weaving through the small crowd that had gathered, Jezel was already there, her usual vibrant self on full display. Her hair was styled in an intricate braid, and she wore a colorful outfit that seemed to reflect her buoyant mood. Missy smiled and, without thinking, told her that she had started reading some of the books Jezel had suggested. The moment she mentioned it, she regretted it—Jezel's eyes lit up with an almost manic enthusiasm, and she began peppering Missy with questions, her words tumbling out in a rapid-fire stream of excitement.
"What did you think? Which part are you at? Isn't the world-building just amazing? Oh, and what about the relationship between the two main characters? Isn't it just so beautifully written?"
Missy felt a little overwhelmed by Jezel's enthusiasm, her mind racing to keep up with the barrage of questions. She hadn't prepared for this and didn't know how to answer, the pressure to tell Jezel what she wanted to hear made her feel like she was sinking, drowning in a sea of literary expectations she couldn't possibly meet.
Thankfully, Arc came to her rescue, gently reminding Jezel to give Missy some breathing room. "Let her finish the books first, Jezel," Arc said with a smile, his tone affectionate but firm as he placed a hand on his sister's shoulder. "You'll scare her off if you keep bombarding her with questions."
Jezel pouted playfully but relented, giving Missy a bit of space. "Fine, fine," she said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "But when you're done, we're having a full discussion, okay? I need to know all your thoughts!"
The rest of the lunch shift passed quickly, the three of them talking and laughing as Arc served up his latest culinary creations. Missy found herself relaxing, enjoying the easy camaraderie between them. Before long, she found herself preparing to head out with Aspen for the evening, a mix of anticipation and nervousness fluttering in her stomach as she thought about the upcoming council meeting.
When they arrived at the council building, its imposing facade looming before them, they were a little early. Aspen suggested they explore, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Might as well take advantage of the extra time," she said with a grin. "There's so much history in this place."
Missy agreed, her curiosity piqued. She followed Aspen through the winding halls of the grand building, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors. The walls were adorned with portraits and intricate tapestries depicting significant individuals and moments in the city's history. Finally, they reached a room filled with historical artifacts, each item carefully preserved and displayed.
The room was dimly lit, creating an atmosphere of reverence and mystery. Each exhibit was protected by glass and metal, the cases gleaming softly in the low light. Guards were stationed at various points in the room, their watchful eyes scanning the area, protecting the ancient relics from any potential threat.
Missy's eyes wandered over the displays, taking in the wealth of history before her. There were old weapons, their blades still sharp despite the passage of centuries, ornate clothing that spoke of long-forgotten fashions, and books with pages so delicate they looked as if they might crumble at a touch. Each item hummed with traces of long-forgotten magic, a faint resonance that Missy could feel thrumming through the air.
But one item, in particular, drew her attention, calling to her in a way she couldn't quite explain.
At the back of the room, surrounded by the most security, was a shimmering, ethereal sphere that seemed to float in midair. It appeared to be made of a mist-like substance, constantly shifting and swirling, its colors changing subtly as if alive. As Missy gazed at it, a strange sense of recognition washed over her, a feeling of déjà vu.
"That's the Ortus," Aspen said, noticing where Missy's gaze had landed. Her voice was hushed, filled with a mixture of awe and sadness. "It's the original source of magic. Or at least, what's left of it. Its power has faded over time, and now it's little more than a spark. According to history—and the oldest immortals—its magic once bathed the entire world, flowing freely and abundantly. Now it barely escapes this building, a mere shadow of its former glory."
Aspen let out a long sigh, her eyes filled with a quiet sadness, a longing for something lost to time. Missy listened to her words, but her attention was fixed on the Ortus, unable to tear her gaze away from the swirling mists. Something was wrong. As she stared at it, she realized what was bothering her, a truth that sent a chill down her spine. The magical aura it gave off was all too familiar.
Panic rose within her, threatening to overwhelm her carefully maintained composure. If anyone compared her aura to that of the Ortus, they might realize what she had. She needed to get out of this room—away from the Ortus—before anyone noticed.
"I need to leave," Missy said suddenly, her voice a little too sharp, betraying her inner turmoil. She took a step back, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
Aspen frowned, concern creasing her brow as she studied Missy's face. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Missy hesitated, her mind racing as she searched for an explanation. She didn't want to lie to Aspen, but she knew she couldn't reveal the truth, not here, not now. "One of the items in the room reminded me of something unpleasant from my past," she said finally, her voice low and strained. "I don't want to talk about it. Can we just go?"
Aspen's eyes softened with understanding, though she still seemed worried, her gaze searching Missy's face for any clue to her sudden distress. "Alright," she said gently, placing a comforting hand on Missy's arm. "Let's get out of here then. We don't want to be late for the meeting anyway."
They left the room walking briskly through the halls. Aspen occasionally snuck glances at her, clearly still concerned by her sudden shift in mood. Missy tried to push the anxiety away, focusing on steadying herself as they walked back toward the area where the council meeting would take place. But in the back of her mind, the image of the Ortus stayed with her, gnawing at her thoughts like a persistent itch she couldn't scratch.