Rise of Eros - Chapter 627

Inside the warm room, under the dim light of the embers of a dying fire, little Ayla sat hugging her knees. Her wings, still torn, hung at her sides like shadows of what they once were.

In front of her, the succubi Seraphine, Cany, Karny, and Luz settled in, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. They had taken Ayla in after finding her alone in the mountains, wounded and unconscious.

That night, when she finally agreed to speak, the succubi prepared to listen to what she knew would be a story full of pain. Ayla looked up, meeting the violet eyes of Seraphine, who nodded softly, encouraging her to begin. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

“I… had never left my home before,” Ayla whispered, her voice trembling like a leaf in the rain. “I lived with my family in the forest, isolated, the Harpies of the Eternal Wind was my clan’s name. It was a refuge among the clouds, protected by magical barriers and our own wings.

Cany, the most impatient of the group, adjusted her posture but did not interrupt. Luz, always the gentlest, offered a steaming cup of tea to Ayla, who took it with trembling hands, although she did not drink. Karny, quieter, intertwined her fingers, observing every detail in Ayla’s story.

“That night, the skies were clear, and the full moon bathed our feathers in its silver light,” Ayla continued, her gaze lost in the fire. “My sister Kaelyn and I were playing among the highest branches, trying to catch fireflies. Kaelyn always protected me… always. She was my older sister, and her laugh was the most beautiful.”

Tears began to fill Ayla’s eyes, but she swallowed the lump in her throat. “Everything changed in an instant. The hooded ones came from nowhere. They were like living shadows, wrapped in darkness and hatred. They broke through our barriers as if they didn’t exist. My mother screamed, calling everyone to arms, but…”, Ayla closed her eyes, struggling not to break down, “It wasn’t enough. They were too powerful.”

Karny gritted her teeth, her tail waving behind her in suppressed rage. “Do you know who they were?” she asked in a low but firm voice, yet Ayla shook her head.

“I don’t know. Their faces were covered, and their magic was unlike anything we’d ever seen. They used no words, only gestures, and the air was filled with a burning cold. My father tried to confront them, but one of them…”, Ayla’s voice cracked, “…just raised his hand, and my father… vanished into ash.”

The silence grew heavy as if the air itself had decided to stop flowing. The succubi exchanged glances, aware that they were dealing with something bigger than they had imagined.

“Kaelyn grabbed my hand and flew me up into the lower branches, where the leaves were thicker,” Ayla continued, gripping the tea tighter, “But they saw us. They always saw us, no matter how fast we moved or how well we hid.”

The little harpy shivered, and Luz leaned down to place a hand on her shoulder, offering comfort.

“Kaelyn knew we couldn’t escape together. She told me to run… to fly into the forest and not look back. But I didn’t want to leave her. I screamed, I cried…” Ayla dropped the tea, which spilled onto the stone without her noticing.

“She held me and told me it was my duty to live, that I was the hope of our tribe.” Cany finally spoke, her voice softer than Ayla expected. “What did she do?” she asked, though it seemed like she already knew the answer.

Ayla was slow to respond, her breathing ragged. “Kaelyn stayed behind. She… fought them. She used all her power to hold them back while I ran away. I heard their screams, their battle songs, until…” Ayla’s voice trailed off, like a flame smothered by the wind, “Until I heard nothing.”

The tears were flowing freely now, and Seraphine, with her usual calm, reached out to wipe Ayla’s cheeks with a soft cloth. “I kept flying until my wings couldn’t take it anymore,” the little harpy continued, her voice weak.

“I fell into the forest and ran, not knowing where to go. All I could think about was Kaelyn, her smile, how I would never see her again.” Luz, her eyes full of compassion, hugged Ayla, wrapping her in her arms as the little girl sobbed.

“Those hooded ones…” Karny murmured, breaking the silence, and added, “They weren’t just attackers. It’s no coincidence that they chose your home.” “I know,” Ayla said, an unexpected determination in her voice.

She looked up, and her eyes sparkled with a new fire, “They were looking for something. Something worth wiping out my clan, but I don’t know what, but I will find it. And when I do, I will make them pay for what they did.”

The little harpy’s oath echoed through the room, filling the space with a tangible energy. The succubi looked at each other, recognizing the potential in Ayla. Though she was young and wounded, her spirit was indomitable.

“You are not alone, little one,” Seraphine said finally, placing a firm hand on Ayla’s shoulder, “You have a long road ahead of you, but we will be with you.” “Yes,” Luz added, smiling warmly as she added, “We’ll help you find answers.” Cany clicked his tongue, but a spark of excitement flashed in his eyes.

“Besides, it sounds like a good opportunity to kick some hooded ass,” he said. Ayla smiled weakly for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. Although the wound of her loss still bled, that night she found something she hadn’t expected: hope.

Together, the succubi and the harpy formed a bond that would guide them through the challenges to come, facing unknown enemies and what they still didn’t understand, the reason why they became so close in such a short time.

Seraphine had an idea and it was that they shared something of Eros, but she wasn’t sure. What she did know was that she had to tell Andrew about this, she was sure that he would be interested, especially because of this connection with Eros.