Lyra was still in the room when Velis returned, the faintest trace of something unreadable lingering in her silver eyes. The girl stepped lightly, as if she had not just walked into the lion's den and thrown out an open challenge.
Lyra exhaled slowly, sitting up from where she had been resting. "What did you do?"
Velis smirked, tapping a finger against her chin. "Just tying up loose ends."
Something about the way she said it sent an uneasy chill through Lyra's spine. Velis was dangerous. More than she had initially thought.
"I don't like the sound of that," Lyra admitted.
Velis only laughed. "Then don't think too hard about it." She crossed her arms, expression shifting into something almost serious. "I came back for your answer."
Lyra clenched her fists. "I have two questions first. Answer them truthfully, and I'll give you my answer."
Velis tilted her head, considering. Then, with a lazy wave of her hand, she said, "Alright. Ask away."
Lyra took a slow breath, steadying herself. "Cassandra."
Velis raised a brow but said nothing.
Lyra continued, her voice low. "She died in the war at Solmaria. She was struck down by that black knight. And yet, she rose again with a scythe that glowed violet. What… what is she now?"
For the first time, Velis actually paused. Then, she let out a small hum. "Ah. So you noticed."
She exhaled, shaking her head as if scolding a child. "Her name is not Cassandra anymore. It's Envy."
The name sent a ripple of unease through Lyra. "Envy…"
Velis nodded. "She is with Virion in the Demon Lord's castle, training her newborn powers."
Lyra's thoughts swirled in confusion. Cassandra—no, Envy—was alive. And she was in their hands.
Lyra's heart pounded. "Then my second question…" She hesitated.
"The scythe she wields—it was meant for a hero."
Velis' silver eyes gleamed. "Yes."
Lyra swallowed hard. "How did she get it?"
Velis grinned. "A gift."
Lyra's blood ran cold. "From who?"
"The Demon Lord."
The words crashed over her like a tidal wave. "That weapon was meant for a hero. How could the Demon Lord just… give it to her?"
Velis chuckled, stepping closer. "Because the weapon itself chose her."
Lyra's breath caught in her throat. "What?"
Velis tilted her head, amused by Lyra's reaction. "The Demon Lord merely kept it safe until its rightful owner arrived. And when Envy awakened, it recognized her."
Lyra shook her head in disbelief. "But that means…"
Velis leaned in slightly, voice barely above a whisper. "It means Envy is not just some pawn. She's something more."
A tense silence fell between them. Lyra felt her body go rigid, her mind racing to piece it all together. If weapons were tied to their wielders by something deeper, then what did that mean for Envy? And what did it mean for Leon?
Velis watched her carefully, then straightened. "Well? I answered truthfully. Now, what's your answer?"
Lyra took a breath, forcing herself to still her shaking hands. "...Fine."
Velis' smirk widened, as if she had known all along what Lyra would say. "Good."
Lyra exhaled slowly, still trying to grasp the weight of what she had learned. But something told her—
This was just the beginning.
*
*
*
The air inside the castle chamber was heavy with unease. Darius sat at the head of the long oak table, his fingers laced together as he stared down at the map spread before him. The Holy Kingdom of Solmaria was a place of light, of divine protection, and yet, for the past two weeks, a dark shadow had loomed over the Crimson Vow.
That shadow was Lyra's absence.
"We should be out there searching for her," Darius muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. His sharp golden eyes flicked up to the rest of the group. "Two weeks is too long. If something happened to her—"
"Don't say that." Iris crossed her arms, her brows furrowed. "She's fine. She has to be."
"Darius isn't wrong," Selene spoke up from the far end of the room. Her lavender eyes betrayed her concern. "Lyra wouldn't just disappear for this long without a reason."
"Maybe she's lying low," Gaius added, though his usual carefree tone was missing. "You know how she is. She could've just—"
"Gone into hiding?" Darius snapped, shaking his head. "No. This isn't like her."
A thick silence followed. Even Iris, the most optimistic among them, had nothing to say.
Darius exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. If she was in danger, they had to act.
Just as he was about to speak again, the heavy wooden door creaked open.
All heads turned.
There, standing in the doorway, was Lyra.
She leaned casually against the frame, a tired but mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "What? You guys thought I died?"
Relief flooded the room—but it was short-lived. Darius's sharp gaze landed on the bandages wrapped tightly around her stomach.
"Lyra!" Iris was the first to react, rushing toward her. "You're hurt!"
Gaius was already on his feet, frowning. "Where the hell have you been?"
Selene, ever the observant one, stepped forward with a cool but concerned expression. "You've been missing for two weeks. What happened?"
Lyra waved a hand, as if brushing off their worries. "I'll explain later."
"No, you'll explain now." Darius's voice was firm, but the way he clenched his fists showed his restrained worry.
Before Lyra could answer, another voice spoke from behind her.
"Oh my, how lively."
A girl stepped into the room.
She moved with an unsettling grace, long obsidian hair flowing like liquid shadow. Her silver eyes gleamed with an unreadable amusement.
The room instantly tensed.
"Who is she?" Selene demanded, already gripping the hilt of her blade.
Lyra sighed. "She's… Velis."
Darius's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And why is she here?"
Velis merely smiled, stepping fully into the room. "Now, now, no need for hostility. I'm just here for a friendly conversation."
The room remained silent, but the weight of suspicion was palpable.
Velis tilted her head, a glimmer of amusement in her gaze. "Shall we begin?"
* * * * *
Before they arrived at Solmaria, Lyra and Velis stood on the outskirts of the city under the quiet embrace of night. The stars shimmered above them, a tapestry of silent witnesses to the bond unfolding below.
"I still don't trust this plan," Lyra muttered, arms crossed, her eyes scanning the distant castle walls.
Velis stood beside her, gaze fixed on the night sky. "I know. But you will." Her voice was calm, like a whisper from the shadows.
A heavy pause lingered between them before Velis suddenly turned. Without warning, she stepped closer and placed a gentle kiss on Lyra's lips.
Lyra's eyes widened, breath hitching as the world tilted. A warm pulse surged through her chest, bright and sudden. It wasn't just a kiss—it was magic, intimate and binding.
"What was that?!" she gasped, stumbling a step back.
Velis grinned, her silver eyes gleaming with something ancient. "A tether. I tied you to my soul. If you die… you'll come back. Always."
Lyra stood frozen. The weight of the words hit her like a wave. "Why… why would you go that far?"
Velis shrugged, a soft playfulness in her posture. "Because I always thought it'd be nice to have a big sister. And now I do."
"A big… sister?" Lyra echoed, her voice thick with disbelief.
"Mhm." Velis clasped her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels. "Someone to look up to. Someone who could protect me. You fit the role perfectly."
Lyra tried to respond, but her thoughts were tangled. When her words finally found her, they came cautiously. "The Crimson Vow… they won't accept you that easily. You know that, right?"
Velis's smile didn't falter. "That's okay. My big sister will take care of things for me, right?"
Lyra groaned softly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't know what to feel about you. You work for the Demon Lord… and now you're acting like we're some kind of happy family."
Velis giggled, twirling a strand of her hair. "Maybe we are. The messed-up kind. But still a family."
She reached out and took Lyra's hand, squeezing it gently. Her touch was cold, yet comforting. "You don't have to decide everything now. Just give it time. Let them see me for who I am."
Lyra sighed again, her resolve wavering. This girl was unpredictable—a servant of the Demon Lord, yes, but something more. Something... strangely human.
And with that, under the shroud of moonlight and uncertainty, they continued toward the Holy Kingdom—together.
* * * * *
"Who is she?" Selene demanded, already gripping the hilt of her blade.
Lyra's expression shifted to something more serious. "She's… Velis."
"Why is she here?" Darius snapped, his voice sharp and low. "Who is she really, Lyra?"
"Why is she smiling like that?" Gaius muttered. "That's not normal."
"I don't like this," Iris added, her hands glowing faintly with divine magic. "That girl's presence… it's unnatural."
Velis merely smiled, stepping fully into the room. "Now, now, no need for hostility. I'm just here for a friendly conversation."
The tension exploded.
Darius reached for his sword. "Don't play games with us."
Selene stepped forward, blade already halfway drawn. "Lyra, step away from her."
Gaius, unusually serious, narrowed his eyes. "If she so much as blinks wrong, I'm ending this."
Even Iris, hesitant as she was, summoned her light. "Who is she really, Lyra?"
Lyra's mind reeled. Memories of Eldoria. The archives. The blood. The dagger. The shadow.
"STOP!" Lyra's voice cracked like a whip through the room.
Everyone froze.
She stepped in front of Velis, arms wide, pain clear on her face. "Don't… you dare cut her down. She saved my life. She's a child!"
The shock was visible on all their faces.
Velis, catching the moment, let her silver eyes widen with unshed tears. Her lower lip trembled. Her happy expression melted into raw confusion and fear.
Then she broke into a run and clung to Lyra's arm like a frightened child. "I… I'm scared… Why do they hate me? I didn't do anything wrong…"
Her voice cracked. Her tiny hands trembled.
"I just wanted to help…"
The sight was disarming.
Even Gaius faltered, his hand hesitating on the hilt.
Selene frowned deeply, still suspicious but visibly thrown.
Iris took a step back, her magic dimming slightly. "She… she's just a kid?"
And Lyra… Lyra held her close. She knew the truth. She knew what Velis really was. But Velis had only asked for one thing—a sister.
So, she would play the part.
For the Crimson Vow's sake.
"I'll explain everything," Lyra said quietly. "Just… listen."
And so she did.
She gave them a carefully woven lie. How she was attacked near the capital. How Velis found her bleeding and unconscious, and nursed her back to health in the outskirts of Eldoria. How she couldn't return immediately because of her injuries. How Velis, an orphan with nowhere else to go, saved her not out of duty, but kindness.
She told them about her audience with King Edric—how the sword Leon wielded had appeared during his summoning, and how he was one of seven heroes who arrived with a weapon forged of their essence.
But she did not speak of the diary.
She did not speak of Velis's true nature.
Or the shadow.
Or Aldric's blade at her throat.
What they heard was a believable tale of hardship, trust, and survival.
And when it was done, silence filled the room once more.
Velis still clung to Lyra's side, sniffling softly like a scared child.
And Lyra stared at the faces of her friends, hoping they would believe the mask she now wore for their sake.
The room remained tense, the air thick with unspoken doubt and frayed nerves. No one moved for a long moment. Darius's hand finally dropped from his sword hilt, and the others followed suit, though uncertainty still lingered in their eyes.
After everything Lyra had said, the Crimson Vow members exchanged silent glances. The guilt began to creep in—the realization of what they were about to do to someone who looked so small, so fragile.
Selene broke the silence first, her voice unusually soft. "We… We're sorry."
Iris stepped forward, her expression wracked with guilt. "We were just… scared. You came back hurt, and we didn't recognize her. We thought…"
"We were wrong," Gaius finished for her, his voice low. "We let fear get the better of us."
Darius was last to speak, his gaze heavy with guilt as it flicked from Velis to Lyra. "If she really saved you… then we owe her our thanks. And… our apology."
But Velis didn't say a word.
She only clutched Lyra tighter, hiding her face in the folds of Lyra's cloak as the others approached. When Iris tried to kneel beside her, offering a hand, Velis flinched. When Gaius moved a step closer, she whimpered softly and buried herself even deeper in Lyra's side.
"She's not ready," Lyra said, holding the girl protectively. "She's scared—and tired. We both are."
The weight of her words silenced them again.
"Give us time," Lyra added, her voice cool and calm. "We've had a long journey."
One by one, the members of the Crimson Vow nodded, regret etched on their faces. With quiet murmurs of apology and understanding, they began to file out of the room, leaving Lyra and Velis behind in the growing silence.
As the door closed, Lyra exhaled slowly, loosening her grip around Velis just enough to look down at her.
Velis looked up, her silver eyes glistening, a quiet smile beginning to form behind the remnants of her earlier tears. It was a look that could fool anyone… but not Lyra.
And yet, Lyra returned the smile.
Because in this game of masks, she had just saved her team's life.