Blind Legacy of Time

Arden and Sira descended the stone steps of the chapel, leaving the dark streets of the village behind. The howl of the wind filled the night like a mournful dirge. Sira walked silently beside Arden, still reeling from the shadow's death Arden's cold composure was both reassuring and terrifying. As they reached the village square, a few villagers had seen the shadow's corpse, whispering in fear before scattering. Arden turned to Sira, his voice steady with certainty, "They won't dare touch you now." He pulled the mask from his belt; the shadow's red-eyed mask carried a menacing aura even in the darkness.

As Arden turned the mask between his fingers, a memory surfaced Lyra's golden eyes, her blood-red hair. Four years had passed, but her smile was still vivid in his mind. "Sira," he said, his voice a whisper cutting through the night. "I want to go to the academy to watch the graduation trials… to see someone." Sira looked up at him, a spark of curiosity in her blue eyes. "To see someone? Who's that?" she asked, her tone innocent and intrigued.

Arden paused for a moment, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Lyra," he said, his voice soft, almost reverent. "She has blood-red hair, eyes like gold… like the sun itself. When I met her, everything changed. She was my closest friend she taught me to control my flames, to tame my anger… Four years ago, we parted at the academy, but seeing her… I don't know, it feels like I could breathe again." His words spilled out like a lover's confession, though he didn't realize it; his eyes sparkled as he spoke of Lyra, his voice trembling with a melody of longing.

Sira's blue eyes darkened for a moment, her lips pursing slightly. "Lyra, huh…" she murmured, a faint hint of jealousy in her tone. "Is she… really pretty?" she asked, gripping her small knife tightly. Arden, lost in Lyra's memory, didn't notice Sira's tone. "Yes… so beautiful," he said, his voice heavy with longing. "But it's not just that she's… different. With her, I feel… more human." Sira lowered her head, a pang of hurt stirring within her. "I'm here with you too, Arden," she said, her voice slightly shaky. Arden turned to her with a faint smile, "I know, Sira. Things are easier with you too," he said, trying to comfort her, but the spark in his eyes when he mentioned Lyra had left a seed of jealousy in Sira's heart.

They arrived at a small shop in the village an old mask-maker's workshop, its faded sign displaying a weathered mask. Arden stepped inside and placed the mask on the counter. "I want this repaired," he said, his tone resolute. The elderly mask-maker examined it, muttering, "This… carries a dark energy," but at Arden's insistence, he set to work. Arden shaped the mask with his own hands: blood-red streaks reminiscent of Karlin's flames; a slit over the blind eye, symbolizing his curse; and golden embroidery, representing Lyra's radiance and the academy. Sira, seeing the golden details, said, "The gold looks nice, Arden," but her voice still held a trace of bitterness. Arden donned the mask and declared, "From now on, I'm Kaelin," choosing a false name to conceal his identity.

As they journeyed through the forest, the silhouette of the academy emerged on the horizon. The castle was surrounded by towering stone walls stretching into the sky; fluttering banners danced in the wind, and magical symbols glowed faintly on the stones. The castle's majestic aura radiated an energy, as if time itself flowed differently here. Arden's blind eye tingled not with pain, but with an excitement tied to Lyra. A conflict stirred within him: the memory of killing Kael, the moment his rage had unleashed his curse… "Will this power destroy me, or will Lyra save me?" he murmured to himself. But the thought of seeing Lyra after four years quickened his heartbeat her golden eyes, her blood-red hair… it felt like they could make him forget his curse entirely.

When they reached the academy, they reported to the entrance guard with their false identities. "Kaelin and Sira, here to watch the graduation trials," Arden said, unrecognizable behind his mask. The guard assigned them seats in a crowded spectator area. Sira sat beside Arden, still thinking about Lyra, but said nothing her jealousy simmered within her like a quiet shadow.

The graduation trials were held in the castle's vast courtyard. Young mages showcased their flames, winds, and waters, the crowd watching with enthusiasm. Arden scanned the crowd for Lyra, but he couldn't spot her yet. His blind eye burned again, this time with longing seeing Lyra, speaking to her again… it felt like it could change everything. Sira noticed his distraction and said, "We'll find Lyra, Arden," her voice offering friendly support, though her jealousy hadn't faded. Arden nodded slightly, murmuring, "Yes… but this curse… it can't find me first," his tone a mix of hope and fear.

As the trials continued, Arden's eyes kept searching the crowd the hope of finding Lyra burned in his heart like a flame.