Terrible Affection

Just as Myhra reached the archway gate, she heard a voice behind her. "Mother...she's home," The resounding voice of a seven-year-old girl shattered the quiet stillness, forcing Myhra to stop in her tracks and turn back to look at the little whirlwind.

She saw the little Minu holding a basket of flowers in her hands, which she had probably plucked just now for their grandmother. The little tornado rushed into the house through the kitchen's side door and came back out after rumbling the house inside out with her boundless energy.

A fond smile graced Myhra's lips as she watched the scene unfold, knowing she would need to placate the little one before continuing on her way. The girl practically bounced on her feet, too excited to stand still. 

"It's been three years since you left home. Did you really forget the front of our house, Myhra!?" Minu chided, seizing Myhra's hand and tugging her towards their home. "Or were you planning to leave without saying goodbye to me again?" she complained.

"You're certainly up this early in the morning...or have you been up all night? You seem lively enough to run over a mountain," Myhra inquired with a hint of amusement, to which Minu responded with a mischievous grin.

"None of us slept a wink. Grandma and the others couldn't stop singing your praises since they got back. She said if I want to be as strong as you, I need to start practicing early," Minu said excitedly. "She's going to train me until I get my summons from the association, just like you!"

Myhra's expression softened as she looked at her younger sister, a mixture of pride and affection lighting up her face. "Is that so? You want to be like me?" she asked, her voice gentle with warmth.

"No way! I want to be stronger than you like Mahethi! I have no doubts about it," Minu declared, her eyes gleaming with youthful determination.

Myhra blinked in surprise before a soft chuckle escaped her. She reached out to ruffle Minu's hair, amusement in her tone as she said, "You better be, then."

As they walked into courtyard, Myhra gave one last glance toward the distant Redstone Castle, her unease only deepening. But for now, she let Minu's infectious energy pull her back into the warmth of home.

Pushing the unease from her mind, she finally stepped onto the threshold of her home. The familiar scent of burning wood and herbs greeted her, a comforting reminder of the life she had left behind. The house stood in stark contrast to the ominous castle—warm, inviting, and alive. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and the dim light from the lamps inside flickered through the windows, beckoning her forward.

As Myhra bent down to remove her boots and hung the lantern from a ceiling hook, they barely stepped inside when Chhaya appeared from the kitchen, hands dusted with flour. "We've been waiting for you," she said warmly to Myhra, her eyes briefly settling on Minu. 

"Minu, go see if Grandma needs anything... and stay with her until she's done, okay?" 

Minu hesitated for a moment, casting a wary glance at Myhra before turning to her mother. "And don't let Myhra leave before I'm back? If she does, I won't talk to you for a whole week!" she warned, her small face serious.

Chhaya smiled, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, but I make no promises."

"Myhra," Chhaya said softly, stepping forward to embrace her. "You're finally home."

The warmth of her motherly embrace brought an unexpected rush of emotion. Myhra hugged her tightly, feeling the comfort she hadn't realized she had missed.

Just then, Chhaya paused, her brow furrowing as a thought crossed her mind. "Where's Oda?" she muttered aloud and walked out to look in the courtyard for the clumsy young boy. A moment later, she called out toward the door, hoping Myhra was still within earshot. "Myhra! Oda's not with you?"

"Oda went to drop Carli. He will be coming back after noon." Myhra told and she returned a little disheartned. 

"Hope he get back soon and... fine." Her words irked Myhra, she knew the underline danger hinted.

But before Chhaya could say more, Myhra asked, "The last time we meet at headquarters you say the village was in uproar lately!? What was it exactly about?" her voice barely a whisper.

Chhaya nodded, her face tight with concern. She walked towards the wide window and Myhra followed behind her. "It's different since then." She sighed deeply, her brow furrowed. "And it's not just our village but nearby too. There's been unrest in the villages—strange occurrences, people disappearing. Whispers of old curses stirring. I've tried to ignore it, hoping it would pass, but for the last six months, it's only worsened." her gaze shifting toward the distant silhouette in the fading night.

For a moment, both stood there, staring at the dark outline of Redstone Castle. 

"But..don't you worry, my child. Your counsil has taken a note of it and they are looking into the matter." Chhaya said and Myhra looked at her with raised eyesbrows, "Counsil knew about it since last six month!?" 

"A little less...from four months." Chhaya nodded. "Your grandma is been kept updated on the matter of investigation. She do visit them or one of the Silver combatant come every second week to give update or asking for village and castle's details. Lately for two months now, people from all over...only Lord knows if all the name of the lands, families and position they talk about are real or fake kept visiting Grandma." Myhra intently listen as Chhaya elaborated the matter and then advice her to talk to Grandmother about it as Myhra agreed. 

Chhaya gestured toward the table with a gentle wave. "Come sit. I'll make you cinnamon tea," she offered, her voice warm and welcoming. Myhra smiled slightly, knowing that tea was exactly what she needed to ease the tension in her body. 

"You just missed the others. They left a few minutes before you arrived," Chhaya remarked as she moved to the stove, her tone thoughtful but light.

Myhra's smile faltered for a moment. She hadn't known the others had waited for her. 'They waited all night... if only I had known,' she thought regretfully. She valued the people's support and had wanted to thank them in person for their wishes and presence during her promotion ceremony.

"I'll visit their homes later today," Myhra said quietly, taking a seat at the small table near the side door.

Chhaya turned, an approving smile on her face. "That's thoughtful of you, but don't overdo it. You've just come back, and it's alright to rest. I've already prepared sweet moon milk and spice rolls for the morning ritual at the shrine. I'll take care of it."

Chhaya placed a steaming cup of tea in front of Myhra, the rich aroma filling the air. She gently pushed open the nearby window, letting in the fresh morning breeze.

"Thank you, Maa!" Myhra said softly almost unknowingly, sipping the tea as she inhaled the crisp morning air. The breeze outside was calming, and she could feel herself starting to unwind.

Even if she didn't noticed but Chhaya hear it loud and clear which made her so ecstatic. All her motherly instincts arose with a urgency, as she felt an overpowering need to shield her child from harm. Just having to watch Myhra sitting in her kitchen by her side was enough to fill her heart with satisfaction and content. Chhaya smiled at her foolish thoughts and terrible affection she had for this girl ever since she had held in arms as a baby. Nothing could match joy her existence provided her and what say about her now, Myhra had only made her prouder and happier day by day. 

Chhaya, noticing the subtle relaxation in her, came over and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you. I know how hard you've worked to get where you are."

Myhra smiled, touched by her words. "I couldn't have done it without your inspiration. You always lend me strength to be better."

Chhaya laughed softly, brushing a hand across Myhra's hairs before returning to her kitchen tasks.

Myhra sipped the warmth of her tea, the night air seemed unusually serene, almost enchanted. A delicate fragrance of wildflowers drifted from the surrounding mountains, mingling with the crisp breeze. Yet, beneath the peaceful exterior, something unsettling tugged at the edge of her awareness. Her eyes, wandering from the night sky, locked onto the distant silhouette of Redstone Castle, looming like a dark sentinel over the village.

The castle's presence felt heavier tonight, more oppressive, as if it harbored secrets too ancient to be unearthed. Myhra narrowed her focus, her gaze sharpening as she honed in on the structure. It was a skill she rarely used, one that came at a cost, but this night, her instincts demanded it. She closed her eyes briefly, and when they opened again, they had transformed—her pupils now a striking blood-red, while the whites of her eyes turned an inky black. The world around her shifted, her vision enhanced, allowing her to see far beyond what was normally possible.

She stared, unblinking, at the castle, her gaze piercing through the shadows. Movement. The scuttle of insects, the slither of serpents, and the fluttering of dragonflies were all vividly clear to her. But there were no human figures, no shadowy intruders that might explain the unease gnawing at her gut. Still, she didn't dare blink, not wanting to miss a single detail.

Then, just as her focus zeroed in on the castle's main hall, her vision blurred, distorted by a thickening mist that seemed to seep out from the doorframe. It moved slowly but with purpose, curling along the ground and spreading outward like a creeping fog. "Mist magic?" Myhra whispered, her heart racing. The mist was thick, unnatural, and it obscured everything beyond the grand doors of the hall. 

She leaned in closer, straining her heightened vision, but the more she stared, the more the mist seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy. And then she heard it—soft, almost imperceptible whispers. Desperate. Chanting. Voices that seemed to rise from the very walls of the castle, swirling around the mist as if they were part of it.

Her breath caught. Whatever was happening inside the castle, it was more than a simple disturbance. "What is it?" she muttered, her pulse quickening, instincts flaring.

The tea forgotten, she set the cup down with a soft clink, her movements suddenly brisk and purposeful. A wave of nervous energy surged through her as if something within the castle is wrong.

"I need to go… now," she said quietly, her voice filled with steely resolve.

"Please don't let Minu know... I'll be back before sunrise," she informed Chhaya with a quiet urgency in her voice.

Chhaya, sensing the shift in her demeanor, followed closely behind, her concern evident. "Are you sure it can't wait until morning?" she called out, her voice tinged with worry. But by the time she reached the kitchen doorway, Myhra had already stepped outside.

As Chhaya hurried to catch up, her breath caught in her throat. Myhra was gone, vanished into the night as if swallowed by the very shadows. Her eyes widened in disbelief, scanning the empty path where she had just been.

"Off to the cottage already?" Chhaya muttered under her breath, a mixture of frustration and helplessness creeping into her tone. She raised her voice, calling out into the silent night, "Is it really necessary? Can't you at least wait until morning meal!?" But the only response was the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the soft whisper of the night. Myhra was already too far away to hear.