ILIKEHOTMOMMY

The story begins with the Celestials launching a major offensive against the Abyssians in a valley known as the Vale of Shadows. During a fierce skirmish, Lyra finds herself separated from her unit. In the chaos, she stumbles into a hidden glade, where she encounters Kaelith, who is equally lost amidst the battle.

Initially, the two women view each other as enemies, their instincts driving them to fight. However, as they clash, they realize they are equally matched. In a moment of unexpected vulnerability, they draw back, sensing the deep weariness that accompanies their endless war.

Embers of the heart

The battle raged on for hours, the sun now a distant memory behind dark clouds. Lyra felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her as she fought her way through the carnage. She had lost sight of her comrades, and the once-organized lines of battle had become a chaotic swirl of bodies and blood.

Amidst the confusion, she found herself alone in a glade, the trees surrounding her whispering secrets of ancient times. It was eerily quiet here, a stark contrast to the chaos just outside. Breathing heavily, Lyra leaned against a tree, trying to catch her breath and regain her bearings. The air felt charged, as if the very essence of the forest was alive, urging her to listen closely.

Suddenly, a rustle in the underbrush made her heart race. She drew her sword, the blade glinting in the dim light filtering through the leaves. But instead of an enemy, Kaelith emerged, her expression one of surprise and recognition.

For a moment, neither woman moved, their eyes locked in a silent standoff. Kaelith was breathing heavily, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead, but her violet eyes held an intensity that sent a shiver down Lyra's spine.

"What are you doing here?" Kaelith asked, her voice low and edged with curiosity rather than hostility.

"I could ask you the same," Lyra replied, lowering her weapon slightly but not relinquishing it. "This is a battlefield, not a place for conversation."

"Perhaps," Kaelith said, her lips quirking into a half-smile, "but you look like you could use a moment of respite. This war is exhausting, is it not?"

Lyra hesitated, caught off guard by the demoness's unexpected candor. "It is. But we cannot afford to rest while our enemies roam free."

"Enemies?" Kaelith stepped closer, intrigued. "Is that all we are to you? Just enemies?"

The question hung in the air like a delicate thread. Lyra felt a strange pull toward Kaelith, as if the battle raging outside faded into insignificance. "We are supposed to be enemies," she replied, her voice softer than she intended. "But I've begun to wonder if there's more to this war than what we've been told."

Kaelith's expression shifted, the tension between them palpable. "Perhaps we can find out together," she suggested, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chapter 4: Lost in the Shadows