Her.

Kael's gaze locked onto her, and the world seemed to still. The sounds of the guild faded into a muted hum, and his breath caught in his throat. There she was, standing amidst the decaying remnants of Eclipsevane, her very presence a stark contrast to the guild's withering state. She radiated an energy that was both commanding and gentle, like a beacon in the midst of chaos.

Jane's auburn hair shimmered under the fading sunlight, cascading in loose, effortless waves down her back. Strands of copper caught the light, glowing like embers in a dying fire. Her hair framed her face, softening its sharp angles and drawing attention to her striking features. Her skin, kissed by the sun, bore a natural warmth, a golden hue that seemed to glow with life. Her high cheekbones gave her an air of nobility, while the subtle curve of her jawline added a softness that made her approachable despite her commanding presence.

Her eyes, oh, her eyes. They were a piercing emerald green, vibrant and alive, like fresh leaves after a summer rain. They held a depth that was impossible to ignore, a blend of intelligence and empathy that seemed to see through the surface of anyone who met her gaze. Those eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, carried a quiet intensity that could unsettle and comfort in equal measure. They were the kind of eyes that lingered in your memory, haunting and reassuring all at once.

Her lips were full and soft, naturally tinted with a hint of rose. When she spoke, her words seemed to glide off her tongue effortlessly, her voice a melodic blend of strength and warmth. Even her smile—small and fleeting as it was—carried a weight to it, as though it could both heal and devastate depending on the circumstances.

Jane's build was athletic yet graceful, her slender frame speaking to years of training and discipline. Her movements were fluid, each step purposeful yet light, as if she glided rather than walked. She wore a practical leather tunic dyed in deep burgundy, its subtle embellishments hinting at her attention to detail. A black belt cinched at her waist held two sleek daggers, their hilts simple but well-worn, suggesting constant use and care. Her arms were encased in fitted bracers, the leather bearing faint, intricate patterns of vines and leaves—a touch of elegance amidst her practical attire.

Her boots, sturdy and weathered, were well-suited for the harsh terrain she often traversed. Every piece of her attire seemed to strike a perfect balance between function and form, practical yet undeniably her own. Even in the simple act of standing still, she exuded confidence, a quiet assurance that was impossible to ignore.

Yet it wasn't just her physical appearance that drew attention. There was an air about Jane, a magnetic quality that made her the focal point of any room she entered. It wasn't arrogance or deliberate; it was simply who she was. She carried herself with a natural grace, an unspoken understanding of her own worth without flaunting it. People gravitated toward her not just for her beauty, but for the strength and compassion that radiated from within.

Her laugh, when it came, was light and melodic, carrying an infectious warmth that softened even the harshest hearts. But there was a hint of sorrow beneath it, a weight that suggested she had seen and endured much. It added layers to her, a complexity that made her both captivating and mysterious.

As Kael continued to watch her, he noticed the small details—the faint scar just below her left ear, barely visible unless you were looking closely; the way her hands rested lightly on her daggers, her fingers relaxed but ready. She stood with the ease of someone who had faced countless battles and emerged stronger, yet her posture wasn't rigid. She was poised, balanced, a study in contradictions: strength and vulnerability, beauty and danger, warmth and distance.

Jane's presence filled the courtyard, commanding attention without demanding it. She didn't speak loudly, didn't need to. When she spoke, others listened, not out of obligation but because they wanted to. She carried an innate authority, the kind that couldn't be taught or earned but simply existed within her.

To Kael, she seemed both familiar and distant, a figure from a life he had tried to leave behind yet couldn't truly escape. She was a reminder of the person he used to be and the person he still struggled to understand. In her, he saw the echoes of a past he couldn't forget and the glimmers of a future he couldn't quite grasp.

For a moment, Kael stood frozen, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions her presence stirred within him. Awe, regret, hope, and fear mingled in his chest, a tangled web of feelings he couldn't begin to unravel. And as Jane turned, her emerald eyes meeting his for the briefest of moments, Kael felt a jolt that seemed to stop time itself.

The world around him faded once more, leaving only her, standing like a beacon of everything he had lost and everything he might yet find.

Eryon, however, wasted no time. With a burst of energy, he darted across the courtyard, his wooden sword bouncing against his back as he ran. "Jane!" he called out, his voice carrying across the open space.

Jane turned fully at the sound, her expression softening as her eyes landed on the boy. A warm smile spread across her face, and she crouched slightly, arms open to greet him. "Eryon," she said, her voice filled with genuine affection.

The boy practically threw himself into her arms, wrapping her in a tight hug. "You're back! I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow!"

Jane laughed softly, brushing a hand through Eryon's hair. "I finished my mission early," she explained, her tone light. "I couldn't stay away too long—you'd miss me too much."

Eryon pulled back just enough to grin up at her. "Of course I would! You're my favorite person here!"

Jane's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, her hand still resting gently on his shoulder. "Well, I'm here now. And you… you've been getting into trouble again, haven't you?"

Eryon's grin widened, but he feigned innocence. "Me? Trouble? Never!"

Jane raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but her smile didn't waver. "We'll see about that."

Kael stayed rooted to his spot, watching the interaction from a distance. There was an ease between them, a natural camaraderie that spoke of years of familiarity. For a moment, he felt like an outsider peering into a world he didn't quite belong to. Yet, he couldn't look away.

Eryon pulled back from Jane's embrace, his excitement bubbling over as he began to chatter. "You won't believe it! I've been going on missions! Real ones!"

Jane tilted her head, a bemused smile spreading across her lips. "Missions, huh? And who's letting you run off on these 'real' missions?"

Eryon puffed out his chest, clearly proud of himself. "No one's 'letting' me, really. I've got a new friend! He's super cool, Jane. He's teaching me all kinds of things."

Jane arched an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "A new friend, huh? Should I be worried about what kind of influence this 'super cool' friend is having on you?"

Eryon laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, he's great! He's been teaching me how to handle myself better, you know? We even went out to the woods the other day and found this weird glowy thing. It was awesome!"

Jane's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "Weird glowy thing?" she repeated, her voice carefully even. "That doesn't sound entirely safe, Eryon."

Eryon waved her off, grinning. "It was fine! He was there with me, and he's super smart about that kind of stuff. I think he used to be part of some other group or something, but he doesn't talk about it much."

Jane crouched slightly, resting her hands on Eryon's shoulders to meet his gaze. "Listen to me, okay? Just because someone seems smart or strong doesn't mean you should follow them into dangerous situations without thinking it through first. Promise me you'll be careful."

Eryon's grin faltered for a moment, but he nodded earnestly. "I promise, Jane. I'll be careful."

She studied him for a long moment, her emerald eyes searching his face, before she smiled again and ruffled his hair. "Good. I'd hate to see anything happen to my favorite troublemaker."

Eryon's grin returned full force. "You don't have to worry about me, Jane! I've got it all under control."

Jane laughed softly, shaking her head. "I'll believe that when I see it."

As their conversation continued, Kael remained rooted to his spot, watching from the shadows. Eryon's exuberance and Jane's quiet strength were a stark contrast to the broken, decaying guild around them. For a fleeting moment, Kael allowed himself to feel the warmth of their connection, though it was accompanied by a sharp pang of something he couldn't quite name—regret, perhaps, or longing.

Jane's laugh carried across the courtyard, light and melodic, pulling Kael from his thoughts. He shifted slightly, the movement drawing Eryon's attention.

"Hey!" the boy called, turning toward him. "Come here! You've got to meet her!"

Kael hesitated, his chest tightening as Jane's gaze followed Eryon's. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Eryon's face lit up as he waved enthusiastically for Kael to join them. "Come on, don't just stand there!" he called, his voice full of excitement. "You've gotta meet Jane! She's the best, seriously."

Kael didn't move. His legs felt rooted to the ground, as though the weight of the moment was too much for him to carry forward. His eyes remained locked on Jane, who was now fully facing him, her emerald gaze steady and unflinching. There was no recognition in her expression, only a polite curiosity mixed with the faintest hint of caution.

Oblivious to Kael's hesitation, Eryon continued, his words spilling out in an unrelenting stream. "Jane, this is my new friend I was telling you about! He's amazing! He's been teaching me all kinds of stuff—like how to hold a sword properly, and how to stay calm in tough situations. And guess what? We even went to the archives together and found this crazy glowing thing. I don't even know what it was, but it was awesome!"

Jane tilted her head slightly, a small smile playing on her lips as she glanced back at Eryon. "Sounds like you've been keeping busy," she said, her voice warm but measured. "And it sounds like your new friend has been keeping you out of trouble—mostly."

"Mostly!" Eryon agreed with a grin. "But seriously, Jane, he's the coolest. You've got to talk to him. He's kind of quiet, but I think you'll like him. He's—" Eryon paused, searching for the right word. "He's different."

Kael's chest tightened at the word, his heart hammering against his ribs. Different. Yeah, that's one way to put it.

Still, he didn't move. His eyes remained fixed on Jane, drinking in every detail as though trying to memorize her all over again. The way the sunlight caught the auburn strands of her hair, the faint curve of her smile, the quiet confidence in her posture—it was all so achingly familiar yet impossibly distant. His throat tightened as unbidden memories began to surface, fragments of a life he had tried to leave behind.

Eryon, unaware of Kael's inner turmoil, kept talking. "You should have seen him in the archives, Jane. He figured out this glowing pedestal thing with all these runes on it. I mean, I thought it was just cool-looking, but he was all serious about it. Said it might be connected to something bigger. He's super smart—way smarter than anyone else around here."

Jane's smile softened, and she placed a hand on Eryon's shoulder. "Sounds like you've found yourself quite the mentor," she said, her tone light. "But you know you don't have to impress me with big words like 'pedestal,' right?"

Eryon laughed, his enthusiasm undiminished. "It's not about impressing you—it's about how awesome it was! You'd get it if you'd been there. He's the real deal, Jane. I'm telling you."

Kael's chest felt heavier with each word. He wanted to move, to speak, to do anything that might break the spell holding him in place. But the weight of Jane's gaze—curious but distant—kept him frozen. She was so close, yet she felt a world away.