Chapter Two

Cassiel soared through the heavens, her wings slicing effortlessly through the clouds. Around her, the other Virtues moved in harmony, their luminous forms a testament to the order and balance they were upholding. The expanse of Heaven stretched endlessly before them, bathed in a warm light that seemed to pulse with life itself.

Then, the light faltered.

A creeping shadow spread across the heavens, blotting out the radiance of light like the sun had been consumed. Cassiel slowed, her wings faltering as an unnatural chill swept through the sky. The air grew heavy, thick with dread, and her siblings' radiant forms dimmed, their light swallowed by the advancing darkness.

"Hold the line!" a sharp and commanding voice called. It was one of her brothers.

Cassiel turned toward the sound, straining to see through the growing gloom. But the faces of her siblings were obscured, reduced to faint outlines as the darkness closed in.

The light of her sword flared to life, casting a flickering glow in the suffocating shadows. She fought against the tide, her blade cutting through tendrils of darkness that writhed and hissed like living things. Around her, the battle raged, the clash of steel against shadow, the cries of her siblings, and the deep, guttural laughter of an unseen enemy that echoed from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Cassiel, behind you!"

She spun, but it was too late.

The darkness surged, and a massive wave of shadow slammed into her with the force of a falling star. It tore through her wings, stripping them of their light and leaving them broken. Cassiel cried out, her sword flickering in her grasp before the darkness coiled around it, extinguishing its flame.

She struggled, clawing at the shadows as they closed in around her. The light of Heaven faded completely, leaving her in an abyss so deep and all-encompassing that she couldn't tell where the void began or ended. The laughter grew louder, echoing in her ears, and she felt herself being pulled deeper into the suffocating blackness.

Her lungs burned, and her body was weighed down by an oppressive force she couldn't escape. She reached out, desperate to grasp a sibling's hand or find an anchor in the void. Still, there was nothing—only the cold, unyielding shadows dragging her into oblivion.

Cassiel awoke with a gasp, her chest heaving as she sat upright, clutching at her throat as though the darkness still lingered there. For a moment, she couldn't breathe, her heart pounding in her chest like a drumbeat.

Her eyes, wide, darted around the dim room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, wooden walls, a low ceiling, and shelves lined with jars of herbs and vials of tinctures. A faint glow from dying embers in the hearth cast flickering shadows, grounding her in reality.

Cassiel pressed a trembling hand to her forehead, willing herself to calm down. Her breathing slowed, though her body still trembled. The dream felt too real, each battle fragment vivid and raw. The memory of the suffocating darkness clawed at her mind, and she shuddered.

She glanced at her wings—or what remained of them. They lay limp behind her, broken and lifeless, a shadow of what they had been. Her body ached, and every movement was a reminder of her fall.

The room smelled faintly of pine and dried flowers, its simplicity grounding her further. She wasn't in the heavens. She wasn't in the void. But… where was she?

A sharp pang of worry jolted her. Alyna. The girl's face flashed in her mind, her wary but determined expression as she'd helped Cassiel through the forest.

Cassiel swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet meeting the cool wooden floor. She winced, steadying herself against the bedpost as the dull ache in her muscles flared. Rising, she crossed the small room to the window, her hand brushing the rough wood of the sill.

Outside, the light of early morning bathed the village in soft hues of gold. The simple wooden huts of Rothmoor stood clustered around a massive tree at the center, its towering trunk and sprawling branches dominating the landscape.

Villagers crept among the buildings, some carrying water, others tending small gardens. Cassiel's eyes scanned the scene, searching for Alyna. She wasn't there.

She found solace in the towering tree, its presence both comforting and imposing.

A realization settled over her. Alyna must have brought her here, carried her all the way to this village. Cassiel's heart tightened with gratitude. The girl had risked herself to save her.

"I have to find her," Cassiel murmured, her voice barely audible.

She turned from the window, resolve building in her chest. Whatever answers this village held, she wouldn't find them standing still.

Cassiel stepped out of the cottage, blinking as the morning sunlight caught her eyes. She raised a hand to shield her face, the brightness sharp and piercing in a way she wasn't accustomed to. The cool morning air carried the scents of earth and pine, grounding her as she took her first steps into the village of Rothmoor.

Life stirred quietly around her. Villagers drew water from a well, the rhythmic clatter of a bucket rising and falling breaking the calm. Nearby, a man was chopping wood efficiently, and each strike of his axe echoed through the trees. Hens clucked softly as they wandered between huts, their feathers ruffled in the breeze.

The village itself was small but alive, nestled comfortably within the forest. Wooden huts dotted the landscape, their thatched roofs blending into the dense greenery. In the center of it all stood a towering tree, its sprawling roots weaving into the ground like veins. Cassiel's gaze lingered on it briefly; its massive trunk seemed to breathe a quiet strength into the village as though it were the heart of this place.

As she moved through the square, she couldn't help but notice the subtle glances of the villagers. Some paused in their work to study her, their expressions cautious but curious. Others avoided her gaze entirely, their focus fixed on their tasks. Cassiel felt the weight of their attention but pressed on, her steps careful and deliberate.

Snippets of conversation drifted through the air, their tones hushed but not secretive.

"Game's been scarce this week. Barely caught anything worth cooking."

"The soil's drying faster than it should. We'll need to find new ways to stretch the rations."

"Do you think we've taken too much from the forest? Maybe that's why?"

Cassiel frowned slightly, her eyes scanning the village's edges. Small gardens showed signs of struggle, plants that appeared healthy at first glance were pale and thin, their leaves edged with yellow. The grass near the tree's roots looked brittle, patches of it dry despite the morning dew.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the bright sound of children's laughter. She turned to see a group playing near the Great Tree, their voices rising and falling in bursts of excitement.

"Watch this!" one of them declared, crouching down and growling dramatically.

The others erupted in giggles. "That's not scary!"

"Ofcourse it is!" the first child shot back, puffing out their chest. "I'm a monster!"

"No, you're not!" another laughed, pointing at them. "You're just stuck in the mud!"

The first child growled again, extending a hand toward the ground. Their brow furrowed, and for a moment, their fingers shimmered faintly. Fur sprouted along their knuckles, their nails elongating into short claws before disappearing in a blink.

The other children gasped, their laughter turning to awe.

"You did it!" one exclaimed.

"Barely though," another teased, but their smile was bright. "You looked like a kitten more than a monster!"

Cassiel's lips curved into a faint smile as she watched. The display had been small and fleeting, but it was enough to capture the wonder of the children around them.

Her presence went unnoticed until a girl turned and gasped.

"It's her!" she cried, pointing. "The lady with the wings!"

In an instant, all the children's attention shifted to Cassiel. They rushed toward her, their chatter overlapping in an excited chorus.

"Can you fly?"

"What's it like having wings?"

"Do they hurt?"

"Can you carry us?"

Cassiel blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. She lowered herself slightly, meeting the children's wide, curious eyes with a small, uncertain smile.

"Can I—?" she began, but the questions kept coming.

"Do you sleep with your wings?"

"Can you fly to the top of the Great Tree?"

"I bet you can fly higher than the birds!"

Cassiel raised a hand, her expression soft but firm. "One at a time," she said gently.

The children quieted, though their eager gazes remained fixed on her.

"Can you fly?" the girl who had first spoken repeated, her tone hushed with wonder.

Cassiel hesitated, her gaze shifting briefly to her wings. The broken feathers hung limply behind her, battered and lifeless. A flicker of sadness passed through her, but she forced it aside.

"Not right now," she said carefully. "My wings… are damaged."

The children exchanged glances, their excitement dimming slightly. "Will they get better?" one asked.

Cassiel smiled faintly, her tone warm but uncertain. "I hope so."

With that the children began to scatter back to their game, the boy who had partially shifted lingered, his expression thoughtful.

"Could you teach me how to control my gift?" he asked, quiet but earnest.

Cassiel blinked, caught off guard. Before she could respond, a kind voice spoke behind her.

"She needs to heal first, Auren," the man said. "Give her some time."

Cassiel turned to see an older man with a kind but weathered face approaching. His hair was streaked with silver, and his calm presence seemed to command respect without effort. He offered her a small smile before addressing the boy.

"Run along now. Your friends are waiting."

The boy hesitated, glancing at Cassiel one last time before running off.

The man turned to her, extending a hand in greeting. "I'm Eramus, the elder of this village," he said. It's a pleasure to meet you finally. Alyna has told me a little about how she found you."

Cassiel took his hand briefly, her gaze steady but wary. "Thank you for taking me in."

Eramus gestured toward the forest beyond the village. "If you're feeling up to it, there's a clearing nearby," he said. "It's quieter there and a good place to talk."

Cassiel glanced toward the towering tree one last time before nodding. "Lead the way."

Tall pines shaded the path leading out of Rothmoor, their branches weaving into a loose canopy that dappled the ground with soft sunlight. The air here was calmer and quieter, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth. Cassiel walked beside Eramus; her steps were careful as her body adjusted to the unfamiliar ache in her muscles.

Eramus walked quickly and steadily, his hands clasped behind his back. "You're recovering quickly," he remarked, glancing at her with a kind smile. Considering how Alyna found you, I wasn't sure you'd be up and about so soon."

Cassiel's gaze shifted to the uneven path beneath her feet. "I'm grateful for her help," she said quietly. "And yours."

"We take care of those in need," Eramus said simply. "It's what we've always done here. Though I'll admit, we don't get many strangers passing through Rothmoor these days."

Cassiel glanced at him, curious. "Why not?"

Eramus chuckled softly. "A few reasons, I suppose. For one, we're far from any main roads. Most travelers aren't willing to wander through the forest unless they have to." He paused, a faint note of humor in his voice. "And then there's the desert to the west—the Drylands. Bandits have made it their home, and anyone coming from that direction usually has more trouble on their hands than they can manage."

Cassiel tilted her head slightly. "That must make it difficult for the village."

"It has its challenges," Eramus admitted. "But the isolation also protects us."

They walked in silence, the soft rustling of leaves filling the air. Cassiel focused on the steady rhythm of their footsteps, the moment easing the weight of her thoughts.

The path eventually opened into a small clearing, where sunlight poured through the gaps in the canopy, bathing the ground in warm light. The air felt still, almost serene, and Cassiel paused as she stepped into the space.

"This is where I come to think," Eramus said, settling onto a fallen log at the edge of the clearing. "Sometimes, the weight of the village can feel heavy. Coming here helps me clear my head."

Cassiel followed, sitting beside him with quiet ease. "It must be a lot," she said softly. "Taking care of everyone, keeping things running."

"It can be," Eramus replied. "But I wouldn't have it any other way. Rothmoor is more than a village to me; it's family. Every person here matters."

Cassiel considered his words, her gaze drifting to the sunlight filtering through the trees. "No wonder Alyna helped me, she is a kind soul."

Eramus nodded. "She is. Alyna's always been careful, but she's never let that stop her from helping when it matters most."

Cassiel let his words settle, her hands brushing against the edges of the log.

Eramus studied her for a moment, his expression softening. "You're still carrying something," he said gently. "Something that worries you."

Cassiel blinked, startled by his observation. "How can you tell?"

Eramus smiled faintly. "It's part of my gift. I can sense how people feel."

Cassiel tilted her head, intrigued. "You can sense emotions?"

"Not exactly," Eramus clarified. "It's more like a feeling, a nudge in the right direction. It's not perfect, but it helps me understand when someone needs something, even if they aren't ready to say it aloud."

Cassiel's gaze dropped briefly to her hands. "That must be difficult at times."

"It can be; sometimes, people aren't ready to be helped and get defensive at the thought of someone knowing that they do," Eramus said. "But it's also a gift I'm grateful for. It has helped me assist my people and reminds me that we all carry burdens, whether we show them or not."

He leaned back slightly, his tone softening. "That's why I think you should visit the village's seer. She has a way of helping people untangle what's inside, seeing what they need, even if they don't know it themselves."

Cassiel frowned slightly. "Seer? Do you think she could help me?"

"I think it's worth a try," Eramus said. "I'll speak with her today so she's ready. She'll probably scold me for waiting this long to tell her about a new visitor, but I don't mind"

Cassiel's lips twitched into a faint smile. "She sounds… spirited."

Eramus groaned dramatically, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. "Spirited is a kind way to put it. Let's just say she has her own way of doing things. I'll take care of the introductions. In the meantime, take the day to rest or explore the village. You'll need your strength for when she starts asking questions."

"Thank you, Eramus," she said.

"It's no trouble," he replied, offering her a warm smile. "The forest has a way of helping people find what they need in its own time. You'll see."

The clearing held a quiet stillness that seemed to stretch time itself. Cassiel remained seated on the fallen log, her hands resting lightly on her lap, while Eramus gazed at the shafts of sunlight streaming through the trees.

"You picked a good spot," she said softly, her tone carrying a note of warmth.

Eramus chuckled lightly. "It has its charm, doesn't it? It reminds me to breathe when things feel… heavy."

Cassiel nodded, letting her gaze wander over the serene space. The forest felt alive but not overwhelming; its quiet hum was a soothing balm against the chaos in her thoughts.

After a moment, Eramus straightened with a faint groan, brushing his hands against his knees as he stood. "Well, I should head back. The village waits for no one, not even the elder."

Cassiel looked up at him, tilting her head slightly. "Do you need me to go with you?"

Eramus shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Not at all. Take your time here if you'd like. The forest is good for the soul." He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Do you remember the way back?"

Cassiel rose to her feet. "I think so. It's a straight path, isn't it?"

"It is," Eramus confirmed. "And if you wander off, the villagers will find you before the forest does. Just listen for the sound of the well or the children playing—they're good landmarks."

Cassiel hesitated for a moment before asking, "What about Alyna? Is she in the village?"

Eramus shook his head. "She left with the hunters at dawn. Game's been scarce lately, so they've had to venture deeper into the forest. It's hard work, but Alyna's one of the best. She has a knack for it."

Cassiel frowned slightly. "Isn't it dangerous?"

"It can be," Eramus admitted. "But Alyna knows the risks. She's quick on her feet and sharp enough to avoid trouble. They'll be back by dusk if all goes well."

Cassiel nodded slowly, the weight of his words settling in her mind. "I'll wait to speak with her later, then."

Eramus' smile returned warm and reassuring. "Good. In the meantime, explore the village. The people here may seem wary initially, but they'll warm up to you. They're curious about new faces, even if they don't always show it."

Cassiel allowed herself a faint smile in return. "Thank you, Eramus. For everything."

"It's no trouble," he said with a gentle wave of his hand. "Take care, Cassiel. And remember, you're not alone here."

He turned and returned to the village. Cassiel watched him disappear into the trees.

Alone now, she looked around the clearing again, letting the tranquility seep into her. The forest, though unfamiliar, held a strange sense of calm that she couldn't quite identify.

After a moment, she took a deep breath and began retracing her steps toward the village, her thoughts shifting to what she'd do when she got there.