Chapter 6: The Academy’s Threshold

Selune stood at the gates of the Starlit Academy, her violet eyes wide with awe as she took in the grandeur of the institution. The towering spires of the academy reached toward the sky, their golden tips glinting in the sunlight. The massive double doors were carved with intricate designs of stars, flames, and swirling winds, symbols of the Inner Gods who presided over the school. Students bustled around her, their voices filled with excitement and nervous energy as they made their way inside.

She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, her heart racing as she took a deep breath. This was it—the beginning of her journey. The journey Eryndra had prepared her for. The thought of the Outer God brought a small smile to her lips, her fingers brushing against the faintly glowing runes on her wrist. Eryndra had been with her every step of the way, guiding her, protecting her, and teaching her how to harness her divine power. And now, she was here, ready to take the next step.

But as she stepped through the gates and into the bustling courtyard, a wave of nervousness washed over her. The other students seemed so confident, so sure of themselves. They laughed and chatted with ease, their voices filled with excitement as they discussed their hopes and dreams for the academy. Selune, on the other hand, felt out of place. She had spent most of her life isolated, her only companion the voice of a goddess who spoke to her from the void. She wasn't used to being around so many people.

She glanced around, her violet eyes searching for a place where she could gather her thoughts. Spotting a sign for the restrooms, she quickly made her way inside, her footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor. The bathroom was empty, the faint scent of lavender filling the air as she stepped up to the mirror.

Selune stared at her reflection, her silver hair falling in soft waves around her face. Her violet eyes shimmered with a quiet strength, the faint glow of her runes visible even in the dim light. She looked… different. Stronger. More confident. But still, the nervousness lingered, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest.

"You've come so far, Selune," she whispered to herself, her voice soft but filled with determination. "You can do this."

As she spoke, she felt a familiar presence behind her, a warmth that sent a shiver down her spine. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as she felt hands gently encircle her neck. Her eyes widened, her reflection in the mirror showing the figure standing behind her.

Eryndra.

The Outer God stood in her incarnate form, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight and her galaxy-like eyes filled with a tender warmth. Her runes glowed faintly, casting a soft light on Selune's reflection as she leaned down, her lips brushing against the girl's ear.

"You're nervous," Eryndra whispered, her voice soft and melodic, filled with a tenderness that made Selune's heart race. "But you don't need to be. You're stronger than you think, Selune. And I'll always be here to protect you."

Selune's cheeks flushed, her hands trembling slightly as she reached up to touch Eryndra's hands. "I… I know," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's just… so much. All these people… I don't know how to…"

Eryndra's hands tightened slightly, her grip firm but gentle as she pulled Selune into a hug. The girl's breath hitched, her heart racing as she felt the warmth of Eryndra's body against hers. The Outer God's presence was overwhelming, her power and love enveloping Selune like a protective cocoon.

"You don't need to know how to be like them," Eryndra said softly, her voice filled with reassurance. "You're not like them, Selune. You're special. You're my chosen one. And I'll always be here to guide you."

Selune's eyes filled with tears, her hands clutching at Eryndra's arms as she leaned into the hug. She had never felt so safe, so loved. Eryndra's presence was a constant in her life, a source of strength and comfort that she had come to rely on. And now, standing here in the bathroom of the Starlit Academy, she felt that same comfort, that same love.

But the moment was shattered by the sound of the bathroom door opening. Selune froze, her eyes widening as she saw a girl step inside. The girl paused, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene before her—Selune standing in front of the mirror, her cheeks flushed and her eyes filled with tears, and Eryndra standing behind her, her galaxy-like eyes glowing with a fierce intensity.

"Uh… am I interrupting something?" the girl asked, her voice filled with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

Eryndra's eyes narrowed, her grip on Selune tightening as she turned to face the girl. Her runes glowed brighter, the air around her crackling with power as she took a step forward. "Leave," she said, her voice low and filled with a dangerous edge. "Now."

The girl's eyes widened, her face paling as she took a step back. "I… I was just—"

"I don't care what you were doing," Eryndra interrupted, her voice cold and filled with anger. "Leave. Or I'll wipe your existence from this world."

The girl's breath hitched, her hands trembling as she quickly turned and fled the bathroom, the door slamming shut behind her. Selune stared after her, her heart racing as she turned to look at Eryndra.

"Eryndra…" she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and awe. "You didn't have to…"

"Yes, I did," Eryndra said, her voice softening as she turned back to Selune. "No one gets to interrupt us. No one gets to take you away from me."

Selune's cheeks flushed, her hands trembling as she reached up to touch Eryndra's face. The Outer God's galaxy-like eyes softened, her runes glowing faintly as she leaned into Selune's touch.

"I'll always protect you, Selune," Eryndra whispered, her voice filled with a fierce love. "No matter what."

Selune nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude as she leaned into Eryndra's embrace. But the moment was fleeting, the sound of the academy's bells ringing out, signaling the start of the entrance ceremony.

Eryndra sighed, her hands gently cupping Selune's face as she leaned down to press a soft kiss to the girl's forehead. "Go," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth. "Your journey is just beginning, Selune. And I'll be watching over you every step of the way."

Selune nodded, her violet eyes filled with determination as she stepped back. Eryndra's form began to fade, her runes glowing brighter before she disappeared, leaving Selune alone in the bathroom.

The girl took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she straightened her dress and smoothed her hair. She glanced at her reflection one last time, her violet eyes filled with a quiet strength.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself, her voice filled with determination. "For Eryndra."

With that, she turned and made her way out of the bathroom, her footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor as she headed toward the auditorium. The entrance ceremony was about to begin, and Selune was ready to take the next step in her journey.