Chapter 8: The Void’s Whisper

The void was silent, a vast expanse of darkness punctuated by the faint glow of distant stars. Eryndra Veylith sat on a throne of swirling cosmic energy, her galaxy-like eyes fixed on the mortal world below. Her silver hair shimmered like moonlight, the faint runes etched across her skin glowing softly as she watched Selune in the classroom.

The girl was seated near the middle of the room, her violet eyes focused intently on the teacher as she scribbled notes in a small notebook. Her silver hair caught the light, framing her face like a halo, and her faintly glowing runes pulsed with a quiet strength. Eryndra's heart swelled with pride as she watched her, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Selune," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the emptiness of the void. Her fingers twitched, as if she could reach out and touch the girl, feel the warmth of her skin and the softness of her hair. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she leaned forward, her gaze never leaving Selune's form.

"You're so beautiful," Eryndra murmured, her voice filled with a tender longing. "So strong, so determined. You've come so far, my love. And I'll always be here to watch over you."

She traced the outline of Selune's figure with her finger, her runes glowing brighter as she imagined the girl in her arms. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, her heart racing with a mixture of love and possessiveness. Selune was hers. Hers alone. And no one—no god, no mortal, no force in the universe—would ever take her away.

Eryndra's thoughts were interrupted by a soft, melodic voice echoing through the void. "You've changed, Eryndra."

The Outer God turned, her galaxy-like eyes narrowing as she saw Neryssa the Abyssal Song approaching. The other Outer God's form was as ethereal as ever, her shimmering blue-green skin and flowing water-like hair giving her an otherworldly beauty. Her deep ocean eyes glimmered with curiosity as she stopped a few feet away, her gaze fixed on Eryndra.

"What do you want, Neryssa?" Eryndra asked, her voice cold and filled with a dangerous edge. She didn't like being interrupted, especially when she was watching Selune.

Neryssa tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm just here to talk," she said, her voice soft and melodic, like the whisper of waves against the shore. "You've been… different lately. Ever since you met that mortal girl."

Eryndra's runes glowed brighter, her flames flickering in the void as she stood, her galaxy-like eyes burning with intensity. "Careful, Neryssa," she said, her voice low and filled with warning. "You're treading on dangerous ground."

Neryssa held up her hands, her expression calm and unbothered. "I meant no offense," she said. "I'm just curious. You've always been so… detached. So focused on power and dominance. But now… you're different. You're softer. More… human."

Eryndra's flames burned brighter, her runes pulsing with a furious light as she took a step forward. "If you've come here to insult me—"

"I'm not insulting you," Neryssa interrupted, her voice firm but calm. "I'm just stating the truth. You've changed, Eryndra. And I want to know why."

Eryndra's gaze softened slightly, her flames flickering as she glanced back at Selune. The girl was still focused on her notes, her silver hair falling over her face as she scribbled something in her notebook. A faint blush spread across Eryndra's cheeks as she watched her, her heart swelling with love and pride.

"She's… special," Eryndra said softly, her voice filled with a tenderness that surprised even herself. "She's strong, determined, and beautiful. She's everything I've ever wanted, Neryssa. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect her."

Neryssa's eyes widened slightly, her expression softening as she watched Eryndra. "I see," she said, her voice filled with understanding. "You've found someone worth fighting for."

Eryndra nodded, her gaze never leaving Selune. "She's mine," she said, her voice filled with a fierce possessiveness. "And I'll destroy anyone who tries to take her away from me."

Neryssa was silent for a moment, her deep ocean eyes glimmering with thought. Finally, she sighed, her expression turning serious. "I understand," she said. "But there's something you should know. Zorynth is planning another war."

Eryndra's flames flickered, her runes glowing brighter as she turned to face Neryssa. "What?" she asked, her voice filled with anger. "After what happened last time?"

Neryssa nodded, her expression grim. "He's been gathering allies, strengthening his forces. He wants to challenge the Inner Gods again, and he wants us to join him."

Eryndra's runes pulsed with a furious light, her flames burning brighter as she clenched her fists. "That fool," she muttered, her voice filled with disdain. "Doesn't he realize we're not strong enough to win?"

"He thinks we are," Neryssa said, her voice calm but firm. "And he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Eryndra was silent for a moment, her galaxy-like eyes burning with intensity as she processed Neryssa's words. Finally, she sighed, her flames flickering as she turned back to Selune. "Let him try," she said, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "I have more important things to worry about."

Neryssa's eyes widened slightly, her expression softening as she watched Eryndra. "You're really serious about her, aren't you?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and admiration.

Eryndra nodded, her gaze never leaving Selune. "She's everything to me," she said, her voice filled with a fierce love. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

Neryssa was silent for a moment, her deep ocean eyes glimmering with thought. Finally, she sighed, her expression turning serious. "Just be careful, Eryndra," she said, her voice filled with concern. "Zorynth isn't the only one who's noticed your… changes. The other gods are watching you. And they're not all as understanding as I am."

Eryndra's runes glowed brighter, her flames flickering as she turned to face Neryssa. "Let them watch," she said, her voice filled with a dangerous edge. "They can try to stop me if they want. But they'll regret it."

Neryssa nodded, her expression softening as she turned to leave. "Good luck, Eryndra," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "And… take care of her."

Eryndra watched as Neryssa disappeared into the void, her flames flickering as she turned back to Selune. The girl was still focused on her notes, her violet eyes filled with determination as she scribbled something in her notebook. A faint blush spread across Eryndra's cheeks as she watched her, her heart swelling with love and pride.

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