A Flicker in the Dark

The last echoes of the Whispering Valley faded behind them, but Emma could still feel the cold weight of the whispers in her bones. She shivered, rubbing her arms as she followed Rahi up the winding forest path.

Neither of them had spoken since leaving the valley.

Emma wanted to say something—to ask about his brother, to say she was sorry—but Rahi walked ahead, his face unreadable, his usual smugness replaced by something colder.

So she stayed quiet.

They traveled for hours, the terrain becoming rockier as they moved into higher ground. The trees thinned, replaced by jagged cliffs and winding trails that twisted toward the distant mountains.

By midday, the sun hung high in the sky, its warmth a welcome contrast to the valley's eerie cold.

"We'll stop here," Rahi finally said, motioning toward a small stream running alongside the path.

Emma didn't argue. She dropped to the ground, stretching her sore legs as she cupped her hands in the cool water.

She splashed some on her face, sighing. "How much farther?"

Rahi leaned against a nearby boulder, watching the sky. "If we keep this pace, we'll reach the temple in two days."

Emma wiped her face. "And you think it'll have the answers I need?"

Rahi met her gaze. "If you're looking for the truth about the stones, that's where you'll find it."

The truth.

The word sent a thrill of anticipation through her.

She had been running ever since her mother gave her the stones. Running from the Eclipse King's men, from the danger she didn't fully understand.

But now, she was finally moving toward something.

She took a deep breath. "Then let's keep moving."

____________________________________________________________

Nightfall

By the time the sun had set, they had reached the edge of the mountains. The land stretched below them in rolling hills and forests, the distant lights of villages flickering like stars in the darkness.

Rahi had found a small cave for them to camp in—a shallow rock formation, just big enough to shield them from the cold mountain wind.

Emma sat by the fire, turning the Ruby Stone between her fingers. She still didn't fully understand it. The way the fire responded to her… like it was alive.

She held out her hand, concentrating.

The stone pulsed.

A flicker of flame sparked to life in her palm, dancing softly in the night air.

She smiled. It was getting easier.

"You're improving."

Emma glanced up. Rahi sat across from her, sharpening his dagger. His silver eyes reflected the firelight, unreadable as always.

Emma let the flame fade, leaning back on her elbows. "I guess I have a good teacher."

Rahi smirked. "Obviously."

Emma rolled her eyes. "You could just say 'thank you.'"

Rahi chuckled but didn't respond. The fire crackled between them, filling the silence.

After a moment, Emma spoke again.

"Back in the valley," she said carefully, "you mentioned your brother."

Rahi's expression didn't change, but she noticed the slight way his fingers tightened around the dagger.

She hesitated. "What happened to him?"

For a long time, she thought he wouldn't answer.

Then—

"He was taken," Rahi said quietly.

Emma's breath caught. "By the Eclipse King?"

Rahi nodded, his gaze distant. "We were just kids. He was older—stronger. When the Eclipse King's army came to our village, he fought back."

Emma's chest tightened. "And they took him?"

Rahi's jaw clenched. "They don't kill those with potential. They take them."

Emma shivered. "Is he… still alive?"

Rahi exhaled, staring into the flames. "I don't know."

The fire crackled between them.

Emma had seen glimpses of Rahi's arrogance, his smirks, his calm sarcasm—but this was different. This was something deeper.

A wound that had never healed.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

Rahi didn't look at her, but he gave a small nod. "Get some rest. We leave at dawn."

Emma watched him for a moment longer, then sighed and lay down, wrapping her cloak around herself.

As she closed her eyes, she made a silent promise.

If Rahi's brother was still out there… she would help him find him.