Chapter 77: Beneath the Starlit Falls

Third Person's POV

Lady Sylwen eventually halted their exploration, her serene yet firm presence signaling that it was time to move on.

"That is enough for now," she said gently.

"The midday feast awaits, and it would be unwise to keep our hosts waiting."

At the mention of food, Khael's face lit up instantly.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, his energy seemingly restored at the thought of a proper meal. He practically radiated enthusiasm, his earlier fatigue from training forgotten.

Tyra chuckled, adjusting the broad sword strapped to her back. "You really are predictable, Khael."

Selene smirked, shaking her head as they started walking toward the sacred hall. "He's still a growing boy."

Faelar, who had been strolling leisurely behind them, stretched his arms dramatically.

"Ah, what a fortunate day! A tour and a grand feast all in one morning! Truly, the hospitality of Viridwyn is unparalleled."

Axel sighed, though there was no real irritation in his voice. "You do realize you weren't actually invited?"

Faelar placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. "Dear Axel, must you wound me so? I was your guide, was I not? Surely I deserve a seat at the table?"

Lady Sylwen, who had been leading them, merely sighed. "You may stay, Faelar. But do behave yourself."

As they arrived at the sacred hall, the grand doors of woven branches once again parted for them, revealing a beautifully arranged feast laid out beneath the glowing canopy.

The scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and fragrant herbs filled the air, making Khael's stomach grumble audibly.

"This is amazing!" Khael said, his eyes wide as he took in the spread before them.

A soft chuckle drifted from behind him. "You seem rather fond of food."

Khael turned sharply, startled to find Lyrielle standing just a step behind him, observing him with mild amusement.

Her pale eyes shimmered with an unreadable light, and though she maintained her usual composed expression, there was a distinct trace of amusement in her voice.

Khael cleared his throat, slightly flustered.

"Uh—well, yeah. Food's great. I mean, who doesn't like food?" He fumbled for words, suddenly very aware of Lyrielle's presence.

She tilted her head ever so slightly, as if studying him.

"It is a simple joy, isn't it?"

Lady Sylwen approached, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "Lyrielle, you should not wander."

The seer turned to her guardian with an impassive expression. "I was merely curious."

"Curiosity is not always safe," Lady Sylwen reminded her gently but firmly.

"Come, let us all be seated."

The group settled around the long wooden table, where the elves had already taken their places.

Despite Faelar's uninvited presence, none of the hosts objected. The food was bountiful, and the hall was filled with the gentle hum of conversation and the occasional laughter.

As the meal began, Khael wasted no time digging in, completely immersed in his plate.

Lyrielle, seated across from him, observed quietly, an amused glint in her eyes. Though she made no comment, she found herself oddly entertained by his childlike enthusiasm.

Selene, watching the interaction, leaned toward Axel and whispered, "I think the seer finds him amusing."

Axel glanced at the two before shaking his head with a smirk. "Khael's oblivious as always."

As they ate, discussions about Viridwyn, its history, and the trials ahead filled the air, but for a moment, the weight of their journey seemed a little lighter, replaced by the warmth of good food and quiet camaraderie.

The conversation had been light at first, filled with comments about the food and the splendor of the hall, but Faelar's sharp gaze kept darting toward Axel and Selene.

Finally, after a few moments of quiet contemplation, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as he grinned mischievously.

"So," he started, his tone casual yet tinged with curiosity.

"I've been wondering about something since I first saw you two."

Selene, who had been mid-sip of her drink, paused slightly, already sensing where this was going.

Axel, on the other hand, remained as composed as ever, though his sharp eyes flicked toward Faelar in mild warning.

Faelar, undeterred, continued, "What exactly is your relationship? I mean, it's quite obvious you're close. And Axel here—" he gestured with his fork,

"—doesn't strike me as the type to fuss over just anyone. But with you, Selene, he's different. Protective, even when he pretends not to be."

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, silence stretched across the table. Selene blinked, caught off guard, while Tyra smirked into her cup, enjoying the sudden shift in attention.

Khael, mouth still full, paused mid-chew, looking between Selene and Axel with wide, curious eyes. Even Lyrielle's head tilted slightly, waiting for the answer.

Axel sighed, setting down his utensils with a deliberate slowness. He gave Faelar a long, unreadable look before speaking. "And if we are together?"

Faelar's grin widened. "Ah, so you admit it! I knew it." He turned to Selene.

"You must have an interesting story. How does one get someone like Axel to open up?"

Selene, finally regaining her composure, set her drink down and crossed her arms. "I didn't 'get' him to do anything. It just… happened."

Faelar leaned in, clearly intrigued. "Just happened? That's hardly a satisfying answer. Surely there's more to it."

Selene gave him a flat look. "You ask too many questions."

"That's what makes me so charming," he said with a wink.

Axel, unimpressed, simply resumed eating.

"It's not a secret," he finally said. "We've been through a lot together. That's all there is to it."

Faelar hummed, resting his chin on his hand.

"Through a lot together, huh?" He glanced at Selene, then at Axel, and then back at Selene.

"I suppose that's answer enough… for now."

The tension in the air eased as Tyra chuckled, shaking her head.

"Faelar, if you don't stop prying, you might find yourself regretting it."

"Oh, but it's so fascinating," Faelar replied, grinning.

"Besides, I like understanding people. And these two? Quite the pair."

Selene sighed, shaking her head, while Axel merely continued eating as if the entire conversation had been nothing but background noise.

But there was no denying it—Faelar had stirred something in the air, something that left lingering glances and unspoken words between them.

The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the elven city as the group made their way back to their quarters.

The air was still thick with the awkwardness of Faelar's earlier question, though the elf himself seemed completely unbothered by the moment he had created.

Just as they reached their lodging, Axel turned to Selene, his voice calm but purposeful. "Do you want to explore the city with me?"

Selene blinked at him, slightly surprised by the sudden invitation. "Just the two of us?"

Faelar, ever the opportunist, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Oh? A private outing? Now this is interesting."

Selene rolled her eyes while Axel merely gave Faelar a pointed look before turning back to her, waiting for an answer.

Selene, after a moment of consideration, nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

Faelar clasped his hands together dramatically. "Ah, young love! How wonderful! Don't mind me; I'll just go back and tell the others that our dear Axel and Selene have abandoned us for a romantic escapade."

Axel sighed, deciding to ignore him entirely.

"You all go ahead. We'll catch up later."

Khael, uninterested in Faelar's teasing, was already half-asleep on his feet and simply waved them off, while Tyra muttered something about keeping an eye on Faelar before dragging him along with the rest.

Once the others had disappeared, Axel turned to Selene again. "Come on. There's a place Lady Sylwen mentioned."

Selene followed him through the winding paths of the elven city, marveling at how seamlessly nature and civilization intertwined.

Flowers bloomed from archways, vines curled around crystal-like lanterns, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh rain and earth.

Yet, even with all its beauty, her eyes remained fixed on Axel's figure in front of her. It had been so long since they had time alone together—just the two of them, without battles, without responsibilities pressing on their shoulders.

They finally arrived at a secluded place hidden deep within the enchanted groves—a waterfall cascading into a crystalline pool, its surface adorned with floating, luminescent flowers.

The petals glowed softly, casting a dreamlike shimmer across the water. Fireflies flitted through the air, their golden lights reflecting off the mist that rose from the waterfall's gentle descent.

The air smelled of fresh rain and blooming wildflowers, the soft hum of nature wrapping around them like a lullaby.

Selene exhaled in awe, stepping closer as her fingers brushed against the delicate petals of a flower resting on the water's surface.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet wonder.

Axel watched her, the corners of his lips curving into the smallest of smiles. "It reminded me of you."

Selene turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting his. "Me?"

Axel nodded, kneeling at the water's edge and letting his fingers skim over the surface.

The ripples spread outward, disturbing the perfect reflection of the night sky. "When I first met you, you were unpredictable, untamed… like water flowing however it pleased. But even then, there was always something peaceful about you. Something grounding. Like this place."

Selene sat beside him, hugging her knees to her chest. The warmth of his presence next to her was comforting.

"That's poetic of you,"she mused, a teasing lilt in her voice.

Axel chuckled. "I can be poetic when I want to be."

She smiled, shaking her head. "I remember thinking you were weird when we first met."

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Weird?"

She grinned. "You were quiet but always hovering around. At first, I thought you were a bit of a creep."

Axel let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "A creep?"

"But," she added quickly, her smile softening

"I never once felt unsafe around you. Even when I didn't know you well, there was this… unexplainable comfort. And I didn't realize until much later that it was because, deep down, I knew you'd never leave me."

Axel didn't say anything. He just listened, as he always did, as if every word she spoke was the only thing that mattered in the world. His silence had always been something she understood—it was never empty, never lacking.

It was his way of being present, of making her feel heard in a way words never could.

Selene turned to him, her expression softer.

"Back on Earth, when I was blind… you were always there. Even when I felt useless, even when I thought I had lost everything. You never let me fall. Not once."

Axel finally looked at her, his blue eyes reflecting the gentle light of the glowing flowers. "Because I never will."

The weight of those words settled between them, thick with meaning. The past, the pain, the battles—all of it faded into the background.

All that remained was the quiet certainty between them.

Selene swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart pounding. She had said many things to Axel, but there was one thing she had rarely ever spoken aloud.

Not because she didn't feel it, but because sometimes words felt too small for something so vast.

Still, she needed to say it.

"I love you."

Axel's breath hitched, but his expression didn't falter. Slowly, he reached out, brushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her cheek for a moment before he murmured, "I love you too."

It was so simple, so quiet. Yet, it felt as if the entire world had stilled around them.

Selene leaned into him, and Axel wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear, feel the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed her in.

No battles, no curses, no past burdens—just them, in this moment, existing together in a love that had endured everything.

Axel pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as he whispered, "You are the reason I fight, the reason I keep going. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Because I can't imagine a world without you in it."

Selene smiled, her eyes shining as she reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Then you'll never have to. Because no matter what happens, I'm staying by your side."

The waterfall continued to sing its gentle song, the flowers glowing softly around them, bearing witness to the quiet promise that neither of them needed to speak aloud—that their love, through everything, was unshakable.

For the first time in a long time, they weren't warriors. They weren't running from fate. They were just two people who had found each other, and that was enough.

To be continued.