《Threads of Eternity》 Chapter 1: Whispers of the Forgotten Elara Solen pressed her hand against the cool stone wall of the library archive. The dim light from the overhead fixtures cast long shadows over the rows of ancient tomes and manuscripts, but her focus was on the crumbling map before her. Its edges were frayed with time, and faded ink whispered the name of an ancient kingdom long buried under layers of history. "Caledris," she murmured, her voice breaking the silence of the room. The name felt familiar in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. She could almost hear the echo of her own voice saying it before, not here, not now, but in some other time. "Burning the midnight oil again, Solen?" Elara flinched at the interruption, her fingers twitching as she quickly pulled back from the map. She turned to see Dr. Kessler, her department chair, leaning against the doorway with a cup of coffee in hand. "Something like that," she replied, forcing a smile. "Just... following a lead." Dr. Kessler chuckled, a warm, fatherly sound. "You always are. But you know, most people your age are out living their lives on a Friday night, not chasing down myths." Elara shrugged, her smile fading as she glanced back at the map. "Maybe myths are all I have." He frowned at her tone but said nothing more, only nodding before retreating, leaving her alone with her thoughts once again. She sighed, running a hand through her unruly hair. This wasn¡¯t the first time someone had made a comment like that, and she doubted it would be the last. But how could she explain the restlessness that clawed at her? The dreams that woke her up in the middle of the night with her heart pounding, her breath stolen by phantom images of faces and places she didn¡¯t recognize but somehow knew? It had started years ago¡ªfragments of a castle on a hill, a hand reaching for hers, a voice whispering her name. But in the last few months, the dreams had intensified, growing clearer, more vivid. They left her with a peculiar ache, as if her soul were grieving something long lost.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. She stared at the map again, her eyes tracing the contours of the drawn mountains and rivers. Caledris. Why did it feel so important? She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. It was just another research project, she told herself. Nothing more. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts. ¡°Hey, El,¡± came the familiar voice of her best friend, Rina, on the other end. ¡°You still at work? Want to grab a drink? I found this place with a band I think you¡¯ll like.¡± Elara hesitated, glancing back at the map. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Rina. I¡ª¡± ¡°You can bring your research notes. Nerd out all you want. Just get out of that dusty archive for once.¡± Elara laughed softly, the sound lighter than she¡¯d felt all evening. ¡°Fine, fine. Text me the address. I¡¯ll meet you there.¡± As she packed her bag, her fingers brushed against the map again. She hesitated, then rolled it up and tucked it carefully into her satchel. She told herself it was just in case she needed something to talk about. But deep down, she knew she couldn¡¯t leave it behind. The bar was alive with sound, the rhythmic thrum of a bass guitar vibrating through the air. Elara slipped into the booth Rina had claimed, her satchel resting on the seat beside her. ¡°Told you this place was cool,¡± Rina said, grinning as she slid a drink across the table. Elara smiled, but her attention drifted. Her gaze swept over the crowd, and for a moment, she froze. Across the room, a man stood near the edge of the stage. His back was to her, but something about him made her heart skip a beat. He turned slightly, and she caught a glimpse of his profile¡ªsharp jawline, dark hair, piercing blue eyes that seemed to cut through the haze of the room. She didn¡¯t know him. She was sure of that. And yet, her chest tightened as if she¡¯d been holding her breath for a lifetime. ¡°El?¡± Rina¡¯s voice jolted her back. ¡°You okay?¡± Elara blinked, shaking her head. ¡°Yeah. Just thought I saw someone I knew.¡± But she couldn¡¯t look away. Something about him was drawing her in, an invisible thread pulling taut between them. The man¡¯s gaze suddenly swept the room, landing on her. Their eyes locked, and for an instant, the world around her seemed to fall away. She felt it then¡ªthe overwhelming rush of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, the sense of time folding in on itself. Images flashed in her mind: a battle-worn sword, a field of wildflowers, a pair of hands reaching out, desperate to hold on. And then he looked away, the connection severed as quickly as it had formed. Elara exhaled shakily, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn¡¯t know who he was or why he felt so familiar. But she was certain of one thing: her life would never be the same again. Chapter 2: A Flicker of the Past The bar pulsed with the beat of the music, the bass vibrating in Elara¡¯s chest as she sipped her drink, her attention not fully on the conversation with Rina. It had shifted, unconsciously, toward the man near the stage. He was standing there, a figure in the crowd, but there was something about him that wouldn¡¯t let her look away. He was just another face in a room full of strangers, but the way he carried himself¡ªthe quiet confidence, the intensity in his eyes¡ªit felt like she¡¯d seen him before. She shook her head slightly, trying to refocus on the conversation, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him. The man had turned briefly, and for a split second, their eyes had met. She had quickly looked away, a warm flush creeping up her neck. ¡°What¡¯s with you?¡± Rina¡¯s voice pulled her back to the present, sharp but laced with concern. Elara blinked, a bit disoriented. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been zoning out for the past ten minutes,¡± Rina pointed out, her eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Elara. ¡°And you¡¯re staring at that guy. If you want him to notice you, maybe you should, you know, talk to him.¡± Elara could feel her face heat up. ¡°I¡¯m not staring at him.¡± She cleared her throat awkwardly, but it was no use¡ªRina had caught her. ¡°You¡¯re totally staring at him,¡± Rina teased, grinning mischievously. ¡°It¡¯s cute, but c¡¯mon, just go for it. If not for you, then for the drama of it all.¡± Elara smiled weakly, though a tiny, nervous laugh slipped out. ¡°I don¡¯t even know him.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to know him. That¡¯s the point.¡± Rina leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a playful whisper. ¡°Besides, you¡¯ve got that whole ¡®I¡¯m too mysterious to talk to¡¯ vibe going. He¡¯s probably dying to find out more.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Elara frowned, though she couldn¡¯t suppress the thought that her friend might be right, at least about the mysterious vibe. There was something about this man¡ªsomething off, but in a way that was strangely familiar. Her gaze flicked back to the man across the room. He was still near the stage, his eyes now scanning the room, and when they met hers again, it felt as if the rest of the world blurred away for a moment. She stiffened. No, she wasn¡¯t imagining it. There was recognition there, like a thread connecting them across some invisible divide. Her chest tightened, a mix of excitement and fear she didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Rina asked again, noticing the sudden change in Elara¡¯s expression. ¡°I¡ª¡± Elara opened her mouth but couldn¡¯t quite form the words. What could she say? That she was feeling something she couldn¡¯t explain? Something that went beyond the simple chemistry of meeting a stranger in a bar? ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she finally said, though it sounded more like a question than an answer. She didn¡¯t want to say anything out loud. What if it didn¡¯t make sense? Rina, ever the intuitive one, didn¡¯t push, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes. ¡°You sure? ¡®Cause you¡¯re looking at him like he¡¯s the last piece of chocolate cake in the fridge.¡± Elara managed a small laugh, but it was hollow. She couldn¡¯t seem to pull herself out of the feeling that was gripping her chest. Something was calling her to him, an invisible pull that didn¡¯t make sense in the rational world she usually inhabited. And then, before she could second-guess herself, Elara stood up. Her legs moved almost of their own accord, carrying her toward the man. She had no idea what she was going to say, but every step felt like it was leading her somewhere important. As she neared, the noise of the bar seemed to fade away, leaving only the soft thrum of her heartbeat and the pounding of her thoughts. The man was facing her now, his gaze meeting hers once again, this time with no intention of looking away. His eyes were so piercing¡ªso familiar¡ªthat for a moment, it was as though she was looking at someone she¡¯d known for years, not a stranger in a crowded bar. When she reached him, she stopped, her breath caught in her throat. ¡°Hi,¡± she managed to say, her voice soft, almost unsure, as if she were testing the waters. For a brief second, he said nothing. He just looked at her with an expression she couldn¡¯t quite place. It wasn¡¯t surprise, exactly¡ªmore like recognition. As if he¡¯d been waiting for this moment, too. He opened his mouth to speak, but his voice came out low, just above a whisper. ¡°I knew you¡¯d come.¡± Elara blinked, her pulse quickening. The words stirred something deep inside her, something ancient and unspoken. She hadn¡¯t been expecting that, but somehow, it felt right. Like this moment had already happened before. Before she could respond, the sound of the music returned in full force, and she felt her thoughts scatter. But the weight of his gaze stayed with her, pulling her deeper into something she didn¡¯t yet understand. Chapter 3: Echoes of the Unknown
Elara stared at the man in front of her, her heart thudding against her ribcage like it was trying to tell her something her mind couldn¡¯t grasp. His words hung in the air: ¡°I knew you¡¯d come.¡± She wanted to ask him what he meant, why he looked at her like they¡¯d shared something she couldn¡¯t remember. But all she could do was stand there, frozen, her thoughts tangled like threads she couldn¡¯t unravel. ¡°Did you?¡± she finally managed to say, her voice quieter than she intended. Her question wasn¡¯t laced with humor or suspicion¡ªit was genuine. A part of her wanted to believe him, though she didn¡¯t know why. The man¡¯s smile softened. It wasn¡¯t smug or teasing; it was the kind of smile that came from knowing something he couldn¡¯t explain. ¡°Yes,¡± he said simply. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± Waiting for what? Or¡­ for who? Her breath caught in her throat. There was a pull in his words, a gravity that demanded answers, yet Elara couldn¡¯t bring herself to ask the questions. She glanced down at her hands, suddenly aware that they were trembling. The man must have noticed because he took a step closer, his movements slow and measured, as though he didn¡¯t want to startle her. ¡°Are you alright?¡± The concern in his voice startled her more than his presence. It wasn¡¯t the polite, distant concern of a stranger¡ªit was warm, familiar, like he¡¯d said those words to her a hundred times before. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. Her honesty surprised her. ¡°I don¡¯t usually walk up to strangers, but¡­¡± She trailed off, unable to find the words to explain the strange magnetism that had pulled her to him. ¡°But something feels different,¡± he finished for her, his voice low. Her eyes snapped back to his, wide with disbelief. ¡°How¡ª¡± ¡°Because I feel it too,¡± he said, his tone gentle. ¡°Like I¡¯ve known you before.¡± The world seemed to tilt on its axis at his words. She felt lightheaded, as though her body couldn¡¯t decide whether to run away or collapse into the moment. The bar around them blurred, the laughter and clinking of glasses fading into a dull hum. It was as if the room itself had stepped back, giving them space to exist in their own fragile bubble.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Elara blinked, shaking her head to clear it. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± she murmured. ¡°Maybe it doesn¡¯t have to,¡± he said, his voice steady. ¡°Not yet.¡± There was something steadying in the way he spoke, like an anchor thrown to her in a storm. But even so, she struggled to keep her footing. ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked, finally giving voice to the question that had been building in her since the moment their eyes met. The man hesitated, his gaze flickering with something she couldn¡¯t place¡ªhesitation? Guilt? Whatever it was, it passed quickly, and he straightened, offering his hand. ¡°Call me Kael,¡± he said, his voice like a quiet melody. Elara stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before taking it. His palm was warm against hers, and the contact sent a shiver up her spine. Kael. The name felt foreign and familiar all at once, like a word she¡¯d once known but forgotten. ¡°Elara,¡± she said, her voice almost trembling. His lips quirked up at the corners. ¡°I know.¡± She felt a jolt, like electricity running through her. She pulled her hand back instinctively, staring at him with wide eyes. ¡°How do you know that?¡± Kael¡¯s expression shifted, his smile fading into something more serious. He glanced around the room, as though checking to make sure no one else was paying attention to them, and then leaned in slightly. ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°One I¡¯m not sure you¡¯re ready to hear.¡± Her chest tightened at his words. ¡°You¡¯re not making this any easier to believe,¡± she said, her voice sharper than she intended. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to believe me,¡± he said calmly. ¡°But I think you¡¯ll start to understand soon enough.¡± Something in his tone sent a chill through her¡ªnot fear, exactly, but the sense that he was right. That whatever was happening now was only the beginning. Before she could press him further, a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned to find Rina standing behind her, a curious expression on her face. ¡°Who¡¯s your friend?¡± Rina asked, her gaze flicking between Elara and Kael with a raised eyebrow. Elara opened her mouth, but Kael beat her to it. ¡°Kael,¡± he said, offering Rina a polite smile. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡± Rina looked at him for a moment longer, her eyes narrowing slightly as though trying to place him. Then she nodded, her usual smile returning. ¡°Well, El, I¡¯d say this is definitely more interesting than any map you¡¯ve been working on.¡± Elara flushed, but before she could respond, Kael¡¯s voice cut through. ¡°I should go,¡± he said, his tone softer now. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, as though he was reluctant to leave. ¡°But we¡¯ll see each other again.¡± Elara blinked, thrown by the certainty in his voice. ¡°How can you be so sure?¡± Kael smiled faintly, a shadow of something bittersweet crossing his expression. ¡°Because we always do.¡± And with that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Elara stared after him, her chest tight with a strange sense of loss she couldn¡¯t explain.
Chapter 4: The Unraveling Thread
Elara woke up the next morning with the remnants of a dream clinging to her mind like a fog. It was the same as before¡ªimages of hands reaching for one another, a vast expanse of darkness, and two voices calling each other¡¯s names. She couldn¡¯t recall the details, only the feelings: longing, desperation, and something that felt like love, but with jagged edges that hurt to hold onto. She sat up in bed, her fingers clutching the blankets as her breathing slowed. Sunlight spilled through the thin curtains of her room, too warm and bright for the weight pressing against her chest. For a long moment, she just stared at the wall, Kael¡¯s words echoing in her head. ¡°Because we always do.¡± What did he mean? What could he mean? And why did it feel like he was right? The rational part of her brain rejected it all¡ªit was ridiculous, some strange coincidence blown out of proportion. But her heart, her instincts, told a different story. With a frustrated sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. She needed to focus on something else¡ªanything else¡ªbefore she drove herself mad. An hour later, Elara found herself in the university¡¯s library, buried beneath a stack of dusty books and scattered maps. She wasn¡¯t supposed to be here¡ªher research advisor had given her the week off¡ªbut diving into her work was easier than thinking about the man who seemed to know her better than she knew herself. ¡°El, you¡¯re on break, remember?¡± Elara looked up sharply to see Rina standing across the table, holding two cups of coffee and wearing her signature don¡¯t-you-dare expression. ¡°I am on break,¡± Elara replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. ¡°I just¡­ needed a distraction.¡± Rina set one of the coffees in front of her, then sat down across the table, eyeing Elara like she was some unsolvable mystery. ¡°You¡¯ve been weird ever since last night.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡± ¡°You are,¡± Rina cut her off. ¡°And don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s because of the maps or the research. This isn¡¯t your usual nerd spiral.¡± Elara sighed, leaning back in her chair. She stared at the nearest window where streaks of sunlight danced against the glass. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated.¡± Rina arched an eyebrow. ¡°So explain it.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Elara hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to form the words. Finally, she said, ¡°Do you ever feel like you¡¯ve met someone before, but you know you haven¡¯t? Like, you recognize them, not just their face, but everything about them. The way they speak, the way they look at you¡­¡± Rina tilted her head, curiosity replacing her teasing demeanor. ¡°You¡¯re talking about that guy. Kael.¡± The sound of his name sent a strange chill through Elara. She nodded. ¡°Well,¡± Rina said slowly, ¡°that¡¯s either romantic or creepy as hell.¡± Elara huffed out a laugh, though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Maybe both.¡± Rina studied her for a moment before leaning forward, her voice softer now. ¡°El, are you okay? Really?¡± The concern in her friend¡¯s voice nearly unraveled her. She wanted to confide in Rina, to tell her everything: the dreams, the strange pull she felt toward Kael, the way her heart felt both whole and broken when he spoke to her. But how could she? None of it made sense¡ªnot to her, and certainly not to anyone else. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Elara said finally, forcing a smile. ¡°I just need to stop overthinking.¡± Rina didn¡¯t look convinced, but she didn¡¯t push. Instead, she changed the subject, talking about her plans for the weekend and a new art exhibit opening downtown. Elara tried to listen, tried to focus on Rina¡¯s words, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Kael. That evening, Elara found herself in her small apartment, curled up on the couch with a book open in her lap. She wasn¡¯t reading it. The words blurred together as her mind wandered, tugged once more toward questions she couldn¡¯t answer. With a sigh, she closed the book and rubbed her temples. She was being ridiculous. Obsessing over a stranger¡ªno matter how strangely familiar he seemed¡ªwasn¡¯t healthy. And yet¡­ She pushed herself off the couch, pacing across the room. The silence of the apartment felt heavier than usual, pressing in on her like a weight. She glanced at her desk, where her old journals sat in a neat stack. For as long as she could remember, Elara had written down her dreams¡ªfragments of visions that lingered long after she woke up. They were strange, often disjointed, but she¡¯d always found a kind of comfort in recording them. She hesitated for only a moment before walking over, pulling out the journal on top. She flipped through the pages, past years of scribbled notes and sketches, until she reached last night¡¯s entry: ¡°Hands reaching for each other in the dark. A voice calls my name¡ªKael? I don¡¯t know him, but I know him. I feel it. Like he¡¯s part of me.¡± She stared at the words, her chest tightening. ¡°Because we always do.¡± She closed the journal with a snap, her breath unsteady. The dreams, the strange pull toward Kael, the unshakable sense that he was right¡ªit all felt too much like pieces of a puzzle she wasn¡¯t ready to solve. But ignoring it wouldn¡¯t make it go away. Her phone buzzed on the table, breaking her thoughts. She glanced at the screen: a text from Rina. ¡°Let¡¯s get out tomorrow¡ªcoffee, fresh air, and no thinking. Doctor¡¯s orders. :)¡± Elara smiled faintly, grateful for Rina¡¯s insistence on pulling her back to normalcy. She typed out a quick reply and set the phone down. And yet, as she stood there in the quiet of her apartment, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Somewhere, deep in the quiet recesses of her mind, she knew that Kael wasn¡¯t done with her and that she wasn¡¯t done with him either.
Chapter 5: Whispers on the Wind The coffee shop buzzed with the comforting hum of life¡ªcups clinking, low conversations floating like soft background music, and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine. The smell of roasted beans and cinnamon filled the air, a stark contrast to the unease that coiled in Elara¡¯s chest. She stared into her cup, watching the foam swirl as if it could somehow settle the questions that refused to leave her mind. Across from her, Rina had launched into an animated story about her newest art class project, her hands moving expressively as she spoke. ¡°El? Earth to El?¡± Elara looked up, startled to realize Rina had stopped talking and was now eyeing her with playful suspicion. ¡°Sorry, what?¡± ¡°You¡¯re worse than usual today,¡± Rina said, leaning back in her chair with a teasing smirk. ¡°I¡¯m starting to think your ¡®mystery man¡¯ has officially possessed you.¡± Elara rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t deny the heat that crept up her cheeks. ¡°That¡¯s not¡ªhe hasn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Then where are you right now? Because it¡¯s not here.¡± Elara opened her mouth to deny it but stopped herself. What was the point? Rina wasn¡¯t wrong. Kael¡ªthe idea of him¡ªhad occupied her thoughts since that night, like a persistent whisper she couldn¡¯t ignore. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Elara admitted softly, her eyes falling to her untouched coffee. ¡°It¡¯s like¡­¡± She hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°It¡¯s like meeting him knocked something loose in me. Like he reminded me of something I¡¯ve forgotten, but it¡¯s just out of reach.¡± Rina¡¯s teasing smile faltered. She studied Elara quietly for a moment before leaning forward, her tone more serious. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about him, is it?¡± Elara looked up, startled by how quickly Rina had cut to the heart of it. ¡°It¡¯s about you,¡± Rina continued. ¡°You¡¯ve been carrying something lately. Like¡­ I don¡¯t know, like you¡¯re waiting for something to happen.¡± Elara blinked, caught off guard by how true that felt. Waiting. That was exactly it¡ªlike her entire life had been holding its breath, waiting for something to start. Or maybe¡­ waiting for something to end. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The thought made her shiver. ¡°El?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said quickly, offering a faint smile she didn¡¯t feel. ¡°You¡¯re overanalyzing me.¡± ¡°Me? Overanalyze?¡± Rina quipped, but her smile didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, don¡¯t get lost chasing shadows. You¡¯re allowed to be here, you know? In the present.¡± In the present. The words struck a nerve, though Elara couldn¡¯t say why. She nodded vaguely, taking a sip of her coffee to avoid having to answer. Rina let the subject drop, launching into another story, but Elara¡¯s thoughts wandered again¡ªthis time to the dreams. And to him. That night, Elara stood at her apartment window, her forehead pressed against the cool glass as the city stretched out before her. The streets below glowed with the soft blur of streetlights, cars weaving through the dark like moving stars. Her fingers traced absent patterns on the glass as Kael¡¯s words replayed in her head. ¡°We always do.¡± The strange connection she felt toward him wasn¡¯t fading. If anything, it was growing stronger, like a thread winding tighter around her heart. And the dreams¡ªthe hands in the dark, the voices calling to one another¡ªwere becoming clearer. Tonight, she could still hear it as she stood there, almost as if the whispers of the dream were following her into the waking world. ¡°Elara¡­¡± She froze. The voice wasn¡¯t in her head. It was real. She spun around, her heart in her throat, scanning the empty room. Nothing. Just the stillness of her apartment and the sound of her own uneven breathing. A chill ran through her, and she turned back to the window¡ªonly to see him. Kael. He was standing on the sidewalk below, his figure unmistakable even in the distance. Her breath hitched as he looked up, his face shadowed but his gaze piercing, like he could see her as clearly as if she were standing beside him. ¡°Elara,¡± he said again, though his voice wasn¡¯t loud enough to carry from the street. It didn¡¯t matter. She heard him. She felt him. Before she knew it, she was grabbing her coat and rushing out the door. The night air was sharp against her skin as she stepped outside, her heart pounding in her chest. Kael stood a few steps away, leaning casually against the brick wall of the building as though he¡¯d been waiting there forever. ¡°You,¡± she breathed, stopping in front of him. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Kael pushed off the wall, his expression gentle. ¡°I told you we¡¯d see each other again.¡± ¡°How did you¡ªhow do you know that?¡± Elara demanded, her voice breaking with frustration. ¡°Why do you keep showing up, saying these things like they mean something to me?¡± ¡°They do,¡± Kael said softly. ¡°You just don¡¯t remember yet.¡± Her chest tightened. ¡°Remember what?¡± Kael studied her for a moment, his eyes filled with something that looked like both sorrow and hope. ¡°The truth.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not an answer.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the only one I can give you right now,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°You need to see it for yourself.¡± Elara stepped back, her pulse racing. ¡°I don¡¯t understand any of this. You¡¯re a stranger, Kael. I don¡¯t know you, and yet¡­¡± Her voice trembled as she searched for the words. ¡°And yet I feel like I do. I feel like I¡¯ve always known you.¡± Kael¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Because you have.¡± Elara shook her head, overwhelmed by the weight of his words and the truth she could feel lurking beneath them. ¡°This is impossible.¡± ¡°I know it feels that way,¡± Kael said, his voice steady. ¡°But trust me, Elara¡ªyou¡¯re not imagining this. And when the time comes, you¡¯ll understand why.¡± Something about the way he spoke, the calm certainty in his voice, made her believe him even when her mind screamed not to. Before she could say anything else, Kael stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. ¡°When you dream tonight, pay attention,¡± he said. ¡°The answers are there, waiting for you.¡± Before she could respond, Kael turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the night. Elara stood frozen, her breath coming in shallow bursts as the silence closed in around her. The wind stirred, brushing against her skin like an unseen hand. And as she turned to go back inside, one thought rang clear in her mind: She wasn¡¯t ready for the answers. But they were coming anyway. Chapter 6: Dreams That Speak That night, sleep didn¡¯t come easily for Elara. She lay in bed, her eyes tracing the faint glow of the moonlight filtering through her curtains. Her mind was a whirlwind, caught between the impossible conversation with Kael and the strange sense of inevitability that surrounded him. The clock ticked on, each passing minute pulling her closer to the dreamscape she both dreaded and longed for. When sleep finally claimed her, it was swift and heavy, dragging her into a world that felt far too real to be an illusion. She stood in a field of golden grass, the stalks swaying gently in a breeze she couldn¡¯t feel. The sky was vast and endless, painted with streaks of orange and violet, as if caught in a perpetual sunset. The air hummed with an unspoken energy, and the horizon blurred, like the edges of a memory she couldn¡¯t quite grasp. ¡°Elara.¡± She turned at the sound of her name, her heart racing. The voice was familiar¡ªdeep and warm, carrying an echo of longing. And then she saw him. Kael stood at the edge of the field, his figure silhouetted against the fading sun. He looked different here his features sharper, his presence more commanding¡ªbut his eyes were the same. They held her in place, pulling her toward him as if the distance between them didn¡¯t exist. ¡°What is this?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. ¡°Where are we?¡± ¡°This is where it began,¡± Kael said, his tone soft. ¡°And where it will end.¡± Elara took a hesitant step forward, her bare feet brushing against the soft grass. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. None of this makes sense.¡± ¡°It will,¡± Kael promised, his gaze unwavering. ¡°You just have to trust me.¡± Trust. The word felt heavy, like a key she wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to hold. ¡°How can I trust you when I don¡¯t even know you?¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Kael¡¯s expression shifted, a flicker of pain crossing his face. ¡°You do know me, Elara. You¡¯ve always known me.¡± ¡°Stop saying that,¡± she snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°Stop speaking in riddles and just tell me the truth.¡± Kael hesitated, his eyes searching hers. ¡°The truth is... we¡¯ve been here before. In this field, in this moment. Lifetime after lifetime, always drawn together, always torn apart.¡± Elara froze, her mind reeling. ¡°What are you talking about? Lifetimes? That¡¯s impossible.¡± ¡°It feels impossible,¡± Kael admitted. ¡°But it¡¯s real. You and I we¡¯ve been connected for centuries, cursed to find each other only to lose each other again. This place¡­¡± He gestured to the field around them. ¡°This is the beginning of it all. Where we made the mistake that bound us to this cycle.¡± Elara shook her head, stepping back. ¡°No. No, this isn¡¯t real. This is just a dream, my mind playing tricks on me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than a dream,¡± Kael said, his voice firm. ¡°It¡¯s a memory.¡± The words struck her like a bolt of lightning. She staggered, her breath hitching as images flooded her mind¡ªfragmented and blurry, but unmistakably hers. A hand reaching out to her in the darkness. A voice whispering her name. A promise made beneath a blood-red sky. Her knees buckled, and Kael was there in an instant, catching her before she fell. His touch was steady and grounding, anchoring her to the swirling chaos in her mind. ¡°Breathe,¡± he said softly, his hands gripping her arms. ¡°Just breathe.¡± She did, gasping for air as the visions slowed. Her eyes met his, and for the first time, she didn¡¯t look away. ¡°What did we do?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. Kael¡¯s jaw tightened, his expression clouding with guilt. ¡°We defied them. The gods.¡± Elara¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°The gods?¡± ¡°They cursed us,¡± Kael continued, his voice low. ¡°Because we chose each other over them. Over their will.¡± The weight of his words settled over her, suffocating and unrelenting. She wanted to argue, to deny it, but deep down, she knew he was telling the truth. The fragments of her dreams, the pull she felt toward him¡ªit all made sense in a way that defied logic. ¡°What happens now?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. Kael¡¯s grip on her tightened. ¡°We break the cycle. We find a way to end this.¡± Elara stared at him, her heart pounding. ¡°How? If the gods cursed us, how can we fight them?¡± Kael¡¯s expression darkened, determination flashing in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll find a way. We have to.¡± Before she could respond, the world around them began to shift. The golden field faded, replaced by darkness that crept in from all sides. The air grew heavy, and a low, menacing whisper echoed in the distance. ¡°They¡¯re watching,¡± Kael said, his voice urgent. ¡°They know we¡¯re remembering.¡± Elara¡¯s breath quickened as the whispers grew louder, surrounding them like a storm. ¡°What do we do?¡± ¡°Wake up,¡± Kael said, his hands cupping her face. ¡°Wake up, Elara. I¡¯ll find you again.¡± His words were the last thing she heard before the darkness consumed her. Elara jolted awake, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. The room was quiet, the faint glow of her bedside lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her face, her mind racing with the memory of the dream. But it wasn¡¯t just a dream¡ªnot this time. It was too vivid, too real. And Kael¡¯s voice still echoed in her ears. ¡°I¡¯ll find you again.¡± Elara¡¯s gaze shifted to the journal on her nightstand. With shaky hands, she picked it up and began to write, pouring the fragments of her dream onto the page. Whatever was happening to her, she couldn¡¯t ignore it anymore. The answers were out there, waiting to be uncovered. And for the first time, she felt ready to face them. Chapter 7: Fractures in the Present The morning sunlight streamed through Elara¡¯s apartment window, its warmth a sharp contrast to the cold dread that still clung to her from the night before. She hadn¡¯t slept after waking from the dream. Every word, every image, played on a loop in her mind, demanding her attention. Her journal lay open on the table, its pages filled with frantic handwriting. She¡¯d written everything she could remember, but it still felt like she was grasping at shadows. Her phone buzzed on the counter, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen and saw Rina¡¯s name flashing. For a moment, she debated ignoring it, but the thought of Rina showing up unannounced pushed her to answer. ¡°Hey,¡± Elara said, trying to sound normal. ¡°Finally!¡± Rina¡¯s voice crackled through the line, bright and impatient. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to reach you all morning. Are you okay? You didn¡¯t answer my texts.¡± Elara hesitated. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Just¡­ rough night.¡± Rina sighed, her tone softening. ¡°Let me guess. More weird dreams?¡± Elara blinked. ¡°How did you¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been off lately, El,¡± Rina said. ¡°I know you don¡¯t like to talk about it, but I can tell. Something¡¯s going on, and I¡¯m starting to worry about you.¡± Elara swallowed hard, the words catching in her throat. She wanted to tell Rina everything¡ªthe dreams, Kael, the impossible memories¡ªbut where would she even start? ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Elara said finally, forcing a smile she knew Rina couldn¡¯t see. ¡°Just stress, I think.¡± ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Rina said, clearly unconvinced. ¡°Well, stress or not, you need to get out of that apartment. Meet me at the park in an hour. No excuses.¡± ¡°Rina, I don¡¯t think¡± ¡°An hour,¡± Rina interrupted firmly. ¡°Or I¡¯m coming to drag you out myself.¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Before Elara could protest, the line went dead. The park was alive with the sounds of laughter and rustling leaves, the crisp autumn air carrying the faint scent of earth and pine. Elara pulled her jacket tighter around herself as she scanned the crowd for Rina. She found her near the fountain, sitting cross-legged on a bench with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Rina waved her over, her smile warm and familiar. ¡°See? Fresh air already looks good on you,¡± Rina teased as Elara approached. Elara rolled her eyes but sat down beside her. ¡°You¡¯re relentless, you know that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s part of my charm,¡± Rina said with a wink. She handed Elara a second cup of coffee. ¡°Here. Thought you could use this.¡± Elara took the cup, the warmth seeping into her hands. ¡°Thanks.¡± For a while, they sat in companionable silence, watching the world move around them. Families strolled by, children chased each other through the grass, and the distant sound of a street performer¡¯s violin added a melancholic note to the scene. ¡°So,¡± Rina said eventually, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. ¡°Are you going to tell me what¡¯s really going on?¡± Elara froze, her fingers tightening around the coffee cup. ¡°I told you, it¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Liar,¡± Rina said lightly, though there was no malice in her voice. ¡°Come on, El. You¡¯ve been my best friend since forever. I know when you¡¯re hiding something.¡± Elara looked down at the ground, her thoughts racing. She wanted to open up, but the weight of what she was carrying felt too heavy to share. ¡°It¡¯s complicated,¡± she said finally. ¡°Good thing I¡¯m great at untangling complicated,¡± Rina said with a grin. Elara couldn¡¯t help but laugh, the sound surprising even herself. Rina always had a way of making things feel lighter, even when they weren¡¯t. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ these dreams,¡± Elara admitted, her voice hesitant. ¡°They¡¯ve been getting stronger. More vivid. And there¡¯s this guy¡­¡± Rina raised an eyebrow. ¡°A guy?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that,¡± Elara said quickly, though her cheeks flushed. ¡°I don¡¯t even know him, not really. But he keeps showing up¡ªin the dreams, in real life. And every time, it feels like I¡¯ve known him forever.¡± Rina¡¯s playful expression softened into something more serious. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ intense.¡± ¡°You have no idea,¡± Elara murmured. Rina studied her for a moment, then reached out to squeeze her hand. ¡°Hey. Whatever this is, we¡¯ll figure it out, okay? You¡¯re not alone in this.¡± Elara¡¯s throat tightened, emotion threatening to spill over. She nodded, unable to speak, and squeezed Rina¡¯s hand back. Later that evening, Elara sat at her desk, her journal open before her. She stared at the words she¡¯d written earlier, her mind spinning with questions. What mistake did we make? What price are we still paying? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She picked up her pen and began to write again, hoping that putting the pieces together on paper would somehow make the picture clearer. The sound of footsteps behind her made her freeze. She turned, her heart pounding, but the room was empty. ¡°Elara.¡± The voice was soft, barely a whisper, but unmistakable. She stood slowly, her eyes scanning the room. ¡°Kael?¡± The air around her seemed to shift, the shadows deepening. She felt a pull, as if the room itself was bending toward something unseen. ¡°Elara, you need to be careful.¡± His voice was closer now, urgent and filled with a warning she didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Careful of what?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. ¡°They¡¯re watching you,¡± Kael said, his figure flickering into view for the briefest moment before disappearing again. ¡°They know you¡¯re starting to remember.¡± The shadows pressed in closer, the room growing colder. Elara¡¯s breath came in shallow bursts as fear gripped her. ¡°Who¡¯s watching me?¡± she demanded. But the answer didn¡¯t come. Instead, the shadows seemed to retreat, leaving her alone once more. Elara sank into her chair, her hands shaking. Whatever was happening, it was bigger than she¡¯d realized. And she was running out of time to figure it out.