The forest breathed with silence.
Birdsong was distant. The wind was soft. Even the trees seemed to listen.
Aria walked deeper into the woods, the pendant warm against her chest, hidden beneath her cloak. Her thoughts were loud today. Too loud to sit still.
She needed space.
She needed answers.
And most of all… she needed the truth.
No more guessing, she whispered to herself.
No more waiting.
---
She stopped in a quiet clearing, light falling through the trees in silver strands. Closing her eyes, she placed her hand over the pendant.
It responded instantly.
A warm hum vibrated through her fingers.
Then… it pulsed, like a heartbeat, breathe and let go open and the memory came.
---
💤 Flashback 💤
Smoke curled through a stone corridor. A tower loomed high above. The walls were cracked — broken from battle.Aria stood in the center, robes torn, the moonstone pendant glowing wildly.
A man turned away from her. His cloak whipped in the wind,don't go!her voice trembled.Please—stay.
The man froze for a second.
Then… just barely… turned his head.
A flash of silver near his collar.
The curve of his jaw.
A voice, quiet but heavy:
Forgive me."
And then he vanished down the staircase gone like a wind.
---
🌙 Back to the present
Aria gasped and stumbled back, pressing her hand against a tree for support.
Her chest ached — like the memory had been pulled out too hard.
That voice.
That word.
Forgive me.
But for what?
---
By the time she returned to the chapel ruins, Rael had returned from town, a leather satchel slung across his shoulder. He looked tired, but still flashed her that usual grin.I brought something,he said, reaching into his bag.
He handed her a small pouch. Inside was a delicate necklace — twisted silver with a shard of moon glass at the center.
You gave me this once,he said. Said it made you feel brave when everything was falling apart.
Aria stared at it, it was beautiful and Familiar
But… off.
She tilted her head.Did I really give this to you?
Rael paused — just for a breath too long — then smiled. Of course. You were dramatic like that.A lie small but it cracked the surface
She closed the pouch slowly. Thanks.
---
That evening, all three sat around the fire.
Lysander sat sharpening his blade as usual.
Rael leaned back, arms folded, eyes half-closed.
Aria watched the flames. Her fingers brushed the pendant through her cloak, and she spoke softly.
Do either of you remember what I said before I died?
Rael blinked, caught off guard.What?
My last words, she said, still looking at the fire.I must've said something. Anything.
Rael gave a short laugh,yeah you told us to run and you were always trying to protect everyone.
Aria's lips curved up just slightly.Strange…
She looked up, meeting his eyes,in my vision it felt like I was begging someone to stay.
Silence fell like snow.
Lysander had stopped sharpening.
Rael didn't smile anymore.
---
No one spoke for several seconds.
Just the quiet crackling of wood.
Aria leaned back slowly, wrapping the blanket tighter around her,she wasn't accusing not yet.
But they were listening now — more carefully than ever.
---
Later that night, after the fire burned low, Aria sat alone in her corner of the ruined chapel.
She pulled out her journal — Mira's gift — and opened to a blank page.
This time, she didn't write feelings.
She wrote facts.
> The pendant responds to memory and truth.
Rael lied about the necklace.
Lysander avoids questions about the tower.
In my vision, I was left behind.
Someone said "forgive me."
I still don't know who.
She paused then add I will find out on my own
She closed the journal, hands calm. The truth was close,closer than ever
---
As she lay down to sleep, her thoughts drifted to both of them.
Rael — bold, teasing, unpredictable.
Lysander — steady, distant, quietly protective.
One of them had loved her.
One of them had walked away.
And maybe… they were the same.
But she wouldn't run from it.
Not anymore,you want me to forget,he whispered into the darkness.But I will remember on my own
---
💫 Author's Note:
> Chapter 16 shows Aria stepping into her own strength 🌓
Her trust is slowly fading — but her courage is growing in its place.
💬 Question for you:
Do you think the person who said "forgive me" was trying to protect her… or hiding guilt?
📚 Don't forget to add this book to your collection so you don't miss what Aria uncovers next…
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