"The number you dialled has not responded. Please leave your message after the beep..."

A deep sigh of frustration escaped Ada's lips, the heaviness in her chest mirrored the weight of disappointment in her heart. In a fit of anger, she hurled the phone across the room. It bounced off the mattress before landing on the plush carpet below.

Defeated, Ada sank back into her makeshift fortress of pillows and blankets, propped up against the solid headboard. Her weary gaze wandered up to the stark white ceiling. It was marred by a single stubborn crack that had long been etched into the plaster and seemed to mock her like an unyielding symbol of the imperfections that mirrored her own life.

Beyond the gauzy white curtains billowing gently in the breeze, the morning sky transformed into a canvas of vibrant hues. The rising sun painted strokes of violet, peeking from the Sambili forest: her home, casting a warm glow across the horizon as it popped up against the edge of the world.

Its prime rays danced upon the tranquil azure sea, welcoming yet another promisingly exhausting day. The same sun was beaming upon the folks of Crepusculem and the Sambili forest though she knew for a fact that the warm sun could neither brighten nor warm up the mountain or the forest beyond the azure canvas. Concealed from Normies' naked eye, it was always cold and gloomy out there -- just like the citizens inhabited it, mortal, immortal alike.

The universe seemed to really hate her now that it didn't want to see her get back with Auden . It had been a long while since she had seen him. She wondered what the trouble maker was up to. He had always been up to something that would set her tail on fire.

A cool, salty breeze, that carried the promise of respite, wafted through the open window. Ada took a deep breath from the breeze carrying the unmistakable scent of summer, allowing the tangy sea air to fill her lungs. The delicate curtains rustled, granting flight to the embroidered hummingbirds adorning their lacy fabric.

She closed her eyes, momentarily surrendering to the serenity that washed over her troubled soul. The feel of the fresh air on her skin and the sensation of the cool sand between her toes were among the few solace she found in this place where she had reluctantly anchored her way back home.

After all, it would be foolish to ask a palace like Serenel to be something like the Crepusculem. It was a place where inhumane powers were born, grown and protected. This bustling metropolis, to which she had escaped, had so much to offer to one like her. Gloomy or not at Sambili forest, she had someone to call 'her own'.

Glancing down at her upturned palms, she noticed how they seemed to radiate with the soft glow of the morning sun, as if echoing the inner light that still flickered within her.

The familiar tingling sensation began to stir at the base of her palms, an energy that surged through her veins like a dormant force awakening from slumber. It travelled steadily down each finger, traversing the intricate network of lines and creases, until it felt as if it might burst forth from her very fingertips. Ada instinctively curled her slender fingers into fists, concealing the latent power that resided within.

The memory of the enigmatic man she had seen the previous night suddenly crossed her mind. She was sure him to be no human. But she could not quite point out what kind of an immortal he was.

His face was smooth and unlined, filled with youth all the features that defied his potentially ancient age. There was a good chance of him being over a thousand years old yet looking damn young. His facial features appeared to be chiselled out perfectly by an artist with surreal beauty. In brief, he was much more of an angel than a demon.

And he had no aura.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

In her youth, Ada had embraced the attention she garnered, relishing in her uniqueness and feeling blessed by her extraordinary abilities. She honed her skills diligently, becoming a master at harnessing her talents and transforming herself into the heir she was destined to be. Crepusculem became her sanctuary, a place where her powers were understood and nurtured.

Life had its own agenda, often weaving a tapestry of unexpected twists and turns. Fate, in its capriciousness, had chosen to tear Ada away from everything she held dear, uprooting her from the path she was meant to follow.

Her once-bright future now seemed shrouded in uncertainty, and the weight of this realisation settled upon her shoulders like an insurmountable burden. She missed her grandma. If she was around things would have turned differently from now.

The memory of Shinatzai Zen and Hannah expelling her from the family was still clear in her mind as it had happened not seven years back.

"We never expected this from you. Teaming up with a demon? Have you lost your mind?" Zen 's voice had carried a hint of strain.

The message had been conveyed, foretelling a fate that was no longer within Ada's control. She had been supposed to bloom like the most radiant flower on their family tree but had now turned into a bud with the potential to become a poisonous flower.

Tears glistening in her eyes Hannah had reached out, her touch gentle yet filled with sorrow. "I'm sure she meant no harm. She's just a child. Is it necessary to be so harsh on her?"

Being like her mother had always been Ada's dream. She aspired to become the heir of Romersai, a formidable mage capable of conquering darkness within and beyond, safeguarding the Luna Pearl.

She had spent her entire life training for this role, envisioning herself proudly wearing the precious crescent moon around her neck, holding her head high as the pillar of her clan, the hope of her fellow Romersai. But in the end, it had all turned out to be a fruitless endeavour.

Now, she was an outsider within her own clan, a potential threat, an outcast in the territory she once thought was her own.

"I never meant to use my powers against you or anyone else," Ada had pleaded. But it had done nothing better to justify her resolve.

"Can I... Can I at least stay? I promise I won't meddle in anything. I won't even think of becoming the head mage. Can I stay for Auden ?" she had asked in between sobs. But nothing could help her with her resolve.

Zen's expression had remained resolute despite her wails. "No. We will be there for him. He's going to be the next head mage, the Great Leader of Romersai."

With a gaze that implied a mix of sadness and determination in his eyes, Shinatzai Zen had announced her as an outcast in the end.

"I know you did your best to rectify the problem you caused. But a law is always going to remain a law. If we let this slide and allow you to become the heir, it will set a bad example for the future mages in the clan."

Sighing, Ada rose to her feet, the sting of her soles meeting the polished wooden floor making her feet go temporarily numb. Dragging them along the polished wooden floor she moved out of her room and across the empty hall.

She could hear distant clatters. For a moment she wandered it to be the unruly elf. Unknown to her she had been waiting for the miniature disaster to return. Life was a lot more depressing without it around.

Another sigh escaped her body as she put aside the thought of storming into the kitchen, where she willed to find the elf messing around and give it a piece of her mind.

It was promising to be yet another long day, and she didn't wish for any more labour added until the sun dipped back in the sea. She would have to go around looking for ways to get a Romersai in contact.

She knew it wasn't in her league to show up at the gates and knock asking for Auden despite how desperate she was. So, she had been trying other alternatives since forever.

Shaking those thoughts, she sneaked into her closet, rummaging through a tangle of clothing, determined to find something to wear for work today.

In addition to navigating encounters with elves and grappling with the complexities of her own existence, she still had the mundane responsibility of paying her bills. Unfortunately, those powers she was gifted with couldn't simply erase her expenses and bring her balance to zero.

That's when her phone, still lying on the plush carpet where she had left it, began to buzz with fervour.

The shrill sound reverberated through the room, signalling the arrival of a long-awaited call. Like a wild horse out of its stable, Ada sprinted out of her closet, landing face-first onto the carpet as she lost her balance and tripped over its faulty folded edge.

Without waiting to bother with her throbbing jaw that had collided with the wooden floor in the process, she reached out for the phone, her trembling hand finally grasping the elusive device.

With a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, Ada answered the call, her voice filled with equal parts curiosity and uncertainty.

"Hello?"

"I got what you want. Meet me at our spot, tonight," a voice whispered from the other end of the line.

Before Ada could even react, the line abruptly cut off, the words hanging in the air, leaving her to a palpable silence.

For a moment, Ada was silent, her mouth hanging open as she stared at the phone's screen. Then, a victorious smile spread across her face. She sprang up from the carpet, cheering and proceeding to dance around her room.

Finally, something good had happened to her after years, and she was very much looking forward to it.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Ada adorned herself in her usual attire—a sleek black skirt paired with a flowing floral silk top. Her rose-blond locks cascaded freely down her shoulders, complementing her minimal makeup. With graceful steps, she slipped into her heels, adding a touch of elegance to her appearance.

After adding a few finishing touches, she gazed into the mirror, meeting her own reflection. She summoned a smile, one of those that never quite reached her ears - the kind you put on for customer service throughout the day.

She hoped things would change for the better after today's meetup. Kaya seemed to have carried out his job perfectly. If he had truly found what she needed, then she would be another step closer to going back home, proving her innocence, and reuniting with Auden .

She could already hear noises coming from her kitchen; Flitch seemed to be awake. Remembering the events of the previous night, she made a mental note to apologise to the elf. No matter how annoying Flitch could be, she couldn't deny that his presence had kept her from succumbing to loneliness.

Getting down the stairs she was met with the sight of the elf lingering in the kitchen, munching on a hard bread near the stove. She cleared her throat, startling the elf in the process.

"Um, Flitch–" she began, avoiding eye contact with the elf, "About last night–I um–I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just been–a bit overwhelming lately, you know?"

The elf paused, its beady eyes fixed on Ada, and then he gave a nonchalant shrug, crumbs falling from the beard. "Eh? No harm done, lass. We all have our moments. Just make sure the tea's on, eh?"

Ada sighed with relief and smiled. It wasn't one of those heartfelt apologies, but it seemed Flitch was content with her attempt to make amends. She walked over to the dining table, where the teapot sat, pouring a cup of tea for herself, the warm aroma instantly filling the kitchen. Unbeknownst to her, Flitch was observing her every move with an admiring gaze. Feeling Flitch's gaze upon her, she spun around and shot it a glance.

"What's it?" Ada furrowed her brow, her curiosity piqued and the elf just shrugged.

After her cup was ready, she grabbed a saucer and poured some tea onto it, gesturing to the elf to take it. But Flitch didn't budge.

"What now?" She raised a brow at the elf.

"It's hot. Flitch's tongue will burn-eh," the elf mumbled trailing the tendrils of smoke emerging from the flat porcelain with its doe eyes.

"Do you even have a tongue?"

"All of Flithch's kind do."

"Urgh!"

No matter what happened the elf would not stop being annoying, Ada should have known. Sighing in defeat she took the saucer with both hands, blew on it lightly, cooling it down just enough so the mighty elf Flitch would not burn and then pushed it nonchalantly back toward the elf.

"I don't know why I bother with you every morning," she muttered under her breath as the elf immediately accepted the saucer with a nod. It bent over and started lapping up the tea from the saucer like a cat. In a matter of seconds, all the tea was gone, and it sat back on the counter casually.

Ada grabbed a chair and settled at the table as she blew gently on her own cup of tea, watching the steam swirl upward before taking a careful sip. The warm liquid was soothing, and she savoured the familiar, comforting routine of her mornings. The day ahead was promised to be hectic, dealing with dead and dark.

"Eh, you look magnificent today," Flitch's words caught her off guard.

It had never uttered anything remotely positive about her before, let alone made an effort to uplift her spirits beyond its mere unintentional presence. She stared at Flitch for a moment, and in response, it mustered a small, elfish smile.

It took Ada a minute, blinking away her astonishment as she processed the unexpected complement. "I take it as you like your tea?" she replied, with a raised brow.

"Your tea is always good-eh. I've liked it all along."

"Sounds uncanny but alright?" She sipped from her cup eyeing the creature, positively perplexed by what had happened to it this morning.

Flitch as unbothered as ever shifted its gaze away from her, staring out of the window. Tilting her head with curiosity she followed Flitch's gaze toward the radiant day outside. The sun's warm rays illuminated the surroundings, and a gentle breeze whispered promises of a hopeful day. Finally it seemed everything would work out fine for her today; hopefully including her special meetup.

"What a splendid day to meet someone special-eh?" it whispered dreamily, its voice reminiscent of a character from a whimsical fairy tale.

"Oh, not this again!" She rolled her eyes at the elf, loudly placing her cup on the porcelaine sorcerer. She was not even surprised. Flitch would probably know about her upcoming meetup with Kaya.

"Flitch, seriously. Just stop stalking me. What's your deal even?"

"I'm not stalking."

"Oh I swear to god Flitch-"

"Those who are bound by fate will be brought together no matter what. Neither you nor that souvenir your little snake friend left in you can pull you two apart."

And with that the elf in question was gone,with a soft pop, leaving behind only the remnants of the bread, the tea and a perplexed Ada.