The air in Willowdale seemed thicker, the atmosphere charged with an unseen tension.

Lyrius walked to the dining room, his mind filled with thoughts of the new girl, Elyriana, with her striking blue eyes and enigmatic presence.

The smell of dinner lingered, the warm glow from the fireplace providing the much needed comfort on that cold rainy day. Yet, it couldn't calm Lyrius, who was having an internal battle with his mind that was creating nonsensical thoughts.

The next day, Lyrius found it hard to focus. He couldn't help but steal glances at Elyriana, who sat a few seats away, engrossed in her work. The sunlight peeking through the clouds illuminated her face.

There was something about her, that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Hey, Lyrius. " Remi's voice broke through his thoughts. "Are you okay? You seem... distracted. What's wrong?" He asked, observing his friend's troubled expression.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Nothing's wrong." Lyrius replied with a forced smile.

Elyriana glanced at them, from the corner of her eyes. There was something odd about this Lyrius guy. 

He didn't have the dark aura of the Remori like the professor from the other day. So he wasn't a threat, yet she couldn't be too sure.

Before Remi could respond, Mrs. Green's voice cut through the chatter of the classroom. "Class, please pay attention. We have an important announcement."

Elyriana sat quietly, her mind racing. The humans around her were oblivious to the true nature of the threat they faced. The Remori were cunning, and their infiltration into Willowdale was deeper than the elders had anticipated.

As Mrs. Green continued her announcement, Elyriana's gaze wandered to Lyrius. There was something about him that drew her attention. A spark of familiarity she couldn't place. She needed to stay focused, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the warning her grandmother had given her: 'Trust your instincts, but be wary of those who seem too interested.'

It was break time and Elyriana sat at her desk, trying to appear inconspicuous while observing her classmates. She noticed Aurora, a friendly-looking girl, chatting animatedly with Lyrius and another guy.

"Hey, new girl." A voice called out, and Elyriana turned to see a tall boy with sandy hair and a mischievous grin approaching her. "I'm Max. What's your name?"

"Elyriana," She replied, keeping her tone neutral.

"Cool name. Where are you from?" Max asked, leaning against her desk.

"Greenhaven." She answered, keeping her responses short.

"Greenhaven, huh? Must be different from here." Max said. "If you need any help finding your way around, just let me know."

"Thanks." Elyriana said, giving a polite smile.

As Max walked away, Aurora leaned over from her seat. "Don't mind Max, he's always trying to be the welcoming committee."

Elyriana chuckled softly. "It's okay. I'm just trying to get used to everything here."

After class, Elyriana started walking, her hands stuffed in the pocket of the human comfort wear called hoodie. She felt weird in these human clothes, completely used to her tunics, robes, and tight pants. Of course she wore flowly robes back home but it was completely natural made by using their magic on leaves and flowers to intricately weave them together.

A honk from behind made her look back, at the white car with her new acquantainces. 

"Elyriana, come on hop in. I will drop you." The one driving, Remi, Lyrius' hyperactive friend, called out.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding and jogging over to the car. As she got in, she noticed Aurora in the back seat, smiling warmly. The passenger seat occupied by Lyrius, who was sleeping like a baby.

"Hey, Elyriana! How was your second day?" Aurora asked, shifting over to make room for her.

"It was... interesting," Elyriana replied, trying to sound casual despite the strangeness of her day.

Remi started driving, weaving through the bustling streets of Willowdale. "So, what brings you to our little town?" He asked, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

Elyriana had rehearsed her answer. "My family moved here for my dad's job. Thought a change of scenery would be nice."

"Well, I hope you like it here. Willowdale has its charm." Aurora said, looking out the window at the passing shops and houses.

Elyriana nodded, though her mind was elsewhere. She had sensed a flicker of darkness during class, a faint but unmistakable presence of a Remori. She needed to stay vigilant. It could have been Mr. Oak, but she couldn't be too sure. She had to keep her guards up.

"So, where do you live?" Remi asked, breaking her train of thought.

"Oh, just a few blocks from here." Elyriana answered, giving him the address her grandparents had provided.

"We are going to the park after a few hours. Would you like to join us and few of our other friends? " Aurora asked with a kind smile.

Elyriana hesitated, weighing her options, and nodded slowly. With her mind made up, she turned her attention to the conversation around her. Aurora's laughter filled the car as she shared a story about their teacher's infamous coffee mug. Remi chimed in with his own favorite hangouts, and Elyriana listened intently, her eyes darting between her new friends as she tried to commit every detail to memory.

When they reached her house, a quaint, old-fashioned home with a charming garden, Elyriana thanked them for the ride. "Thanks, Remi. Aurora. See you later?"

"Absolutely! See you!" Aurora waved as Elyriana got out of the car.

Elyriana watched them drive away before heading inside. The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. She made her way to her room, shedding the human clothes and changing into something more familiar: a simple tunic and tight pants made from magically woven leaves and flowers. It felt good to be in her own skin again.

She sat by the window, staring at the clouds move slowly. It was silent, just as she wanted, yet this dark silence made her ears ring.

She walked out a few hours later, dressed up in another hoodie, and jeans.

She reached the park and found the guys already huddled together, laughing and drinking juice.

"Hello." She smiled politely, as Aurora introduced her to two other faces, Mia and Rowan.

An hour went by talking about random stuff, as Elyriana tried her best to not sound out of place.

Suddenly her skin pricked, and burned, feeling those familiar red eyes stare at the group from the corner of the park, well-hidden by the shadows of the humongous trees.

She stood up as if struck by lightning. The group looked up at her in confusion.

"Ugh! I think I need to go to the washroom. I will be back soon, guys. " With that she ran away before any of them could respond.

She moved towards the darker area of the park, but the figure had already turned and left.

"Shit." She muttered, and started running, giving it a chase through the huge trees, as it moved with unnatural speed.

Elyriana pushed herself harder, but her 'human' clothes constricted her movement. She could now smell the pungent smell of the Remori, and also the dark energy emanating from it.

Finally, she caught hold of the Remori near a clearing, throwing it to the ground with light bursts.

The red eyes glowed with malevolent intent.

"You shouldn't have followed me, little Luminari. " It hissed, voice filled with malice.

Elyriana bound it with her powers, in a light bubble, constricting its movements.

The Remori's eyes widened, unable to use its powers to escape. It wiggled and fought, screaming.

The screeching sound rang in Elyriana's ears as she killed the dark shadow, slowly dousing the bubble.

The black ashes slowly disappeared in the air, the scent being carried by the wind, replaced by the flowery aroma of the night blooms.

Ely dusted her clothes and walked back to the group, chatting with them as if nothing unusual had happened.