Elara's Home — The Sudden Arrival
Before Jian could answer, the front door swung open abruptly. A tall figure entered, Lucas, Elara's husband. His eyes widened in relief as he spotted Eva lying still on the bed. His voice softened, trembling slightly with emotion: "Oh, you're here, honey?" He took a cautious step forward, careful not to disturb Eva's fragile rest.
His gaze then shifted sharply to Jian, registering the unexpected presence. "Our daughter… she's here." Lucas's voice cracked with a mixture of hope and exhaustion. His eyes locked onto Jian.
"Jian?" Jian straightened, meeting Lucas's gaze. "Sorry, Mr. Lucas. I just found her outside..."
Before Jian could finish, Elara cut in smoothly, voice cool but firm: "He brought her back, darling." Lucas's eyes flickered toward Elara, confusion mixing with something unreadable.
His hand brushed lightly over Eva's hair, reverent and protective. He turned to Jian, gratitude plain on his face. "Thank you… for protecting my family." Elara's gaze met Jian's, and with a soft nod said, "Thank you."
Jian, Lucas, and Elara exchanged looks heavy with unspoken questions, confusion swirling in the thick air. Lucas finally broke the silence.
"Come, Jian. Let me offer you some tea." He motioned toward the sitting room, leading Jian out of the tense stillness of the bedroom. As the door closed behind them, the quiet hum of the house seemed to pulse with secrets waiting to be unraveled.
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Guest Room Moments Later
Jian sat tensely on the edge of the worn sofa, watching Elara move gracefully around the kitchenette. She poured steaming tea into two cups, setting the tray on the low table with calm precision. Her every movement was smooth and familiar, like the Elara he once knew.
For a moment, I thought she was the Elara 2001 version, Jian thought, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. But she's not. Something's off.Is it because of the Fold walking Eva did earlier? The thought unsettled him.
Elara sat opposite him, hands folded neatly, still smiling softly, the perfect wife, the perfect mask. "Tea," she said, her voice steady and normal. Jian accepted the cup, fingers tight around the warm porcelain.
Inside, the questions swirled faster than he could speak. Who is she now?What did Eva's Fold walking really do?Is this… a copy? A construct?
Suddenly, Elara's eyes fluttered. A faint shudder passed through her body. She blinked slowly, gaze drifting upward, awareness returning.
Jian leaned forward, heart pounding. " is she waking up?".
Elara's eyes slowly opened, the faintest tremor passing through her as consciousness returned. Jian watched her closely, heart hammering in his chest. I think by now Raven and Damien already know, his mind raced. They'll be here soon.
His gaze flicked nervously toward Eva, still asleep on the bed, fragile and vulnerable. Eva's sleeping. What should we do? The weight of uncertainty pressed down hard. What are they going to do to Elara this time? The question burned in his mind, colder than the room around him. He clenched his fists, determination hardening. I need to protect her. This time, I won't let anything happen.
Jian's eyes locked on Elara's slowly awakening face, still unreadable, still layered with secrets. Elara's eyes fluttered open fully, heavy and tired.
Lucas stepped closer, his voice soft and filled with concern. "Darling, are you okay?" She turned her gaze toward him, eyes weary but clear.
After a long pause, she spoke quietly. "I think… I need to rest. Since we lost Eva… and you haven't rested either." Lucas nodded, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "We'll get through this. Just rest now."
Elara closed her eyes again, exhaustion pulling her under. Lucas stayed close, steady and protective, while Jian watched silently from the corner, mind still racing with fears of what was to come.
Jian slowly stood up, clearing his throat softly. "I should get going. You all should rest by now." His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of urgency.
Lucas nodded understandingly. "Of course, Jian. Thank you for everything today." Elara gave a faint, tired nod but didn't say anything. Jian cast one last glance toward Eva sleeping peacefully on the bed before turning to leave, his mind still heavy with worry.
As he stepped toward the door, the weight of what was coming pressed down harder, he knew the calm wouldn't last long.
As Jian stepped out , the door clicked shut behind him with a soft finality. Silence returned to the house. Inside, Lucas gently helped Elara toward their room. They moved quietly, the weight of the day settling into their bones.
As they stepped inside and prepared to lie down, a soft, delicate fragrance drifted through the air, sweet, subtle, like wildflowers blooming under moonlight.
Elara paused mid-step. "Honey… do you smell that?",
Lucas inhaled deeply, then nodded, glancing around. "Yeah. It's nice… where is it coming from?",
Elara's tired eyes shifted toward the window. Beyond the glass, the tall tree in the garden swayed gently in the wind. The moonlight touched its leaves like silver threads.
"I think it's the wind," she said quietly. "Bringing the smell in from the garden."
Lucas smiled faintly. "Maybe the place is finally remembering peace." They laid down together, bodies close, breath syncing, the scent of flowers washing over them. Sleep came quickly, deep and still.
Moments later, a soft shuffle stirred in the hallway. Eva stood silently in the doorway of their room, cloaked in quiet shadow. Her eyes, now glowing faintly with Fold-light, scanned the two resting figures. She tilted her head slightly, the barest trace of a smile touching her lips.
"That's better," she whispered.
Then she turned and walked away, disappearing into the silence beyond the hall. Eva moved soundlessly through the hallway, her bare feet barely touching the floor. The soft wind from the open window whispered along the walls, trailing behind her like a fading thought. She returned to the small room where she had been resting, quiet, dim, untouched.
The Fold energy in the air shimmered faintly, echoing around her like fading music. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her without a sound. Her eyes lingered on the bed for a moment. Then she sat down slowly, carefully, as though her body still remembered the pain she had endured. Her fingers brushed the edge of the blanket, grounding herself.
The silence in the room felt different now. Calmer. Settled. She closed her eyes, breathing in the last traces of that floral wind drifting through the house.
"One layer closed," she whispered to herself. "But not the last." Then she lay back against the pillow, letting her body finally rest, as Fold-light quietly faded from her skin.
Outside Elara's home, Jian stood just beyond the reach of the porch light, hidden in the shadow of an old tree. The cool night breeze stirred his coat as he kept his eyes on the quiet windows, listening, waiting.
He expected something. A ripple. A presence. Raven and Damien always left traces, even when they didn't want to. But tonight… nothing.
The air remained calm. No pulses of Fold-energy. No shifting of time seams. No sudden chill that usually announced Raven's arrival.
Minutes ticked into hours.
Jian stayed still, scanning the surroundings like a sentinel. The silence was deceptive. Too quiet. Too still.
Are they waiting? Watching from somewhere I can't sense?
Or… have they already been here and left something behind?
But there were no signs.
Two hours passed. Jian's limbs were stiff from standing so long, and the hum of night insects filled the emptiness where danger should have been.
Finally, with a reluctant breath, Jian stepped away from the tree and walked back into the darkness, disappearing down the winding path.
To be continue ...