Chapter 135 Avatar of Harmony (13)
After the meeting at the Nyxellia temple, Rinoa quietly returned to the Sanctum, driven by one purpose: to deliver a request for spirit severance.
Tension hung in the air as the temple leaders were thrown into a frenzy. The minor spirit that accompanied her shimmered softly with a bluish-green luminescence, gliding around Rinoa like a vigilant guardian. Its ethereal movements were akin to a delicate dance, gracefully preventing anyone from approaching her, creating a protective barrier of tranquility. For an entire week, Rinoa embraced silence, uttering not a word nor penning a thought. Instead, she found herself lost in the vastness of the starry night sky, which felt increasingly remote, the distance amplifying the hollowness within her.
Then, on the seventh night, as the last glimmers of spiritual fires flickered into darkness and the air grew fragile like charred tissue, Rinoa stepped into the cool night. She made her way to the enchanted forest where Fitran awaited her, the gentle sound of rustling leaves creating a soothing melody, and the earthy scent of damp soil infusing the atmosphere with a sense of magic.
"You came, even though the world still calls your name," Fitran said softly, a glimmer of hope illuminating his eyes.
"I never chose that name. They bestowed it upon me like an oppressive burden, not a true calling," Rinoa replied, her tone resolute yet laced with emotion, her eyes alight with fierce determination.
"I've read your letter," Fitran said, concern etching his features. "If you come with me, they will turn against you. You know this," he urged, the weight of his worry evident in his voice.
Rinoa gazed into Fitran's eyes with intense determination, her expression a poignant blend of pain and resolve. "They hate me even when I remain silent. It's better to be despised as a human than to be worshipped as a puppet," she declared, her voice quivering yet unwavering, as if the very spirits around her were lending strength to her words.
"Moreover, I can't seem to let you be alone for some reason. My heart swells with joy whenever I'm near you," Rinoa continued, placing a delicate hand over her chest, the gesture both tender and vulnerable. A gentle smile graced her lips, maintaining an emotional distance while revealing an undeniable longing that hung in the air like mist.
"I don't know what you're doing, but I have feelings, Fitran," she confessed, her soft voice a tantalizing whisper, yet each word resonated with a quiet firmness that echoed her heart's depth.
"How did you get hurt? How do you protect me? There are so many things I can't find the courage to say. I ....
"Rinoa," Fitran replied, softly stroking her cheek, his warm fingers gliding over her delicate skin, creating a soothing sensation that rippled through the stillness of the night.