Chapter 151: Lyra's home
"So, Lyra, how long has it been?" Clara asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Lyra paused, her brow furrowed in thought. "Honestly, I don't know."
Clara's eyes widened. "Well, since that last letter you sent me, it's been two months! You almost didn't make it back in time."
Lyra's surprise was evident on her face. "I didn't even know..."
"I didn't know either," Clara admitted, "until Elias came back into town with those knights!"
"What do you mean, 'came back into town'?" Lyra questioned, her interest piqued.
Clara backtracked, realizing she might have said too much. "Well, I'm not too sure, but through the empty Ashborne Academy, I'm just glad you're safe."
Changing the subject, Clara mentioned, "What about your aunt? I'm surprised she hasn't reached out."
Lyra suddenly realized that her aunt Selene hadn't even noticed she was gone. In fact, she had never once checked on her, making Lyra feel flustered and forgotten. She remembered that she needed to check her own room.
As she walked through the empty halls of Ashborne Academy, Lyra reflected on everything she had been through. This place, once just a school, had become her new home. There was no going back; her old home had been destroyed, and aunt Selene wanted nothing to do with her. But here at Ashborne, Lyra had friends and a place to belong.
Finally, she reached the door to her room. Unlocking it, she was greeted by the familiar sight of her personal space, untouched since she had last been there. As she stepped inside, a wave of emotions washed over her.
This room represented a new chapter in her life, a fresh start after the chaos and trauma she had endured. It was a place where she could find solace and safety, surrounded by the support of her friends in the resistance.
Lyra sat down on her bed, her mind racing with thoughts of the future. She knew that the path ahead would be difficult, filled with challenges and uncertainties. But she also knew that she was not alone. The bonds she had forged with her fellow resistance members, the skills she had honed, and the strength she had discovered within herself would guide her through whatever lay ahead.
She was struck by a wave of nostalgia. Her gaze fell upon her battle alchemy outfit, still hung up from her last essence tournament. The sight brought back memories of the countless hours she had spent training, honing her skills, and pushing herself to be the best she could be.
She ran her fingers along the spines of the books lining her shelves, each one a testament to the knowledge she had gained through her classes. The familiarity of it all was comforting, a reminder of the person she had been before the chaos of the Nightfall Mansion.
Yet, amidst the warmth of homecoming, a nagging thought tugged at Lyra's mind. Aunt Selene hadn't even noticed she was gone. Two months had passed without a single word of concern or inquiry from the woman who was supposed to be her guardian.
Lyra sank down onto her bed, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Should she reach out to Aunt Selene? Try to rebuild the bridges that had been left to crumble in the wake of her absence?
She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. No, there was no point. Aunt Selene had made her position clear through her inaction. She had never been a true family to Lyra, never shown the love and support that she craved.
In that moment, Lyra realized that the family she had always longed for was right here, within the walls of Ashborne Academy. The resistance members who had fought beside her, who had risked everything to bring her home—they were her true family now.
She thought of Clara, of Elias, of all the others who had welcomed her back with open arms. They had proven, time and time again, that they would stand by her side through thick and thin. They were the ones who truly cared for her, who saw her worth and valued her presence.
Lyra stood up, a newfound resolve settling over her. She would not waste any more time seeking the approval of those who had never truly cared for her. Instead, she would pour her energy into the relationships that mattered, into the cause that had given her life purpose and meaning.
She unpacked her belongings with a renewed sense of determination, each item a reminder of the challenges she had overcome and the strength she had discovered within herself. Her battle alchemy outfit, her books, her mementos—they were all pieces of the puzzle that made up Lyra Argyle, the young woman who had faced darkness and emerged stronger for it.
As she finished settling into her room, Lyra felt a sense of peace wash over her. This was where she belonged, surrounded by the people who loved and supported her. And though the road ahead was uncertain, she knew that with her Ashborne family by her side, she could face anything that came her way.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone