(POV – Eryanis)
Eryanis was born with a purpose. From the very moment she opened her eyes for the first time, there was no confusion, no empty silence: she simply knew. She knew instinctively what she was meant to do, what role she was destined to fulfill, and why she had been cast into the world.
These truths were neither taught nor discovered over time—they were etched into her very being, woven into the fabric of her soul long before she could even comprehend what the act of “existing” truly meant. There was no room for doubt, no space for hesitation.
Every movement, every first breath, seemed to follow a hidden melody only she could hear. Even before a question could form in her mind, the answer was already pulsing within her, alive and undeniable, like an echo that could never be silenced.
What Eryanis’s existence represented was not the result of learning, nor of revelations gained through time. It was a primordial truth, inscribed in every particle of her essence from the very instant she came into being.
Just as fire burns by its very nature, or water always finds a path to flow, Eryanis understood with absolute clarity the reason for her being.
She had no need to question, for there was no doubt: her existence was the very foundation that upheld balance. Eryanis did not merely symbolize Order—she was Order, the silent and immutable incarnation of that which keeps chaos at bay.
Yet Eryanis was not alone. Others like her existed—her sisters—shaped by the same hands, molded from the same essence, each created to bear a distinct burden. From the very first moment of her existence, she was fully aware of this; the truth had not been spoken to her in words but engraved into her core, like an eternal whisper that could never be silenced.
The Mother, the one who had given them form and breath, had granted each not only a purpose but also a unique mark, a destiny to follow. Specific missions had been inscribed in their souls like flames that could never be extinguished.
Among all the sisters, there was one who stood apart, as though she carried within herself a radiance impossible to ignore.
Eryanis, however, knew nothing of her. Her role, her function, even the smallest trace of her true essence remained hidden, shrouded in an impenetrable veil of mystery.
This absence of answers did not create distance or indifference; instead, it sharpened Eryanis’s curiosity and, almost inevitably, awakened a quiet admiration.
Eryanis could not fully explain why, but before she realized it, she found herself consumed by growing admiration, accompanied by a silent yearning to be like that sister.
There was something in her manner—in the firm yet gentle tone of her voice, in the natural grace of her posture, and above all, in the serenity with which she walked among them all, as though each step carried symbolic weight, almost ritualistic in nature.
That aura, discreet yet commanding at the same time, held Eryanis in irresistible fascination, engraving in her mind the image of someone who seemed to belong to an unreachable realm.
At times, that sister seemed the most distant of all, as though her essence dwelled in a place beyond space, perhaps even outside the very time in which the others existed. In her gaze was something ethereal, almost untouchable, as though she looked upon the world from an inaccessible vantage point.
And yet, at other times, she became the closest of them all—able to dissolve uncertainty with a single word or to grant comfort through the lightest of touches, inexplicably steady, as though in that instant she was the anchor for everyone around her.
This duality left Eryanis restless, yet irresistibly enthralled. What she felt was not mere admiration; it was something deeper, almost instinctual, as though an ancient force was pulling her closer. It was the sensation of an invisible bond, woven not by chance but by something far greater—something older than the birth of stars and the awakening of existence itself.
Eryanis admired her deeply and longed to be like her. Because of this, she began to imitate every gesture: the way she spoke, the smooth cadence in her words, the elegant way she walked, and even the serene posture she held before others.
And yet, no matter how hard she tried, something always eluded her—the innate kindness that flowed so naturally from her sister, the almost invisible gentleness revealed in small gestures and fleeting glances.
Eryanis could copy, but she could not convey the same softness; she could mimic, but the essence was missing. In the end, despite all her admiration and effort, Eryanis could never truly become like the sister she so revered.
Moreover, even without any concrete knowledge about her, Eryanis understood something instinctively. From the moment she opened her eyes to the world, a certainty was inscribed upon her soul: that sister—the one she most admired, the one she most longed to equal, the one she most desired to follow—was not like the others.
There was within her a singular radiance, a presence that stood out even among the sisters themselves. Her existence carried a unique purpose, a destiny that seemed to transcend the ordinary.
This silent realization only deepened Eryanis’s admiration, elevating it to an entirely new height, almost reverential—like gazing not merely upon a sister, but upon a figure destined for greatness.
***
(POV – Protagonist)
For a moment, as silence fell over the place, I froze, unsure of what to do. No one said a word, and that only made the weight in the air heavier. The only explanation I could come up with was that my method had been so ineffective it left everyone in shock—though that thought didn’t make any sense.
After all, the goal had been to solve the situation, and I had succeeded. Perhaps in a way less dazzling, less impressive compared to Eryanis, but effective nonetheless. Even so, the others’ lack of reaction made me wonder if, somehow, I had failed at something.
For that matter, Eryanis seemed to be watching me too, her eyes carrying a hint of surprise for reasons unknown. Yet the moment our gazes met, she hurriedly looked away, as though she had been caught off guard.
My only reaction was a slight tilt of the head, hesitant, trying to figure out that sudden change. After all, why was she acting like this all of a sudden? Where had the proud, confident demeanor she had been flaunting just moments ago disappeared to?
Anyway, Althea, who had been flying carelessly around until then, let her body glide through the air and floated gently in front of Eryanis.
For a moment, her curious eyes seemed to scrutinize every expression on the other’s face, as if searching for something hidden in her features. Then, a playful smile curled her lips, accompanied by her signature laugh.
“Fufufu...” she escaped lightly, teasingly: “You really can’t be even a little honest, can you, Eryanis?”
Eryanis drew back slightly but didn’t answer. Her expression, usually marked by unshakable calm, wavered for a moment—as if the flawless mask she wore in front of everyone had cracked ever so slightly. Her eyes, once steady, flickered as though revealing something she had long tried to hide. Still, she lifted her chin stubbornly, maintaining her posture with quiet pride, as if, despite Althea’s words, she refused to admit the truth the other was hinting at.
“Don’t talk nonsense, Althea” her voice echoed firmly, but it carried a subtle, almost imperceptible hesitation—a tiny crack beneath the polish of an otherwise flawless statue. Every syllable had that discordance, like a sour note in a melody that, at first glance, seemed perfect.
Althea laughed even more, her light laughter ringing like distant bells, her small figure spinning lazily in graceful circles through the air. The long strands of her hair trailed behind her, forming a delicate halo as she moved. With a mischievous grin, she leaned forward slightly and said teasingly: “Fufufu... denying it only makes it even more obvious. You’re way too transparent, Eryanis. Even when you think you’re hiding everything, you’re still as cute as ever”
I didn’t fully understand what they were talking about, but there was something unsettling in that silent exchange of glances. The air seemed heavy with an invisible weight.
Eryanis radiated a tension that felt almost tangible, like she was fighting an internal battle with herself; her eyes flickered, betraying hesitation. Every word Althea spoke seemed to cut deep, like a cruel mirror she refused to recognize but couldn’t look away from.
I found myself scratching the back of my neck, as if the gesture could shake off the silent weight hanging in the air. I kept telling myself it didn’t make sense to get involved—whatever it was, it seemed to be just between them, a territory I wasn’t meant to enter.
Still, when I lifted my gaze to Eryanis, something made me hesitate. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a different spark in her eyes. It wasn’t the usual arrogance, nor the mask of icy composure she normally wore... but something unexpectedly human, a brief crack revealing vulnerability.
The illusion lasted only a breath. The moment she caught my gaze, Eryanis quickly, almost brusquely, looked away—as if regretting revealing more than she intended.
“Don’t look at me like that...” she murmured, her voice fragile, almost like a timid plea. It was so soft, for a moment I wondered if it was just a whisper invented by my own imagination.
Althea, of course, noticed—she always did. A mischievous smile curved her lips as she silently moved closer. With the ease of someone who knew the other’s secrets well, she rested a hand on her shoulder and tilted her head, her eyes twinkling with contained mischief.
“Fufu... maybe you should be honest just this once” she murmured, almost conspiratorially: “You don’t have to be honest with all of us... we already know how you really feel. Just be truthful with our dear sister”
The silence that followed wasn’t like before. It didn’t bring discomfort, but a nearly tangible weight, dense, as if carrying something I still couldn’t decipher.
Eryanis closed her eyes briefly, and for that instant, the air seemed to hold its breath with her. When she opened them again, her gaze regained its usual firmness—proud, untouchable, wrapped in the same aura of distance that made her so imposing.
Yet, there was a subtle change, almost imperceptible. A fleeting detail, like a tiny crack in an indestructible wall. For a moment, a part of her true essence had slipped out, revealing itself against her will.
The next moment, still keeping her unshakable expression, Eryanis slowly turned toward Laura. The young girl watched the scene with a mix of confusion and disbelief, as if she couldn’t fully grasp what she had just witnessed.
Victor, Rupert, and Emily shared the same stunned expression, each reflecting the same silent shock. Then, breaking the tension hanging in the air, Eryanis’s sharp, commanding voice echoed through the room: “Let’s set all this nonsense aside. Hurry up, human... tell me, in the end, which of us two performed better in resolving this problem?”
For a moment, all eyes turned to Laura. She visibly trembled under the weight of that overwhelming attention, her lips faltering as if searching for courage to speak. Yet, before she could even utter a word, I let out a heavy sigh and took responsibility to answer.
“I don’t think it’s about who handled the situation more satisfactorily, Eryanis” I said calmly, carrying a hint of nonchalance: “You controlled the situation by asserting your authority. I understood it... and then found the solution. Our methods may have differed, it’s true, but in the end, we both reached the same result: the problem was solved”
I turned my gaze directly to her. Her eyes looked at me strangely, as if searching for something in the silence. I noticed her lips tremble slightly, like she was holding back words unsaid or an emotion struggling to escape. Still, I kept my voice calm, almost casual, and said: “In the end, we both did well. Don’t you think so?”