-

Echoes of

the rough wood. Outside, the village bustled with life, but none of it welcomed him. The E

ed him everywhere. His parents' abandonment still lingered in his heart, a festering wound that never ful

amiliarity of the cottage he'd grown up in? Or the

eering through the window, he saw a group of villagers g

The moon hasn't set

tly. "It's the Evernight boy!

erything - the failing crops, the restless

uld avoid the confrontation. But deep down,

-

ived at Aster's cottage, h

Aster said as he let Elijah

g down a bundle of herbs and bread on t

change. No matter what I do, I'll alw

ly. "Then let's leave. We've talked about this

ing the warmth of Elijah's touch. It was a si

d quietly. "What place wou

softened. "Any

-

led low. He needed supplies, but he dreaded the trip. Each step felt li

lled out their wares, children ran through the streets

lagers noticed Aster,

ild close, whispering,

with the weight of their stares. He want

Evern

wing everyone's attention. A group of men

like nothing's wrong?" one of them sne

bling. He didn't want trouble

upplies," he said, his

in, their voice

-

, Elijah appeared, stepping

ng out, silencing the group

e men spat. "Our crops a

Elijah interrupted. "You can't blame

ush back or disperse. Elijah's defiance

ground. Elijah wasn't just protecting him - h

in thought. Elijah's loyalty humbled him. Despite

eave," Elijah

d up, surpri

. Beyond the mountains, there are places where no one

hought. Freedom. A new begin

he same?" Aster whispered.

ly. "Then we keep

-

ing at the cursed moon. Its light bathed the landscape i

er. The air felt heavy, as though th

carrying with it a sound - soft, dista

't a voice. It was a feeling - a pull. Something was calling to

gazed at the mounta

was time

h arrived at the cottag

Elijah said. "We're leav

taring at his frie

to rot in this village. There's a bigger wo

in Aster's heart. The future was uncertain, but i

sky, Aster took a deep breath and

d. And maybe, just maybe, he'd find