love rhythm

Pain came like lightning—sharp, blinding, and gone in a breath. As Arelia fell, the world dimmed, her fingers brushing the wet stone. Her last thought wasn’t fear. It was him Kael. She had never said it out loud, never dared to admit the quiet storm in her chest whenever he was near. The boy with storm-grey eyes and a past wrapped in shadows. The one who always stood at the edge of every room, as if he didn’t belong anywhere. And yet, when she looked at him, she felt like she did, Darkness swallowed her. She woke to silence. No rain. No pain. No arrow. Instead, there was warmth—a golden glow surrounding her like a cocoon. Arelia sat up slowly, her breath catching as she realized she was floating in an endless expanse of light. “You’re not meant to die yet.” The voice was ancient, neither male nor female, echoing from everywhere and nowhere. “Who… who are you?” Arelia whispered. “A keeper of threads,” it replied. “And yours was cut too soon.” Images flashed around her—her life, her laughter, her moments with Kael. Then something else: shadows creeping through the academy, hidden figures, betrayal. “You were killed,” the voice said gently. “But your story isn’t over. Would you return… knowing it may cost you everything?” Arelia hesitated. Then she saw Kael again in her mind—his quiet strength, the way his eyes softened when he thought no one was watching. “Yes,” she said. “I’ll return.” “Then remember this: magic remembers you. And so will he… eventually.” Arelia gasped as she sat upright in her bed. Morning light poured through the windows. Birds chirped outside. Alive. Her hands trembled as she touched her chest—no wound, no scar. Just a steady heartbeat. But something had changed. She could feel magic more intensely now—like a roaring river beneath her skin. Colors seemed sharper, sounds clearer. And deep within her mind, fragments of the future flickered like broken glass. She knew things. She knew the rain would come again that evening. She knew someone would try to kill her… again. And she knew Kael was involved. When she saw Kael later that day, nothing in his expression revealed recognition. Of course, why would it? To him, she had never died. But something was off. He looked at her longer than usual, his gaze narrowing slightly. “Have we met?” he asked. Her heart skipped. “We go to the same academy.” “I know that,” he said quietly. “But it feels like… something else.” Arelia forced a smile. “Maybe you’re just noticing me now.” But inside, hope bloomed. He remembers something.