Lunar Rising

Ch.30 Friendship

Chapter 30

Veena sat alone on the bench by her window, her gaze fixed on the blanket of snow that stretched out below her on the ground. The pure white flakes fell gently from the sky, swirling and twirling in the air before settling on the ground in a soft, silent embrace. It was a scene of serene beauty, but Veena's heart felt heavy with melancholy.

In the quiet solitude of the snowy landscape, Veena felt a sense of isolation that weighed heavily upon her soul. She longed for the warmth of green hills and for the comforting presence of those she held dear. But in that moment, she was alone with her thoughts, lost in the vast expanse of winter's embrace.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she wrapped her arms around herself, seeking solace in the stillness of the snow. The world around her seemed to fade away as she allowed herself to be swallowed by the calmness, finding a fleeting sense of peace amidst the melancholy that enveloped her.

Lost in her thoughts, Venna did not notice Eryx stepping into her room. As his gaze fell upon her sitting by the window, a tightness stirred within him, tugging at the depths of his soul. In her silhouette, he saw echoes of Meera.

The way Veena's profile was etched against the soft glow of the window reminded Eryx of Meera's grace, her strength, her resilience. There was a subtle resemblance in the way they carried themselves, a quiet determination that seemed to emanate from within.

Eryx couldn't help but draw parallels between the two. Both Veena and Meera possessed a rare kind of beauty, one that transcended mere physicality and touched the very essence of who they were.

But it wasn't just their outward appearance. It was the way they faced adversity with unwavering courage, the way they held onto hope even in the darkest of times. It was their kindness, their compassion, their capacity for love that truly set them apart. As Eryx watched Veena lost in her own thoughts, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the presence of them both in his life.

"I heard if you stare at it hard enough, you can see the yeti peering back at you from the snow," Eryx teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Startled, Venna looked up, her eyes filling with confusion. With her snow-white hair and big round eyes, she reminded Eryx of a delicate snow bunny. He chuckled softly as he walked over to the bench and took a seat beside her.

"What has you so glum?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"I'm not glum," Venna frowned, her tone defensive.

"No?" Eryx raised an eyebrow. "Then why isn't the sun shining, pretty girl?"

"I don't know," Venna replied, her voice softening. Slowly, she lowered her legs and let out a sigh. "You should ask Meera."

The small smile on Eryx's lips slipped away at the mention of Meera's name. Venna noticed the change in his demeanor immediately, her own expression turning somber.

"She's not happy here, Eryx," Venna spoke quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "She wants to go home."

"I know," Eryx nodded, his heart heavy with guilt and concern. He swallowed the lump in his throat, pushing down the pressure of his own emotions.

"Are you going to take her back?" Venna asked, her voice tinged with concern. "To her family?"

"I can't," Eryx confessed, his tone heavy with regret. "We need her."

"Don't do that to her," Venna's voice carried a gentle plea. "Please."

"It's not up to me, Vee," Eryx sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't like hurting her. I hate seeing her in pain. But I have no choice."