Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 26: Thunderstruck

Before heading back to my room, I make a quick stop at the cafeteria. I gather a selection of snacks, hoping to find something to satisfy both Sylvia's and my own needs.

I dash through the rain, arriving at my dorm with my clothes soaked. As I make my way up to my room, I find it pitch black when I step inside. It looks like Sylvia isn't back yet, leaving the room eerily quiet and still.

I lay the snacks out on the table and put the drinks in the fridge before grabbing some clothes to change into. I head to the bathroom to get my towel and dry my hair, hoping to warm up and feel more comfortable after the rain.

I make my way over to the window to look outside, and just as a brilliant flash of lightning lights up the room, I notice something unusual in the corner of my eye. There, huddled in a dimly lit corner, is someone wrapped tightly in a blanket

I make my way over slowly, calling out, "Sylvia, is that you? Everything okay?"

I see her face gently peek out from underneath the blanket, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Y...yeah, it's me," she replies softly, her voice barely audible.

I walk up to her and kneel beside her, extending my hand gently. As the blanket falls away, she presses her face into my chest, clinging to me tightly while she continues to cry and tremble. I wrap my arms around her, offering what comfort I can.

I hug her gently, guiding her away from the window and over to my bed. We sit down together, and I hold her close, my concern growing as I softly ask, "What's wrong? Can you tell me what happened?"

She looks up from my chest, her normally pale complexion flushed a deep red from her tears. "Yeah... yeah, I can tell you," she says, her voice wavering as she starts to gather her thoughts.

I gently clear the tears from her eyes and rub the top of her head soothingly. "Take your time," I say softly, "there's no rush."

She takes a few deep breaths and begins to speak, her voice trembling but determined. "It all started about six years ago. My parents were part of the Draconic Knights, who protected the den of dragons.

One night, while we were asleep at home, a sudden bolt of lightning struck, followed by a deafening thunder. When I looked outside, I saw that our village was under attack by the Dragon Rebellion."

"Who are the Dragon Rebellion, if I can ask?"

"The Dragon Rebellion is a group of fanatical dragons who believe they are superior to everyone else and shouldn't be on equal footing with the rest of us. They broke away from the established order and chose to pursue their agenda, which included destroying the den of dragons where we lived."

"My parents, being the brave protectors they were, went out to fight against the rebellion... That was the last time I ever saw them," she says, her voice breaking as more tears well up. "I watched in horror as they rushed into battle.

All I could see was them, alongside others, being struck down by a massive lightning dragon. It felt like time stood still. The next thing I remember, I was at my grandparents' house, completely lost and numb.

Ever since then, I've had a deep fear of storms. The sound of thunder and the flash of lightning bring back vivid flashbacks to that night when my world shattered. It's like I'm reliving the terror and loss all over again."

I pull her close to my chest once more, wrapping my arms around her protectively. "You're safe now," I whisper gently, feeling her tremors slowly subside. "I'm here for you. I promise that I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe and make sure nothing ever hurts you like that again. You're not alone in this, and I'm not going anywhere."

She looks up at me, her eyes still glistening with tears. "C...can I sleep here with you tonight? At least until the storm is over?" she asks softly, her voice trembling with vulnerability.

"Of course you can," I reply gently. "Put on some pajamas, and you can lay here with me tonight—or whenever you feel scared. I'm here for you, always."

Sylvia grabs some pajamas and changes quickly. Meanwhile, I head to the fridge to grab some juice and a few snacks. When I return, we settle down in my bed together. I hand her the juice and snacks, and we make ourselves comfortable.

I look at her gently and ask, "Can I tell you a secret? It's something I haven't shared with anyone before." My voice is soft, hoping to offer a sense of trust.

"Yeah, you can trust me," Sylvia replies softly, her voice steady despite the storm outside. "What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, feeling a wave of nervousness as I wrestle with whether or not to share. "I... sorry, this is difficult for me," I say, my voice wavering slightly.

"Just as you're here for me, I'm here for you, Rune," she says softly. "I promise this stays between us."

"Okay, here goes," I say, taking another deep breath. "I'm a demigod. I'm not entirely sure who my father is, but from what I've been told, he's a powerful god of the underworld."

She looks at me for a moment, then starts laughing softly. After a few seconds, her expression shifts to something more serious, and she meets my gaze.

"Are you serious, Rune? Like, an actual demigod?" she asks, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

"Yeah," I reply, nodding. "I've been trying to figure out who my father is, but it's turning out to be much more difficult than I expected."

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before I continue. "It's been a challenge trying to uncover more about him," I explain, my voice tinged with frustration. "but so far, it's been like chasing shadows."

"That sounds really tough," she says softly. "But you're not alone in this. If there's anything I can do to help, or if you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

"Thank you, Sylvia. It means a lot to me. I've been carrying this burden for so long, trying to make sense of it all on my own."

As we lie there in the dim light of the room, the storm outside continues its relentless assault, but inside, there's a newfound sense of calm. We share stories and confide in each other, finding solace in our shared vulnerabilities. In that quiet space, with the storm raging beyond the walls, and for a moment, the outside world feels a little less daunting.

I turn off the lights, and as the room plunges into darkness, Sylvia curls up against me, holding onto me tightly. I can feel her small, reassuring squeeze each time a rumble of thunder rolls through the night. I gently rub the top of her head. Eventually, both of us fell asleep.

I wake up to the sound of my alarm blaring, and I reach over to silence it, careful not to disturb Sylvia. I glance over and see that she's still nestled in my bed. I smile softly and decide to lie there a little longer. As I settle back into the warmth of the bed, I close my eyes and drift off again, allowing myself a few more hours of rest.