Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Emerald Stone

The walk back to the village was quieter than before.

Lumi hummed softly while carrying the basket of herbs.

Lyra walked beside her, her right hand resting inside the pocket of her dress.

Her fingers gently wrapped around the smooth stone.

It felt cold.

Just like any ordinary rock.

*Was I imagining everything?*

She glanced at Lumi.

"...Lumi."

"Hm?"

"Have you ever seen a stone like this before?"

Lumi looked at the small round object in Lyra's palm.

She tilted her head.

"It looks strange..."

She took it carefully.

"It doesn't feel heavy."

She turned it over several times.

"No markings."

"No cracks."

"No color."

She smiled.

"Maybe it's just a pretty river stone."

Lyra frowned slightly.

"No..."

"I found it far from the river."

Lumi handed it back.

"Then keep it."

"It might bring you luck."

Lyra forced a small smile.

"...Maybe."

She slipped it back into her pocket.

As they continued walking, she quietly observed it again.

There was nothing magical about it.

No light.

No warmth.

No strange voice.

Only a perfectly smooth stone.

Yet...

The moment she touched it beneath the grass...

She had felt something.

Not power.

Not magic.

Recognition.

As if...

It had once belonged to her.

---

The sun was beginning to set when the two girls finally reached the village.

Smoke rose gently from the chimneys.

Children laughed as they chased one another through the narrow paths.

Several villagers greeted Lumi with warm smiles.

"You found plenty today!"

"We did!"

Lumi proudly lifted the basket.

"The forest was generous."

An elderly woman noticed Lyra.

"How was your first trip into the forest, child?"

Lyra bowed politely.

"It was... peaceful."

Lumi laughed.

"Except for the part where I almost fell."

The old woman gasped.

"You climbed the rocks again?"

Lumi scratched the back of her head.

"...Maybe."

"You never learn."

Before Lumi could defend herself, Lyra spoke quietly.

"She wasn't hurt."

The woman smiled with relief.

"Good."

"You two should hurry home before dark."

"We will!"

Lumi waved happily.

As they continued walking toward the cottage...

Lyra instinctively touched her pocket once more.

The stone was still there.

Safe.

For reasons she couldn't explain...

She felt that losing it...

Would mean losing the only remaining connection to the world she had forgotten.

The cottage was warm by the time they returned.

The familiar scent of vegetable stew filled the small room.

Laera was already setting bowls on the wooden table.

"You two took longer than I expected."

Lumi smiled apologetically.

"We found more herbs than usual."

"And I almost fell from the rocks."

Laera sighed.

"I knew it."

"One day those cliffs will teach you a lesson."

Lumi laughed awkwardly.

"But Lyra caught me."

Laera turned toward Lyra.

"You did?"

Lyra nodded.

"I was close enough."

Laera smiled warmly.

"Thank you."

"You've already helped this family more than once."

Lyra lowered her eyes.

"I only did what anyone would have done."

"Not everyone would."

Laera placed another bowl on the table.

"Come."

"Let's eat before it gets cold."

---

The three of them sat together.

For a while...

Only the sound of spoons touching the bowls filled the room.

Lumi suddenly looked at Lyra.

"So..."

"What did you think of the forest?"

Lyra paused before answering.

"It feels..."

She searched for the right word.

"Peaceful."

"But at the same time..."

"As if it's hiding many secrets."

Lumi grinned.

"I've always felt that way."

"When I was little, I imagined ancient spirits lived there."

Laera chuckled softly.

"You've been reading too many fairy tales."

"They were good stories!"

"They also kept you awake every night."

Lumi pouted.

"I was just curious."

Lyra smiled without realizing it.

Watching the mother and daughter tease each other made something inside her chest feel warm.

A feeling...

She couldn't remember ever having.

---

After dinner, Lumi carried the empty bowls to the kitchen.

"I'll wash these."

"I'll help," Lyra said.

Laera shook her head.

"No."

"You're our guest."

"You've worked enough today."

Lyra hesitated.

"I don't want to be a burden."

Laera looked at her kindly.

"Then stay."

"That's enough."

For a moment...

Lyra didn't know how to answer.

No one had spoken to her like that before.

Not that she could remember.

She simply nodded.

"...Thank you."

As Lumi's laughter echoed from the kitchen...

Lyra quietly slipped her hand into her pocket.

The smooth stone was still there.

She held it for only a second.

Nothing happened.

No warmth.

No light.

No strange reaction.

Yet...

For reasons she couldn't explain...

She couldn't bring herself to let it go.

The moon hung high above the village.

A cool breeze drifted through the quiet streets.

Kyle stood outside the cottage, leaning lightly against the wooden fence.

His golden eyes were fixed on the night sky.

The stars looked exactly as they had the night Lyra arrived.

Yet...

Something about that night refused to leave his mind.

Footsteps approached behind him.

"You couldn't sleep either?"

Kyle turned.

Lumi smiled as she stepped onto the porch.

"I woke up to get some water."

She noticed him staring at the sky.

"You like watching the stars?"

Kyle smiled faintly.

"It helps me think."

Lumi nodded.

"I understand."

"My father used to do the same."

The two stood in comfortable silence for a moment.

Then Kyle spoke.

"Lumi..."

"Hm?"

"The first night Lyra came here..."

He hesitated briefly.

"...Did you notice anything unusual?"

Lumi frowned.

"Unusual?"

Kyle looked toward the dark forest beyond the village.

"A turquoise light."

"It came from somewhere near this house."

Lumi blinked several times.

"A turquoise light?"

"Yes."

She thought carefully.

"I..."

Just then...

The cottage door creaked open.

Lyra stepped outside, carrying a small blanket over her shoulders.

She stopped when she saw them.

"Oh..."

"I didn't know you were both awake."

Lumi smiled immediately.

"I couldn't sleep."

"I came out for some fresh air."

Kyle's expression remained calm.

"So did I."

Without another word, he shifted the conversation.

"The weather will be colder tomorrow."

Lumi looked at him for a second.

Then she understood.

He didn't want to continue the previous topic.

"I should gather more firewood in the morning," she said naturally.

"That's a good idea," Kyle replied.

Lyra glanced between them.

For a brief moment...

She felt as though she had interrupted something.

But neither of them mentioned it again.

The three stood together beneath the quiet night sky.

Far above them...

The stars continued to shine.

Unaware that the answer to Kyle's unfinished question...

Would quietly change the course of all their lives.