As they settled into their hiding spots, the birds and Liri carefully observed the house from a distance. The grand estate stood tall, its towering walls casting long shadows under the fading sunlight. The air around it was thick with a quiet tension, as if secrets lurked within its very foundation.
Liri, with her keen senses, took in the lingering scents around the area. The faint traces of Elvienne's presence were there, though mixed with other unfamiliar scents. Her delicate nose twitched as she filtered through the different auras, trying to pinpoint the one they sought.
Meanwhile, the magical birds perched silently in the thick foliage, their dimmed bodies blending seamlessly with the night. They exchanged glances, silently communicating their next steps. One of the smaller birds, agile and swift, fluttered closer to the estate's stone walls, searching for a vantage point.
Another bird, gifted with the ability to listen beyond ordinary hearing, focused on the hushed voices coming from inside. Words drifted through the open windows—fragments of conversations about the noble's affairs, the comings and goings of visitors, and subtle hints of something hidden beneath the surface.
Liri remained cautious, her instincts telling her to wait a little longer. The forest creatures knew patience was key. They would not rush in blindly. Instead, they would wait, listen, and let the house reveal its secrets to them.
.
.
As the night deepened, the mission pressed on. The trees, ancient and wise, swayed gently with the wind but provided no answers to the birds' questions. Though rooted in the land for centuries, their knowledge was limited to what their branches could reach. Their whispers carried nothing about Elvienne.
Liri, however, had a different approach. She remained still, focusing all her senses on the faint traces of scent and energy lingering in the air. With each careful movement, she crept forward, her body tense, her sharp nose filtering through the layers of scents. Then, with a sudden flutter of realization, she took flight again, soaring higher and higher, feeling the presence grow stronger. But then—something was wrong. The scent was fading.
A sinking feeling hit her. She was too high.
Adjusting swiftly, she dove downward, gliding cautiously over the estate's walls and scanning for any sign of the girl. It wasn't long before she found it—a single window exuding a stronger trace of Elvienne's presence. Her scent clung to it, as if she had been there recently. The energy from inside was unmistakably hers.
Liri hurried back to the others, urgency flickering in her glowing eyes. The birds, understanding the silent plea, devised a plan. A few of them fluttered closer, their tiny beaks tapping lightly against the glass. The sound was faint, but it was there—a gentle knock against the silence of the night.
They waited.
No response.
A second attempt. Then a third.
Still, nothing.
The birds exchanged wary glances, hesitation creeping in. They pecked again, more insistently this time. Fourth. Fifth. Their hope dimmed like a dying ember. If there was no response now, they would have to retreat.
But Liri was not one to give up so easily. A fierce determination surged within her small frame. With every ounce of strength in her, she flung herself toward the window, slamming into the glass with a dull thud. Pain shot through her tiny body, and for a moment, the world blurred as she lost control, plummeting toward the ground.
Just before she could hit the cold earth below, a pair of strong wings caught her mid-fall. A larger bird had swooped in, saving her from the harsh landing. Liri trembled, not from pain, but from the bitter sting of failure. She had tried her hardest, but still—no result.
Then, a soft creak.
A breath of air shifted the silence. The window, ever so slowly, began to open.
.
.
As soon as the window creaked open, their bodies lit up with excitement, but they quickly dimmed their glow, cautious of their surroundings. Liri's senses had been right—standing at the window, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, was Elvienne.
Her brows furrowed in confusion as she scanned the night, but the moment her eyes landed on Liri, her breath hitched. Shock. Disbelief. Hope.
"Liri…?" she whispered, almost afraid to believe what she was seeing.
The small creature fluttered toward her, and without hesitation, she reached out, cradling Liri gently in her hands. A single tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another, until silent sobs wracked her body.
The birds glided into her room, their delicate wings barely making a sound. One of them, with careful precision, nudged the window shut with its beak, sealing them safely inside.
Liri nestled against her, purring softly, as if trying to soothe her sorrow. To tell her she was not alone.
Still holding Liri close, she wiped her tears and tried to gather her thoughts. She looked at the birds, at the shimmering presence of Liri, and whispered, her voice trembling:
"Did… Did he send you?"
The birds nodded.
Liri, sensing what must be done, pulled away slightly, hovering in the air. A faint shimmer pulsed from her small body as she flapped her wings, and slowly, she moved, tracing a glowing mist through the air. A heart.
The luminescent shape lingered before her eyes, its message clear.
Zehron loved her.
.
.
As the glowing heart lingered in the air, Elvienne's lips parted in a silent gasp. She understood.
A fresh wave of tears welled in her eyes, but this time, they weren't just from sorrow. Zehron had sent this message. He had reached out to her, even from afar.
She clutched Liri closer to her chest, her fingers trembling as she whispered, "Zehron…"
The birds watched her, their eyes filled with silent wisdom, their presence a reminder that she was not forgotten. That he was still thinking of her.
Liri nuzzled against her cheek, its soft warmth grounding her, as if urging her to stay strong. To hold on.
With a deep breath, she wiped her tears and straightened herself. She couldn't falter now. If Zehron was still out there, if he had sent this message despite everything, then she had to believe.
She looked at the birds and Liri, determination settling in her eyes. She would wait for him.