Inside, the air was heavy with dust and forgotten memories. Cobwebs clung to the chandeliers, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Furniture, once polished and proud, now stood worn and faded. The wooden floor creaked beneath their feet, its surface scratched and dull from years of neglect. Despite its neglect, the house retained a whispered promise of grandeur, its beauty sleeping beneath the surface.
Kira was led down to one of the rooms, the door creaking open to reveal a space with few furnishings. A worn-out bed stood close to the wall, beneath a massive window that spanned the length of the room. Plants had grown on the windowsill, some creeping into the room through broken shards of glass. A grey, metallic table and chair sat by the bed, looking out of place among the worn wooden furniture. Light seeped in through a damaged ceiling, where carpet grasses and florals thrived, shielding the room from the sky. Dust motes danced in the faint, ethereal glow emanating from crystal fixtures that emerged randomly from the walls.
Kira's eyes widened as she approached the crystals, running her hands over their rough surfaces. The glow brightened, then dulled as her hand passed.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" a voice called out.
Kira turned to see Sapphire standing in the doorway, a small piece of clothing and a bucket of water in hand.
"I brought these so you can clean up," Sapphire said, offering Kira the items. "I'm afraid we don't have any spare clothes for you to wear."
Kira accepted the offerings, her eyes fixed on Sapphire's friendly smile. As she cleaned herself up, Kira's thoughts turned to the strange house and its inhabitants. Who were these people, and why had they taken her in?
Once she'd finished, Kira made her way downstairs. But before she could descend, Nirro's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto the spot where Kira's whole body became visible. Upon feeling the stare, she halted her descent, like a prey who has been seen by a predator. His expression remained stoic, but a subtle tension in his body language hinted that he sensed something. The others noticed as they followed his gaze, their faces turning toward Kira with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Sapphire's face, however, broke into a warm smile. "Hey," Sapphire said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're all cleaned up." He stood up from where he was sitting, his endearing, boyish charm on full display. His lean, athletic build (he stood at around 4'9") seemed to hum with a quiet energy as he strode over.
The others looked up from their seats by the hearth as Kira continued her descent down the stairs until she reached where Sapphire was. He knelt down so that Kira wouldn't strain her neck.
"Hey, I'm Sapphire," he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Welcome to our home – and your new home."
Kira's gaze darted between the three other boys, her heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity. She hesitated, unsure if she should trust them. She had some amount of trust and hope in Sapphire, but the others, she couldn't be certain. She shifted from one foot to another.
Sapphire seemed to sense her unease, his smile faltering for a moment before he spoke up. "They mean you no harm. You're safe here."
Kira's eyes searched Sapphire's face, looking for any sign of deception. But all she saw was kindness and genuine concern. She glanced at the other boys, her hesitation lingering.
"What's your name?" Sapphire asked, his voice gentle.
Kira's lips parted, and she whispered, "Kira."
Sapphire's smile returned, and he nodded. "Nice to meet you, Kira. This is Kaelor," Sapphire said, gesturing to a boy with sparkling emerald eyes and short, curly silver hair. Kaelor's chocolate-brown skin glowed with a warm, golden undertone, and his lean, athletic build (he stood at around 4'6") seemed to vibrate with energy.
"Nice to meet you," Kaelor responded.
Sapphire continued, "This is Nirro," nodding toward the boy with piercing yellow eyes. Nirro's pale skin and dull orange hair seemed to blend into the background, but his tall, lean frame (he stood at around 4'8") commanded attention.
Nirro greeted her with a tilt of his head.
Sapphire's gaze shifted to the last boy, "And this is Lucian." Lucian's eyes, an unsettling combination of icy blue and amber, seemed to bore into Kira's soul. His hair, a wild tangle of copper-blonde locks, added to his striking, otherworldly appearance. His tall, slender frame (he stood at around 4'9") seemed to radiate an air of quiet confidence. Instead of greeting her, Lucian scuffed at the floor with his shoe, his expression unreadable.
"Don't mind him, he's not always like that," Sapphire said, assuring Kira. With the introduction done, Kaelor jumped down from the chair and immediately grabbed Kira's hand, pulling her along as he went to show her around the remaining parts of the house.
In the kitchen, ancient cookware hung from rusty hooks, while the stone hearth remained cold, its ashes long extinguished. Dust lay on the earthen countertops. The ground was covered with moss and little plants, and the walls of the house had cracks through which light seeped in. Water leaked from the ceiling, forming little puddles on the ground. Magic crystals emitted different hues of light down the corridors. In the corners, wisps of forgotten spells seemed to unravel, their residual energy infusing the space with a whisper of magic.
Room after room, Kira was led to, and after each room, her awe kept growing. When Kaelor ensured she had seen all that needed to be seen in the house, he directed his attention to the outside. Bursting out of the back door, with hands tightly clasping Kira's, they ran towards the entangled bushes. Because of the speed at which they were running, they flew into the bushes. Before Kira could wriggle herself out, Kaelor got hold of her, pulling her out. Kira didn't have time to dust herself before he continued running, dragging her along. That's when her eyes set on an evergreen garden, beautiful and breathtaking, though not catered for. Little magical insects inhabited it, but its sight had no shortcomings. A humid breeze and floral scents filled the air. Eventually, a smile blossomed on Kira's face as she moved through the garden.
Sapphire, Nirro, and Lucian soon came out to the backyard, staring at Kaelor and Kira playing.