Pavo Empire — Secret Residence
Rain battered the stone walls like a thousand furious drums.
Two cloaked riders galloped through the storm toward the iron gates of a secluded estate hidden deep within the Pavo Empire. Their horses were exhausted, their cloaks soaked, their faces hidden beneath heavy hoods.
Inside the residence, servants hurried through candlelit corridors.
A knock echoed against Omuro's chamber door. Omuro opened it, her posture composed and regal.
Time had changed her. The carefree girl who once laughed easily had vanished. In her place stood a woman trained in discipline and restraint.
"What is it?" she asked, irritation edging her voice. "It's late."
"My lady," one servant said nervously, bowing, "we have unexpected guests."
"Two of them," the other added.
Omuro was now agitated.
"Where are they?"
"At the gate. The guards refuse to admit them until they identify themselves—but they refuse."
Omuro sighed.
"Take me there."
Moments later she stood before the gate. The guards stepped aside. Omuro crossed her arms.
"Identify yourselves."
One of the riders scoffed softly.
"You've grown, sister."
The hood fell back and Omuro's breath immediately caught.
All those months of missing her and avoiding her at the same time, wishing her happiness but also misery, hurting from the betrayal but also feeling the push to forgive her, her sister was finally there.
"Stara?"
The second rider removed her hood as well—it was Stara's lady-in-waiting.
Stara's voice was weary.
"We're soaked, sister. May we at least have shelter for the night?"
Omuro nodded stiffly.
"Let them in."
Servants rushed forward.
As Stara dismounted, Omuro finally saw her swollen belly. Her heart skipped.
"Prepare food and dry clothes," Omuro ordered the servants.
"Yes, my lady."
They hurried away, leaving the sisters alone.
...
Omuro's Chambers
Stara removed her cloak and sank slowly into a chair, holding her belly carefully. Omuro remained standing across the room.
The silence between them was thick with old wounds.
Stara began drying her hair with a towel.
"Did the queen tell you where I was?" Omuro asked.
"No."
"Then how did you find me?"
Stara smiled faintly.
"You really think there's anywhere in the world I wouldn't find you?" She looked at her sister gently. "You're my soulmate, you idiot."
"Don't call me that."
Stara ignored the warning.
"What is this place anyway? What have you been doing here all these months?"
"Stop interrogating me," Omuro snapped.
Her eyes dropped to Stara's belly.
"Why did you come here in this condition? Do you realize how dangerous it is to travel days on horseback while pregnant?"
Stara shrugged.
"You're worth it."
"Oh, shut up, Stara."
"You're really going to kick me out?"
Omuro's anger caused her voice to tremble.
"You know what I haven't heard from you yet? An apology."
Her eyes glistened with bitterness.
"I left because you hurt me. Go be with Bazi since you love him so much."
Stara whispered quietly, "I miss you."
"Well, I don't."
Stara struggled to stand. Omuro instinctively took a step forward—Then forced herself to stop.
"I'm glad you're alive," Stara said softly. "Tomorrow morning I'll leave."
She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her.
"But tonight… let's pretend we're still the same."
Omuro hesitated.
"Come here."
Reluctantly, Omuro approached.
"Feel your niece kicking," Stara said.
Omuro froze.
"You're sure it's a girl?"
"Of course."
Omuro placed her hand gently on Stara's belly. Suddenly the baby kicked. Omuro gasped.
"This is unbelievable."
Stara looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"Come home," she whispered. "I need you."
...
Morning came too abruptly.
Omuro woke with a sharp gasp, her body jerking upright as if she had been pulled from deep water. Her heart pounded violently. For a moment, she didn't know where she was.
Her eyes scanned the room. The soft drapes hung undisturbed by wind. The lamps had burned low. And the air carried no trace of rain.
Her breath caught.
"No…"
She turned. But the space beside her was empty. No Stara. No warmth. No sign that anyone had been there at all.
Omuro's chest tightened.
She threw the covers aside and stumbled out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. The chill grounded her, but it did nothing to calm the storm rising inside her.
The dream felt too real. She could still feel it the weight of Stara's presence, the warmth of her body beside hers, that moment when the baby kicked. All too real.
Omuro's hand trembled as it instinctively pressed against her own stomach. Her breath quickened. She rushed to the door and flung it open.
Outside her room, servants moved quietly through the halls, beginning the morning routines. Everything was normal.
Omuro stepped forward, her voice cutting through the calm.
"You."
The nearest maid froze and bowed immediately.
"My lady."
Omuro's eyes searched her face.
"Did we have guests last night?"
The maid blinked. Confused.
"No, my lady."
Omuro's heartbeat stuttered.
"But—" Her voice faltered. "It rained."
The maid shook her head gently.
"No, my lady." she corrected, "It rained last week."
The silence that followed was heavy. Omuro stood completely still. The world seemed to tilt. The memories were vivid. The storm, the soaked cloaks. Stara's voice as she called Omuro her soulmate and an idiot/
Her throat tightened. That wasn't a dream. It couldn't have been. It was too detailed and intentional.
Then it suddenly struck her. Not like a thought but like lightning.
That dream was perhaps a message. Or a warning. Or worse; A goodbye.
Omuro's breathing steadied, but her expression hardened. There was no confusion anymore. This was certainty. Something had happened. Or was about to. Something terrible. And Stara's soul had cut through all the impossibilities to reach her, to say farewell.
Omuro turned sharply.
"Pack my luggage."
The maid straightened, startled.
"My lady? But the queen—"
But Omuro didn't waiver.
"We're returning to Natron." She declared.
The words fell with absolute finality.
The maid bowed quickly and hurried away.
***