WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.940 Aurora's Tears. Chapter 4. The Shadow of Lior'vaen. 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:09.580 The aurora was calm that evening. Wide ribbons 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:12.740 of light drifted across the sky in slow, patient 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:16.460 arcs, painting the cliffs of Luminara in hues 00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:20.440 of silver and pale blue. To most, it was a comforting 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:24.280 sight. To Sheerith. It felt like a held breath. 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:27.600 She stood alone in attention, within the grand 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:32.060 chamber of the Liora Saen, or the Tigress's Eyes, 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:35.600 the head chamber of the Scout Division. At the 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:38.960 far end of the room, Captain Ethorn stood with 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.500 his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed 00:00:42.500 --> 00:00:46.060 not on her, but on the dusk sky beyond the open 00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:50.679 archway. Sheerith cleared her throat. Sir. The 00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:53.340 captain finally turned around, noticing her. 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:55.939 Thank you for coming this late in the twilight 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:59.179 hours, Sheerith. He said slowly approaching the 00:00:59.179 --> 00:01:02.280 wooden desk between them. Sheerith remained still. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.459 Of course, sir. Ethorn's sharp eyes settled 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:10.140 on her. I need you for a specific mission starting 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:13.680 at sunrise. You have more than shown your abilities 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:17.359 on the field. I need that light once more for 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:20.930 this task. Sheerith looked to the ground in slight 00:01:20.930 --> 00:01:23.969 confusion. She didn't realize she had been noticed 00:01:23.969 --> 00:01:27.890 by her captain or by her team at all. I know 00:01:27.890 --> 00:01:30.930 you've seen for yourself the human bandits on 00:01:30.930 --> 00:01:35.150 our borders, he said calmly. Sheerith's ears twitched 00:01:35.150 --> 00:01:37.769 subtly. It hadn't been a week since she faced 00:01:37.769 --> 00:01:40.989 down the rogue bandits on her watch. You must 00:01:40.989 --> 00:01:44.189 not speak of this to anyone, Sheerith. The bandits 00:01:44.189 --> 00:01:47.909 have become organized, strategic, and worse. 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:50.640 Their efforts are becoming noticeable to the 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:54.219 people. Sheerith's eyes became sharp as her stripes 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:58.420 pulsed to glow brighter. I need eyes on this 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:02.099 matter, Sheerith, he continued, but not eyes on 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:07.739 our borders. At the heart, the city of men. Sheerith 00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:11.860 stood frozen, but from her lips escaped. The 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:17.009 Vanira'il Saiyan. Yes, the captain echoed. The 00:02:17.009 --> 00:02:21.289 Towers of Light, the capital of humankind. They 00:02:21.289 --> 00:02:24.789 are holding a large festival that will be easy 00:02:24.789 --> 00:02:28.030 to disappear into. I know this has given you 00:02:28.030 --> 00:02:31.810 little time to prepare, but Lior'vaen needs its 00:02:31.810 --> 00:02:35.370 defenses strengthened. The flame of man has reached 00:02:35.370 --> 00:02:39.069 our doorstep. Diplomacy has gone on for months 00:02:39.069 --> 00:02:42.330 now with no further light. It is time for us 00:02:42.330 --> 00:02:46.099 to look to our own claws. Sheerith gave a salute 00:02:46.099 --> 00:02:49.699 and a slight bow of respect. Remember, Sheerith, 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:54.580 not a word to any. That is an order. Understood, 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:58.419 sir. I can't do this! Sheerith was pacing back 00:02:58.419 --> 00:03:01.080 and forth. Zorith had been waiting for her near 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:04.020 the outer walkways. He was leaning against the 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:07.900 stone rail, arms folded, eyes following Sheerith 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:11.280 as she quickly darted left and right. You have 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:14.759 that look, he said. that one that means you're 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:17.719 about to disappear. I can always come with you. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:21.439 Sheerith stopped beside him. I have orders, and 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:24.680 no, I couldn't let you do that, she said, and 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:27.900 she rested her head on the stone rail. He sighed 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:32.500 softly, clearly in deep thought. So, Zorith said 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:36.800 at last, Vanira, the great city of men, it's 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.800 temporary, she said, though the word felt fragile. 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:42.900 Zorith glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:46.719 Please be careful, Sheerith. Humans burn bright 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:51.180 and are chaotic, especially if it's the Festival 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:54.620 of Firelight. Humans and flames are a proven 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:59.280 messy combination. Sheerith smiled faintly. I've 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:02.219 never really been around humans. You think they'll 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:05.199 be weird around Felora like us? He chuckled. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:08.159 Just keep to the shadows. Stay quick on your 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:11.430 feet. and they will never see you coming. He 00:04:11.430 --> 00:04:14.009 said as he nuzzled his forehead against her shoulder. 00:04:14.330 --> 00:04:18.589 You are a Shadow of Lior'vaen. You can do this. 00:04:19.009 --> 00:04:22.189 They stood together in silence, watching the 00:04:22.189 --> 00:04:26.290 aurora ripple overhead. When you return, he said 00:04:26.290 --> 00:04:29.170 warmly, bring me something from the great city, 00:04:29.310 --> 00:04:33.350 like a trinket or a coin. Sheerith nodded with 00:04:33.350 --> 00:04:38.259 a smile. I will. Their tails intertwined. Hours 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:41.800 passed. The morning light always seemed the brightest. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:45.379 Sheerith looked to the northeast towards Vanira. 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:51.079 No ceremony. No fanfare. Just a lone figure walking 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:55.139 north beneath a sky that never darkened. This 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:58.779 has been Aurora's Tears. The story continues.