Veyra — Bölüm 1

*"Sometimes life is in such a hurry that it doesn't give us enough time to finish our most beautiful moments."*

As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I realized once again that this red V-neck dress had been a huge mistake.

Normally, just like every Christmas Eve, New York should have been bright and covered in white. When I was a child, our Christmas Eves used to feel like the fairy tales I read in books. Everyone was happy. The adults would sometimes argue, while the children ran around without a care in the world.

But over the past two or three years, I had learned that we no longer lived in those fairy tales.

The rhythmic creaking of the fan in the corner of the room wasn't enough to drown out the silence pounding inside my head.

I watched a bead of sweat slide down my neck, leaving a dark mark as it traveled across the red fabric.

The news anchor on the television in the corner was repeating the same reports we'd been hearing lately. His voice sounded muffled and distant, almost as if it were coming from underwater.

"The government's explanation of 'atmospheric ionization' hasn't been enough to convince anyone," the man was saying. There was something about the way he looked at the camera, as if he were afraid to look directly into it. "New York authorities have announced energy restrictions—"

I walked toward the window and looked out at the Manhattan skyline I had always admired.

But the city was no longer surrounded by the deep blackness of night that I knew.

The sky had turned the color of rusted copper.

The millions of lights across the city reflected off the thick cloud of dust hanging above us, spreading a sickly orange glow over the buildings.

The sky was burning.

But there was no fire.

"Maya?"

I was lost in my own thoughts until I heard Adrian's voice.

Adrian walked into the room carrying two iced drinks. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up.

Adrian was my only refuge in this world.

My only home.

My only family.

Sometimes, you can long for things you've never experienced. That's what I was like.

I had always wondered what it was like to have a family. To know what those unconditional hugs felt like. What did a mother's affection smell like? What did it feel like to have a father's protection, to lean your back against a mountain and finally feel safe? Or even something as simple as arguing with a sibling?

I had never known any of it.

Life owed me a family, and it seemed as though it had paid that debt by putting all of it into one person.

Adrian was my mother.

My father.

My sibling.

My childhood.

But at the same time, he was so much more than all of those things.

I didn't know what we were. I didn't know what to call the pull between us.

Calling him a friend felt incomplete.

Calling him my boyfriend felt too soon.

I couldn't give it a name.

He was simply that one nameless refuge that somehow contained everything.

"Turn off the TV. Don't let those stupid news reports ruin your mood. Come on, the countdown is about to start!" he said.

I tried to understand the tone of his voice, but he was very good at hiding his feelings.

Was he happy?

Was he sad?

He handed me one of the glasses. The ice inside had already begun to melt.

When we stepped onto the balcony, the artificial heat rising from the concrete slapped me in the face.

Below us, hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in Times Square, holding bottles of water and fans as they waited for the great countdown.

At that exact moment, the television inside went completely black.

Then, all the enormous advertising screens, glittering shop signs, and lights across the buildings flickered at the same time—

And went out.

Within seconds, Manhattan was swallowed by complete darkness.

And from that darkness rose the terrified breath of thousands of people, all holding their breath at once.

They began counting down in the darkness.

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

There were no lights left to illuminate us.

Only that ominous, brilliant white light leaking through the copper-colored clouds above us, transforming the shadows of the buildings into enormous monsters.

Under that light, people continued to shout.

"Eight!"

"Seven!"

Adrian found my hands in the darkness.

His palms were burning hot, but his fingers were trembling.

"Don't be afraid, Maya," he whispered. "Wherever it is, I'm ready to go there with you."

"Six!"

"Five!"

I stared at the enormous white ring in the sky.

It hung around the city's neck like a noose.

"Four!"

"Three!"

Adrian leaned toward me and placed his hands against my cheeks.

As I closed my eyes, I felt the final tremor of Adrian's breath against my lips.

Our hearts were beating at the same speed.

With the same fear.

The same excitement.

Our lips were just about to touch when—

Time stopped.

That innocent kiss disappeared, never to happen.

Adrian's hands slipped from my cheeks like feathers falling through the air.

And then there was nothing.

No Adrian.

No New York.

No copper-colored sky.

Only that endless, blinding white void that swallowed everything.

---

### *(Author's narration)*

In the dim purple light of the planet Veyra, Elira slowly placed the tablet in her hands on the table.

The only sound in the silence of the room was the echo of her own sobs.

Beyond the window, Obyra Noctis—the Black Ocean—crashed against the shore with enormous waves.

But Elira's mind was still on that balcony in Manhattan.

On that unfinished kiss.

"Just one second," Elira murmured, wiping away her tears. "If only it had lasted one second longer..."

She sniffed.

"I like sad endings, but this was completely different."

At that moment, the metallic door of the room slid open with a soft hiss.

Her father stepped inside, his hair looking even grayer beneath the purple light.

When he saw that Elira had been crying, he slowed his steps.

His gaze shifted toward the tablet on the table.

His voice came from deep within him, like the muffled, restless winds of Veyra.

He walked toward Elira, placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, and whispered in that strange, melodic language of Veyra.

"Nio-va sena filma, Elira?"

*(That old movie again, Elira?)*

Elira answered without lifting her head.

Her voice was broken by her sobs.

"Okay, Dad... Please, not now. Don't start again. I know. It's just a movie. I know it's not real..."

She fell silent for a few seconds.

Her eyes remained fixed on the tablet.

"But what if it was real?" she whispered. "What if a world like that really existed? What if people like them really lived there? What if they lost everything in a single night..."

She swallowed.

"Wouldn't you be sad?"

Her father turned his gaze toward the darkness beyond the window.

"Every story makes someone cry, Elira. Whether it's real or not..."

He paused.

"What matters is which story we're living in."

Elira remained silent for a few seconds.

Her father's words echoed in her mind.

*Which story we're living in...*

"I wish," she whispered, "people could choose which story they got to live in."

This time, her father looked at her.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of his eyes.

"Perhaps..." he said. "A person can't choose the right story."

He paused.

"But they can choose how they live the story they're in."

"Anyway," her father said, changing the subject. "Tomorrow is Lunor Night. You still haven't gotten ready."

Elira shrugged.

"I still have time."

"Lyra was asking about you. She called twice today."

Elira rolled her eyes slightly.

"I'll talk to her in a bit."

"Don't stay up too late. I heard this year's celebrations are going to be bigger than last year's."

"Okay."

Her father smiled and nodded.

"Good night, Elira."

"Good night, Dad."

The metallic door slid open with another soft hiss.

Her father left, and the door closed behind him.

The room fell silent.

Elira took a deep breath.

Just as she was about to pick up her tablet, the communication bracelet around her wrist vibrated.

A single notification appeared on the screen.

🌙 **Lunor Night**

**Group Chat — 4 New Messages**

**Lyra:**

"Girl, you're finally back."

**Elira:**

"What happened?"

**Cyra:**

"She asks what happened. We've been texting you for two hours."

**Lyra:**

"You were watching a movie again, weren't you?"

**Elira:**

"...Maybe."

**Cyra:**

"Are we surprised? No."

**Lyra:**

"Anyway. Have you decided what you're wearing tomorrow?"

**Elira:**

"No."

**Cyra:**

"I can't decide either."

**Lyra:**

"I'm wearing the purple one."

**Elira:**

"I thought your mother wouldn't let you wear it."

**Lyra:**

"I finally convinced her."

**Cyra:**

"I'm still standing in front of my closet trying to decide."

**Elira:**

"You'll decide by morning."

**Lyra:**

"If she can't decide, I'll come over and choose for her."

**Cyra:**

"If you choose for me, you'll send me to a wedding instead of Lunor Night."

**Elira:**

"She definitely will."

**Lyra:**

"You two aren't funny."

Elira left the group chat and placed her communication bracelet on the table.

Her room fell silent once again.

The walls of the room were made of pale gray stone, and the only warmth came from the small amber lamp on her desk.

Shelves filled with books stretched almost all the way to the ceiling. Dried purple flowers and old photographs tucked between them gave the room a sense of a life that had been lived there.

A thin blanket, several half-finished books, and notebooks had been left carelessly on the wide window seat.

In one corner of the room, silver lanterns left over from previous Lunor Nights hung from the wall.

Whenever the wind blew, the small crystals hanging from the ceiling gently struck one another, leaving behind a delicate sound that almost resembled music.

Elira slowly walked toward the window.

The city stretched before her, sleeping quietly beneath the purple lights of the night.

In the distance, the black waters of Obyra Noct reflected the pale light of the two moons, while the crystal windows of the stone houses lining the shore glittered like stars.

Elira pressed her palms against the cold glass.

She had seen this view every night since childhood.

But for some reason, everything seemed a little quieter tonight.

A little more distant.

Just as she was about to close the curtains, her communication bracelet vibrated softly.

**Lyra is calling...**

Elira took a deep breath and accepted the call.

"Finally, you answered."

"We were just in the group chat two minutes ago."

"Yes, but I couldn't say it there."

Elira sat down on the edge of her bed.

"What happened?"

Lyra moved the camera away from herself, revealing two different outfits spread across her bed.

"Which one?"

Elira studied both of them for a few seconds.

"The one on the left."

"I want that one too, but my mother thinks the one on the right is more elegant."

"Then let your mother wear it."

Lyra froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"I would never dare say that to her."

"Neither would I."

They both started laughing.

Lyra finally picked up the outfit on the left.

"Okay, decision made. It's your fault."

"If anyone doesn't like it tomorrow, I'll take all the blame."

"Deal."

Lyra placed the outfit back on the bed.

"By the way... are you really okay?"

Elira's smile faded slightly.

"I'm fine."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"You're lying."

Elira looked away.

"The movie just got to me a little."

"I know."

A brief silence followed.

"Tomorrow, I'm not going to let you think about any of this," Lyra said.

Elira smiled faintly.

"We'll see."

"No. We won't."

"Okay."

"Promise."

Elira sighed.

"Promise."

Lyra nodded, satisfied.

"Now go to sleep."

Elira rolled her eyes.

"You sound like my mother."

"Someone has to keep an eye on you."

"Isn't my dad enough?"

"No."

Elira laughed and shook her head.

"Oh, come on... You don't actually check whether I'm asleep, do you?"

Lyra shrugged innocently.

"I do."

Elira's eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

"You were still online at three in the morning last week."

Elira rolled her eyes.

"I was reading a book."

"At three in the morning?"

"Maybe."

Lyra shook her head.

"You're impossible."

"I'm taking that as a compliment."

"Whatever you want."

They both started laughing again.

"Come on. Good night."

"Good night, Lyra."

The call ended, and the room fell silent once again.

Elira placed her communication bracelet on the table.

Just as she was about to turn off the lamp, her eyes caught the small wooden frame sitting in the corner of her desk.

She gently wiped the glass with her fingertips.

A young woman was smiling back at her.

Her mother.

The only things Elira had to remember her were a few stories her father had told her over the years and this photograph.

She couldn't remember her voice.

She couldn't remember the last thing her mother had ever said to her.

There wasn't even a single memory of her left in Elira's mind.

Her fingers slowly traced the edge of the frame.

"Tomorrow is Lunor Night..." she whispered.

"If you were here, would you still spend hours telling me what to wear?"

A bittersweet smile appeared on her lips.

"You'd probably say the same things Lyra does."

She placed the photograph back where it belonged.

That strange, indescribable feeling of emptiness quietly came and sat beside her once again.

For some reason, the feeling always grew stronger whenever Lunor Night approached.

Perhaps it was because she had never celebrated this special night with her mother.

She didn't have a single memory of her.

Not one.

Only a few stories her father had told her over the years.

And one photograph.

For eighteen years, she had learned how to miss someone she had never known.

Her fingers slowly moved along the edge of the frame.

She carefully picked up the photograph.

Her thumb paused over her mother's face.

A bittersweet smile appeared on her lips.

She gently kissed the glass before placing the photograph back in its place and trying to fall asleep.

---

The first thing Elira heard wasn't birdsong.

It was the laughter rising from the street below, footsteps echoing against the stone pavement, and the distant rhythm of drums slowly pulling her from sleep.

The excitement of Lunor Night had spread throughout the entire city before dawn had even arrived.

When Elira opened her eyes, her room was illuminated by the faint purple daylight filtering through the two thin curtains.

The two moons that had kept watch over the sky throughout the night had already disappeared, replaced by the pale light of the distant sun.

She sat up in bed.

For a moment, she tried to remember where she was.

Then she saw the frame on the table.

As she remembered the words she had whispered to her mother the night before—

*"Good night."*

—a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Are you awake?" her father called.

"I am."

"Are you sure?"

Elira couldn't help laughing.

"Yes."

The door opened slightly.

Her father stepped inside carrying two cups of something warm.

"Lyra has been calling you for half an hour."

Elira's eyes widened.

"What?"

"That's exactly what I said."

Her father placed one of the cups on the table.

"I'll make breakfast while you get ready."

"Five minutes."

Her father raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Five minutes?"

Elira smiled as though she'd just been caught red-handed.

"...Maybe ten."

Her father shook his head and left the room.

When she opened her wardrobe, her eyes immediately went to the dark purple dress Lyra had chosen the night before.

She carefully took the dress from the hanger.

The fabric flowed like silk between her fingers, and she couldn't help smiling.

She didn't usually wear something new every year for Lunor Night.

But this year, for some reason, she wanted to feel different.

She slipped the dress on.

The thin silver belt wrapped around her waist shimmered against the purple fabric like moonlight, while the delicate tulle sleeves falling from her shoulders gave her an elegant appearance.

Small silver patterns embroidered along the hem, which ended just above her knees, represented Veyra's two moons.

She stood in front of the mirror.

Running her fingers through her long, wavy brown hair, she let a few strands fall around either side of her face before loosely gathering the rest at the back of her neck.

If Lyra were here, she would definitely tell her to do something more elaborate with it.

Elira opened the drawer of her vanity.

She applied a thin line of eyeliner and a light coat of mascara to her lashes.

Then she applied a natural-toned lip balm before looking at herself in the mirror once again.

"That's enough," she murmured.

Finally, she opened the small wooden box.

Inside was a delicate moonstone necklace.

She held it in her palm.

The cold chain slipped between her fingers as she hesitated for a few seconds.

Then she carefully fastened it around her neck.

When Elira looked at her reflection, the person staring back at her was still the same Elira.

Only this time, there was something different in her eyes.

An indescribable excitement brought on by Lunor Night.

Elira looked at herself one final time.

She smoothed the wrinkles from her dress and lightly touched the necklace around her neck.

"I think I'm ready," she murmured.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips.

Just then, her father's voice came from downstairs.

"Elira! Your breakfast is getting cold!"

"Coming!"

She grabbed her bag and left her room.

She hurried down the stone stairs as the warm scent of fresh bread and herbal tea filled the house.

When she sat down at the table, she found the breakfast her father prepared every Lunor Night morning waiting for her.

Fresh fruit.

Warm bread.

Honey.

Cheese.

And steaming herbal tea.

"Dad... when did you make all of this?"

Her father shrugged with a smile.

"That's what you do on a festival morning."

Elira hurriedly took a few bites.

She kept glancing at the clock while refusing to take her bag off her shoulder.

Her father laughed and shook his head.

"Nobody's going to start the celebration without you."

"Lyra will," Elira said, struggling to swallow her bite. "If I'm late, I'll have to hear about it all day."

Her father chuckled softly.

"Then I suppose I shouldn't keep you any longer."

Elira stood up and wrapped her arms around her father in a short but tight hug.

"Happy festival."

"Happy festival, sweetheart."

The moment she stepped outside, the cool morning breeze brushed against her face.

The streets were already alive.

The balconies of the stone houses were decorated with purple and silver Lunor ornaments.

Children ran through the streets carrying tiny lanterns, while music spilled from the shops and spread throughout the city.

As Elira continued walking, she touched the communication bracelet around her wrist.

---

Cyra stood in the middle of her room, carefully studying her reflection in the mirror.

She smoothed the skirt of her light blue dress.

Thin silver embroidery shimmered in the morning light, while the small moonstone clip in her hair matched her dress perfectly.

Just as she was about to pick up her bag, her communication bracelet vibrated.

**Elira is calling...**

Cyra smiled and accepted the call.

"Finally! You managed to leave the house."

"I just left."

"Lyra and I are almost ready. We're waiting for you."

"Lyra left early again?"

"Early? She's been rushing us for half an hour."

Elira laughed.

"I'm not surprised."

"Where are you now?"

"I just crossed the old stone bridge. I'll be there in five minutes."

"Perfect. Were you able to reach Kael?"

"No. I called him, but he didn't answer."

Cyra sighed deeply.

"He's definitely forgotten something again."

"I hope not."

"If you know Kael, then you know he probably has."

They both started laughing at the same time.

"Okay, we're at the square. Let us know when you get here."

"See you."

The call ended.

Cyra turned off her communication bracelet and took a deep breath.

She slung her bag over her shoulder and left her room.

---

The narrow stone streets of Veyra were glowing beneath the silver Lunor decorations hung for the upcoming celebration.

Whenever the wind blew, the ornaments shimmered like tiny stars beneath the purple sky, casting soft lights across the walls of the stone buildings.

The cheerful sounds of the festival preparations drifted from the windows of the stone houses.

Children ran through the streets with tiny lanterns in their hands, looking like fireflies.

The bakeries welcomed passersby with delicious scents.

The steam rising from freshly baked bread mingled with the faintly sweet and tangy smell of special festival desserts, filling the streets.

On the market stalls, Moon Breads, shaped like thin crescents, were carefully arranged in neat rows.

Beside them were tiny star-shaped candies wrapped in shiny paper, each small enough to fit into the palm of a child's hand.

Elira was walking along the stone road when she noticed someone jumping excitedly in the crowd near the square.

At first, she couldn't make out who it was.

Under the purple lights, the figure was nothing more than a blurry silhouette.

*Could it be Cyra?*

As she got closer, the silhouette became clearer.

The moment she saw that bright, moonlit face shining beneath the lights, she smiled.

It was definitely Lyra.

Elira hurried toward her.

The moment Lyra saw her, she opened her arms and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Finally! You made it!"

A few seconds later, Lyra pulled away and looked Elira up and down.

Her eyes slowly widened.

"Wait..."

Elira raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"You..."

Lyra stepped closer.

"Wait a second... Is that really you?"

"What's with that makeup?"

Elira couldn't help laughing.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Look at that silver shimmer around your eyes! You look like you collected all of Lunor's light."

Elira looked away, slightly embarrassed.

"You're exaggerating."

"No, I'm completely serious."

Cyra, standing beside them, smiled as she looked Elira up and down.

"It's not just the makeup... Look at that dress. The silver embroidery is shining whenever the light hits it. It's like you're carrying Veyra's night sky on you."

Elira smiled shyly.

"You're both exaggerating."

Lyra stepped forward and placed her hands on her hips.

"No. You're the one exaggerating."

Elira raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"What?"

"I've been getting ready all morning. Fixing my hair, doing my makeup..." Lyra complained. "And then you just show up looking like that and make the rest of us disappear."

Cyra couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Admit it. You're a little jealous."

"A little?" Lyra replied without hesitation.

Elira started laughing.

"You're crazy."

"Yes, but am I wrong?" Lyra asked, spreading her arms. "Now someone might think you're prettier than me."

"Lyra!"

"Okay, okay..." she said, laughing. "I'm kidding."

Then she grabbed Elira's hand and spun her around once.

"But you have to admit... It really suits you."

Elira shook her head, laughing.

"Okay, okay... Don't embarrass me anymore."

Lyra grinned.

"But we just started."

Elira laughed.

"I know. But if we keep standing here, we'll be the first people to arrive late to Thalor Neris."

Cyra suddenly glanced at the time on her bracelet.

"Wait..."

"What?"

"Elira's right. We're actually running late."

Lyra let out a deep sigh.

"Fine. We'll continue this conversation on the way back."

The three of them started walking side by side.

---

Their conversation continued without pause as they walked along the stone-paved street.

The topics jumped from one thing to another like Lunor decorations carried by the wind, while their laughter blended with the excitement of the festival.

Elira glanced toward the wooden stage being set up at the entrance of the square.

Workers were making the final preparations, while colorful lanterns swayed gently in the wind.

"I heard there'll be a fire dance in the square this year."

Lyra's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Really?"

Elira nodded.

"My father told me last night. Apparently, the performances are supposed to be even bigger than last year."

"That's amazing!" Lyra said. "Last year we only had the light show. This will be our first time seeing the fire dance."

Cyra smiled at the two of them.

"By the way... you'll be braiding my crown again at Floranis, Lyra."

Lyra shrugged confidently.

"With pleasure."