Farewell. For now

As Lyra entered her dorm room, her mind still reeling from the events of the night, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. Clara's side of the room was bare, her belongings packed up and gone. A wave of sadness washed over Lyra as she realized that her friend had left without a proper goodbye.

Lyra walked over to her bed, her body heavy with exhaustion and emotion. On her pillow, she found a note, written in Clara's familiar handwriting. With trembling fingers, she unfolded the paper and read:

"Hey Lyra,

I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye in person. Things have been so crazy lately, and I had to leave earlier than planned. I hope you have a wonderful lunar break. Please, if you have the chance, come visit me. My family would love to host you. We'll be in Ashborne town square. Feel free to drop by anytime.

Take care of yourself, Lyra. And remember, you're never alone. You have friends who love you and believe in you.

All my love, Clara"

Lyra felt a lump form in her throat as she read Clara's words. The thought of facing the lunar break without her best friend by her side was a daunting one. With school ending in just a week, Lyra knew that she would have to return to her aunt's mansion, a prospect that filled her with dread.

Her aunt's house had never felt like a home to Lyra. It was a cold, imposing place, filled with painful memories and the weight of expectations she could never seem to meet. The thought of spending weeks there, cut off from her friends and the world she had come to love at Ashborne Academy, was almost too much to bear.

Lyra sank down onto her bed, the events of the night and the looming prospect of the lunar break crashing over her in waves. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, the exhaustion and emotion finally overwhelming her.

As she lay back on her pillow, Clara's note clutched tightly to her chest, Lyra let the tears fall. She cried for the loss of her parents, for the weight of the responsibility that had been thrust upon her, for the fear and uncertainty that seemed to lurk around every corner.

But even as the tears fell, Lyra felt a flicker of hope in her heart. Clara's words echoed in her mind, a reminder that even in her darkest moments, she was not alone. She had friends who loved her, who believed in her. And she had a purpose, a mission to bring justice to the world and to protect the innocent from the darkness that threatened to consume them.