-Monday, August 14, The Year 2124--The Fog City, Nebbia-Lilith strolled down the foggy streets of Nebbia, her breath puffing out in little clouds. The silver goggles on her head kept her vision clear, helping her navigate easily. She was used to the city's peaceful vibe, and her cozy green jacket kept her warm from the ever-present dampness.Through the foggy mist, her goggles caught a glimpse of bright red. It was her brother, Axial, always making a statement with his flashy clothes. His bold red jacket and goggles stood out against the drab surroundings, setting him apart from everyone else in Nabbia. Their matching outfits were typical for residents here, but Axial's black cargo pants were the only thing that didn't scream for attention."Hey, Lils!" Lilith grinned as his voice cut through the fog and approached. She couldn't help but notice his boots squelching on the damp ground, a reminder of their daily struggle against the weather."You ready to head home?" Axial asked."Definitely," Lilith replied. As they walked side by side, rain began to fall in earnest, drumming a soothing rhythm on the hoods of their jackets. Lilith watched droplets slide down her goggles' blue shield, distorting the world around her. The city seemed to blur together in a dance of shadows and light, the fog weaving in and out like a living thing.Axial noticed her thoughtful expression and nudged her playfully. "Lost in thought again, Lils?"Lilith shook herself out of her reverie with a chuckle. "I was just thinking about the Eternal Tree," she admitted, glancing at the looming silhouette in the distance."You drawn to the giant tree again?" Axial chuckled, following her line of sight. "You and your enigmas."She couldn't help it. Lilith pulled her goggles up to rest atop her head, revealing eyes as clear and blue as a sky untouched by Nebbia's veil. The story of the guardian her dad always talked about, bringing fog and planting a seed that grew into the Eternal Tree, fascinated her.Axial noticed her slight shift in demeanor as she looked toward the silhouette of the tree in the city center. "You're not seriously thinking about going in there, are you?" His tone was nonchalant, but a hint of concern was underlying it."Maybe," she said, her voice barely more than a murmur, her gaze still locked onto it. "There's something about it, Axial. Can't you feel it? It's like... it's calling to me."He watched her, understanding his sister's fascination with the unknown; their father had always regaled them with tales of mysterious figures and legendary beings."Let's stick to the path for now, okay?" he suggested, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I'd rather not explain to Mom that we were late because you decided to become an explorer."Lilith nodded in agreement, her tone hinting at reluctance. She adjusted her backpack, feeling its heft against her shoulder, and put her goggles back on. They strolled together, walking in perfect unison, their shadows stretching out and blending on the sidewalk.The sky finally gave in, letting out little droplets that playfully kissed Lilith's cheeks and spattered Axiel's head. Axiel quickly pulled his hair back into a ponytail and threw on his hood to shield himself from the unpredictable weather.They picked up the pace, dodging umbrellas. The bustling crowd swarmed around them; each person lost in their world yet still connected on the busy city sidewalk.Lilith felt the urge to sprint, but her heavy textbooks held her back like anchors.As they strolled past the usual shops, one caught Lilith's attention - an old bookstore sandwiched between a coffee joint and a trendy store. The sign in the front is all worn and charming.Lilith paused, a wave of memories flooding back to her. She could still remember the familiar smell of books and her father's warm presence as he read her adventure and mystery stories. She imagined his laughter blending in with the gentle chime of the store's bell and his hand gently resting on her back.She felt a lump in her throat but quickly gulped it down. She didn't want to dwell on the past, especially not while her Grandmother Sage's stern face loomed in her mind. The image was a warning not to indulge in the past when the present demanded she be punctual.Axiel teasingly urged her to hurry up, not bothering to look back as he sensed her hesitation. Even though he couldn't see it, Lilith smiled and followed him. She had been asking about their family's obsession with being on time all day, but Axiel just brushed it off. They were almost home now, where she knew their grandmother and mom were probably waiting. It had to be some surprise party - what else could it be?Lilith couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about her family's secret plans. As she strolled through the busy streets of Nabbia, her mind was preoccupied, and she didn't pay much attention to her surroundings.As the wind blew against her jacket, she effortlessly maneuvered to avoid colliding with two children who emerged from the crowd - a boy and a girl huddled together under one umbrella. They had tanned skin, and their attire was more suitable for a fall day than Nabbia's unrelenting humidity.Lilith was momentarily frozen, not because of their poorly chosen outfits but because their hair was the same pale shade as hers. It was like looking into a mirror. Shaking off the odd feeling, she continued with her brother by her side, both quiet.As they walked off, Lilith was oblivious to the curious gaze of the two children. She didn't see the boy lean toward the girl, his voice low but laced with an intensity that cut through the rain pattern."Is that her? The one without a future?" he murmured, his eyes never leaving Lilith's retreating figure.With a glance back, the girl kept walking. "Yep," she said definitively. "But that's not our problem anymore. Feniks will handle it."After exchanging those mysterious words, the duo shrugged off Lilith and her brother and walked away, their umbrella swaying in the wind as they blended into the city's tapestry.In the meantime as the rain kept falling, it became a steady drumbeat against the living room window. Sky stood there, lost in thought, watching each drop race down the glass. It was a peaceful contrast to her racing mind.Sage's voice broke the sound of rain, jolting Sky out of her thoughts. "Are you feeling anxious?" her mother asked, interrupting her daughter's contemplation.The curtain shut, cutting off Sky's view of the rain. She turned to see her mom looking at her with a worried expression. Sage's eyebrows furrowed in their usual concern, showing her natural motherly instincts."Sorry," Sky mumbled as she went to the kitchen, continuing to envelop Lilith's birthday cake with frosting. She leaned against the counter, feeling the cool marble beneath her as she sighed. "Anxious doesn't even begin to cover it," she admitted.Sage gave a slight nod, her lips forming a thin line. The weather wasn't what Sky was truly worried about; it was Lilith, her 18-year-old daughter, who seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.Sky chimed in, "She's not ready yet, Mom."Sage made her way slowly across the creaky floor, tapping her cane with each step. She reached the dining table and paused, placing a hand on the back of a chair without sitting down. The unspoken tension between them was almost tangible, weighing down the air.Sky gazed at the counter, absentmindedly spreading the frosting. A chill ran down her back. She knew that feeling, that unspoken request for attention.Sky's hands trembled ever so slightly, "This is too much for her, Mom. Lilith can't handle what's coming on her own, not right now. Maybe we wait a few years."Sage's gaze didn't waver; her eyes locked onto Sky with an intensity that felt like it could bend steel. "If not now, then when? We've been through this before." Her voice was a quiet storm, brimming with a certainty that rattled the room. "Whether we like it or not, you've known what is coming from the moment the child's hair turned pale white. It doesn't matter how badly we wish it were different."A heavy silence lingered in the air, weighted down by unspoken fears and held-back tears. Suddenly, Sage strode confidently towards the front door and swung it open firmly, letting in a refreshing breeze. It brought a cleansing energy that dissipated the tension in the room.As the rain eased, Sage declared, "I'll wait for Lilith outside." Her words dropped into the growing silence between them. Sky observed her mother's stoic posture and could sense the internal struggle. Despite her initial annoyance at being questioned, Sage's body language hinted at a certain resignation, an understanding of what was to come - something that Sky was not yet prepared to accept.Sage's hand slipped off the doorknob, and a sense of finality hung like the heavy clouds that had just released their burden upon Terra. Sage paused for a moment. "Even Lilith can't escape her destiny, especially after everything that's happened. Take care of Axial, whose fate you still have some control over."Sage's words were like a verdict. She left the room softly, closing the door. Sky stood still, her hands frozen above the cake she was decorating as her mind raced like leaves in a windstorm.At the same time, Lilith and Axial reached the Northwest Gate. Axial came to a halt near one of the way stations, his chest rising and falling as he sucked in the cool air. A Nabbian Elk, tethered loosely to a post, turned its majestic head towards him, its coat a tapestry of earthy browns and snowy whites.Lilith's voice held a hint of hope as she asked, "Are you offering him a ride?" Axial's tired legs showed his desire for a break. They shared a momentary glance - a silent exchange between girl and animal - before the elk casually looked away towards the distant horizon."I didn't think so," she chuckled to herself, an ironic smile on her lips. The animal's indifference was nothing new, and she didn't let it bother her. It was just part of their usual routine.Axial leaned against a nearby wall, slowing his breath, an amused smirk cutting through the stoic facade he often wore. "Talking to the animals again? You're starting to worry me, Lil.""Talking to people is overrated," she quipped, casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The constant worry from her family about her solitary walks lingered in her mind, but she found comfort in the quiet company of solitude.Axial gently nudged her and said, "Let's focus on getting things done instead of chatting with Elks.""Fine, fine," Lilith sighed.Axial finally caught his breath as a droplet of rain ran down his cheek. He took another deep breath, pushing away the remnants of exhaustion. "You know Grandmother will be waiting for us with that face she always makes.""And mom peering out the window," Lilith playfully said.Their boots splashed through the shallow puddles as they hastened their pace. In the distance, the Northwest Gate stood tall and intimidating, its shadow stretching out. It protected against the creeping fog, the barrier that kept Nebbia shrouded and the outside free of the mist.As they passed under the archway, the mist seemed to cling to their bodies as if it didn't want to let them go. But as they walked through the gate, the fog slowly dissipated, revealing a clear path ahead without the city's cloudy embrace.Lilith sighed in relief as she peeled off her goggles, feeling the light pressure around her temples finally give way. Even though the goggles are stunning, they are incredibly uncomfortable to wear; but she knew to look good, you usually have to sacrifice comfort.She effortlessly removed her bag and opened the middle compartment, revealing a padded case. Lilith placed the goggles inside carefully. Glancing at her brother, she saw he was doing the same but with less finesse, simply shoving them into his cargo pants pocket -always the pragmatist.Lilith placed the case into her bag, ensuring it was secure, adjusted the straps on her shoulders, and headed towards the stairs leading up to the estate, a path they had taken countless times before.She took the first step, the gravelly crunch beneath her boots mingling with the rustle of cherry blossom petals caught in a playful breeze. The trees stood on either side, their branches a frothy pink sea. As she climbed, the stairs stretched out in front of her, each section broken up by landings every eight steps - meant to help people catch their breath.With each rise and fall of her footsteps, snippets of her father's tales wove through her thoughts. He had spoken with such reverence of his travels to the east coast within the United Dynasty - where he found the seeds that now flourished into this blushing canopy, enveloping their home.As they reached the top, their grandmother's figure became visible. Lilith's boots crunched against the gravel as she reached the last step. Lilith apologizes sarcastically for her lateness and blames it on the fog.Their Grandma Sage stood still, staring at them. The intensity in her eyes cut through the humid air, a wordless scolding that spoke volumes. Lilith could sense Axial tensing next to her, both siblings knowing that look all too well - it was like she could see through their excuses effortlessly.Sage spun around and started walking, her coat rustling against the damp grass. "Come on, Lilith," she said, gesturing for me to follow. "Axial, can you lend a hand to your mom inside?"There was no room for argument. She trailed behind Sage, her gaze briefly scanning the front yard. The grass was divided into three meticulously maintained sections: one for the house, another for the grand old tree that was there before they even moved in, and the last for the clinic they now operated.Lilith felt nostalgia wash over her as they walked towards the clinic doors. The smell of antiseptics and herbal remedies hit her senses, replacing the familiar scents of homemade cookies and laughter. Time seemed to slow down as she stepped through the doors, almost like she was walking through syrup.As Lilith stepped into the room, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. This used to be their home, filled with laughter and love. Now, it was just their family clinic, filled with medical equipment. The memories flooded back, causing her heart to ache. Home didn't feel like home anymore - it had been changed by time and circumstance.Each time she came here, her stomach would twist into a knot, signaling her reluctance to accept the state of the house. She tried not to think about her fath- but the word snagged in her throat like a splinter, and she couldn't help but pause.Sage handed Lilith a piece of paper. "I've been selling protection talismans," she said with a mix of pride and something deeper, hinting at a wealth of untold stories.Lilith took the paper, her forehead creasing with confusion. She flipped it over, sensing a heavy silence lingering between them."So, is there... more?" Lilith ventured, her voice betraying her hope for a greater purpose to this unexpected summons."Yes, child," Sage replied, nodding gravely. "There's much we need to discuss before we go to the house." There was a pause as if Sage was navigating through a maze of thoughts, searching for the right path. "It's about your father."Lilith felt the familiar sting at the mention of him, a pain that had settled in her marrow, heavy and cold. She could busy herself with tasks and could smile when necessary, but it was all a façade over the chasm that his death had carved into her life."Since he passed..." Sage's eyes were keen, reading Lilith's face, "you've changed. You've built walls, my child."She knew it was true. The transformation of their family home into a clinic had been due to his passing, a way to get away. Yet, for her, it was another layer of separation from the world he left behind. She'd retreated into a shell, finding solace in isolation where once she would have sought comfort in conversation and companionship."Grandma, I—" Lilith began, but Sage cut her off with a gentle firmness."You need to stop torturing yourself for something you didn't cause nor had control over." Her voice was soft yet insistent.A tear betrayed Lilith, tracing a warm path down her cheek. "Don't tell mom about me not getting any sleep," she murmured, her voice strained. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to worry even more.Sage took a moment to observe her, her expression soft with compassion. "I won't," she relented, "but you have to promise me something. Look after yourself more. For all of us, if not for yourself." Sage's face showed a blend of determination and care, the leader in her laying down conditions.Lilith nodded, her compliance laced with the uncertainty that had become her constant companion. "I promise," she said, though the words felt hollow in her mouth, like a vow made to the wind.