The first rays of dawn cast a soft, amber light over Elaris, illuminating Aurelia's humble abode softly. Mira and Eldrin were seated across from each other in the room, tight silence filling the air, as they both pondered the implications of what had just transpired.
"They've finally done it," Eldrin said in a voice that was all but reverent but infused with growing worry. "Managed to form their Willforce Seeds in the span of a few months. If they'd done this in the empire, they would have been called prodigies: first-class geniuses, courted by the elite."
He looked at the door, where Kai and Lia lay. He felt a part of him marvel at the strength in them, and another haunted by the aftermath that may come with it. "To think they were able to do this on their own… without formal training." His voice was softer now, with admiration laced with unease. "Kai's strength, I could understand. Given his. unique past, it was only a matter of time. But Lia… she surprised us all."
Mira was silent, her fingers drumming an invisible pattern upon the wooden table. She did not look up; Eldrin felt the tenseness in her posture nonetheless. Her face was expressionless, her eyes an intensity he hadn't seen since before the Night had begun. His own shadowed expression deepened in understanding.
"Mira, you're not thinking of running off again, are you?" he asked, his voice edged with both alarm and frustration. The very idea rekindled memories of how close they'd come to losing her and Kai once before. He'd seen her bolt when things grew dangerous—and he couldn't let that happen again. "You know what would happen if you left, what they'd do if they even suspected you were fleeing with Kai."
At his words, Mira's shoulders trembled, but she met his eyes steadily, a small sad smile on her lips. "I know, Eldrin," she whispered. "I won't take the risk. Not until he's safe here." Her voice softened into something almost self-moan as she added it: "Not until he is just my Kai.".
Eldrin looked at her for a moment, the weight of her words and the resignation beneath that determination. He wanted to believe her; but something in her expression left him wary.
With a sigh, he reached over and placed a reassuring hand on hers. "I'll hold you to that, Mira," he whispered, though his heart answered with a faint, lingering doubt. As she turned to check on the children, Eldrin slumped back in his chair and watched her go. "I just hope you keep that promise…"
The next morning was marked by the galloping of hooves and clinking armor. Garrick and Aurelia returned from Havenbrook that morning. Word of how Kai and Lia were got around quickly in the small village. When they went to dismount, there was already a grin creasing the usually stoic face of Garrick.
"They did it," he murmured, almost disbelievingly. "Formed their Willforce Seeds in a matter of weeks."
Aurelia's expression was one of amazement and happiness. "And survived the process without guidance…" She shook her head as they approached her home. "These children are stronger than we gave them credit for.".
Inside, she found Kai and Lia lying down, their breathing stable but their faces exhausted. Aurelia went to Kai's side, lightly putting her hand on his forehead. Her fingers were soft, prodding, probing him. Closing her eyes, a faint glow flickered under her hand, and her energy reached out to evaluate their conditions. A few moments later, she drew back, a smile softening her face.
"They just exhausted themselves," she proclaimed, flashing a relieved grin at the rest of the room. "They were overextending themselves, straining for that degree and need some rest, all right. They'll bounce back."
Everyone in the room breathed out a sigh of relief, including Mira, Eldrin, and Garrick; they all shot each other worried glances as their little moment of respite drew to a close. Their relief was interrupted by a faint stirring from Kai's bed, his eyes fluttering open as he took in the concerned faces around him.
"How are you feeling, Kai?" Aurelia asked her, softly.
Kai rubbed his head, wincing as he slowly sat up. "Just tired," he murmured, looking down as shame flickered across his face. Memories of the night before flooded back—venturing too deep into the forest, his fear and panic as the iron serpent lunged for them. "We… went too far," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "We weren't supposed to go that deep.".
Garrick's eyes, now more stern than usual, had a piercing gaze. Taking in Kai's words, he said, "Tell us what happened.".
Kai swallowed, his fingers tight on the blanket's edge as he relayed details of the confrontation with the iron serpent, the panic that had coursed through him, his desperation to shield Lia from the deadly creature, and the second when something deep within had finally flared to life. Eldrin stared at him in stunned silence, surprised that two barely trained novice cultivators had escaped a scrape with a first-stage creature.
"So, with absolutely no training or supervision to speak of, you guys both somehow fought a one-iron serpent and walk away, alive," Eldrin grumbled, tugging on his hair, a mix of amazement and worry. He'd looked at Kai, of course, and then taken a look at Lia-asleep still. "Absolutely incredible, Kai, but reckless. Reckless indeed.".
He barely finished his words before the other bed creaked. Lia moved a little, opened her eyes to look around. Her sight fell upon Aurelia and, at the first view, emotions surged. Lia sat up with a jerky movement and threw her arms around her mother as she wept.
Aurelia wrapped her close, whispering soft reassurances, running her fingers through Lia's hair. "It's alright, Lia," she whispered, soothing her as the girl's sobs began to subside. "You're safe now. You're both safe."
Garrick had been silent through it all, his face expressionless as he absorbed the story. His calm, however, masked a growing frustration. After a moment, he cleared his throat, drawing the children's attention.
"Rest well, both of you," he said, the tone of his voice metallic and unyielding. His eyes were hard, looking at them, with his words a promise sealed. "When you return to training, I'll see to it that you learn the consequences of ignoring advice from your elders.".
Kai and Lia exchanged a nervous look, his stern parting words hanging in the air like a far-off storm. Eldrin chuckled, though his face was shadowed with worry.
"You have stirred up more than a serpent with your actions," he murmured, giving them a sympathetic but knowing look.