The sun had merely ascended over the quiet little village of Elaris, but the soft gold spread evenly across its rooftops and through winding pathways. A silken mist lay in the air, refracting every little prism of light shining across dew-dropped leaves and grass. Eldrin stood among the other elderly folk at the edge of the village, his own face marked with pride, with trepidation mixed into it.
Mira was one of them, her arms folded tight across her chest as she listened to Eldrin's words. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong floated through the air, a backdrop to the weight of their conversation. Mira's eyes drifted over to Kai and Lia, training together in the morning light. They moved with confidence and precision, the result of countless hours of practice. She could not but feel a little sorrow there. They were so young-looking—and yet, they were already more than she would have ever imagined.
Eldrin's voice broke through her thoughts. "Now that Kai and Lia have reached the Willforce Projection stage, it is time for them to leave Elaris," he said, his voice steady but solemn. "Havenbrook Academy will give them the training and resources they'll need to face what lies ahead.".
Mira's chest ached with every syllable. She had seen this day coming, she knew, but she hoped that perhaps it could have waited a little longer yet. She looked up to Eldrin, her words quiet yet resolute. "Are they ready to leave, Eldrin? They are so young and the world outside of Elaris is cruel.".
Eldrin's eyes softened as he followed her gaze to the training ground, where Kai and Lia were locked in a friendly but intense sparring session. "Look at them, Mira. They have worked harder than any of us could have asked. They're ready, even if we aren't.".
As they watched, Kai caught Lia off guard with a quick maneuver; she laughed, rolling to her feet, with an intent look on her face. Their laughter echoed through the training ground, joining with the sounds of the morning-a reminder that, no matter their abilities, they were young, full of life and spirit.
Eldrin reached out, his fingers caressing her shoulder in a soothing motion. "Mira, I share your fear. I wouldn't be truthful if I said I didn't harbor some doubts of my own. But remember, that old bastard is still there. He is stubborn, but he cares. He will look after Kai.".
The hint of a smile passed across Mira's face. "Old Man and I have had our differences, but he was once a friend. Perhaps that's enough."
But the anxiety stayed with her, weighing down in her chest. She'd watched these two children grow up, bandaged their scrapes, comforted them through sleepless nights. The thought of sending them out into the unknown was like cutting away pieces of herself.
________________________________________
Kai was sitting alone, the little kitchen later in that morning; he stirred up his bowl of porridge very inadequately. Smell was familiar: honey with oatmeal, all things so comforting, even if in his mother's soothing voice. But Kai just didn't care today as today would be the final time that he would get out from Elaris — from where he called his house.
Mira entered the room, her face a mask of emotions she could not hide. She put a hand on Kai's shoulder, gave him a small, encouraging squeeze before placing a fresh bowl in front of him. "You have been training so hard, Kai. You should be proud of how far you've come.".
He looked up at her, forcing a smile to his face. But uncertainty weighed upon him. "Yeah. I guess." He fell silent, his voice barely audible. "But the academy. Havenbrook. Do you think I'm prepared? What if I'm not able to keep up?
Mira leaned over and gazed at him with warmth tempered by a gentle sweetness. "Everyone at the academy will be learning, just like you. You have worked hard and trained harder. And you've already mastered things they may not even know yet." She reached out, her hand resting over his. "You're stronger than you think, Kai. Eldrin believes it, and so do I."
"But… " Kai stammered, looking around the familiar room. "What if I miss this too much? You… Elaris… everything?"
Mira's eyes softened and she drew closer, her voice a soothing balm. "No matter where you go, Kai, you will always have a place here. If you ever feel lost, or tired, or if the world becomes too heavy, you can always come back. This village will be here for you, waiting."
"Kai," she said, her voice almost a whisper, "have you seen the woman?"
The air froze, and Kai opened his eyes wide in shock. He hadn't spoken to anyone about the mysterious figure he'd glimpsed in his dreams. "Mom, how did you…?" His voice broke, his thoughts racing. She couldn't possibly know.
Mira looked at his eyes with a blank yet soothing expression. "It doesn't matter how I know. Just hear me, Kai. Whatever you see or experience, keep it silent. Don't think about it. Focus on your training and your journey."
"But… what does it mean?" he asked, a trace of fear creeping into his voice. "Why am I seeing her?"
"Some questions don't have answers—at least not yet," she said, holding him close. "In time, you'll understand. Just know that I trust you and that I believe in your strength."
Kai rested his face into her shoulder and absorbed the warmth. She was a stable anchor amidst all this uncertainty that felt unstable.
"I will miss you, Mom," he said in a voice filled with tears.
Mira leaned back and had a gentle smile on her face. "And I will miss you too. But this is your time, Kai. You're meant to grow beyond these walls. Do not let fear hold you back."
________________________________________
By noon, the village gathered at the outskirts of Elaris, the place familiar roads led into unknown pathways. Friends and family stood there, their faces both full of joy and tears, as they said their final goodbyes. Eldrin stepped forward first and gave Kai a firm embrace with a pat on the back.
"Remember, boy, don't let anyone push you around. Stand tall," he said, grinning.
Nearby, Sera-the old rival of Lia had-left her embrace and stood a little back, her eyes fixed on Lia with determination and a fierce glint "Save me a place at this academy, Lia," Sera said, grinning. "I'll catch up to you soon."
Lia laughed, smiling. "You'll stand at the head of that line when you get to the academy. Promise."
Toran, the childhood rival with whom Kai had always crossed his arms at school, smiled as well, standing on the fringe of the other students and arms crossed while a grin played on his face. He nodded once, extending his hand across to reach out.
"So now you are too busy, huh," he said and nodded slowly, a strange mix of respect and resistance in his voice.
Kai just grinned and continued to shake his hand, "I will be coming back for sure. I better be ready for another match,"
Toran's sneer relaxed into a slight grin. "I'll see you soon."
Farewells concluded and left Kai and Lia alone to stand at the edge of the path out of Elaris. Lia glowed with excitement, and nearly her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
"Kai," she whispered, barely containing her joy. "Can you believe we're actually doing this?"
Kai took a steadying breath, feeling a mixture of thrill and fear. "No… but it feels right."
With one last glance back at the village, Kai and Lia took their first steps on the path. Their hearts beat to the rhythm of excitement and purpose, a new chapter stretching out before them like the open sky. As the sunset painted the world ahead in swirling gold, they knew that whatever lay ahead would be faced together, carrying the bonds forged in Elaris into a future of their own shaping.
And as the sun went down, casting its final warm glow across their village, Kai felt a wave of courage flood him. This was only the beginning.