Kael lay still on the bed, staring at the wooden ceiling above him. Behind him, Ellia's arms were wrapped tightly around his small body, her protective warmth a stark contrast to the frustration building in his chest. His eyes fluttered open, and he tried to turn his head to look to his side, but his limbs felt immobile, trapped by the strength of the older knight.
"Ugh…" he groaned, staring straight ahead. Frustration boiled over as he finally let out a loud, piercing scream.
Ellia jolted awake, startled, and immediately loosened her grip. "What—Kael, are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Kael turned his head, his eyes narrowing as a small smirk played on his lips. "You finally let me go," he said with a scoff.
Ellia huffed, realizing he wasn't in danger but playing her for a fool. She grinned mischievously. "Damn you," she muttered and promptly lay back down, turning her back to him.
Kael, seizing his chance, started to swing his legs over the side of the bed. "Finally, freedom!" he whispered to himself.
But just as he was about to escape, Ellia's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. Her smirk was triumphant. "Where do you think you're going?" she teased, pulling him back under the blanket in one swift motion.
Kael screamed in mock despair. "Freedom was so close! Nooooo!" His voice echoed dramatically, earning a chuckle from Ellia.
With the morning chaos subsiding, the two eventually made their way to the small wooden table in the center of the room. Kael sat eagerly, a fork and spoon in his tiny hands, gripping them awkwardly with both hands like toys. His black eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Ellia walked in, carrying a plate of bread and eggs. "Breakfast is ready," she announced with a smile.
"Finally!" Kael exclaimed, his excitement clear. "Now can we start?"
Ellia set the food on the table, pointing to the chair beside her. "Come sit here," she instructed.
Kael complied, dragging his chair noisily across the floor before plopping down next to her. She gestured for him to hold her left hand. "Before we eat, we pray. This is what my mother taught me."
Kael tilted his head, curiosity etched on his face. "Pray? What's that?"
Ellia closed her eyes and gently urged, "Just close your eyes for a bit, Kael. Trust me."
He closed his eyes.
Suddenly, the world around him turned pitch black. He looked around, his small figure dwarfed by the vast nothingness. From the distance, a flicker of light began to appear, growing brighter and larger until it filled the entire expanse. After a brief, blinding flash, the void transformed into a lush, vibrant field, teeming with flowers, sunlight, and rolling hills.
In the middle of the field stood Ellia, her green eyes sparkling like gemstones. She smiled at him warmly. "This is the World of Faith, Kael. The more beautiful this world is, the better the person you are. So, how did your world look?"
Kael scratched his head, his expression a mix of confusion and worry. "I... didn't see anything," he admitted softly.
Ellia's brows furrowed. "What? That's odd. Every human who enters my world passes through theirs first." Her gaze sharpened, and she asked, "Kael... you *are* human, aren't you?"
Kael's body tensed. He instinctively backed away, as if trying to shield something behind him.
"What are you hiding?" Ellia pressed, stepping closer.
"N-nothing!" Kael stammered, his hands gripping at the air as though to protect an invisible secret.
Ellia grinned mischievously. "Oh, is that the game we're playing now?" Without warning, she sprinted toward him.
Kael screamed, "Stop!" Just as Ellia was about to reach him, his form shimmered and vanished from the vibrant field.
---
Back in the real world, Ellia opened her eyes to find Kael trembling, beads of sweat trickling down his face. He looked up at her, his black eyes wide and filled with fear.
Her expression softened immediately. "It's okay, Kael," she said gently, brushing his hair back. "Just eat, alright?"
Kael nodded hesitantly, shuffling closer to her side. He snuggled against her, seeking comfort.
Ellia chuckled, wrapping her arm around him protectively. "You're such a strange little boy," she murmured.
As they sat at the table, Ellia picked up a fork and scooped up some eggs. She turned to him with a teasing smile. "Say ahh, Kael."
Kael blinked in shock. "Wait—you're feeding me?"
Ellia tilted her head playfully. "What, me feeding you is *actually* shocking?"
Kael hesitated, then opened his mouth, his small cheeks puffing out as he chewed.
Ellia laughed, her green eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're a handful, you know that?"
Kael looked up at her, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself.
For the first time, in that quiet moment of laughter and warmth, Kael felt something unfamiliar—a fleeting sense of home.
---