***A sunny day in midgard***
The sun shone brightly as small lizard-like creatures with feathers and six wings flew joyfully through the air, playing with one another. Beneath them, an estate with walls made of opaque white stone was brimming with activity.
Children ran around playing. The adults were discussing matters of court and trade, and the occasional explosion of color livened the place.
"AHH, SHIT!!" a boy shouted at the top of his lungs as his face became covered with smoke and ash.
"HEY, LANGUAGE!!" a woman wearing a red silk dress with delicate embroidery and frills growled.
Another boy adjusted his glasses, which gleamed as he spoke in a serious and monotone tone, clearly trying to sound cool.
"So, you botched the circle again."
The first boy turned around and angrily threw his piece of chalk as the bespectacled boy dodged.
"Get back here… I'LL GIVE YOU A PIECE OF THIS!!!" he shouted indignantly, rushing forward with fists raised.
Nearby, a small girl was climbing the walls of the stable, glancing back to make sure no one was watching. She looked ahead, determination in her eyes, as she hoisted herself over the wall and dropped down, landing on the soft moss.
As she cheerfully strode forward, she collided with something and was thrown back. Rubbing her head, beads of tears welled at the corners of her eyes as she bit her lip.
She opened her eyes and looked up, seeing a figure draped in a green and red outfit with a black cape. He had silvery white hair reaching down his back, his face pale and youthful—barely in his late twenties. His blue eyes shone—blue eyes exactly like hers.
Her expression softened before she gave the man a coy smile. He smiled back.
"Hey, Grandpa—OW!!" the girl yelped as the man knocked her on the head with his knuckle.
"HEY!! What was that for?!" she said, covering the top of her head, wary of another knock.
The man smiled before speaking again."Ahahaha, funny story. You see, Ellie, I came in here to make sure the moss was soft enough for the dragonlings to sleep. It sure is a coincidence that you're here—even though I explicitly told you not to be."
His smile darkened.
Ellie frowned and mumbled, "But they're so cute and chubby..."
The man put both hands on his hips."They need to sleep. Don't disturb them again, got it?" he said sternly. The girl nodded.
He lowered his hands as his smile softened. He picked the girl up and walked out, taking in the lively atmosphere.
He looked at the two young ones shooting magic at each other. Smiling at Ellie, who chuckled back, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The magic in the boys' hands fizzled out. They stared at their palms in momentary shock before spotting their grandfather.
The woman in the red dress ran over and bowed her head."I'm sorry, Father. These two got out of hand."
He waved her off dismissively."Haha, there aren't any bulls that won't butt heads—and no boys that don't itch for a fight."
He walked past her as she began lecturing the two.
Eventually, he sat down on a red chair that faced the garden. As he did, Ellie began braiding his silver locks.
"Ellie, I wanted to tell you a story today."
Ellie's face beamed. Her grandfather told the best stories in the world.
"Is it a funny one?"
The man shook his head. "No."
"A scary one?"
"No."
"A sad one?"
The man chuckled. "No."
Ellie looked at her grandfather with a doubtful expression.
"Grandpa, if it's not funny, scary, or sad… why tell it?"
The man took out a pipe and inhaled deeply."Because it's one that needs to be heard. And it is funny, scary, and sad… all at the same time."
He exhaled. The smoke shaped itself into various figures—a house, a knight, a mage, a dragon—before dissipating into the air.
"It's something you need to know, as a Hawthorne. So listen well, okay?"
"Okay, Grandpa Michael."
Ellie looked at him with full concentration as Michael smiled.
"Long, long time ago, in another world, when I was only a child learning about the world..."