POV - Emilia
4th of Lunaris.
That was my day.
The fourth day of the month that marked the end of spring. The morning when the dew sparkled brightest, and the flowers smelled as if they knew there was something to celebrate.
I woke up with my heart beating as fast as if I were going to train against three opponents at the same time.
I was turning ten.
Ten. The first big double digit. The age when adults began to expect more from you, when decisions were no longer so simple, and when, according to Mom, your heart could begin to choose for itself.
I was excited, yes. But also nervous.
Very nervous.
I sat up abruptly in my bed, my hair completely disheveled. Light streamed in through the half-open wooden window, filtering through the dancing leaves of the large tree outside.
And then...
"Emiliaaaaa!"
The door flew open and Mom came in like a whirlwind with her usual smile, carrying a small tray with warm rolls, sliced fruit, and juice that smelled like fresh berries.
"Happy birthday, my warrior!"
"Mom..."
I smiled as she threw herself at me and hugged me tight.
"Hey, don't crush me... I have training."
"Bah! Today is your day. Training can wait a little. Today is all about you."
I settled into bed with the tray on my lap while she tenderly ruffled my hair.
"What about Dad?" I asked, unable to help myself.
Leyla hesitated for a second. It was small, almost imperceptible. But I knew her too well.
"He left early."
"Early?"
"He went to pick up something very special. He forbade me to say what it is. But... trust me. He won't be missing today."
I was silent for a moment, nodding slowly.
Mom hugged me again, this time more gently.
"I know things haven't been perfect with him. But... he's making an effort, Emilia. For you. Because he loves you. He may not always know how to show it, but believe me... he wants to be there."
"...I know. And I want that too."
"Then give him a chance. Today can be that beginning."
I sighed and took a sip of juice.
It was sweet, with a hint of tartness. Like this day.
After getting changed, I went downstairs with energy bubbling in my legs. Mom made me my favorite breakfast: gingerbread with honey and a vegetable omelet that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
"Are you going to the academy looking that happy?" Mom joked as she cleared the dishes.
"Why wouldn't I? It's my day."
"You look beautiful. Although that hairstyle..."
"Mom!"
We both laughed. Then she gave me a soft kiss on the forehead before walking out the door.
"Have a wonderful day, Emilia. I'm sure there will be more than one surprise."
"More than one?"
"I said what I said."
And she closed the door, winking at me.
The walk to school felt different. The leaves fell in soft spirals, and the wind carried the scent of new flowers.
Some people greeted me along the way.
"Happy birthday, Emilia!" shouted one of the bakers.
"Our prodigy is celebrating!" joked an old woman.
I just waved with a small smile, trying to keep my composure... but inside, I felt like a spark about to explode.
I knew my friends were waiting for me.
I knew he would be there too.
And although I wouldn't admit it out loud... I had high expectations for this day.
Not because of the gifts.
But because of what they could mean.
*
I had already showered. The hot water in the academy's bathrooms had cleared my mind and relaxed my muscles, but my heart was still beating with a strange anxiety.
I didn't know why, but I felt that the day was not yet over with its surprises.
As I left the locker room, my hair still slightly damp and tied back with a blue ribbon my mom had made for me, I saw Luahn waiting for me by the gate.
His expression was calm, but he looked nervous. He was moving the fingers of one hand insistently, as if he were mentally rehearsing something important.
"Luahn?"
"Emilia." He approached me. "Do you have a moment?"
"Sure."
"I want to take you somewhere."
"Now?"
"Yes. But don't worry. It's not far. Just... trust me."
My eyebrow rose slightly in curiosity, but I nodded.
"Okay."
I followed him down the path that runs along the north square of Sephros. It didn't take me long to recognize where we were headed: the clearing at the foot of the hill, where Dad used to train me when I was younger. Where I learned to hold a sword for the first time.
It was clean, as always. The leaves looked like they had been swept recently. The sun was setting through the trees with that golden light that only the afternoon has.
And there, standing next to an old split log, was him. Dad.
My heart stopped for a second.
He was wearing his brown coat, the one he only wore on important occasions. Next to him, Mom was smiling, her eyes slightly reddened. Behind them, a small black wooden chest rested on a blanket.
Luahn looked at me. He nodded.
I approached slowly.
Dad looked at me. His face, for the first time in a long time, wasn't tense. He just looked... determined.
"Happy birthday, Emilia."
I swallowed hard.
"Thank you."
There was silence. The wind blew between us.
And then he spoke.
"I know I haven't been... the father you deserve. I know that my silence, my fear, my clumsiness... hurt you. I know that. And there's no excuse for that."
I stood still. Luahn didn't move beside me. Neither did Mom.
"When you were little, and you picked up a sword for the first time, I saw you... and I knew you were just like my father. You had the same look in your eyes. The same conviction. And I was scared. Because I saw him die. He was a hero, but he didn't come home. And I was afraid that... you would leave too."
His voice broke a little.
"But today I understand that... that's not fair to you. I can't ask you not to be who you are. Not to shine to your full potential. All I can do... is be by your side. And tell you that."
He came closer. He put his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm very proud of you, Emilia."
My throat closed up.
"And I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."
My body shook, tears streaming down my face. I hugged him without thinking.
Tightly. Like when I was a child.
And he... he hugged me back.
"I love you, Dad."
"And I love you, daughter."
A moment passed before he pulled away, with a trembling smile. He walked over to the chest and opened it.
Inside, on a green velvet cloth, was a dark-colored sword in its sheath, with golden inscriptions in the Dwarven language. Its hilt was black, curved, with the symbol of the Hypnos Tree embedded in the guard.
"This sword was forged by a dwarf master from Relfort. It was made for your grandfather. It can only be wielded by someone of his bloodline... or by a sworn bond of the clan."
"Sworn bond...?" I asked, not understanding.
"It can only be held without pain by a descendant... or by someone who has pledged their life to another in the wolf ritual." He winked at me. "But don't think about that now."
He took the sword reverently and handed it to me.
"It's yours. Take care of it."
My hands trembled as I touched it. It was light. Familiar. As if my blood recognized it.
"Thank you... Dad."
Then he looked at Luahn.
"And for you..."
He took out a small dagger wrapped in white cloth. Its blade was curved, and it had a moon-shaped mark engraved in the center.
"It was mine. My father gave it to me when I was your age. It's not magical, nor is it special like that sword. But... it has history. And I trust you to carry it."
Luahn received it with wide eyes.
"Mr. Fortz, I..."
"Take care of it. And take care of her." He pointed to Emilia. "Protect her. Not because she can't do it herself. But because sometimes... it's easier if we do it together."
Luahn nodded seriously.
"I promise. Always."
"Then we're good."
Mom wiped away a tear.
Me... too.
And for the first time in a long time, the four of us were there, without fear, without silence, without the past. Only the future.
*
The party had begun at sunset, just as the natural light began to tinge the sky with shades of gold and purple. In the center of the square, the tables were full of food, fresh fruit, dried flower breads, homemade sweets... and of course, the traditional apple pie that Mom and Olivia made together like in the old days.
Everyone was there.
My friends, Liifa and Selena, came over and talked to me.
My parents, now together, relaxed, chatting with some of the neighborhood elders.
Grisel, who had arrived early with a gift wrapped in purple cloth.
Olivia, who couldn't stop praising my dress and the hairstyle my mother had done for me.
And of course, Luahn.
I saw him near the Hypnos tree, the breeze gently ruffling his white hair.
From afar, his eyes sought me out.
And I... I didn't look away.
For the first time, there were no gaps.
There were no awkward silences.
Just peace. And the strange certainty that something important was about to happen.
The gifts arrived one by one.
Liifa gave me a hand-knitted scarf.
Selena gave me a small hardcover diary with a pressed flower on the first page.
Dad... well, he had already given me the best gift I could imagine.
And Mom gave me a pendant with the clan symbol carved in blue wood.
Mrs. Olivia gave me a dress she had made herself.
I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling.
Only one was missing.
Luahn.
I approached him as the others began to be distracted by the musicians who had arrived. The air began to fill with soft melodies.
But he didn't move.
"What about you?" I asked him.
"Me... what?"
"Where's my gift, Luahn?" I said, raising an eyebrow with a defiant smile.
He looked at me with that expression of his, a mixture of nervousness and warmth.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Trust me."
We walked away from the square, along a path that only those closest to the city knew. We walked in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was a silence filled with words that didn't need to be said.
Luahn was a little tense; I could tell by his hands. But his step was steady.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"...You're not going to kidnap me, are you?"
He laughed. It was low, sincere.
"I'd have to be crazy to do that."
"And you are."
"A little, yes."
"Good. I like that."
The entrance was small, covered by branches. But as I crossed it, memories came flooding back to me like a gentle blow.
"...Is this...?"
"Yes. The roofless caves."
An underground place, hidden beneath the city, where the roof had collapsed years ago, revealing the three moons in the sky. The light filtered in like liquid waterfalls, illuminating the interior with silvery flashes. Small crystals hung from the walls, reflecting the moonlight.
It was magical. As if the sky itself had hidden down there.
"Do you remember when we used to come here as children?"
"Yes..." I smiled. "We used to pretend it was our secret palace."
"Well, today... it will be your stage."
He looked at me and held out his hand.
"Help me. Like before."
I knew what he meant. I took his hand. Just like that time.
The energy flowed.
The ice awoke.
And this time... he controlled it himself.
Columns of frozen crystal emerged from the ground. Bright, ethereal.
First they formed a house. Our house. Then, the figure of Mom and Dad hugging me. Then, scenes of playing with my friends, and then...
Luahn and me.
Together, under a tree.
The ice reflected my astonished face.
The whole place was filled with shapes born from his memory. From our memories.
Together with the reflection of light from the moons, it made him look even more beautiful.
And when he finished, I saw him turning toward me...
He was smiling.
Not like usual.
Not like when we were training, or fighting, or arguing over silly things.
It was a calm, beautiful smile, as if his whole soul was showing in it.
And then he spoke.
"Happy birthday, Emilia."
My heart stopped.
Not because of the words.
But because of the way he said them.
As if... they were all I needed to hear.
I felt my chest fill with warmth. With emotion. With something that had no name until that moment.
Then I knew, I didn't have to make any more excuses.
He wasn't just the guy who made me laugh and trained until I was out of breath.
He was Luahn. My Luahn.
And I was...
In love.
I didn't say anything to him.
I just walked over, hugged him tightly, and stood there, feeling my world fall into place for the first time.