{Elarion, Age 10 – POV}
Herua still trailed behind me.
Silent. Small. Watchful.
After the Bloodgate, he hadn't spoken a single unnecessary word to me for two days.
Not out of fear.
But something else.
Like he was waiting for permission to exist.
Today, I let him follow.
Not because I needed company.
Because I was going somewhere important.
---
To my brothers.
Not to "see them."
Not for comfort.
But to confirm something that had haunted me since my first breath in this life.
The reason for their demise.
Something must have happened—right?
Though I'll find out the truth eventually…
For now, it's enough to stir the ashes.
Maybe I'm just bored.
Kicking at shadows because I don't feel like training—at least not yet.
And I do train. More than most.
But this is my free time.
---
The northern wing of the estate was warmer.
Not in temperature—but in atmosphere.
Windows left open.
Plants in old pots.
Books not arranged by color but by usage.
Lived-in.
I found Rior first.
He was arguing with a sparring dummy like it had insulted his mother.
> "You again?! You cheap pile of straw—I'm not done with you—huh? Jewel?"
He dropped the wooden blade immediately, sprinting toward me like a wolf pup spotting his pack leader.
> "You're here!"
"Obviously," I said.
> "You look taller! Or maybe it's just the murder aura—did I not notice it before? Whatever, come here!"
He lunged in for a hug.
I stepped back.
He froze mid-motion, then slowly raised both hands in surrender.
> "Right. Too soon?"
> "A bit."
> "But I slept hugging you, baby bro," he added, mock-wounded.
I didn't answer.
When he saw I wasn't smiling, he let out a deep sigh—one that could've belonged to a tragic actor on a stage.
> "Fine, fine. I'll stop overacting. Just… don't kill me with those beautiful eyes, Jewel…"
I glared again.
He still grinned. That same big, stupid, warm grin like I was his favorite creature on earth.
---
Sirus appeared from the corridor—calmer, quieter.
His voice like deep, still water.
> "Rior, you're shouting again."
His eyes shifted to me.
They widened—slightly.
> "Jewel… I didn't expect you to come meet us so soon."
He didn't rush to me like Rior.
Didn't overflow with emotion.
Just stepped forward and placed a hand over his heart.
> "I'm glad you came. Truly."
> "I was bored. That's all."
> "That's everything."
I studied his expression.
Steady. Honest.
No tremble of deception.
Inknew it, they were still the same. Sift for me yet strong, just what happened exactly??
---
"Hey, we were about to eat by the lake," Rior said, pulling out a woven basket from the corner. "You're coming."
> "Why."
> "Because you need sunlight. Look at you, you're turning into a bat."
Sirus added quietly, "And because we missed you."
Missed me?
In my past life, I never let them close enough to miss anything.
But even now—something about them remained unchanged.
They had always been safe.
But I hadn't believed it then. Not until it was too late.
This time, I wouldn't reject them immediately.
And if they remain the same… they will be mine.
---
By the lake, we sat on warm stones.
Rior talked too much.
Sirus smiled too gently.
Herua sat a little behind me—eyes wide at the scene, as if unsure if he was dreaming.
> "You're really different now," Rior said, biting into bread.
> "I've grown. And you too."
> "Grown scary. I'm still sweet."
> "Good for you."
They laughed. I didn't.
But I didn't leave, either.
> This time, I will observe them.
And if they are real—if they're mine—then I'll protect them too.
Not yet.
Not until I'm sure.
Or maybe… maybe I already am.
But I don't want to rush.
---
Just as I was finishing my bread, footsteps approached through the tall grass.
Two shadows moved in sync—quiet as wind, eyes watching me, not my brothers.
Bour and Bon.
I stood slowly, and they dropped to one knee without hesitation.
> "We saw you walking," Bour said, voice steady.
> "We don't wish to intrude," Bon added, "but we didn't want to fall behind, either."
I looked at them both—dust-stained boots, sweat along their temples, bruises not yet healed from the Bloodgate's tests.
They were still following me.
Even now.
Herua blinked, glancing between us all like he was the only one without a script.
Rior leaned toward me, whispering.
> "Who're the twins? They yours too?"
> " Well, you can say so," I said, almost to myself " untill they don't break that is"
Rior's eyes widened, but he didn't ask more.
---
I nodded once to the twins. "Sit."
They did.
No questions.
No excitement.
Just quiet presence, waiting to be allowed to breathe near me.
Sirus poured them tea from the flask, and Rior shoved one of my bread at them like an over-eager host, since he had none left.
I let him.
> "He shared his food without getting irritated,You're special huh!" whispered Rior
Bon gave a small bow of his head.
Bour just glanced at me.
> "We're not," he said.
> "We just won't leave him."
---
After a long silence, I asked,
> "Shouldn't you be at the academy?"
Rior stopped chewing.
Stiffened.
Sirus looked away—toward the sky like he'd suddenly discovered clouds existed.
I knew it.
They ran.
> "Return soon," I said, firm.
Rior groaned. "But they'll assign us to sparring again with the windbags—"
> "Return."
He didn't argue again.
---
We stayed a little longer.
Six of us now.
Herua. The twins. My brothers.
No bonds spoken.
No trust declared.
But something gentle hung in the air.
Something that might one day grow.
If they remain true…
They'll all become mine.
And no one will ever take them away again.
---