The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through my bedroom curtains, nudging me gently awake. "Huh, what time is it?" I mumbled, glancing at the clock. It was past 6 am already. I must have overslept again. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I couldn't help but think about Ashun, my younger brother. At nine years old, he was a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm, the polar opposite of my more reserved nature. Despite my efforts, Ashun effortlessly excelled in everything he did, especially at school. It was both frustrating and inspiring.

Rolling out of bed, I landed on the cool, wooden floor and stretched, feeling the day slowly come to life around me. The house was quiet, but downstairs, I could hear the faint clatter of kitchenware. "Ashun was up early, as usual," I thought with a smile. His cheerful demeanor was infectious, and I often found myself envious of his carefree spirit.

I slipped into my school uniform—a crisp white shirt and navy blue pants—before padding down the hallway. These walls held memories of our past struggles, now softened by the warmth of Aurelia's care. Three years ago, she had found Ashun and me, lost and alone on the streets. Her kindness had given us a new home and a sense of belonging we had never known.

"Since she took us in three years ago, she's always taught us to be very thankful to the gods," I reflected quietly. "She believes it's because of them that we ended up together. Back then, after our rough start in life, both Ashun and I weren't fond of the gods. But these past three years have shown us how much they've done for us, especially through Mother Aurelia."

Entering the kitchen, the familiar aroma of pancakes enveloped me. "Ah, the smell of pancakes," I chuckled to myself. "Nothing can ever replace the pancakes Mother cooks for us." Ashun, standing proudly at the stove, turned with a mischievous grin.

"For goodness' sake, why does his face always look like he's cooking up some mischief in that brain of his?" I wondered aloud. "I wonder what prank he's going to pull on me this time. Is it the seat? Did he put water below it? Or perhaps he's going to sabotage me when I least expect it... I think too much."

"Morning, Elian!" Ashun chirped, breaking into my thoughts. "Blueberry pancakes today—your favorite!"

Mother Aurelia, her smile as warm as the morning sun, set the table with practiced ease. "Did you sleep well, dear?" she asked kindly.

I nodded gratefully, taking my seat. "Yes, thank you, Mother Aurelia. I can't wait for breakfast."

With each bite of Ashun's surprise, I relished the peace of our mornings together. These moments were precious, grounding me before another day at school.

As I savored the pancakes, memories of our first meeting with Aurelia flooded my mind. "Three years ago, we were just two lost boys, barely scraping by on the streets," I reminisced silently. "It was a bitter winter's night when fate brought us to her doorstep."

"I remember the desperation in Ashun's eyes as he clung to my hand, his fingers numb from the cold," I continued in my thoughts. "We had wandered the alleys for days, scavenging for scraps and dodging harsh glares. Exhaustion weighed heavy on our small frames, but Ashun never lost hope."

"'Elian,' he whispered that night, barely audible above the biting wind. 'What if we can't find food tonight?'"

"I didn't have an answer," I recalled somberly. "All I could offer was a reassuring squeeze of his hand, hoping it conveyed the strength I was rapidly losing myself. Just as despair threatened to consume us, we stumbled upon a small, flickering light—a beacon of warmth and refuge in the frigid darkness."

"Aurelia's house, nestled at the end of a narrow street, seemed almost too inviting," I mused. "Timidly, we knocked on her door, our hearts pounding with a mix of fear and desperate hope. When she opened it, her eyes widened in surprise and concern at the sight of two shivering boys on her doorstep."

"Without hesitation, she ushered us inside," I remembered vividly. "'Come in, quickly. You must be freezing.'"

"We stepped into her home, enveloped by the comforting embrace of warmth and safety," I recounted fondly. "Aurelia wrapped us in blankets, her touch gentle as she led us to the kitchen table. There, she served us a simple meal that tasted like a feast after days of hunger."

"'Tell me your names, little ones,'" she said softly, pouring us warm tea.

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But the kindness in Aurelia's eyes thawed the walls we had built around ourselves. "'I'm Elian,'" I managed, glancing at Ashun beside me.

"'And I'm Ashun,'" he added with a shy smile, his weariness melting away in Aurelia's presence.

"Aurelia nodded, her expression tender," I continued warmly. "'Elian and Ashun. Those are beautiful names.'"

"From that moment on, Aurelia became more than a caretaker. She became our foster mother, guiding us with unwavering patience and love," I concluded thoughtfully. "She enrolled us in school, tended to our wounds, and listened to our dreams with a gentle understanding that felt almost otherworldly."

"Now, as I sat at her kitchen table, surrounded by the warmth she had bestowed upon us, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming gratitude," I acknowledged silently. "Aurelia had given us a second chance at life, a chance to grow and thrive in a world that had once seemed so cold and unforgiving."

"Hey Ashun, it's getting late," I finally called out to my brother, breaking the reverie. "We gotta hurry before we're late for school."

"Yeah, I'm coming," Ashun replied cheerfully, grabbing his school bag as he joined me in the kitchen.

The morning sun painted the familiar streets with a golden hue, casting long shadows that stretched like memories behind Ashun and me as we hurried to school. The rhythm of our footsteps echoed the routine of countless mornings before, a comforting cadence in the bustling city waking up to a new day.

"Ashun," I asked, trying to keep my voice casual. "Did you pray to the gods this morning?"

"Yeah," Ashun replied with a nod, his eyes bright with innocence. "I thanked them for Mom and everything she's done for us."

I smiled at him, feeling a swell of warmth in my chest. Our foster mother, Aurelia, had taken us in three years ago when we had nowhere else to turn. She was the pillar of our small family, her kindness and strength guiding us through every challenge.

As we walked, Ashun suddenly spoke up again. "Oh, by the way, Elian, don't wait for me after school today. I'll be staying late to practice for the upcoming group project."

"Oh, alright," I responded, a bit surprised. "Who else is staying with you? Any of your friends?"

"Yeah, Ellie and I for now," Ashun explained, his brow furrowing slightly. "But Uta will be joining us in a few days. He's off to someplace out of town right now. Gosh, that kid... if he would put in the same amount of work as Ellie and I, we wouldn't be lagging behind so much compared to other groups."

"Ashun, why are you always so worried about these little things?" I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Give yourself a break every now and then. You don't have to push yourself so hard just to repay Mother Aurelia."

"What? No... no, no, you don't under—" Ashun stammered, looking flustered.

"Ashun, I can see it," I said gently, cutting him off. "You're my brother, the only blood relation I have. You don't have to lie to me."

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Whatever, just go now or we'll both be late, you know."

We quickened our pace as the school gates came into view, the chatter of students and the familiar bustle signaling the start of another day. As we parted ways to head to our respective classes, I couldn't shake the feeling that Ashun was carrying more on his shoulders than he let on. But for now, I trusted that he would manage, just as he always did.

"Alright then, since Ashun is working hard, I believe it's not my time to be slacking off either, I don't disagree with Ashun, I too want to repay the kindness of Mother Aurelia, and what better way to do it than through studies?"

"Hey, Elian!"

I turned to see Barron, a classmate and friend, rushing up beside me with his usual exuberance. "For goodness' sake, Barron," I chuckled, "could you not scream in the hallway? I'm not deaf, you know."

Barron laughed, his blond hair tousled from the wind. "Sorry, sorry! I forget sometimes that not everyone's a morning person like me."

"It's alright," I replied with a grin, falling into step beside him. Barron had been a friend since we started middle school, his boundless energy a stark contrast to my more reserved nature.

"Any plans for the weekend?" Barron asked eagerly, already bouncing to the next topic.

"Probably just studying," I admitted with a shrug. "We have the finals approaching fast you know"

Barron nodded knowingly. "Oh right the finals, I hope I can atleast score enough to make my parents happy, they always nag me when I score just below 90%"

"90% is a lot in itself, I don't even know how you even get that" I said, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.

"Any ways, good luck on your studying, we'll make plans after this examination"

"Thanks, Barron," I said sincerely, appreciating his encouragement. "We'll see how it goes, and sure we can plan something out."

As we reached the school building, I glanced back to see Ashun disappearing into the crowd, likely heading to his class early to prepare for the day ahead. "Alright, Ashun," I thought to myself, "I'll see you around. Make sure you don't overdo it with the studying."

The day at school passed in a blur of lessons and assignments, the routine of classes blending together in a symphony of chalk dust and whispered conversations. By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of another day, I felt both relieved and eager to leave the confines of the classroom behind.

I gathered my books and joined my friends, Lucas and Liora, at our usual spot in the school courtyard. Lucas, with his perpetual grin and laid-back demeanor, greeted me with a high-five.

"Hey, Elian! How was your day?" he asked, adjusting his cap.

"Same old, same old," I replied with a tired smile. "Just glad it's over."

Liora, her dark hair framing a face dotted with freckles, nodded in agreement. "I hear you. I think I zoned out during history class at least three times."

We laughed, the sound echoing against the school walls. For a moment, the weight of assignments and upcoming exams lifted, replaced by the ease of camaraderie.

"So," Lucas began, his voice lowering slightly, "have you guys heard about the festival happening next week?"

Liora leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, you mean the Harvest Festival? I heard they're setting up decorations already."

"Yeah," Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "My dad said they're bringing in some performers from out of town. It's supposed to be a big deal this year."

As we discussed the festival plans, the topic naturally shifted to our beliefs and traditions. Liora, always fascinated by myths and legends, shared stories she had read about ancient gods and their influence on human history.

"I find it intriguing," she mused, "how different cultures interpret the divine. Like, for some, gods are protectors and creators. For others, they represent forces of nature or moral codes."

Lucas nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, it's like how we were taught to thank the gods for everything good that happens to us. It's part of our family tradition."

I listened, silently taking in their words. While Aurelia had instilled a deep respect for the gods in Ashun and me, I often found myself questioning their role in our lives. Were they truly benevolent beings watching over us, or merely symbols of comfort in uncertain times?

"Speaking of which," Liora continued, glancing at me with a playful smile, "Do you believe Gods exist huh? Elian?"

I chuckled softly, shifting uncomfortably. "Well, since mother Aurelia is very religious and these past few years she has taught us a lot about her beliefs, initially I was quite not believing but over the years I have come to a decision to thank them for what they have given me. What about you Lucas? "

"That's right" Lucas said. "I too was taught by my grandmother on early age, I am still figuring out a lot but oh well, I think it's nice to have something to believe in, you know?"

"Yeah," I agreed quietly, my gaze drifting to the sky above. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm glow over the courtyard. In that moment, surrounded by friends and bathed in the fading light, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

"I believe it's time. I can't delay any longer. Since I first set foot in this school, I've been captivated by Liora—her beautiful black hair and her kind, understanding eyes. It took tremendous effort to become her friend. Over the past three years, we've grown so close that today, I finally have the courage. I can do this. I will confess my feelings to Liora and ask her out."

"Hey, um, Liora, can we talk for a minute?" Barron shot me a knowing glance, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Sure, Elian. What's on your mind?" Her voice was gentle, her eyes curious yet welcoming.

"Just... I..." Before I could utter my heart's desire, an otherworldly being descended with a thunderous crash right where Liora had stood moments before, obliterating her in a blinding flash. In her place stood a deity, emitting a dense aura of light that evaporated what remained of Liora.

Before I could even stir, additional Celestials descended from the heavens. Among them was the one who had struck down Liora. His gaze pierced through me, radiating an aura of such overwhelming power that my heart sank in dread. I collapsed to my knees, surrounded by stunned onlookers unable to comprehend the surreal tragedy unfolding before them. The deity who had taken Liora's life walked away from the spot where she had stood, displaying an indifference to the fragile existence of mortals, as though her death meant nothing in the grand design of their celestial machinations.