As the amber hues of the setting sun bathed the village of Windfield in golden light, long shadows stretched across the cobblestone paths and wooden fences. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming wildflowers from the surrounding fields, mingling with the distant sound of a wind chime softly clinking in the air. In the yard of a small cottage nestled at the edge of the village, two figures lingered—Emma and Ethan, twins whose bond was as unbreakable as the roots of the oak tree shading their home.

Emma glanced at the horizon, the light quickly fading into twilight. The cool evening air brushed against her skin, carrying with it a faint unease. She turned to her twin brother, who was busy examining a particularly interesting rock he had found. “Ethan, it’s getting dark,” she said gently. “Let’s head inside and wait for them to come home.”

Ethan looked up, his silver hair catching the last rays of sunlight. “Alright,” he said with a nod, dropping the rock and dusting his hands off.

Together, they walked toward their home, the wooden porch creaking slightly under their footsteps. As Emma reached for the doorknob, she hesitated for a moment. The house, usually alive with light and warmth, stood eerily quiet, its windows dark. But as they stepped inside, the silence shattered in an instant.

The lights flickered on, illuminating the cozy living room in a warm glow. Before them stood a sight that left both twins momentarily stunned. A beautifully decorated cake sat on the table, its frosting adorned with delicate swirls and tiny sugar flowers. Around it stood Vivian and Derrick—Emma and Ethan’s parents—and their older sister, Ellie. Their faces were alight with joy, and they held no restraint as they shouted in unison:

“Happy Birthday, Emma and Ethan!”

For a moment, neither twin could speak, their surprise rendering them speechless. Then, as realization dawned, their expressions melted into astonished smiles. Before they could recover, Vivian, their mother, darted forward and wrapped them both in a warm embrace. Her pure white eyes, a hallmark of her magic, glimmered with affection.

“Happy Birthday, my dears,” she said, her voice brimming with love.

Derrick followed, his towering figure enveloping them in a protective hug, while Ellie joined in, her arms slung around both their shoulders.

“So, this is what you were planning all along,” Emma said, a mixture of awe and amusement coloring her tone. She looked at each of them in turn, her chest swelling with gratitude.

Derrick chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “We had to be sneaky about it, but it looks like we pulled it off.”

Vivian rolled her eyes playfully. “It almost didn’t happen. Someone,” she said, shooting a mock-annoyed glance at Derrick, “forgot the cake in the carriage.”

“I went back for it!” Derrick protested, holding his hands up in mock defense.

“Yes, after we realized it was missing halfway home,” Vivian retorted, though her grin betrayed her amusement. “And even then, it was gone by the time we returned. We had to buy a new one.”

Ethan, his blue eyes wide with curiosity, piped up. “What happened to the first cake?”

Ellie smirked. “Probably stolen by a very lucky squirrel,” she teased, earning a round of laughter.

Emma’s lips curved into a warm smile. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. She hugged each of them in turn, her heart swelling with appreciation for their effort.

The evening unfolded in a joyous whirlwind. The small family room was alive with laughter and chatter as they shared stories, relived old memories, and teased one another mercilessly. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread, the family enjoying a simple but hearty meal together before moving on to the highlight of the evening—the cake.

The flickering glow of candles illuminated the room as Vivian and Derrick guided the twins to the table. “Make a wish!” they encouraged, their voices brimming with excitement.

Emma closed her eyes, her heart steady as she made her wish. I wish for the strength to protect those I care for… and to find happiness in this life, no matter what it takes.

Beside her, Ethan whispered his own wish, the corners of his mouth lifting in a secretive smile. Together, they blew out the candles, the room erupting in cheers and clapping.

As the festivities wound down, the family retreated to their rooms, leaving the house wrapped in the quiet hum of contentment. Emma lay on her bed, staring at the wooden beams above her. The day’s events replayed in her mind like a comforting melody, the love and warmth of her family filling her chest with a sense of belonging she hadn’t known in her previous life.

“I made the right choice,” she murmured, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. A faint smile played on her lips as she whispered to herself, “To Be A Human.”

..........

But as the cottage settled into peaceful slumber, far away, in a dimly lit chamber cloaked in shadow, a scrying ball pulsed faintly with an eerie glow. Within its glassy surface, the image of the twins’ celebration shimmered, distorted but visible.

A figure cloaked in black leaned forward, their face obscured save for the faint outline of a wicked smile. Their voice was a low murmur, dripping with malice. “This is just the beginning,” they whispered, their words curling like smoke in the oppressive darkness.

The scrying ball dimmed, leaving the figure enveloped in shadow, their intent clear as they disappeared into the abyss.

END OF ARC_0: TO BE A HUMAN