“Well…” I trailed off before asking my question. “How did you and mom get so close to the elven royals…?”  

Dad blinked at me. He exchanged a glance with Mom before a faint smirk formed on his face, as if he’d been waiting for that question. “Curious little thing, aren't you?” he said, ruffling my hair. I frowned, brushing his hand away. Again with the hair! He chuckled, his gaze drifting toward the far horizon where the sun was beginning to dip, painting the village in a golden hue. 

He walked past me, stopping just beside the dirt road. “It started long before you were born,” he began, his tone soft and distant. “Back when this place was just a small settlement and not even called Grayfen yet. The border was open back then, and elves came and went often. That’s how I met Aelrion.” His eyes softened with memory. “We were kids, not kings or soldiers or farmers. Just two idiots skipping rocks on that river.” He pointed toward the river near the farmers’ fields, its surface shimmering under the sunset. 

Taking a quiet breath, he gazed at it for a moment before continuing. I walked over and stood beside him, now genuinely intrigued. “We were both kids, really. Met near the border one day when he ran away from his soldiers because he wanted to see the human territory. After that…we just kept running into each other. Played, argued, got in trouble more times than I can count.” I could sense the sweet and bitter emotions threading through his words. 

A small laugh left his lips. “We grew up, went our separate ways. Aelrion was sent to Erasden Academy, and I stayed here, watching over the fields my father left behind. But, now and then, our paths crossed again. Even after becoming a king, he visits me.” It was silent for a moment, and only the gentle whisper of the wind moved around us.  

“I still hate the goblins for what they’ve done.” He muttered under his breath. But I heard it, and the malice in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. 

Mom stepped forward, her dress fluttering slightly in the breeze. “You sure did tell him everything, almost, Rendal.” She said with a soft smile, crossing her arms. 

Dad chuckled, glancing over his shoulder. “He asked, so I figured it’s story time.”

Mom walked closer, her expression fond but tinged with nostalgia. “Aelrion and Lysera visited a year before you were born,” she said, her gaze drifting toward the same river, then they landed on me. “That’s when I met them. I didn’t expect to become friends with a queen, much less share tea with one.” Her voice carried the faintest hint of melancholy. 

Dad rested a hand on her shoulder. I looked between the two of them, my childlike curiosity flickering into quiet thought. Friends with a king and queen…and they still chose to live in this peaceful village? The thought puzzled me.

Mom caught my gaze and smiled, her eyes warm and kind. “Come on, Kairon. Enough stories for today. You’ve got practice to do, don't you?” 

I blinked. “Practice?” I asked, confused.

He smirked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, little Kai. It’s time you learn how to control your arcis properly. You can’t just light up your room and scare your mother every other night.” 

Dad laughed. “She’s got a point.” 

I groaned. It was getting dark outside, and my body needed rest. “Can’t we do that in the morning?” I gave her the best puppy dog eyes I could muster.  

She raised an eyebrow, but I could tell I was getting to her. Her eyes drifted toward the sun, sinking lower into the horizon, its fading light stretching across the fields. A small sigh escaped her lips. “Alright,” she said at last, crossing her arms with that faint smile that told me she’d already given in. “You win. But no excuses tomorrow morning, understood?” Her voice was firm, but it still held that softness.

I grinned, triumphant. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t ‘ma’am’ me,” she chuckled, brushing her hair back before turning toward the house. “Go wash up, I’ll make dinner.” She ordered. Dad was already back in the house. 

I followed her, fighting back a yawn. The evening breeze felt cool against my skin, and for a moment, everything felt…normal. Peaceful. As if I weren't reborn. As if I had lived in this world for far too long. Maybe…I really am starting to belong here.

—— ✦ ——

Soon enough, it was morning. The sun was at its zenith, and the susurrus of the leaves filled the air. I stood at the front of our house, and Mom was towering over me. “Now,” she started. “Close your eyes and focus on your core.” She took a few steps back and gave me a nod.
I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. Everything around me faded. My focus narrowed—only my core remained. The silvery glow pulsed before me, and beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead. Slowly, my body started to feel warm. My breathing quickened at first, but soon steadied back to its usual pace.

“Good,” My mom’s voice cut through my focus. “Open your eyes now, Kairon.” I nodded and opened my eyes

I noticed something I hadn't seen before, and it surprised me. I was wrapped in a blue glow, but this felt different than the time I fought against the Emberjaw in a dream-like state. “M-mom, what’s this?” I asked, bewildered. 

She approached and crouched in front of me. “This blue glow is your Eidra.” She explained, putting a hand over my shoulder. “And yours is in blue.”

Eidra? I think I’ve read about this somewhere. “What’s Eidra?” I asked, since I forgot what it was. 

Mom patted my shoulder. “Eidra is a source of energy,” she started, keeping her gaze on mine. “It flows when someone is fighting, eidra acts like a protective layer for our body.” She stood up, walking a little further away. 

I kept my eyes glued to her, and the blue glow that shimmered on my body slowly faded away. I was about to ask another question, but she spoke first. “Eidra changes depending on how much you let it show,” she added, as a green glow bloomed around her. “You can show it faintly; this keeps your body warm and protected from weak attacks.” The glow intensified, its airy wisps twisting like a flame’s flicker—though it was wind, not fire. “This allows you to…well, eidra is just a body shield,” she laughed. “People use it to look cool and badass.” Slowly, the eidra around Mom started to fade away. 

So, it’s like an aura? I mused. Mom walked over to me again. “So, I can do that too? I wanna increase it and look cool too!” I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling childish right now. I was excited to try it.

Mom grinned and pinched my cheek. “Slow down, kiddo. You can do it, but not yet. You’re still at the third layer of the second phase.” She let go of my cheek, and I scratched my cheek, feeling a little disappointed. Mom chuckled, patting my head. “Cheer up, Kai. You’re almost at the third phase, that’s a feat no three-year-old has accomplished.” She giggled softly. I looked up and saw the pride shimmering in her eyes. 

My disappointment faded away, and a small smile tugged at my lips. I nodded, “Yeah! I’m already cool enough.” I giggled, unable to keep my childishness at bay…I didn't want to. 

Mom chuckled, pinching my cheek again. “No need to get cocky, kiddo. C’mon, let’s get back to controlling your eidra.” Her tone balanced firmness and warmth. “You know how to do it, yeah?” 

I nodded and closed my eyes. My focus went back to my core, once the silvery glow came into view, and that familiar warmth spread through me. But instead of Mom’s voice telling me to stop, a soft gasp broke the silence. I slowly opened my eyes—the glow wasn't blue…it shimmered green. 

“M-mom?” I asked quietly, looking up at her. 

Her lips curved slightly, but I caught the surprise in her eyes. “Green, huh?” she murmured, crossing her arms thoughtfully. “So you’ve got wind affinity too.” 

“Is that bad?” I asked, my brows knitting together.

“Bad?” She laughed softly. “No, sweetheart. Just…surprising.” Her eyes softened. “Most mages have one element. Some are lucky to have two—like me. But seeing a second one awaken this early…” She trailed off, her voice fading with quiet pride. 

I tilted my head. “Then I’m like you?” 

She smiled, crouching to meet my eyes. “Maybe,” she said. “Or maybe you’re something even rarer.” 

Rarer? So I’m special? I thought, feeling my ego swell like a balloon. I couldn't keep the grin from spreading across my face—

Smack!

“Ow—” I yelped, rubbing my forehead. Mom stood over me, her fingers still poised from the flick. 

“No child of mine is getting egotistical just because they’re special, got it?” She scolded, her tone half-stern, half-amused. 

I pouted, still rubbing my forehead. “That hurt…” The green eidra around me dimmed away. 

She smirked. “Good. Maybe it’ll knock some humility into you.”

I huffed and closed my eyes again, my focus returning to my core. For a moment, nothing happened, but then I felt my body heat up. It was different from the warmth I felt last time; this time, it almost felt like I was burning. 

“Impossible!” My mother’s voice was full of disbelief. I was stunned beyond belief, too, when I opened my eyes. The glow was neither blue nor green…it was orange, like a flame.