Time moved quietly.

It didn’t announce itself. It didn’t ask for permission. It simply passed—day after day—until the things I once struggled with became a routine. One and a half years passed. I was older now. Taller. Stronger. The buzz that once vibrated through my body was no more; it stopped buzzing after I gained control over my eidra.  

Training had become a part of my life. Mother would train me to the brink every day. Dad helped too, when he was free. Training with Mom was precise and exhausting. Well…that’s what you’d expect from a former soldier, always so brutal. 

But…no matter how much control I gained, I still felt like it was just the bare minimum. Wind no longer resisted me. Fire obeyed me without flaring out of control. Water moved where I guided it, smooth and precise. Earth was the hardest one to gain control over; my control over it wasn’t complete, just balanced. 

I always feel a shiver run through me when I think about what I have…four elements. For me, it felt normal, as if people like me exist… and that was the part that unsettled me.

I was barely five, and this normality I felt, maybe it’s because I’ve been reborn…no, even if I was reincarnated into this world, having a core from birth? And to have control over four elements? It’s weird; no one should have this power. 

So, why do I have it? On Earth, strength came with scars. With loss. Here, strength came quietly, measured in days, not battles.

I walked aimlessly in the backyard, which is now more of a training area. There was no training today. Mom told me to rest today, and Dad was out in the fields again, harvesting crops as usual. 

I sat down on the cold grass, feeling it damp my clothes slightly. I ran a hand through my hair as I watched the sky move over my head. I began to wonder if this world was preparing me for something, as I had been born here for a purpose. Or it was merely waiting. Whatever it was…I wasn’t ready to face anything yet. 

I was only able to reach the fourth layer of the second phase, only moving up a single layer after the time I absorbed the Emberjaw’s beast core. My training was slow…I know Mom was doing this on purpose. She didn’t want me to attract any attention, not yet. 

My gaze wandered over the sky that stretched above me. I sighed, letting myself relish the peacefulness of the moment. I sat there, listening to the chirp of the birds, the soft susurrus of the leaves, and the warmth of the sun…it all felt good, too good. I rested there for a while. But for some reason…I didn’t quite feel peaceful.

“Kairon!” Mother’s voice rang in my ears. “Come in, food’s ready.” 

I exhaled and walked over to the house; the aroma of freshly cooked food dominated my nostrils as I entered. My stomach growled softly. The wooden floor beneath my feet gave low creaks as I strode forward. Warm sunlight filtered in from the open windows. I sat at the table as Mom served the food; she placed my plate in front of me with a soft thud. 

The front door opened, and a loud groan was heard. Dad was home, and he seemed tired. He plopped down at the dinner table, sighing dramatically. “I am beat.” His voice was strained.

“Farming isn’t that hard, Dad.” I teased, smirking at him. 

He narrowed his eyes. “How about you go and harvest them?” He huffed. 

Before I could say anything, Mom spoke up. “Alright, you two. Eat your food.” She ordered and sat in her chair. 

Dad and I nodded as we began to eat. Silence followed quickly, not heavy…just comforting. It’s moments like these that I wish wouldn’t end. 

As I was eating, I caught Mom looking at me a little too closely. “Uh…what’s wrong, Mom?” I asked, swallowing the food I was munching on.

Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned closer. “You…” She trailed off. 

I gulped. 

“…You’re definitely my son.” She blurted out. 

“Huh?” Dad and I replied in unison. 

She shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “No, I mean—he looks as cute as me, no?” The smile turned smug.

Dad let out a short laugh. “You’re only realizing that now?”

“Well,” Mom said lightly, reaching over to ruffle my hair, “he’s going to grow up handsome.”

Heat rushed to my face. My heart fluttered at the praise. 

The conversation drifted after that, settling into small, ordinary things. Dad talked about the fields, Mom complained about the stubborn weeds near the fence, and I listened—half-present, half-lost in my thoughts. 

When the plates were cleared and the kitchen quieted again, Dad headed outside to check on the crops. Mom followed shortly after, muttering something about hanging the laundry before the sun dipped too low.

I stayed behind. The house felt different when I was alone. Not lonely—just…still. The kind of stillness that made thoughts louder. I sat on the couch for a moment, listening to the faint creak of wooden beams and the distant sounds of the village beyond our walls.

My gaze drifted toward the window, sunlight spilling across the floor in lazy patterns. This place was peaceful. Safe. And yet…my chest felt tight. Ever since I came to this world, that feeling hadn’t gone away. This tightness in my chest was almost the same as the pinches I felt before dying on Earth.

But every time the realization hits me that my existence itself was an anomaly. Four elements. A core from birth. Things that shouldn’t happen—things that didn’t exist in the records Mom used to read me

…No, there was one being like me. An Elf born with a core.

I remember how my Mom told me about this Elf. She told me how the Elf was abducted by the kingdoms…how they were used as a weapon centuries ago. It’s a shame that there isn't any more information on them. I couldn’t find anything in the books, not even their name.

 Just fragments. Whispers. 

Them…and these Varneth beings I’ve read of. The book that mentioned them only recorded their names, nothing more. It’s as if it were being kept a secret…or perhaps other books existed, ones I hadn’t found yet.

I did try asking Mom and Dad about it, but they also knew nothing of them, kinda frustrating. I exhaled a sigh and went out.  My gaze drifted over the village folks as I walked by. Some greeted me, while others went on about their day. 

I kept walking until I was a good distance away from the village, not far enough for me to lose, yet not close enough for me to hear it. I sat beneath a lone tree, from where I could see the river that flowed near the farm lands. 

No matter where I went, it was always so damn peaceful…But I felt no peace. Inside, I was confused. Determined. Conflicted. All at once. I could control the water. The wind. The fire. Even the earth. Yet I didn’t want to. I want to stay hidden. 

The river flowed on, unaware of my thoughts. Its surface shimmered under the sunlight, moving freely, effortlessly—nothing like the storm twisting inside me. I watched it for a long while, resisting the familiar pull in my core. One thought was enough to make it bend to my will. One careless moment, and the calm would shatter.

So I did nothing.

I clenched my hands into the grass beneath me instead, grounding myself in something real. Something ordinary. If I could pretend long enough—act like I was just another child sitting beneath a tree—then maybe the world wouldn’t notice me yet. 

Mom said power attracts eyes. Eyes bring questions. And questions…lead to things you can’t take back. 

I exhaled slowly, letting the breeze brush past my face without answering it. I didn’t move the water. I didn’t shape the earth. I let the elements exist without me, even though every part of me knew they were waiting. 

But for now, staying unnoticed was my choice. I wasn’t ready for the world to look back at me. I was scared shitless. Not of this world. I was scared that I might lose my parents in this world as well. Just like back on Earth. I was scared of repeating the life I lived before.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I remembered the words of my comrades from Earth. “Commander, in your next life…live happily.” I mouthed my thoughts, my words fading away. 

I chuckled, but a single tear escaped my eye. I looked down at the white flower, my hands clasped around it, and I pulled it out. My eyes were locked on the white flower. “I am living happily, my soldiers…” I trailed off. 

The smile remained, another tear trickled down my cheek, and fell onto the flower. “So where are you all?” I looked at the sky. “Why aren’t you all here with me? You all deserve happy lives too, brats.” …I laughed at that. Brats, huh? That’s ironic, considering this body I’m in. I glanced down at my body, small and childish. 

It’s getting lonely in this world, my soldiers…

 “Kairon?” A familiar voice called out. My gaze followed the sound and saw my mother standing there, holding a basket full of vegetables and fruits. 

I kept my gaze on her, my mouth hung open slightly. And then, I smiled. Maybe I’m not as lonely as I thought.  

She approached me, her steps were slow and light. “What are you doing here?” She asked, standing beside me. 

I smiled widely and pointed at the river. “It’s so pretty!” I wasn’t acting; it was genuine this time. 

Mom glanced at the river, and then at me. She returned the smile and sat beside me. I leaned my head against her arm. Her other hand patted my head as we both gazed at the river. “Yeah, it is.” She replied softly. 

Dried leaves fell around us as the wind brushed past them. Mom and I sat there for a while, pointing at every beautiful thing we saw. I enjoyed every moment of it. I chuckled heartily. I grinned like a normal person, and I loved it.

The world was starting to get darker and darker as the sun started to dip further into the horizon. Mom and I walked back to our house, and the sunset cast an orange glow everywhere. The river gleamed beautifully, and leaves flew in the air as the wind picked up ever so slightly. 

Mom was singing a lullaby out loud, and I listened while humming along happily.

“River wide, river free,

Carry the light back to me.

Sun dips low, painting skies,

Whispering secrets where it lies.

Moments soft, the world in glow,

Let our gentle spirits flow.

River wide, river free,

Carry the light back to me.

Stars will shimmer, moonlight gleam,

Guide us softly through this stream.

Every leaf and gentle breeze,

Sings a song of simple ease.

River wide, river free,

Carry the light back to me.

Golden light upon the stream,

Filling moments like a dream.

Hands held close, hearts entwined,

Peace and warmth are ours to find.

River wide, river free,

Carry the light back to me.”

This is the lullaby she sings for me every day. And I love it. It always made something within me blossom. I glanced at her; she was humming now, holding my hand in hers while carrying the basket in her other arm. I don’t want to lose her and Dad. I will become strong for them.

[Hello readers! I just wanted to say that episode 11 will be published on Saturday next week. 

Future episodes as well!

 EFTE Saturdays! See you all next week ;)]