In one of the small villages on the Fairland continent, a young boy only about 12 years of age could be seen being lectured by a beautiful young woman walking him down a narrow dirt path. The surrounding brick and stone building so close together that they were forced to walk one behind the other.
"rowan, i need you to understand, You will never be able to 1 star soldier if you keep cutting class. I just want what's best for you, you know that. You are my brother, that must mean that you have at least some latent potential within you"
Rowan grumbled under his breath
"well you weren't the one who got apples and fruits thrown at them for being one of the only un awakened people at school were you?" Rowan folded his arms and scowled at his sister "Hey, you didn't even go to Helen, don't act like you know what it's like, you were just naturally gifted and skated by without being forced to go to school"
A moment of silence went un-interrupted for a few moments then Helen spoke up again. Helen sighed as cool breeze blowing her raven black hair in the wind as they exited the narrow dirt path.
"you saw what happen to our parents, you saw that thing that made us more to villages again. Rowan, yes i am gifted, but i also had to work tremendously hard to get to the point I am at now, i decided that i would work hard for the people around me" Helen spared Rowan a slightly disappointed look then sighed once more. "you know, since you give off an etherium trail, you may as well get stronger to at least protect the people you put in danger."
As they both walked out of the narrow pathway, rowans blue eyes lit up. They had entered the food district of their small village, Rowan he had always loved visiting this place in the village.
Rowan had a sweet tooth that no one could compare to. He had one weakness and that was sugar. His eyes darted up to Helen than back at the bustling street that had all of his favorite food markets
"you planned this didn't you"
"ha! you know me so well" Helen showed Rowan a soft smile as they both entered a cafe.
They were both quickly seated by a short woman, using her strange magic to allow her to levitate, making up for her short stature.
"i was thinking rowan, how about if i buy you your favorite meal at this cafe, you stop skipping your classes?"
Rowan sighed and lowered his head, his grey hair falling to the side of his head and then added in a wistful voice
"get me the waffles and you have yourself a deal"
Helen smiled then waved her hand at one of the waiters to get their attention. Once the waiter notices Helen, he quicky walked over and asked in a surprisingly soft voice
"have you guys decided what you will be having today?"
Helen and rowan both looked at the young waiter, surprised that a young man this gorgeous was working at a caffe like this. After the small amount of shock wore off, Hellen ordered Rowan waffles and ordered pancakes for herself.
Helen Preferred pancakes, their fluffy texture and sweet taste gave her a break from the real world, however, rowan on the other hand preferred waffles. He liked the crunch they had to them, Aswell as the amount of substance that the that the waffles could hold due to their unique shape.
Both Helen and Rowan enjoyed a quiet meal, escaping from the stressful and scary reality of the world, from their duties.
Helen was a 3 star soldier, not a particularly skilled on, but she was one none the less. She had plenty of things that he had to do given her high rank, but she still managed to make time to spend with Rowan
Rowan knew that his sister had to do important thing, and dangerous ones at that, and he didn't want to take any time that she needed away from her, but he just couldn't help it. after all the tormenting he had to go through during school, and the labor he put into trying to awaken his etherium, he needed someone to help him unwind and relax. Spending time with his sister did just that.
After They both had finished their divine, no not quire divine, but supreme meals, they left 20 copper coins on the table, thanked the waiter then walked out. on the walk home Rowan seemed to be feeling a bit better and looked up at Helen and asked
" you know, i was assigned a presentation about all the different star ranking that someone can obtain, you think if you have the time, you could help me with it?
Helen smiled
"oh of course i will, what kind of soldier would i be if i didn't help an unawakened"
Rowan looked at his sister with disgust.
"now your bullying me, gosh, i can never escape it can i?"
Rowan joined his sister and started to laugh.
"thank you Helen"
Helen smiled solemnly
"what else is family for"
With that, they started walking toward their small house, one of dozens lined in a neat row, built from salvaged metal and stone — functional, uniform, forgettable. The world had changed so much in the last 150 years. Before Etherium was unearthed, cities used to scrape the skies, and light spilled across the earth long after the sun went down. People dreamed of stars, not survival.
Now, survival came first. Comfort was a luxury. And dreams... dreams were a dangerous thing to have.