"Goodbyes don't always sound like farewells. Sometimes, they're hidden in silence... or packed inside a half-smile."
The last day of school.
No uniforms anymore. No bells. No warnings. Just final signatures, report cards, and those awkward, empty moments where people didn't know what to say.
Ameira stood at the gate.
Rudren leaned on his bicycle, pretending to scroll his phone.
Vikran kicked a pebble and watched it bounce twice before stopping near Ameira's shoe.
They were the last three to leave.
The Future, Sealed in Envelopes
Ameira had everything packed.
Her documents were sealed in a leather folder. Her visa approved. Her bags already zipped at home. She was leaving in four days.
"I think I'm going to miss this air," she said.
"You can't miss air," Rudren muttered, avoiding her eyes.
"You'll see," she smiled.
Rudren had enrolled in a technical institute two districts away. He would visit home only once a month.
Vikran hadn't gone anywhere. He would start his classes online while helping on the farm.
"I'm still here," he said softly.
"Not much to miss."
"You're wrong," Ameira whispered. "You're the one I'll miss the most."
Soulbound — Silent and Watching
None of them knew it, but their souls — the ancient, waiting spirits of the lion and dragons — were watching.
Listening.
And learning.
Because before the bond deepens, the soul learns not just who you are…
But what you fear losing.
• The White Dragon felt Ameira's quiet ache to hold on to something she couldn't name.
• The Black Dragon sensed Rudren's war between wanting to stay and needing to move forward.
• The Lion watched Vikran's silent wish that nothing would change — even as everything did.
And none of them spoke.
Not yet.
The Real Goodbye
"Let's take one last photo," Vikran offered.
Ameira blinked. "We've never taken one before."
Rudren rolled his eyes. "Just don't make it weird."
Vikran smiled. "Too late."
They stood together — not touching, but close.
Sunlight fell in patches through the banyan leaves.
The camera clicked.
The wind blew.
And a single petal drifted between them — caught in midair for just a heartbeat longer than it should've been.
They noticed.
But said nothing.
Something Begins
That night, they each looked at the photo on their phones.
And for a moment — just a moment — the colors shifted slightly.
Ameira saw a faint glint of wind curling around her hand.
Rudren saw a thin streak of electricity behind his shoulder.
Vikran saw golden threads dancing faintly in the grass near his feet.
All three blinked.
The image returned to normal.
Change had come.
They just didn't know it had a name.
To be continued