The temperature in the garden started to drop. A subtle chill ran through the air, growing colder with each passing moment. The breeze became sharper, almost biting. Rina, still chasing the butterfly, noticed it too.
Her laughter faltered as the butterfly she had been following suddenly froze mid-flight, its wings turning crystalline. A moment later, the fragile figure shattered, scattering into glimmering fragments on the ground.
Thomas's eyes widened in shock. "Rina, come here!" he called, beckoning her away from the strange scene.
A soft, glowing blue aura began to emerge from Anik's body, swirling around him like a mist. The air vibrated with energy, and Thomas stared in awe, unable to look away. For a brief moment, the entire garden seemed to hum with life, the power emanating from Anik casting an ethereal light over everything.
But just as suddenly as it had begun, the aura vanished. The garden fell silent, and the temperature returned to normal. Anik opened his eyes, gasping for breath, his chest heaving as exhaustion overtook him.
Thomas rushed over, concern etched into his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, kneeling beside Anik. "If you feel too drained, don't push yourself. Take it slow."
Anik wiped the sweat from his brow, still catching his breath. "I'm fine," he said hoarsely. "I think I used up all my energy. But I have to try again—I need to understand this power."
Thomas nodded, admiration and worry mingling in his gaze. "Alright," he said gently. "Don't give up.
But listen to your body. Finding your inner strength takes patience."
He turned to Rina, who was still watching curiously from a distance. "Rina, let's give your brother some space. Come inside with me. I'll tell you some stories while he focuses."
Rina pouted but eventually nodded, skipping after Thomas as they left the garden.
Left alone, Anik closed his eyes once more, resuming his meditation. This time, he felt a faint pull deep within him, as if something was calling out to be found. The sensation grew stronger, and when he opened his eyes again, he froze in shock.
Standing a few feet away was another figure—identical to himself in every way. The same face, the same outfit, even the same posture. The figure was plucking petals from a flower, his expression calm yet enigmatic.
Anik's heart raced. "Who are you?" he demanded, jumping to his feet.
The figure turned to him and smiled gently. "Don't be afraid, Anik," he said in a soothing tone. "I'm you—your good self. I know it's a lot to take in, but this is a reflection of who you truly are inside."
Anik blinked, his confusion giving way to cautious curiosity. "My good self? What does that mean?"
The other Anik stepped closer, his presence radiating warmth. "It means your heart is free of darkness. You're beginning to control the power of the blue crystal."
Anik tilted his head, the name sparking recognition. "Blue crystal? What are you talking about?"
The other Anik nodded. "Yes, the blue crystal is the source of your power. Your father implanted it within you when you were very young. It's no ordinary crystal—it's magical. Instead of a human heart, your body houses this crystal. It's why you have the potential to do great things."
Anik placed a hand over his chest, feeling a faint warmth emanating from within. "I see now," he murmured. "But how do I take it out?"
His reflection smiled. "It's simple. Just reach inside your chest."
Anik hesitated but slowly followed the instruction. As he pushed his hand into his chest, a brilliant light burst forth. The blue crystal emerged, glowing with an otherworldly brilliance. Anik stared at it, mesmerized, before gently placing it back inside.
"That's incredible," he said, awe in his voice. "But it's a bit scary too."
The other Anik chuckled. "It's natural to feel that way. But remember, this crystal reflects who you are. If your heart is pure, your true self will always guide you. But if your heart harbors darkness, your reflection will show your darker side—an evil self that thrives on hatred and destruction. That's the risk of wielding such power."
Anik nodded solemnly, a sense of responsibility settling over him. "I'm glad to know my true self is good. I'll work to ensure it stays that way."
The other Anik smiled once more, his form beginning to fade. "Then you're on the right path. Trust yourself, Anik. You're stronger than you think."
As the figure disappeared, Anik stood alone in the garden, his resolve stronger than ever. He looked toward the sky, determination burning in his eyes. "I won't let this power consume me. I'll use it to protect those I care about."
Anik stepped back into the house, feeling a newfound lightness in his heart. The discovery of his powers and the clarity of his inner self left him with a deep sense of peace and purpose.
For the first time in a long while, the heaviness of his past felt distant, replaced by a subtle but genuine positivity. He realized that he didn't have to carry his burdens alone—there were people here who cared, people who felt like family.
The warmth of the house enveloped him as he entered. He could hear Thomas's voice coming from the living room, weaving a tale that had Rina giggling with delight. Anik's lips curled into a small smile as he followed the sound.
"Anik!" Rina squealed when she spotted him. "Come listen! Uncle Thomas is telling stories about the old rulers and their adventures!"
Anik chuckled and joined them, settling into a chair by the hearth. Thomas glanced at him with a knowing smile, pausing briefly before continuing. "Ah, Anik, perfect timing. I was just about to share the story of Lady Seraphina, a brilliant researcher who discovered the secret of the starbound realm."
Anik leaned forward, intrigued. The story unfolded with vivid detail—tales of courage, intelligence, and sacrifice. He listened intently, savoring the rare feeling of camaraderie. Rina occasionally chimed in with questions, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
As the story ended, Maya walked in, wiping her hands on her apron. She gave Anik a grateful smile. "Anik, you seem more at ease today. That's good to see."
"Thanks, Maya," Anik replied. "Actually, can I help you with anything? I feel like lending a hand."
Maya raised an eyebrow in surprise but nodded. "Well, if you're offering, there's plenty to do. I was just about to clean up the house a bit."
"Perfect," Anik said, standing up. "Let's get to it."
Together, they tidied the living room, dusted the shelves, and scrubbed the kitchen counters. Anik worked diligently, feeling an unexpected satisfaction in the simple tasks. When they reached Arpan's room, Anik took charge, organizing the scattered books and toys while Maya supervised.
"Arpan's going to be so surprised," Maya said with a laugh as Anik folded a blanket neatly.
"I hope so," Anik replied, glancing around the now spotless room. "He deserves it."
As they finished up, Thomas called everyone to the dining table for lunch. The meal was simple but hearty, with bowls of steaming soup, fresh bread, and roasted vegetables. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and lighthearted teasing. Anik looked around the table—Thomas, Maya, Rina—and felt a warmth bloom in his chest.
"I thought I'd lost everything," he mused silently, "but maybe… I've gained something even more precious."
Later in the afternoon, the front door burst open, and the sound of excited chatter filled the house. Arpan and Luna had returned from school, their faces lighting up when they saw Anik.
"Anik!" Arpan shouted, running to him. "You're still here! I was hoping you'd be back when I got home!"
Anik knelt to Arpan's level, ruffling his hair with a grin. "Of course I'm here. How was school?"
"It was fine," Arpan said quickly, his excitement bubbling over. "But I've been waiting all day to play with you! Let's go on an adventure! That's my dream!"
"An adventure?" Anik repeated, amused. "What kind of adventure?"
"Anything!" Arpan said, his eyes shining. "As long as you're there!"
Luna stepped forward, smiling shyly. "Can I join too?"
"Of course," Anik said warmly. "The more, the merrier."
The group gathered in Arpan's room, where a whirlwind of games began. They played card games, each trying to outwit the others with playful banter. Then came computer games, where Luna proved to be surprisingly skilled, much to Arpan's dismay.
"I'll beat you next time, Luna!" Arpan declared with mock determination.
"You can try," Luna replied with a smirk, her competitive streak shining through.
The room soon turned into chaos during a pillow fight, with feathers flying and laughter ringing out. Even Rina joined in, swinging a pillow almost her size at Anik, who pretended to be defeated in exaggerated fashion.
"Rina's too strong for me!" Anik cried dramatically, falling onto the bed as everyone burst into laughter.
The hours slipped by unnoticed, the house filled with joy and life. For Anik, it was more than just a fun afternoon—it was a reminder of what he had been missing.
As the sun began to set and the group settled down, tired but happy, Anik sat by the window, watching the orange and pink hues of the sky. Arpan climbed onto his lap, yawning but still smiling.
"Anik," Arpan murmured, his voice soft with contentment, "can we always be like this?"
Anik hugged him gently, his heart full. "I'll do my best," he promised, his voice steady. "No matter what happens, I'll protect this."
In that moment, surrounded by his newfound family, Anik felt something he hadn't for a long time it was hope.
As the last streaks of sunlight faded into the horizon, the house grew quieter. The warmth of the day's laughter lingered like an invisible embrace. Anik carefully carried a drowsy Arpan to his bed, tucking him in with a gentleness that surprised even himself. Arpan mumbled something in his sleep, his small hand clutching Anik's shirt for a moment before letting go.
Anik sat beside him for a while, watching his peaceful face. "This is what I've been fighting for," he thought. "A world where innocence like this can thrive."
Stepping out of the room, Anik found Maya waiting in the hallway. She had a soft smile on her face, her hands busy folding a dishcloth.
"Thank you for today," she said quietly. "You've brought so much happiness to them. Arpan hasn't smiled this much in weeks."
Anik nodded, his voice low but firm. "They've given me just as much, Maya. More than I can put into words."
Maya hesitated for a moment, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've been through a lot, haven't you?"
Anik looked down, his expression briefly clouded. "More than I care to remember. But... being here, it feels like I've found something I didn't even know I was looking for."
She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You're part of this family now, Anik. You don't have to carry everything alone."
Her words sank into him, filling a part of his heart that had long been empty.
Later that evening, as the moon cast its silver light over the house, Anik joined Thomas on the porch. The older man was leaning back in a chair, gazing at the stars with a look of quiet contemplation.
"You've had quite the day," Thomas said, glancing at Anik with a knowing smile.
"I have," Anik replied, sitting down beside him. "It's been... different. In a good way."
Thomas chuckled. "It's amazing how much a little laughter and love can do, isn't it?"
Anik nodded, his gaze drifting to the sky. "I didn't think I'd feel this again. For so long, it's just been survival. Fighting, running, losing... But here, I feel like I've stepped into a different life."
Thomas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That's the beauty of family. It doesn't erase the past, but it gives you something to hold on to, something to fight for."
Anik stayed silent for a moment, his thoughts swirling. Finally, he asked, "Do you think it's possible to start over? To build something new from the ruins of what you've lost?"
Thomas turned to him, his expression serious but kind. "It's not just possible, Anik—it's necessary. The past shapes us, but it doesn't have to define us. You've got the strength to carve out a new path, not just for yourself, but for everyone who believes in you."
Anik took a deep breath, the weight of the words settling over him. "I think I'm starting to see that. For the first time in a long time, I feel... hopeful."
Thomas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good. Hold on to that hope, Anik. It'll guide you when nothing else can."