The crowd slowly dissolved into the evening, footsteps fading as one by one they disappeared into their homes. As the sun sank into slumber, and little by little —sparks of light awakened in every window to greet the night.
Along the quiet road, where the grass swayed gently at the evening wind. Zeke walked hand in hand with his little sister. Their shadows stretched long beneath their feet, guiding them toward the hill they must climb before reaching home.
Behind them, the village shimmered gently—each house glowing like a lantern, its reflection scattered upon the river's calm embrace. And just beyond, their humble farm revealed itself, the warm glow of their own house flickering like a beacon of comfort.
With a sudden burst of joy, Emelia skipped ahead, her laughter carried by the breeze as she rushed toward the familiar fences of home.
Zeke followed with a faint smile tugging at his lips. The wooden door creaked open, and there in the center stood their mother's shadow. Emelia rushed forward, throwing her arms around her in a warm embrace.
For a fleeting moment, Zeke stepped inside as well, smiling despite the sweat that clung to his face—like someone trying to hide from something unseen.
He was about to climb the stairs, when his mother cleared her throat. Maid him froze mid step.
The sound echoed sharply behind him, and he knew what was coming.
"I believe we need to talk something', Zeke."
Her voice was calm, steady… but carried a weight that sank into him like a stone...
"I knew this will about to happen... that old man really can't be trusted..." He muttered in his mind.
Zeke turned with a defeated smile, scratching his head as he stammered with trembling words.
"Huh?… ahh, su—sure. What do you want to talk about… mom?"
Her arms crossed, her voice calm but firm.
"I know that you know what I'm talking about." eyes softening though her tone remained steady.
"Zeke… I know this is hard for you. But I'm worried—worried that something bad might happen to you."
Her gaze lingered on him, searching past the smile he tried to hide behind.
"You're strong, yes… but even the strong get hurt when they carry too much alone."
Her voice faltered, then steadied again.
"I don't want you to get hurt by recklessness, or to some fight that could've been avoided. I've seen that look in your eyes… don't let pride or guilt push you into danger. If something happens to you, it won't just scar you—it will tear Emelia apart… and me too."
Zeke lowered his gaze, his face featuring the guilt . As he added. firmly and tone flat as ever.
"I wouldn't do such a thing if they didn't start messing with me... And... Emelia was right beside me when he started attacking, so I had no choice." His words were plain, but accuratly a fact."
Her mother lowered her gaze, letting out a deep sigh.
"But, Zeke—"
But Before she could finish, her words cut, when suddenly the wooden door burst open with a BANG!
"I'm hooome!" A booming voice filled the house.
A man with flaming red hair and a wild firing eyes suddenly came out of nowhere , grinning like he had just won a festival game.
"Daaaady!" Emelia squealed, hopping straight onto his shoulders like a squirrel finding its tree.
He planted his hands on his hips, chest puffed like a peacock, and bellowed:
"I heard our undefeated champion got himself into another match!"
His footsteps thudded as he marched toward Zeke, but the grin on his face was far too childish.
"So tell me, son! Where'd it land this time, huh?" He leaned forward dramatically, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Is it straight to the Face? Nose? Or maybe Teeth? Ooooh—don't tell me it was an uppercut! That's my favorite! C'mon, c'mon, I need the details!"
The man's excitement was so over the top it looked like he was begging for spoilers to his favorite brawl series
But then, The whole room froze. When His mother cleared her throat sharply.
"Aheem!?"
The man, who had been mid-pose reenacting Zeke's imaginary uppercut, slowly turned his head toward her. As His grin faded an inch.
his mother stood at the corner planting her hand on her hips, as her eyes narrowed with seriousness.
"…So we have three children in this house? . But sadly, one of them is taller than the doorframe."
He blinked.
"…What? I was just bonding with my—" he paused.
Her silence hit harder, pressing down like a mountain. Then, with the weight of her gaze, the air thickened. The walls themselves seemed to tremble as a black aura crawled across the wall, swallowing the light. Shadows twisted into jagged shapes, as if the darkness itself bowed to her.
"Ssson" His Last word before he completely shut, calm yet a bit frightened.
The man straightened his back, the same as Zeke straightened his shoulder, like a two scolded boy... Emelia was still on the man's shoulder as she whispered to both of them.
"Mama's angry, maybe I should act properly too" she whispered after she raised her hand with a salute.
Aveloria Notchooven
A loving wife and caring mother—at least, that's the side most people see. Don't be fooled because inbher prime, her gentle smile lies the legacy of one of the most talented prodigies forged in the halls of the Golden Continent Academy, long time ago.
Class: Mage / Fighter
Mana Level: High
Elemental Soul: Dark
Type: nightmare
Title: None
For a brief moment, the room began to calm. The suffocating weight lifted as the shadows dissolved from the walls, retreating into nothingness. Both of them exhaled in relief.
But the instant her lips parted to speak, they jolted upright in perfect posture—like soldiers.
Emilia was still in that salute by the way.
"Zeke," her tone was soft, yet it carried the weight of command.
"Can you take Emelia with you for a minute? Your father and I… need something to discuss."
The man's throat went dry. gulp...
For bit moment Zeke walked to the stairs with Emelia. straightened, posture. Making every steps awkwardly hilarious.
Emelia however she was dead serious. Her little face tightened in focus, tongue sticking out as she carefully lifted her short legs onto each step.
By the time they reached the top, Zeke looked completely drained, while Emelia raised her arms in victory like she'd just won a battle.
Not for long, they both sat behind the wall as their parents' voices echoed from below.
"Darling… Zeke's situation isn't funny, you know."
Her voice echoed, low and heavy.
"I admit, I'm proud of him too… despite how he handles things. But what if someday he faces something he can't handle? Does that even concern you?"
"W-Well, of course it does, honey…" he muttered, scratching his head nervously. Then he tried to sound smart, adding, "But you know… uh… failure builds character?" he said with a grin.
Her eyes narrowed. The shadows twitched on the wall again.
"…Character, you say?"
He gulped. Loud.
Their voices carried upward, soft yet heavy, as if drowning the walls themselves.
Zeke sat there drained, staring at nothing, trying to focus on every word.
Meanwhile, Emelia was busy digging in her pocket. She pulled out a candy, struggling to unwrap it with all her might. While downstairs their voices echoed like whisper.
Finally, she beamed and whispered.
"Brother? Want some?"
Zeke just waved his hand weakly. "Uh-uh."
"Yay! Candy just for me!" she whispered, instantly happy, licking it with a big smile.
Zeke sighed, pressing his ear closer to the wall, trying to catch the "serious" discussion—while Emelia crunched away like it was the best day of her life.
"Since Zeke was born… I saw something special in him, something I couldn't explain," her voice soften through the walls.
"Honey, I just… I don't want him to experience what we have experienced. The pain we carried… I don't want that for him. He deserves better than the path we walked. And even now, when other children mock him, call him a reject… it breaks me. I don't want him to grow up with no friends, with no one standing behind him, all because of what fate decided to give."
Her voice whispered gently below, carrying a weight that seemed to climb the walls themselves.
Zeke sat still, his face calm as he stared out the window. The moon shone brightly.
"…I do have a friend," he muttered in his mind. "Of course."
His gaze lingered, unblinking, as a faint shadow crossed his eyes.
"But… that was one hundred fifty thousand years ago."
The night grew silent, the words swallowed by the glow of the moon—leaving only the heaviness in his chest, and the emptiness of time itself.