Astrael, still wearing that faint, quiet smile, descended the last steps and walked across the courtyard.
The soft breeze stirred across the garden. casting a peaceful environment
"Oh! Astrael."
Elara turned at the sound of his footsteps, her voice gentle and welcoming. Though ten years had passed, her beauty didn't fade away. Her long hair was tied into a simple braid.
"Come sit here," she said, patting the bench beside her with a soft look in her eyes.
He obeyed without hesitation, settling beside her. The warmth of her presence had never changed.
"You are looking very charming as usual, my son."
"Discipline," Astrael said with mock solemnity.
"And naturally superior genes."
"Oh gods, don't inflate him any more," Luna groaned dramatically from her seat across the tea table. She reached for a honey biscuit and tossed one toward him.
Astrael caught the biscuit mid-air and popped it in his mouth without ceremony. "Better than being a walking fire hazard."
"That was once! I was experimenting." Luna pouted, puffing her cheeks.
Elara laughed softly, covering her mouth with the edge of her sleeve.
"It was not once," Astrael said flatly. "You lit my shirt on fire. While I was wearing it."
"It was just the hem!"
Elara looked between her children, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she watched them bicker with ease.
But beneath the smile, her eyes shimmered with something else.
Worry.
She didn't show it openly, but it lingered there.
...
As the day slowly came to an end and evening settled in, a soft glow began to shine from every house. One by one, the lights flickered on, casting warmth through the windows, marking the arrival of dinnertime.
Astrael found himself lost in a pleasant trance, completely taken over by the mouthwatering aroma that gently wafted into his nose. He couldn't help but nod his head slowly, a satisfied expression spreading across his face.
Across from him, Luna mimicked the motion almost comically.
"I swear," she said, "Mother outdoes herself every time I think I've tasted the best meal in the world."
Astrael chuckled.
She wore a soft forest-green dress tonight, her braid pinned neatly over one shoulder, and her eyes, though carrying shadows of worry, held only warmth in this moment.
She was followed by Baron Kaelen, who entered with quiet presence, as always. His dark tunic was crisp, his posture commanding, but the moment his eyes met his family's, the harsh lines in his face eased.
"She only cooks on rare occasions," he said softly, "but when she does, it's like the heavens opened a private kitchen."
He gestured toward the platter of roasted meat in the centre of the table, rich, perfectly seasoned, and steaming.
"And this…" he added, "is Tier 0 mountain bison. They say it only grazes on spirit-fed moss at the Cloudspine peaks. No wonder it melts in your mouth."
"Hmph. You're making it sound like you've hunted it yourself," Luna teased.
"You should worry more about how to eat without setting your plate on fire," Astrael replied, his voice lazy.
"I didn't even cast anything this time."
"Yet."
Astrael smiled, watching the delicious food prepared by his mother. Though she only cooks occasionally. Her food is always out of this world, and the meat is from Tier 0 mountain Bison, which is known for its delicious meat.
"Children," Elara said gently as she stepped into the room, "peace at the table."
He nodded to Astrael.
"You're ready?"
Astrael returned the nod calmly.
"I am."
Kaelen took his seat at the head of the table, folding his arms as the dishes were placed before them. For a few minutes, they ate in peaceful silence, broken only by the occasional soft clink of cutlery or Luna's delighted hum after each bite.
Then, without lifting his eyes from his food, Kaelen spoke.
"The Awakening ceremony will be held at first light tomorrow."
Elara's hand slowed slightly, just a moment's hesitation as she picked up her cup. Her eyes met her husband. Kaelen nodded at her.
"I believe you, my baby,"
Astrael paused, spoon halfway to his mouth.
Elara reached across the table and placed her hand over his, her grip gentle but steady.
"Don't be afraid of it," she said in a low, calming voice. "I know you have it in you. You're stronger than you think."
She gave his hand a light squeeze before adding with a warm smile, "And no matter what talent you awaken with… you'll always be my little boy."
A small smile tugged at Astrael's lips as he looked at her, then slowly nodded, comforted by the warmth in her words.
Kaelen's eyes flicked to them both. "You will awaken as you are meant to. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Luna leaned in with a playful grin, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'm placing my bets—he's going to awaken something totally over-the-top. Like a sword-type talent or some rare physical-type ability."
Astrael raised an eyebrow, his tone flat. "Are you sure you're not just projecting your own wishes onto me?"
She let out an exaggerated sigh. "I wish I had void powers or something flashy like that. But nope, I ended up with a Fire elemental. Sounds cool in theory… but let's just say I've become a walking fire hazard."
"You almost set the priest's beard on fire during your awakening," Astrael added, smirking.
Luna groaned and covered her face. "Don't remind me."
Elara chuckled softly, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
The rest of the meal passed in warmth and light, as if the family could hold off the world just by sitting together. But beneath it all, beneath the laughter, the teasing, and the glow, there was a quiet current. An undercurrent of something about to change.
Tomorrow, everything would shift.
...
The sun had just risen, casting a soft, golden hue over the Ravenastra courtyard.
The only sound breaking the silence was the occasional sharp exhale and the quiet, rhythmic thud of motion.
"Hupp."
Astrael positioned himself on the cool grass, breathing in the fresh scent as he lowered his body slowly, arms locked in perfect form, hands spread shoulder-width apart. His spine stayed straight, muscles tensed in precise alignment from head to toe. Taking a steady breath, he lowered himself toward the ground.
As his chest brushed the surface, he exhaled and pushed himself back up, counting steadily.
"One, two, three... sixty... eight..."
With each repetition, his muscles tightened and strained, yet he continued without pause. There was a faint expression on his face, something between focus and quiet satisfaction. Like his body was simply following a rhythm carved into muscle memory over the years.
When he reached his final count, Astrael pushed up to his feet in a single motion, letting the gentle warmth of the early sun wash over him before beginning.
"Status," Astrael muttered, and a faint blue panel shimmered into view before him.
***
🌟 Hey, fellow traveller of tales and treasures! 🧭 Your presence here is a journey filled with surprises, like uncovering hidden gems 💎. Isn't it fascinating how a little GOLDEN ✨ something can change everything? 💛