Six months passed without me noticing. When I looked back, I was already six years old.
Everything around me was growing. Thomas, who suddenly wouldn't stop talking. Dad, more mature, more attentive, more present with us. Mom... her beauty seemed to renew itself every year, but it wasn't just that. There was something different in her gaze.
Maybe the family would have a new member.
And I wished it were true.
As for Ravenscroft... after that, things changed for the better. He is more open and expressive regarding our teacher-student dynamic. He still keeps secrets, things he simply doesn't want to share. But that's normal, that's just how he is, I have no doubt that in the future he will be able to open up more easily.
We continue doing missions; the wolves are no longer a big problem, now they are something I can handle properly on my own.
On the other hand, I had never realized that Leo had a more specific relationship with Odette, the one from the adventurers' guild.
It's a small world.
Even though she knew about me, it was strange that she didn't recognize me. Then it hit me: to her, I was just "the boy Leo talked about," never someone to really look at.
***
Two weeks later, my intuition was correct. Mom is expecting another baby. This fills my heart with joy; we will no longer be just two siblings. Maybe someday we will be five like my dad and my uncles...
It's still early to speculate whether it will be a boy or a girl, but one thing I'm sure of is that my responsibilities as the older brother are growing.
However, I can't shake off a thought: "Be stronger to protect them from this cruel life." Maybe I'm exaggerating, but it's something that hasn't left my mind since the time with the Ravenscroft hydra. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but it's something that hasn't left my mind since the time with the Ravenscroft hydra.
***
Approximately six months later, the long-awaited day arrived. And once again, Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Anne assisted my mother during her childbirth.
Once everything was over, out of curiosity, I noticed that Miss Anne was wearing a rather beautiful ring. I have a vague memory of my mother saying some time ago that she would soon marry a good fellow... Eliot, I think that was his name.
And not only that, Mr. Gregory was starting to show more pronounced wrinkles.
I remember having seen them once in a while around the city, but I never paid them enough attention. Up until today.
We were all astonished to see the little one. She was born with my father's unique black hair, not to mention the characteristic eyes of our family. She was identical to my mother.
***
About a month later, at a gathering at my house, we noticed something very specific about Emma: her favoritism toward Ravenscroft. With him around, she just laughed; she was always in a good mood.
He took it quite well and whenever he could, he carried her with great care; his eyes sparkled when he held my little sister in his arms. Maybe he hopes to have children soon as well. Who knows, he has years, centuries to do it.
***
One day, after a bath, I helped my mother by looking after Emma and Thomas while they lay in bed.
Thomas looked at her lovingly and brought his hands close to Emma's tiny ones, while she, somewhat restless, squeezed them. It was a scene too sweet for anyone's heart.
I looked at them both with affection, but with a slight feeling of loneliness.
I'm not leaving yet, and I think it will be difficult to stop seeing them.
I raised a finger and whispered:
"Goddess of light, be my guide and illuminate my path. Spirits, arise."
The little spirit took shape, and both Thomas and Emma watched in amazement. It wasn't the first time Thomas had seen it, but it always impressed him as if it were the first time.
The magic of magic.
I gently brought it closer to the two of them. Thomas tried to grab it with his hand, but it passed right through, and he failed. Emma followed it with her eyes, and a small smile appeared on her face.
I moved it away from them to a safe area, and with my left hand, I channeled a small flame.
I threw it at the being of light and it exploded, leaving tiny traces of light and fire. A visual spectacle, fireworks at home.
The two were absorbed.
"One more time, big brother."
"Sure."
So I continued playing with them until dinner time.
***
It was my day off from training. I was with Dad and Thomas playing a game of chess. He still didn't fully understand the game when I decided to probe my brother's thoughts.
"Thomas, would you ever want to go to the Institute like me?"
"Don't distract me."
He was completely focused on the board. Dad chuckled softly.
"He's still too young to think about that."
I found this comment interesting because they were taking it slow with Thomas, but with me it was different.
"And why didn't you have any doubts about me?"
"Drake, Thomas is already fluent at four years old. You wanted to read on your own at three."
He paused briefly to help Thomas choose the best move.
"You were more advanced."
I moved my bishop to a safe square.
"Doesn't that mean I'm special?"
"Of course it does, because you're my son. Just like Thomas and Emma. They're all special."
"You know that's not what I meant, Dad."
"I think I do. Just as you are good at some things, Thomas will be good at others, and Emma as well."
"I'd better ask you. Once you finish high school, what will you do?"
"That's still a long way off. You just want to distract me too, ha ha."
"I'm just doing the same thing you tried with Thomas."
"I don't know. I'd come back, no doubt."
"Wouldn't you rather make a life there?" You'll probably find your life partner there. Even so, would you want to come back?
"I suppose that would be ideal. But I'd like to come back here with you, to my home."
"We'll see what the future holds and if you really will come back to us."
And so my father checkmated me, ending the game.
***
It was very early in the morning when I left my room looking for the bathroom, as I really needed to pee. But to my surprise, Mom was awake with Emma in her arms.
"Did something happen, Mom?"
"Emma didn't seem to be sleeping, and your dad needed to rest."
"I see. If you want, I can take care of her so you can rest too."
"When did you grow up so much, Drake?" She smiled nostalgically. "I remember when you were Emma's size, and now you're asking me to take care of her."
I remained silent, looking at her and listening carefully.
"As a three-year-old, you already wanted to devour books instead of crying because you hurt yourself when you fell. And at five, you were already planning things so meticulously. Do you remember that time you were jealous of Thomas? My heart almost stopped that day.
"How is it that at such a young age you were already so aware and clung so tightly to what you wanted? I wish you could have stayed innocent longer, my little boy.
"But no, here you are, just a few years away from going to the Institute of Magic.
I approached my mother and put my hand on hers.
"I guess it's because I'm the son of the best woman in the world.
I bowed my head for a moment and was honest with her.
"And I'm sorry, Mom, I'm not proud of that. It was easy for me; at the time, I didn't think about how you would feel."
She freed one hand and stroked my head, soothing my guilt.
"The good and bad thing is that it was a joke." Can you imagine what would have become of you if you didn't have a hand today?
Mom was right. Could I be training with Ravenscroft right now? Would I even have the offer to leave Auspect? She noticed that I was thinking about her words for a moment when she stood up and said:
"I'll take care of her for a moment while I go to the bathroom too."
I nodded and raised my arms to carry my sister. While Mom was gone, I looked at Emma; as the months went by, it became more and more obvious that she was identical to Mom. In a few years, people might say they were sisters, not mother and daughter.
"Someday, Emma... I'll be someone you can be proud of."
She was asleep. She couldn't understand me.
"Just give me time. I promise you'll never want for anything."
I hugged her a little tighter and she moaned in her sleep. I loosened my grip immediately.
I smiled.
"And anyone who wants to be with you... will have to talk to me first."
I fell silent.
It was ridiculous to say all that to someone who could barely hold her head up.
***
Time flew by. I'm not exaggerating when I say that, because more than a year actually passed. I continued with my responsibilities: training, learning, and preparing for when the time came to enter the Institute of Magic. There were more dinners at home, between Ravenscroft and my parents, sometimes just to have a good chat, other times just to strengthen our bonds.
We were having dinner as a family. Dad was holding Emma with one arm and eating carefully with the other. Then he said:
"I met a very peculiar man today."
"In what way, dear?" asked Mom.
With his captivating, charismatic smile:
"A masterful artist. He showed me a few of his works that he was selling to raise funds." And for helping him out a little and a few other things, he'll do a portrait of us to frame for a lifetime.
I didn't quite understand why Dad was so excited about this. Could it have something to do with my ancestry?
"Won't it be too tiring for Emma, Dad?"
"Drake's right, Dad," Thomas confirmed.
"It's great, honey, but the kids are right too. How are we going to make sure everyone looks good without moving around so much?
"Don't worry about that, just come along and you'll be amazed by this man's magnificent work.
We got dressed in our best clothes for the occasion, although the truth is that we didn't know how long it would take to finish the portrait. You could see a nostalgic gleam in Dad's eyes; it was the same for Mom, but she tried to hide it a little.
Now he was a big brother; the title of curious child was passed on to Thomas, and, without mincing words, he asked Mom:
"Mom, why is Dad so excited about this? Does it remind him of something?"
She stroked Thomas's hair gently and then said:
"This moment brings back memories for your father about your grandparents and uncles, just like it does for me. It's a beautiful symbol of remembering those who will always remain in our hearts.
"A portrait like this is not a common thing, son. Great artists only paint for kings or families with castles. That's why your father is so excited: he found a promising artist who paints with his soul and not with coins.
***
We walked together to a small house; that's where the meeting for the painting would take place.
When we arrived, the young man was already standing there waiting for us. His name is Rhadolf. He was easily twice my age, about sixteen or seventeen years old.
He explained how we would pose: Mom in the center, sitting with Emma in her arms. Dad behind her, standing firm, with one hand on her shoulder. Thomas on the left, standing upright as if he were already a gentleman. Me on the right.
Without softening his gaze.
When we were all as he said, in the exact positions, he marked them with chalk. This helped a lot when it was time for breaks. Without a doubt, my mother had the hardest time with my sister.
The room was silent, except for the slight scratching of the pencil on the canvas. The afternoon light streamed through the window and bathed the room in a warm glow. Every few seconds, Rhadolf looked up. It was as if he was not only trying to draw our faces... but something more difficult to capture: the moment.
It was funny to see Thomas trying his best to stay still, even though his legs were swinging nonstop. Emma, on the other hand, slept peacefully in Mom's arms, oblivious to everything.
The roles had been reversed from what we had thought long ago.
But to our surprise, Rhadolf's talent was greater than the adversities. He brilliantly managed to paint us all exactly as he had positioned us.
This was art at its finest.
By nightfall, the foundations of the portrait were laid; it was just a matter of fine-tuning the details and he would deliver it.
At that moment, none of us knew it... but that canvas would end up preserving the most faithful memory of our family.
***
The days returned to normal. Training. Studying. Routine.
I lunged at him once more, this time from the left. It wasn't my strong point, but it was part of my plan.
With a fierce attack, I tried to hit Ravenscroft's left side, but he easily blocked it with his cane; in one swift movement, he spun me around again, knocking me to the ground.
But before I fell like a sack of wheat, I put my left hand out to break my fall and, in one swift movement, with all the strength I could muster, I launched a flying kick.
"Take that, old man!"
My excitement lasted less than a second. My kick landed... and it was like hitting a mountain.
"Ahhh, my foot!"
"Hahahaha, I admit that was a very bold move, but it won't be enough to take me down.
"We're done for now, Drake. I have something important to say.
I got up quickly, still feeling a little pain in my foot.
"What's going on?
"I'm going back to Aurenthia tomorrow. So today is our last day of training.
"I understand. But you haven't even taught me any more spells..."
"I know."
"I still can't hit you in the face."
"Aha."
"Why are you leaving so soon?"
"I said it at the time: I would stay for two or three years. However, an urgent matter has come up and I must return to my wife."
"At least he'll come to dinner for his farewell.
"Of course. But not before..." He drew a dagger from his belt. "I want to give you this." He made me look at it closely, moving it from side to side. "Rúnstingr, my faithful friend."
His eyes reflected melancholy; that dagger must hold so many memories of adventures, battles, or something beyond... Could it have something to do with that time he almost mistook me for someone else?
"I can't... I won't take something so precious to you."
"Yes, you will. And when the time comes for you to go to the Institute, you will return it to me."
"You know I'll go anyway. You don't have to do this..."
"It's just insurance. That you'll keep your word even when things get tough."
The dagger weighed more than expected.
Not because of the metal.
Because of what it meant.
***
The thought that I wouldn't see Ravenscroft again for five years felt strange, unreal. Yet it was true, and with the table set for his farewell dinner, he didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"Family, I have an important announcement to make."
"Go ahead, John," said Dad.
"Tomorrow I'm going back to Aurenthia, so tonight I'm saying goodbye to you all."
The adults took it in stride; it was something that was going to happen no matter what. But even though I had known about it for a long time, it still caused me conflict.
The one who reacted to it was Thomas.
"Why are you leaving without training me first? What about me? I want to be strong too."
"Don't worry, your Uncle Leo or your brother are capable of training you properly."
"That's... true..."
"I also have a request to make of you."
"Whatever you want, John."
Ravenscroft took a stand.
"Let Drake travel to Monfigt alone."
The sound of cutlery stopped. Mom's eyes widened.
"What?"
The word wasn't a shout. It was a warning.
"It doesn't sound like a bad idea, does it, sweetie?"
Emma let out a little scream accompanied by laughter as she clapped her hands.
"I understand, and we trust Drake. We know he's good and responsible. But a trip... and alone, John... that's something I can't allow lightly."
"I know your concerns and I understand them perfectly. However, it's something that will happen sooner or later."
"No," my mother's answer was authoritative. "It's something I won't accept even if Ethan decides otherwise."
It was a little awkward to continue dinner, but Leo cleverly steered the conversation toward other topics and eased the tension in the room a little. Nothing more was said about the trip.
Once dinner was over, the house fell silent. Thomas and Emma were already asleep. I went to my room and locked myself in; I had some things to think about.
I looked at the dagger on my table.
And for the first time... I felt that the world was bigger than my home.
***
Ethan Sapphirús
Dinner didn't end well. With the surprise that John was leaving and the suggestion that we let Drake travel alone, everything came together in an instant. More questions than answers arose.
At that moment, I had to go to my children's mother.
"Angie."
"No means no, Ethan."
She was blunt and direct. But I needed to at least talk it over with her.
"I remember what happened when that city was almost wiped out. But thanks to that, things have changed; the journey isn't as long anymore, and it's much safer. Lots of people come and go, I assure you he'll be with at least two different people on the same trip."
"It's only two weeks there and back." Many children have to do...
She looked me straight in the eye.
"He's not just any child, Ethan."
With her fists clenched, she said,
"He's my son. He's identical to you."
The silence became heavy. I knew exactly what she meant. I approached her, who was still on the defensive. I wrapped my arms around her and opened up to her.
"I know, I'm scared too."
I kissed her on the forehead and got into bed to sleep. She stared out the window for a while.
She didn't say another word.
I left her alone for a moment; she needed it. Just like me, she needed to think about a few things. Meanwhile, I waited patiently for her to lie down too.
I try to stay calm, not show weakness as the man of the house. But what should I do in these circumstances?
Should he travel alone? Could he already be ready and just need the support of his family? What if he's not ready yet and dies out there without the chance of finding him?
I knew he was a prodigy, and when John confirmed it, I feared the worst. We handled it as best we could, satisfying his hunger for learning when he was three, until Ravenscroft came along and knew how to handle him better.
I'm glad I gave him a peaceful childhood without pressure. Like any other child his age.
But...
Tomorrow... tomorrow we'll see what the future holds. I just hope we make the right decision.
It didn't take Angie long to lie down. I hugged her tightly. I gently stroked her back.
The two of us wrapped up in our own thoughts. There was no noise. There was no intimacy.
Just mutual comfort until we both fell asleep.