In a luxurious apartment complex nestled deep within the heart of Heliosia, a beautiful woman stood gracefully in the kitchen. Her long white hair was tied into a ponytail that swayed with every movement she made.
Her features portrayed a mature woman, yet time seemed to have left her untouched, granting her a delicate balance between maturity and youthfulness. Despite the deep focus on her face as she cooked, her expression exuded a sense of contentment.
Pots on the stove billowed smoke, indicating the creation of something delicious, while the oven held a secret yet-to-be-revealed delight. The woman's multitasking skills were awe-inspiring, and she seemed to revel in the challenge, finding joy even amidst the apparent stress.
A radiant smile adorned her face, a reflection of the love and dedication she poured into her culinary endeavors. It was as if she was cooking for a special someone, and her happiness shone through every action.
As she hummed a delicate and soothing tune, her voice matched the serenity of the moment. However, her concentration was broken when she turned around, surprised by the presence of two little children gazing up at her... well one of them at least.
"Hello there... it seems the aroma has reached your little noses!"
Hannah exclaimed, her voice overflowing with maternal love.
"Moth-! Mom... I require sustenance..." Sara spoke in a childish voice, her grip tightening on her little brother's hand.
"I swear... your choice of words is oddly peculiar..."
Hannah sighed with a touch of exasperation, dramatically clutching her head.
Meanwhile, Jin had his eyes half-closed, his legs wobbling as his sister steadied him.
"Jin, are you okay, dear?"
The mother inquired, turning her attention briefly to him before resuming her cooking.
"Ah, mother... you know how he is... always sleepy. Hehe!"
Sara chimed in with an automatic response as if she had said those words a thousand times before.
"Hah...is that so."
Hannah sighed, her brow furrowed with worry. Sara's little brother, Jin, always seemed to be in a perpetual state of sleep, regardless of the time. Hannah had taken him to the hospital, fearing some undiagnosed condition that required him to sleep excessively. However, after numerous examinations, the doctors found no abnormalities. Jin was perfectly healthy, remarkably so for his age.
But that wasn't the only cause for concern.
Jin had never spoken a single word. Despite his vocal cords being perfectly fine, he remained silent. The doctors couldn't explain it, and Hannah couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and frustration.
Noticing her mother's somber mood, Sara, holding Jin's hand, quietly led them towards their room. Their footsteps echoed softly as they approached the door.
"Open."
Sara uttered softly, and the door glided open, allowing them inside. She swiftly commanded the door to close.
*Click*
As the door closed, Sara's demeanor changed. The innocent and childish expression faded, replaced by a struggle to maintain composure with a touch of elegance. She tried to keep her emotions in check, but the child's body she inhabited made it challenging.
'Goodness... "sustenance," verily?! It is food, for crying out loud!'
Sara, who was merely a cover for the warrior known as Seraphina, spoke with utter frustration. After 7 years in this world, she had gathered every piece of information available to her, altering her perception of a world she once knew.
'In my era, carriages and avian messengers were the means of transportation and communication for kings and nobles. How times have changed... now we have these wondrous contraptions called hover cars and colossal flying vessels...'
Seraphina mused, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.
Her gaze then shifted towards Jin, whom she gently placed on the ground.
"..."
The rhythmic sound of his breathing filled the room as he fell into yet another deep slumber.
"This is merely a hypothesis... but I believe... your incessant sleep is due to your heavily damaged soul requiring time to recover."
She spoke with a conviction that seemed likely to be true.
"I swear... the day you awaken will be the day you repay everything tenfold!"
Sara struggled to contain her emotions, her face struggling to be poised with a noble grace.
All of a sudden, she reached for a soft pillow nearby and tossed it at Jin in frustration.
"It is most vexing... to continually conceal your true nature. Can you not comprehend the turmoil our dear mother would experience if she were to discover her son's mortal vessel harbors a shattered soul!?"
"..."
The little boy's chest softly heaved up and down, completely unaware of Seraphina's unconstrained self.
"Arghhh!"
She threw her arms up in exasperation before gracefully collapsing onto her back, her cheeks subtly flushed with the remnants of youthful irritation.
"And how would she react if she were to uncover that her daughter... is an entirely different being?"
She placed her delicate hands on her face, feeling the warmth of her palms against her skin, and then rolled her petite body gracefully on the plush carpets, her movements a stark contrast to the elegant bearing she portrayed.
Silence enveloped the room, broken only by the faint sound of her breath.
"Alas... I am yet compelled to fulfill that 'duty'..."
With a sigh, Seraphina rose from the floor and approached the window, her small fingers gingerly pulling apart the curtains. The night breeze entered the room, caressing her face with its gentle touch.
She closed her eyes, focusing her consciousness for a fleeting span before unveiling them once more.
When she opened her them again, a myriad of luminous particles materialized in the air, swirling and dancing in an enchanting display of colors. Each particle carried a unique hue, from serene blues to fiery reds, vibrant yellows to lush greens. Most of them passed effortlessly through her ethereal form, merging harmoniously with the surrounding space. However, the dark and red particles seemed to gravitate toward her, swirling closer until they were absorbed into her being.
Seraphina's countenance turned contemplative as she absorbed the essence contained within the red and dark particles, her connection to an enigmatic form of energy becoming apparent. She savored the influx, allowing it to infuse her with its energy.
"This should be sufficient for now... "
With a final intake, she ceased the absorption and shifted her focus to Jin, who lay peacefully in slumber. She approached him cautiously, her touch gentle yet purposeful. Her fingertips lightly pressed against his chest, and she closed her eyes once more.
A soft, ethereal energy emanated from Seraphina, a dark and fiery red glow that enveloped her small frame. The energy flowed from her, forming intricate patterns that danced with otherworldly beauty. It enveloped Jin's body, seeping into his being, and brought a soothing warmth to his slumbering form. The energy pulsed and shimmered, its resplendence gradually dissipating, leaving behind an aura of serenity.
The chamber lapsed into silence once more as Seraphina withdrew her hands, and observed her brother with a mix of emotions.
"Any moment now..."
*CLICK*
In response to the sound, Seraphina swiftly assumed her chosen posture, clutching a random book plucked from the nearby shelf, feigning absorption in its contents.
"Sara, Jin?"
As the door swung open, Hannah's countenance emerged, her gaze falling upon Sara reclining upon her bed, engrossed in her book...
"...My dear, your book appears to be... inverted."
"..."
Sara, at the sound of her mother's voice, turned her head languidly, a mischievous chuckle escaping her lips.
"Oops!"
With haste, she rotated the book right-side up, concealing her momentary lapse, before directing her gaze back towards her mother, who wore an indulgent smile.
"...And why, do tell me... is your brother slumbering upon the floor?"
Hannah queried, her gaze fixed upon Jin's serene visage.
"He finds sol-peace! Yes, peace upon carpets!"
Came Sara's swift retort, the words uttered with an air of cheekiness.
"...Is that so."
Hannah emitted a resigned sigh, her gaze still lingering on Jin's peaceful countenance.
"Dinner is prepared. Join me at your leisure, my dear."
At the mention of the word "dinner," a flicker of eagerness danced within Sara's eyes.
Her form stumbled off the bed, a whirlwind of anticipation propelling her towards the dining area. She trailed closely behind her mother, eager to behold the spread that awaited them on the table.
As Sara's wide eyes fell upon the sumptuous feast, her mouth fell open, robbed of words in the face of such culinary artistry crafted with love for her and Jin.
Hannah watched her daughter's reaction with a contented smile, silently exchanging an imaginary fist bump to celebrate the joy mirrored in Sara's expression. However, the smile faded from Hannah's face as she noticed Jin's absence at the table, replaced by a tinge of sadness.
"Sara... could you please wake up Jin for me?"
"Uh..."
'Oh, what a profound inquiry! What responses... what responses?!'
"Ah... you see-"
[Breaking News, esteemed citizens! A notorious criminal, known by the moniker of "The Plunderer," has unleashed a reign of terror upon a district near the 'Radiant Academy'. This nefarious individual preys upon innocent civilians, robbing them of their possessions and perpetrating heinous acts of violence, leaving their mutilated corpses as chilling reminders of his malevolence.]
Sara, who was about to give a well-thought-out answer, quickly turned her head to look at the large mounted TV on the wall near the living room. Her attention was drawn to the news, and her expression shifted to one of curiosity.
[Authorities have been engaged in an arduous pursuit to apprehend this fiend, however, upon further investigation, it seems that this criminal is fairly well versed in the arts of 'Aura Harmonization' as he left various traces of the energy in his victims.]
Hannah, standing behind Sara, wore a frown on her face, mirroring the gravity of the situation.
"Sara..."
"Mom... aren't we near this academy?"
Hannah's response was swift and stern.
"Yes, go to your room, now."
[In light of these developments, I implore you, dear citizens, who leave near the district of the Radiant Academy, to exercise utmost caution and vigilance. Refrain from venturing out into the night, for it is during these hours that "The Plunderer" unleashes his audacious acts. Stay within the safety of your abodes, secure your possessions, and remain united in our collective determination to withstand this threat.]
Feeling the weight of her mother's seriousness, Sara complied without hesitation. She made her way to her room, where Jin's peaceful figure still lay on the soft carpet floor, undisturbed by the troubling news.
*CLICK*
And thus, the doors of their room smoothly closed with a click.
"Ah... my slumbering warrior, how much longer shall you linger in your slumber?"
Seraphina mused aloud, her voice tinged with a mix of weariness and tiredness.
She cast a gaze upon Jin, his little form trapped in eternal rest, his peaceful countenance unwavering.
Summoning a small portion of the mysterious energy known as aura, Seraphina's delicate hands became a stage for a breathtaking display. Within her palms, a dance of colors unfolded, captivating the senses. The fiery red essence took shape, forming a magnificent dragon that swirled and twirled with grace, its presence exuding strength and power. Beside it, the dark form of energy transformed into a regal wolf, its piercing eyes shining with an eerie glow, embodying a primal spirit that lusted for battle.
Seraphina's eyes turned towards the side mirror, her gaze fixed upon her reflection. A radiant halo of ethereal aura enveloped her figure, intertwining the hues of dark and red. The energies swirled and swayed around her, their pulsating glow casting an otherworldly light upon her.
"Aura... Manipulation... I've delved into this enigmatic energy for almost a year now, and it continues to astound me."
Seraphina remarked, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and awe. She gazed earnestly at Jin, who lay peacefully before her.
"I can only hope that by channeling this energy towards you, it may aid in your recovery, no matter how slight the effect may be."
She whispered, a worn look etched upon her face.
Soon, she carried Jin and placed him on their bed, only to realize that she had forgotten something of utmost importance.
"Dinner...!"
Without a moment's hesitation, she hastily rushed out of the room once again, her small figure darting through the apartment.
"Dear, why are you out of your room!?"
"Mom, I require SUSTENANCE!"
'Oh, fu-'
...
..
.