Soldiers filed away in pairs, their boots scuffing against the dirt paths, some heading toward the mess hall's warm glow, others retreating to the shadowed quarters of the summit. Lira lingered near the training grounds, brushing dust from her worn tunic, her movements deliberate but unhurried. She caught Xin's eye and subtly nudged her chin toward a nearby tree, its gnarled branches casting long shadows across the clearing.
"Over there," she said, her voice low, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
Xin followed her gesture, his brows lifting slightly when he saw the small figure waiting in the shade. June stood there, rocking on her heels with barely restrained excitement, her auburn hair catching the last rays of sunlight. Her presence was like a spark in the gathering dusk, vibrant and alive against the somber stone of the summit.
Before he could raise his hand in greeting, she spotted him. Her eyes lit up like lanterns, wide and bright with unfiltered joy. Without a moment's hesitation, she sprinted across the clearing, her bare feet kicking up clouds of dust. Her hair bounced in time with her steps, a wild cascade of curls that seemed to defy the weight of the world. She slammed into Xin with enough force to nearly knock him off balance, her arms wrapping tightly around him in a hug that was warm, fierce, and unapologetically affectionate. He caught himself just in time, a low chuckle escaping his lips as he steadied them both, one hand resting lightly on her shoulder.
It wasn't rare to see her like this these days...unguarded, radiant, her joy spilling over like water from an overfull cup. And it was beautiful.
He stepped back just enough to sign, his hands moving with practiced ease: Happy birthday, Little June.
Her smile widened, splitting her face into a grin that was all teeth and delight. She signed back quickly, her fingers dancing in the air: What's the present?
Xin raised an eyebrow, his chuckle deepening into a laugh that echoed softly in the quiet clearing. "Wow. Straight to business, huh?"
Reaching into his pack, he pulled out two small boxes, their surfaces smooth and pearly, crafted from the eggshells of Sky Serpents—a rare resource, light yet sturdy, polished to a faint, opalescent sheen. They gleamed in his palms like treasures, delicate but enduring, much like the girl before him. He offered them both to her, his hands steady, his eyes warm with anticipation.
"Which one do you want to open first?" he asked.
June wasted no time. She plucked the first box, her fingers deft as she flipped open the lid. A soft gasp escaped her as she peered inside.
Nestled within lay a delicate bracelet, strung with polished monster pearls and glistening glass beads that caught the fading light. In the center hung a small silver bell, its gentle chime ringing faintly as she tilted the box. It was cute, almost childish but handmade with care, every knot and twist perfect in its own imperfect way. The bracelet was a labor of love, crafted over days by Xin's own hands, each bead chosen for its color, each knot tied with her in mind.
June's eyes sparkled as she clasped it around her wrist, lifting her arm to watch the charm dance with each movement. The bell chimed again, a soft, silvery note that seemed to echo her joy. She looked up at Xin and signed, her hands moving with quiet reverence: I love it.
He nodded, trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his lips, though it crept through despite his efforts. "There's another," he said, motioning to the second box.
June opened it slowly, her curiosity giving way to awe as she lifted the lid. Folded neatly inside was a black suit of armor—sleek, flexible, and clearly custom-fitted to her small frame. It was crafted from a rare combination of Hollow leather and armor plates extracted from a Prime Hollow's carapace, its surface smooth yet unyielding, designed for agility and protection. The leather shimmered faintly where it caught the sunlight, and the plates gleamed with a subtle, metallic sheen. It was a perfect blend of practicality and artistry, a gift that spoke of both care and purpose.
Her fingers traced the grooves of the armor, marveling at the smooth texture and the faint warmth of the material. She looked up at Xin, her eyes wide with disbelief. "This is… for me?" she signed, her hands trembling slightly.
Xin nodded once, firmly. "Of course."
June couldn't form words fast enough. Her hands stammered over signs, mixing thanks with disbelief, her movements quick and unpolished in her excitement. Xin didn't interrupt. He just watched her glow, watched her bask in the feeling of being seen, of being cared for. She was a Mere Emergent Afterall barely Having Just turned thirteen she needed protection. Her joy was a light in the gathering dusk, and for a moment, the weight of the summit—the curses, the battles, the endless struggle seemed to fade.
The rest of the day belonged to them.
They walked the summit paths, not rushing anywhere in particular. The roads were mostly dirt, still untouched by the modernization that had transformed other realms, their surfaces worn smooth by countless footsteps. But June didn't seem to mind. If anything, she liked the simplicity of it—no walls, no cages, just open air and endless sky. She skipped beside him, her new bracelet jingling softly, her eyes darting to every corner of the settlement as if seeing it for the first time.
At a small stall near the market square, Xin bought her a piece of flatbread wrapped in spicy herbs, its scent sharp and savory. June bit into it with a grin, crumbs dusting her lips as she wiped them carelessly on her sleeve. She walked a step behind him, as she always had when she was younger, but Xin slowed his pace, letting her catch up until they moved side by side. He pretended not to notice her shy smile, but his chest warmed at the sight.
Later, as the sun dipped lower, he conjured the Dharma Wheel. The golden platform materialized in the air, hovering like a floating sigil, its edges glowing faintly with arcane energy. It hummed softly, a low vibration that seemed to pulse in time with the summit's heartbeat. With one smooth motion, Xin reached down and lifted June into his arms, her slight frame light against his chest. She squealed silently, her hands clutching his tunic as he stepped onto the wheel. The light flared beneath their feet, and they rose, higher and higher, past the rooftops and towers, until the summit lay beneath them like a map carved in stone and shadow.
June's mouth opened in silent awe, her eyes wide as she took in the view. The mountains stretched endlessly before them, their peaks dusted with snow, their valleys cloaked in mist. The wind tugged at her hair, sending it fluttering like a banner, and her bracelet tinkled faintly, a small song in the vast silence. Xin set her down once they leveled out, and she ran across the wheel like a child on a playground, arms outstretched, her laughter silent but radiant.
From her orphanage days, this was a world away. Back then, she had been mistreated, ignored, sometimes even beaten. The caretakers had been cruel or worse—apathetic. Her silence, her inability to speak, had marked her as "defective" in their eyes, a burden to be tolerated rather than cherished. She had learned to shrink, to hide, to make herself small in a world that offered no kindness.
But here, on the summit, things were different.
Here, she was treasured.
Here, she was safe.
She stood near the edge of the Dharma Wheel now, staring at the mountains in the distance, her hair catching the golden light of the setting sun. Xin watched her, his arms crossed, his heart heavy and warm at once. She was so small against the vastness of the world, yet so fierce, so alive. He remembered the first time he'd seen her, curled in a corner of the orphanage, her eyes wary and her hands trembling. He'd promised then to protect her, to give her a home where she could stand tall.
She was his responsibility now.
No...not just a responsibility.
She was family.
And it was up to him to make sure she kept smiling.
The sun sank lower, painting the sky in hues of gold and violet. Below, the summit began to light its torches, their flames flickering like stars against the stone. The evening bell would ring soon, calling the settlement to rest. But for now, they stayed above the clouds, suspended in silence and wind, a girl reborn from sorrow and the boy who had promised to protect her.