That night, the dinner table in the heart of the Astarlyn household was alive with laughter and playful chaos.
Xentharya wore a mischievous smirk as she flicked a grain of rice at Aokiran, who dodged it effortlessly without looking up from his plate. Little Azaryel sat at the far end, legs swinging and cheeks puffed with food, giggling at his siblings' antics.
At the head of the table sat Drayelion, regal even in relaxation. To his left was Elarinya, graceful as always. Aokiran sat on Drayelion's right, Xentharya across from him, and Azaryel at the end.
Then Drayelion raised his hand.
Instantly, the room quieted.
His voice, though calm, carried weight. "Aoki, your academy entrance exam is in six months. Before you go, you need to see the world beyond our lands. You must understand not just the academy but the role our clan plays."
Aokiran nodded.
"Elder Yunsera has accepted a mission," Drayelion continued. "I've asked her to take you with her."
A stillness settled over the table.
Then Azaryel's small voice broke through. "Elder brother is going away?"
Elarinya turned to him with a warm smile. "Not forever, little one. He just has some things to learn. One day, it will be your turn too."
Azaryel blinked slowly, lips pursed, then gave a solemn nod.
For a moment, silence lingered until Xentharya leaned forward, eyes lit with excitement.
"Father, I heard Elder Raiketsu is leading a hunting party into Thornwild Forest to hunt a Baelhorn for the ceremony. Can I go with them?"
Elarinya responded gently but firmly. "Not this time, Xena. They're heading into the inner ring of the forest, it's far more dangerous than the outer edges."
Xentharya's shoulders drooped. She stared down at her plate, appetite fading.
Drayelion's voice followed, steady and reassuring. "You'll have your chance soon. For now, train with Elder Blind Sword. Focus on refining your stance. And more importantly, begin to integrate your elemental affinity into your sword techniques."
She looked up slightly.
"You must master at least three techniques before turning fifteen," Drayelion added. "Otherwise, the academy will be… difficult."
Xentharya nodded slowly, the disappointment still flickering in her eyes.
Then Aokiran spoke. "Father, when does Lady Yunsera begin her mission?"
"In a month," Drayelion replied.
Aokiran paused, then asked quietly, "Can it be delayed? I'd like to be here for Azaryel's ceremony."
Drayelion considered for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "I'll speak to her. If it can be then, I'll make sure it happens."
Aokiran nodded with a thankful gaze.
The table fell into a softer silence thoughtful, not heavy. The children sat with quiet hearts.
Outside, the wind rustled gently through the trees like a whisper from the forest.
Later that night, the three siblings lay in their shared room. The soft hum of wind drifted through the open windows. The moonlight flickered against the wooden floor, casting silver patterns that shifted like breath.
Azaryel, wrapped in his blanket, turned toward Aokiran's bed.
"Elder brother," he whispered, "what's the ceremony about?"
Aokiran's voice came calmly from the far bed. "Remember what Mother told you? Every child in our world awakens their core at the age of seven and that's when they discover which elements they have affinity to."
Azaryel nodded. He still remembered the day lightning danced from Xentharya's blade. When he asked how she did it, Mother had told him about elemental affinity and the energy inside all living beings.
Aokiran continued, his voice a gentle rhythm in the quiet room. "In addition to that, our clan has something... unique. A special ceremony when we turn five. The Elder Seer will tell you more during the ritual itself, but you should know this our clan is different, little brother. Very different."
"Different how?" Azaryel asked, wide-eyed.
Aokiran smiled faintly "That… I don't fully know. They only reveal the more right before we go to the academy."
From across the room, Xentharya's voice chimed in, softer than usual. "Maybe that's why Father wants you to go with Lady Yunsera, Elder Brother."
Aokiran nodded silently. "Probably."
Outside, the distant howl of a Fangra echoed across the valley, a reminder of the vast wilds beyond.
Inside, the children lay still.
The stars twinkled quietly in the deep obsidian sky.
And one by one, they fell into the embrace of their dreams.