Time passed quickly, and night settled over the snowy village. The faint glow of lanterns lit the lobby, casting soft shadows across the sturdy stone walls. Dinner was laid out neatly on the long tables, steam rising from warm bowls of stew and roasted meat. Everyone gathered in their usual places, but tonight felt different.
Neil sat snugly between his parents, his arms crossed and cheeks puffed. Caspian was squeezed between Uncle Rhys and Aunt Astrid, his little face scrunched in determination. Orion sat stiffly between Uncle Kael and Aunt Seraphina, while Lyra sat with her grandparents, chin tilted high in defiance.
All four children wore the same expression—angry, puffed-up faces like little pufferfish. One look at them, and the adults knew the earlier incident was far from resolved.
The adults tried everything. Sweet words, gentle tones, even teasing smiles. But the children remained silent, glaring at their food like it had personally offended them.
Maya tried first, leaning close to Neil. "Hey, Neil. Look—Mother made the food you love most. Say 'aah,' and I'll feed you myself."
Normally, Neil would have melted at those words, but tonight he was firm. He shook his head and muttered, "I don't like to eat that."
The rejection made Maya freeze. Around the table, the other adults tried as well, but one by one, they failed. No matter what they said, the children refused to be swayed.
Finally, Grandma Linnea cleared her throat, her wise eyes twinkling. "All right then, little ones. Tell us—what will it take for you to forgive us?"
At those words, the children's faces shifted ever so slightly. They glanced at one another, exchanging small, secret smiles. Their plan was working.
Earlier, when they had stormed off to their rooms, they had gathered and plotted together. No matter what the adults tried, they would not forgive them easily. Instead, each child would demand one wish. If even one wish was refused, they would stop talking to the adults altogether. Tonight, they would show the grown-ups the true power of unity.
But they couldn't give away their victory too soon. Hiding their excitement behind stern expressions, they nodded at one another. Orion, as the eldest, would speak first.
He sat up straight, voice calm but determined. "I want to go further to explore from now on."
Kael immediately leaned forward, alarmed. "No, Orion. It's far too dangerous. You can't just—"
Before he could finish, four pairs of eyes locked onto him. Neil, Lyra, Caspian, and Orion all turned at once, puffing their cheeks and glaring with their sharpest, most exaggerated "angry eyes."
Kael froze. The stares were so fierce, so united, that for a moment he imagined himself already cast out of their little world. His words died in his throat.
Seraphina sighed and touched her husband's arm. "All right, Orion. You can go further to explore. But only if you go with your father."
Orion's face lit up instantly, excitement sparkling in his eyes. Kael, meanwhile, slumped in defeat. He glanced at his wife as if to say, Why me? Seraphina only gave him a look that said, You were just defeated. Accept it. With a groan, Kael surrendered to his fate.
Next was Lyra. She bounced in her seat and declared, "I want honey candy, Grandpa!"
Neil perked up at once. He remembered the honey candies their grandfather made—sweet, golden, and utterly delicious. His mouth watered just thinking about them.
Grandpa Eldrin opened his mouth to answer, but Grandma Linnea cut in smoothly. "All right, dear, he will make plenty for you. But you must promise to eat only one a day. No more, or we'll take them away."
Grandpa turned to her with an incredulous look. When did I agree to that?
Linnea raised a brow. "Then tell me, can you say no to them?" She gestured toward the children, who were once again staring with puffed-up cheeks and fiery eyes.
Defeated, Eldrin sighed. "Fine. I'll make the candies."
"Yay!" Lyra squealed, turning to her grandmother. "Grandma, you're the best! I love you the most!"
Grandpa's shoulders slumped lifelessly. I have to do all the work, but she gets all the love… this is so unfair.
Across the table, Astrid and Maya exchanged glances, admiration sparkling in their eyes. Linnea's strategy was flawless.
Then came Caspian's turn. His voice was eager, almost trembling with excitement. "I want to hunt bigger animals!"
Astrid didn't miss a beat. "Of course, dear. You can hunt bigger animals. And your father will help you—because he loves you the most."
Rhys nearly choked on his drink. His eyes darted around, but with Caspian beaming at him and the others glaring in silent warning, he could only sigh and nod. He couldn't very well say no after that.
Maya stifled a laugh, giving Astrid an invisible thumbs-up. The women were on a roll tonight.
Finally, it was Neil's turn. He took a deep breath, his heart racing. This was his chance. He lifted his head proudly. "I want to go to the lake."
The reaction was immediate.
"No!" the adults chorused, their voices overlapping. Even his cousins turned to him in shock and shook their heads.
Neil's eyes widened. Anger bubbled inside him. Where's the unity we agreed on? You all got your wishes, and now you betray me? This is naked betrayal!
"But why?" he demanded. "You all agreed with the others' wishes—why not mine?"
Maya's face softened, but her voice was firm. "Neil, don't pretend you don't know why. Last time you went near the lake, you almost drowned. If Caspian hadn't pulled you out, we might have lost you. And afterward, you fell ill from the cold water. You can't go near the lake again."
"But I need something that I can only find there," Neil pleaded, his eyes wide and pitiful. "Please, Mother. Please!"
His pitiful look worked its magic. The adults wavered, hearts softening despite themselves.
Finally, Anil sighed and raised his hand. "All right. I'll go with him. I'll make sure nothing happens."
Reluctantly, the others nodded. Lyra piped up, puffing her chest proudly. "I'll go too. Don't worry, I'll protect him."
At last, Neil grinned. Victory was his.
Dinner went on more cheerfully after that, at least for the children. They chatted excitedly about their wishes, already dreaming of candies, hunts, and explorations. The adults, on the other hand, especially the men, sat slumped in quiet misery. Their workload had just doubled.
When the meal was finished, everyone retired to their rooms. the children left the lobby together, still chattering in hushed tones about their "victory." Neil followed along with his cousins, but inside his head, his thoughts were different.
Hmph. You all betrayed me. The moment I asked for the lake, you sided with the adults. Just wait—I'll remember this. One day, I'll get my revenge.
He marched with puffed cheeks and narrowed eyes, silently carving the grudge into his memory.
Once inside their shared room, the children soon drifted off, one by one. The day had been long and full of excitement, and their breathing soon evened out in the soft quiet of the night.
But Neil remained awake. His eyes lingered on the ceiling, his mind restless.
Slowly, his thoughts wandered back to noon—when Grandpa had spoken of the past. The weight of those words pressed on him again. One day, Orion will leave for the army. One day, all of us might face the same dangers. What if… what if my family can't survive it?
The worry gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the image of his loved ones being taken away by monsters .
There has to be a solution, he thought desperately. Something I can do. Something that can keep everyone safe.
His mind circled through countless ideas, but then a single thought rose to the surface—his equipment.
Until now, he had never let anyone else try what he crafted. His tools and weapons were different from the "pixelated" gear in his memories. The equipment he made here looked solid, normal, even beautiful.
If others could use them too… Neil's heart stirred. Then maybe I can craft not only weapons, but armor. Something strong enough to protect them. Something that could give us a chance against monsters.
The more he thought about it, the lighter he felt. For the first time since Grandpa's talk, his worry eased just a little.
Clutching that idea close, Neil finally let his eyes drift shut. Sleep pulled him under, his last thoughts filled with images of shining armor, his family safe behind it.