The small house had slowly become lively again.
Days passed quietly as Kael gathered herbs, Liora helped dry them, and Arion — now able to walk — sorted leaves and crushed materials with calm precision.
Evenings felt warmer than before.
Tonight, the three sat near the small fire after dinner. The wind outside was soft, and the house felt peaceful.
Liora lay on the floor beside Kael, hugging her doll.
Liora: kael… tell a story…
Kael leaned back against the wall.
Kael: a story again?
Liora: yes… a good one…
Arion sat nearby, quietly cleaning dried herbs, listening without interrupting.
Kael looked into the small flame, thinking.
Kael: alright… i'll tell you one mother used to tell me.
Liora's eyes brightened.
Liora: really?
Kael: yeah.
He adjusted his position slightly.
Kael: long ago… there was an alchemist. a great one. people said he could cure any illness… any poison.
Liora listened closely.
Kael: even if someone was about to die… his pills could pull them back.
Arion's hands slowed slightly as he listened.
Kael: they said his alchemy was so high… he could even restore life to things that had already stopped breathing.
Liora: bring back… dead things?
Kael: that's what people believed. no one knew if it was fully true… but everyone respected him.
Arion glanced at Kael quietly.
Arion (thinking): restoring life… that level exists… but rare.
Kael stared into the fire.
Kael: he traveled everywhere… saving people. villages, cities… anyone who needed help.
Liora smiled softly.
Liora: he sounds nice…
Kael gave a small nod.
Kael: yeah… i wish i could become like him someday.
Arion finally spoke.
Arion: an immortal alchemist?
Kael looked toward him.
Kael: yes.
Arion studied him calmly.
Arion: if you had a choice… would you become a powerful immortal alchemist… or a powerful fighter?
Kael blinked once, thinking.
Kael: …both.
Liora lifted her head.
Liora: both?
Kael: if i become only alchemist… i can heal.
Kael: if i become only fighter… i can protect.
He looked at Liora.
Kael: but if i become both… i can protect my sister… and heal her if she gets hurt.
Liora stared at him quietly.
Liora: brother…
Arion watched him carefully.
Arion: becoming both is not easy. even for talented people.
Kael: i know.
He looked down at his hands.
Kael: but there's another problem.
Arion: what problem?
Kael: if i leave to study… who will stay with liora?
Liora immediately sat up.
Liora: i can stay alone!
Kael: no. you can't.
He shook his head gently.
Kael: i can't leave you alone here.
Silence lingered.
Kael continued quietly.
Kael: and immortal academies… they need huge payment. training fees, entry fees, materials… we can't afford even a fraction.
Arion leaned slightly back, listening.
Kael: so even if i want to go… i can't.
Liora lowered her head slowly.
Liora: because of me…?
Kael immediately turned to her.
Kael: no. never say that.
He gently placed his hand on her head.
Kael: protecting you is the reason i want power. not a burden.
Arion watched the two quietly.
Arion (thinking): talent… responsibility… and chains of reality.
The fire flickered softly between them.
Arion: if there was a way… for you to learn… without leaving her… would you take it?
Kael looked at him, surprised.
Kael: of course.
Arion held his gaze for a moment, calm and unreadable.
Arion: …good.
Silence returned again, but this time it carried something new.
Possibility.