Under a bluish white sun Arius and Elios walk side by side through the city streets
Noise surrounds them from every direction as the Celestine people never knew calm
Loud laughter the shouting of vendors and the cries of trainee warriors boasting of their victories form a symphony of dancing chaos
A young man grabs a boy by his shirt laughing
How many times did I tell you your strike is not even good enough to empty a milk bottle
The other replies laughing as well
At least I did not cry when I caught that spy from the planet Eras
Everything in the city was troublesome even the children fought not out of hostility but as part of their daily culture
Arius walks silently his eyes wandering across the faces of passersby while Elios keeps looking in every direction observing the atmosphere with instinctive caution he developed after training with his father
Suddenly a young boy approaches them about the same age as Arius his hair messy his clothes slightly torn and fear in his eyes
Please my sister fell in a nearby alley I cannot carry her please help me
Elios looks at the boy quickly while Arius steps forward without hesitation
Where is she show us the way Elios says firmly
The boy leads them through narrow alleys passing through side paths only known to those familiar with the city Arius feels slightly tense but his trust in his brother keeps him steady
Suddenly they reach a dead end alley
The boy stops at the wall then turns with a wicked smile and says
Thanks for your cooperation fools
At that same moment several older boys emerge from the shadows surrounding them from all directions familiar faces the former gang of Raimos
One of them says mockingly
Oh who do we have here is not this the weak one Raimos told you are no longer one of my followers
They all laugh then another approaches Arius and says
We heard you have money prince of innocence hand it over and we will let you go unharmed
But what they did not expect was Elios being there
He steps forward slowly cracking his fingers one by one his eyes filled with suppressed anger
You get close to my brother your death
The leader shouts
Take them
In the next moment the alley turns into a fast and brutal battlefield
Elios moves like lightning landing a punch on the nearest attacker sending him crashing into the wall in pain he stomps on another foot lifts him off the ground and throws him toward two others
In less than a minute the gangs pride is completely shattered
Arius stands amazed by his brothers speed and strength whispering
Wow my brother is like the heroes in stories
The gang begins to retreat and the boy who tricked them shouts while running
They are monsters lets run
Within moments everyone disappears from the alley leaving only the two brothers
Elios breathes heavily then looks at his brother laughing
Next time stay closer I do not want you to turn into a pancake in their hands
Arius laughs then steps forward hugging his brother tightly
You are my hero Elios no one can harm me while I am with you
Elios pats his head and says
Always I am with you until the end
They leave the alley as if what happened was just a small training in an ordinary day of the Celestine life
But in Arius heart a hidden feeling begins to grow I want to be strong not to fight but to protect those I love just like Elios
After everything the two brothers Arius and Elios head to a well known blacksmith in the city a huge man with a thick beard and hands full of scars and old burns showing years of hard work
The blacksmith was an old friend of their father Alberto and respected him greatly when he sees them he says in a deep voice
Ah the sons of Alberto you honor me did your father send you for something
Elios replies while opening a small paper
Yes he asked us to take a rare metal plate he requested from you years ago he said he will need it when he returns
The blacksmith frowns slightly then nods and enters his workshop after moments he returns carrying a long box and opens it in front of them to show the plate
It shines strangely with a mix of silver gray and dark blue emitting a faint heat and subtle glow barely noticeable
The blacksmith does not speak much he closes the box hands it to Elios and says
Take it carefully and do not ask me anything just keep it safe until your father returns
Arius looks at the plate in amazement while Elios struggles to carry it despite its heavy weight they thank the blacksmith and leave
They wander through the city for a while stopping to buy some cold juice from a vendor then return home near sunset entering from the back door unseen
They secretly carry the box to a small storage room beside their fathers training yard Elios opens the door with effort places the box carefully in a corner and covers it with a thick cloth to avoid attention
They close the storage and exchange looks without speaking as if silence was clearer than words
Then they return home quietly before their mother asks about their delay
Three years pass like a heavy eternity the absence casts its shadow over the family yet despite the passing days Alberto never left their hearts
The children grow in his absence Arius becomes six years old calm quiet and deep in gaze despite his young age while Elios becomes a young boy of twelve carrying his fathers strong features and determination in his eyes
Little Helen at three years old becomes the flower of the house filling it with laughter and joy
On a calm spring morning news spreads across the capital the soldiers returning from the war in the malaria galaxy are approaching the borders of the Celestine planet and victory is theirs
The news strikes the house like a storm Heles heart trembles tears fill her eyes and the first thing she says finally Alberto will return
Elios runs to his room searching for his best clothes quickly fixing his hair while Arius stands in front of the mirror trying to imitate him placing a comb on his head randomly as little Helen laughs waving a pink dress
Heles asks the maid May to prepare the family flying bus and everyone begins getting ready to leave for the capital during the ride the atmosphere inside the vehicle is full of excitement and anticipation Elios talks to his mother about battles imagining how his father fought while Arius remains silent the entire way looking out the window imagining the moment he will see his father again
They arrive at the grand capital square crowded with people waving flags cheering launching fireworks and the sky shines with flashes of victory
Brave soldiers line up along the long path where the leaders will descend
Suddenly signal horns sound and a massive ship painted with the Celestine emblem lands its front door slowly opening all eyes fixed on the exit under the bright lights the leaders begin to emerge one by one each carrying the marks of war
Finally Alberto appears
He stands tall in his worn military uniform covered with dust and old blood yet more powerful and majestic than ever
His eyes immediately find his family among the crowd he does not hesitate he descends the steps quickly as his children run toward him all at once
Arius reaches him first wrapping his arms tightly around him as if his soul returned to his body
Father
Elios follows then Helen who almost stumbles from her joy and finally Heles arrives embracing her husband tightly after three years of separation
Alberto cries yes for the first time in a long time tears of joy fall on his cheek as he holds his entire family
I have returned and I will never leave you again
In that moment victory over the malaria was not the most important event but the return of the beating heart to this small family that waited every moment with indescribable longing
The grand celebration begins while the family stands together united as the whole world celebrates their victory but in their eyes the true victory was being reunited once again