In the midst of the crowd of joy and the noise of celebrations Hils stands composed yet trembling slightly from the warmth of the emotions that overwhelm her Her eyes turn toward little Helen who is still hiding behind her shy and hesitant before that large gathering
Hils whispered in a soft warm voice as if sharing a secret between them
Helen come now go to your father he is there seeing you for the first time
Helen slowly raised her head her wide eyes shining with curiosity and awe She took a deep breath then with small hesitant steps began moving toward Alberto who stood tall waiting for the moment with great anticipation
The scene slows as if time itself paused the noise fades and the heartbeat grows louder
Helen reached her father she raised her small arms innocently and his strong arms extended to embrace her with tenderness no less than the longing of separation
Alberto lifted her gently his eyes filled with tears of joy and pain as if he held not only his little daughter but also his dreams and wishes that had returned to him after absence
Helen smiled with a light laugh clinging to her fathers shoulder as if drawing all the safety in the world from him
Alberto in a voice full of emotion
Welcome my little princess I missed you so much
Hils watched from afar her eyes glistening with tears her smile reflecting a sense of peace and comfort she had not felt for a long time
The scene ends slowly focusing on that warm moment where no many words are needed for the hearts had already spoken
After that they all go home after a long absence of three full years the family reunites and celebrates that day for Albertos return
Morning sunlight gently slips through the large palace windows illuminating the kitchen with a soft warmth Birds chirp in the backyard and calm breezes carry the scent of flowers and dew
In the heart of this calm Alberto wakes up
He opens his eyes to the morning light breathes deeply as if tasting life again He sits on the edge of his bed his hands running through his messy hair then rises with heavy yet calm steps as if his mind still cannot believe he has finally returned
When he leaves his room he walks through the corridors he long missed every wall he passes tells him stories of memories absent for three years
The scene shifts to the kitchen
Hils is there standing before the stove full of energy and vitality her hair simply tied her eyes shining with life She prepares the table with love placing dishes carefully arranging small cups beside plates filled with delicious food
Stuffed dough rolls with rare cheese hot violet flower soup butter cakes with honey and freshly brewed green Reizo tea
Hils speaks to herself laughing
Three years without a real breakfast today I will make him feel like he never left
At that moment Alberto enters the kitchen standing at the door for a moment watching her a deep smile forming on his face
This sight how much I missed it
Hils turns looking at him surprise mixed with love in her eyes
You woke up I was about to wake you
He approaches with calm steps stands behind her wraps his arms around her and whispers
Nothing in wars compares to the smell of your home nor the warmth of your voice in the morning
Hils smiles gently and replies
Sit the food is ready you need home food to bring your spirit back
Alberto sits on the large wooden chair gazing at the dishes before him in amazement
Did you prepare all this for me
For who else she says placing the last dish on the table and sitting beside him
As he tastes the first bite a sigh of satisfaction escapes his chest
This is home
The scene moves to the upper floor
Arius turns in his bed his hair messy his eyes half closed then returns to sleep like a small bundle of innocence
Little Helen sleeps on her back her childlike dress slightly raised as she makes soft sounds while Elios sleeps on his stomach one arm hanging from the bed edge his features still tired from the emotional exhaustion of the previous day
The whole house is calm warm reassuring
The scene ends with a wide shot of the palace from outside as steam rises from the kitchen window and the sun fully climbs into the sky
For the first time in three years the house pulses with life again
The air was pure the sky completely clear and the morning breeze gently played with the leaves In the heart of this living silence there was only one sound rising above everything
The sound of punches
The strikes of feet
And light bursts of air
Alberto the father stands in the middle of the training field wearing his battle worn outfit his broad chest exposed sweat dripping from his forehead as he moves with astonishing agility despite his age and solid strength
He trains with precise rapid movements each strike creating pressure in the air faint sparks flashing from his fist as he punches as if fighting an imaginary opponent of legend
The scene shifts to the upper floor Arius room
Arius slowly opens his eyes stretches lazily then hears that sound from the open window the air being cut by a fist and the echo of a powerful strike shaking the ground
He jumps from his bed and runs to the small balcony
Huh father is training
At the same time Elios exits his room shirtless washing the sleep from his face then looks from the nearby window
Father started his morning training excellent lets see if I am still one level or a hundred below him
The boys rush down the stairs their feet tapping lightly with childhood energy They reach the yard breathing with excitement standing a few meters away from Alberto watching in awe
His next strike creates an air wave that shatters a rock in the corner of the arena
Arius says in amazement
Wow he is like the stories stronger than anything I imagined
Elios smiles
And that is after three years of war he can still destroy us in a moment
At that instant Alberto stops as if his senses felt them He slowly turns smiling warmly
Good morning my little champions
Elios approaches first standing proudly
Father would you like to see how far I have come
Alberto laughs
Show me pride of the family
Elios raises his fist rushes toward a massive rock gathers his energy and shouts as he strikes
Boom
The rock explodes completely turning into scattered dust the ground shaking slightly from the pressure
Alberto is not too surprised he raises an eyebrow with genuine admiration
Two thousand five hundred Reizo energy units huh you can destroy a whole mountain if you wish
He pats his shoulder
Well done Elios your training was not wasted I am proud of you
Elios smiles with pride while Arius stands quietly behind his eyes fixed on his father then says softly
And me
Alberto turns to him approaches slowly kneels placing his hand gently on his head
Arius your energy has not changed since birth right
Arius lowers his eyes shyly
No it is still three
But Alberto does not frown nor sigh
He smiles widely
That does not matter to me numbers mean nothing before the heart and you my child your heart is stronger than any number
Arius raises his head in surprise
Alberto continues
A childs strength is not measured by what he destroys but by what he protects and a day will come when you will surprise everyone even yourself
Arius smiles shyly
Really
Alberto replies with confidence
Really
Then he stands stretches his arms takes a deep breath and says
Now I will continue my training if you wish to watch feel free if you want to leave do it quietly so I do not expose you before the birds
The boys laugh exchange excited looks then run toward the garden gate laughing
As for Alberto he smiles watching them then turns again and the strikes resume in the field as if the father commander had never been absent
After finishing his training Alberto wipes the sweat from his forehead with a cloth then Elios approaches excited
Father I forgot to tell you Arius and I brought something important for you
Alberto raises an eyebrow
Something important
Arius steps forward
Yes a strange plate from the old blacksmith in the city center
Alberto eyes widen slightly but his features remain firm
Where is it now
Arius answers quickly
We put it in the small storage next to the training yard and covered it with thick cloth
Alberto pauses looking at them seriously yet kindly
Well done but tell no one about it understood no one
They both reply together
Understood
At that moment soft footsteps approach from the house
They turn to see little Helen standing at the threshold holding her dress her eyes shining with childhood innocence and curiosity
Papa carry me
Silence falls as if time paused
Alberto the hardened warrior the commander who faced countless armies leaves all his hardness aside smiles gently and opens his arms
Come my princess
Helen runs to him laughing jumps into his arms and he lifts her easily her laughter echoing around
She rests her head on his shoulder
Papa shall we play
He replies softly
Of course I will take you to the garden there is a swing waiting for us
He walks with her calmly as she holds his neck whispering something that makes her laugh deeply
Arius and Elios remain standing watching their father with a smile half surprise half warmth
Arius whispers
Strange father was always serious this is the first time I see him like this
Elios laughs
Me too it is like he is another person with Helen
Then he adds smiling
But honestly it suits him to be a gentle father
They stand for a moment watching him walk away into the garden with the little girl in his arms the air filled with bliss a pure unforgettable family moment
Overwhelming silence not heard by the ear but leaving a mark on the heart
After moments of family warmth the brothers quietly part ways
Elios goes to complete his training tasks carrying his equipment toward the warriors field behind the main building
Arius chooses solitude as usual
He walks alone without feeling the weight of his steps heading toward a small hill overlooking a narrow valley surrounded by trees a place rarely visited his secret refuge
He sits placing his arms behind his head lying on his back the sky wide and pure like an endless sea
His breathing calm eyes half closed watching the clouds move slowly as if dancing above him
Why cant I be like them why dont I have friends
He murmurs softly drawing imaginary lines on the grass
While the Celestine people are known for their noise chaos and lively energy Arius is something else different His calmness composure and reflection sometimes make him feel alien as if he does not fully belong
Suddenly
The ground shakes lightly beneath him his body trembles slightly and he quickly raises his head
Huh an earthquake
He stands looks around the source is not far
He walks cautiously through the grass moving between trees until he sees a small dirt arena among rocks
There a strange scene
Children his age
Fighting shouting their faces full of passion their small bodies emitting strange energies their exchanged blows enough to shake the ground
One strike shatters a rock another jumps high and lands with a kick raising a wave of dust
They are four shouting fiercely as if in a battle of honor not play
Arius stands far away
Behind trees not wanting to be seen nor to interfere
Just watching
His eyes follow their movements his face reflecting a mix of amazement fear and admiration
They are strong even though sometimes younger than me how
He clenches his fist slightly and whispers
Am I really strange is it wrong to be calm or am I just weak
There is no sadness in his tone but silent confusion the kind that slowly destroys a child from within
He keeps watching silently hidden among branches the breeze touching his hair while the fight continues like a living painting reminding him of what he does not yet have
Inside his chest a small spark begins to ignite
Not jealousy but desire
A desire to become something
In the afternoon
Arius returns home after a long walk his feet slightly dirty from grass his eyes dim from long wandering He enters quietly from the back door unnoticed
On his way to his room he passes near the living room where Alberto and Hils are speaking softly
Arius stops suddenly hearing his name clearly
He stares at the wooden door approaches quietly and leans against the wall
Alberto speaks in a low firm voice
Hils I am worried about Arius
She replies nervously
What about him he seemed happy today
Alberto lowers his head
He is still at the same level since birth his energy has not changed it has not grown his number is still three
On the other side of the door Arius eyes widen his body trembling but making no sound
Alberto continues his voice filled with real concern
I fear he will be rejected by society or worse exiled
Hils gasps
No they would not allow that right he is just a child
Alberto replies heavily
The laws of the planet are strict we live in an era that does not allow weakness among ranks and the new king shows no mercy If Arius does not show development within a year he may be classified as deficient
Silence falls
Then Alberto says with sorrow
I do not want him to suffer I do not want him to be cast aside
Behind the door Arius completely collapses
His eyes fill with tears his heart pierced by the blade of truth
He can no longer stand
He turns and runs silently to his room
He enters closes the door quietly not wanting anyone to notice
Then he crawls slowly under his bed pulling his legs to his chest and cries
He cries without sound
His tears fall onto the old pillow he kept since childhood
His hand presses tightly against his chest trying to hide the pain from the world but who can hide pain from himself
Am I deficient
He whispers trembling
With every passing second his tears increase until sleep overcomes him
He sleeps under his bed
Between darkness cold and oppression
And there is no one to embrace his sorrow except the night