Morning came quietly.
Not with noise.
Not with urgency.
Just light.
Soft sunlight slipped through the window—
spilling across the wooden floor.
"…Elios."
A voice.
Warm.
"Wake up."
A hand tapped his shoulder.
"…Five more minutes…"
"Get up."
Not louder.
But firmer.
Elios groaned slightly—
then turned.
"…You said that yesterday too…"
"And you were late yesterday too."
That did it.
He opened his eyes.
Elara stood beside him—
arms crossed.
Not angry.
But close.
"…I'm up."
"You're not."
"…I am."
"You're sitting."
A pause.
"…That counts."
"It doesn't."
She turned—
already walking out.
"Breakfast is ready."
Elios sat there for a moment.
Then exhaled.
"…Fine."
He got up.
Slow.
Lazy.
But moving.
Outside—
the house felt alive.
Not loud.
Just… full.
Footsteps.
Utensils.
Voices.
Normal.
"…You're late."
Kael's voice came from the table.
Already eating.
"…I'm not late."
"You are."
"I woke up."
"That's not the same thing."
Elios dropped into his seat.
"…You talk too much."
"And you sleep too much."
"…At least I don't look like I swallowed a sword while sleeping."
Kael stopped.
"…What does that even mean?"
"…I don't know."
"…Then why say it?"
"…Because it sounded good."
A small silence—
Then—
Mira laughed.
Bright.
Uncontrolled.
"You're both stupid."
"…Hey."
"…You started it."
"…No I didn't."
"…Yes you did."
"…No—"
"Eat."
Darius didn't raise his voice.
Didn't need to.
Silence.
Immediate.
Both of them looked down.
"…Yes."
"…Yeah."
Elios picked up his food.
Still halfawake.
Still relaxed.
"…You're coming with us today."
Darius spoke without looking up.
Elios paused.
"…What?"
"To the mine."
That woke him up.
"…Seriously?"
Kael looked up too.
"…You're bringing him?"
"…He asked."
Darius continued eating.
"…And I said I'd take him when he was ready."
A pause.
"…He's ready?"
Darius finally looked up.
At Elios.
Not judging.
Not questioning.
Just… deciding.
"…He needs to see."
That was enough.
Elios straightened slightly.
"…I won't slow you down."
Kael snorted.
"…You definitely will."
"…I won't."
"…You will."
"…I won't."
"…You—"
"Finish your food."
Again.
That tone.
That control.
Silence returned.
Mira leaned slightly toward Elios.
"…Bring me something."
"…From the mine?"
She nodded.
"…Something shiny."
Elios smirked slightly.
"…If I find something good, I'll keep it."
"…No!"
"…Yes."
"…No!"
"…Yes."
"…You're the worst."
"…I know."
She pouted.
Then smiled anyway.
The house felt full.
Warm.
Alive.
And for a moment—
everything was normal.
Outside—
the sky was clear.
The air light.
Darius stepped forward first.
Kael followed.
Elios came after.
"…Stay close."
Darius spoke without turning.
"…I will."
This time—
he meant it.
Behind them—
Mira stood at the door.
Waving.
"…Don't forget!"
"…I won't!"
Elios didn't look back again.
He didn't need to.
Because in his mind—
this was just another day.
And nothing about it felt like—
the beginning of the end.
End.