He tried not to think about it, but nothing he did could tear away the anxiety dwelling in his stomach. He knew it was coming, yet there was no amount of preparation that could help him bare the brunt of the news when it hit. His brother had gone to the queen to hear out his mission. Or perhaps not, as he was assured that one’s first mission isn’t one demanding immediate attention.

Luke took a deep breath, the air of a humble, quiet house filling his anxious lungs. Despite his complains over the years, the small house felt almost cozy. Perhaps it wasn’t the size, but the familiarity and attachment he grew toward the domain; regardless, his brother was now at the door, and any calm the younger sibling retained flew out the window in the kitchen.

“I’ve got bad news Luke.”

Those words already broke his heart.

“You’re leaving soon?”

“Not just that, I’ll be gone two years. Even though we won’t be far away, I’m not to return home until I’m done.”

“Why?!” Luke gritted his teeth as he held back from crying.

“I don’t know Luke, but it’s not my place to ask. I’ll be leaving tomorrow. If it’s any consolation, father will be staying home from now on.”

“That doesn’t help at all!”

Luke galloped to his room, slamming the door behind him. Laying back against the door, he slowly gazed at the sides of the room. Slowly, the boy slid down, sitting next to the barrier that protected from the outside world. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

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“Why does everyone leave?” The dams burst open, relinquishing a flood of tears.

The boy curled into a ball as he sobbed.

He bawled.

And he wept.

After what felt like hours, the tears began to dry, but his heart continue to agonize. Bringing himself to a stand, Luke carefully walked over to his bed, his vision still blurry. Pulling the mattress away, he hastily retrieved the bracelet from its sacred ravine.

Clutching the butterfly adorned silver circle, the boy sighed before he drifted off.

Knock knock knock

Luke’s door was mercilessly assaulted by a series of knocks. The noise had risen him from slumber; he hadn’t realized he went dormant, but now he was concerned with how long he was out.

“Luke, can we have a talk?”

The boy’s head snapped to the door, having almost forgotten why he woke up to begin with. Opening the door, his brother awaited; his posture wasn’t the warm or energetic kind he’d come to know, but an awkward and melancholy pose he knew to expect.

“Hey Luke, I just” Matthew stopped, exhaling before taking a deep breath, “I just wondered if you wanted to tell me or ask me something before I left.”

“Are you really going to be gone two whole years?”

“I’ll write to you! Just because I’ll be gone, doesn’t mean I won’t still be here somehow.”

“It’s not the same as you being here. I wish I could go with you.”

“When you turn fourteen, we’ll go on countless adventures together!”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“You promise?”

“Cross my heart.”

“I think you forgot a part.”

“Well I don’t want to die!”

Luke giggled as the brothers hugged, neither one wanting to part, but each breaking away knowing it was inevitable. Once Matthew had returned to his room, Luke had shut the door behind him, only to see the bracelet sitting on the bed.

“I’ll see you again one day, I promise.”