The sun crept its way above the sleepy village of Elden, painting the sky in shades of golden orange and casting long shadows that danced along the thatched rooftops of the humble cottages. It was a picturesque scene, a place suspended in time, untouched by the chaos of the outside world. The villagers went about their simple lives, tending to their livestock, working the soil, and living day by day in this forgotten corner of the world. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, and the distant sound of roosters crowing echoed through the village, a familiar chorus that signaled the start of each new day.

In the heart of Elden, a young man named Eiran Thoryn was already awake, his bright blue eyes flickering with the first rays of dawn. His dark hair, tousled from sleep, framed his face, and his fair skin bore the marks of countless hours spent under the relentless sun. Eiran was of average height, with a lean and muscular build that spoke of a life of hard work and perseverance.

Eiran shared a small cottage with his younger sister, Lira. Like him, Lira possessed the same dark hair and vibrant blue eyes, but her features were softer, more delicate than his. She was the calm to his storm, a gentle soul who brought a sense of tranquility to his turbulent world.

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The two of them sat at a rickety wooden table, their breakfast spread out before them, the morning light streaming through the window and bathing the room in a warm glow.

"Eiran," Lira began, her voice barely above a whisper, "do you ever think about what life would be like if... if they were still here?"

Eiran's gaze softened as he looked at his sister, her eyes filled with a wistful longing that mirrored his own. He reached across the table, gently covering her hand with his own calloused one. "Every day, Lira," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "But we still have each other. And that counts for something, doesn't it?"

A small, sad smile tugged at the corners of Lira's lips, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yes, it does," she agreed in a hushed voice. "I don't know where I'd be without you, Eiran."

Eiran squeezed her hand reassuringly, his grip tight and full of determination. "You'll never have to find out," he vowed, his words filled with unspoken promises. "I'm here for you, Lira. Always have been, always will be."

A genuine, if bittersweet, smile adorned Lira's face, reaching her eyes this time. "And I'll always be here for you too, Eiran," she whispered. "We'll face whatever comes our way, together."

Eiran chuckled softly, the sound breaking the weighty silence that had settled over them. "We will," he agreed wholeheartedly. "We're a team, and a damn good one at that."

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Their laughter filled the small cottage, a shared moment of levity amidst the heaviness of their shared loss. Despite everything they had been through, they still had one another.

Once they finished their meager breakfast, a muffled thud against the front door interrupted their laughter. Eiran rose from his seat, opening the door to find his friends Rael and Joren standing on the threshold, their faces etched with a solemnity befitting the early morning light.

Rael, with his unruly mop of fiery red hair and freckled face, was the first to speak, his voice laced with an unspoken mischief. "Ready to face the day, mate?" he asked, a glimmer of his usual cheeriness seeping through.

Eiran nodded, stepping aside to let them in. "Just give us a minute."

Joren, the quieter of the two, simply nodded in acknowledgement. His deep brown eyes conveyed a sense of empathy, a shared understanding of the grief they all carried. His neatly combed dark hair accentuated his thoughtful nature. He followed Rael inside, towering over Eiran and Lira in the small space.

As Lira busied herself in clearing the table, Rael and Joren settled into their chairs, their eyes drifting towards the empty seats that once held Eiran and Lira's parents. The weight of their absence hung heavy in the air, the lingering echoes of memories too precious to ever forget.

"Do you remember when your dad used to crack those lame jokes at breakfast?" Joren suddenly asked, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

Eiran laughed, the sound filling the room and chasing away the heaviness that had settled upon them. "And mom would pretend to be mad, but you could always see that glimmer of amusement in her eyes."

Rael joined in, his laughter bright and infectious. "And Lira, bless her heart, would always be the only one genuinely finding those jokes funny."

Lira turned around, mock glaring at them. "Hey, those jokes were hilarious, okay?"

Laughter erupted in the small cottage, a moment of shared memories, a testament to their unbreakable bond and the love they held for one another.

"Alright, let's get going," Eiran said once their laughter had subsided. "They would want us to remember them with smiles, not tears."

As they stepped out into the morning sunlight, the sun had fully risen, casting its warm glow over Elden. The four of them walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, their memories keeping them company.

Today was a day different from the mundane routines of Elden. It marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic accident that stole Eiran and Lira's parents away from them. A sudden and brutal storm had ravaged the village, tearing through with savage fury. Their parents had been caught in its fury, seeking refuge in the barn that was eventually engulfed in flames by a relentless lightning strike. The villagers had rallied, helpless witnesses to the tragedy unfolding before their eyes, but the storm had triumphed, devouring everything in its path.

Eiran, Lira, Rael, and Joren stood before the simple gravestones that marked the final resting place of Eiran and Lira's parents. Nestled under the sheltering branches of a mighty oak tree, the gravestones stood as silent reminders of the lives that had been taken away too soon. Wildflowers, lovingly planted by Lira, bloomed around the graves, their vivid colors a stark contrast against the surrounding desolation.

Eiran knelt down in front of the gravestones, his fingers tracing the engraved names of his parents. His heart ached, an open wound that refused to heal with time. He glanced at Lira, tears welling in her eyes, and a steely resolve surged within him.

"I promise," he whispered, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. "I'll protect Lira. I'll make sure she lives a happy life, free from pain and sorrow."

His words hung solemnly in the air, a vow made to the spirits of his departed parents. Rael and Joren stood beside him, a quiet presence filled with unspoken support. They had been there for Eiran and Lira in the aftermath of the tragedy, and they would continue to be there, come what may.

As they turned to leave the gravesite, the sun was high in the sky, casting a warm radiance over Elden. But for Eiran, a sense of unease gnawed at his insides. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change, and not for the better.