Unfortunately, Elder had found nothing. The First Elder had no need for techniques to borrow the force of Will, let alone any to manipulate it. When the lesson ended, Elder dismissed the four students.

As they stepped out into the crisp night air, Elder gave them one last message before heading off to his home.

“Come to the village center tomorrow. I will select the new Elder.”

With that, he disappeared into the shadows, his silhouette melting into the glow of distant firelight.

Forge stretched, rolling his shoulders with a content sigh. “Well, I better get going. My wife’s gonna be wondering what I’ve been up to all day.”

“You kids gonna be alright by yourselves?” he added, his grin lopsided as he tucked his hands into his coat pockets.

“Yeah, don’t worry about us. Take care, Forge,” Serene said, waving him off.

“Bye!” Tear shouted, hopping up and down, her turquoise hair bouncing with the motion. She radiated energy, clearly thrilled to escape the monotony of books. “We’ll look for you tomorrow!”

Forge gave a casual wave over his shoulder as he walked off. “You better! I’m counting on you to keep these two out of trouble, Tear!”

As Forge’s broad frame disappeared into the night, Grey glanced at Tear. “Let’s take Serene home first,” he suggested.

Tear’s face scrunched up in protest. “Why can’t you stay? You did the other day.”

“She’s gotta see her parents, Tear,” Grey replied, his tone calm but firm. He could see the disappointment in her eyes but didn’t waver.

Tear huffed but didn’t argue further. Grey understood why she felt this way—after all, she and Serene were incredibly close. With Tear and Grey being the only family they had, Serene had naturally filled a space in Tear’s heart that was almost sisterly. Sometimes, Grey suspected Tear was even closer to Serene than she was to him, although that was mainly some jealousy clouding him mind.

The three began walking toward Serene’s home, the snow crunching softly beneath their boots. The silence didn’t last long.

“So, Tear,” Serene began, her voice light and teasing, “what do you think about being one of only five people in the entire village who knows how to read and write?” She gave Tear’s hand a gentle squeeze, smiling. “Not to mention, you’re going to be a savior of the village. The youngest one, no less.”

Tear’s pout faded, replaced by a small, shy smile. She tightened her grip on Serene’s hand, her turquoise eyes sparkling in the dim light. “It’s unbelievable. I didn’t think I could do something like this with you all… but I know it’s all just luck.”

“Luck?” Serene arched an eyebrow. “You’re smarter than you think, Tear.”

Tear tilted her head, her voice soft with curiosity. “But what if it’s not? What if I just happened to be at the right place at the right time? What if I mess up?” She looked up at Serene, then at Grey, her small fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. “Do you think I’ll really be able to help everyone? I mean, like, really help?”

Grey, walking a step behind, glanced down at his little sister. “Maybe you will,” he said thoughtfully. His silver eyes flicked upward, his mind briefly flashing back to the massive orb he’d seen—the one that dwarfed even Brawl’s new one. “You could end up becoming a hero one day.”

Before Tear could respond, Grey reached out to pat her head, his hand aiming for her soft turquoise hair. But she ducked with a squeak, darting to the other side of Serene and clutching her arm for protection.

Grey narrowed his eyes. “You only avoid me when Serene’s around.”

Serene smirked, nudging Grey’s shoulder playfully. “That’s because she knows who’s better company.”

Tear giggled, her face lighting up with delight. “Yeah, Grey! Serene’s way more fun than you!”

Grey sighed dramatically, running a hand through his ash-gray hair. “Great. Now I’ve been outnumbered.”

The three of them laughed, their voices carrying softly in the quiet night. By the time they reached Serene’s home, the earlier heaviness of the evening had melted away, replaced by a comforting warmth between them.

Serene turned to them at the doorstep, her emerald eyes soft but steady. “Thanks for walking me back. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

“Goodnight!” Tear said brightly, waving with both hands as she bounced on her toes.

“Goodnight,” Grey added, his voice calm but warm.

Just as they were about to head toward Elder’s house—after all, their home, or rather the shreds of timber and pelts it had become, was no place to sleep—a masculine voice called out from inside the house.

“Wait!”

The door creaked open, revealing Serene’s father. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his weathered hands gripping the frame with a craftsman’s strength. Years of shaping tools for the village had left his palms thick with calluses and his fingers faintly scarred. His deep brown eyes, sharp but kind, swept over Grey and Tear, taking in their tired faces.

“You two. Have you eaten anything yet?”

Grey hesitated, shifting his weight. Much like their home, the food stored in it had been destroyed as well. For the past couple of days, Grey had felt no shame in accepting Elder’s generosity since he was raised by him, but imposing on Serene’s family felt different. “Sir, it’s—”

Before he could finish, Serene’s father strode forward and effortlessly scooped Tear up into his arms. The little girl let out a startled squeak, her turquoise eyes going wide.

“Serene says a lot about you, girlie,” he said, his voice warm and teasing. “You hungry?”

Tear, caught off guard by the man’s friendly demeanor, turned bright red and glanced over at Grey.

Grey sighed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Thank you, sir. We’ll come inside.”

Without setting Tear down, Serene’s father threw her gently into the air. She squealed in surprise before breaking into uncontrollable giggles as he caught her.

“Great!” he said cheerfully. “My wife just finished cooking. Let’s head inside—it’s far too cold to be standing out here.”

Grey followed them into the familiar warmth of the house, the scent of roasted meat and herbs filling the air. The glow of the hearth cast flickering shadows across the walls, and the space felt alive with comfort.

As they stepped in, Serene’s mother greeted them with a soft smile. Her hands, worn but graceful, were wiping down the wooden table. “Goodness, dear, put her down before you make her dizzy.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“What? You don’t mind, do ya, little girl?” Serene’s father teased, spinning Tear around in a wide circle. The motion made butterflies appear in her stomach causing her to burst into even louder laughter, her turquoise hair flying.

Her giggles filled the room, so infectious that even Grey found himself grinning. Serene, however, was less amused. She was sitting on a stool near the hearth, her face buried in a soft pillow made from animal pelts.

“I’m sorry, Grey,” she mumbled through the pillow, her voice muffled. “I told them not to make a scene, but they wouldn’t listen.”

Grey chuckled, shaking his head. “You warned me before. It’s fine.”

“Oh?” came a feminine voice, sharp with playful suspicion. Serene’s mother, now standing at the table with a raised eyebrow, crossed her arms. “And what exactly did my daughter say about us?”

Grey froze, realizing he had misspoken. His silver eyes darted nervously to Serene, who was now peeking over the edge of the pillow with wide, horrified eyes.

“Uh… I—” Grey stammered, his voice caught somewhere between an apology and a plea for rescue.

Thankfully, Serene’s father came to his aid, still twirling Tear around as if she weighed nothing. “Stop teasing them, dear,” he said with a hearty laugh. “Go on, Grey—take a seat next to the red-faced girl who talks about her parents behind their backs.”

The room erupted in laughter as Serene groaned and buried her face in the pillow again, her ears turning as pink as her cheeks.

Tear, now breathless from laughing so hard, was finally set down, though her tiny legs wobbled as she tried to steady herself. “That was so much fun!” she declared, beaming up at Serene’s father.

“Well, someone appreciates me!” Serene’s father said, ruffling Tear’s hair. “Come on, let’s eat.”

Grey moved to sit beside Serene, who was still half-hiding behind her pillow. She shot him a glare that was more embarrassed than angry.

“You’re enjoying this too much,” she muttered under her breath.

Grey shrugged, his faint smile unwavering. “Maybe a little.”

As the warm light of the hearth flickered across the room, Grey took it all in—the laughter, the clinking of bowls being passed around, the comforting aroma of roasted meat and herbs. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of unfamiliarity at the scene. Tear sat near Serene’s parents, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she chatted away.

“So, you make all the tools for the hunters? Like, even the bows?” Tear’s voice was animated, her turquoise eyes wide with curiosity as she leaned forward.

Serene’s father grinned, leaning back in his chair with a mug of tea in hand. “That’s right, little one. Every bow, every knife, even some of the needles the tailors use.”

“Needles too?!” Tear gasped. “How do you even make them so small? Do you use a really tiny hammer?”

Serene’s mother chuckled softly as she handed Tear a plate of food. “We uses a special technique, dear. You should see our workshop—it’s quite something.”

Tear clapped her hands together, beaming. “Can I see it sometime? Please?”

“Of course!” Serene’s father replied with a hearty laugh. “But you’ll have to promise not to touch anything. Don’t want my tools ending up in a snowdrift.”

“I wouldn’t!” Tear exclaimed, puffing out her chest in mock offense. “I’d be really careful. I’d only touch a little bit!”

The table erupted in laughter, and Grey found himself smiling wider as he watched his sister. She was practically glowing, her usual cautious demeanor replaced with open excitement. It was a side of her he rarely saw—vibrant, alive, unguarded.

Grey accepted a bowl of steaming stew from Serene’s mother and settled into the corner with Serene, the two of them sitting slightly apart from the bustling family.

“Just a little?” Serene chuckled, catching his expression.

“Maybe more…” Grey admitted, his voice trailing off as his gaze returned to Tear. She was still chattering away, gesturing with her hands as Serene’s parents nodded and smiled back at her. “I’ve never seen her like this. Not even with me. And just a little while here, she won’t stop talking happily with them.”

His smile faltered, and Serene noticed immediately.

“What’s up with that look?” she whispered, her tone light but laced with genuine curiosity. “What, you think she likes my dad more just because he can throw her into the air?”

Grey didn’t answer, but the crease in his brow deepened.

“Listen,” Serene said, bumping his shoulder lightly with hers. “It’s just new to her. Trust me, Dad gets tiring pretty fast. He’s got about six more jokes before she starts rolling her eyes.”

That earned a faint chuckle from Grey.

“And me,” Serene added, grinning, “I get it. She definitely likes me more than you.” Her sarcasm was playful, her tone teasing as she leaned a little closer. “But don’t worry—she wouldn’t trade you for the world.”

Grey glanced at her, her emerald eyes soft and steady, and allowed himself to relax a little.

“Thanks,” he murmured, his voice quiet but sincere.

Serene smiled. “Don’t mention it. Now, eat your stew before Mom starts worrying you’re too skinny. She’ll start piling extra servings on your plate if she thinks you’re not eating enough.”

Grey chuckled under his breath, picking up his spoon. As he did, he glanced back at Tear, who was now animatedly describing something to Serene’s parents while miming exaggerated motions with her arms. Serene’s father nodded along with mock seriousness, while her mother covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

The four seemed deeply engrossed in their hushed conversation, leaning in close and exchanging sly glances. Even Tear, her tiny frame nearly bouncing with excitement, was joining in whatever secret they were cooking up.

Grey exchanged a glance with Serene, who raised an eyebrow, clearly as lost as he was. “What are they up to now?” she murmured, but Grey could only shrug.

It didn’t take long for them to find out. Serene’s father stood abruptly, patting his wife on the shoulder. “I’ll let him know and be back in just a moment. I’ll run over there.”

“Let who know?” Grey asked, thoroughly confused. What business could he possibly have this late at night?

Serene’s father didn’t answer, giving only a cryptic wink before slipping out into the cold.

Before Grey could press further, Serene’s mother moved with purpose, opening a door to a side room. Grey blinked in surprise at what he saw—a large bed littered with tools, weapons, and half-finished projects. Clearly, this wasn’t just their workshop but their shared bedroom as well. The hearth room must have doubled as Serene’s sleeping quarters.

Her mother returned quickly, carrying a bundle of thick fur blankets that looked heavy enough to crush a person. She handed them off to Tear, who stumbled under their weight with an exaggerated grunt of effort before dragging them toward Grey.

“Miss, what—” Grey began, only to stop as Serene’s mother gave him a knowing smile.

“Well, where do you think Carver went?” she asked lightly, as if the answer were obvious. “Someone should let Elder know you two won’t be going back tonight.”

Grey stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words.

“You two…” Serene groaned, snatching one of the blankets from Tear and pulling it around herself like a shield. Her face was flushed, whether from embarrassment or exasperation, it was hard to tell. “Just impossible.”

“What do you mean, dear daughter?” her mother replied with mock innocence. “It wasn’t even our idea. It was this one’s.” She gestured toward Tear, who stood with her hands on her hips, looking very pleased with herself.

“You don’t want me to stay?” Tear asked, her voice trembling with an exaggerated pout. The act was painfully obvious, but she delivered it with such flair that even Serene couldn’t stay mad.

Grumbling something Grey couldn’t quite catch, Serene finally relented. She opened her blanket and extended her arms with a sigh. “Come here.”

Tear wasted no time, diving into her embrace and disappearing entirely beneath the thick folds of the blanket. Only a muffled giggle escaped the cocoon they formed.

Meanwhile, Grey shifted awkwardly in his seat, still holding the remaining pelts that Tear had dumped into his lap. He looked between Serene’s mother, the crackling hearth, and the blanket-wrapped duo on the floor, unsure of what to do.

“Uh…” he started hesitantly, glancing at Serene’s mother for guidance.

She chuckled softly as she tidied the table. “Don’t just sit there looking lost, Grey. Wrap yourself up before you freeze.”

He sighed, draping one of the blankets around his shoulders as warmth seeped into his tired body. Tear poked her head out from the cocoon, her turquoise hair a chaotic mess.

“I win,” she declared, her tone half-teasing, half-triumphant, as she snuck back in her fortress of two.

“Lucky me,” Grey muttered, though the faintest smile tugged at his lips.

As the fire crackled and the room settled into a comfortable quiet, Grey leaned back slightly, letting the rare feeling of peace wash over him. For now, at least, they were warm, safe, and surrounded by the kind of laughter and warmth he hadn’t known he’d been missing.