I woke up in a dimly lit and unfamiliar bedroom. The room looked rustic with wooden furniture, brown blankets and off white sheets. It’s a small cramped bedroom with wooden floorings and walls. The room was full of dusty books and painting canvas that are covered with white sheets. I gently stood up to open the sealed window to let the morning breeze enter this dust filled room.

I opened the windows and there I saw the wonderful city view of Euryphaessa.

“It was not a dream after all” I thought to myself.

Birds flying in the open sky, above the magnificent floating islands layered with houses of white columns and reddish roofs, along with the fresh morning dew glistening in a rainbow hue along with the sunshine rays, gently illuminating the dawn filled morning

I was taken aback from the dreamlike view.

I glanced at the dusty covered canvas and wondered what type of art an artist from this world can create.

As I began to approach the hidden canvas, I heard a knock in the door.

“Come in”

And there entered a pale man with grey and blue hair tied in a ponytail. He has a braid on the right side of his hair and hanging on it was a deep ocean blue orb that has the same colour as his eyes.

He was wearing a simple loose white long sleeve polo and brown slacks accompanied with a black pair of shoes.

That man is Haruki, and he is my cousin.

“Yuko-san, Good morning i bought us some breakfast” Haruki said with a blank yet welcoming face.

He brought freshly baked bread paired with marmalade and hot milk. We sat together and quietly ate our breakfast.

“What happened yesterday?” I asked

Haruki looked up with a mouthful of bread.

“After we told you everything you were in a daze and fell asleep in the sofa, we brought you up here to sleep because we don’t know where you live”

“I see”

A few moments of silence went by. Haruki is really not a talkative person and I on the other hand had so much to ask, but I stayed silent and focused on my meal.

“You were curious about the painting?” Haruki asked with a straightforward tone. I think he also noticed the situation is a bit too silent.

I looked up and replied that I was.

Haruki stood up to uncover the painting. He revealed a painting of a beautiful young woman in a white dress holding a bouquet of white flowers. She has a small face and bright orange eyes with golden hair that was elegantly tied in a half updo, laced with precious ivory coloured gems and a beautiful flower ornament that was glowing in white. She wore a familiar smile that made me feel warm inside, as if I was in her embrace. Her warm and cheery expression reminded me of an angel who I only see in my dreams.

“That’s Aunt Thalia.” Haruki uttered.

“Mom..”

Growing up I knew my mom was the prettiest woman to have ever lived, but I never saw portraits of her when she was young. The childhood memories that I almost forgot came flashing back to me. I was lying down on my mom’s lap while watching my dad cook… It was a beautiful memory.

“Your dad painted it,” said Haruki. He always loved painting, but he couldn’t pursue it when he became a soldier. When he rose through ranks, he started painting again. My dad said it's because your mom inspired him…”

My dad loved painting?… I never knew. I always thought of him as a dorky kind of guy. He always made my mom laugh, I never knew he liked painting, let alone a former knight.

Haruki and I slowly opened up to each other, we both told our stories and he told me stories of my parents…. How hard working my dad was and how he’s the most powerful fighter to have ever lived. And my mom, who's the most beautiful and strongest princess in the continent. Both my parents were impressive.

Haruki also told me about the Euryphaessa Academy that’s located on one of the four giant islands. He’s a 3rd year student there and is tasked to patrol the human plane and eliminate corrupted shadows, like the one with the lady I saw yesterday. Time went by pretty fast and it’s already time for me to go home.

While on our way home, we rode Haruki’s dragon.. this time Haruki took the initiative to speak,

“Yuko-san”

“Stop calling me Yuko-san, it feels like I’m way older than you”

“Ah okay,”

“I’m sure you went through a lot of things back in the human plane and you're probably mad at us for not being able to help you when you were in need…”

“Haruki you know that’s not-“

“Yuko..” Haruki cut me off and looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“If you ever decide to come back here, we will always welcome you with open arms. After all you belong with us, so please think about it”

“I will…” I told him whilst looking at the beautiful sunset view, shining upon us..

The grounds came closer and closer, and the cars the size of ants are now in view.

I asked Haruki one last time about the shadows I saw this morning.

“Haruki, If I was a Eurypaessan, how come I never saw a shadow until now?”

Haruki looked at me and replied..

“Euryphaessans are born without the ability to see shadows, but as we grow older and get exposed to light magic, our inner eye will naturally open. Well other instances involve meditating, when we reach a state of peace and calmness, our inner eye will open.”

While I turned to leave Haruki called out to me and threw a sheathed dagger towards me. The dagger has gold linings on its sheath and handle with blue jewels embedded on it. I caught it and asked why he was giving it to me.

“Don’t worry”, Haruki told me in a rush, while his dragon began to spread her wings.

“Normal people won’t be able to see it so you can take it anywhere with you. It’s a blade made of light, you might need it if you ever encounter a rogue shadow.”

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Haruki flew away with his dragon in the distance. I placed the dagger in my pocket and headed back home.

Time passed like a blur, and before everything sank in to me I was already at home.

I sank into my bed and started reflecting.

Euryphaessa is a magic city floating in the sky. People from there don't have shadows and have the ability to control light. All that was made possible because they worship the goddess Theia, goddess of sight and the divine light. They get their light powers from the morning light and they store it in their jewellery, that’s why Haruki has a orb accessory in his hair and lots of gems with him.

As I pondered on what shocking things had happened so far, I realised I saw the hidden shadows because I reached a state of peacefulness yesterday, to think after all my life, yesterday was the most peaceful experience I had in my 18 years of living…

I recollected my thoughts and remembered that tomorrow I have classes. I quickly arranged my stuff for tomorrow and prepared the books I needed. I lay down on my wooden single bed and glanced at my bedside table, Where a jewellery passed down from my mom is located. I always kept it there, every time I look at the flower jewellery I always remember my mom and feel peace. The jewellery is a beautiful lily shaped hair ornament lined with silver and gold with ivory coloured crystals embedded on it that made it glow under my darkened room.

I held the jewellery in my arms and thought of my mother.. “She was a Princess from a beautiful nation and was exiled for me to live.”

My dad sometimes called her “your majesty”, I always thought he was joking around, I never knew it was actually true. Mom gave this jewellery to me right before mom and dad left. She gave it to me right before they died.. as if she knew something was going to happen.

As my mind began to drift away and fall asleep, I finally remembered what else was bugging my mind..”My mango cake..” I uttered in a low voice.

A lot of things happened yesterday that I completely forgot about my birthday cake.

That night I had a dream. I was sitting under a magnificent willow tree and I was surrounded with beautiful fields of flowers in different shades. I glanced at the distance and saw a beautiful shadow-less woman in a white summer dress approaching me. She was wearing a giant hat decorated with white ribbons and held a basket full of flowers of different assortment. That woman is my mom, her golden hair was gently flowing in the morning breeze along with her beautiful white dress. She sat by my side and gave me the warmest smile that could melt even the thousand year snow.. She looked at me with her bright orange eyes that were glistening like a gem under the clear blue sky.

“Mom…” I uttered whilst being in a daze.

My mom gave me the warmest smile and a kiss on the cheek.

“You’ve finally made it. I was waiting for years, you know?”

“Mom- i…”

My mom gave me a light chuckle. Her laugh that I almost forgot, a laugh so beautiful like an angel singing the most mesmerising tune.

“Just kidding… my little boy Yuko, you’ve grown up so much. I’m sorry we left you so early, we’re sorry…”

My mom hugged me so tight with tears streaming down from her rosy cheeks. She didn’t age, she still looked like she was the last time I saw her.

I hugged her back and she hug me tighter

“Mom, it wasn’t you or dad’s fault, stop blaming yourselves… you and dad fought every single day, battling shadows just to stay with me”

She let out a soft whimper

“You knew?”

“I met Haruki”

I was emotional, I was only 9 when they left. Everyday for the past 9 years I have longed to hug my mother like this… I couldn’t help but cry.

“Yuko…” she left the embrace

“Yuko I would love for this moment to last but sadly time is the essence, I’m afraid my power won’t last for long”

I understood what she meant and wiped my tears.

“You’ve grown so strong Yuko, Your dad and I are so proud of you…” she paused for a bit and took a deep breath.

“Now Yuko, this right now is not a dream, maybe you’ve already figured it out since you’ve already met your cousin”

I nodded and let my mom continue

“When we were about to die, I left all my remaining powers into my main ornament. That's why I’m able to talk right now, this is my remaining consciousness and the last of my powers. When you meet her, be sure to thank her for fulfilling my last wish.”

“Her?”

“Alright, enough chatter. Yuko if you have any questions, ask me now”

I sat there quite still, my thoughts swirling in my head. All these questions for the past 9 years are finally going to be answered, but what should I ask?

I looked at my mom’s angelic expression and made up my mind

“Who killed you and dad?”

My mom’s expression hardened

“I never thought you’d ask something like that… If I tell you, will you seek out revenge?”

I avoided her willful gaze and looked and the basket of flowers in the ground

My mom let out a sigh

“I did promise you I’ll tell you everything…”

My mom hesitated but decided to speak

“We were ambushed, your dad and I were not ready for it. We thought we had everything prepared, but your dad’s mortal enemy had other plans in mind. Your dad and i were trying to save an innocent life but we were overwhelmed by shadows and the Headless Liar showed up”

Tears swelled from my mothers eyes and her face glowed with a light tinge of red.

“Your dad fought with his life, and saved the innocent boy. But we couldn’t escape the shadows' fury…and died. We had someone with us, a little girl. She was helping us escape but with our situation, it wasn’t possible. I hope she didn’t blame herself for our loss and grew up well. When you eventually meet her one day, I want you to protect her with everything you have, she’s a strong child, I’m really happy she was there for us during our final moments.”

I continued to stare at the flower basket while holding back the urge to hug my mom and stay with her forever.

“Yuko…” she called with a serious face.

My mom stood up and walked upfront, viewing the mountains in the distance.

“The shadows are not the enemy, that’s what me and your dad set out and died to achieve. The real enemies are the thieves who steal the souls of the living. Shadows are just the remnants of souls who are looking for a place to live. I trust that you know what this means, Yuko.”

I nodded and sat in silence trying to take in everything my dear mother had said.

My mom looked at me and gave me a sad but willful smile.

“Your dad and I wanted to give you a normal life. Away from the prophecies, away from the judgeful eyes and the hateful people who oppose us.”

“Then why didn't you just leave me in the human plane and stay at Euryphaessa where you both are safe?”

I finally said the words I’ve been meaning to say.

“You and dad would have survived and lived to see me, Haruki told me that no Euryphaessan can stay in the human plane for too long because they will constantly be under attack by shadows and evil… you could’ve survived… I would’ve understood if you just left me here and told me the reason, I would be happy to know that my parents are safe and not constantly suffering to stay alive!”

I did it, I raised my voice in front of my mom. I cried, the things I would trade just to have my parents back… I just want them to stay alive. My parents are far too important than me, they have helped so many people but abandoned them all just for me.

My mom hugged me, I could feel her warmth on me.

She pushed me whilst still holding my shoulders and made me look at her face to face

“Yuko, Me and your dad, know more than anyone how it feels like to have no parent present in their life. They’re alive but they’re not truly there, that is the last thing we want you to live with. That's the life me and your dad grew up in, we never wanted you to experience that. I had everything I could’ve ever wanted, but my parents are too busy to enjoy them with me. Your dad had nothing, he was abandoned by his parents. You met your grandpa Chron right? Don’t think differently of him, that was the past, he’s a changed man, I just wish that my father had thought of following his lead.”

She let go of me and picked up her basket.

“We love you Yuko, a parent's love is never explainable, We just want you to have the best life we can give, It was cut short but I wish that you enjoyed it...”

She reached out her hand and left me a beautiful white lily. She turned around and began to walk away into the distance

“Mom! Don’t go…”

“Whatever choice you decide on… Your dad and I will always support you. We love you, Yuko. And I hope you forgive us for leaving you too early…”

I held out my hand trying to reach my mom…

“Mom!-“

I stood up, awake… gasping for air with tears streaking down from my face.

“It was a dream… My mom visited me in my dreams, using the last bit of her powers. Mom and Dad sacrificed their life just to give me a normal life, and it’s up to me to decide what to do with it.” I looked down and saw the beautiful lily shaped ornament that looked exactly like the flower my mom left me in my dream and caressed it. I went back to sleep after that.