It had been a few days since I settled in Emberfield, and I was starting to get accustomed to the village and its customs. Emberfield, a small human settlement located in the eastern realms, mainly consisted of farmers and merchants who lived under the rule of the Fey, also known as fairies. The Fey rarely interfered with their subjects and preferred to remain mysterious, only revealing themselves on special occasions such as the upcoming harvest festival, where they bestowed their magic upon the soil to ensure its fertility for years to come.

As the days passed, I encountered the first obstacle in my new life: my little sister, Iris, wouldn't speak to me. Ever since our mother told her about me, she had been avoiding me like the plague. I pondered for a while, wondering if I had somehow offended her. But it seemed nonsensical; I hadn't even had a proper conversation with her. What could be the reason for her behavior?

"Hey, Bard. Why does Iris hate me?" I inquired, finding him once again raiding our pantry. At this rate, we'll barely make it through winter.

"With an attitude like that, who wouldn't? Try adjusting it. And by the way, it's Silas, not 'bard,' you brat," he retorted, clearly in a sour mood.

Well, that's my fault. It was foolish to expect anything different from a homeless bard. My demeanor is perfectly acceptable.

Stepping outside, I made my way to my mother's bakery to seek advice. The villagers were gradually growing accustomed to me, knowing me as another of Seraphina's adopted children. Despite our true relationship, we couldn't reveal our avian heritage, so the tale of an orphan escaping from an abusive orphanage seemed more believable. Similarly, Iris had been taken in by Seraphina shortly after her own banishment, which likely cast me as an outsider in her eyes.

"Wait! That's it! That's why she dislikes me—I'm an outsider!" I exclaimed loudly in the marketplace, drawing the attention of passersby.

"That boy is just as peculiar as his mother," remarked one of the villagers.

Ignoring the gossip, I made my way to the stream where Iris often spent her time, supposedly pretending to be a pirate, according to my mother.

There, in solitude, Iris stood knee-deep in the stream, waving a wooden stick as if it were a pirate's sword.

"Hey there, what are you up to?" I inquired, but she carried on with her play, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

"That's a fine sword you've got. Mind if I take a look?" I tried to engage her in conversation.

"It's not a sword, it's a saber," she corrected me, pausing to hand over the stick, or rather, saber.

"Ah, indeed, a remarkable piece of craftsmanship," I remarked, examining it.

"Isn't it? I found it just over there!" Iris exclaimed, pointing towards an old oak tree. But just as she started to open up, she reverted to her cold demeanor.

"But that saber is mine, not yours! Give it back," she demanded, snatching it from my grasp and resuming her play downstream.

Her words hit me hard. I realized she saw me as an intruder, someone who had taken away the attention and affection she once had all to herself. She had spent much more time with our mother than I ever did, and my sudden appearance disrupted the dynamic she was used to. The old me might have dismissed her as a spoiled child, but knowing only a small fragment of her life story changed my perspective.

Like me, Iris had never known her parents or had a stable home. She had wandered from one orphanage to another, longing for a family to love and care for her. I understood her yearnings and fears all too well, for I had once been in her shoes. I knew what it was like to dream of a different life, to wish for something more, only to fear that it would never come true.

But unlike Iris, I had grown up long ago. I didn't need constant attention or care; all I craved was a sense of belonging. And as long as I had a place to call home, I would be content.

"Why do you hate me?" I asked bluntly, tired of beating around the bush.

"I-I don't hate you. I just don't like you, that's all! You stole mommy away from me!" Iris yelled back, her emotions finally surfacing.

"Iris, I wouldn't dare to steal Mommy away from you. Even if I wanted to, she wouldn't leave such a brave girl like you. Who would protect her if you weren't around?" I spoke softly, trying to reassure her.

"Really? Do you mean it?" Her expression changed, hope gleaming in her eyes.

"I really do. I could never protect her as you can. Look, I don't even have a saber!"

"You sure seem weak. But not to worry, I will protect you too!" Iris grinned, raising the stick high above her head.

For a moment, I considered boasting about the powers I once had, but I decided to let her enjoy her moment of triumph.

"But, can you grant me one wish?" I asked.

"What is it?"

"I've never had a family before, and it would mean a great deal to me if you accepted me as your big brother. What do you say?"

"Alright, on one condition!"

"And what's that?"

"I won't be your little sister; instead, you will be my little brother, and I will be the big sister!"

"But I'm older than you. How would that work?"

"Well, it doesn't really matter how it would work. Just shut up! Do you accept the deal or not?"

"Fine, I accept your deal, big sister," I agreed, unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm.

"Very well then! Follow me, big brother!" Iris grabbed my hand and began pulling me toward our home, already forgetting our agreement.

Her neck-length brown hair was damp from playing, and her hazel eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Her hand was almost as big as mine, reminding me of how small I had become. Determination surged within me. "Starting tomorrow," I vowed, I will begin training so that one day I will regain the strength I once possessed, ensuring that no harm befalls those I hold dear."

Little did I know, fate had other plans in store.