Father told her about the first island before she could remember it. Elina grew up with the stories—she was always told that he had high hopes that her and Leo would be the ones to see it to fruition. After centuries, they would be the ones to bring the girl back to life and advise her when the time came.
Alas, they weren’t omyn—they didn’t even have strong enough omynic blood to stand a chance. They could still advise, of course, and help in the same way their parents had, but they couldn’t personally awaken the girl. Elina found this disappointing before finally deciding that it was fine as long as they still had some kind of recognition.
The Dazuz family more or less led the creation effort—it was her father who organized meetings, searches, met or investigated anyone who may be able to help them. On her mother’s side, they used to own the place that held the fated gravestone. It was only natural Elina and Leo would follow their example and do whatever they could to help as well.
Elina could remember the day Rene came rather vividly. Father said a few days earlier that he was going to travel; he refused to take them with him, and only mentioned his destination in passing to Mother. Leo, perhaps rightfully, worried about this—Elina did what she could to help him, and she still believed she did well.
Leo sought her company one morning and she more than happily agreed to talk with him, entertaining conversation whenever possible. It mostly involved her—whatever gossip a fifteen-year-old could find and use, which was considerably a lot—but Leo never made a comment against it. He barely ever spoke a word normally.
They sat outside the house, Mother having told them that Father should be back soon. Elina knew Father had returned when Leo perked up and then moved closer to Elina in an attempt to hide. Following his gaze, she saw Father and a girl two years her senior.
She cast Leo an apologetic look—he couldn’t hide behind her forever—and stood to greet her father. He didn’t stop to talk with either of his children, moving right past them. The girl glanced at Elina and Leo as she trailed behind him, one hand on her arm and looking completely out of place; what she wore didn’t fit her, torn in some places, and her hair was tangled.
Elina disliked her at that very second. Why did Father bring someone who seemed aware she looked horrible, but didn’t fix it?
Her question was answered a few minutes later when Mother stepped out just to call them inside. Elina and Leo obeyed—or rather, Elina obeyed and Leo followed after her without speaking—and went to the office where most important conversations were held. Father sat behind his desk, with Mother standing to his right.
“You two saw the girl when I returned,” Father said, getting right to the point. “Her name is Rene Horize, and she will be living with us until further notice.”
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“As a servant?” She honestly couldn’t think of any reason someone to unkempt would be brought here. Thus, his answer disappointed her somewhat.
“As a sister,” Father replied, shaking his head. Elina found it appalling—she still did, to some extent. He noticed and went on to explain. “She has some first island blood—if nothing else, she can add to the general populace of the nation. I don’t need you to get along with her—you just need to be nice enough that she’s willing to stay. Do you understand?”
Elina begrudgingly murmured some agreement, whereas Leo hesitated just so his response was covered up by hers. Father nodded and waved them off.
“Away you go, then. You’re free to interrogate her all you wish after she’s settled in.”
…
She couldn’t believe she had to go back without finding a second omyn. Father reached the end of his patience, it seemed—yet she couldn’t stand going somewhere else just to make no progress. San Asari may not be the most productive place to search for omyn, but she had more of a chance at finding someone with the right qualifications here than she did somewhere else.
Elina lingered by the train station, half-waiting for her train to arrive and half-wondering if she could buy tickets to some other stop instead so she didn’t have to do paperwork. Among this consideration, someone lightly tapped her shoulder.
She turned around, fully prepared to give them a small lecture, before seeing Leo. He initially shrunk back at her wrath, but readjusted his position and seemed slightly relieved when any anger she had fell.
“Did you come to see me off?” Elina asked kindly. Leo shouldn’t have any other reason to come out here.
Despite that, he shook his head.
“No, I…” He trailed off, frowned for a second, and tried again. “We still need another omyn, right?”
“Yes; we can’t get the girl’s memories back otherwise.” Elina wanted to prove Father and Rene wrong—that it would happen in their lifetime. She would settle for nothing less.
Leo fell silent for a few seconds, then took a steadying breath and carried on with a newfound confidence.
“Mother mentioned that one of our agemates’ children had the right qualifications,” Leo explained. “Father chose not to tell you so actually went back today instead of waiting.”
Interesting; Father was actively against her, then. “Do you know where they are?”
Leo nodded. “They’re outside of San Asari, but—”
Elina smiled—something that might have concerned Leo, given his expression—and took his hand.
“Show me the way, little brother,” she said. “This could be our chance to finally receive what we were promised.”
If it was nothing, then she can just return to her lands without any protests; if there was something, she would have to go back anyway to get to the gravestone. She refused to let an opportunity like that pass by.