Emma strolled up the path leading to her family’s house, the familiar scent of Vivian her mother garden wafting through the air. The soft hum of cicadas filled the evening, blending with the rustle of leaves as a light breeze passed by. Roses, lilacs, and daisies swayed gently, their colors muted under the fading light of the setting sun.
Her pace slowed as she reached the door, its hinges creaking slightly as she pushed it open and stepped inside. The quiet interior of the house greeted her, its comforting stillness enveloping her like an old embrace. She moved through the dimly lit hallway, her footsteps soft against the polished wood floor, heading straight for her room.
As she entered, Emma exhaled deeply, her weariness catching up with her. She flopped onto the bed, sinking into its welcoming softness. The golden light of the sunset no longer filled the room, shadows stretching along the walls as evening was creeping in fully.
Her gaze wandered to the ceiling as her thoughts began to swirl. Does this mean... that magical egg is truly a connection to Erilania, the Goddess of Fate? She frowned slightly, her brows furrowing. I think so. If I remember correctly, I found the egg right after defeating Matana in that chamber.
Her fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of the blanket as her thoughts deepened. And most of all... it was just inches away from where I collected the Sword of Fate.
Rolling onto her side, Emma stared at the faint outline of the bedside table. The memory of Erilania’s words echoed in her mind. She said in three days, I’ll begin my journey... Her chest tightened slightly as a new thought surfaced. But won’t my family notice my absence? Or is there... another way?
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She sat up abruptly, her hand clutching the edge of the mattress as if steadying herself against her racing thoughts. “I can’t rest,” she muttered under her breath, her voice low. “Not when I’m thinking like this.”
Gathering herself, she stood and walked over to her dressing table, her fingers brushing against the smooth wood. She crouched slightly to open the small cupboard beneath it, retrieving the three mana currency bags from the pocket of her ash gown.
Her movements slowed as she carefully placed the bags inside the cupboard. “I’ll hand these back to her when all of this is done,” she murmured to herself, closing the door with a soft click.
Rising to her full height, Emma caught her reflection in the dressing mirror above. Her silver-white hair was slightly disheveled, strands falling messily around her face. She ran her fingers through the silky locks, smoothing them back into a loose ponytail. With practiced ease, she secured it again with a simple yet charming hairband, its soft glow adding a delicate touch to her appearance.
Satisfied, she turned toward the window, her steps slow and calm. She pulled the curtains aside, her gaze falling on the horizon. The sky was painted with hues of deep orange and soft lavender, the fading sunlight casting a warm yet slightly chilly glow over the world. For a moment, the sight eased her restless mind, the beauty of the evening grounding her thoughts.
Then, faint murmurs reached her ears, pulling her out of her reverie. Her head tilted slightly as she focused, and soon the familiar voice of her elder sister called out, growing clearer with each second. “Emma? Emma!”
A small smile crept onto Emma’s lips. “It seems like Ellie is back,” she said to herself, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
She stepped away from the window, her movements calm as she made her way toward the door. “I’m coming,” she called out, her voice steady yet carrying a hint of warmth.
With that, Emma left her room, her footsteps fading as she moved to meet Ellie.