Small magical butterflies flew all around Airdan. His soft white hair curled around his long-pointed ears. The wool shirt and leather trousers she had made for him would need to be replaced soon. If his father wasn't letting him get into mischief, Airdan was surprising her with how fast he grew.

Lyra picked flowers that morning so she could use them for a new spell. The petal butterflies swarmed her son, scattering out of the way when he reached out for them, giggling with joy. These were the moments she lived for.

Airdan flapped his arms as he tried to fly himself. "Mommy!"

She lifted her arm up, bringing a spiral of wind beneath Airdan that lifted him off the ground. His laughter was contagious. Lyra let the warmth she felt bubble up into her smile.

"Let me go higher. I want to chase the butterflies."

Lyra reached out for Airdan, the butterflies swirling around him as he made his way into her arms. "That's enough for today. Go fetch your father from the house. We need to decide what's for supper tonight."

He pouted. "But mom-"

"Do I have to repeat myself?"

The youngster ran off toward the house, leaving Lyra alone with her thoughts. She watched him go, admiring her home. Ryo had been persistent the day they had agreed to settle here, that he would be the one to build their home without magic. She never understood his logic, but she respected his desire to provide for his family. Lyra knew he would never admit it, but a part of him must feel restless not being the strong alpha male that protected his family.

Ryo was still one of the best during their time training, but she would always come out on top when it came to magical ability. Maybe that's why her mother and the rest of the village turned their back on her when she told them she was leaving. They didn't understand. The increase in magical beast attacks on large settlements didn't sit well with her. Not with her own child to protect now. Ryo and Airdan were her world. Nothing else mattered.

"But father-"

"I already told you, son, it's up to your mother."

Lyra turned around, shaking her head. The edges of her mouth curled up. Ryo held Airdan in his arms, her son up to no good again. "What would I do without you two keeping me on my toes?"

"But mother, wouldn't it hurt to stand on your toes?"

Ryo ruffled his son’s hair and waited for Lyra to speak. It's not that she didn't value his opinion, but it was a fact her word had more weight to it. He respected her power and the responsibility that came with it.

Hand resting on her hip, eyebrow raised with her knowing smile, Lyra leaned in toward Airdan. "What kind of mischief have you thought up this time?"

Airdan grinned and said, "I want to help catch a rabbit for supper."

Lyra met Ryo's gaze, flames lighting up behind her eyes. Ryo shook his head, dissuading any involvement in their child’s proposition. Softening her expression, Lyra shook her head. "We went over this before, Airdan. You’re not old enough yet."

"But mother-"

Flames licking from her fingertips, Lyra spoke in a whisper. "If I hear another but from you, mister. Your butt will be the one on fire. I'm responsible for your safety. Do not argue this with me."

Airdan buried his face in Ryo's chest and cried. His father did his best to soothe his son. "It's going to be alright. Your mother only wants to keep you safe. Why don't you help me get everything ready for when she gets back?"

A familiar presence stepped into Lyra's awareness and, by the scowl on her husband’s face, so did he. She slapped Ryo on the shoulder and said, "Cheer up. When is the last time your brother came to visit?"

He opened his mouth but bit his lip and shook his head. Lyra raised an eyebrow, enticing him to finish his thought. He didn't. She laughed, waving him off so she could greet Nasir.

Taller than his brother, Nasir wore an elaborate green with gold finish armor, metal vambrace, and shoulder pad. He always favored close combat enhanced with magic during their years of training together. The time spent as a ranger seemed to have been kind to him. His aura oozed with confidence and an iron will.

"I can still beat you in a fight. You know that, right?"

Nasir laughed. "I doubt that, Lyra. You have spent too long away from the action hidden away from the world. I've faced monsters that would be your nightmare's worst nightmare. Why don't you join me as a ranger and show everyone why you were the best? Let my brother take care of Airdan."

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Lyra stared at Nasir until his eye twitched. She knew all his tells when he was uneasy or frustrated. She winked and stretched her arms. "I need to hunt for supper. Care to join me and see for yourself if I have lost my edge?"

A mischievous grin rose along with his sword. Hand outstretched, Nasir waited for Lyra to lead the way. She guided him away from the beast’s den that she had slain the night before, hoping to find a deer.

Every creature has a magical aura, but it's difficult to detect, especially in the wild. Lyra closed her eyes, thanking the light god for its sacrifice, granting her people access to their magical potential. Focused, she reached out with her senses and located a potential target. Nasir here let his eyes wander away from her, but she didn't pay it any mind.

Three deer grazing came into view, halting their progress. Holding her hand up, she shook her head when he lifted his blade. Lyra pulled out a hunting blade and imbued it with flames after enhancing her speed and reflexes. Reversing her grip, she raced toward her target.

Five meters away, they looked up even though she made no sound. Dashing away, Lyra increased her speed, closing in on the weakest. In a last burst of speed, Lyra stepped in front, spinning her body. Her blade sliced across its throat as it passed her, collapsing after a few strides.

“Impressive. For a housewife, that is." Nasir’s jab didn't bother her. He was never one to compliment someone without adding a bit of his attitude.

"If you thought that was impressive, you should have seen me kill that magical beast during last night’s blood moon." The shocked look on his face made her giggle with amusement. "Being a mother is precisely why I’m able to fight the way I do. My father always taught us to fight with purpose. He expected that to be the protection of our village, but after what happened." Lyra shook her head. Blade sheathed, she lifted the dear over her head and let it rest on her shoulders. "Ryo and Airdan are my life and purpose now."

They returned in silence. Ryo took the deer from Lyra, which freed her arms for Airdan, who wasted no time filling the void. After Ryo finished preparing the meal, the three adults let Airdan talk with his mouth full, excited at having his uncle's visit on full display.

"Airdan, honey. Can you go inside so Ryo and I can talk with your uncle?" Anticipating his reaction, Lyra raised her eyebrow, daring the boy who questioned her. Airdan's bottom lip trembled, but it vanished in an instant.

"Son."

When they were alone, Ryo poured a glass of berry wine for each of them.

Nasir took a sip, and said, " I met up with Adjor, the new instructor who took over after your father died."

Fist clenched, Ryo said, " We aren’t talking about that night."

His brother shrugged, and said, "It wasn't all bad. We spent five decades training together to join the patrol unit for our village."

Lyra chuckled to herself. Some things never change. "I hardly spoke to either of you before enlisting."

Both brothers shivered. Ryo said, "Your father terrified me."

"Your father scared everyone, especially when it came to his precious daughter," Nasir said with a grimace.

She looked at both men and shook her head. "My father may have been strict, but he was fair, and we were all better for it."

Glass in hand, Nasir stood up and said, "I still remember that speech he gave on our first day." He knocked back the rest of his glass and began.

"Listen well, you young foolish cubs. Our god may have sacrificed themselves to gift us with magic to end the third Dark War, but that does not mean all our enemies have disappeared." He drew out his sword and raised it high. "Magical foul beasts now pray upon the land, and it is our job to stop them from harming our loved ones." Nasir pointed the tip of his sword at Ryo and Lyra as he said, "Some of you will not survive these next fifty years, but those that do will be stronger for it." He returned his weapon and offered Ryo his empty cup, who refilled it and set the bottle back down.

Nasir struck a pose, trying to imitate her father, and said, " We are the first and last line of defense for our village. If you don't want to be another face in the mud, follow my orders and surpass your limits. There is no room for the weak under my command." He sat down and crossed his arms, a smug look of satisfaction on his face.

"My father did that speech for every new batch of recruits." He always knew how to rile them up and inspire confidence in those who had the courage to stand up against the darkness. His enthusiasm was contagious. A pang of guilt pulsed in her heart, but Lyra didn't let it show.

She met her husband's eyes, soaking in his admiration. Ryo said, "You were his star pupil. What you lacked in brute force, you made up in wit and pure magical power that outclassed everyone."

Nasir chucked to himself, and said," It’s almost like you were blessed by a god, but that's not possible. The gods are all dead if you believe they existed."

Are they dead? The magic that flowed from the god now flowed through them. Instead of dying, what if they merely transformed? No longer what it was, but something new. Lyra placed her hand over the necklace hidden under her shirt. It hummed with power. She let her hand fall to her lap and said, "You're just jealous that I have always been better than you."

Nasir laughed, contempt dripping from his lips. "You’re still just a housewife while I'm a Ranger now. I kill the magical beasts that terrorize our people instead of running away into the forest and abandoning our people."

Ryo rushed toward his brother, punching him in the jaw and sending him sprawling on his back. The door to the house creaked open. Airdan leaned out, eyes wide with confusion.

"Father?"

Still shocked at his outburst, Lyra watched her husband's glare shift to their son. Ryo said, "Go back to your room, son." Fists clenched; his ire returned to Nasir. "You’re leaving."

Fed up with her husband's behavior, Lyra stood up and placed a firm grip on Ryo's shoulder. She moved closer and blew into his ear. Cheeks flushed red, Ryo stood back and let his muscles relax. Satisfied, Lyra offered Nasir a hand and helped him rise.

Searching for the right words, Lyra said, "If I didn't have my family to protect, I might have. It's getting late and you should get going. It would be poor taste to offer you my home after that display."

Lyra conjured a dozen tiny ice blades, stared at Ryo, and said, "As for you, dear, you're going to so apologize to my son before I kick you out of the home with your brother and send these blades after you."

Nasir dusted himself off, nodded to both, and left. Ryo gulped, eyes on those blades, and made his escape back into the house, leaving Lyra alone with the stars.

"Would I join the Rangers?"