Kite slumbered peacefully until something, or rather someone, jolted him awake.
He opened his eyes, feeling a pair of arms around him. The sound of giggles told him exactly who it was. Not that he needed to hear them. He knew it was the number one hugger in this household, Liliana.
"Liliana," he said, sighing. He snorted mentally. His voice came out like a frustrated older brother rather than a same-aged friend.
Kite's mock frustration was met with an even louder giggle from Liliana, who tightened her hug for a moment before letting go.
"Ahh! Can't breathe," Kite said, exaggerating a bit like he used to back when Lilica used to hug him as kids. Granted, sometimes he really couldn't. She was that strong. Liliana was the same.
"Good morning, sleepyhead!" she chirped as she let go of him. "You slept in today!"
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Kite sat up and stretched, a series of pops echoing from his back. He felt like an old man. This body of his was that of ten-year-old. He shouldn't have felt this exhausted.
"I guess the festival prep took more out of me than I thought," he admitted, a yawn punctuating his words.
Liliana twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, her eyes shining with mirth. "Well, you better get up. We have a lot to do today!"
Curiosity piqued, Kite tilted his head. "Oh? And what's on the agenda?"
"You'll see," Liliana said with a mysterious smile. "But first, breakfast. I helped Grandpa make something special."
The promise of a 'special' breakfast was enough to get Kite moving. He followed Liliana to the kitchen, where the smells of fresh bread and something sweet filled the air.
The kitchen was bustling with activity. Elder Mirrin was at the stove, flipping what looked like pancakes, while Darian was setting the table, his arms laden with plates and cutlery. Elara took the plates and cutlery from his, setting up the table.
"Good morning, Kite," Elder Mirrin greeted without turning around. "I hope you're hungry."
"I am, thank you," Kite replied, taking a seat at the table. The plate Elara placed in front of him was piled high with fluffy pancakes, drizzled with a dark syrup that smelled of spices and warmth.
As they ate, the family discussed their plans. There were chores to be done, errands to run, and, as Liliana hinted, a surprise for Kite. Elder Mirrin had made them ice cream from ice he bought first thing in the morning. According to the elder, it came from the nearby mountain just beyond the Forest of Whispers.
After breakfast, Liliana grabbed Kite's hand and pulled him outside. "Come on, we're going to the meadow. Elian and Ludo are waiting for us."
The meadow was a short walk from the house, the path familiar and welcoming. Elian and Ludo were indeed waiting, each with a wooden sword in hand.
"We thought we'd do some more sparring today," Elian explained, tossing a sword to Kite. "And maybe try out some magic while we're at it."
Kite caught the sword, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like a plan."
"Wait, I heard you had fire," Ludo said, frowning. "It might be best not to use that in the middle of the forest."
He rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously. Ludo had a point there. Using flames in a wooden area usually wasn't a good idea.
The morning passed with the sound of wooden swords clashing and laughter ringing through the air. Kite felt his skills improving, his movements becoming more fluid with each bout.
As the sun climbed higher, they took a break, sitting in the shade of a large oak tree. Kite leaned back against the trunk, feeling content and tired in the best way.
Liliana handed him a waterskin, her smile as bright as the day. "You're getting better," she said. "Soon you'll be able to beat Elian."
Elian scoffed playfully. "We'll see about that."
Kite took a long drink, the cool water refreshing. "Thanks, Liliana. And thanks, guys, for the training. I feel like I'm really starting to fit in here."
"You don't just fit in, Kite," Elian said, wrapping an arm around his neck. "You belong."
Kite blushed. Tears of joy poked out of his eye. He smiled as he looked at the forest. This was where he had appeared. There were still so many questions as to why he had appeared here, but he didn't need answers right away.
The warmth of the sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the group as they rested. Kite's gaze lingered on the forest, the place of his mysterious arrival in Eldoria. It was a puzzle, one that he was content to leave unsolved for the moment. The joy of belonging, of being accepted and valued, overshadowed any lingering questions.
Liliana nudged him gently. "Hey, no need to get all teary-eyed on us," she teased, her voice soft with affection.
Kite chuckled and wiped his eyes. "I'm not crying, just got something in my eye, that's all."
Elian stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "Well, if you're done getting emotional, how about we go do some exploring?"
Ludo hummed. "What do you got in mind?"
He smiled. "Glad you asked!" He pointed in the direction of the mountain. "How about we go mountain hiking"
Liliana's cousin sighed. "I don't know. It's dangerous of us kids to climb mountains."
Elian moved his hands up and down."Come on, not like we're climbing it! There are trails and stuff."
"It looks like a long walk," Kite spoke up, staring at the mountain in the distance. He could barely see it past the white fog.
The blond boy grinned. "That's part of the fun!"
Elian's enthusiasm was infectious, and despite Ludo's reservations, the idea of exploring the mountain trails was exciting.
"The trails are well-marked," Elian assured them. "We won't go too far up, just enough to get a good view of the valley."
Liliana clapped her hands together. "That sounds like an adventure! And we can take some of the ice cream Grandpa made to keep us cool."
Kite nodded, the prospect of seeing more of Eldoria from a higher vantage point appealing to him. "Alright, let's pack some snacks and water. We'll make it a small expedition."
They returned to Liliana's house to prepare, filling their packs with provisions and, of course, a container of Elder Mirrin's homemade ice cream. With everything ready, they set off toward the mountain, the trail beckoning them forward.
The path wound through the forest, the trees a canopy above them. Birds sang, and the air was fresh with the scent of pine and earth. As they climbed, the forest thinned, giving way to open spaces where wildflowers bloomed in a riot of colors.
They reached a clearing that offered a breathtaking view of the Forest of Whispers.
"Wow," Kite breathed out, his eyes wide with wonder. "It's beautiful."
Liliana leaned against him, sharing the moment. "Eldoria is even more beautiful from up here."
They sat down to rest, enjoying the ice cream, which was still surprisingly cold. The sweet treat was a perfect complement to the warm sun and the cool mountain breeze.
"Should we keep going?" Elian asked, grinning. "I mean, here one can just see the canopy of the forest. If we go higher, we will be able to see the village and the rest of the valley."
Ludo sighed and pointed up at the sun. It was almost ready to start setting. "It's getting late. We need to get back home before sundown."
The blond boy sighed. "Fine, you win. Party pooper."
Ludo just rolled his eyes at his friend.
Kite looked up at the still distant mountain peak. He knew Ludo had a point, but part of him wanted to see things from higher up.
As the group began to gather their things, Kite's attention was drawn to the sound of far-off stomping. His instincts, honed by his experiences, kicked in. The source was heading straight at them! "Guys, be careful," he warned, standing up. "Something's coming."
No sooner had he spoken than a large ram burst down the mountain, its horns lowered aggressively. It charged straight toward them, its hooves thundering against the ground.
Liliana gasped, stepping back in alarm. "Elian!"
Without hesitation, Elian stepped forward, his expression one of fierce concentration. He thrust his hands out, and a shimmering barrier sprang up between them and the charging animal. The ram collided with the barrier with a thud, its momentum halted as if it had hit an invisible wall.
The creature shook its head, dazed, before backing away, deciding that the barrier—and by extension, the group—was not worth the trouble. With one last snort, it turned and bounded back up the mountain.
Elian let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and the barrier dissipated. "Is everyone okay?" he asked, looking around at his friends.
Ludo nodded. "Yeah, thanks to you."
Kite nodded, impressed by Elian's quick reflexes. "That was amazing, Elian. You really are a strong defender."
Liliana hugged Elian, relief evident in her embrace. "You saved us!"
Elian blushed. "I-it was nothing."
"Someone is modest for once," Ludo said, snickering. "Well, let's get going! Or we'll be yelled at."
"Let's rest a little longer," Kite said, taking a deep breath.
The group took a moment to calm their racing hearts, the excitement of the encounter slowly ebbing away. Kite looked at his friends and smiled. While they were just kids, they were perfectly capable of caring for each other and themselves.
"Let's head back," Kite suggested, his voice steady. "We've had enough excitement for one day."
They made their way down the mountain trail, the setting sun casting a golden light through the trees. The adventure had been unexpected, but it had brought them closer together, each member proving their worth and their bravery.
As they reached the village, the first stars began to appear in the evening sky. They said their goodbyes, each heading to their respective homes, the day's events etched into their young memories.