The morning sun spilled through the wooden cracks of their small house, warm and golden. The smell of fresh rice and eggs filled the air, mingling with the scent of earth and dew.
Cassian sat at the table quietly, hands clasped as his mother placed a small wooden lunchbox in front of him. His little sister, Elwill, clung to his arm with teary eyes, her black hair a mess from sleep.
"You really have to go, big brother…?" she sniffled, burying her face into his side.
He hesitated. Harry's heart didn't want to comfort her, but Cassian's body moved on its own, his hand gently patting her head.
"I'll be back soon," he said, forcing a smile. "I'll bring you something sweet, alright?"
Elwill nodded with puffy eyes, still sniffling.
His mother sat beside him, eyes red. She reached out, fixing his slightly messy collar. "You've grown so much, Cassian… You're going into the world now. But remember—being kind isn't weakness. And being taken advantage of isn't your fault."
His father, a sturdy man with sun-worn skin, handed over a small pouch of copper coins. "It's not much, but it'll help with food and travel."
Cassian reached for it… but his hand froze mid-air.
That familiar sting buzzed in his chest.
His smile stiffened.
"…I-I can't," he muttered, then tried again—only for the sting to return stronger.
'This body… it's rejecting help from them?' Harry realized. 'They're already poor. Dammit, of course.'
"I'll be fine," Cassian said softly, pulling back his hand. "Keep it. You need it more than I do."
His mother looked like she wanted to protest, but nodded, gently pushing the lunchbox into his hands instead.
"It's just a little something. Soft bread… and rice with egg, your favorite."
He stood near the door, adjusting the simple satchel over his shoulder. He wore nothing fancy—just a plain white shirt and brown pants, like any other village boy. But to his family, he looked like he was going off to war.
"I'll make you proud," he said, almost biting back the words. "And I'll bring gifts next time. Something nice."
He didn't want to say it. But he had no choice.
Elwill ran to him one last time, hugging his waist tightly. "You better not get hurt!"
He smiled, tousling her hair. "I won't. I have the power to heal, remember?"
The farewell was quiet but heavy. His mother waved with trembling hands. His father nodded, trying to stay composed.
And with that, Cassian turned toward the world beyond Elowen—toward the city where the Healer's Guild awaited. The dirt path ahead was long and winding, cutting through forests and rolling hills.
He took a bite of the bread his mother packed as he walked, the warmth still clinging to it.
He didn't want this life. But it was his now.
And whether he liked it or not… his journey had begun.
-To be continued...