Introduction

❄️ The night devours the Himalayan mountains…

Snow falls in silence, and the wind cuts through the air like a muffled scream.

Inside a small hut at the foot of the mountain…

A young child, Johan, sits while holding tightly onto his trembling mother.

A violent knocking echoes against the door.

The mother whispers in fear:

“Johan… don’t move.”

The child grips the fabric of her dress, his legs shaking.

💥 The door bursts open.

Mysterious men dressed in black enter, their faces hidden by the darkness.

One of them speaks in a cold voice:

“The Sage’s orders… the mission must be carried out.”

The mother cries and screams:

“He’s just a child!!”

Everything falls silent.

The men leave the hut.

The screams fade.

Snow covers everything.

And Johan remains alone… in absolute darkness…

surrounded by the bodies of his family.

The last thing he remembers is:

the face of the Sage standing at the doorway of the hut…

before disappearing into the snowstorm.

Final shot of the past:

👤 Johan’s sharp eyes appear—filled with pain, madness, and one question:

Why… Sage?

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Chapter one

On a cold morning in the Himalayas, the fog danced above the dirt road as a wooden carriage sped forward at an unnatural speed.

Jakan held the reins, laughing loudly:

Jakan:

> “Come oooon! Hold on tight! I feel like we’re going to fly today!”

Tuwami, his face pale with fear, shouted from the back:

Tuwami:

> “Jakaaaan! Damn it! Stop! There’s a tree in front of us! Stop or—”

But Jakan only yelled with even more excitement:

Jakan:

> “Get reeeady for impaaact!”

BOOOOM!

The carriage jumped into the air for a moment before crashing into the tree trunk, sending both of them rolling onto the ground.

They stayed silent for a second… then burst into laughter.

Tuwami:

> “I swear you’re going to kill me one day!”

Jakan (laughing with tears in his eyes):

> “But admit it… that was a fun ride!”

Suddenly, the fog parted and revealed Uncle Malik, the owner of the carriage, running toward them, nearly choking from anger.

Uncle Malik:

> “You little—!! Was I out of my mind when I gave you my carriage?! Whoever breaks something… fixes it! Understood?!”

The old man walked away muttering curses while the two boys sat on the ground laughing.

Suddenly, Tuwami jumped to his feet:

Tuwami:

> “Oh no! I’m late! I have to go now! See you later!”

He ran off, while Jakan stared after him with a teasing smirk.

Jakan:

> “As usual… he runs away whenever I need help. It’s fine… I don’t need him!”

---

The morning sun reflected off the pink flower petals in the quiet garden, their fragrance spreading like warm memories of the past.

Luka walked beside Lia, watching her steps with a soft smile as she ran between the flowers like a little butterfly.

Suddenly, Lia stumbled over a stone hidden in the grass.

Lia:

> “Ah!”

Luka rushed to her, kneeling by her side and taking her hand with deep concern:

Luka (worried):

> “Lia! Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

Lia pulled her hand back and lightly hit the ground, complaining in a cute tone:

Lia:

> “Luka… I’m not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself!”

Luka smiled and placed his hand on her head, gently brushing her hair:

Luka (laughing softly):

> “I know… but I’m your big brother. And to me… you’ll always be my little girl.”

Lia lifted her head, her bright eyes reflecting his warmth and love, and suddenly hugged him.

Lia:

> “And you… you’ll always be my father. The one who protects me… and worries about me.”

Luka wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes for a moment as if hiding his fear of losing her too… just as they had lost their parents.

Luka (warm but firm):

> “I promise you, Lia… I will never leave you. Never.”

She smiled, and they continued walking through the garden as flower petals danced around them, celebrating their sacred bond.

---

The shop was almost empty, sunlight slipping through the window onto piles of scattered shoes.

Emily stood behind the counter, arms crossed, boredom clearly written on her face.

A large man entered, holding a woman’s shoe with a broken heel.

Man:

> “I want to fix this heel.”

She looked at him without enthusiasm and sighed:

Emily:

> “Alright… leave it here and come back tomorrow.”

Man:

> “Tomorrow? No… fix it now.”

She raised an eyebrow and tapped the counter:

Emily (irritated):

> “I told you… I have work. Leave the shoe and come tomorrow.”

Man:

> “Where’s the manager? I want to speak to him.”

Suddenly she exploded like a bomb:

Emily (shouting):

> “Go to hell, you and your stuupid shoe!”

The man backed away in terror and hurried out.

At that exact moment, Luka walked in…

He sensed the tension, but she snapped at him without even looking:

Emily (agitated):

> “The shop is closed! Got it?!”

Luka stared at her, shocked:

Luka:

> “What? I just want to buy shoes for my sister!”

Emily:

> “I said closed! Is that hard to understand?!”

Luka (matching her anger):

> “If it’s closed, why did you leave the door open?!”

He stepped closer… she stepped closer…

And suddenly they tripped over each other and fell to the ground in a chaotic mess.

Emily froze… then her tension shot to the sky:

Emily (nervous):

> “G–Get out! Get out now!”

Luka stood up, brushing off his clothes:

Luka:

> “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean—”

Emily (panicking):

> “It’s fine! Just… please go!”

Luka left, confused.

She stayed alone for a few seconds… then slapped her forehead.

Emily (blaming herself):

> “Ugh… why am I like this every time?!”

---

After a long effort, Jakan stood proudly beside the carriage he had repaired himself.

He walked toward Uncle Malik, who stood by his house leaning on his wooden cane, looking more doubtful than impressed.

Jakan (cheerful):

> “Look, Uncle Malik! I fixed your junk— I mean, your beautiful carriage!”

Uncle Malik narrowed his eyes slowly… a stare that could burn through Jakan.

Uncle Malik:

> “I… don’t know why I tolerate your existence.”

Jakan raised his hand and examined his own face dramatically:

Jakan (playfully arrogant):

> “Maybe… because I’m incredibly handsome? Girls run after me, you know… unlike you.”

Uncle Malik’s face turned red with fury:

Uncle Malik (shouting):

> “Get out of my sight before I use you as spare parts for the carriage!”

Jakan laughed loudly and ran off:

Jakan:

> “I made him angry again! Why isn’t this a real job? It would be so fun and easy!”

While running… he suddenly bumped into someone.

Both fell to the ground. Jakan looked up…

and saw a calm girl with a beautiful face and cold, confident eyes: Julika, Uncle Malik’s daughter.

He froze… and whispered:

Jakan (stuttering, stunned):

> “I–Is that beauty even real?”

Trying to recover his composure, he said:

Jakan:

> “Hi… I’m Jakan.”

Julika looked at him coldly, stepping past him as if he were just a rock on the road.

Julika:

> “I don’t care if your name is Jakan… or Coward.”

His mouth fell open in shock.

She walked away calmly toward her father.

Jakan whispered to himself, a mix of awe and heartbreak:

Jakan:

> “I… I actually fell for her…”

He took a step back nervously… and tripped, falling again.

Julika let out a soft, brief laugh… then continued walking.

On the other side, she whispered quietly to herself:

Julika:

> “He’s… handsome.”

---

Night fell, and the sky was covered in stars.

Each of them sat in a different place… yet the same sky connected them.

Suddenly, a long meteor streaked across the sky like a glowing thread.

All of them lifted their eyes at the exact same moment, each hiding a wish the others didn’t know.

---

✦ Luka

Sitting by his window, hugging his arms tightly.

His eyes shone with the meteor’s light as he whispered:

“I wish… I could protect Lia no matter what.

I don’t want to lose the last person I have left in this life.”

---

✦ Lia

Standing behind the half-open door, watching her brother without him noticing.

She placed a hand over her heart and whispered with determination:

“I know Luka does everything for me…

but I don’t like relying on him all the time.

Meteor… can you give me strength?

I want to make up for losing Mom… and I want him to rely on me too.”

---

✦ Tuwami

In the stable, tying the last knot on the horses’ ropes…

He paused, exhaled deeply, and petted his only horse.

“I’m tired of being alone…

I wish a family would appear for me.

I… can’t handle this anymore.”

He untied the rope from the horse’s neck and lowered his head:

“Go, my friend… be free.

Maybe you’ll find a family who loves you…

At least one of us will be happy.”

---

✦ Jakan

Sitting on a worn wooden fence, swinging his legs, staring at the sky with boredom…

Then he smiled foolishly:

“I wish… I could get that girl’s attention!

I don’t even know her name, man!”

After a few seconds, his smile slowly faded into something sadder:

“Am I… lying to myself?

Does anyone actually like me?

Maybe my silly jokes push people away…

But… that’s who I am.”

---

✦ At that exact moment

The four of them lifted their heads to the sky…

and their voices echoed together, as if their souls were speaking in unison:

“I wish… for what I truly desire.”

---

After the meteor fell, it became clear that it was not a meteor at all…

but a strange object that came from a distant place no one knew.

And because of Luka’s natural curiosity, he wanted to go and investigate.

But he hesitated…

He didn’t want to leave Lia alone. She was all he had left—his only family.

He would never allow himself to lose her.

But in the end… curiosity won.

He approached Lia and said seriously:

“I’m closing the door. Don’t go out… and don’t open it for anyone. Understood?”

Lia looked at him with a small smile, just trying to reassure him:

“Okay…”

He left her and went.

When he reached the place where the object had fallen…

he only saw the aftermath. A burnt crater…

but the object itself had vanished.

And beside the crater, he saw a small house that looked like it hadn’t been there before.

Suddenly…

He heard a voice calling his name.

“Luka…”

He froze for a moment.

Then walked toward the house and entered, saying:

“Is anyone here?”

The voice became clearer…

He walked deeper inside until he saw a man sitting in the dark.

Luka asked:

“Who are you?”

The man replied in an eerily calm voice:

“The one you thought was calling you.”

Luka narrowed his eyes:

“Were you the one calling me?”

The man smiled:

“I didn’t say yes… and I didn’t say no.”

Luka grew irritated:

“Are you giving me riddles?”

The man replied:

“Yes… so give me the answer.”

Luka let out a frustrated sigh:

“What do you want? Are you mocking me? I don't have time for this.”

He turned to leave…

But the man said quietly:

“Lia… isn’t that your sister’s name?”

Luka stopped instantly.

He slowly turned back, shocked:

“H–How do you know that? Are you the Sage everyone in the village talks about?”

The man said calmly:

“If that’s what you want to call me.”

Then added:

“And to prove it… your sister is not at home right now. She’s outside.”

Luka’s eyes widened.

“You must be joking.”

The man said:

“See for yourself.”

Luka ran outside…

calling out:

“Lia! Is anyone here?!”

He suddenly heard a trembling voice:

“Luka?”

He turned—

and there was Lia standing behind him.

He was shocked the Sage was telling the truth.

He yelled at her out of sheer fear:

“Didn’t I tell you to stay at home?!”

She answered quietly, eyes filling with tears:

“I was worried about you…”

He rushed to her and hugged her tightly.

“I didn’t mean to yell… I’m sorry.”

She wiped her tears:

“It’s okay… I know you worry about me.”

He held her shoulders:

“Come on, I’m taking you home.”

But she grabbed his hand and said with uncharacteristic determination:

“I’m not going back… I’m going with you.”

He looked anxious:

“No. It’s dangerous.”

She stared into his eyes deeply:

“How can a place be dangerous… if you’re in it?”

Luka fell silent…

Then she held his hand tightly.

Together…

they went back inside to the mysterious man.

Jakaan was carrying food as he headed toward Tuwami so they could eat together, as they always did.

But when he arrived, he found him sitting alone, staring at the long calm moon, sorrow clearly carved into his face.

Jakaan asked:

“Why do you look so sad?”

Tuwami, still looking at the moon, his eyes reflecting its light, answered:

“I remembered my family… and I freed my horse. I can’t bear the loneliness anymore… I feel like everything is drifting away from me.”

Jakaan sat beside him and said in an attempt to lighten the mood:

“And what about me? Did you forget our friendship? Do you really think you’re alone?”

Tuwami smiled faintly:

“You make up for the loss of a brother… you really are like one. But… where is the rest of the family? You don’t live with me. And when we go our separate ways at night… what am I supposed to do?”

Jakaan fell silent for a moment, then said quietly, as if hiding something:

“I feel lonely too… but at least your family didn’t leave you by choice. But me—”

He stopped abruptly, then quickly added:

“I don’t like talking about that.”

Tuwami looked at him carefully, feeling that Jakaan was hiding something.

His friend stared at the ground, hands at his sides, his voice carrying a sadness Tuwami wasn’t used to hearing.

He thought:

“He’s hiding something… definitely hiding something.”

Then he broke the silence:

“We forgot all about the food… it must be cold by now.”

But even as he joked, Tuwami could clearly see the sadness behind his friend’s eyes.

Luka and Lia walked back into the mysterious house, where the man stood as if he had been waiting for them all along.

Luka stepped forward cautiously:

“What is the secret behind that strange object that fell from the sky?”

The man gave a mysterious smile:

“Maybe… it wasn’t an object. Maybe it was a being.”

Luka froze:

“What do you mean?”

The Sage turned his back and walked toward an old wooden box:

“You will discover that yourself.”

Luka said in frustration:

“Why do you always speak in riddles?”

The Sage chuckled:

“On the contrary… I’m simplifying everything for you.”

He opened the box slowly, reached inside, and held something hidden in his hand.

Suddenly, he stepped up to Luka and placed it firmly in his closed palm:

“Do NOT open it now! Or the consequences… will be severe.”

Before Luka understood, the Sage placed an identical item in Lia’s hand:

“And you… do not open it either.”

The siblings exchanged confused looks.

The Sage continued:

“Wish for the ability you desire… only in your mind.”

Luka closed his eyes:

“I wish for a great strength… enough to protect Lia no matter what.”

Lia whispered in her heart:

“And I wish for intelligence… wisdom… and strength. I want to take care of Luka the way he takes care of me.”

When they opened their eyes, the Sage handed another box to Luka:

“You’ll need this. And your team must consist of six members.”

Luka frowned:

“I… don’t understand anything! All I get from you is that you want me to form a team! But why?”

The Sage stepped closer and stared deeply into Luka’s eyes:

“To save your village.”

Luka’s mouth opened to ask more, but the Sage cut him off sharply:

“Do not ask more! Gather your team… and return.”

And suddenly—

he vanished right before their eyes.

Luka and Lia stood frozen in the dark house, fear and confusion swirling between them.

Then simultaneously, in the exact same moment, they said:

“What are we going to do…?”

Night was quiet at the grandfather’s house.

Emily returned exhausted from a long day of work, pushing the door open slowly with a small blue-wrapped box in her hand.

She smiled softly despite her fatigue:

“Kyle… or rather, Cookie… happy birthday, little one.”

She climbed the stairs and entered the child’s room.

He was asleep, but opened his bright eyes when she whispered his name.

She handed him the gift:

“Happy birthday, Cookie… look! I brought you something special.”

He sat up instantly, eyes sparkling with excitement:

“New shoes! They’re amazing! You’re the best aunt in the world, Emily!”

Emily laughed from the heart and hugged him tightly:

“And you’re the best nephew ever… Now go to sleep. It’s very late.”

She kissed his forehead:

“Sweet dreams, hero.”

Emily left the room and went to her grandfather’s room.

“Grandpa… do you want me to bring you dinner?”

He lowered the book and stared at her sternly:

“Do you think I would wait all this time to eat? Of course I already did.”

She lowered her head in quiet sadness:

“I’m sorry, Grandpa… it won’t happen again.”

He closed the book:

“I’m going to bed.”

He walked past her without a glance.

She stood still for a moment, holding back tears, then entered her room.

She picked up a photo from the table—her late brother.

She sat before it, tears falling silently:

“Where are you now…? I miss you so much. I’m tired… I can’t handle all this on my own…”

She spoke as if he could hear her, while the room grew darker and quieter.

Until suddenly—

a faint sound came from the kitchen.

She froze, gripping the door, slowly pushing it open, her steps trembling.

When she reached the kitchen…

Her eyes widened.

Something was there.

Something she had never seen before.

Something… that would change her life forever.

The house was drowned in silence…

The night was still, and the rain tapped softly against the windows.

Emily, who had just finished crying over her brother’s photo, stood wiping her tears… but suddenly—

Tok… tok…

A faint sound came from the kitchen.

She lifted her head nervously and walked forward slowly. Her steps trembled, and her heart pounded violently inside her chest.

She pushed the kitchen door lightly… and froze.

There was a letter suspended in the air, glowing with a bright golden light, as if a piece of the sun had fallen to the ground.

Emily approached with fear; the light reflected on her pale face. She extended her hand slowly… and the moment she touched the letter, it opened by itself.

Golden words appeared before her:

“Your brother is not dead.

If you want to see him… you must fulfill three demands.”

Emily felt the ground shake beneath her feet.

After a moment of silence, she read the content of the letter.

The first demand: Bring a picture of him.

That was easy… something she had wished for years.

But then… the next words appeared, and her whole body trembled:

The second demand: Bring the Curse of Grave’s Blackness from the village sage.

Her heartbeat quickened until she felt it might burst from her chest.

Then the final line appeared… the line that stole her breath and widened her eyes:

The third demand: Bring the corpses of three children.

Emily stepped back, her hand over her mouth, the air vanishing from her lungs.

She whispered, shaking:

“N– no… this is impossible… this is madness…”

The letter fell to the ground, but its light did not fade.

She lifted her hands to her head, her voice breaking:

“This isn’t me… this isn’t me… No, Emily… don’t do this…”

But amidst her overwhelming fear… amidst her collapse…

Another voice inside her—shattered by longing—whispered:

“I’m sorry, Emily… but… I want my brother… I want to see him, even once…”

She dashed out of the house…

The sky was crying with her.

The rain poured down heavily, mixing with her tears as she ran through the dark street.

She screamed, her voice lost and desperate:

“Who am I?! I’m not like this… please… someone help me…!”

She ran… her legs barely carrying her… until—

She collided with something. Someone. Hard.

She fell back, and the person quickly reached out to catch her before she hit the ground.

She looked up at him, her chest rising and falling from fear…

And that person… was the one who would change the path she was about to walk.

The person who would pull her from the darkness… before she lost herself.

The rain still slid down Emily’s hair when she crashed into him. She raised her head in fear… to see a young man with calm features and worried eyes leaning toward her.

Luca: “Are you okay? Why are you running like this? Is something dangerous happening?”

Emily hesitated, her voice trembling:

“N– no… nothing…”

Lia looked at her with eyes full of kindness and concern, then said:

“You’re freezing… come with us. Our house is warm.”

Emily shook her head quickly:

“No… no thank you… I don’t want to bother you.”

But Lia stepped forward and held her hand firmly:

Lia (firmly): “No. You’re coming. We’re not leaving you like this.”

Emily had no strength left to resist… so she followed them quietly.

They entered the house, warmth filling the place in contrast to the violent rain outside.

Luca: “I’ll turn on the heater… you’re shaking.”

Lia smiled gently:

“And I’ll prepare warm soup for you… it’s my mother’s recipe. It’ll warm you right away.”

Luca froze slightly at the mention of their mother…

His fire-lit eyes fixed on the flame in the heater, as if he was seeing something else inside it.

Lia: “Luca? What’s wrong?”

Luca (forced tone): “Nothing… I’ll step outside for a minute.”

Lia: “But it’s cold!”

Luca gave a small sly smile:

“I have a solution. Come.”

She approached him, and he opened his arms. She hugged him.

Luca: “There. Now you’re warm… simple.”

Lia: “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”

Luca: “Honestly… yes.”

Then he stepped out.

Lia prepared the soup and served it to Emily.

They sat in warm silence… but Emily’s expression showed she wasn’t okay.

Lia looked at her with deep compassion:

“Emily… what’s wrong? I feel like something’s weighing on you.”

Emily shook her head:

“No… nothing.”

Lia: “Talk to me… maybe you’ll feel better.”

Emily (voice cracking):

“Nothing… really…”

But the tears gathering at the edges of her eyes betrayed her.

While serving her the spoon, Lia noticed a small cut on Emily’s hand.

Lia (worried):

“No, this cut needs to be cleaned immediately. Wait, I’ll get cotton and disinfectant.”

She hurried off and returned. She sat beside her and gently held Emily’s hand…

Suddenly—

Lia froze.

She stared at her hand as if an electric shock had passed through her mind.

Her eyes widened… her face turned pale.

She had seen everything Emily went through.

The golden letter… the terrifying demands… the running in the rain… the fear… the breakdown.

She quickly let go of her hand, as if frightened by what she discovered.

Emily (worried):

“Is… is something wrong?”

Lia tried to hide her panic:

“No… nothing… I just remembered something… I need to get something from inside. One minute.”

She rushed into the room, her heart pounding like war drums.

She pressed her hand to her chest, breath trembling:

“How… how did I see that? I only touched her for a second…!”

Then suddenly… she remembered.

The wish.

The wish she once made: “I wish I could have something that would help me in the future… benefit me… something useful later.”

Now she understood.

This was her ability.

And this moment… was the first time it awakened.

She smiled faintly despite her fear, then stepped back out.

Lia (soft, warmer tone):

“I’m back… let’s talk about anything. Anything you want… just don’t be alone with this.”

Emily lifted her head slowly… her eyes filled with something she hadn’t felt in a long time:

Safety.

Elsewhere, Luca stood under the roof outside the house, watching the raindrops slowly fall. With the cold air around him… his mind drifted into memories.

He returned to a bright day when the village was filled with laughter.

Children ran everywhere, joy filling the alleys.

Luca was a child then… life was simpler, gentler.

That day, a boy pushed Lia roughly during a fight.

Luca couldn’t tolerate it—he rushed in with the fierceness of a child protecting what he loved most, and took back her right.

Lia’s tears turned into laughter instantly.

Later, they returned home to play.

Luca:

“Lia, let’s play hide and seek! It’s fun. Want me to count?”

Lia: “Okay! And I’ll hide… you’ll never find me!”

Luca (smiling): “Alright… hide…

One… two… three…”

“…Ten! Here I come!”

Lia hid behind a tree—terribly obvious—but Luca exaggerated pretending not to see her.

“Where could Lia be? Did she disappear?!”

Lia burst into laughter.

Luca crept behind her: “There you are! Your turn!”

Then suddenly, it began to rain.

Lia: “Come on, Luca! Rain dance!”

They spun and danced happily in the rain, their laughter rising to the sky.

Their mother stepped out:

“Come inside! It’s cold and you’ll get sick!”

Luca: “Okay! But… want to race me home?”

Mother (smiling): “Why not? Let’s go!”

They ran. Luca was about to win… until Lia stumbled and fell.

Lia (softly): “Ah… Luca… I hurt my leg.”

He rushed to her, worried:

“Where? Where does it hurt?”

She pointed to her foot:

“Right here!”

Then she quickly kissed it and said mischievously:

“See? It’s healed!”

And ran ahead of him.

Lia: “Didn’t I tell you? I’ll beat you!”

Luca laughed, chasing after her as their mother called out:

“You’re both soaked! Change your clothes, I made the magic soup!”

Together: “Ugh… soup… no!”

Mother: “Not soup… magic soup!

It will turn Luca into the Black Cat…

and turn Lia into the Ladybug!”

They laughed and created a superhero story that lasted until night.

Back to the present… Luca sighed deeply:

“What memories…”

He entered the house, the weight in his heart a bit lighter.

Luca (playfully):

“My princess… where’s the soup?”

Lia:

“My prince… two minutes and it’ll be ready.”

Emily chuckled softly, liking the warmth of the siblings.

Then stood: “I think I should go now… it’s really late.”

Luca:

“Wait, I’ll walk you home.”

Emily:

“No, no… don’t trouble yourself. It’s close.”

Lia stepped forward with a small pink umbrella:

“Take this… as a gift from us. It’s pouring outside.”

Emily froze for a moment, accepting it:

“You’re… really kind, Lia. Thank you, both of you.”

She left… carrying warmth she hadn’t felt in years.

A gentle silence settled after her departure.

Luca approached Lia, eyes teasing:

Luca:

“Now… where’s the magic soup?”

Lia:

“Oh no, my Black Cat… not before you admit that Ladybug was always faster.”

They laughed… and the warmth of childhood returned to the house.

The next cold morning, Lia and Luca were eating breakfast under soft sunlight.

Lia looked distracted, and Luca noticed.

When she told him about what she saw in Emily’s memories, his eyes widened with shock and worry.

Luca:

“She didn’t give you her address?”

She shook her head.

He stood suddenly, voice tight with fear:

“We need to find her… before she does something that hurts her.”

He rushed to the shoe shop where Emily worked.

The shopkeeper answered coldly:

“I fired her. She was rude and violent with customers.”

Anger flashed in Luca’s eyes, but he didn’t argue.

Luca:

“Do you know her home address?”

The man gave it to him, and he went.

He didn’t find her there.

He asked her grandfather, who said with forced reassurance:

“Don’t worry about her… she’s strong. She knows how to protect herself.”

But Luca’s heart didn’t rest.

He remembered her wish… and what she might do.

As he turned to leave, Kyle—the small child—ran to him with a folded paper:

Kyle:

“Please… when you find Aunt Emily, give her this.”

Luca smiled, ruffled his hair gently:

“I promise.”

He searched everywhere: streets, alleys, stations…

Until noon.

Until exhaustion.

Just when he thought of going back…

He found her.

Sitting on a rock, face buried in her hands, her broken voice echoing in the air:

“I couldn’t… I’m sorry, brother… I couldn’t bring you back…”

Luca froze, then spoke softly from behind:

“Your brother wouldn’t have agreed…

He would never want this.”

She looked up quickly, shocked:

“Luca? Since… when?”

He approached and sat beside her.

He looked into her eyes and said:

“Since your regret began.”

The world was silent around them, cold air sliding past them like heavy breath.

“This isn’t you, Emily.”

He lifted her trembling hand gently.

“This is the voice of pain… not your true voice.

Your wish has a cost… and bringing your brother back would lead to consequences you couldn’t bear.”

She cried softly:

“I know… but I wished… I wished for something like what you and Lia have…

I wanted to love him the way you love her.”

He shook his head gently:

“You would’ve been happy for a moment…

but guilt would haunt you forever.

And your brother… he wouldn’t be happy.

He would wish you never did it.”

She cried harder.

He hesitated, then placed his hand on her shoulder.

After she calmed a little, he handed her the letter from Kyle.

She opened it. The child’s writing read:

“Please Aunt Emily… don’t leave me.

I love you…

You’re my second mom.”

She pressed the letter to her chest:

“Oh… Koki…”

And held it like it was the last thing tying her to the world.

She stood, tired, and whispered:

“Let’s go home.”

And when she stood, Luca suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Wait.”

They both fell silent.

“Open your hand.”

He placed his hand gently over hers.

“Don’t open it yet… repeat after me.”

She smiled nervously:

“I don’t understand…”

“You will.

You’re now… part of the Himalayan Guardians.

This spell will grant you the gift of reading thoughts…

You’ll need it.”

She looked at him—fear and comfort mixed in her gaze—her eyes shining with something new.

Something like a beginning.

“I’m… ready.”