Chapter 47: Brief Moments

Goerld

I grumbled as I woke up to kicking against my legs. "Lyra," I muttered, half-asleep, "stop kicking."

There was a brief pause, and then the kicking resumed, more insistent than before. I opened one eye to see Lyra sprawled across the bed, her legs flailing in the throes of a dream.

"Nera," I whispered, nudging her gently. "Help me with Lyra, will you?"

Nera, still groggy with sleep, turned over and helped me calm Lyra down, her hands gentle and soothing. "Shh, Lyra, it's okay," she murmured.

Lyra's kicking slowed, and she mumbled something incoherent before settling back into a peaceful sleep. Nera and I exchanged a weary smile, the bond of shared responsibility drawing us closer.

As the first light of dawn crept into the room, I lay there, watching over Lyra and Nera, feeling a sense of protectiveness and warmth. This was my family, and I was home.

Careful not to wake the two sleeping figures, I quietly slipped out of the bed. The house was silent, save for the soft sounds of their breathing. I stood for a moment, watching them sleep. There was something incredibly peaceful about it, something that grounded me amidst the chaos that was our lives.

I made my way to the kitchen. The room was cool, the early morning light casting long shadows across the floor. I moved around the familiar space with ease, gathering ingredients for breakfast.

My mind wandered back to Nera and Lyra as I worked. Seeing them there, sleeping peacefully, was a stark contrast to the war raging outside our doorstep. But it was these moments, these peaceful, quiet moments, that reminded me of what we were fighting for.

I decided to make pancakes, Lyra's favorite. The sound of the sizzling pan filled the room, accompanied by the tempting aroma of cooking batter. I was no master chef, but I had learned a few recipes from Nera over the years.

As the pancakes cooked, I set the table, the clinking of plates and cutlery echoing softly in the room. I prepared three plates, my heart fluttering at the thought of sharing this simple meal with Lyra and Nera.

A soft thud from the bedroom followed by a muffled giggle told me that Lyra was awake. Moments later, she appeared in the doorway, hair tousled and eyes bright with excitement. "Are those pancakes I smell?" she asked, her voice full of hope.

I chuckled, flipping a pancake in the pan. "Yes, they are. Just for you."

Her face lit up, and she rushed over to the table, eager for breakfast. I watched her with a fond smile, her enthusiasm infectious. "Wake Nera," I told her, "Breakfast is almost ready."

Lyra scampered off, leaving me alone in the kitchen once more. I turned off the stove and started plating the pancakes, anticipation building in my chest. This was a rare moment with my sister, and I intended to savor it.

Minutes later, Nera joined us, her hair neatly tied back and a soft smile on her face. "Something smells delicious," she said, taking a seat next to Lyra.

I placed the plate of pancakes on the table, my heart swelling with pride at their appreciative noises. "Dig in," I said, taking my own seat.

Lyra was practically drooling as she raised a pancake to her mouth.

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Lyra's eyes were wide with delight as she took her first bite, the fluffy pancake practically melting in her mouth. "Mmm, Goerld, you've outdone yourself!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled by the mouthful.

Nera chuckled, taking a more composed bite of her own. "She's right, these are excellent. You've been paying attention to those cooking lessons."

I grinned, feeling a swell of pride. "I had a good teacher," I said, nodding towards Nera.

The breakfast continued with light-hearted banter and the occasional laughter. It was moments like these that made the hardships we faced seem distant. As we ate, I found myself glancing at Nera, her presence a comforting constant in my life, and Lyra, the sister I would do anything to protect.

After breakfast, Lyra insisted on helping with the dishes, claiming it was the least she could do after such a feast. Nera and I exchanged amused glances but let her have her way. With Lyra's help, the kitchen was cleaned in no time, and the house felt alive with our shared efforts.

"Well, I better get ready," I said, walking to my room to grab my uniform.

Nera frowned. 

"Do you have to go?" Lyra asked.

I stopped and nodded. "Yeah. I need to infiltrate Titanos from within. I have to find the evil ones amongst their ranks who are causing disharmony in our world."

Lyra hummed. "You mean the tainting of the mana?"

"Yes," I replied, the weight of the task settling on my shoulders. "The mana has been tainted, and it's affecting everything—people, animals, even the land itself. We need to find out who's behind it and stop them."

Lyra's expression turned serious, a rare sight for such a young face. "Is it dangerous?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I knelt down in front of her, taking her small hands in mine. "It is, but it's something I have to do. Not just for us, but for everyone."

Nera stepped closer, her hand resting on my shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Goerld. We're all in it together."

I looked up at her, her determination mirroring my own. "I know," I said. "And that's what gives me the strength to do what I must."

We spent a few more moments in silence, each lost in our thoughts about the days ahead. Then, with a deep breath, I stood up and headed to my room to get ready.

As I donned my uniform, the familiar fabric felt like a second skin. Each buckle and strap was a reminder of the responsibility I carried. I took one last look in the mirror before heading back to the living room where Nera and Lyra were waiting.

"We'll be here when you get back," Nera said, her voice steady.

"And we'll keep the pancakes warm," Lyra added, trying to lighten the mood.

I smiled, grateful for their support. "I'll hold you to that," I said, then turned to leave.

Stepping outside, the cool morning air greeted me. I took a moment to look back at the house, a small beacon of hope in a world filled with uncertainty. With a final nod to myself, I set off towards the Titanos base, ready for a long day of training. While I wanted to find the ones whose evil was tainting the mana, I also wanted to grow stronger. I would need strength if I wanted to defeat evil.

My eyes went up to the sky. All of Uto had been take over rapidly by Titanos as we had grown weak after centuries of peace. Few knew how to raise a weapon. We had become pushovers. True peace required strength to protect it. Not just physical, but also of character, of Spirit, of mind. While Titanos's invasion wasn't a good thing, that didn't mean there was a silver lining to all of this.