Prologue

Today is a day of celebration. Everyone is happy and roaring. I should also be celebrating, but

"So Noisy", I murmured. Today, I felt strangely agitated.

In deep thought, alone and away from all the Noise, I was on the terrace roof looking at the stars...

or so I thought.

"The stars are really bright today", muttered an old Man.

Startled, I lost my balance for a second.

Trying to prevent me from falling, the old man rushed towards me, but his cane slipped and he fell.

Quickly I helped him get up.

"Are you fine?", I asked.

"You really are a kind boy, young one", said the old man.

I had no idea how to reply to this compliment. But the old man continued rambling

"Aren't the stars especially bright today, young boy?", the old man said

"What do you think the reason is?", he continued.

"Because the moon is not present?" I replied unsurely.

"Yeah, and only in the absence of the moon can the stars shine brighter. Don't be too sad about today and forge your own path ahead."

"Only then can you walk side by side with your loved ones.", the old man said.

But I was clueless, I didn't understand what he meant. Is he drunk? I had seen my father say nonsense when he drinks.

"Young one, you are special. Believe me. But you will need to forge your own path for that."

Then he took 2 bracelets from his storage pouch and handed them to me.

"Give one of them to your sister.", he said.

"Are you a mage?" I asked,

The old man smiled without replying and put his hand on my head. Initially, I was taken aback.

But, it felt strangely soothing. My eyes closed by themselves. Good memories with my parents, my sister, and specially my big brother started flowing in my mind.

I have no idea for how long I was in this state until my big brother said "Young boy, it's time to leave"

I came to sense hearing Ross and my sister Chloe shout out my name.

Then, I saw someone opening the terrace's door. It was Ross.

She shouted while running towards me, "Anish, what the hell are you doing on terrace? Everyone is searching for you!!"

If looks could kill, I would be dead.

Until her expressions changed.

"Hey Anish, were you crying?"

"Huh, No." I said, but my voice was strangely choked.

I touched my face and there were tears near my eyes. [Was I crying?], I thought while wiping my tears.

At the same time, my sister Chloe entered the terrace.

"Hey Chloe, your brother was cr.....", Rose was saying.

"No, I wasn't", I shouted.

"But you were cr.....", Rose tried to rebute.

"No I wasn't", I shouted again in embarrassment.

"If you say so", Rose said. Meanwhile, Chloe had no idea what the hell was happening!!