**Chapter 46/1 – The First Collective Birthday with Elara (1481)**
The first birthday after her return.
The children made a giant cake with 14 candles (one for each family member now).
When they sang "Happy Birthday," Elara broke down crying before blowing out the candles.
— In my future… I blew out candles alone… on graves…
Lysithea hugged her tightly:
— Now you blow them out with us. Every year. Forever.
Elara blew out the candles with her face full of tears and a smile no one ever forgot.
**Chapter 46/2 – The Day Graciela Taught Elara to Cook (1483)**
Graciela dragged Elara into the kitchen:
— Enough with the sad face, girl! Today you learn the secret of the dwarf happiness stew!
Elara chopped onions and cried—but this time from laughing, because Graciela cursed in dwarvish every time she made a mistake.
In the end, the stew turned out perfect.
Everyone ate until their stomachs hurt.
Elara, mouth full:
— This… is the taste of home.
Graciela, eyes misty:
— Welcome back, my lifelong assistant cook.
**Chapter 46/3 – The First Time Elara Froze Time for Love (1484)**
Astrid (11 years old) fell from a tree and broke her arm.
Elara panicked, remembering the future where Astrid died broken.
Without thinking, she froze time for a full 5 seconds—her record at the time.
She ran, picked Astrid up, unfroze time, and healed the arm by reversing the damage in time.
Astrid, stunned:
— Big sis Elara… you saved my arm…
Elara crying:
— I saved you… again…
A 10-minute group hug.
Joker whispered:
— That's it, little sis. Now we save everyone together.
**Chapter 46/4 – The Letter Elara Wrote and Never Sent (1485)**
Found years later inside one of Lysithea's books:
"Dear family I almost lost,
I still wake up thinking this is a dream.
I still cry in the shower so no one hears.
I still watch you sleep and thank every breath.
I trained an entire lifetime to save you…
and you saved me without even knowing.
Thank you for giving me a future I never dared to dream of.
With all the love that fits in time,
Elara – the big sister who finally came home."
Lysithea read it in secret, cried, held it close to her chest, and never told anyone.
**Chapter 46/5 – The Last Day Before Turning 14 (1486)**
The eve of the collective 14th birthday.
Everyone in the garden, lying on the grass looking at the stars.
Elara in the center, head in Lysithea's lap.
Absolute silence for minutes.
Then Elara whispered:
— I thought I'd never have this again…
Lysithea kissed her forehead:
— You have it. Every day. Forever.
Joker and Harley holding her hands:
— And tomorrow the next act of the circus begins, big sis.
Elara smiled, tears shining like stars:
— Then let the world come.
I already have everything I need right here.
**Harley (8 → 14 years old, appearance 7 → 11)**
Extra: "The Pink Hammer That Saved Elara"
1484. Elara almost collapsed from temporal overload after using her power too much.
Harley slammed her hammer on the ground, creating a giant illusion of all the children hugging baby Elara.
Elara collapsed crying with relief inside the illusion.
— Thank you, little sis… you brought me back.
**Lysithea (31 → 37 years old, now eternal)**
Extra: "The Night Lysithea Looked in the Mirror and Cried with Gratitude"
After the revelation of eternal life.
Alone in her room, she touched her own face, saw the golden marks glowing.
— I'm going to watch you grow… get married… have children… and I'll still be here hugging you…
She cried until dawn.