After last night's dinner.
By the way, it wasn't like everyone imagined. Although it affected me a bit too because of everything that happened, and I admit I'm somewhat to blame.
No, let me correct that: I am entirely to blame for what happened last night.
My sister's sadness, her glassy eyes, the tears she shed, that moment when her sparkle went out... everything, absolutely everything, was my fault.
And although that makes me sad — and it really, really does — there's something else beating in my chest with an uncontrollable force. Something that, no matter how deep that sadness is, cannot be overcome by it.
It's like comparing an ant to a mountain. That's how that cold feeling of guilt compares to the ocean of flames burning inside me. Simply put, sadness is no match. It doesn't even come close.
The reason for that overwhelming happiness?
Finally, after waiting so long, after so many doubts and fears... my parents agreed. They gave me permission to travel.
---
I had already told my older brother Eliel days ago. His response was clear: if this is your dream, you must fulfill it. No matter what happens. Don't regret it later.
That's why Eliel was no longer on my list of people I had to say goodbye to. He understood. He supported me.
Only one person remained.
My older sister, Calithia.
The one who gave me goosebumps just thinking about the moment of telling her. The one who made chills run down my spine every time I imagined her reaction.
I spent days practicing. Entire days rehearsing speeches, preparing phrases, imagining gestures that could calm her when the moment came.
But nothing worked.
Literally, it was as if my mind, my soul, and my body knew, deep down, that nothing was going to calm her.
As if they already knew — and they do know — that no matter what I said, no matter what I did, everything would be in vain. Useless. Insufficient.
And so, to not waste time on things that wouldn't help, they simply stopped trying.
Why think about something you know won't work?
But to our surprise... she accepted.
Yes, you heard right. . She accepted.
Something none of us expected, but it happened. Just like that. Destiny sure is funny. Very funny.
Although it didn't happen in the best way. Nor in the way we imagined.
We thought it would be with anger. With flames. With a walking volcano demanding explanations before reluctantly accepting.
But it was the complete opposite.
My sister didn't accept with a smile. She wasn't happy, not at all.
She accepted crying.
For the first time in my life, I saw my older sister cry. That was the first time. And it was my fault.
Those glassy, moist eyes, the ones that used to have that seemingly inextinguishable sparkle of happiness... went dark.
She cried.
And I didn't. Well... I did, but internally. And that's more painful than when tears flow. Because when you cry inside, when only you know you're suffering, there's no possible comfort.
My mother once told me: when tears come out, you can receive comfort from others. But when you cry inside, when no one sees your pain... how can they help you if they don't know you need it?
Last night I understood those words perfectly.
Everyone was focused on comforting my sister. It was natural, obvious. She was crying openly, her pain visible to anyone.
But no one thought of me.
And I don't blame them. It was my fault. I didn't show my suffering. I kept it inside, well hidden, where no one could see it.
But when I hugged her, when I felt her hugging me back with desperate strength, the sadness that had been squeezing my chest began to dissipate. Not completely, but enough.
And then, without thinking — or maybe I did think, but didn't process it — I kissed her on the hair.
Like an older brother would do.
Even though I'm the younger one.
Last night at dinner, I now think with a silly smile, I acted like a true gentleman.
They should have painted a portrait of me while I was hugging her. Given it to my sister for when she feels sad during my trip. That way, every time she saw it, she'd remember that even though I'm not physically there, I'll always be with her.
Although... I don't know if that would make her sadder. Thinking "if he were here he'd comfort me, but he's not" might make things worse.
Ah! It's too confusing. Too much.
---
Anyway, my sister Calithia, the last person on my list, is also checked off.
And the biggest surprise is that I won't be traveling alone.
Although, to be honest, I never imagined I would travel alone. I knew it would be impossible. Not because of the rules, but because my parents would never allow it.
But I didn't expect the companions to be these.
Now the members will be three: me, Aito Greymont; Lilia Marville; and my master, Zekin Marville.
I hadn't thought I'd travel with them, but... it couldn't be better. I know them, they know me. One is my childhood friend, the other is my own master. What more could I ask for?
Nothing. I can't ask for anything more.
This adventure will be incredible. Unforgettable. I'll have to bring back many memories.
But let's stop thinking about that now. I already have my parents' permission. I already have a team, and it's solid. This journey is just beginning.
---
I was sitting with both hands stretched back, leaning on the ground, looking at the sky. The sunset was painting the horizon in orange and gold tones, a warm farewell to an intense day.
I lowered my gaze and...
"What are you thinking so much about? Get over here now!" my sister Calithia's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
Wait! That's right. I was going to face her in a sparring match. I got lost in thought.
"It's nothing!" I replied, smiling. "I'm coming!"
"Okay," she responded, waiting in the center of the courtyard.
I jumped to my feet. Grabbed my wooden sword, swung it in a perfect arc through the air, and headed toward her.
In the morning, my sister had asked me to have an sparring match in the afternoon. "Since you're leaving soon," she said. And I accepted without hesitation. I wanted to face her too.
"Are you ready?" she asked, pointing her sword at me.
"Always," I replied, adjusting my forearm protectors.
---
"I should break one of his legs," Calithia thought, watching me approach.
"Or his arms. Or maybe a few bones."
"Or better: I'll hit him so hard he forgets everything. Then he'll forget that stupid idea of leaving me alone."
But then, another voice — her same voice, but different — intervened.
"No. No, what are you thinking, Calithia? He's your little brother."
"You have to support him. Even if it hurts. Even if it's with that girl... Lilia."
"It bothers me, yes. But I won't hurt him."
"I won't hurt him."
---
"What's wrong, sister?" I asked, noticing her distant gaze.
"Nothing," she replied, and lunged.
She came at full speed, her sword at shoulder height, ready to attack. She traced an arc and I dodged by centimeters. Without losing time, she changed trajectory, raised the sword again, with more power.
I narrowly dodged it.
I felt the heat of her sword as it passed close to my face. I quickly retreated.
[Straight Line Descending Cut]
My counterattack was easily blocked. Her left hand moved toward my abdomen. I managed to block, but the force of the blow sent me flying. I did a somersault in the air and landed on my feet.
I'd barely landed and looked up, and she was already in front of me.
Her eyes burned. Her sword, enveloped in flames.
"[Heavy Blow]," she said, and I saw the sword coming down at full speed.
That's not a game, I thought.
I didn't try to block. I used my wind magic to evade.
BOOOOM!
"WHAT THE HELL, SISTER?!" I shouted.
The ground split. Huge cracks spread several meters around. A cloud of dust rose toward the sky.
When the dust cleared, she saw me staring at her. My expression must have been terrible.
"I... I... I'm sorry, Aito!" she said nervously. "I got carried away!"
Got carried away? I thought. Do you hate me leaving so much that you'd do this?
"I don't know what happened," she insisted.
"I understand," I replied, getting into a fighting stance. "But don't get carried away again."
My sword became wrapped in wind. This would be interesting: two opposing elements. Wind and fire. Calm and explosiveness. Although, come to think of it, winds can also devastate.
"How about we finish it with one move?" I suggested. "With this very move."
"I agree," she replied, and smiled. "Let's do it, little brother."
Terrifying, I thought. But exciting.
One last breeze. The last glimpse of the sun before it hid behind the mountains. My hair moving with the wind, hers too. The flame of her sword danced, alive, hungry.
And without a third party to signal, we lunged.
"AAAAAAAAAHHH!!"
We shouted in unison.
Damn, I thought in mid-air. I'm not good with names. But it's not like the name makes the technique more powerful anyway.
"[Sweeping Hurricane]!" I shouted.
"[Infernal Flare]!" she shouted.
"SISTER, DON'T BURN MEEEEE!" I added, because it never hurts to ask.
CRACK!
The reinforced wooden swords shattered simultaneously before even making contact. Pieces flew through the air. Only the hilts remained in our hands.
And then, the two elements — wind and fire — made contact.
BAAAAANG!
The explosion was tremendous.
The shockwave hit me with brutal force. I was sent flying backward, and I felt the fire burning my clothes — my shirt, especially. The ground around us exploded, debris flying in all directions. Chaos.
I didn't burn my skin, thanks to the wind protecting me, but I was bleeding. I felt warm liquid running down my forehead. The hand holding the sword was reddened, my bones aching.
My sister was also sent flying, but not as far as me. She was panting, exhausted.
She quickly approached and offered me her hand.
She didn't apologize. And that was the right thing to do.
"Are you okay?" she asked, looking at me with those green eyes like mother's. There was a trace of happiness in them, mixed with concern.
"Yeah," I replied, taking her hand. "I'm in one piece."
She helped me to my feet.
"You have to take good care of yourself on this trip," she said, smiling. "So I don't get angry with you. Good work, little brother."
I smiled.
"Of course, sister."
And so, with my sister helping me to my feet, with the last glimpse of the sun on that day, with a light breeze that seemed to be waiting for this moment to make our hair dance...
I, Aito Greymont, was ready to embark on my adventure.
---
And so, with royal permission given reluctantly — and an older sister who didn't stop protesting until the last moment — Aito Greymont's first journey beyond the palace walls began.
This time, accompanied by his master Zekin and his childhood friend, little Lilia, whose presence would mark the beginning of something unexpected.
What awaited him was a world full of wonders, cultures, things begging to be discovered... and dangers that not even the stories had told.