Kite walked outside of his room and braced himself for a hug from Liliana, but it never came.
He blinked and decided to poke his head into her room. Liliana was thankfully just sound asleep. The cultivation pill must've exhausted her more than she let on. Hopefully she didn't get sick or something from the strain.
Kite tiptoed over and gasped as she hugged him in her sleep. "Kite, let's play," she mumbled.
He laughed softly. Even in her sleep, she was up for fun and games. Gently, he pried her arms loose and tucked her back into her bed, making sure she was comfortable. Her breathing was steady, and her face relaxed, so he felt reassured that she was alright.
Kite quietly stepped out of her room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He wandered back to the main living area, where Michiko was sitting by the hearth, sipping on a cup of herbal tea.
"Michiko," he began, his voice a whisper so as not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere, "Liliana's sound asleep. She seems okay, just really exhausted."
Liliana's grandma looked up, her eyes reflecting the firelight warmly. "That's to be expected. The cultivation pill takes a lot out of you, especially the first time. She'll be fine after a good night's rest. If anything, you're the odd one for being up at this time."
He joined Michiko by the hearth, the warmth of the fire seeping into his bones. His golden eyes stared into the flames. "I still can't believe how powerful those pills were. It felt like... like I was being remade from the inside out."
Michiko smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "That's exactly what they do. They break down the old barriers within you and rebuild you stronger, more attuned to the magic within. But remember, this is just the beginning. Cultivation is a lifelong journey."
Kite took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. "I know. And I'm ready for whatever comes next. I want to keep growing, keep learning."
Michiko reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You have a good heart, Kite. With determination like yours, you'll go far. Just remember to always seek balance. Too much power too quickly can be dangerous."
Kite nodded, absorbing her wisdom. "I understand. Thank you, Michiko, for everything."
The elderly woman smiled warmly. "You're part of this family now, Kite. We're here to support you, just as much as you're here to support us."
He smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the fire.
Suddenly, a voice called out, breaking the tranquility of the moment. "Kite!"
Before he could react, Liliana tackled him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck in a playful hug. They both tumbled forward, narrowly missing the hearth as they rolled onto the floor, laughing.
"Liliana!" Kite exclaimed, trying to catch his breath. "I thought you were asleep!"
She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I was, but then I woke up and couldn't find you. Hehe! Bet you thought you could escape my hugs."
Michiko chuckled, shaking her head. "You should be resting, Liliana. The pill took a lot out of you."
Liliana, still clinging to Kite, looked up at her grandmother with a sheepish smile. "I know, Grandma. But I feel so energized now! I just had to find Kite."
Kite laughed as he gently disentangled himself from Liliana's grip. "You worried me for a second when you didn't hug me."
She giggled. "Aww, grown used to my hugs?"
He blushed and turned away. "I guess, I might've."
Liliana's laughter filled the room again, her spirits undiminished despite the earlier ordeal. "Well, I'm glad you did. I wouldn't want you to start missing them," she said playfully, her eyes gleaming with the same energy that always made her the heart of any adventure.
Michiko stood up, her grandmotherly concern evident despite the smile on her face. "Alright, you two. Since you're both up and about, why don't you help me with some chores? It'll be good to keep moving and help your bodies adjust after the cultivation."
Kite stood up, offering his hand to help Liliana to her feet. "Sure, Michiko. What do you need us to do?"
Michiko gestured towards the garden visible through the open window. "The herb garden needs tending. And after that, you can help me sort some ingredients in the pantry. It's a bit of a mess in there."
Liliana bounced on her toes, already heading towards the door. "Let's go, Kite! The sooner we finish, the sooner we can plan our next adventure!"
Together, they stepped out into the garden, the fresh air and the scent of soil and growing things a balm to their senses. They worked side by side, Liliana humming a tune while Kite found a quiet joy in the simple task of caring for the plants and being next to her.
Kite's eyes wiggled as he heard a second person humming. He turned and realized Sylvana had joined them, her delicate fingers expertly tending to a patch of herbs.
He smiled. "Your humming is nice, Sylvana."
Sylvana's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she fidgeted with the edge of her apron. "Th-thank you, Kite. I didn't even realize I was humming," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Liliana, who had been happily humming her own tune, suddenly stopped and turned toward Kite with a playful pout. "Hey, why didn't you compliment my humming, Kite? I've been humming this whole time!"
Kite chuckled, trying to diffuse the sudden tension. "Your humming is always wonderful, Liliana. It's just that Sylvana's caught me by surprise."
Liliana's pout turned into a teasing grin. "Well, you better remember to compliment me next time, or I might just have to stop humming altogether!"
Kite smiled, enjoying the light-hearted banter. "Alright, I'll be sure to compliment both of you from now on. How's that?"
Sylvana giggled, her blush deepening.
Liliana nodded, satisfied. "Deal. But don't forget, or you'll have to make it up to me with extra hugs!"
Kite sighed but nodded.
They continued working in the garden, the atmosphere filled with laughter and camaraderie. Sylvana's presence added a gentle, calming energy to their efforts, and Kite found himself appreciating the simple joy of spending time with friends.
As they moved on to sorting ingredients in the pantry, the three of them worked efficiently, chatting about their plans for the rest of the day.
Michiko occasionally peeked in, her eyes twinkling with approval as she saw the three of them working together so harmoniously. "You're doing a great job, all of you. Keep it up."
Kite nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "We will, Michiko. Thank you for trusting us with this."
She laughed. "I should be the one thanking you kids."
Elara smiled as she made breakfast. "Now, how about you kids help me out?"
"Okay! I volunteer to be the taste tester!" Liliana said, giggling.
Kite shook his head with a grin. "Of course you do. But how about we actually help with the cooking this time?"
"Hey, I helped last time!"
Sylvana giggled at their banter. "I'd love to help too. What can we do, Elara?"
Elara looked thoughtful for a moment before assigning tasks. "Liliana, you can help me with the vegetables. Kite, could you handle the dough for the bread? And Sylvana, how about you mix the batter for the pancakes?"
Everyone nodded and got to work, the kitchen filled with the sounds of chopping, mixing, and friendly chatter. Liliana's energy was infectious, and Kite found himself smiling more than usual as he kneaded the dough, his hands moving rhythmically.
As they worked, Michiko joined them, adding her own expertise to the mix. She guided Sylvana through the pancake batter, showing her how to get the perfect consistency, while Liliana chattered away, her knife moving deftly through the vegetables.
Kite, focused on his task, couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The simple act of preparing a meal together, surrounded by friends and family, filled him with a warmth that rivaled the fire in the hearth.
When everything was ready, they all sat down at the table, the spread before them a testament to their combined efforts. There were fresh, steaming loaves of bread, a colorful array of sautéed vegetables, and a towering stack of fluffy pancakes.
"Looks delicious," Kite said, his mouth watering at the sight of the feast before them.
Liliana, unable to resist, reached for a pancake and took a big bite. "Mmm, so good!" she mumbled through a mouthful, her eyes twinkling with delight.
Sylvana giggled, taking a more delicate bite of her own pancake. "I think we make a pretty good team."
Michiko beamed with pride, looking around at the happy faces. "Indeed, you do. This is what family is all about—working together, supporting each other, and sharing in the fruits of our labor."
Elara nodded in agreement, her eyes soft with affection. "I'm so glad to see you all getting along so well. It truly warms my heart."
"It sure does," Elder Mirrin said as he walked in with Darian and Tomas.
Elder Michiko sighed. "You three are barely up? You boys should learn from Kite."
Darian chuckled. "Sorry, Mom."
Tomas frowned.
"It's okay. Your grandma is just mainly teasing your dad and grandpa," Elara said, ruffling her five-year-old son's hair.
He smiled and glanced at Sylvana. "Sylvana, are we gonna go to Skyla's again?"
Kite blinked. Was that was the two of them were up to while he and Liliana were cultivating the other day? He wondered what Elian was up to. He made a mental note to visit his place after breakfast.
"Oh, right, Kite. After you're done eating, come to my office. I think I decoded one of the scrolls Darian and you kids brought back from the ruins," Mirrin said.
Kite gasped his heart racing with anticipation. The scrolls they had recovered from the ancient ruins were shrouded in mystery, their secrets locked away in an indecipherable script. If Elder Mirrin had truly decoded one, it could help him learn more about the Blade of Lumina and its strange symbols.