Xion weakly lifted his heavy eyelids, allowing the soft rays of sunshine to filter into his dimly lit bedroom. It had been months since he had set foot in this room, and a wave of nostalgia washed over him, enveloping him in a bittersweet embrace.

         Life had dealt him a cruel hand, but now, as the dawn broke through the window, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

         The loss of his knighthood had initially seemed like a devastating blow, but as Xion reflected upon it for hours on end, he slowly began to realize that it might have been a blessing in disguise.

         He refused to serve alongside individuals who would willingly cause harm to innocent civilians for personal gain. Knights were meant to be protectors, not tormentors.

        In a way, he was relieved to be free from the shackles of knighthood.

         However, his uncle Kagami had taken the news much differently. The once stoic and reserved man had become even more withdrawn and distant, leaving Xion with a lingering sense of concern. He hadn't seen or heard from him since that fateful day.

         Whatever... I’ll just... Go talk to mom. With a determined expression, he shifted on his bed, the worn brown sheets rustling beneath him, and turned his gaze towards the bedroom door.

         As if by some cosmic coincidence, Luna, his mother, opened the door just as he was about to step out.

         There was a softness to her demeanor as she stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind her.

         She approached Xion, her eyes filled with concern.

         “Xion, are you feeling any better?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

         “Yes, mom. I’m alright..” He answered back.

         His mother studied him intently, her eyes tracing the contours of his face, taking in the sight of her son, who had been through so much but was slowly recovering.

         Without a word, she settled herself on the messy bed beside him.

         Xion met her gaze, realizing that he had inherited every feature from her. The same ebony hair, the same dark eyes, and the same pale complexion. They were connected by more than just blood.

         “The crops could use some watering, if you want to.” His mother muttered softly, breaking the silence.

         Xion's depressed eyes ignited with a spark of excitement as he eagerly turned his attention to her. "Really–?" he asked, hope lacing his words.

         “Of course, it didn’t feel right doing them without you or your father.” She replied, a tender smile gracing her lips.

         A soft chuckle escaped Xion's lips as he pushed himself up, his arms now stronger, lifting himself effortlessly from the bed. It felt like a small victory, a sign of his gradual recovery.

         Xion walked towards the door, as Luna stood beside him. She turned the knob, the door creaked open, revealing the upstairs hallway bathed in a dim sunlight.

         The cold, wooden floor felt solid beneath his feet, bringing back a flood of memories that made his heart ache with nostalgia.

         This was the same hallway he had known since he was a child, when his father Zephyr was still alive.

         He could almost hear the sound of Zephyr's laughter as he would grab Xion by the waist, spinning him around and pretending he was flying.

         He could feel a small tear threatening to drip, but he sucked it in just as quickly and continued walking, they descended the stairs, each step accompanied by a small creak and resonating sound.

         Xion's eyes were drawn to the long red rug that adorned the staircase, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold surroundings. Luna gracefully stepped down the stairs, her gaze meeting Xion's with concern.

         “Something wrong, Xion?” She asked.

         Xion shook his head, a wistful smile playing on his lips. “No, I’m just reminiscing.”

         Luna chuckled softly, her hand gesturing for him to follow. Xion trailed behind her, his eyes wandering to the kitchen. Pots and pans were scattered across the sink, giving the room a comforting, lived-in feel.

         Being alone with his mother in this space felt right to Xion, a sanctuary from the hardships he had faced. It was a place where he could find solace and healing.

         They reached the back door of the kitchen, passing by the table and chairs. Inside the dimly lit cabin, the vibrant colors of the garden outside shone through, casting a gentle glow.

         “Don’t be sad, they’re a little weak, so we’ll have to take care of them alot.” Luna's voice broke the silence, her words laced with a touch of sadness.

         Xion crossed his arms with a determined grin, “I know–but hey, at least we’re doing it together.”

         He’s doing so well already, maybe we can leave what happened behind quickly.

         The door swung open effortlessly with a flick of Luna's hand, allowing the vibrant sunlight to flood the once shadowed interior of the house.

         Luna stepped into the doorway, a wave of fragrant floral scents and the rustling of leaves greeted her senses, engulfing her in a symphony of nature's delights.

         Beside her, Xion followed suit, inhaling deeply the crisp, invigorating air. The scene that unfolded before him was nothing short of breathtaking, a tranquil oasis that beckoned him to stay for hours on end.

         Luna took a purposeful step forward, her eyes drawn to a wooden stool where a watering can sat patiently.

         With graceful strides, she made her way towards a cluster of plants and flowers, their vibrant hues dancing in harmony with the gentle breeze.

         Glancing over her shoulder, Luna caught sight of Xion, his form bent low as he admired the ethereal beauty of the flowers. Each petal seemed to shimmer with life, as if defiantly defying the passing days without water.

         “They’re so admirable..” Xion whispered.

         “Easily to take care of, and consistently living their best life. No pain, no emotions, no sadness.”

         “Xion…” His mother’s voice cracked.

         “I know, I’m just…” – “Thinking.” He responded softly, his hand gesturing towards an adjacent watering can.

         With a determined grip, he lifted the can, its weight reminding him of the delicate balance between nurturing and destroying. His eyes lingered on a wilted, drooping flower.

         They’re so delicate, that they can be ruined with the slightest touch. Xion thought, with a deliberate tilt, water cascaded from the can, a rejuvenating waterfall that seeped into the thirsty roots and nourished the soil. The plant's survival was ensured for yet another day.

         Setting the watering can aside, Xion turned to his mother, who extended her hand over the empty vessel.

         She slowly closed her eyes, she summoned forth her essence, channeling it into her mana and harnessing it to create water.

         As her eyes fluttered open, droplets trickled from her fingertips, gradually filling the can with replenishing liquid.

         “You can use mana?” Xion asked, astonished.

         Luna nodded, her face illuminated by a gentle smile. “Always, well, after your father taught me.” She replied. 

         With her mana usage momentarily halted, she positioned her hand beneath the water can, pouring a generous amount onto a nearby plant.

         Xion's eyes sparkled with curiosity and wonder as he observed Luna's effortless control over water mana. “Do you think you could teach me?” He ventured.

         “One day, my dear–maybe after you’ve fully recovered.” Luna replied, her voice brimming with warmth, as she handed the can to Xion.

***

         Time seemed to stretch, with seconds melting into minutes and minutes dissolving into an hour. 

         The sun ascended higher in the sky, casting a radiant glow upon the garden, transforming it into a captivating scene of vibrant colors and dappled shadows.

         Standing tall, Xion uncrossed his arms and stretched his legs, his gaze fixated on the garden that had been lovingly nurtured.

         “Woah, they’re already looking better.” Xion exclaimed with a soft smile, his eyes filled with admiration as he glanced at the freshly arranged flowers on the row.

         His mother, standing beside him, nodded in agreement and mouthed, “Yes, they certainly do.”

         KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

         Xion's head snapped towards the source of the sound, realizing that it echoed from the front entrance to the backdoor.

         Luna stepped forward with a determined gaze and raised arm, making her way towards the backdoor to investigate. “I’ll get it,” She muttered, her voice filled with curiosity. “You can stay here, if you want.”

         Xion shook his head and walked briskly to her side. “I’ll come with.” He exclaimed, his voice filled with determination and a hint of underlying worry.

         As Luna slowly opened the door, Xion followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing through the hallway.

         Memories of past unexpected attacks flashed before Xion's eyes, causing a surge of fear to grip his heart. He desperately tried to push those haunting memories aside, refusing to let them cloud his mind.

         However, with each knock, the anticipation grew stronger, making it harder for him to ignore the lingering sense of unease. 

         Nevertheless, he couldn't allow fear to consume him, especially not with his mother by his side. If it wasn't Kagami's responsibility, it would be Xion's duty to protect her.

        He’d never let anything bad happen to his mother.

         Summoning his courage, Xion stepped forward, passing Luna, and firmly grasped the door handle, readying himself for the worst-case scenario.

         If it is someone bad, then I’ll just kick and get them as far away as possible… He thought, steeling himself as he twisted the knob and gradually swung the door open.

         As the door swung open, the figure on the other side came into view. A tall, imposing silhouette stood before him, with long hair cascading in a striking shade of red.

         Xion's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he took in the sight before him.

         “Hello, Xion.” Kagami greeted, his voice low and his intense white eyes piercing through the air.

         A surge of conflicting emotions washed over Xion. Part of him wanted to turn away, to walk away from Kagami without giving him a second thought.

         But deep down, he knew that harboring hatred towards Kagami would only poison his own heart.

         After all, Kagami had done him a favor, a life-altering favor. Xion let out a deep sigh before mustering the strength to meet Kagami's gaze.

         “Hey.” His voice cracked, damn it, Xion thought before turning his gaze away, looking to his mom.

         Luna's eyes twinkled with warmth as she waved shyly at Kagami, a genuine smile gracing her lips. She then gestured for him to enter the house

         Kagami's armor clanked and clinked as he stepped over the threshold, glancing around the familiar surroundings and carefully placing his sheathed longsword by the side of the door.

         “It’s nice to see you again, Luna.” Kagami said softly, his voice filled with genuine warmth as he bowed slightly in respect.

         Returning the sentiment, Luna replied, “It’s nice to see you again too, Kagami. Xion has been doing much better ever since... Well, you know, he’s just been living fine.”

         Kagami nodded, his gaze shifting towards Xion. “That’s actually why I’m here,” He said, “I want to talk to Xion.”

         As Kagami's words hung in the air, Xion's heart skipped a beat. To ensure he wasn't dreaming, he slyly pinched himself, feeling a slight sting that confirmed the reality of the situation.

         “Why–?” Xion began to ask, his curiosity getting the better of him.

         Stepping closer, Kagami gently placed his hand on Xion's shoulder, his touch both reassuring and weighty. “It’s about the knights... And, well, your father too.” He disclosed.

         Xion’s face softened, and a hint of apprehension crossed his features as he gulped weakly. His eyes glanced away, and he let out a sigh.

         “Alright.” He agreed–albeit hesitantly.

         Kagami turned his gaze towards Luna, who walked over to Xion and gently placed her hand on his wrist. With a concerned tone, she reminded him, "Make sure not to push yourself too hard, okay?"

         Xion nodded, a crooked grin forming on his face as he replied, "I'll be juuuust peachy."

         Kagami's brow furrowed slightly, he averted his gaze and walked towards the door. He reached for his longsword, gripping it firmly before opening the door and stepping out.

         Xion followed suit, waving goodbye to his mother as he called out, "Seeya."

         The door closed behind them, enveloping them in the outside world for the first time, with Kagami as his companion.

         As they stood together, a long and heavy silence lingered between them. Kagami chose to remain silent, opting instead to start walking. Xion trailed behind, mirroring Kagami's silence.

         The scene was almost serene, as if the silence between them held enough meaning to fill the void. Birds chirped merrily overhead, and the trees swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze.

         Kagami lowered his gaze, closing his eyes momentarily before releasing a sigh. In a calm and authoritative tone, he finally addressed him, "Xion."

         Xion's eyes glanced up at the sound of Kagami's voice, his eyes focusing on him. "Yeah?" he responded, his curiosity piqued.

         "I've thought about what you said," Kagami calmly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of conviction.

         "And to a certain extent, I believe you're right. There's something amiss with these young knights, and I discovered it soon after our conversation."

         "I might not possess much power in this kingdom, but I can gather evidence to support your case," Kagami stated, his determination evident.

         "Otherwise, you can choose not to become a knight again..." He trailed off, leaving the decision in Xion's hands.

         Xion averted his gaze, his attention shifting elsewhere as he responded with a cold tone.

         “I wouldn’t want to be apart of a kingdom that has evil knights like them.”

         Kagami, though hurt by Xion's words, accepted his response. He slowed his pace and stood beside him, a silent show of solidarity.

         Coming to a stop, Kagami cast a gentle gaze upon Xion and let out a soft chuckle. "Your father shared the same opinion about the Fullcrest," he said.

         “Did he? I never knew much about how he died…”

         "Just know that he died like a hero, and as he wished, it looked ‘cool as hell’," Kagami's tone turned somber, the weight of his words evident in his voice.

         “He really did, didn’t he?” Xion muttered lowly.

         "Anyway," Kagami broke the silence, his voice regaining a lighter tone. "That was the talk I wanted to have with you."

         Kagami turned around, facing Xion. "Let's head back; Luna might be cooking supper for us."

         Xion nodded, falling into step beside Kagami as they made their way towards the cabin home, nestled about a kilometer away.

         Quietness filled the air between them, their silence pregnant with unspoken words. Kagami and Xion had the long-awaited conversation they both desired, their thoughts conveyed without uttering a single sound.

         In that moment, life seemed full of promise, holding the potential for a future even brighter than before. Xion braced himself for the impending confrontation with his tormentors, ready to face them head-on.

         But for now, he found solace in the presence of his family, cherishing the moments of tranquility they shared.

         As Xion and Kagami made their way closer to the house, a distant murmur of voices reached their ears, gradually growing louder and more distinct.

         Xion continued on, crossing his arms. Probably people going to buy crops.

         The sound of their footsteps mingling with the rustling of branches and the creaking of bushes. Suddenly, amidst the cacophony, a series of bewildered exclamations pierced through the air.

         “What happened here?!”

         “Who is that?”

         “Isn’t that Zephyr’s wife?”

         Xion's ears perked up at the mention of his family, and without a moment's hesitation, he hurried towards the house, his pace soon turning into a frantic dash.

          Kagami, feeling the tension rise, followed closely behind.

         And then, another person spoke.

         “Is that blood?”

         As they approached, Xion's eyes beheld a scene that struck him with shock and horror. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and his voice erupted into an anguished cry.

         “MOM!”

         Blood stained the surroundings of the outside porch, the air was thick with a sense of urgency and desperation. 

         Xion's heart pounded in his chest as he reached his mother's side, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

         “Mom, mom...!”

         Kagami immediately turned to a bystander, screaming out, “What happened here?!”

         In that moment, time seemed to stand still.

         Luna was dead.