As the first whispers of dawn crept over the jagged peaks of the Dragon's Spine, the village of Kairos stirred to life. Nestled in a cradle of ancient stone, the village basked in the warm, golden light of sunrise. The mist-wrapped mountains, their snow-capped summits glimmering like the edges of broken blades, seemed to yawn and stretch, shaking off the shadows of night. Two titans of stone, the Dragon's Spine's guardian peaks, flanked Kairos – their weathered faces etched with cryptic runes that hummed softly in the morning breeze. The air vibrated with the distant roar of waterfalls and the chorus of awakening birds, as the valley below slowly shed its slumber, ready to greet another day in this mystical corner of Aethoria.
A shrill voice pierced the morning calm, "You wee scap! Get back 'ere!" A blur of worn boots and flailing limbs tore down the sun-dusted path, kicking up puffs of dirt. A flustered woman brandishing a wooden spoon gave chase, her dark hair unraveling from its morning knot. "He's got the devil's speed, that one!" she muttered, half-laughing. Villagers paused mid-task, grinning as the whirlwind zoomed past – goats bleating, chickens scattering. The chase led straight into a narrow alley... and a crash.The running figure fell sliding across the slippery, dew moistened ground.
"Hand it over!" the woman scowled, her face twisted in a mix of anger and exasperation, the wooden spoon wiping wildly through the air. Kaidan's eyes widened behind a guilty grin, his chubby cheeks still bulging with stolen kukupa bread.
"What've you got there, eh?" she growled, advancing a step, her grip on the spoon tightening. Kaidan's hands instinctively went behind his back.
"Nothing," answered Kaidan with an innocent smile,trying his best to be adorable.
Seeing this the woman's angry face softened up a little bit.But she immediately realized what he was doing and an angry scowl returned to her face.
"Dont give that, it wont work," she said angrily.
"Show her what you've got, Kaidan," a low and measured voice said.
Kaidan turned to see his father Arcturus approaching them.
Kaidan's eyes dropped, and he revealed the crumbled candy, his shoulders hunched in a mix of guilt and apprehension. The woman's expression softened, but Arcturus' face remained serious, his gaze lingering on Kaidan's downcast face.
With a quiet nod, Arcturus' flicked a copper coin to the woman, Ama Lila. "For the candy. Apologies for the trouble."
He placed a hand on Kaidan's shoulder, guiding him away from the scene. They walked in silence, the village sounds muffled by the weight of unspoken words. Arcturus eyes, though kind, seemed to bore into Kaidan's conscience, the air thick with an unspoken understanding.
After a moment, Arcturus spoke, his voice like the mountain wind – steady and strong, but tinged with a hint of sorrow.
"You know why we don't take what's not ours, Kaidan." Kaidan nodded, his eyes stubbornly fixed on the path ahead.
As they walked, the village's thatched roofs gave way to rugged mountain terrain .The mountain path twisted ahead, taking them higher into the Dragon's Spine. Kaidan skipped ahead, then slowed, his eyes clouding.
"Papa, why don't I have a mama?" he asked, his voice small.
Arcturus's expression turned distant . "You'll see her one day, Kaidan. She's... part of the weave. But she's not here."
Kaidan's face cr crled, his lips trembling. "If I had a mama... I wouldn't have to steal candy ."
Arcturus's eyes softened, but before he could speak, Kaidan turned and sprinted toward the cabin, tears streaming down his face . The door slammed shut behind him.
Arcturus stood frozen, the silence heavy as the mountains. He gazed up at the stars twinkling like shards of ice in the night sky , sighed, and muttered, "Still waiting..."
With a quiet nod, he followed the path to the cabin, footsteps slow and measured .
The cabin's door creaked as Arcturus pushed it open, the fire crackling inside casting a warm glow on Kaidan's tear-stained face. The boy lay on his bed, his small body shaking with sobs. Arcturus crossed the room, his footsteps heavy, and sat beside him. He gently brushed a strand of hair from Kaidan's forehead, his touch warm and gentle.
"Shh, son... it's okay. You're not alone." The words hung in the air, a promise and a reassurance. As Kaidan's sobs slowly subsided, Arcturus began to hum a soft, melodic tune, one that she used to sing to Kaidan when he was little.
The memory stung, but he pushed on, letting the music wash over them. Gradling Kaidan in his arms, Arcturus whispered,
"You'll always have me, son. We'll face it together, whatever it is." The fire crackled, casting shadows on the walls as father and son clung to each other, the mountain night wrapping itself around them like a shawl.