ALL NOVEL Chapter 6: Chapter 5: The Night Before Awakening
The eve of their fifteenth birthdays arrived, bringing with it a sense of anticipation and excitement. To mark the occasion, Alaric organized a grand celebration at the cabin. The small home, which had become a second home for the boys, was filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of friends.
The party was a testament to the bonds they had formed over the past two years. Elara teased the boys relentlessly, Garron regaled the crowd with exaggerated tales of his hunting days, and Selene brought a calming presence, her quiet smile a balm amidst the lively chaos.
"To Callen and Yu!" Alaric toasted, his voice booming over the chatter. "Tomorrow, you'll take your first steps into a world far larger than you've ever known. May your swords be strong and your hearts even stronger!"
The room erupted in cheers, and the boys couldn't help but grin. Yet beneath their smiles was a quiet understanding of the weight of what lay ahead.
As the night wore on and the guests began to leave, Callen and Yu slipped outside. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth of the cabin, and the stars above seemed brighter than ever.
They lay on the grass, side by side, staring up at the vast expanse of the sky.
"It's hard to believe it's been two years," Callen said softly. "Sometimes, it feels like just yesterday we were in that forest, scared out of our minds."
Yu chuckled. "And now we're here, about to awaken our swords. It's… surreal."
Callen turned his head to look at Yu. "Do you ever think about what you'll wish for? If we make it to the top, I mean."
Yu was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the stars. "I don't even know who I am, Callen. Before I can think about a wish, I need to figure that out."
Callen nodded, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I just want to see my mom again. To tell her I'm okay. That I'll always be okay."
The two boys lay in silence, the weight of their thoughts matched only by the enormity of the sky above them.
When the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, the world seemed to hold its breath. The day of awakening had arrived, and with it, the promise of a new chapter in their lives.