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After the disaster occurred in the village people lost their lives, others were left homeless or injured, the news of what happened reached the capital days later, to protect his people the emperor of Khardia deployed the knights and wizards to help mobilize those affected to the capital.

The neighing of horses could be heard more often, the knights following the orders of the emperor and began to evacuate all the people of the village, after collecting information of what happened, the villagers informed the knights that there were still people deep in the forest, the miasma was advancing more and more, it was dangerous for someone to live in that place.

A small group went into the forest.

- Darius, have you seen Elian? - Stella asked.

Darius denied the younger girl's question, the brown eyes of the younger one rested on the dough that was in the hands of the older one.

- Cookies? - said Stella

- Not exactly - answered Darius - but, I can also make cookies if you want?

- Really!!! - said Stella excitedly, Darius nodded at Stella's words - Thanks!

- Why were you looking for Elian? - asked Darius.

- I don't want to be alone - answered Stella, Darius observed the younger girl after her words, the figure of the younger girl looked very lonely in that room in his eyes - Elian always disappears and comes back days later, I don't like it, whenever I don't find him my chest starts to tighten strongly.

Hearing that statement from the younger girl provoked some pain and anguish in Darius, if he asked more about that feeling that worried the younger girl, would it be too much? He could only listen to her in silence, unable to act or even intervene, that was his job in the end.

- well they are family... - Darius answered while he continued kneading the dough - they grew up together after all, it's normal to feel that way... -

Darius hearing no answer from the younger one, raised his gaze, Stella remained silent as she fixed her gaze on the snow behind the window, the younger one always acted that way when hearing the bonds between the two of them.

- If Elian is not at home, he's probably training - said Darius, Stella turned her gaze to the older one - you know what he's like - he's an addict, he's a junkie.

- It's true, he's a training addict - answered Stella with a little laugh - then I'll go and look for him, if I don't he'll surely forget to eat -

- Be careful - said Darius.

He watched as the younger girl put on her cloak without covering her face, as the place where they trained was close to the house there would be no problem, he smiled when he saw how the younger girl went in search of Elian.

- Darius, what are you up to - said Agnus from the edge of the door looking at him.

- Me? What are you talking about? - he answered without looking at him - since you're awake, here, I have a letter for you -

- You want to unite them, don't you? - said Agnus seriously looking at him - Stella and Elian - Darius gave a sigh leaving aside the dough while looking at him - you know that nothing can happen between them, besides both... -

- I know - interjected Darius staring at him - that was the reason why from the beginning you related them as family, or am I wrong?

Agnus kept silent to Darius' words, his assumption was right, he simply believed that at some point Stella's destiny would appear, he knew what it would entail, since he started raising Stella he was prepared for it, the separation with the youngest would come at some point, he was aware of it, but would Darius and Elian accept it?

At the beginning he hesitated to let them both relate to each other, but Stella was constantly decaying because of the loneliness, to avoid problems in the future he saw the best option, to be related as a family, that way in the future both would not suffer too much and Stella would return to the place where she belongs.

Stella had walked through the snow following the path left by Agnus, the view around her was very familiar to her, that icy wind that ran across her face was pleasant, being near the place where Elian trained, Stella tried to minimize the noise of her walk as much as she could, observing the silhouette of Elian she kept silent while watching him practice with the sword, the movements of the black-haired man with the sword were fluid, he tried not to give unnecessary movements in each thrust, even without his sense of sight his movements were very good.

- "As long as it's about the sword, Elian is very serious" - thought Stella while looking at him -.

The younger girl noticing that her presence had not been noticed, smiled mischievously while in her hands she took some snow and began to shape it, stealthily she approached as close as possible and threw the snowball towards Elian, Stella's brown eyes were surprised to see how Elian calmly dodged the snowball.

- Did you know I was here? - Stella asked as she approached.

- No - replied Elian, lowering his sword.

- Then how did you dodge it? -

Elian just lowered his gaze and pointed at the younger girl's chest.

- Your breath, I could hear it when you threw the snowball.

- My breathing? - Stella didn't understand how she could have been guided by it.

- Why did you come here? You should be at home," said Elian, "You shouldn't go out, the cold will get colder and colder.

Stella was annoyed when she heard him, she was completely warm unlike Elian who only wore a change of clothes, Stella walked past him, taking in her hands a piece of wood she pointed at the older man.

- I also came to practice - she said with a smile - Are you going to run away or face me brother?

Elian let out a light laugh when he heard her as he put aside his sword and stood in front of her.

- What are you doing? - Stella asked.

- If I use the sword, you will be at a disadvantage," Elian answered.

Stella clenched her hands as she listened to him as she attacked him directly, Elian for his part calmly dodged the minor's attacks, she could hear how the minor's breathing became short and shallower, in the minor's eyes it seemed that Elian was mocking her, no matter how hard she tried she couldn't touch him, she felt tired after a few more attempts, her gaze fell on Elian who didn't look tired at all unlike her.

- "It's not fair" -

Stella fixed her gaze on the footprints in the snow that the elder had left, the sequence left in the snow had a predetermined order that caught her attention, she could tell which were Elian's footprints by the depth in the snow, the times Elian returned in his same steps he left the visible mark.

Elian listened as the younger girl's breathing returned to normal.

- Stella? - Elian asked when he didn't hear the younger girl's voice.

Stella gave a slight giggle surprising Elian, she started to run to the top of the snow hill, the older one hearing the younger one's footsteps walking away chased after her.

- What are you doing? - asked Elian.

- I knew it! - Stella's voice sounded excited.

Elian did not understand what Stella meant by her words, when he felt her hand next to his, he was surprised when he looked at her.

- Elian's footprints in the snow, they remind me of the steps of the village festival - Stella turned to Elian intertwining her hands - I'll show you - she said excitedly.

Stella together with Elian ran down the hill while standing on top of the footprints left by Elian, raising her eyes to Elian she started to move following as a guide the steps in the snow that the black-haired man had left.

Elian had been surprised to hear Stella's words, he had simply dodged Stella's attacks without wasting unnecessary movements, then as he had ended up in a dance class, he couldn't help but laugh at his situation as he kept up with the younger girl, although he didn't understand why it was nice to be that way with Stella.

- Ah, wait Elian, I was leading! - Stella claimed.

- How are you going to lead, you have danced with someone? - said Elian

Stella stopped when she heard him, her cheeks were slightly reddish, she felt ashamed, Elian's words were true, Stella always secretly went to the village when there were festivals, in her eyes everything was beautiful, the decorations and the food, but always what caught her attention was the dance at the end of the festival, the men escorted the women, to the beat of the song they danced around the bonfire, that was simply beautiful to see.

- I've never done it - said Stella separating from Elian - father doesn't like me to be in the village and you don't like crowds - Stella started to play following the footprints in the snow - even if I've never done it, every year I would sneak to the village festival, it was so nice to see them dance -.

Elian listened as Stella hummed a song while trying to dance to the beat of the song, the red-haired man smiled as he approached her and took her hand.

- Then, would you allow me this dance - said Elian bowing in front of Stella.

Stella couldn't help but let out a slight laugh as she played along with the older man and bowed.

- The pleasure is mine - Stella said with a smile.

Both hands joined hands, unlike the first time that their steps were rough, this time Elian put his hand on the waist of the younger one and started to lead her in the dance, the laughter between them could be heard at every turn they took, even if it wasn't real it was fun in the eyes of both of them to dance in the snow.

Stella was very happy to dance with Elian, when she felt how the red-haired boy stopped suddenly she raised her head to the ground. When she felt how the red-haired boy stopped suddenly she looked up, noticing the complete attention on the horizon she spoke.

- Elian? what's wrong? -

- Someone is coming - Elian's voice was serious, separating from Stella he took the sword and put on his cloak - let's go back home... - he grabbed Stella's wrist and started to walk.

- But no one dares to come to the forest, everyone in town knows it's dangerous, so why would they come? - Elian didn't answer the younger girl's question as he hurried his pace - Brother?

When they heard the neighing of a horse they both immediately covered their faces as they ran to hide.

- Hey, you guys! -

Both young men heard the shout behind them and stopped walking, if they escaped it would be more suspicious so they limited their movements, Elian turned his gaze without raising it completely hiding Stella behind him.

The knights approached carefully to both young men, with their eyes they inspected that the place was safe, they had heard a sound in the distance and so they arrived with both of them, their surprise was notorious when they found them in the middle of the frozen forest, it could be noticed that in that place there was no one living around, no matter where you looked there was only snow, by the complexion of the body of both it could be noticed that they were still young, then how could they live in that place, what called the attention of the knight was the hostility of the older one towards them.

Do you live near here? -

Elian just nodded his head by way of answer, Stella raised her gaze a little, seeing the shining armors that covered the men she was surprised, never had the knights gone to the town let alone going deep into the frozen forest, then why were they there, she looked around and noticed group of the knights there were people wearing dark cloaks, thanks to the seal they had impregnated on their cloaks Stella could tell that those men were mages from the kingdom of Khardia.

- "Wizards?" -

- What are they doing here, are they alone? - asked the knight

Stella felt Elian's grip grow tighter with each question from the knight.

- Don't you know what happened in the village a few days ago? -

The knight fixed his gaze on both of them, all this time they had been communicating by signs, neither of them wanted to talk.

- This place is dangerous, you must evacuate immediately, soon the darkness will consume everything, come with me, I will take you to a safe place.

The knight stretched his hand towards both of them surprising them, Stella turned her gaze to Elian waiting for his answer.

- It is not necessary - answered Elian.

Everyone was stunned at his answer, the knight, listening to Elian speak, looked more confused, he looked at his companions and nodded his head as a sign, a young woman with a dark cloak approached.

- You can trust us - from her cloak she took out a seal, the insignia shown on it belonged to the emperor, the sword together with the golden shield were only carried by those who were loyal to the crown.

- My father... - Stella spoke in a low voice without raising her gaze - our father is still missing... - Elian turned his gaze to Stella and looked at her.

Elian turned his gaze to Stella when he heard her speak, although the youngest could verify that those people were trustworthy, Elian did not see the insignia shown by the magician, for that reason he did not expect the interference of the youngest.

- I should have guessed it, you are still too young to live in this place by yourselves - said the knight - can you guide us? We will accompany you.

- Yes -

Stella tightened her grip as she started walking, Elian didn't say a word as they walked home.

- Brother... - Stella said quietly - they are from the capital... I saw the seal that Darius told us about before... that's why... -

- Aren't you being too friendly? They... -

- How long have you lived in this place? - asked the knight - why... live in such a secluded place, as if you were hiding?

That was what Elian feared, unlike Stella who believed in the goodness of people blindly he did not, he saw the reality of people.

- He is not being very curious - Elian answered curtly.

The gentlemen looked at Elian angrily, Stella felt the atmosphere between them was very tense and felt uncomfortable, maybe she made a mistake, when she saw the house and the silhouette of Darius outside the house she smiled as she ran towards him.

The whole group looked at Stella, the cape uncovered her face, the knights noticed the dark hair and were a little surprised, they turned their gaze to Elian who was next to her, the youngest smiled uncovering his face, noticing the colorless eyes of the youngest the knight was surprised.

- You... did you... -

His body froze completely, he turned his gaze towards the house, Darius was holding Stella in his arms who was unconscious, they all felt how an icy current ran through their bodies, when they noticed the albino in front of them they paled, the mage of the group raised a barrier around them, Agnus frowned when he noticed it, those crimson eyes shone with intensity, the barrier broke instantly.

- Against humans your barriers will work, but against a demon... you will die".

The mage felt Agnus' gaze on her and fell to the ground, they could barely breathe, the albino was in his territory after all, until he saw that the whole group fell unconscious he didn't withdraw his energy.

- Stella... - Elian approached Darius.

- She's just asleep," answered Darius, "I can't believe they got in, Agnus, why didn't the barrier work?

- The miasma must have created a crack and that's where they got in," said Agnus, "Darius, you know what to do.

Darius sighed as he looked at Stella, the magic was specific according to its user, combat magic, psychic, elemental were some of the many that existed on the continent, Darius was a user of the psychic type, altering memories or erasing them was one of his abilities, upon receiving the order Darius erased the memories of the intruders of the last few minutes, as well as in Stella's mind he altered some of her memories.

Agnus with his magic instead took the entire group and left them on the outskirts of the forest, seeing the insignia of the kingdom of Khardia could not help but feel discomfort, being close to royalty was difficult for him.

Hours later Stella woke up somewhat confused, her last memory was that she was with Elian in the forest, her return home was confusing.

- If you are awake, come to dinner - said Elian from the edge of the door.

Stella stood up and grabbed his arm.

- Did I fall asleep again? - Stella asked.

Although she didn't know what was going on, she was aware that sometimes her mind went blank, Elian knew the whole truth, but he couldn't tell her.

- Yes... - Elian answered

He saw how the youngest looked worried about herself, Stella suddenly came running down the stairs as she was going to the dining room.

- Father! - shouted Stella as she entered the dining room.

- Oh, it looks like you're finally awake," Darius smiled at the youngest as he set the table.

- What's the matter? - asked Agnus

- I had a strange dream and I want to ask your permission to go back to the village, this time I will go alone and I won't act rashly, I promise," said Stella.

Agnus frowned as he listened to Stella while looking at Darius, the elder denied the accusation with Agnus' gaze, he had checked that Stella's memories were changed, he didn't know why out of the blue the younger one was talking about visiting the village.

- It is dangerous, I refuse - Agnus answered.

- If I'm with my brother I'll be fine - replied Stella - father, please.

- I said no! - spoke with a strong voice Agnus - The problems of the village are not our concern, they will foresee the danger and will leave on their own - said Agnus - soon we must leave, for that reason... -

- Leave? Why?! - said Stella - Elian never told me anything about it - she turned her eyes to Elian who was outside the house, he only turned around - father, my brother will come with us, won't he? - he said uncertainly.

- No, he...- Agnus averted his gaze - "if Elian doesn't go with us!

- If Elian doesn't go with us, I won't go! I refuse! - replied Stella as she left the table.

- Miss... - said Darius as he watched her go up to her room, Darius stared at the albino - Agnus, it wasn't necessary to talk to her that way, you should have just told her that you didn't allow it because the miasma was the one that caused everything, why did you bring up the subject of the trip just now?