3. Alex

I was on the bus, looking out the window as we approached Rocacielo, my hometown. I had returned after a long time, and the reason was clear: my brother was getting married, and I had an obligation to attend the wedding. As the vehicle approached my destination, the tension rose inside me.

I belonged to the Gem family. They were not only the best family of demon hunters in the entire state, but in the entire country.

Memories of my departure from Rocacielo flooded my thoughts. I left town in search of a fresh start, but the reason behind my departure was still painful. My ex-boyfriend was getting married to someone else, and that was the reason that drove me away from everything I knew. The emotional wounds were still simmering, and returning to the city only fanned those flames.

With every mile the bus went, memories of our past relationship came flooding back. I remembered the happy days we had shared, but also the arguments and pain we had experienced together. I wondered what it would be like to see my ex-boyfriend at my brother's wedding, how I would react to seeing him married to someone else.

Nostalgia washed over me, and I was torn between the joy of being back in my hometown and the anguish of facing the ghosts of my past. Although I had rebuilt my life elsewhere, I couldn't help but feel that returning to Rocacielo was dragging me back to those difficult times.

I picked up my luggage with trembling hands, feeling the weight of emotions and uncertainty increase with each step that brought me closer to the exit of the power plant. I had returned to Rocacielo, my hometown, after a long time, and the tension inside me was palpable.

As I left the arrivals area, my eyes searched anxiously through the crowd. And there they were, my parents and my brother Daniel, waiting for me with expressions that could not hide their mixed feelings.

Daniel was somewhat the opposite of me. He had grown to about six feet tall, while my height was average to normal. His hair was black and his eyes blue, he was handsome. While my white hair and my lost look made me look like an outcast in the eyes of society.

My parents, with tears in their eyes and forced smiles, came over to hug me. It was an embrace laden with years of absence and the tension that had been left unresolved.

The reproaches were present, visible on their faces and in the awkward silence that had settled in the air. My parents had not understood my decision to leave Rocacielo in search of a new beginning, far from painful memories and lost love.

My brother Daniel stood at a distance, watching the scene with a mixture of sympathy and concern.

Words stuck in my throat as my parents and I stared at each other in silence. There was so much to say, so many feelings we needed to express, but I didn't know where to begin. My brother's wedding, which should have been a moment of joy and family unity, had become a painful reminder of conflict and unresolved wounds.

Finally, my mother broke the silence with a shaky sigh.

"Alex, son, you're back," she said, her voice heavy with pent-up emotions. "Five years.We missed you so much."

I nodded, unable to find the right words to respond. I knew I had caused worry and pain by leaving home, but I also knew that my leaving had been a necessity for me at the time.

My father, a man of few words but strong convictions, joined the family embrace. Although his expression remained serious, I could see a glint of relief in his eyes.

Daniel finally came over and enveloped us all in a group hug. His smile was a mixture of relief and hope. He was the supportive and optimistic younger brother he had always been, and his presence acted like a balm in the midst of the tension.

Eventually, I hoped to be able to open my heart to my family and explain the reasons behind my departure. I knew it would not be easy, but my brother's wedding was a beginning, an opportunity to heal old wounds and rebuild the family ties that had been damaged.

As we made our way home, the journey was made in an awkward but meaningful silence. Words would come in time, and I was ready to face the difficult conversations ahead of us. For now, I was back in Rocacielo, in the bosom of my family, and that was a start.

Once in the car, I tried to explain my absence during those five long years. I told them about the job opportunity that had arisen elsewhere, how I had joined a line of demon hunters and learned various secrets about magic, things that were not taught to our apprentices. I told them about my dreams and ambitions, . However, my parents were still upset, unable to swallow my lies.

"We understand that you were looking for your future, but you had no reason to leave without warning, we would have listened to you if you had told us." My mother said with a knowing look at Daniel. Daniel had mentioned to them my real reason for leaving.

The conversation became increasingly tense as I tried to justify my departure and my choices. Words were becoming a double-edged sword, and although I understood their pain, I could not go back in time and change what had happened.

"Alex, no matter what happened before, I'm thrilled you're back," he said with a sincere smile on his face, trying to fix his mistakes. "You're here now."

His warmth and understanding were a balm to my wounded heart. I had always forgiven him. It didn't matter how much time had passed since my departure; he was still my little brother, the one who always looked for the bright side of things.

Daniel continued to talk about his life in Rocacielo, mentioning his girlfriend Emily. He spoke passionately about their relationship and how they had shared their lives over the past few years. He seemed happy and excited to introduce me to Emily.

As I listened to Daniel speak with enthusiasm, I realized how much I had lost during my absence. I had been so focused on escaping my past that I had neglected the family ties that were so important to me.

The tension between my parents and I slowly began to ease. I accepted my family's invitation to help with Daniel's wedding preparations, a way to show my commitment to them and to this new beginning in Rocacielo.

"Alex, you will help us organize the banquet, since you are here everything must go perfect "said my mother changing the conversation.

"Of course," I responded enthusiastically,

As we traversed streets that used to be familiar to me, I noticed new buildings, restaurants and stores that had sprung up. The town seemed more alive and vibrant than before.

We arrived at the imposing family mansion, a place where I used to live before I left, a training ground for future demon hunters and a barracks for those of us who went out to field battles. The majesty of the house reminded me of my childhood and the happy moments we used to share in those corridors and rooms. Despite having been away for years, everything seemed so familiar and at the same time different.

As we toured the house, Daniel and I found ourselves in a quiet room, away from the hustle and bustle of the preparations. It was an opportune time to talk about what had gone unsaid for so long.

"Alex, I need to talk to you "Daniel began, looking at me seriously.

"Sure, he forgave you " I said with a smile on my face.

Daniel sighed deeply before continuing.

"Alex, I'm so sorry things didn't work out between you and Ryan. If they had worked out, you wouldn't have had to leave Rocacielo".

His statement took me by surprise. For years, I had kept silent about my feelings for Ryan, my ex-boyfriend, and the reasons behind my departure. Daniel was the only one who knew, but I didn't expect him to have come to that conclusion.

I took a deep breath before responding to Daniel. I knew I needed to be honest with him, even if it meant confronting my own feelings and contradictions.

"Daniel, it's not just about Ryan. Yes, our relationship had its share of complications, but what really drove me to leave was the need to find my own happiness, to explore new opportunities."

Daniel looked at me with concern.

"Alex, you're a liar."

"Well, at least I tried, just don't tell my stuff to dad."

"you're home now, I've really missed you".

"I've only been given two weeks off, so I'll stay for that time. After that, I will have to come back. But, I promise I will be present for the rest of the wedding planning. I want to do everything I can to make your wedding day special, Daniel" .

"Let's go out and drink for a while, maybe I'll change your mind," Daniel concluded, not resigned to the idea that he would be leaving.

I raised my shoulders, I had never shared a drink with Daniel since I had left when he was fifteen, maybe it was time to recover those memories.