Light and Shadow 4: Momentous Decision

Light and Shadow 4: Momentous Decision

Just as I was about to head to my room when I heard Mimi’s voice. “That won’t happen,” I heard she said firmly. “No matter how hard someone tries, the Supreme Guardians can conceal their presence. They can blend into their surroundings so seamlessly that it’s almost impossible for ordinary immortals to sense or detect them. Otherwise, my daughter would have been found a long time ago.”

Her tone was filled with unwavering confidence as if she knew something I didn’t. But I agree with her, it’s because the Supreme Guardians can mask their presence. It’s like they’re not even there unless their summoner calls upon them.

“That’s why no one has been able to find them until now, even though they’ve been searching for years.”

I assume that those individuals are searching for the summoners of the supreme guardians, and Nana seems to be alarmed by that news. Meanwhile, although Mimi may sound calm and firm, I sensed something hidden beneath her tone.

It was something I couldn’t quite understand, but one thing was for sure: she seemed to dislike this idea.

“My goodness, Lorraine! Stop gaslighting yourself! The summoners of the Supreme Guardians are urgently needed now in the Luminous Realm! Regardless of how you feel about it, you know that this day will inevitably come. And don’t forget that ‘she’ has already revealed herself to Sapphire…”

What does that mean…?

***

It’s challenging to live in a place where people believe magic doesn’t exist. You must conceal your true identity and forgo the freedom to wield magic, no matter how much you desire it. Unless you do so in secret, away from the prying eyes of ordinary people.

Although I’m content with my life, there’s still a longing to be with people who are like me, people with extraordinary abilities. I longed to learn about that world, the world that Mimi seemed hesitant for me to explore for some reason.

But I’m still grateful to Mimi and Nana for choosing to tell me about who we truly are, and I hope there will come a time when they decide to return to the world where we truly belong. A place where magic does exist.

After seeing those immortals in my school, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was my first time encountering immortals like me—aside from Azriel, Mimi, and Nana. I couldn’t help but feel excited about the possibility of meeting more people like us.

The truth is, I feel uncomfortable living here and I don’t know why. Nana says there are other immortals like us living here, and they seem comfortable. Nana and Mimi do too. This discomfort began when my two childhood best friends left the mortal realm.

But when Azriel arrived, I felt comfortable around him again. I think it’s because I know he’s an immortal like me. At first, I was comfortable living here, but as time went by, I started feeling strangely uncomfortable.

I sighed before I heard a knock at my door after I had finished changing. “It’s dinnertime, sweetie,” Mimi called out.

Mimi’s voice was sweet as always, but I couldn’t help but remember the serious tone she had used earlier. “I’ll be there, Mimi!” I replied as I headed outside, where I found Mimi waiting for me.

Our eyes locked, and a mutual smile lit up our faces. “Time to go,” she said. Before we descended the stairs, she linked her arm with mine. “Your Nana’s starving,” she said with a chuckle.

As we entered the dining room, we found Nana was already seated. She feigned exasperation when she saw us, and she let out a dramatic sigh. “About time!” She proclaimed, rubbing her stomach. “I’m famished!” We couldn’t help but laugh.

As we ate dinner, the usual silence filled the room. But then Mimi’s calming voice broke through. “Sweetie…” she said, drawing my attention.

Intrigued, I turned to face her. She glanced at Nana first for support, and Nana gave her a reassuring smile as if encouraging her. I stared at them expectantly, eager to hear what my mother had to say. My nerves were starting to get the best of me as I could feel my heart pounding so fast.

Mimi sighed and turned her attention back to me. She reached out and took my hand, her eyes filled with a soft expression. “I know you’ve been fascinated by our real-world… the realm of Elementalists,” she began, while I was caught off guard. “It’s not that I don’t want to introduce you to Luminous Realm or live there with you,” she explained, her voice softening and there’s a hint of sadness. “I was just thinking that it might not be the right time for you to know about that world yet; until you told us about your dream…” Mimi explained, squeezing my hand gently.

“That dream was a warning for the two of us to think seriously about this,” she continued, sighing. “You know that you’re not just an ordinary immortal, and there are enemies out there searching for you. They might not know about you yet, but we can’t guarantee your safety forever. I want you to live a normal life; away from the chaos of being an immortal, but I guess I have no power over that…” Mimi looked and sounded defeated. I could see that she didn’t agree with her decision, but she had no other option.

“This is the safest choice, Lorraine,” Nana said, turning to me. “She’ll be protected if she’s in our realm; if she’s in the academy,” she paused, then continued, “Let’s keep her true identity hidden for now, so the councils and the enemies won’t target her,” Mimi nodded in agreement.

I was left confused and still couldn’t comprehend what I just heard. Everything was still unclear, but one thing was for sure: Mimi had decided to introduce me to the world I had been longing to know and I didn’t know how to feel.

I had always wanted this to happen, and now that it was, I didn’t know how to react. There were still so many unanswered questions. But I guess this is the start. I believe I’ll figure those things out too, not now but soon. I just need to be more patient.

Those unanswered questions will be answered soon once we’re in that realm.

***