Chapter 7: Farewells and New Beginnings

Mira

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the sprawling estate of the Gaelstrom family on Ethra Prime. The mansion loomed majestically, a four-story structure built in a medieval style, complete with towering spires and battlements that connected the main building to four surrounding towers. It was a place of grandeur, with seventeen bedrooms and numerous other rooms, each filled with memories of laughter, tears, and the passage of time.

Inside the master bedroom, Mira Gaelstrom was packing her belongings, her heart heavy with the weight of impending change. She folded her clothes meticulously, placing them into a box as several staff members dressed in tailored suits and maid's aprons carried out the last of her possessions. The room, once vibrant with her presence, was now echoing with emptiness, and Mira felt a pang of nostalgia wash over her as she handed the final box to an elderly man in a crisp black suit, his white gloves pristine against the dark fabric.

"Is this the last of it?" he asked, his voice gentle yet tinged with concern.

Mira nodded, forcing a smile despite the turmoil brewing inside her. "Yes, Bertran. That's everything."

As she turned to exit the room, she paused, glancing back at the empty space that had been her sanctuary for so long. Memories flooded her mind—childhood laughter, the warmth of family gatherings, and the quiet moments spent in solitude. The realization hit her hard: she was really moving. Anxiety gripped her heart, and she wondered if she would be able to make it on her own.

A soft hand landed on her shoulder, and she turned to find Bertran standing beside her, his expression a mixture of pride and sadness. "You'll do just fine, Mira," he reassured her, his voice steady.

Mira felt a lump form in her throat as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. She looked up and noticed the glimmer of tears in Bertran's eyes, a reflection of the bond they shared. Memories flashed through her mind—running through the mansion's battlements, playing hide-and-seek in the sprawling gardens, and the countless lessons he had taught her about life and responsibility. Bertran had practically raised her since her parents had bought the estate and left her in charge, retreating to Mars to raise their legitimate children.

"Thank you for everything, Bertran," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I wouldn't be who I am without you."

He smiled softly, but the worry in his eyes remained. "You're going to face challenges, Mira. As a squire, you'll have to shadow a knight on a mission once every month. It's dangerous out there."

"I know," she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "But I'll be okay. I have time to prepare."

Bertran's brow furrowed with concern. "Do you have reliable teammates yet? You need to be sure you can trust them."

Mira sighed, feeling exasperated but touched by his worry. "School hasn't even started yet, Bertran. The first mission isn't until the second month. I have time to find my footing."

He nodded slowly, still unconvinced. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," she said, squeezing his hand before stepping back. "Now, can you carry the last of the boxes down? I want to take a walk through the house one last time before I leave."

"Of course," Bertran replied, his voice softening. He took the box and exited the room, leaving Mira alone with her thoughts.

As she walked through the mansion, Mira reflected on the many things she was leaving behind. Her parents had never visited her since they left, choosing instead to send money while the staff of maids and butlers raised her. They had left her a tidy sum and entrusted Bertran with her care, but the absence of parental love weighed heavily on her heart. She had learned to manage her finances well, thanks to Bertran's guidance, and his smart investments had turned her small fortune into a thriving empire on Ethra Prime.

Mira stepped out of a side door and onto a battlement walkway connecting the main house to one of the towers. She paused, taking in the breathtaking view as the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the pristine green lawns and sparkling fountains that stretched to the outer wall. It was a sight she had cherished, and now, as she stood there, she realized it would be a long time before she saw this place again.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she allowed them to fall freely, not knowing exactly why she was crying. Perhaps it was the weight of leaving her childhood home, or the uncertainty of what lay ahead. She spent several minutes letting the emotions wash over her, releasing the pent-up feelings she had held inside for far too long.

Another soft hand on her shoulder heralded Bertran's return. He wrapped her in a warm hug, offering comfort in her moment of vulnerability. "It's okay to feel this way," he whispered, his voice soothing. "You're embarking on a new journey."

Wiping her eyes, Mira took a deep breath, reminding herself that she couldn't afford to be weak anymore. "I have to be strong," she said, her voice steadier now.

Bertran nodded, his expression proud. "The hover transport is ready. We can depart at any time."

Mira straightened her back, putting on a brave face. "Let's go," she said, following him down to the courtyard, where the transport awaited.

Meanwhile, across town, Kael stood in front of their modest home, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions. A military hover transport hovered silently in front of the house, its sleek design a stark contrast to the warmth of his family's small abode. His father, clad in his old armor, was preparing to leave for the front lines. The thick gray plates fit together seamlessly, with no gaps between them, and lines of white energy glowed softly along the edges, a testament to the advanced technology of the Federation. A royal blue mantle draped over his shoulders, adding an air of authority to his presence.

Kael's stomach churned as he watched his father, Kalius, readying himself for departure. He had known this day was coming, yet now that it was here, a million worries rushed through his mind. He didn't want to burden his father with his fears, so he remained silent, observing as his father embraced their mother, Emery.

"Kalius," she said, her voice trembling yet strong, "you promise to return to us, no matter what?"

Tears streamed down her face as they held each other tightly, and Kael felt a lump form in his throat. He wanted to reach out, to comfort them both, but he felt frozen in place, overwhelmed by the gravity of the moment.

"I promise," his father replied softly, kissing her forehead before stepping back. He knelt down beside Kael's younger sister, Arya, who had been unusually quiet since they learned of their father's departure.

"Will you be on your best behavior while I'm gone?" Kalius asked, his voice gentle.

Without warning, Arya threw herself into their father's arms, sobbing inconsolably. Kael's heart ached at the sight, and he felt helpless as he watched his father console her, his own emotions threatening to spill over.

"Hey, hey," Kalius murmured, stroking her hair. "I'll be back before you know it."

Emery gently separated Arya from their father, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and sorrow. Kalius ruffled Arya's hair affectionately, looking deep into her eyes. "I'll return to you, I promise," he said, his voice firm yet tender.

Arya hugged him again, and Kael felt a surge of emotion as he watched the bond between them. It was a moment of love and loss, and he wished he could hold onto it forever.

When Kalius approached Kael, they embraced tightly, both trying to be strong for the other. Kael could feel the warmth of his father's armor against his skin, a reminder of the man he admired so deeply. They stepped back, and Kalius looked Kael in the eyes, his expression serious.

"I have a gift for you," he said, motioning for one of the soldiers nearby. The soldier stepped forward, presenting a sheathed longsword that gleamed in the sunlight.

Kalius turned and handed the sword to Kael, who was momentarily stunned. He took in the blade, about three and a half feet long, with a thin yet sturdy crossguard. The steel glowed a brilliant white, and the handle was wrapped in fine leather strips dyed in blue. A stylized wolf's head was imprinted in gold on the crossguard, and the sheath matched, adorned with the same emblem.

"Wow," Kael breathed, overwhelmed with gratitude. He couldn't fathom how much this sword must have cost his father or how long he had to work to afford it. "Thank you, Dad."

Kalius chuckled lightly, pointing to the gold clasps that held his mantle in place. "The snarling wolf is my Knightly Device. Each knight chooses a device when they are knighted; it's a great honor and helps with identification on the battlefield."

Kael's brow furrowed in thought. "Can knights own the same device?"

"They can, but only if they are directly blood-related," his father explained, pride shining in his eyes.

Kael nodded, absorbing the information. As his father prepared to leave, he stood at attention, crossing his right fist over his left breast, the sword still in hand. Kalius mirrored the gesture, and they exchanged a solemn salute.

"Promise me you'll take care of everyone," Kalius said, his voice steady.

"I promise," Kael replied, determination flooding his heart.

With one last look, Kalius climbed into the transport, and it lifted off, leaving Kael, Emery, and Arya standing in the courtyard, emotions swirling around them like a storm. They stood there for a while, each lost in their thoughts, until Emery finally regained her composure.

"Let's go back inside," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. "Kael, you still need to continue packing. You leave for the node assignment surgery in the morning."

Kael nodded, though a part of him still felt heavy with sadness. Yet, beneath that sadness, a flicker of excitement ignited at the thought of having his own node. The surgery didn't worry him, as he had undergone many procedures in his life, but the prospect of connecting with others in a new way filled him with hope.

As he walked back to the house, Kael's mind raced with thoughts of the Academy and what his life would be like from now on. The monthly squire missions loomed ahead, but he felt a sense of determination rising within him. He would honor his father's legacy, protect his family, and embrace the challenges that lay ahead.

With each step, he felt the weight of his father's sword in his hand, a reminder of the bond they shared and the path he was destined to walk. The future was uncertain, but Kael was ready to face it head-on.