Chapter 18 – Small Steps, Loud Echoes

That morning, the sun had just brushed the tips of Laterano's towers when Exu stepped outside for school.

The air was damp with the leftover rain from the night before, but the marble streets still shone—clean, as if washed to welcome a brand-new day.

On her shoulders, her small wings flickered steadily, more stable than usual.

Perhaps Exu really was growing—though only just in her small body.

The school gardens were bursting with color: yellow, pink, and violet flowers.

Still wet from the recent rain, but fresh.

Some kids ran about, smiling, arguing over the latest school games.

It was a cheerful scene, like always… except one child sat alone in the corner, head bowed.

She was new—Clara.

A Sankta girl with shimmering white hair, same age as Exu, but only a month into her life in Laterano.

On that garden bench, she looked small and folded into herself, staring at the ground.

Something in Exu stirred.

She remembered Fiammetta's words about protecting someone, Mostima's about "saving from the edge."

And at that moment, she knew: it was time to be brave.

Her steps were light, but firm, as she walked toward Clara, past the laughing, running children.

"Hey, Clara?" she called out gently, but loud enough to be heard.

Clara lifted her head slowly.

Her eyes were red—maybe from crying, maybe from something else.

Exu didn't know for sure, but she quickly sat beside her.

"You okay?" she asked, voice soft, but sincere.

Clara stayed quiet.

She hugged her knees and whispered,

"They said I wear a fake halo. That I'm just a show-off."

Exu frowned. "Halos aren't theater lights."

Clara blinked, confused. "What?"

Exu tapped the edge of her own halo.

"A halo isn't an accessory. It's part of you. If they say it's fake, then they don't know a thing."

Clara smiled—just a little. "You… really think so?"

"Yeah," Exu said, casual. "Because it's true."

Clara looked down again, then shook her head slightly. "Thank you."

Exu reached into her school bag and pulled out a biscuit.

"This is carrot-bread stuffed with cheese and a bit of chocolate.

Not sweeter than advice, but… edible if you're interested."

Clara chuckled softly.

That one silly line pushed the edge back just a little.

A few children glanced over.

Some teachers passed by in the distance, watching.

But no one said anything.

The moment was warm—like sunlight pressing a gentle hand on their shoulders.

Then Exu made a decision that would shift the tone of the day:

She stood up and tugged Clara toward their usual bench.

"Come on," Exu said gently. "I'll take you to the best secret place."

Clara looked confused. "Secret?"

Mostima appeared from behind a tree, carrying two bottles of orange juice.

She set them on the bench.

"Help me out," Exu said, pointing at the juice.

Mostima only smiled.

"Everyone deserves some spice," she said, patting a bottle for Exu, then one for Clara.

Clara took it, eyes shining.

She took a slow sip.

"I… I'm glad I met you," she murmured.

Fiammetta arrived silently, again with a white flower in hand.

She sat at the other end of the bench, giving them space.

She didn't say much—but her presence was enough.

Steady and graceful, like a Liberi who had started to feel.

Exu and her friends waited together until the bell rang.

The first chime echoed—it was time for class.

"If they say your halo's expired," Mostima said suddenly,

"Just tell them we're officially licensed by the sky."

Clara smiled faintly. "Official license…"

Exu kicked a pebble softly.

"Sometimes the 'official' one is the first to speak when no one else dares to listen."

Fiammetta arched a brow.

"So Exu's the answer when you feel lonely?"

Exu laughed.

"I like to think of the answer as… a blanket."

Clara gripped Exu's hand.

"I want to stay with you."

Mostima rested a gentle hand on Clara's back.

"You're already here."

In the teacher's lounge, Lemuen and Pastor Geraint spoke in hushed voices.

Exu hadn't heard any of it.

"That girl," Lemuen said, nodding toward the classroom door,

"It's not about her halo. It's about who chooses to stand first."

Pastor Geraint nodded.

"A child with eyes like an angel—but it's not the angel she is.

It's the light she brings."

Lemuen furrowed her brow.

"I worry she's growing up too fast."

The pastor gave a soft smile.

"If she is… then let her. The world out there needs children like her too."

That evening, after a quiet sunset on the lanai, Exu sat with Lemuen.

The last rays of sunlight reflected in the tea glass, casting soft shadows on the table.

Lemuen took a deep breath.

"I heard you helped Clara today."

Exu looked down. "Yeah."

Lemuen was quiet for a moment.

"You know the risks? New kids can become targets of gossip. Even teachers' parents might complain."

Exu looked up at her sister.

"If no one stands, they'll be left playing alone."

Lemuen touched Exu's chin softly.

"Maybe you are different. But don't let that difference become a burden, okay?"

Exu nodded slowly. "I have you.

But I also have my own heart."

Lemuen smiled.

"That's all I've ever wanted."

In her room, Exu lay staring at the dark ceiling—

just one small nightlight glowing faintly.

She closed her eyes,

thinking of how small and healthy courage could feel.

A white flower petal, a piece of bread,

the quiet in Clara's eyes—

they were only small steps.

But even small echoes carry weight.

Tomorrow would be a new chapter in Laterano.

And Exu knew…

she was ready to take another step.