Departure

Morning mist draped the mountain village like gauze.

Akes stood in the courtyard, watching Monica emerge from the house with Blaze in her arms. The little boy was two years old now. His dark blue hair gleamed faintly in the morning light, and his large eyes looked at his father with innocent confusion as he mumbled, "Father."

"Are you really going?" Monica walked up to him, her voice soft.

Akes took Blaze from her arms, kissed his son on the forehead, then looked at Monica. "Ten years. I'll be back in ten years."

Monica fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

Still, she could not help reaching out to straighten Akes's collar. Her fingers lingered on his clothes for a moment before withdrawing.

"Blaze, say goodbye to Father." Monica lowered her head and spoke to the child in her arms.

Blaze still did not quite understand what "goodbye" meant. He only knew that his father was leaving. His dark blue eyes stared at Akes, his little mouth drooped, and he grabbed Akes's collar without letting go.

"Father—" His voice was thick with tears.

Akes's heart ached. He hugged Blaze a little tighter, resting his chin against his son's soft hair. Two years was too short—so short that he had not even learned how to be a father before he had to leave.

"Be good. Stay home with Mother," Akes coaxed softly. "Father is going out for a while. When I come back, I'll bring you something tasty."

Blaze gradually quieted down, but his little hand still clutched Akes's collar, unwilling to release it.

Desri walked out of the house, dressed in a gray robe and holding the staff that had accompanied him for centuries.

He glanced at his daughter and, unusually, spoke. "I'll watch over him."

Monica took Blaze from