The city of Eldoria, with its grand architecture glimmering under the light of magical crystals, always exuded a captivating, mystical aura. Yet to me, all that beauty had slowly begun to fade.
I am Aria, a twenty-year-old singer known throughout the city for my light-element magic. I stood by the window, gazing outside. Today, like any other day, I saw the same familiar view. But something felt different—like something was missing.
"It's been a while, Mia…" I murmured softly, my voice barely a whisper. My younger sister, Mia—quiet yet always smiling—is no longer here. It used to be the three of us: Mia, Erma, and me. We were inseparable, always completing one another. But ever since Mia left, this house has felt unbearably empty.
I took a deep breath, trying to hold back the sadness that always crept in whenever I thought of her. Even though Erma is still here with me, the emptiness lingers.
"I hate this feeling..." I turned away from the window, trying to shake off the growing hollowness. Erma, my other sister, now eighteen, was in her room. I wasn't sure what she was doing, but I knew—she felt the same loss.
I tried talking to her earlier this afternoon, but our conversation didn't last long. Just a few awkward exchanges, like an invisible wall had formed between us. Ever since Mia's departure, things between us had never been the same.
Bored, I threw myself onto the sofa, hoping the TV might distract me from the aching emptiness inside. I flipped through channels at random, but for some reason, a wave of exhaustion hit me like a tide.
"...Sleepy," I whispered to myself, my voice fading into the quiet.
Not long after, I dozed off on the couch without even realizing it.
When I woke up, the room was dark. The TV was still on, though I had no idea what was playing. Slowly, I sat up and rubbed my face, trying to pull myself back into reality.
"Why do I always feel so tired these days?" I mumbled. I walked over to the mirror in the corner. My long brown hair looked a mess, tangled and wild. I tried to smooth it down with my fingers, but as usual, it had a mind of its own—uncooperative and stubborn.
"Ugh, whatever…" I sighed in defeat and let it be.
This morning, I had a long list of things to do. Vocal practice at the music studio, maybe a small performance at the town square. Eldoria was always bustling—and so was I. They called me Aria, the singer with the light of magic. Sometimes, it felt like a heavy title to carry. But this was the path I'd chosen.
I grabbed the coat hanging behind the door and slipped it on. "Alright... let's get through today," I muttered to myself, trying to sound more optimistic than I felt.
After a brief battle with my impossible hair, I headed to the kitchen. My stomach was already grumbling—time for breakfast. In the chaos of performances and packed schedules, these quiet kitchen moments were a rare comfort. The aroma of warm food always brought a sense of peace.
"Hmm, what should I cook this morning?" I asked myself as I opened the cupboard. I wasn't exactly a chef, but when it came to simple breakfasts, I could manage just fine.
Then it hit me—pancakes. Our favorite. I took out the flour, eggs, and milk, and began mixing them in a large bowl. The gentle sound of the spoon clinking against the glass bowl made a rhythm of its own, soothing and familiar in the early morning stillness. Normally, during times like this, Erma would wander in—half-asleep, hair all messy, with that classic morning face of hers that never failed to make me smile.
But… this morning was strangely quiet.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. A little past eight. Is she still asleep? I wondered. That didn't feel right. Erma usually woke up early, even on her days off.
The first pancake was done. I stacked it on a plate, drizzled a bit of maple syrup on top, and the sweet scent began to fill the air. I set the table for two, as always. For me, breakfast wasn't just about eating—it was a chance for a little calm, a little chat, with Erma before the day got busy.
But... this morning was still silent.
"Where is she?" A quiet worry started to grow in me. Maybe she was just tired? But something about it felt... off. Erma never slept this long.
The unease grew stronger. I left the kitchen and walked down the hallway toward her room. My steps suddenly felt heavy, like something was weighing me down. At the end of the hall, her door was tightly shut. I paused, then gently knocked.
"Erma? Are you awake?"
Silence. No reply from inside.
I knocked again, a little louder this time. "Erma?"
Still nothing.
My heart started to race. Something wasn't right. The feeling grew stronger, filling me with unease. With slightly trembling hands, I reached for the doorknob and slowly turned it.
Inside, Erma was still lying in bed. Her body was tucked tightly under the blanket, her face calm—too calm. For a moment, I felt relieved seeing her like that, but something… felt off.
I stepped closer, slowly but steadily. "Erma?" I called again, my voice barely a whisper.
No answer.
Panic began to creep in. I knelt by her bedside, gently shaking her shoulder. "Erma, wake up…?"
Still nothing.
A chill ran through me, and my heart pounded harder in my chest. "Erma?" This time, my voice cracked with fear.
But she remained still. No response.
The silence in the room gave me chills. It felt like a nightmare suddenly breaking into an otherwise peaceful morning. Hesitantly, I reached for her shoulder again—this time shaking her a bit more firmly. "Erma, please wake up…" I whispered anxiously.
Then, a soft voice came from under the blanket.
"Uuugghhh… why so noisy this early, Sis?" Erma's groggy voice mumbled as she cracked one eye open, looking at me with that sleepy expression that seemed to say, let me sleep a little longer, please.
I let out a deep sigh—equal parts relief and exasperation. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, you know that?" I said, my tone softer now, though the panic hadn't fully faded from my chest.
Erma just groaned lazily, pulling the blanket up and burying her face into the pillow. "Let me sleep a bit more…"
I shook my head, holding back a smile. "Come on, it's morning. Let's eat breakfast. I made pancakes."
At the mention of pancakes, Erma suddenly shot up, her eyes lighting up with unexpected energy. "Pancakes? Okay, I'm getting up!" she said enthusiastically, though her face was still half-wrinkled from sleep.
We sat down at the table. The pancakes, drizzled with maple syrup and accompanied by a few slices of fruit, were warm and inviting. Simple, but the sweet aroma filled the room and gave the morning a refreshing start.
As she took her first bite, Erma glanced at me. "Sis, I heard some noise from your room last night. Were you making music or something?"
I paused for a second, then smiled. "No, I was just practicing some light magic. Why?"
She chewed for a moment, then asked again, "Why is magic in Eldoria so strong? And why does everyone have different elements?"
I chuckled softly. My little sister was always full of questions. "Curious, huh? Alright, I'll explain."
Erma nodded eagerly, her sleepy face now replaced by her usual spark of curiosity.
"Magic in Eldoria is unique," I began. "Every mage forms a deep bond with one of the natural elements—light, water, fire, earth, or wind. Me, for example, I draw power from light. Light magic can be used for all kinds of things—lighting up the path, healing, even protecting others."
Still chewing her pancake, Erma looked intrigued. "So, each mage can only use one element?"
I nodded. "Yeah, most of the time. But there are a few rare mages who can wield more than one. It takes intense training—and a lot of time."
Her eyes lit up in awe. "That's so cool. So magic isn't just power, huh?"
I smiled, nodding again. "Exactly. Magic isn't just about strength. It's about balance. You have to understand the element you're using—how it flows, how it works. If you're careless, magic can backfire."
Erma looked thoughtful, then said, "Then I want to learn more. So I can be a great mage like you."
I laughed softly and gently ruffled her still-messy hair. "In time. Take it slow. Being a mage isn't about how powerful you are—it's about wisdom, too."
We continued eating in a comfortable silence. From time to time, we chatted casually about magic and life in Eldoria. After a few more bites, Erma suddenly asked, "Hey Sis, why is our city called Eldoria?"
I smiled. "Eldoria means 'The Place of Eternal Light.' But it's not just about the light that shines across the city. It's about spirit—the way we live together, the way magic and life intertwine. Light and darkness aren't enemies here—they complete each other. Everyone plays a role in maintaining that balance."
Erma fell silent, deep in thought. "So the important thing isn't just the magic, but the meaning and purpose behind it, right?"
I nodded, proud of how quickly she was beginning to understand. "Exactly. Every element, every mage, exists to help keep that balance. Once we understand that, we start to truly value the power we hold."
Her expression changed—thoughtful, determined. "Then I want to keep learning. So I can do my part here, too."
After that warm breakfast with Erma, I decided to do something different today. Normally, I'd head straight to the music studio, buried in practice. But this morning, I felt like enjoying Eldoria's fresh air.
I chose instead to take a walk through the city, letting my feet guide me toward a small café we often visited with friends.