When bedti ca, Elio retired to his room, but sleep eluded him.
He tossed and turned in bed, his mind filled with thoughts about the challenge ahead and... other things. Ember, sensing his restlessness, curled up closer, offering silent comfort.
After a couple of hours of insomnia, he decided to get up for so water. To his surprise, he found his mother in the kitchen, sitting at the table with hot tea between her hands, her salamander dozing peacefully nearby.
"Can't sleep either?" Lena asked, offering him an understanding smile.
Elio shook his head, pouring himself so water before sitting across from his mother. "Too many things on my mind, I guess."
Lena observed him for a mont, her eyes penetrating in a way only a mother's can be. "There's sothing else bothering you, isn't there? Sothing that has nothing to do with the sea of monsters or level 6."
Elio lowered his gaze, surprised by his mother's insight. "How do you know?"
"I'm your mother, Elio. I know you better than anyone," Lena replied with a smile. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Elio hesitated for a mont, but finally nodded. "It's... it's about Zara."
"Ah," said Lena, her smile becoming a bit more knowing.
"We had a... a disagreent. I said so things I regret."
"What happened?" Lena asked softly, her salamander perking up, as if interested in the conversation.
Elio told his mother about the argunt, about how Zara had questioned his decisions and how he had reacted defensively and aggressively.
"I feel terrible," Elio concluded. "I didn't an to overreact, but I was so frustrated and angry at that mont..."
Lena listened attentively, without interrupting. When Elio finished, she remained silent for a mont, thoughtful.
"You know, Elio," she finally began, "you remind a lot of your father right now."
Elio looked at her surprised, Ember chirping curiously. "Dad? Why?"
"Because he also had trouble handling his emotions sotis," Lena explained, a fond smile playing on her lips. "Especially when it ca to people he cared about. He was brave in front of monsters, but when it ca to matters of the heart... Well, let's just say he preferred facing a horde of monsters over a difficult conversation."
Elio couldn't help but smile at the image. "And how did he handle it?"
"With difficulty," Lena admitted, laughing softly. "But he learned over ti. And so will you."
She leaned forward, taking Elio's hand in hers. "Son, you're incredibly brave when it cos to facing monsters, or the city's problems... You need to apply that sa courage to the problems of your heart."
Elio nodded slowly, processing his mother's words. "But how? How can I fix what I said?"
"Well, for starters, if you feel that sothing you said makes you feel regretful, then you should fix it," Lena advised. "Talk to Zara. Tell her how you really feel. And most importantly, when you say things, say them in a way that doesn't make you want to take them back later."
"What if she doesn't want to listen to ?" Elio asked, worry evident in his voice.
"Then at least you'll know you tried," Lena responded. "But I think you'll be surprised..."
Elio reflected on his mother's words, Ember nuzzling his cheek comfortingly. "You're right," he finally said. "I need to talk to her, clear things up before..."
Lena squeezed her son's hand. "That's my brave boy. Rember, love and friendship are like our walls: they need to be fed and protected. Don't take them for granted."
Elio nodded, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you, mother. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Oh, probably get into more trouble," Lena teased, making Elio laugh.
They stayed a while longer in the kitchen, talking about lighter things, sharing stories and laughter. When they finally decided to go to sleep, Elio felt much calr.
"Good night," he said, hugging her. "I love you."
"And I love you, my brave boy," Lena replied, returning the hug. "Now go to sleep."
♢♢♢♢
Morning ca too soon for Elio's liking.
Before departing, Elio gathered his family one last ti. With a lump in his throat, he took out his system book and opened it in front of his mother's.
"Mother," he began, his voice barely a whisper, "I want you to have this."
Lena's eyes widened when she saw the amount Elio had just transferred. "Elio, this is..."
"7,777,600 cores," Elio completed. "Enough for everyone in the family to get the level 5 invocation if they wish. And 10 million mana."
A stunned silence fell over the room. Even Rian, usually restless, stood still, sensing the importance of the mont.
"Son, this is too much," Lena protested weakly. "We can't take so much of the city's mana and..."
Elio shook his head, determined. "Please, Mom. I know it's a lot, and I feel a bit bad about using it 'selfishly', but... I trust you. I know you won't use it wastefully. And I prefer you to have too much than not enough."
He saw the doubt in his mother's eyes and added softly: "Think of your neighbors, your acquaintances, how you could help them too if necessary. This gift isn't just for you, it's for you to make a difference in others' lives as well."
Finally, Lena nodded, tears shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Elio. We'll use it wisely."
♢♢♢♢
After a round of hugs and emotional goodbyes, Elio left the family room, his heart full but his mind already focused on the tasks ahead.
In the hallway, he encountered Tarec. The older man greeted him with a respectful nod.
"Von Elio," he began, but Elio interrupted him with a friendly gesture.
"Just Elio is fine, Tarec. I have an important task for you."
Tarec straightened, attentive. "Whatever you need."
"I need you to go to the wall with Lucien and Selene," Elio explained. "Tell them you're there on my behalf to cover for one of them. Whoever is covered should co with to practice the corrosive attack and receive cores and mana."
Tarec nodded, morizing the order. "Understood. And what will you do in the anti?"
"I'll be with Ren, giving more cores and mana to the others," Elio replied. "There's much to do and little ti."
Tarec seed to want to say sothing more, but held back. Instead, he simply nodded again. "I'll get on it right away."
As Tarec turned to leave, Elio felt a pang of guilt. There was a pending conversation he needed to have, a promise to keep.
"Zara," he murmured to himself. "I need to talk to Zara."
But just as he was about to ask Tarec to tell Zara he was looking for her if he saw her, sothing caught his attention.
Or rather, soone.
There, at the entrance of the building, was Lila. Her delicate figure seed out of place among the coming and going of soldiers and officers. She stood with her hands nervously intertwined in front of her, her eyes scanning the crowd.
"Oh, no," Elio muttered. "I had completely forgotten about that."
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