---
Pamarthe – Brune Family Homestead, Near the Cliffs
He turned.
Lioras felt the wind hold him, like it was begging him not to do this—but he had already made up his mind. The silence was behind him now.
Only a few meters away stood his family, framed by the pale sky and the jagged cliffs. Davin—or as he strictly preferred to be called, Sir—stood at the front, arms folded, his flight jacket zipped to the collar. His posture was rigid from years of discipline and training. Jace stood just behind him, mimicking their father—hands on his hips, jaw tight. Never truly his own person, just a reflection of someone else. A mimic of a man.
Halric lingered farther back, shifting his weight from foot to foot, eyes flicking between the others and Lioras. He always looked so innocent. Perhaps he still was.
Lioras enjoyed the silence. It was simple. Clean. And for a moment, as they all stood there, it felt like they could see each other—really see each other. Like the masks had slipped, just for a breath.
But silence never lasts.
Davin broke it first. "Lioras, we need your help with the ship."
His voice was never comfortable. There was always something about it that unsettled people—like he was trying to sound human but hadn't quite figured out how. Robotic, but sentient. Maybe in that way, he and Lioras weren't so different.
"The nav core's misaligned again," he added. "I've tried recalibrating it twice. Its still drifting."
Lioras nodded once. Nothing more needed to be said. "Okay, Sir."
Jace scoffed. "That's all you've got to say?"
Lioras looked at him. Jace's arms were crossed now, his stance wide—like he was ready for a fight that hadn't started yet.
"We've been out here looking for you," Jace said, clearly aggravated. "Dad's got a job lined up, and here you are slacking off and daydreaming. We don't have time for you to be off in your head, you lazy bum."
"I wasn't—" Lioras started, then stopped. What was the point? Jace never listened. He only saw what he wanted to see. They might've been close once, but now all Lioras saw was a reflection. The same eyes as their father —eyes that made Lioras feel emptier than he could ever write about.
Halric stepped forward, his voice quieter. "It's okay. We just didn't know where you went."
His tone wasn't accusing. If anything, it was apologetic. His eyes met Lioras's for a second—really met them—and then dropped.
He wished the world could be like Halric. That the rest of their family could be like him. Even himself. Maybe then the world would be a better place.
"I told them you'd come," Halric said. "That you'd help."
Lioras nodded again. "Of course. I'll help Halric, You can count on me."
Davin gave a short nod—the closest thing he ever gave to approval. "Good. We'll need it running before sunrise tomorrow. Don't come home until you've fixed it."
He turned and started walking back toward the homestead without another word. Jace followed, muttering something under his breath that Lioras couldn't quite hear—but he was sure it wasn't pleasant.
Halric lingered, like he wanted to say something more.
"Are you okay?" he asked, voice barely audible over the howling wind.
Lioras didn't answer right away. He just looked out at the sea one last time, then back at his brother.
"I'm fine," he replied.
It was a lie. But it was the kind they all accepted as truth—because the alternative would mean facing reality. His reality.
Halric gave a small nod, then turned to follow the others.
For a moment, Lioras nearly called out to him. To say something. Anything.
But nothing came. Just silence.
Lioras sighed and began walking—his journey to the old family hangar beginning with the weight of everything left unsaid.
---