From Kiel’s Perspective:


    6 Years prior to the present time.


    It was the month of May, warm, dry, and of course, hotter than anything I had ever experienced. The sun shined relentlessly, the air thick and dry, making each breath feel like swallowing dust. The heat shimmered off the earth, somehow creating a mirage of wavering light along the fields.


    Every now and then, wind would kick up, stirring the dry grasses and bringing the scent of earth and hay, but it didn’t do much to cool me down. My shirt stuck to my back, soaked in sweat, and my boots crunched in the dry dirt as I moved about, working the land.


    I still couldn’t believe the chief wanted me to manage this whole ranch by myself. The animals, the farming, the building work—all of it. Alone. The place seemed endless, sprawling with barnyards and open fields under the harsh sun. There was always something to do, but today, my mind wasn’t on the cattle or the crops.


    I had been saving up a lot lately. Every extra coin went into a little pouch hidden away in my room. A month from now was Celia’s birthday, and I was determined to get her something special. She deserved it. I had been counting down the days, imagining what it would be like to give her a gift that would bring a real smile to her face.


    Looking back, my past self must’ve been excited—was excited. She was my closest friend, after all. But now... now, she hated being called “Stella.” It wasn’t just a preference; it was more like a silent plea for distance. It had always felt strange calling her that, but it was who I knew her as. I guess, deep down, I should’ve known better, but I couldn''t help it. Now, I felt it was better to leave that name behind in the past. Celia. That was who she was now. A small shift, but a necessary one. She didn’t want to be remembered by that name anymore. And, deep inside, I didn''t want to call her Stella anymore either. It felt wrong.


    Around that time... Celia’s curse was taking place. It was as if it had waited until she grew, but it wasn’t like it had any real reason to. It just was. I remember those days so clearly, though I’m not sure how to explain them. It’s like the memory’s too big to fit into words, too complicated for my mind to understand. But I was there. I had seen her for the first time, in all that confusion and chaos, in the midst of something I couldn’t even begin to comprehend.


    I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard a familiar voice calling my name, cutting through the sounds of the wind and the creaking of the old barn doors. My heart skipped a beat as the voice grew louder, it was a familiar tone.


    “Kiel! Come here!” a voice called out, cutting through the stillness of the ranch.


    I straightened up, wiping sweat from my brow, and reached for the pitchfork leaning against the barn wall. If it was trouble, this would do as a makeshift weapon.


    “Who is it?” I asked cautiously, gripping the handle tightly.


    “My God, are you trying to kill me?” The familiar, exasperated tone stopped me mid-step.


    “Oh, sir! I’m sorry, village chief. I didn’t know it was you!” I lowered the pitchfork, relief washing over me.


    The chief shook his head as he approached, a bemused smile on his face.


    “Kiel... How many times do I have to tell you? Stop being so formal with me. You’re already like a son to me, and we live under the same roof. You make me feel ancient with all your ‘sir’ this and ‘sir’ that.”


    “I’m sorry, sir—uh, I mean…” I winced, realizing my mistake too late.


    Before I could say another word, the chief slapped me lightly on the back of the head.


    “You’ll never listen, will you?” he sighed, shaking his head in mock disappointment.


    “I’m sorry…” I muttered, rubbing the back of my head. “I just don’t know what to call you.”


    “Well then,” he said, crossing his arms with a grin, “why don’t you call me Chief Father? It’s special—just for you.”


    “Chief Father?” I repeated, tilting my head. It sounded… strange, but also kind of fitting.


    “Exactly. Now, doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?” He chuckled, clearly proud of himself.


    “Sure, Chief Father,” I said with a small laugh. “So, what did you need?”


    He handed me a crumpled piece of parchment covered in his messy handwriting.


    “We’re running low on rations at the house. I asked Mira and Toby to handle it, but those two were too busy playing whatever nonsense game they’ve made up this time. So, I’m counting on you to take care of it.”


    Of course, he couldn’t find anyone else dumb enough to agree, so he turned to me instead.


    “Yes, I’ll go right away,” I said with a sigh.


    “Good lad,” he said, patting my shoulder. “And Kiel, take care of yourself out there. Don’t get into any trouble.”


    “Don’t worry, Chief Father. I’ll be back safe and sound.”


    As I walked away, list in hand, I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, What crimes did I commit in my past life to deserve this? It wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but it certainly wasn’t great either.


    And Mira and Toby? Those two siblings were about as useful as my luck. I genuinely felt bad for the chief, having to take care of those lazy brats. How they got away with lounging around while I handled all the chores was beyond me. It just wasn’t fair.


    The sun blazed overhead as I left the ranch, the heat baking the ground and filling the air with the faint scent of dried grass and dust. Another day, another errand.


    As I walked down the dusty village path, I caught sight of Ronan crouched awkwardly behind a wall like a thief plotting his next heist. His head popped up and down, peeking toward the square. Curiosity got the better of me, so I crept closer to see what—or who—he was so intensely watching.


    It was Elise and Fiona, casually sipping on what looked like frosty fruit juices. Frosty. In this heat. Seriously? They got the village mage to chill their drinks? My mouth practically watered at the thought. How is that even fair?


    I secret sat next to Ronan. He didn’t even look at me, too busy with his spying mission.


    “Hey, that’s so unfair!” I whispered dramatically.


    “I know, right?” he replied, not missing a beat as he continued peeking. Then it hit him. His head whipped around. “WAIT. AGHHHHH?!?”


    “Why the hell are you screaming?” I said, taken aback by his overreaction.


    His eyes widened in panic. “How long have you been standing there?!”


    “Since the start,” I said with a shrug. “Also, not to be that guy, but staring at our own friends like that? Kinda sketchy, don’t you think?”


    “I WASN’T STARING!” he hissed, his face turning a delightful shade of red.


    “Sure, sure. You can’t hide it forever, Ronan. Your reputation as the village stalker is safe with me.”


    He clenched his fists, clearly mortified. “Do you know who I am?! Get lost before I beat you to a pulp!”


    “Oh no, my bad, original gangster! I’ll be on my way. Please, continue your peeking—uh, I mean, ‘innocent observing’—with extreme caution!” I saluted dramatically, turning on my heel to leave.


    “I AM NOT PEEKING!” Ronan shouted after me, loud enough to startle the birds out of a nearby tree.


    And that’s when I saw her.


    Fiona, standing behind us with Elise right next to her. Both of them were glaring at us, their chilled drinks still in hand.


    “Is that so, Ronan?” Fiona raising an eyebrow.


    Ronan froze mid-yell, his face draining of all color.


    “I, uh, umm…” He stammered, trying to find some magical explanation. “Hi, Fiona! Elise! What, uh, brings you guys here?”


    I didn’t stick around for the rest. The moment I saw their death stares, I bolted away as fast as possible.


    From a safe distance, I could still hear him fumbling. “You see, I was just… just testing the structural integrity of this wall! Yeah, that’s it! Solid craftsmanship!”


    Sorry, Ronan. You’re on your own for this one, stifling a laughter while running. My ribs were going to hurt from this memory for weeks.


    I finally arrived at my destination, the weight of the day’s errands lifting from my shoulders. I couldn’t wait to finish up and find Celia. Maybe we could play something together like we used to—laugh, enjoy each other''s company. I smiled at the thought.


    But as I glanced around the village square, I saw her—and my heart skipped a beat.


    She was standing in the middle of a growing crowd, her delicate figure almost hidden among the bustling villagers. I spotted her hair, shimmering even in the dim light, and the soft curve of her face as she listened to someone. I needed to get closer to see what was happening.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    I squeezed through the throngs of people, dodging a few curious eyes and murmurs as I pushed my way forward. The air was thick with chatter, but all I could focus on was her. I had to get to her.


    “Move aside!” I called out, nudging past people. “Let me through!”


    When I finally got a clear view, I couldn’t believe my eyes.


    Celia’s hair and eyes were changing, their colors slowly fading as if being drained by some unseen force. Her usual vibrant presence now seemed fragile, almost otherworldly.


    The villagers murmured anxiously among themselves.


    “Miss Alina, do you know what’s happening to your daughter?” one of them asked.


    “I don’t know!” Celia''s mother''s voice cracked, full of worry. She was on her knees, gently holding Celia’s face. “She was fine earlier, and then she just stopped moving, and her eyes and hair… they just started changing.”


    Celia blinked slowly, her voice soft and uncertain. “Mommy... what’s wrong with me?”


    Her mother''s face softened, even as her worry remained clear. She forced a smile, stroking Celia’s cheek. “Nothing’s wrong, sweetie. You’re just tired. Let’s go home now, okay?”


    “Okay, Mommy!” Celia said, her voice carrying a fragile trust, like she believed her mother’s words could fix everything.


    I stood there, frozen, wanting to ask what was happening. But the words wouldn’t come. My throat felt tight, and before I could gather the courage to speak, Alina was already leading Celia away.


    The crowd parted to let them pass, whispers following in their wake. I watched as they disappeared down the path toward their home.


    The sight of her fading hair and the fear in her eyes stayed with me. I clenched my fists. Why couldn’t I say something? Why am I always too late?


    From that day, Celia’s condition only worsened. I tried to visit her, knocking on their door day after day, but she never answered. It wasn’t just me—she stopped talking to anyone. Her home became quiet, and her absence weighed heavy on the village.


    The smile she brought to everyone… it was slipping away. And I couldn’t do a thing about it.


    It was one of those days when the rain poured endlessly, the kind that soaks through every layer of clothing and chills you to the bone. Chief Father had fallen a bit ill, so I volunteered to fetch some medicine and potions from the healer. I didn’t think much of the rain as I ran through the village grounds, my boots splashing in muddy puddles.


    But then, as I passed the open field, I saw her.


    Celia.


    She stood there, alone, in the middle of the downpour, her face tilted toward the sky. The rain mixed with her tears as they rolled down her cheeks, and for a moment, my heart pained seeing her like that. What struck me most wasn’t just her crying—it was her hair and eyes.


    They had completely changed.


    Her once golden hair was now silver, like fresh snowy white. Her vibrant eyes had dulled into a silver hue, reflecting a strange light even in the gray weather. It had been about twenty days since the changes started. Twenty long days where I visited her house daily, knocking on her door, hoping she’d let me in. But every time, there was no answer. I even tried calling out to her through the second-floor window, where I had often see her sitting alone on her bed, staring into nothing. She never responded.


    I gave up trying after a while, thinking maybe I could cheer her up on her birthday instead. I told myself I would wait until then to make her smile again.


    But seeing her now, standing in the rain with tears in her eyes, it felt wrong to leave her like that. I wanted to run to her, to say something—anything—but I couldn’t.


    “I’ll come back,” I thought. “I’ll tell her when I return.”


    The healer was leaving the village that day, so I hurried to get what I needed and rushed back as quickly as I could. My mind raced the whole time, thinking of what I’d say to her, planning how I would make things right.


    When I finally returned to the field, she was gone.


    The rain still fell, but the emptiness of that spot where she stood hit me harder than the cold.


    I haven’t seen her since that day. People in the village spoke about her disappearance in hushed tones, their reactions mixed. Some were worried, others confused. But there was one thing that troubled me more than anything else—her hair.


    In Asura, white hair carried a bad reputation. It marked someone as a slave from Elysium, a symbol of oppression and servitude. For Celia, someone so kind and full of life, to be burdened with such a thing... it didn’t feel fair. I knew this cruel imbalance of Asura and Valerion’s cultures would only make things harder for her.


    But I hoped—no, I believed—that someday, this racial divide would be erased. Maybe not today, but in time, people would change. Someone had to make them change for the sake of a better future.


    For now, I had to focus on her birthday.


    I had finally finished her gift—a handcrafted pendant I had been working on for months. The emerald crystal at its center had cost me every last coin I had saved, but it was worth it. I could already imagine the look on her face when she sees it. Her smile would make it all worthwhile.


    I ran my fingers over the smooth emerald, the intricate carvings on its silver frame catching the faint light of the lamp in my room. “I hope she likes it,” I whispered to myself, setting it carefully into a small wooden box lined with fabric.


    Tomorrow was her birthday.


    And I couldn’t wait to see her smile again.


    A few months ago, in January, I had asked Celia a question that had been on my mind for a while. It was a cold day, the kind where the chill in the air makes everything feel still and peaceful. I found her sitting alone beneath the large oak tree in the village square, her back resting against the trunk. The sky was gray with clouds, but there was something calm about the moment.


    I decided to join her, pulling out my book as I sat down beside her. We didn’t speak for a while, letting the quietness settle between us. The only sound was the rustling of the leaves in the light wind, but before long, the silence was broken by my voice.


    “Uhhh, hey, Celia,” I said, almost nervously.


    “Yeah?” she replied, turning to me with a gentle smile.


    “This might come out of the blue, but would you mind answering a question of mine?” I asked, glancing up from my book.


    “What is it?” she asked curiously, her eyes sparkling with interest.


    I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to phrase it.


    “Imagine you had one wish. Anything you want. What would you wish for?”


    "Anything I want?"


    "Yes anything you want, what would it be?"


    "Oh? That sounds fun! Let me think."


    She took a deep breath and tilted her head up to the sky, her face lighting up as she thought. After a few moments, she spoke.


    “If I had a wish like that... I’d wish for a world where no one feels alone. A world where everyone has someone to share their joys and carry their sorrows with them. That way, no matter how hard things get, we’d all have a little more light in our lives.”


    "Wow... that’s a beautiful wish."


    "Really? You think so?" She turned her head toward me, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    "Yeah, it’s... selfless. I don’t know if many people would think like that."


    "Well, I think that’s what makes the world a better place, right? If everyone cared for each other a little more." Her hands gently folded in her lap as she sat up straighter, a soft breeze catching her hair and making it flutter around her face.


    "I guess you''re right... you’re always so thoughtful."


    "I try to be! I think it’s important." She smiled brightly, her face illuminated by the sunlight, her hands now resting on the grass beside her as she glanced back at me, her expression warm and genuine.


    I was taken back by her answer though. She always thought of others first, but to wish for something so selfless... it made my heart ache.


    “I... um... why would you wish for such a thing though?” I asked quietly.


    She smiled, her eyes softening as she looked at me.


    "Because then everyone would be so happy," she said with a soft giggle, her eyes sparkling like stars. "If we all had someone to share our smiles with, the world would be filled with warmth and light." She smiled, her face glowing with pure kindness, as if her simple wish could make the world a little brighter.


    "Seeing others happy makes me happy, too," she added, her voice full of sincerity, as if the joy of others was the greatest gift she could receive.


    I couldn’t help but smile at her, but at the same time, I felt a sharp pain of sadness. Celia was someone who gave so much, but never seemed to ask for anything in return. Her kindness was boundless, but what could I give her in return for all that she did for others?


    "Hey, uhh Celia? Maybe something for you instead of others?"


    "Something for me?"


    "Yeah, something you would want. It could be anything, feel free to tell me—I won’t judge."


    "Actually, thinking about it, I don’t really want anything. I have everything in life that makes me happy and smile." She let out a soft laugh, the sound light and airy, as she looked down at the ground, absentmindedly picking at the leaves scattered around.


    "You’re always saying things like that."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I mean, you’re always thinking about everyone else. Don’t you ever think about something just for yourself?"


    "Hmm... I guess I do, sometimes." She paused, gazing off into the distance as if searching for the answer. The breeze played with her hair again, sending a few strands drifting across her face.


    "Well, I’m serious! You deserve something just for you."


    "Haha, you’re really serious." She smiled, shaking her head slightly, but there was a touch of playfulness in her eyes. She leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees, her gaze softening as she continued, "But... okay, there is something I’d like."


    "Really? What is it?" I leaned forward eagerly, hanging on her every word.


    "It''s an emerald pendant."


    "An emerald pendant?" I blinked, surprised.


    "Yeah, it’s simple, but... when I was younger, my father took me to a nearby town. He had work, but I really wanted to go with him. We stayed the night, and I saw a shop selling beautiful gemstones. One was green, like a little piece of the forest. I couldn’t stop staring at it. The shopkeeper told me it was an emerald, and I loved it so much." She smiled at the memory, her eyes softening as she spoke, almost lost in the thought of that moment.


    "That sounds... beautiful. So, what happened?"


    "I asked my dad if we could get it, but he said it was too expensive. It was 400 gold."


    "400?!" I said, wide-eyed, my hands instinctively clenching into fists as I tried to imagine the cost.


    "I know. And now I realize just how much it really is. I probably won’t even be able to see another emerald like it again." Her smile faded slightly, her gaze dropping as if the weight of the memory pulled her down for a moment. She tugged at the sleeve of her shirt nervously, her fingers brushing over the fabric.


    Before she could continue, I blurted out, "You don’t have to worry, Celia! I will get it for you!"


    She froze for a second, looking at me with wide eyes. Her hand lifted to her mouth as if she couldn''t believe what I had just said. "Oh? You really think so?"


    "Yeah! I’ll find a way. Just give me some time." I sat up straighter, my chest puffed out with determination. I met her gaze with fierce resolve, despite the uncertainty that lingered in the back of my mind.


    "I don''t want you to go through so much trouble..."


    "But I want to!" I said, my voice unwavering. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my hands clasped tightly together. "You’ve done so much for everyone else. It’s my turn to do something for you."


    "You really don’t have to, Kiel..." She reached out, her hand gently resting on my shoulder. Her touch was soft and reassuring, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes.


    "I’m serious, Celia. I’ll make it happen."


    She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes searching my face, and I could see the quiet understanding settling in. A soft smile crept across her face, her eyes shining with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat.


    "Well, if you really do, that would make me very happy." She squeezed my shoulder gently before letting her hand fall back into her lap, her fingers lightly brushing the fabric of her dress.


    That was the moment I knew I had to make it happen. For the past few months, I had been working harder than ever, doing extra tasks for the villagers in exchange for whatever small amount of gold they could offer. I couldn’t afford to waste any of it, and I couldn’t afford to be distracted. I worked long hours, gave up my time to play, and even skipped my usual leisure activities. But every time I thought of Celia’s smile, it kept me going.


    The emerald pendant was finally ready. I had spent all my savings, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I had a chance to give her the one thing she had always wanted. Tomorrow, on her birthday, I would finally be able to give it to her.


    I couldn’t wait to see her face when she received it, to see the joy and surprise in her eyes. I could already imagine her reaction—her smile lighting up the world around her, her happiness so pure and sincere. It would be the perfect gift, the one thing I knew would make her happy.


    But even as the night drew closer, something felt... off. A quiet unease settled in the pit of my heart, a feeling I couldn’t shake. It was as if the universe was warning me that the happiness I had worked so hard to make happen might never come.


    Little did I know, I was never going to be able to give it to her.