𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺.

One.

The room was filled with the soft, rhythmic beeps of medical machines and the quiet murmur of nurses passing by in the hallway. Akira sat silently by her mother's bedside, her small hand held tightly in her mother's weakened grasp. Sunlight filtered in through the window, casting a warm glow on her mother's pale face. Even now, her mother tried to smile, her eyes filled with love and a sadness that felt too heavy to bear.

"Akira," her mother whispered, her voice barely audible. "You're going to be so strong, stronger than I ever could be."

Akira felt a lump in her throat, the weight of unspoken words making it hard to breathe. She squeezed her mother's hand, desperate to hold on a little longer, to keep her here just a little while more.

"Promise me," her mother continued, "that you'll never stop being brave... even when it feels impossible. You're going to find your way, my little light."

Before Akira could respond, a final, fragile breath escaped her mother's lips. The warmth in her hand faded, and the world around her fell silent. The reality washed over Akira in waves, as the only family she had known was gone.

The following weeks passed in a blur. The arrangements, the quiet condolences, and the empty spaces left behind became too much. Her grandfather, the only relative she had left, made arrangements for her to leave New York and return to Japan. As Akira boarded the plane, she held close the last letter her mother had written to her, and the address her grandfather had given her—a new home in Japan, an unfamiliar life that waited in shadows.

As Akira settled into the backseat of the cab, the familiar yet foreign sights of Osaka rushed past the window. The vibrant streets, filled with the sounds of bustling pedestrians and the scent of street food, stirred memories of her childhood visits. Yet this time felt different; it was shadowed by loss and uncertainty.

The cab driver, an older man with graying hair and a gentle smile, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Welcome back to Japan, young lady," he said warmly. "Are you visiting family?"

Akira hesitated, the words "visiting family" feeling heavy on her tongue. "I... I'm moving back," she finally replied, her voice a mix of determination and sorrow. "To live with my grandfather."

The driver nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes. "That must be difficult, losing someone so dear. I'm sorry for your loss."

Akira looks up at the driver wondering how he could possibly know she lost someone, when she had not told him that.

"Excuse me?" Akira asked.

"We're here enjoy your stay."she quickly payed the money and got her luggage walking to the wood house.

As Akira approached the weathered wooden house, she glanced back at the driver, puzzled by his insight. But the cab pulled away, leaving her standing alone at the threshold of her new life.

With a deep breath, she reached for the door, hesitating for a moment as memories of her grandfather flooded her mind. They had shared countless summers here, exploring the nearby woods and sharing stories about her mother. Now, it felt like stepping into a relic of the past—one filled with ghosts of happier times.

The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. Dust motes danced in the slivers of light that broke through the curtains. The house was still furnished with her grandfather's belongings, each piece telling a story, but it felt eerily empty.

"Grandpa?" Akira called, her voice echoing slightly in the silence. No answer. She set her luggage down in the hallway and ventured deeper into the house, her heart racing with anticipation and concern.

The living room, adorned with faded photographs and knickknacks, felt like a time capsule. She spotted a framed picture of her mother as a child, laughing with her grandfather, and her heart clenched. She could almost hear the laughter echoing in the walls.

As she explored, she noticed a small note left on the table, addressed to her in her grandfather's familiar handwriting. "Akira, I hope this finds you well. There's something important you need to know about Silvermoon Academy.."

Curiosity piqued, she picked up the note, a shiver of unease creeping down her spine. What secrets did her grandfather want to share? And what awaited her at the academy?

But the strangest part, the letter ended there. There no was no other explanation.

She wondered where her grandfather was, but in order to find out what happened she'd have to attend Silvermoon Academy.