Shadow of the forest

Arina woke up to the familiar roof above him, the soft creak of the wood as the early morning breeze flowed through the small gaps in the hut. He blinked, his gaze falling on the beams that supported the ceiling, the same beams that had once seemed so far from reach when he had first built this place, all those years ago. Now, the hut was his home again, rebuilt with Sira, just like before.

It had been five years since the forest had been saved, since the battle, the pain, the loss. But the passage of time had brought change—peace, a kind of peace he hadn't known in so long. The weight on his heart was still there, lingering, but it was lighter now. It was a peace that came from simply existing, from rebuilding what had been broken, from living for the moment, even if the past was never far behind.

Arina turned his head to the side, his eyes landing on Sira, who was still fast asleep beside him. Her breathing was steady, and for a moment, he let himself simply watch her. He smiled softly. It was strange, how much peace could be found in something so simple.

Sira had chosen this life with him. After everything, she had decided to stay by his side, to disappear with him into the forest, to rebuild their lives together. And he couldn't imagine anything more perfect.

He placed a hand gently on her head, brushing her hair out of her face. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. Arina's smile faded a little, his thoughts drifting back to the weight he carried. The people of the forest had celebrated their victory, but he had no need for praise, no need for honor. He had done what needed to be done. That was enough for him. He had chosen to walk away from it all, to vanish into the forest, to live a quiet life, away from the eyes of others.

He didn't want to be remembered as a hero. He didn't want to be anyone's savior. He just wanted to be Arina. The man who had once been a child in this very forest, now a father and a husband.

Standing up slowly, he made his way out of the bed and across the room to the research room. The place was just as it had been when he was young. Papers scattered, books left half-open—his work, his life, all laid out before him. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet somehow, it was still his reality. Sira had arranged the papers yesterday, and seeing them in place brought a sense of comfort, a sense of stability.

He smiled as he ran his fingers over the papers. The memories came rushing back, but this time, they weren't as painful. They were part of him, part of his story. The man he had become, and the people he had lost.

Arina walked outside, the fresh morning air filling his lungs. He stood at the edge of the spring, gazing out at the graves near his hut. The familiar mounds of earth where his loved ones rested. Kava. Zeke. Soran. And even Qabraima. He whispered to the air, "Good morning, everyone…" as though they were still there with him, watching over him.

The wind rustled gently through the trees, the peace of the forest echoing in his heart.

He washed his face in the spring, the cool water helping to clear the fog of sleep. As he looked up, a winged child caught his eye. The child was playing near the fountain, their tiny wings fluttering with excitement. Arina smiled at the sight. It reminded him of his own younger years, before the weight of everything had changed him.

The child's father appeared from the shadows, rushing to scoop the child up in his arms. The father smiled warmly at Arina, but the recognition wasn't there. Arina's appearance had changed—his white hair, his broader shoulders, the subtle but noticeable difference in his features. He was no longer the boy who had once walked the forest with a carefree heart, drawing plants and talking with animals. He was a man now. A man with a past, and a future he was still figuring out.

Arina returned to the hut, the smell of cooking filling the air. He smiled, hearing the sounds of Sira in the kitchen. As he entered, she came out with a frown on her face.

"Why didn't you wake me up when you woke up?" she asked, her voice a mix of sleepiness and concern.

Arina chuckled softly. "You seemed to be sleeping soundly. I didn't want to disturb you."

Sira crossed her arms, giving him a mock glare. "You're lucky I'm not angry with you."

Arina laughed as he sat down at the breakfast table, the warmth of the hut comforting him. But just as he was about to take a bite, the sound of crying came from the other room.

"Looks like Kava and Zeke have woken up," he said with a small smile, his heart warming at the thought.

Sira sighed and stood up, heading toward the sound. But before she could reach the room, a young girl appeared, rubbing her eyes sleepily as she came over to Arina. The girl yawned and climbed into his lap, snuggling close.

"Good morning, Soran," Arina said, kissing his daughter's forehead.

"Good morning," she murmured, yawning again.

Arina laughed softly. "Is it annoying to sleep with your baby siblings in the same room?"

"Yes," she said with an immediate, serious answer.

Arina chuckled and pulled her closer, his heart full of love. He felt at peace, content in this small moment. A moment of normalcy, of family.

Sira returned, carrying the twin children in her arms. She handed one of them to Arina, and he settled the baby in his arms, smiling as he comforted the little one.

"Shh, it's okay. Daddy's here," Arina said softly, his voice gentle as he rocked the baby.

As he sat there with his family, the world felt right again. The darkness that had once haunted the forest was gone, and the evil that had threatened to destroy everything had vanished. Here, in this quiet corner of the world, Arina was at peace. His heart was no longer weighed down by the ghosts of the past. He had his family. He had Sira, and their children. He had a life worth living.

And that was enough.

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The end.