Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series
Chapter 172 172: Home

The ferry rocked gently beneath their feet as the shores of Soleil came into view- brilliant white stone buildings basked in golden morning light, with familiar twisting vines of silver ivy clinging to the archways and balconies like delicate embroidery. Soleil had always looked like something out of a dream, and as the ferry cut through the sparkling water of the river, Aiden couldn't stop the small smile pulling at his lips.

He didn't realize how much he had missed it until now.

Adrian came up beside him, whistling low as he threw his arms over the railing.

"Home sweet home, huh?"

Aiden gave a small nod. "It's brighter than I remember."

"That's just Soleil being Soleil." Adrian grinned. "Every time we come back, it feels like this city's showing off."

Sevan was a few paces behind them, standing with his arms crossed. The chaos of the other students buzzing around didn't seem to bother him. He looked oddly composed for someone who had just survived his first year at Genvah Academy being friends with a detention magnet and a danger magnet.

"So," Adrian said, turning with a flick of his coat, "Emberfall plans? What is the studious student doing for vacation? Don't tell me building magical formulas to contribute to our amazing plans for second year?"

Sevan arched a brow.

"Studying."

Adrian stared at him in horror. "Studying? You're going to study during Emberfall?"

"It's productive."

"It's criminal," Adrian countered. "Sevan, Emberfall is fireworks, floating lanterns, bonfires, grilled skewers on every street corner, and highly questionable decisions we later deny ever happened."

"I like my choices to be informed."

Adrian turned to Aiden, placing a hand on his chest. "He's killing me. He's actually killing me."

"I think you'll survive," Aiden said, amused.

"No," Adrian declared, looking back to Sevan. "Absolutely not. You're coming to our house for Emberfall. I will kidnap you if I have to."

Sevan hesitated. "That's not necessary. I suppose I could spend a few days-"

"You hear that, Aiden?" Adrian beamed. "That was the sound of the impossible becoming possible."

"I heard it," Aiden said.

"It was miraculous."

They laughed, and for a while, it was easy to forget the things they'd been through. As the ferry docked at the edge of Soleil, the crowd erupted in excited waves of chatter.

And then, amidst the families gathering by the edge of the platform, Aiden saw Mr. and Mrs. Caleena.

Mrs. Caleena stood tall, arms folded but with a warm, expectant look in her eyes. Mr. Caleena was more understated as always, leaning slightly against the stone railing with a hand raised in greeting. Despite their composed appearances, Aiden could feel the relief in their expressions.

It made his chest tighten.

Adrian ran ahead, and in seconds, he was swept up in a bone-crushing hug by his mother. "You didn't even write once until the very last second!" she scolded.

"I wrote! I sent a message through a floating bottle spell!" Adrian replied, muffled.

"That was intercepted by a pelican and delivered to the wrong house!"

Aiden reached them a moment later, and Mrs. Caleena turned to him with a smile that melted away into concern the moment she saw him.

"Oh, Aiden…"

"I'm okay," he said quickly, but she pulled him in anyway.

"Don't say that until I see for myself."

Behind her, Mr. Caleena gave Aiden a nod and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome home, son."

Aiden nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat.

"...Thank you."

Adrian turned then, his arm around Aiden's shoulder. "By the way, this guy behind us- this terrifyingly well-behaved genius- is Sevan Wasterfall."

Sevan stepped forward, offering a polite but firm handshake to Mr. Caleena. "It's a pleasure, sir."

Mr. Caleena shook it, his gaze briefly flicking over Sevan like he was quietly evaluating him. "Likewise."

Mrs. Caleena smiled at him. "Any friend of these two is welcome in our home. Especially if you help keep them in line."

"I try," Sevan said, smiling.

Aiden grinned, but noticed Sevan looking past them. Not far off, standing near a quiet teahouse with her signature silver hair tied in an ornate bun and her staff in hand, stood Sevan's grandmother.

"I'll see you soon," Sevan said, nodding at the boys. "Thank you for the invitation."

"You better come," Adrian called. "We have a long list of activities. And none of them involve textbooks."

Sevan gave a small smile. "I'll prepare for chaos."

They watched him disappear into the crowd. Aiden felt a strange kind of warmth knowing they'd all go their separate ways for a little while, but not so far apart that they couldn't find their way back.

As the family began to make their way through Soleil's winding stone streets, the streets of Soleil buzzed with the warm hum of Emberfall nearing. Market stalls filled with gold-dusted lanterns, citrus-scented candles, and children running about with sun-shaped sweets. Just off the docks, where Helio's Ferry had left them, the Caleenas walked a little slower than the rest of the crowd, forming a small, warm circle around Aiden and Adrian.

Mr. Caleena was talking about the new restaurant that had opened near Egan Square, one that was already becoming popular among local food critics.

"I heard their fire-baked scallion flatbread is worth waiting an hour for," he said, adjusting his coat with one arm draped over Adrian's shoulder.

"Oh, that's the place with the glowing signs, right?" Adrian piped in. "The one with the name you can only read when the sunlight hits it?"

"Yes!" Mrs. C added with a grin. "I've been dying to try it. We thought we'd take you boys out for something special- first night back, after all. A little Emberfall treat."

Aiden smiled, hands tucked politely in his coat pockets.

"That sounds wonderful, Mrs. C. Really, thank you so much. I've missed Soleil's food and your hospitality," he added, meaning it.

Golden garlands waved gently from balconies overhead, and the air smelled of baked citrus and spiced tea. Around every corner, laughter bounced off the sunstone buildings, and flickering lanterns cast rippling reflections on cobbled streets.

The city hadn't changed, but for Aiden, returning here after everything that had happened, it felt different. Not in the way a place changes, but in the way you do.

He walked beside Adrian, keeping in step despite the dull ache still lingering in his legs. Each step was manageable, but Aiden could tell he was tiring quicker than usual. Still, he said nothing, not wanting to slow the Caleenas down or ruin the festive mood.

Adrian kept shooting glances his way. He didn't say anything at first, but Aiden caught the small frown between his brows, the way he subtly walked closer like he was ready to catch him at any moment. Eventually, he gave in.

"You're walking like someone's twisting your spine every few steps," Adrian muttered under his breath. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Aiden forced a polite smile.

"It's just a bit of soreness, I promise. Nothing serious."

Adrian didn't look convinced, and before Aiden could protest further, Adrian turned to his parents ahead of them.

"Hey, uh… actually," he called, "maybe we head home first? Aiden's still adjusting from everything and I think we'd all be more comfortable just settling in for a bit. We can go to that new restaurant later."

Mr. Caleena turned back, his sharp eyes narrowing in concern as they landed on Aiden. "Of course. That's a good idea. You should've said something earlier, Aiden."

Aiden gave a small, apologetic shake of his head. "I didn't want to trouble anyone, Mr. C. Thank you, though. I really appreciate the thought."

Mrs. Caleena slowed her pace until she was walking just beside Aiden, her smile kind and unwavering. "You're not troubling us. You never are, sweetheart. Let's get you home first and let you put your feet up. If we don't go to the restaurant later, I'll cook something. I've been meaning to try out a new lemon-glazed roast recipe anyway."

"That sounds amazing, Mrs. C," Aiden replied earnestly. "Thank you."

As they turned down the familiar residential streets of Soleil, Aiden's shoulders began to relax. The tension that had crept into his spine since stepping off the ferry began to ebb, soothed by the gentle pace of their walk and the easy way the Caleenas carried the silence when it fell between conversations.

"So," Mr. C said after a beat, "any Emberfall plans for you two? Bonfires? Late-night market runs?"

Adrian shrugged. "I was thinking of dragging Aiden to the night fair if he's up for it. Maybe see the fireworks show from the harbor tower?"

"I'd love to," Aiden said. "Though maybe… after some rest."

"That's the spirit," Mrs. C chuckled. "And we'll make sure you're fed and rested properly before any fireworks start."

As they rounded the final corner leading to the Caleena residence, Adrian slowed down beside Aiden and lowered his voice.

"You know," he said, nudging Aiden with his elbow, "you didn't have to be polite back there. If you told them you were in pain, they'd have carried you home in a heartbeat."

Aiden laughed lightly. "That's why I didn't tell them."

"I'll remember that next time you say you're fine."

The house came into view, the tall vines curling down from the rooftop garden and the smell of Mrs. Caleena's herbs wafting from the small boxes lining the windowsills. Home.

That's what it was- for Adrian, obviously, but for Aiden too.

It had been ever since he stepped through that front door nearly a year ago, after he lost his first one.

They entered with the creak of the wooden door and were met by the warm breath of familiarity- their coats on the rack, the clink of tea cups somewhere in the kitchen, and the faint sound of music coming from the wireless crystal Adrian had left running before school ended.

"Shoes off, please," Mrs. C called behind her as she set her bag down. "I just polished the floorboards!"

Adrian groaned dramatically.

"Even after Emberfall travels?"

"Especially after Emberfall travels," she replied, heading into the kitchen. "I'll warm some tea."

Mr. C leaned against the archway with a smile. "Aiden, make yourself comfortable. You're home now."

And in that quiet moment, between the clatter of tea cups and the sunlight casting patterns across the hallway, Aiden believed him.

He was home.