They walked along a narrow mountain path, the snow crunching under their boots. The wind whispered through the pines, carrying the faint smell of resin and woodsmoke.

"I am Commander Halvern," the man said after a moment. "I was stationed here when your parents arrived. I helped arrange their settlement in the northern cloister."

Ren glanced sideways. "Nice to meet you sir. And also lot of thanks to you for take care of my family. Can you tell me how they are? They are good or not? Also here vestige invasion happened or not?"

"Hahahah..."Halvern laughed and nodded. "You have grown faster. You are a responsible child. I like your part Ren. Don't worry! Nothing happened to them. Vestiges not attacked here. And also i want to tell you about their current life. You have to know that. So listen...."

"They live a mountain life. They keep to themselves, tend their garden. They have no knowledge of what came before. So we learn them slowly slowly everything they don't remember and take care of them. That is how we've kept them safe."

Ren's gaze dropped to the snow. "And Mira?"

"She lives with them. Seems happiest when she's outside, even in winter. She's… strong. But she doesn't remember you either like them."

Ren didn't respond. The only sound between them was the steady rhythm of their steps on the packed snow.

The northern cloister lay deep within the facility, surrounded by terraces of advanced materials. Covered in snow and guarded walls of stone.

After a short walk, the path widened into a small clearing. At its center sat a modest house, the kind built for comfort rather than show. Its pale stone walls were patched in places where time had worn them smooth. The roof was heavy with snow, except for a few melted lines where the chimney's warmth had bled through. The commander stopped at a house, smoke drifting from its chimney.

A low, weathered fence wrapped around a small garden. Neatly arranged planters lined the walkway, their soil dark and well-tended despite the frost. Warm light spilled from the windows, soft against the cold blue of the snow.

Through the glass, Ren saw them a man kneeling by a row of winter herbs, brushing frost from their leaves. Beside him, a woman sorted through a bundle of roots with quiet care. Their movements were slow, unhurried, shaped by a life without urgency. Their hair was different. Their faces calmer.

Elian and Sera now, not the mother and father who once held him close.

Ren's chest tightened. They looked safe. Untouched by everything that had come before.

And there, near the fence, was Mira crouched low, gloved hands brushing snow from a stubborn patch of flowers that had survived the frost. She smiled faintly at a single bloom, her breath curling into the air.

Ren stopped at the fence. He could have called out. He could have crossed the snow and told them who he was.

But instead, he stood there quietly just another traveler pausing to admire the peace of a place untouched by the past.

Commander Halvern pushed the gate to open. The sound of the gate opening caught Mira's attention. She looked up, her cheeks flushed from the cold, and grinned at the sight of the commander.

"Commander Halvern!" she called, straightening up. "Come play! You promised last time!"

Halvern chuckled. "Another time, Mira. Today I've brought someone with me."

Only then did her gaze shift to Ren. Her brow furrowed in faint curiosity. "Who's that?"

"This," Halvern said with an easy smile, "is Ren. He's an important guest, here to see the life of the mountains. I thought he might enjoy meeting you and your family."

Mira's eyes narrowed slightly as if measuring him. "Guest, huh?" She stepped closer, her boots crunching in the snow. "Well… I'm Mira. Nice to meet you mr Ren. Welcome to my house. Pls, come inside the house. My mother made a soup. you have to like warm soup, or my mother will be upset."

Ren allowed a faint smile. "I like soup."

She nodded, apparently satisfied, and turned on her heel. "Then follow me."

Than both Ren and Commander followed her. She opened the door and they entered inside the house.

★★★

The inside of the house was warm, a sharp contrast to the winter air. The smell of simmering broth drifted from the kitchen, mixing with the faint scent of pine from the wooden beams overhead. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting amber light over the walls.

Mira kicked off her boots and darted toward the kitchen. "Mother! Father! We've got a guest!" she called, her voice bright and full of energy. "Commander brought him!"

A moment later, the man Ren had seen outside stepped into the hall with commander, looking towards the everything.

They show a middle aged person. He was Ren's father. He approached them first...

"Good morning commander. How are you? Who is this young man?" He spoked.

"Good to you also. I am fine. He is our important guest want to see the life of the mountains. So, he came here. I hope our arrival don't make a trouble for you." Commander spoked.

"Commander. What are you saying. Your arrival never creat trouble for us. You are like our family members. You will come anytime. We welcome you always." He spoked with innocent smile.

"Thanks to you." Commander replied with gentle respectfull voice. Then...

Elian looked at Ren with polite curiosity, no flicker of recognition in his eyes.

Halvern stood behind him, his voice calm. "I have a humble request. Can you accept my request pls."

"Yes, tell us. We will fulfill your every request you want."

"Again, thank you. My request is our guest Ren will be staying for a short while here. They want to know about mountain life so. I thought it right that he will stay here. It's the perfect place for him. If you don't have any problem than, he will stay here for a short period of time."

Then Sera also came out from kitchen with Mira. She listened also that conversation. Then...

The couple exchanged a brief glance, then the Elian stepped forward and said " We don't have any problem or objection. Your guest is our guest. The young man can stay here. Welcome. Nice to meet you, Mr. Can I know your name? Please, make yourself at home."

Ren nodded, his voice steady despite the tightness in his chest. "Thank you. Thank you for your giving permission to me for stay here. My name is Ren. I am fine. And how about you?"

"We are fine Mr Ren." Elian said.

"Ren, sir. I am not worthy to adress me as sir.' Ren spoked. In his heart, so many emotions came. But he maintained a smiley face. He was sad and happy at a same time. But more than sadness, he was happy. Bcz his family was safe and lived a good life. A happy life.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.