Half in Fire

S-2857 • L2 Ritluna • D25 Alonli

“Ritluna sets the sky’s rhythm in a gentle descent. Alonli lengthens the thread of return. The tide traces silver in clear silence. The story prepares a portal of beginnings.”

Saymon was celebrating his seventh solar cycle. That very day, two brutal men invaded our home. They grabbed my grandson and dragged him away by force. What could I have done? Fled with him? I know I couldn’t. Those men would have descended into hell to find him.

“G-Granny…” Maia clung to my leg, crying inconsolably. “Wh-why did they take Saymon?”

I couldn’t answer. I held her tightly, knowing her turn would come soon. I stroked her white hair and kissed her forehead. “You’ll see him soon, my dear. Remember when I said you must always take care of and protect each other?” Tears streamed endlessly down my face. “Please, take care of each other.” My voice caught.

I knew the weight of the burden I placed on those words. I had asked two children to grow up under extreme conditions, to surrender their childhoods and carry a responsibility too great even for adults. Because the adults had failed to care for them. Instead of turning their own wounds into healing, they perpetuated traumas and projected their ideals onto those children. Disregarded their personalities. Their wishes. Chained their souls. And sealed their fates.

S-2858 • L11 Irraluna • D24 Ritsi

“Irraluna radiates return in low silver. Ritsi marks the beat in a fine curve. The tide gathers song and arranges the thread. The story prepares a portal in the air.”

I crouched before Maia. “May I ask you something, dear?”

“What, Granny?” She had grown so much in those ten lunations.

I held her arms and stroked them gently. “Promise you’ll always follow your heart? That you’ll seek your freedom and live your life with love, kindness, and compassion? That you’ll listen to yourself to decide how to live, feel, find your rhythm, and act? That you’ll cultivate good friendships and care for those you love?”

Maia nodded.

“Promise you’ll take care of your brother too? That whatever happens, you’ll always be able to count on each other?” My throat tightened, but I continued. “Even if your path is dark and lonely, even if everyone turns their back on you, you’ll have Saymon, and Saymon will have you. Please promise Grandma that.”

I worried about them both, but there was something different in my concern for Saymon.

Seeing him today, I understand why.

“I promise all of that.” Maia smiled and caressed my face with her little hands. “Promise I’ll take care of you too.”

They took her the following day.

The moons kept passing, one after another, disappearing into time and carrying away the days of a cruel, unchangeable past. I began seeing the illness as punishment for my passivity. I had consented to an atrocity. That was how I judged myself. I held myself responsible for it all.

And as time passed, I began wondering whether forgetting had truly been a punishment. Perhaps it had been a blessing. Because when the memories returned, the questions returned with them.

What if I had refused my parents’ request to help them corefine Regnante and Gagner? What if I had destroyed the technologies while I still had the chance? What if I had talked more with Charlotte? What if I had tried to flee? What if I had found the strength to face those mercenaries?

I don’t know…

Perhaps Maia and Saymon…