Facing the Choice

A few days later, Akira and Elara walked to the Grove of Whispers, where he’d first arrived in Greenwood. The forest was quiet, the air cool and smelling of pine. The grove’s trees stood tall, their branches glowing with tiny lights like fireflies. The footprints he’d seen months ago—faint, barely touching the leaves—were still there, circling a stone altar carved with runes.

Akira touched the altar, remembering his mom’s face, her lonely days without him. “This is where it all started,” he said. “If we do this ritual, I can bring her here. But the book might burn up.”

Elara nodded, her green cloak swaying. “It’s a big choice. Are you sure?”

He took a deep breath, thinking of his mom’s garden, her kind smile, and the life he’d built with Elara. “I want her safe, with us. But losing Earth forever… It’s hard.”

Elara stepped closer, her eyes soft. “I know it’s scary. But I’ll help your mom feel at home. We’ll plant gardens together, teach her our ways. She’ll be family.”

Akira’s heart warmed. “You’re amazing, Elara. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She smiled, touching the leaf necklace he’d given her. “You don’t have to find out.”

They sat by the altar, the grove’s lights dancing around them. Akira thought of his mom, alone, and how she’d love Greenwood’s fields. “She’s strong,” he said. “She ran our farm after Dad died. She’ll fit here, I think.”

“I believe it,” Elara said. “And the villagers want her here. They’re already planning a cottage for her.”

Akira’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes,” she said, laughing softly. “Liora’s weaving vines for the walls. Kael’s carving a door. They trust you, Akira. They want your mom to be part of us.”

He felt tears prick his eyes. The village’s kindness, Elara’s love—it made the choice clearer. “Okay,” he said. “Let’s do the ritual. I’ll bring Mom here, even if it means losing the book.”

Elara hugged him, her arms warm. “I’m proud of you. We’ll make it work.”

They walked back to the village, hand in hand, as the stars came out. The next day, they’d start gathering the starbloom, moonstone, and crystal. The double moons were close, and Akira felt ready—scared, but ready. His mom would have a new home, and with Elara by his side, he knew they could face anything.

Back at the cottage, they sat by the fire, sharing a mug of moonberry tea. The book sat on the table, its glow faint but steady. Akira touched it, knowing it might soon be gone. But Elara’s hand in his felt like home, and that was enough.