You'll do just fine........

The prairie glowed under the mid-morning sun, a vast canvas of greens and yellows stretching endlessly before me. My eyes darted from one marvel to the next: butterflies fluttering, grass swaying, the endless blue sky. Everything felt so vivid, so alive.

Fren crouched beside me on the blanket they had laid out, his grin steady as ever. “Kiddo’s got that explorer look,” he said, his black eyes twinkling. My tiny hands brushed over blades of grass, their cool texture sparking wonder. How could something so simple feel so magical?

Rose sat a few feet away, her witch’s hat casting a shadow over her silver hair, staff resting across her lap. She smiled faintly, though I knew she’d still prefer me under house arrest. “Of course he likes it,” she said softly. “This world is meant to be explored, not hidden away.” Bold words, though I could practically see her calculating how quickly she could drag me back inside if the breeze turned chilly.

I was content to marvel at the prairie—until something unusual caught my attention.

A faint shimmer of light appeared in the distance, small and fleeting like a mirage. My instincts sharpened, memories of my mother’s previous actions reminding me that even beauty could hold hidden danger. Fren and Rose didn’t notice it. Rose’s smile faltered when she followed my gaze, but I doubt she saw what I did.

The shimmer grew brighter, and as it did, a soft hum filled the air—subtle but eerie, like the resonance of an unplayed instrument. Then, from the heart of the shimmer, a figure emerged.

It was small, almost humanoid, with a glowing body that radiated energy. Its form flickered like a dying flame, and as it moved closer, the surrounding air seemed to vibrate. I could make out short hair, the outline of a skirt—most likely female.

I stared, unable to look away. Was it dangerous? Or merely curious? My instincts were split, torn between fear and fascination.

The glowing figure paused only briefly, tilting its head as if studying me before vanishing—then reappearing inches from my face. My breath caught. My tiny body froze, unsure whether to cry, laugh, or faint. And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it dissolved into the air, fading like smoke.

But as it disappeared, a voice lingered—soft, almost like a whisper carried on the wind:

“You will do just fine.”

The words echoed in my mind, leaving me stunned. Fren’s hand pressed gently against my back. “You alright, kiddo?” he asked, his tone casual but his eyes flicking toward Rose.

Rose’s lips tightened, her gaze lingering where the figure had stood moments ago. Fren glanced at her, uncertain. Could it be that she heard it too?

The encounter was fleeting, yet it left a weight in the air.

As they say, everything must come to an end. The sun had already bid us farewell and we were to do the same to the prairie. Fren picked me up, gentle as always and we began the walk back. My mind spun with questions, but before I could dwell, something stranger happened.

It started as a faint itch in my left eye, subtle at first but growing more persistent with each step as Fren carried me back toward the house. I squirmed, rubbing my face against his shoulder to ease the discomfort.

“Is he alright?” Rose asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Fren adjusted his grip. “He’s been fidgeting for a while now.”

The itch intensified. I whimpered softly, unable to articulate the strange sensation. Rose leaned in, her silver eyes narrowing as she studied me closely.

And then, without warning, a golden flame flickered to life in my left eye.

It wasn’t painful—if anything, it felt warm, almost soothing—but the sudden appearance startled everyone. Fren froze, his grin faltering for once. Rose’s expression shifted from concern to sharp focus.

“What in the world…” Fren muttered, his voice low.

Rose didn’t respond. Her gaze locked on the flame, which danced and shimmered like a living entity. Her grip on her staff tightened, but she made no move to act.

The flame grew brighter, its golden light casting faint shadows across my face. I felt a strange energy coursing through me, powerful yet overwhelming. My tiny body trembled under its weight, and I could sense my strength fading.

“Raizen!” Rose called sharply, reaching for me.

But it was too late. The flame vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving behind an emptiness that drained the last of my energy. My vision blurred, the prairie fading into darkness.

In my old life, darkness meant sterile hospital ceilings and the hum of machines. Here, it was different—warm, alive, tinged with mystery. As the world slipped away, I realized this wasn’t just weakness. It was something awakening.

And then, silence.