Chapter 26. Fire and Wind

At a young age, I learned to take care of myself. I grew up facing the challenges of life early on. Hardships molded me to be brave and resilient. I always relied on myself and the love of my siblings to navigate each day.

Sometimes, I wondered what it would feel like to be vulnerable. Just once, I wanted to let go of the tough exterior I had built, which felt like hot metal against my skin.

It's tiring to be strong all the time.

People label me as tough and unyielding. I forged an image of strength because I had to. Cali and Poras were too young and vulnerable, and I needed to be their living shield, their protector. I became accustomed to defending myself and my siblings. A strong persona became my second nature years ago.

So when Kenru stepped in front of Killan, it felt different. I could protect myself, but experiencing someone defending me felt unusual. It felt like being taken care of, like someone genuinely cared and was ready to put themselves in harm's way to protect me.

Ken