(10 Years Ago)
Aqua’s parents and the Elderwood survivors each took a soul stone and began spreading out across the field, searching for a quiet place to set them down. Aqua’s gaze drifted over the shimmering stones until one caught her eye — nearly black, but with a deep emerald sheen when it tilted in the light. She picked it up without quite knowing why.
Kieran fell into step beside her, his mother already swept up in conversation with Quince and several other survivors. Behind them, the field buzzed with soft crying, laughter, and the stunned joy of reunions.
Kieran, meanwhile, was talking a mile a minute.
“I’m thinking pot roast for tomorrow night,” he said, practically vibrating. “I want to make something special for my mom. Something she’ll remember.”
Aqua smiled. “Well, Hil
