Estela by Miu

White.

Everything is white.

I raised my arms and cried. Feeling all alone and abandoned.

Then out of the blue . . . I saw the ocean.

The clear aqua.

I shivered from the cold poles staring at me. But when I touched his face, I was enveloped with warmth.

I giggled when my palms touched his lips.

I extended my arms at him as I laughed, and all of a sudden, I felt light before I was hug into his warm embrace.

"Hello, Estela. I am Cain. Your brother."

----

"Brother! Brother! Brother!"

I giggled and hopped to my brother, who I hadn't seen for almost a year.

Since my brother had turned seven, he only returned every now and then and gone again the next. I asked my parents where he went, but they said he was doing some sort of training.

Ever since I was born into this world, I was always attached to my brother. Others would repulse at his cold personality, but I stick to him like glue even if he got annoyed sometimes. But even so, he just let me. He never once did scold me nor got angry with me. He would always have this indifferent attitude. But every time I was crying, he was always there, by my side . . . sitting on the floor . . . reading while I cried on his shoulder. Every time I was in trouble, he was always there to rescue me. His cold facade was just to mask how warm he was.

Our separation for almost a year didn't damage my adoration for him one bit even now that I will turn seven years old.

Nevertheless, I hugged him tight at the sight of him.

"Brother!"

I giggled and rubbed my face against his warm belly.

He didn't react and just nodded at me before he walked inside his room while I followed him around.

----

"Cain, why do you keep on failing your intermediate training? Refusing to climb to the advance?" My grandmother smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

I didn't know why my grandparents appeared on my birthday. Usually, they didn't show themselves –– ever.

In my seven years of existence, I only saw them once, and that was when my brother left for his training five years ago.

I didn't like my grandparents. They're cold and . . .

. . . scary.

"Mother, Cain is only a child. He makes mistakes––"

My mother stopped in her tracks when my grandmother turned her dark, terrifying eyes at her.

My grandfather drank his wine before he swept his eyes at us and said with a throaty voice.

"Cain is a genius. He's the only child who finished the beginner's training with the highest score in history, and now you're saying he's a failure?"

He sneered and stared hard at my brother. "It's not because you don't want to take the advance." He then shifted his scary eyes at me, and I lowered my head –– terrified to meet his gaze.

"It's just that, you're waiting for someone. Isn't it, my boy?"

A creeping terror shivered me upon the menace in his voice that I couldn't help but whimper.

My brother stopped eating and challenged the gazes of my grandparents with an expressionless face. His coldness contended with theirs.

. . .

. . .

The deafening silence was brutal as neither one of them back down.

Eventually, my grandmother sighed in defeat. With a helpless tone, she said, "Cain. I know you probably think we're cruel . . . forcing you to do this. You might not understand this now, but we are doing this for you. The world is constantly changing, and you need to be prepared. You may think of us as monsters, and that is fine . . . Blame us. Resent us. If that is what it'll take for you to become stronger . . . Then do it."

My grandmother stared at me. For a moment, I thought it was love I saw in her eyes, but it was quickly gone as it came.

"We'll make you a deal. Finish the intermediate training and take up other skills while you wait for Estela to finish hers . . . and then you both can undergo the advance together."

My brother's face somewhat brightened. My parents, however, clenched their fists and tightened their jaws.

"But . . . ," My grandfather added, "there is a catch. Your advance training will double in difficulty."

SLAM!

"Father! They are your grandchildren."

My mother finally couldn't take it anymore. Her face was white as her emerald eyes shone no longer. Her whole being emanated a killing intent, ready to wage war at the two elders.

I trembled at the sight of her as I shrunk on my seat while my eyes glistened with tears.

"All the more so!" My grandfather sneered, and the air tightened –– suffocating to the point of being unbearable.

My brother's warm hand shot on top of mine.

"Deal," he said.

The deadlock broke when my brother's voice echoed in the dining room.

"Great. Then we will expect splendid results from you."

My grandparents tapped a napkin on their lips and left the dining room, leaving my mother crying while my father comforted her.

I glanced over at my brother, who was looking at me with a smile on his face.

"Don't worry. I won't let you go through this alone."