Chapter 49 Aurielo's Past.
Chapter 49 Aurielo's Past.
AURELIO’S PAST
WRITER’S POV
AURELIO, AGE 6
“Aurelio, darling, you have a new baby cousin.”
Aurelio set down his paintbrush, reluctantly pulling his attention away from his favorite canvas.
“A baby?” he asked.
“Yes, dear. Aunt Terra has given birth to a beautiful baby girl! We’re going to Fiori to go and visit them. Now, go get ready!”
Aurelio stared at his painting: an open field filled with wildflowers and great sunlight.
The painting radiated happiness and warmth; he didn’t even know what made him paint it.
And now he had a cousin.
“Alright, Mama.”
\---
“Meet Luana,” his mother, Elena, said, handing Aurelio the baby girl.
The baby smiled at Aurelio and giggled.
“Aww, she likes her brother already!” his mother cried.
Aurelio couldn’t help but smile at the baby. Cute short dark hair, green eyes, and an adorable face.
His little sister.
“Hello, cousin,” he finally said, caressing her cheeks.
Terra and Massimo’s hearts warmed at the sight of the new siblings.
\---
LUANA, 5 / AURELIO, 11
MONTAGNA (MASSIMO’S HOMETOWN)
THE VERCELLI RESIDENCE
“Big brother! Come see what I found!” Luana called.
Aurelio chuckled. “What is it, Lua?”
“These flowers. I saw them in the backyard, away from the sunlight, and you won’t believe it, but they still grow well. And not only that, they shed snow, real snow!”
Aurelio smiled, then ruffled Luana’s head.
“Sharp and observant as ever, baby sis. Yes, those are Neve flowers.
They don’t grow in the sunlight, and they emit snow whose ice is nutritious and medicinal for wizards.”
“Wow, so cool!” Luana laughed happily.
“Big brother, you’re so smart! I want to be just like you when I grow up!”
Aurelio was taken aback; heat crept to his cheeks.
He chuckled. “You’re just five. You might change your mind.”
“No, I won’t! You’re intelligent, strong, powerful, and your magic is amazing! Even Papa compliments you!”
Aurelio ruffled her head once more. “And what about you? You’re more awesome. You’re a witch and a wizard, two powers combined. You’re going to be a great princess when you grow up.”
Luana chuckled, lying on his lap. “Only with Brother by my side.”
Aurelio smiled bitterly. “I’m not going to be with you forever, you know?”
He stroked her hair gently.
“Why not? Are you going away?”
“I’m going to Wizardia next year.”
She sat up abruptly, tears welling up in her eyes.
She had become so attached to him. He had taught her spells, sword fighting, painting, played games with her, and was very protective of her.
To him, she was a delicate flower that needed protection and the utmost care.
He panicked immediately, seeing tears welling up in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ll still come back!”
“But you’ll be gone for a long time.”
Aurelio wiped her tears and placed a kiss on her forehead.
“I’ll be back before you even know it, and when I do, I’ll come to Fiori and visit you immediately.”
“Promise?” she sniffled.
“I promise, Lua.”
He hugged her tightly, vowing to visit her immediately when he returned.
But little did he know that was the last time he would get to hold her in his arms.
\---
LUANA, 5½ / AURELIO, 12 YEARS OLD
DURING THE TIME TERRA WAS POISONED
“What did you say, Father?” Aurelio asked.
He couldn’t believe his ears. He had just returned from Wizardia and wanted to go visit Luana in Fiori, but what his father said to him broke his heart.
“I’m sorry, son, but Luana has been taken to Witchesville.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Terra was poisoned.”
Aurelio’s eyes widened. “What? What happened to her? Is Lua okay?”
“Luana is fine, but she needs to get away from home for now.”
“I still don’t understand! What’s going on? Why can’t I see my sister?!”
“Aurelio, darling, it’s because your sister is a threat to the demons, and we need to keep her safe.” Elena said, entering the room.
“A threat? A threat how?”
“Haven’t you felt immense magic radiating from Luana?” Leonardo asked.
“I have, but it’s the cause of her combined magic, right?”
“Unlikely. Luana might be a Golden Witch.”
“A Golden Witch? The same powerful being that is born every hundred years?”
“Yes, that one. That powerful being can kill a demon. Have you heard of the prophecy, Aurelio?”
“Yes, I have, Father.”
“And do you know of your Aunt Terra’s friend?”
“That Demon Queen whose son is friends with Lua?”
“Yes.”
“Well…” Leonardo paused, taking a sip of water. “He is the child of the prophecy."
“Now, put the pieces together. Do you understand the gravity of the situation?”
Aurelio’s face went white.
He ran out of the room, to the garden where he and Luana used to play.
"All this time, she had been in danger…"
His fists balled.
"And I couldn’t even see it."
"She was with the enemy all this while, and I couldn’t see it."
"But now that I know the truth, I was going to make sure no harm would come to her, and if any demon got in my path, I would end them without hesitation."