I wasn't allowed to go outside because I might die due to the vast magical energy of the trees.
The magic of the trees is as powerful as those of the five major element. Honestly, it wasn't really a surprise. The magic came from nature after all. And other than plants, trees filled the land of Harmonia.
My parents said that if I 'am exposed to the magical energy outside my room, my body would absorb the unlimited energy of nature and because of my poor health, it might harm my frail body and cause my death.
Big brother was dismayed to hear what mom and dad said that night. He ran out of the room and our parents can only sigh.
Mom stayed with me the whole night. I 'am not feeling good and it hurts a lot but I'm more worried about big brother.
At first, I always wondered why he asked me if I wanted to go outside, and I also wondered what he was thinking. Yet at that moment, I somehow understood him.
He wanted to take me outside because he knows that I really wanted to know what the outside world is like. He wasn't satisfied by just telling me his adventures and reading the books with me. He wanted me to see it, with my very own eyes.
It seems that he doesn't like being locked up. He doesn't like me to be locked up as well. He didn't get to feel the true freedom he wants because of the eyes and ears of our people, but he wanted to show me the freedom he felt at least. After all, out of anyone else, he knew what it feels like to be trapped in the expectations of others, what's more if the trap's existing?
But most of all, just like me, he wanted someone to accompany him.
As we ventured the tree clan's territory, I learned that he had his responsibilities as the clan leader's first son. They called him a genius and he must fulfill that.
The reason he barely had anytime to play with me was because he needs to work very hard to meet everyone's expectations. He was just a six-year-old but the family is already that hard on him. It kinda made me feel sad.
I also realized that he still visits me. But he does when it was already late at night when I and everyone else is asleep. I felt like a total idiot not to notice that. Big brother know that I love books and he left me one every night, with a cute and unique book mark inserted in it.
He had no friends and everyone practically envied him. He must've felt really lonely. I love my big brother, but I can't help him with that. Yet, he does everything he could to help me.
The last thing he tried to do back fire though. Instead of helping me, he brought my life in danger. He must have felt really guilty. I wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault and that I was really grateful even though it was just one day, it was really fun. But it's not like I can actually help, not at this state.
After that day, big brother never visited me ever again. I felt sad, but I learned a couple of tricks.
I can be one with the trees. I can see what they see, I can hear what they hear. Using that ability, I watched brother train every day from my room.
Big brother is really amazing. He was so good at magic I can also say that he was a genius.
Even though I'm the only one who can see him, I was happy.
One night I pretended to be asleep and waited for him. Just as I expected, big brother came.
"Big brother, you're here!"
"W-what? Lune you're still awake?!" My big brother was surprised, not that I could blame him though.
Grinning, I told him. "Big brother, Lune waited for you. Lune knew you would come so I waited. Don't be mad at Lune okay."
Big brother sighed and smiled at me. "Alright, I won't be mad." Pinching my nose, he warned me. "Just don't do it again okay. Don't stay up at night."
"But big brother always stays up at night."
"Don't compare me with you. I'm not a baby!"
"Big brother, Lune is almost three! Lune is not a baby anymore."
"That won't do until a month, and you'll still be a baby until then."
"No, no! Lune will no longer be baby! Lune is not a baby!"
My big brother laughed and I don't understand why. He moved closer to me and gave me a hug. "Silly Lune. You'll always be a baby to big brother."
What he said made me feel happy. I felt so lucky to have such big brother. I wished that everything could always stay that way. Alas it never did.
By being one with the trees, I found mom and dad speaking to the clan elders.
"Elders, I 'am afraid I cannot allow Lune to practice magic. If he gets exposed to magical energy, I fear that the child's life would be in danger. Have we not spoke about this already?" Dad spoke to the elders in a serious and respectful tone.
"Yes, we know that very well, but the future of the clan is in the children's hands." One of the elders persisted, but father still refused.
"With all due respect, Lune is still my child and I don't want his life to be in danger."
The elders seemed to really want me to learn magic. They saw great potential in me. My big brother's a genius and they believe me to be one as well. I showed that much to them already.
The elders were very astounded when they found out that I started reading when I'm just a year old. They also found me as smart one. They wanted to know how great I 'am with magic, but they need father's consent about it first.
They can't seem to convince him though. One of the most influential elder is tapping the table loudly, apparently losing patience.
"What if I gave you a solution?" he asked. Dad looked at him with a smile but he uttered no word.
Seeing that father didn't answer, he continued. "If we seal half of that child's magic, perhaps then it would be safe for him to be freed from that barrier."
"Seal?" My dad questioned him suspiciously.
The elder nodded and began. "We'll use the most powerful seal of the tree clan. I'm quite certain that would work."
When he said that, father seemed to be outraged for some reason I did not know. "But that seal needs a vessel! We don't have anyone that suitable and willing to become one, and it is too dangerous to perform! Anyone could die!"
"As for the vessel, how about your other son. He is a suitable one I believe." The elder said casually that angered dad even more.
"PREPOSTEROUS!!" Dad shouted, banging the table. "Would I remind you that they are my children not your tools! You cannot do that! The child may die!"
The elders remained calm and tried to reason out with him. "But what about the other? Are you just going to let him stay in that barrier forever? Are you not going to let him free?"
"Indeed, I admit that it is very risky, yet what if they survive? Would it be for the better?"
Dad sighed and calmed himself then shook his head. "No, I dare not gamble their lives."
To everyone's surprise, the door suddenly opened and big brother walked in.
Mom gasped and apologized to the elders before running to him. She tried to convince him to leave but big brother didn't listen.
Looking at dad, big brother spoke. "Father, please let me! I want to help Lune!"
The elders remained silent as they seemingly planned all that to happen. Mom and dad on the other hand, exchanged faces.
"No, I cannot let you."
Dad refused him, but big brother didn't falter. "I'll take whatever risk if it means that Lune will be free. I'm not afraid!"
"Didn't you hear what said? I simply will not allow it!"
"But father, I promise you, Lune and I will get through this. I will survive so please allow it. Dad..."
"Just go ahead and allow it Naru. The child wanted to do it so let him." One of the elders spoke.
Dad was obviously cornered. Sighing he looked at mom.
Mom was terribly anxious. More than anything else, as our mother, she wanted us to live a normal and safe life as much as possible but were just not like any normal children. The lives of both her beloved children are at stake here. Not mom nor dad could just make any reckless decision.
However, even though dad was the clan leader, there are times when he cannot disobey the elders. And seeing that big brother was so determined, it was obvious that they backed him in a corner where he would have no choice but to agree.