Born from chaos

ㅤ While Sorey slept, cleansing Maotelus of malevolence, Mikleo tried to see as much of the world as he could for him; to capture all the changes; to witness the birth of new ruins, so that he could later tell of what they were like when they were full of life. After all, the world to which Sorey returns will be different. But no matter how long Mikleo spent traveling, he always returned to one place, bringing back all sorts of interesting curiosities. He paid particular attention to the stone flowers, long-lasting and so dear to the girl he loved. "How much longer are you going to do stupid things?" Edna wasn't asking about regular travel, but about constant visits to her. After all, she'd given him no reason to. The naive boy believed that he would be able to cope with the icy crust on her heart. "As many as needed." Over the years, Mikleo had not only managed to grow a luxurious tail and become impressively tall, but also to develop his character. He began to understand Edna better and react more calmly to her barbs. He also knew perfectly well that she kept all his gifts in a small, cozy cave, never allowing them to gather dust. Each one absorbed a piece of him and his journey, which Mikleo shared with her. No matter how much Edna grumbled, she enjoyed spending time with Mikleo. Although it was a shame that he no longer responded so vividly to all her teasing. He often laughed it off, seeing right through it. And even though he was born of the water element, bestowing coolness with a single glance, her soul filled with warmth at the sight of him. When he wasn't looking, she allowed herself a slight smile. When Mikleo set off again, Edna headed for her "hiding place," unaware that it had no longer been a secret. She stopped at the entrance, looking suspiciously at a small ice stalactite, which simply had no place in her cave: it wasn’t that cold there. "Hmm…" she kept the thoughts deep within herself. Day after day, Edna watched the icicle slowly grow, drop by drop. Its presence unsettled her, but at the same time, it aroused her interest. What was it? Where did it come from? Where would it lead? Edna had seen a lot in her long life — it was difficult to surprise her. But she seemed frozen in anticipation of a miracle. ㅤ Time passed, and Mikleo's latest journey came to an end. Edna examined the new gift, holding it in her small hand. She carefully concealed her liking for it. Mikleo had managed to acquire a unique specimen. Beautiful, graceful, and ancient. There are no more like them left in the world. Mikleo was clearly proud of his find. He could easily read the hidden emotions in Edna's feigned indifference. "I'm glad you like it," he couldn’t help but say: not only could she egg him on, but he could also tease her. "What makes you think that!?" For once, it was she, not he, who flared up. Mikleo just chuckled. Contentedly and good-naturedly. Again he didn't stay long. And Edna, returning to her little treasures, froze in front of an icicle that had grown considerably in size in just one day. 'Could he…?' she thought to Mikleo. But she knew for certain that Mikleo was incapable of such mischief. His soul is like the purest water. That's why Edna so enjoyed teasing him, innocence itself. Nevertheless, she began to look forward to meeting Mikleo even more, eager to test her theory. And the icy stalactite continued to grow and strengthen… ㅤ "You've taken a long time this time," Edna noted, holding back her displeasure, when the careless young man deigned to return. "Oh, so you're waiting for me after all!" Mikleo said, as if he'd taken her at her word. "You tamed me yourself," Edna snorted. "I was just worried that something had happened to you. After all, only I'll find out you're gone…" she finished quietly and sadly. She'd already buried a dear seraph. Brother. Her only family member. Mikleo understood, so he didn't tease her further about it, secretly glad that even the slight delay hadn't escaped her. She waited. She cared. That was enough for him. But Edna showed no interest in the gift. Neither obvious nor hidden. She was clearly preoccupied with something else, something she categorically refused to discuss. Mikleo didn't dare put pressure on her: it would be more expensive for him. Edna was genuinely irritated by his questions, and Mikleo didn't want to hurt her feelings or provoke negativity. He had to be associated with positivity in her mind, so that one day her heart would melt. So that she would openly admit that she cared about him. And at that moment, they would either set out on their journey together, or he would settle down with her in the mountains forever. But for now… As soon as Mikleo was out of sight, Edna hurried to the cave. 'I knew it!' The ice stalactite grew significantly faster in Mikleo's presence. It was connected to him. But how, Edna couldn't figure out. And it didn't seem like Mikleo himself knew about it. 'Then I'll have to introduce him,' Edna decided firmly. She didn't want to show her secret hideout, but moving it wasn't a problem. But figuring out the ice floe's secret was worthwhile. Edna had been lost in her own conjectures for so long. All that remained was to wait for Mikleo. 'I hope he doesn't decide to travel longer this time…' ㅤ This time, Mikleo didn't keep Edna waiting. He even arrived earlier than usual. He thought he'd catch Edna off guard, but instead, he was caught off guard. "What is it this time?" Edna asked, sitting on a rock, hiding from the sun behind an umbrella, indifferently, as if doomed. "The same as always," Mikleo smiled disappointedly, handing over the gift. "But you already know." "That's right. You've always been predictable," she managed to sting with her remark. "We are equal in this regard," Mikleo replied. They both stared into each other's eyes, trying to hold each other's gaze. Each of their wills was strong enough to play this game forever. "If you're so smart, follow me. And try to tell me what it is." Reluctantly, yet curiously, Edna led Mikleo to the cave. After all, he really might know, having traveled the world countless times, peering into its most hidden corners. He might have seen even more. To her great surprise, when they reached the spot, the icicle was gone. Instead, a small ice golem stood beneath its usual spot. Its enchanting, innocent ice eyes, dotted with black earth, gazed at Edna. And soon, it spoke: "Mo… ther…" "No, I'm not your mother!" she protested in horror. "Your mother — it’s he," Edna said, pointing at Mikleo, stunned. "Why me?" Mikleo expressed calm surprise, not yet understanding what was going on. "He's icy," Edna looked at him, looking away from the "baby." "And ice is water." "Golems are always based on earth," Mikleo reminded her. He added resentfully, "And at worst case, I'm father…" "Don't even think about it," Edna warned. Look at what he thought — to become her family! Edna wasn't ready to let him into her heart… "How long has this been here? How did it end up with you?" "That's what I wanted to know from you!" Edna let her emotions get the better of her. "Before you came, it was just an ordinary icicle. It grew and grew where it shouldn't. And the closer you were, the faster it grew. Andnow…Whatisthisanyway?" Mikleo looked at the baby, trying not to let the harmful thoughts grow and turn into glee: Edna would definitely not like his assumption. And he had only one. A child who combined two elements: earth and water. Seraph could only represent one element. But Mikleo and Edna belonged to different elements. And both were drawn to each other, even if not always openly. But the chaos of their feelings decided otherwise. Their elements intertwined, giving birth to an entity that managed to unite them. "Not the most comfortable form…" Mikleo tried to peer into the distant future, where he, Edna, and their child set off on a journey together. A very slow journey… Clumsy. "It seems I'll have to settle down after all." "Why are you silent?" Edna asked irritably. "Are you sure you want me to answer?" Edna didn't want to. She knew exactly what he was thinking. And if she'd known that a golem would be born from the icicle by the time he returned, she definitely wouldn't have let Mikleo near it. She would have torn her hair out, trying to understand, comprehend, and accept it, but she definitely wouldn't have made Mikleo part of that process. After all, now she couldn't even give in to her raging emotions, trying to save face. Mikleo carefully took Edna's hand in his, looked into her eyes and spoke: "I know it's hard for you." 'It's hard to get close to anyone,' he didn't finish the sentence out loud. Edna pursed her lower lip. She remembered the pain of loss all too well. She didn't want to experience it again. That's why she rejected Mikleo's feelings and her own. "There's still room for miracles in this world," Mikleo put all the hope in his smile, trying to convey it to Edna. "Will you let me stay with you and watch the miracle with you?" Edna was in no hurry to answer. Nor was she quick to shake off the hand. The very thing she had been running so diligently away from had caught up with her in the most unexpected way. At the most inopportune moment. "I don't know what to do with this anyway." "Well, we can start by giving it a name." Mikleo smiled with relief, earning a smack to the top of his head with an umbrella. However, she let him stay, and that's the most important thing. Together they cared for the golem, teaching it to speak and read. To use the elements. Edna and Mikleo spent every day together, sharing their common activities. They grew closer. Mikleo took his time, simply enjoying the closeness he was allowed. Every moment. The closer Edna and Mikleo got, the thinner the ice on the golem became, causing concern in the unexpected parents. But the more transparent the ice became, the more visible were the two spirits within its chest, holding hands. Edna took Mikleo's hand herself, nervously watching the spirits within the melting golem stir. She understood everything even before the ice crust cracked: the golem's frame and the icy barrier of her heart. Two twin seraphs were born: one of earth, one of water. They were as alike as two peas in a pod, save for the color of their hair and eyes. The single essence couldn't contain the two alien elements, no matter how much the twins tried. They clung tightly to the golem's essence, fearing to separate their parents forever. But the stronger their parental bond grew, the less fear remained in their souls. The happier they became, relaxing. Until the ice finally melted… "And yet it was you," Edna breathed, recalling one of her guesses. Although it wasn't entirely correct, Mikleo was to blame for the unusual icicle's appearance. If not with his own hands, then with his heart. "What about me?" Mikleo didn't understand what he was being accused of. "It doesn't matter anymore," she breathed out a smile, spreading her arms, inviting the children into a hug. 'You've finally become part of my family. And not just you,' she kindly chided Mikleo in her thoughts, allowing him to hug her and the children. ㅤ