Dawn came quiet and slow, the sky still painted in soft shades of grey and blue. The wind was cool, brushing gently against the golden walls of the temple. Most of the children were still asleep, curled up in their beds, unaware that Jaden was preparing to leave.
Only the women of the temple were awake, standing near the gate with Ari. Their eyes were calm, but their presence said enough—they were here to say goodbye. They stood in silence, watching Luna and Jaden.
Luna held Jaden's hand tightly. Her fingers were wrapped around his like she never wanted to let go. The wind played with her hair, but her eyes stayed locked on him.
She suddenly pulled him in and hugged him. It was strong, so strong that Jaden could hardly breathe for a moment. But he didn't mind. He hugged her back, firm and protective, the kind of hug that said, I'm here, even when the world tries to say otherwise.
Luna didn't move away. Her arms still clung to him, her head pressed gently to his chest.
"You promise to come back, remember?" she whispered.
Jaden looked down at her, his face calm but touched with emotion. He gave a slow nod.
He didn't say much—he never did. But the look in his eyes, the strength in his arms as he held her, said everything. He would come back. He missed her too much not to.
The others stood quietly behind, giving them space. Ari had his arms crossed and a soft look in his eyes. He didn't speak either. This wasn't his moment. It was between two siblings who had lost so much and found each other again.
Jaden finally let go and turned toward the temple gate. He began to close it slowly behind him when Luna stepped forward again, stopping him before the gate could shut completely.
She held something small in her hand.
"I want you to have this," she said, gently reaching for his hand.
It was their mother's amulet.
The silver chain was still in perfect condition, the pendant shining softly in the morning light. Jaden's eyes widened slightly as he looked at it.
He hadn't seen it in years.
"I kept it," Luna said, her voice trembling a bit. "All this time. I couldn't let it go."
She placed it in his palm, closing his fingers around it.
"Whenever you feel angry," she whispered, "when the pain gets too loud... look at this. Just maybe it will ease it. Just maybe it will remind you that you're not alone."
Jaden stared at the amulet for a long moment. He didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected to feel anything this morning. But somehow, the weight of the chain in his hand brought a kind of stillness to his heart.
Luna hugged him one more time, her hands on his shoulders now.
"I know you're better than Dad," she said. "Don't let pain rule you."
Her words landed hard.
She looked into his eyes like she was trying to hold on to him with more than just her arms. She was trying to hold on to the part of him that was still soft, still good.
Jaden nodded once more. He didn't promise anything with words, but she could tell—he heard her. He truly heard her.
And then he left.
He walked out of the gate, down the stone path that led away from the temple, the soft sound of his boots the only thing breaking the silence.
Luna stood there and watched him for as long as she could. She didn't move until he was just a shape in the distance, and then nothing at all.
Jaden walked for hours. The sky grew brighter, and the wind a little warmer.
He pulled out the amulet from his pocket and held it in his hand. His thumb brushed gently across the silver pendant. He stared at it quietly, then hung it around his neck.
He didn't know why—but for the first time in a long while, he felt a little lighter.
Maybe it was because he knew Luna was safe.
Maybe it was because he wasn't alone anymore.
Maybe it was just the amulet.
But whatever it was… it was enough for now.