Zax maneuvered her red bicycle through the small housing area, soaking in the scenery and recalling familiar faces as she pedaled past Dune's mini-market. Her green bandana fluttered gently in the breeze, and she had tied her ivory robe at waist height to keep it from hindering her as she cycled around Hitze, delivering and collecting letters. Each morning, long before the rooster crowed, Zax began her job as the Postwoman.

Hitze, a dinky region completely covered in sand, was a place where people wore long shirts and covered their faces with cloth to shield their skin from the abrasive sand. Situated in the middle of an ocean, the environment was relentlessly windy, sweeping dust and dirt away at regular intervals.

Halfway home, Zax encountered Alex, her childhood friend who had just returned from loading goods in the tunnel. Zax gently pressed the brake and cheerfully waved to Alex.

Alex, or Alexander Corleone, stood six feet tall with emerald dreamy eyes and dirty blonde hair neatly secured under his green bandana. He wore an ivory robe paired with sage cargo pants, and Alex's sharp features were completely obscured by his headcloth.

"Hey, how was your day, Zax?" Alex greeted her with a soft smile.

"Never been better, just finished picking up letters from Wüste and dropping them here. How about you?" Zax kicked her bicycle stand and began rummaging through her letters bag, a few strands of her silky red hair falling across her eyes.

Absently, Alex brushed Zax's hair to the side.

"I guess the same as always. We got tons of new things from the other regions. Wanna check it out together tomorrow?" He gazed at Zax's amber orbs with hopeful anticipation.

Zax chuckled and shrugged, finally finding the letter she had been searching for.

"Here, a love letter for you," she teased, handing Alex the white envelope.

Alex blushed madly as he snatched the envelope from Zax's extended hand.

"Is it from you?" he asked hesitantly.

"Of course not, duh," Zax replied, elbowing Alex softly and raising her eyebrows. "And don't forget the money," she added, wiggling her fingers expectantly for the silver coins.

Alex pouted, pulling out his money sack and starting to count out the coins. "Cheapskate!"

"Don't be mad!" Zax giggled, watching her friend struggle to get his silver. As soon as she got it, she stashed it in her sack and climbed back onto her bicycle.

"Hop on, I'll give you a ride home in return," Alex grinned. Without hesitation, he pulled his robe up to his waist and sat on the pillion.

"Let's go, don't chicken out on me. Just so you know, I'm pretty heavy!"

And the two of them sped off up the hill at full speed, giggling all the way. Unfortunately, Zax's determination alone couldn't help her bicycle with such a big dude as a pillion to get them up the hill.

But Zax wouldn't back down just yet; she began to cycle while standing up, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.

"You sure you're good?" Alex tried to hold back his laughter, but his face turned as red as a tomato.

"I am positive! Because the hard part is already over, look what we've got here," Zax smirked, trying to catch her breath.

"The fun begins here!"

With that said, Zax gave her bicycle a little push to start down the hill. She didn't even bother to put her feet on the pedals as they slid down the bumpy road, both of them laughing uncontrollably.

But then, unease washed over Alex.

"Wait, Zax! This is dangerous, stop the bicycle now!" Alex shouted anxiously, holding onto Zax's saddle tightly for dear life.

Zax pressed her brake lever hard, but then she noticed something.

"Uh... Alex, I forgot that the brake cable broke yesterday," Zax regretfully admitted, her eyes widening in realization.

At that moment, Zax could only let out a shriek as she saw the ocean stretched out in front of them. Acting swiftly, Alex reached out to the handlebars, turned the bicycle, and dragged his feet on the ground to slow them down. The sudden maneuver made both of them fall onto their backs just inches from getting wet.

They lay there for a moment, catching their breath and staring up at the sky, relieved and slightly shaken by the close call.

"Are you alright, Zax?" Alex hurriedly got to his feet to give Zax a hand with her bicycle.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm just too excited," Zax laughed weakly as she guided her bicycle towards Alex's neighborhood.

Alex's home was within walking distance from Zax's, the only difference being Alex's neighborhood was unnamed and the houses were smaller. Nevertheless, it was neat and clean, with flowers growing in pots alongside the road. Old folks busied themselves with home chores: women knitting, hanging wet clothes, and watering plants, while men did gardening, cut wood, and fetched water from the well. Some acknowledged their presence with a nod, and others happily asked about their day. Seconds later, they arrived in front of Alex's house and were greeted by his lovely mother.

Here's an enhanced version:

"How are you both doing today?" She walked up to them, shaking Zax's hand before enveloping Alex in a big hug. Alex immediately broke the hug in embarrassment, murmuring about how he was too old for that.

"Nothing much happens. Except for getting Alex a love letter from Wüste," Zax said with a grin, not waiting long to tease him before Alex dashed into his house with his heavy bag.

Mrs. Corleone shook her head, her green eyes, though dull in color, still held a shining happiness in their depths. Alex took after his mother's eyes and personality, while his build and hair resembled his father, tall, broad, with darker skin and blonde, curly hair. Unfortunately, his mother fell ill right after his birth and was advised by the doctor to avoid further pregnancies, leaving Alex as the only child in his family.

"Dinner together tonight sounds wonderful, doesn't it? If it's not too much trouble, join us around 8 o'clock. We'll be eagerly waiting for you," Alex's mother said, smiling warmly, her eyes wrinkling as her headcloth slipped down her neck.

Quickly, Zax fixed the old woman's headcloth, understanding the reason for the sudden invitation. Today was her 17th birthday, and Alex's family had always celebrated it with her since she was a child, which made her feel guilty.

"No, of course, it's not a burden for me. But I feel bad though, that you, uh..." Zax stuttered, unsure how to politely decline the invitation. Mrs. Corleone gave Zax a reassuring pat and bid her goodbye. In the end, Zax knew she had to accept the invitation.

Zax made it home without many hurdles, heading straight into her house and removing her robe along with the bandana. Her scarlet hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and she shook off the sand from her clothes. Zax sighed quietly; the old house was as quiet as ever, unchanged and likely to remain so.

She took off her shoes and carefully placed them on the 20-year-old wooden rack beside the main door. "The floor is dusty again," she thought to herself, planning to clean the house that evening. Turning around, she was surprised to find her parents standing near the kitchen door, both of them smiling broadly.

"I'm home..." Zax murmured, looking down at her feet and starting to fidget with the hem of her shirt.

"Why are you so quiet today, honey? Are you feeling unwell? Come here, let me touch your forehead," her mother said, concern evident in her voice. Zax obediently walked towards the kitchen door, confused by their behavior.

"Your Mom's right, you're acting weird. But don't think you're ill just yet. We have something for you!" her father, Mr. Alyas, exclaimed excitedly.

Zax felt irritated by her parents' behavior, but she didn't dare show it. Instead, she forced a fake smile and gently pushed away her mother's hand, assuring them that she was alright and waiting for them to continue.

"Why don't you take a seat at the table first?" her mother, Mrs. Alyas, gestured towards the wooden chair. Zax sat down awkwardly, placing her hands on her knees. She didn't want to be there; she wished she could just disappear.

Her eyes darted towards the whole plate of lunch that her mother had placed on the table, still steaming. There was a pile of buttermilk prawns, lettuce, and some cherry tomatoes. It seemed strange to her.

The family sat together, eating the delicious meal. Zax's parents tried their best to engage her in conversation, but it all sounded fake to her ears. When their plates were empty, Zax instantly picked them up and brought them over to the sink.

"Sweetie, come over here. We still haven't shown you what we got," her mom called out to her. Zax rinsed her hands and dragged her feet back to the table, gritting her teeth as she sat down slowly to maintain her patience. Finally, she opened her mouth and spoke.

"Make it quick, what is it?" she asked, eyeing her mother angrily.

Mrs. Alyas kept her smile plastered on her face, handing over a piece of an envelope with a shaky hand. Zax was bewildered by what was inside and what she was about to find out. Slowly she unfolded the letter and read it silently. The more she read, the more the lump in her throat grew. Tears threatened to fall, her lips quivering, making her words almost drown in her emotions. Yet, she managed to speak faintly.

"What is the meaning of this?" Her eyes remained glued to the letter, afraid she would break down at any moment.

"Sweetie, it's all written there. Do you want me to read it for you?" Mrs. Alyas offered to read the letter aloud.

" I can fucking read! What is this army enrollment thing?" Zax shouted at her mother's face.

Her mother stood up abruptly in anger, knocking over the chair. "Mind your language, don't you dare yell at me!"

Tears streamed down Zax's face. "I'm not going to the army. I'm not a man. My body isn't built for this sort of thing. And you should know it, Mom."

"Do you think I ever wanted a girl to be born as my child? I already have four goddamn sons and then there's you!" Mrs. Alyas snapped. "Don't be a sissy. You're going to be what I want you to be."

Mrs. Alyas folded the letter back and neatly put it inside the envelope.

Zax looked at her father, who hung his head in silence, his coughing worsening under stress. Not wanting things to escalate further, she ran upstairs straight into her room. Determined, she made up her mind: she would go to Alex's family dinner.

While she sat pondering at the end of her bed, her attention was caught by a picture frame lying face down on her nightstand. Carefully, she picked it up and stared at the picture.

Memories flooded in, and she found herself five years old again, walking down the street on her first day of school. To her right, Aaron and Alfred talked happily with each other; to her left, Flynn and Eddie were lost in their thoughts. She had felt like the happiest girl, protected by her brothers and loved by her parents. At least, that's what she had thought.

"How are you feeling, sis? Nervous? Excited? Happy?" Flynn suddenly asked her, curiosity evident in his voice.

"I'm excited! Do you think I could make a friend? What if they hate me?" Zax replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"Don't be ridiculous! But, if- IF anyone makes fun of you, tell me. I'll punch that kid," Aaron frowned.

"Heck, we all will!" Alfred added with a grin.

"Oh, shut up. Don't make me look like the bad guy," Flynn joked.

They all laughed together and chattered throughout the walk, lightening Zax's heart before her first day of school.

As Zax feared, girls refused to befriend her because of her boyish personality. They questioned her clothing, insisting that girls were supposed to wear skirts and blouses. When Zax expressed interest in playing football, they told her it was a game only boys could play. Her first day was horrible, and she couldn't wait to go home where she felt more comfortable. Raised by her four brothers, she didn't know how to fit in with what she was taught.

"So, how was your school? Do you like it?" Flynn asked as soon as he saw his little sister.

"Is it wrong for me to wear pants? Do I have to keep my hair long? What's wrong with girls playing football? I don't know what's right and what's wrong anymore!" Zax whined, voicing her worries.

"Did somebody tell you that? There's nothing wrong with doing such things!" Flynn assured her, while the others nodded in agreement.

"Well, all the girls told me that!" Zax started to cry.

Zax's brothers ushered her home, trying to calm her down. As they entered their neighborhood, Zax said, "Can I have a skirt and a blouse?"

All of them looked at each other, dwelling in hushed tones on the matter, troubled by Zax's distress. When they arrived home, Zax immediately hugged her mother.

"Mom, will you buy me a skirt and a blouse?" she asked, her voice filled with expectation.

Zax's mother crouched down slowly and said, "Pardon?"

"Will you buy me a skirt and a blouse?" Zax repeated, hopeful.

However, her brothers' faces were washed with horror when Zax was slapped across her face. Her skin burned, a vivid red mark visible. Zax froze, too shocked to respond.

"Do you think I pick money from the tree?! And listen here, you are a mistake! I wish you had never been born!" Mrs. Alyas' sharp words cut straight to Zax's heart as she continued to beat her daughter. Zax's mother was about to strike again, but her brothers rushed in, grabbing Zax and crying, begging their mother to stop. Their father, who had just come back from work, firmly told their mother to cool off in the bedroom.

Stomping up the stairs, Zax's mother finally vanished from their sight. Zax and her brothers sobbed quietly. Their father gently took Zax's face in his hands and blew on it lightly. Zax still remembers the words he told her.

"There, brush it off, it will go away. Your mom didn't mean to do that. She just wanted to protect you."

Zax sighed and welcomed back reality, afterwards, she knew that her mother wished to have sons only, not a daughter. Zax put the frame in the nightstand drawer and rushed off to get a shower.

The clock was five minutes away from 8 o'clock. Her parents were already snoring in their slumber as she tiptoed to the front door. On the wooden rack, the army letter was tucked into her shoes. She took the letter and decided to show it to Alex's family.

Zax grabbed an oil lamp hanging outside her house and raced into the night. The moon cast a gentle smile upon the island, its light dancing amidst the glimmering stars scattered like jewels across the dark sky. Within a minute, Zax had knocked on Alex's cozy door and was welcomed with a warm hug.

"Come in, sweetheart, the food will be cold soon."

Zax stepped in politely, while she was taking off her shoes, Alex came to greet her.

"Hey shorty, you actually came! I thought for sure you'd be spending the night 'with' your bed. If so, I'm so jealous of 'him'!" Alex smirked playfully.

"Get lost, Alex. I've been in a relationship with 'him' for over 10 years. There's no room for you," Zax retorted, rolling her eyes. She flipped her hair dramatically, aiming to smack Alex's face, but being too short, she only managed to hit his arm instead.

They laughed gleefully, their eyes dancing over each other's appearance. Alex looked effortlessly mesmerizing in a simple moss green V-neck t-shirt paired with long khakis, his easy confidence shining through. Zax, dressed in a navy shirtdress layered over black jeans, had an intimadating yet confident aura.

They had a wonderful dinner together, filled with warm wishes from Alex's family for Zax's happiness, health, and a bright future. After clearing the table, Alex graciously brought out desserts-delicious puddings that rounded off the evening perfectly.

"So, my family and I have prepared a present for you," Alex said, placing a small green box on the table in front of Zax.

Zax took it carefully and opened it gingerly. She pulled out the present and meticulously studied it. In her hand was a charming pocket watch that ticked away. The case was gold in color, the hands made of silver, and the chain thin.

"Oh, it's beautiful. Thank you!" Zax exclaimed, thanking the family warmly before placing it back in the box. The Corleone family smiled warmly at each other, relieved that they had found a suitable present for Zax after thinking about it for so long. Fortunately, a cargo ship from Schwitz had anchored at Hitze port, and they had traded Hitze goods for the pocket watch. Alex had spotted it and bought it from the trader right away.

"Actually, I have something to show you guys," Zax finally stated. She hesitated for a moment, studying the faces of the Corleone family, before pulling out the envelope from inside her shirt dress. She handed the letter to Alex, and they all read it in silence.

"My mom wanted me to apply..." Zax could only manage that line, not wanting to delve into the whole story.

"It's your choice to make, not hers. If you don't want to, just ignore them," Alex interrupted, looking at his parents, hoping for their encouragement.

However, Mrs. Corleone smiled and said something unexpected.

"I've been thinking, it's time for you to make a change for yourself. You've been going through a lot, and you always seem sad when you're home, don't you? Go, little one, spread your wings. There's so much out there for you to discover and enjoy. But remember, it's your choice."

Alex looked like he wanted to protest, but Zax cut him off, saying it was okay and that she would rethink the matter. They ate their dessert and talked about other things happily, yet a palpable sadness hung in the air.

The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken emotions as they sat together.

Alex walked Zax home to make sure she arrived safely.

"Zax, you know, it's always your choice to choose. Do what will make you happy. If you hate the enrollment, there's no need for you to force yourself. You got me?" Alex's voice was gentle, filled with concern as he looked into her eyes, not wanting his mother's words to influence her decision.

Zax gazed back at him, her heart feeling heavy with uncertainty. "What makes me happy?"

Alex's smile softened, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek. "You make me happy, Zax. Seeing you smile, that's all I want."

Zax's eyes softened, and she leaned into his touch, feeling warmth spread through her. "If I'm happy, will you be happy too?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alex nodded, his thumb brushing gently against her cheek. "More than you know."

Zax squeezed his hand tighter, feeling reassured by his words. They stood there for a moment, lost in each other's gaze, the unspoken emotions swirling between them.

"Thank you, Alex," Zax finally said softly. "I needed to hear that."

Alex smiled warmly, his heart skipping a beat as he looked at her. "Anytime, Zax. I'm here for you."

They stood there a moment longer, their hands intertwined, feeling a connection that went beyond words.

Zax let go of Alex's hand and thanked him before they parted ways. She quickly climbed up to her house and entered through her bedroom window. Changing into her pajamas, she was ready to get some sleep.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. With a huff, she left her door ajar.

Her dad popped his head in and gave her a warm smile.

"How was Alex? It's been a long time since I last saw him. Has anything changed?" he asked gently.

"What? How did you know I was at his house?" Zax gave her father a skeptical look before continuing, "Yeah, Alex and his family are fit as a fiddle. Nothing changes much, though, except they rearranged their furniture."

"Happy birthday, sunshine," Zax's father said softly, his voice tinged with a sadness that made her heart ached. It was unclear if it was regret or sorrow, but it weighed heavily on both of them. Zax stood silently, staring at her feet.

Her father stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He walked over to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You know, your mom doesn't mean what she says. She just wants to protect you, in the best way she knows how," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

"I know—" Zax began, but her father cut her off.

"Always think twice, Zax. Think twice," he repeated, his words filled with a mixture of love and urgency. Then, he turned and disappeared into the pitch-black hallway, leaving Zax alone with her thoughts.

She stood there, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she debated with herself, torn between the desire to follow her own path and the pressure to meet her mother's expectations. She climbed into bed, pulling the covers tightly around her, and let the silent tears fall, each one carrying a piece of her internal struggle.

The next day, Aaron, the eldest child, returned home from his long journey as a ship captain. The family gathered around the table, eagerly listening to his stories about Snjór, his last port of call before coming back home. The tales of icy landscapes and northern lights filled the room with awe and wonder. Yet, Zax silently slipped away into her room, the weight of her own thoughts too heavy to join in the merriment.

She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in a daydream that soon gave way to sleep. When she woke up, she found Aaron standing next to her bed, gazing out of the window. His presence was comforting, his familiar scarlet hair and coffee-colored eyes reflecting the same warmth and strength she had always known.

"Hey," Aaron said softly, breaking the silence.

"Hey to you too," Zax replied, rolling her eyes playfully.

"What's up? You seem a little more off than usual," Aaron observed, tilting his face towards her with concern.

Not wanting to beat around the bush, Zax took a deep breath and told him about the offer letter. They sat in silence for a while, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"You should go," Aaron finally said, his voice steady and sure.

"I know. I've made up my mind after hearing your story about Snjór. I want to know how snow feels and looks like," Zax confessed, rubbing her temple and smiling weakly.

Aaron pulled her into a tight hug, their shared bond stronger than ever. They talked about the things they missed about each other, reminiscing about childhood adventures and the dreams they once shared. That night, they packed Zax's belongings and made a list of things they needed to buy. The task was bittersweet, filled with moments of laughter and tears.

Before going to bed, Zax sat at her desk, the offer letter in front of her. With a trembling hand, she filled out the form, committing to a future she had yet to fully envision. Aaron watched her, his heart swelling with pride and sadness.

The next morning, Aaron accompanied Zax to the Post Office to hand in her resignation letter. They spent the day shopping for the essentials she would need for her journey. On the way home, they shared stories and made plans for the future, each trying to mask the bittersweet reality of their impending separation.

As they walked through the bustling streets, Alex suddenly appeared, bumping into Zax with a look of surprise.

"Morning, Zax! Did you take a day off today or what?" Alex jogged toward the two siblings, his wide smile infectious.

Aaron embraced Alex happily, and Alex returned the hug with equal warmth.

"Hey, Aaron. When did you come back home? It's been so long since I last saw you, man."

"Yesterday," Aaron replied with a grin. "I came back from Snjór. Remember? The place where I told you it's always winter?"

Alex nodded, his eyes lighting up with the memory. "Yeah, I remember! How was it this time?"

As they walked, Alex and Aaron chatted animatedly, their camaraderie as strong as ever. Zax trailed behind them, smiling softly at their easy banter. When they reached the Corleone house, Aaron gave Alex another hug, the two friends savoring the brief reunion.

"Wait," Alex said, suddenly remembering something as the Alyas siblings were about to leave. "I just realized I didn't get my answer yet."

Aaron frowned, puzzled. "What answer?"

"Is Zax on her day off?" Alex asked, his expression turning sheepish.

Aaron made an "oh" sound and broke into laughter. "No, you idiot. Didn't you know that Zax enlisted in the Evo Military?"

Alex was thunderstruck. His mind raced, struggling to process the words he'd just heard. He debated with himself, thinking, "Did I really hear that? I must have heard it wrong. What did he say again? She is on her off day, right?" His thoughts spiraled, each one more desperate than the last.

"You're kidding, right?" Alex eventually asked, his voice trembling. His eyes were wide with bewilderment, shaking, and beginning to blur with unshed tears.