The room was thick with smoke and conversation, the kind that twisted through the air like an unspoken challenge. Mahou leaned back, eyes shadowed under the dim light, the scent of tobacco curling around him like a silent accomplice. “Don’t get me started on what humans believe in. I have my own beliefs. Tshering showed my father how to live instead of rolling around in heat,” Mahou said, pulling the cigar from his mouth and exhaling smoke. “True, but you’ve been through hell.” The woman’s voice was gentle, almost hesitant, as though afraid the words might shatter him. Mahou let out a ragged sigh, running a trembling hand through his hair. “Yeah, well, what did I expect from Aradia? I should have seen it coming—I should have known what she wanted before it was too late.” His voice broke at the edges, frustration laced in every syllable. “You wouldn’t have known, even if you tried again.” “Oh yeah?” His breath hitched as his shoulders tensed. “Maybe. But what does that matter now? Damn it... I should have saved Rose. Why—why did I hesitate? Why was I such a coward?” His body betrayed him, a violent tremor taking over as his eyes widened in panic. The weight of his failure crushed him in a way no enemy ever could. A sharp clap sliced through his spiraling thoughts, jerking him back to reality. “Mahou, pull yourself together!” Selest demanded, her tone firm but not unkind. “The moment you got her back, she clung to you, didn’t she? She doesn’t hate you. She doesn’t blame you. Sakura was the one who struggled the most.” Mahou exhaled, a bitter chuckle escaping him. “Some father I am…” He ran his hand over his face, defeated. “They deserve better. I need to be better. They are the only reason I keep moving forward. What am I supposed to do now, Selest?” She shrugged, her gaze steady but unreadable. “It’s not up to me. The future will unfold as it must. Only you will know what to do when the time comes.” Her voice softened. “Just trust them, Mahou. Be present. They need their father more than anything.” Mahou rubbed his temple. The weight of her words pressed against him, heavy and unforgiving. Selestia offered a small smirk, breaking the tension. “Now, get some sleep. Your eyebags have practically reached the floor.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “Very funny, Selestia.” But even as the words left his mouth, exhaustion took over. He leaned back in his chair, ran a hand down his face, and let his eyes fall shut. Darkness swallowed him whole. “Mahou... Mahou!” A sharp, teasing voice cut through the haze. His body jolted awake, his heart racing. Then he registered the familiar tone. He sighed, rubbing his face. “What is it, dear?” “Indigo keeps kicking—you seem to understand him better than I do,” she said, sitting next to him. “Hm...” He leaned down and kissed her stomach, which seemed to make the baby relax. “I guess he just wanted me.” Aradia huffed. “Not fair... he never calms down when I do anything.” “Give him time, dear. He's not even born yet.” Aradia’s porcelain form transformed into a dark figure. “He will never be born. He will die by my hand.” As she reached out to grab Mahou, he woke up and shouted, “NO, DON’T—” He was panting heavily and looked around. No one was there. He sat up and grabbed a small glass that had water in it. He took a sip and sighed, attempting to ground himself. “Damn it...” he muttered before getting up and walking to the bathroom. His tall figure towered over everything around him. He looked in the mirror and touched the scar on his face. He undressed and got into the shower, letting the cold water wash away his fear and regret. He allowed himself to relax. Selestia was writing down information while Mahou was showering. She was caught off guard when a butterfly landed on her quill. “Hm... what is it, little one?” she asked. The butterfly rubbed its forelegs against its antennae. Selestia nodded. “I see. Thank you for the news.” She grew a flower from her palm, and the butterfly took the pollen from it and flew away. She stood up and knocked on the bathroom door. “Mahou, you will be receiving guests soon.” “Got it. Thank you, Selest,” he said while drying himself off. Selestia sat in the living room of the small house, gently petting a ferret that lay across her thigh. Mahou walked in, his hair slicked back, a few strands in his face. He wore a pristine white button-up shirt with a red vest over it, dark brown dress pants, and black boots. The outfit fit perfectly on his soft, muscular build. Selest smiled softly. “You look less stressed now.” Mahou sighed. “I have to look at least presentable. If anyone is coming to see me, it's the three of them. Who knows what they plan...” “Stop assuming the worst. They are your children. You are the only one who stuck with them. Don't believe in the negativity she put in your head. They love you.” “I guess you're right about that... heh...” As soon as their conversation ended, the three Saikan children, along with two men, walked into the room. Mahou’s defenses crumbled when he saw his children. He did love them. Nothing could change that. Despite everything the three of them had been through and how strong they had become, Indigo, Sakura, and Rose were immediately reassured when they saw their father. “Dad...” Rose immediately walked over and smiled at him. Mahou smiled back at her. Selestia stood up and welcomed them all in. “You can make yourselves at home.” They thanked her and sat down. Rose sat next to Oscar and her brother. Mahou also took his seat. “So, what brings the five of you here? Has something happened?” Sakura nodded. “Tshering gave us a mission.” Those words lit a fire under Mahou. He leaned forward and listened. “They came to us and told us we have to bring justice to this world. They said we have to find you first, and Eustace.” “I see... so what they told me all those years ago was true.” Mahou sighed and looked down. Rose’s eyes peered into her father’s as she crossed her arms. “So, are you going to come with us?” “I don’t have a choice. Damn it. I wish it hadn’t been this soon.” He stood up and adjusted his tie before turning to Indigo. “Come talk with me for a second.” Indigo nodded and followed him into another room. “I need you to promise me something, Indigo.” Mahou sighed. “Alright..what is it?” Indigo asked while folding his arms “If something ever happens to me, protect your sisters. No, protect them regardless. Especially Rose. She deserves so much more than what she has received. You are the oldest. Keep them safe.” Indigo’s chest tightened, a strong feeling of fear washing over him. “What-nothing will happen to you-“ “Indigo, promise me.” The need in Mahou’s voice was clear. And it convinced Indigo. A quiet sigh escaped his lips as he nodded. “Alright. I promise I will protect them.” Mahou smiled and patted Indigo’s head. “Let’s go back.” As they walked back, Mahou’s chest tightened. The sight of Rose standing apart from the others... His daughter—his flesh and blood—isolated, burdened by something he couldn’t fix. He exhaled, the weight of his concern pressing down on him, before stepping toward her. He gently pulled her aside. “You don’t have to be scared, Rose…” Her green eyes flickered orange. A brief, volatile flash of emotion. She gritted her teeth, hitting her head as if trying to shake something loose. “Shut up! He does believe in me!” Her voice trembled, frustration giving way to the helplessness she tried so hard to suppress. She clutched her hair, fingers tightening as she fought for control. Mahou's heart ached at the sight. Without hesitation, he settled beside her, his presence solid and unwavering. His voice carried warmth, steady and sure. “I have always believed in you. No matter what anyone else says, you are stronger than they are. Don’t let their words become chains.” A shaky breath left Rose as she buried her face in his shoulder. “Everything is overwhelming. I just—I don’t know.” “I know,” he whispered, his tone firm yet gentle, anchoring her amidst the storm. “We’ll figure this out together. I won’t let you face this alone.” He stayed close, offering his quiet support, hoping it was enough. Rose sighed, the tension in her frame easing slightly. “Thank you, Dad… I love you,” she murmured before stepping away, returning to the others. Mahou followed her, but his mind remained tangled in worry. His children. His responsibility. He wasn’t comfortable with the danger they were stepping into—had never been—but Tshering’s will left him little choice. Even still, the nightmares of their mother haunted him, and now, new fears piled on top of the old. And this mission—Tshering’s mission—was different. Bigger. Unpredictable. The probability of crossing paths with other immortals weighed heavily in his thoughts. Beings with power beyond reason, creatures who had lived long enough to shape the world in ways mortals never could. Some might be allies. Others would not. The uncertainty gnawed at him. Protecting his children was one thing. Protecting them from something beyond his strength? That was something else entirely. He tightened his jaw, pushing the thoughts aside. He had no choice but to move forward. But the fear never left. “Mahou, try to breathe.” Selestia’s voice was firm, trying to ground him. “They have powers, strength—they’re capable of protecting themselves. And with you by their side, they’ll be safe. You just need to believe in them. And in yourself.” Mahou groaned, exhaustion creeping in. “It’s not that simple, Seleste. They are my kids. That means I will always worry.” Selestia furrowed her brow. The stubbornness that Mahou carried infuriated her. While annoyed, she understood him. She, too, had someone to protect. "Alright, the five of you need to listen carefully." Mahou’s strong voice quickly caught their attention. "We won’t be able to hide where we’re going, so we have to blend in. No magic, no standing out. Act normal." The group exchanged glances, absorbing his words. "That being said," Mahou continued, arms crossed, "a few small changes wouldn’t hurt. Sakura, your eyes—brown would be better." Sakura blinked, shifting the deep red in her irises to a warm brown, more human, more forgettable. "Better?" Mahou nodded. "Perfect. Indigo, same for you." Indigo exhaled through his nose, clearly annoyed, but complied, forcing the red in his gaze to dull into brown. "Good," Mahou muttered. "Now, no magic. No drawing attention. Don’t give anyone a reason to look twice at you." Indigo shoved his hands into his pockets, saying nothing, though his silence spoke volumes. Mahou sighed, then turned to Oscar. Of course, Oscar was the only one who hadn’t adjusted at all. "Rose, help him." There was a slight edge of irritation in Mahou’s voice, though no one thought much of it—Oscar had never been one to take things seriously. Oscar furrowed his brows, looking between them. "What’s wrong with me?" Rose scoffed, stepping closer and moving his hair out of his face with a sharp, unimpressed flick of her fingers. "How dense are you? My god… Make your eyes darker. And for once, don’t look so clueless." Oscar muttered something under his breath but obeyed, his eyes shifting to a deeper shade, making them less striking. He glanced at her afterward. "Better?" Rose barely spared him a glance. "Good enough." Mahou clapped his hands together. "Alright, listen carefully. If anything happens, we leave immediately. Understood?" The group nodded, tension settling over them as reality set in. This wasn’t a simple trip—it was a delicate balance between survival and secrecy. And just like that, they stepped through the doors, leaving the building behind. Mahou had ensured they had everything—maps, provisions, carefully chosen supplies tucked away for the journey ahead. The weight of their mission settled over them, quiet but undeniable. With each step forward, the world outside unfolded, pulling them into the unknown. Irese pressed a gentle kiss to Sakura's forehead, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “I will see you later, my love. If you need me, I shall rush to your side.” A soft blush spread across her pale skin. “Thank you, dear. We should be back soon.” With that, Irese disappeared further into the house. “Let’s go, we will take the horses and head to the Republic of Floria, that is the last place Eustace stayed.” Mahou picked up a bag and nodded to Selestia, acknowledging her presence. “We should be back in a few days.” He said before walking out. As the group stepped outside, the cool night air met them, carrying the distant hum of the world beyond their base. They moved forward, their steps steady, their mission clear. But even among them, an unease lingered, unspoken but present in the way some hesitated, in the way their gazes shifted between the darkened horizon and each other. Oscar slowed, sensing something off, though he couldn't quite place it. Sakura glanced his way before scanning their surroundings, fingers twitching at her sides as if expecting something to interrupt their path forward. At the front, Mahou led them with unyielding purpose. His deep Brown eyes, sharp and unwavering, reflected the dim light like embers—burning with quiet intensity, unreadable yet commanding. Even in silence, his presence demanded attention. Whatever awaited them beyond this night, hesitation had no place here. Yet, one of them hesitated. And stopped in her tracks. Falling behind the rest of the group.