Zephyra POV

  From the frost-etched window, Zephyra watched Acacia and Kel, two blurs of joyful abandon, chase each other through the swirling snow. A soft smile, a fragile bloom against her otherwise serious face, touched her lips. She turned, the warmth of the scene lingering, and moved into the girls' room. A quiet contentment settled over her as she surveyed the space: Acacia's neatly arranged mat and Bella's carefully organized corner, each a testament to their presence, their lives woven into the fabric of this room.

  The familiar arrangement always brought Celeste to mind, a phantom warmth against the chill of her absence. Celeste, once a sister in spirit, now a whisper of what had been. Zephyra crossed the room, the plush mat a comforting yield beneath her weight as she settled. From within her satchel, she drew her journal, its cover a testament to time and wear, a tapestry of torn edges and faded creases. Opening it, she traced the evolution of her handwriting, each stroke a marker of passing years, of changing tides. The pages thinned, a stark reminder, until only a single leaf remained, a lone sentinel guarding the book's end.

  She stared for a while and brought out her pen, writing down her feelings as she has always done for years.

  “Evening,“

  “I haven't written anything in a while, lots of things have happened. I met Celeste last week, she looks like she is handling herself well. To think the day would come when she would stand on her own without me.

  Anyways, my family has grown a lot. Remember when it was only Maximus? And then Kel and Elric? Edwin with Bella? Good memories and we have a new member, her name is Acacia. She is a little lady like Bella, she talks to herself a lot, I wonder what goes on in her head. At first, I was worried that she would be dangerous because of the circumstances in which we found her but so far, she is pretty normal. She was also tiny when we found her, now she is taller and much healthier.

  Bella is also dating Elric, can you imagine? I saw those two as my children and I thought they saw each other in the same familial way. I can't believe I have been so naive about it but I am happy that Bella is finding happiness despite the harsh world we currently live in.

  Kel is also quite lively and still a troublemaker but his chef skills are still amazing, he seems to be in a happier place compared to when he abandoned his role as a hero at Flow.

  Edwin is also doing well, he still acts annoyed with everything even though he cares. He also helps me trim my hair, he is really good with hair.

  Maximus is also doing well. His collection of books is slowly growing, especially his romance book collections.

  Jahir is also well, grumpy as usual but a total sweetheart.

  This is it. This is the family I always craved. Growing up, there was only emptiness, no mother's gentle hand, no father's steady voice. I yearned for the simple things: the comfort of someone waiting, the warmth of an embrace, the quiet assurance of care. I thought I'd found that with Celeste, but the chaos of the second apocalypse twisted her, fueled a hunger for power and acclaim. All I ever wanted was a place to belong, a sense of home.

  Maybe it's selfish, but I'm staying put. I won't go up in the ranks. I won't risk losing this...this home, this peace. I just want days like this, where the only thing that matters is us. And Gods, I love that they see me as just me. As family. Some days, I forget I'm even supposed to be leading them. It's not the fairy tale I had as a kid, but it's real. And it's enough.

  I can't wait to see what the future holds, maybe Bella and Elric would get married, Kel might become a grand chef if he wishes or Edwin would become a famous hairstylist. But that's if the future is free from the dangers of the present.

  If there's another life, I hope the gods give me this family again. I truly hope they do and I promise to protect them with every thing I've got, no matter the cost. I will protect my home because my home protects me too.

  Thank you for following me through this journey.“

  Zephyra closed her journal and put it back inside her satchel bag with a satisfied smile on her face. She laid down on her mat and stretched out her limbs and shuffled comfortably on the bed.

  "Zephyra..." Acacia's voice rang out as she stepped inside the room. She removed her boots and moved towards Zephyra's form, resting beside her.

  'I wonder if the little lady also likes someone?' Zephyra smiled and dusted the snow from her hair.

  "Acacia, do you have a crush on anyone?"

  "No."

  "That was quick."

  Acacia snuggled against Zephyra and drifted off to sleep. Zephyra smiled at the sight and rubbed her back in a soothing manner while also drifting off to sleep.

  Acacia POV

  Acacia woke up late in the evening, the sounds of Zephyra's snores filled the air. She glanced around the room and noticed that Bella wasn't on her mat. She gently pulled away from Zephyra's sleeping form and walked towards the window. Silently checking if she sees the hooded man again.

  Once the coast was clear. She left the room quietly and heard some arguments downstairs. Gently peeking at the commotion as she noticed Bella and Elric arguing with each other in a hushed manner.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Is it wrong for me to ask where you have been for a whole day? All you do is ask questions about this and that and I comply but when I suddenly want your time or ask about you. You brush me off." Bella asked in a hushed tone.

  "Can you stop exaggerating? I told you I was busy, I don't need you to follow my every movement. I'm fine aren't I?" Elric replied in an annoyed tone.

  "Did I do something wrong? You have been so quiet and you don't talk to me anymore." Bella stiffened at his tone and her voice turned softer.

  "You did nothing wrong, I want to rest." Elric rubbed his face and dropped his hand to his sides. He kissed her forehead and walked away from her. "You should ask Jahir to fix the bandage on your leg."

  Elric ascended the stairs, leaving Bella's turmoil hanging in the air. He collided with Acacia on the landing, a sudden, jarring encounter. He stiffened, and Acacia, equally startled, recoiled.

  "Sorry." Elric quickly apologized and moved out of the way towards the boys room.

  Acacia nodded but caught sight of glint of gold, something small, dropped in the collision. It was shaped like a feather, the sight made her heart race. Without a word, she subtly shifted her foot and covered the golden object.

  'That crest...it belongs to Flow. Why does Elric... have it?'

  "Elric, don't hurt Bella." Acacia said as she felt the curve of the crest beneath her feet.

  "....I won't, we just had a minor disagreement." Elric stopped in his tracks before entering the room and closing the door behind him.

  Acacia waited for a minute and gently slid her leg from the crest. She bent down and picked it up, inspecting it clearly. 'It is their crest.'

  The sight sent a nervous tremor through her left index finger. She moved down the stairs, her expression unreadable, and approached Bella. Without hesitation, she gripped Bella's wrist, her grip surprisingly strong, and pulled her toward the back door. She opened the door, ushered Bella outside, and closed it with a sharp, decisive click.

  "Hey, what are you doing?" Bella asked in confusion.

  "What has Elric asked you so far, you said he asked about barrier crystals. What else?" Acacia disregarded her question and asked with impatience.

  "Why are you suddenly asking this?" Bella crossed her arms as she stared at her.

  "Bella, I will explain later but just answer me right now." Acacia took deep breaths to calm down.

  Bella adjusted the jacket on her body and shuddered at the cold. She moved a bit uncomfortably underneath Acacia's gaze. "He has asked about many things before. He asked about barrier crystals and information about the ranking and the other kin groups."

  "Rankings? Why's he suddenly interested in those? He's been here for ages." Acacia asked.

  "Yeah, about a year. But he wasn't asking about just the rankings. He wanted to know their strengths and weaknesses, you know, the details." Bella replied with a shrug.

  "And he asked you?" Acacia tilted her head slightly.

  "Well… I know that stuff. Used to work at the trader's market before Zephyra found me." Bella readjusted the coat on her body.

  'Maybe I am just overthinking the situation.' Acacia squeezed the crest in her hand.

  "Did he ask about...these things recently or when you both started dating?"

  "Like I said, he has asked about a lot of things over the past year. It only got more... prominent when we started dating." Bella replied.

  "Did he...did he ask you about anything involving orbs? Like an orb of wishes?" Acacia hesitated for a moment as the memory of the hooded figure flashed by.

  "...yes but how did you know that?" Bella felt even more confused and concerned.

  Acacia lapsed into silence, her mind a tangled web, a million thoughts clamoring for attention.

  "So why are you asking? And how did you know about that?" Bella asked but her expression changed as she noticed Acacia's blank look. "Acacia?"

  "One moment," Acacia said, her voice tight, as she walked to the punching bag. 'The orb of wishes… it was him. The hooded figure. And the hologram he was talking to was someone from Flow. That explains everything. His presence the day I practiced flying, his finding the children before Kel and Maximus, his questions about the barrier crystals. But the orb… it’s a missing piece. Is this personal? Or a mission from Flow? The fact he kept it from his commander that day means it's personal.'

  Acacia unleashed a powerful blow, her knuckles slamming into the worn leather of the punching bag. The impact sent a shudder through the bag, which responded with a heavy, swinging recoil.

  'That's why I told you to not tell them anything. Humans are an untrustworthy bunch.' Daemonis chuckled in her head but the sound of his laughter just added to her irritation.

  "Dammit." Acacia paced around for a moment. 'He didn't recognize me though, I might've changed but I'm still similar to my old look. Did he just think I'm a doppelganger? Or maybe he doesn't know what I looked like. I wasn't exactly popular in my family.'

  'You should control your rage and blood lust. You are scaring the little bunny.' Daemonis said.

  Acacia stopped in her tracks and glanced at Bella's form, her face was filled with confusion and a hint of fear.

  "I apologize," Acacia rubbed her temple and tried to ease her anger. "This belongs to Elric."

  Acacia walked towards her and opened her palm. The feather crest came into view and Bella shook her head. "That's a lie, he told us he was a normal man before the apocalypse happened. He doesn't even need to keep it a secret since Kel was also from Flow and Kel would have recognized him. What evidence do you have? It might even belong to you."

  "Just… will you take those rose-colored glasses off for one damn second and think? If it was mine, I wouldn't be telling you. You're so blinded by your feelings for him, you can't see what's right in front of you." Acacia's words lashed out, and Bella recoiled, a visible flinch.

  ".... I'm sorry, we should ask Kel and tell Zephyra, you remember what that Iron Fangs leader said. The Flow is planning an attack. Your boyfriend might be a spy. The day you asked me to leave, I saw your boyfriend talking to a hologram, a commander from Flow. I didn't take it seriously since I didn't know who it was but that was a mistake on my part." Acacia backed away from Bella a bit to give her some space.

  "I don't believe that. Elric wouldn't, sure he isn't the most emotional guy but he wouldn't betray us like that." Bella clenched her fists and shook her head as if denying Acacia's words.

  "Fine don't believe me but we will have to ask your boyfriend about this. If I am wrong, I will apologize but if I am right. I will kill him." Acacia stared at Bella's form. 'I don't think I'm wrong though. The only person that would think of such a plan is my brother. He always gathers Intel before he attacks.'

  "There has to be another reason," Bella insisted, her frown deepening. Abruptly, a terrifying gust of wind exploded past, knocking them off their feet. They tumbled to the ground, disoriented and gasping.

  Acacia blinked, her vision clearing. High above, a massive white machine sliced through the night, its mechanical form stark against the darkness. A blinding crimson light flashed, forcing her to shield her eyes. When her vision returned, she saw the machine, a vast shadow, accompanied by a fleet of smaller crafts, dominating the sky.

  A synthesized female voice, devoid of emotion, resonated from the machine. "Orders issued by Lucian Algernon, Kiirion Amente, and Inez Warehime: All beast-men are commanded to gather for assessment. The purification process is initiated."