Those harsh words that struck terror into Aona's heart did not shake Ronald, who seemed like a completely different person. It was as if he had been immersed in the river of life and emerged as a new entity. As for Aona, that strong warrior girl, she had become weak and unable to resist Ronald's charm as he stepped closer to her, one step after another.
Ronald (with mysterious confidence):
"May I have this dance, my lady?"
Aona, still in shock, didn't know what she was saying and automatically agreed, while her mind struggled in vain to process what was happening. Meanwhile, Ronald began leading her across the dance floor like a seasoned commander leading an army to victory.
Aona (with a trembling voice):
"I never knew you loved dancing…"
Ronald (spinning her in an elaborate dance): "This house brings out the best in me! I've discovered aspects of myself I never knew existed."
Aona (trying to focus):
"What about the Eight Gates? And your demon?"
Ronald (enjoying her confusion):
"The Eight Gates are closed and won't open again except with the blood of James and Jenny. As for that fool…" -he pauses momentarily - "he's now in his room talking with his blind demon brother."
Aona (surprised):
"Who are James and Jenny? And why do their names sound familiar to me?"
Ronald suddenly stops dancing, gently holding her chin with that mysterious, unreadable smile.
Ronald:
"As for the demon… I'll have him explain it to you himself."
He turns and calls out in a soft, affectionate voice:
"James! Jenny! Come to your father!"
From a side door, two small children appear… their faces bearing familiar features that blend Ronald and Aona. The little girl holds her younger brother's hand, and both look at Aona with a knowing gaze that she recognizes but can't remember.
The little girl (with childish stammering):
"Mama… you've finally returned to us."
Aona (feeling a strange tremor in her heart):
"What? What did you say?"
Ronald (hugging the children):
"These are the secret of my new strength… and the reason for my freedom from the demon."
Aona (stepping back):
"But that's impossible! We never…"
Ronald (interrupting her with a deep look):
"In some timelines, the future precedes the past… and love is stronger than all constraints."
The little boy reaches his small hand toward Aona:
"Mama, don't be afraid… you know us in your heart."
Aona touches her chest with a strange sensation, as if an ancient memory is stirring deep within her…
James (playing with his mother's hair):
"You used to tell us stories about your battles"
Jenny (tenderly):
"And you promised us you'd return"
Aona (crying):
"I feel like I know them… but my mind refuses to believe it"
Ronald:
"Sometimes the heart knows what the mind cannot comprehend"
Ronald:
"The house isn't a place… it's a bridge between timelines"
Aona:
"And how were you able to bring them from the future?"
Ronald:
"I didn't bring them… I found them waiting for us here"
Aona looked at the two small children, her eyes shining with tears and confusion. She extended her trembling hand to touch the children's faces, as if verifying their reality.
Aona (in a broken voice):
"Tell me… how old are you?"
James (with a child's spontaneity):
"Six years old… you always forget!"
Jenny (hugging her leg):
"And you promise us that this time will be the last…"
Ronald (approaching them):
"Every time we return to this house, your memory starts anew. It's the price we pay for crossing through time."
Aona (turning to him in astonishment):
"How many times have we done this?"
Ronald (exchanging a look with the children):
"More than you can remember… and less than we wish."
Suddenly, the Demon emerged from the shadows, but this time with a different appearance - more calm, even sympathetic.
The Demon (speaking to Aona for the first time):
"I sacrificed part of my power to protect these two children. I became a prisoner of this house, just like them."
Aona (staring at the Demon):
"Why?"
The Demon:
"Because I learned from Ronald that some bonds are stronger than all the powers in the universe…"
Then Aona looked at Ronald with warm eyes, gleaming with a mixture of love and defiance that had always characterized her personality. She approached him and gave him a soft, romantic kiss, yet it carried all her conflicting emotions.
Aona (in a tone mixed with humor and tenderness):
"I love you, you wretched human…"
She let out a light laugh, then rested her head on his chest as they continued dancing in astonishing harmony. In the background, James and Jenny were playing innocently in the hall, jumping and laughing as if living a real childhood dream.
We shift our gaze to a dimly lit corner of the hall, where Jack the Great and Jiraiya sat on luxurious golden chairs. Their facial features weren't clearly visible, but their gazes held mixed feelings of love and concern.
Jiraiya (whispering softly):
"Should we tell her the truth and the consequences of living in this house?"
Jack the Great (shaking his head slowly):
"No, it's still too early. Besides…" - he pauses and smiles faintly - "we don't want to ruin her peace, or her grandmother will kill us."
Jiraiya (chuckling softly):
"Oh, yes… She's stronger and wiser than her granddaughter. I still remember how we managed to convince her to join us…" - he looks at Jack with affection - "only after we lost 300 of the house's soldiers in proving our worth."
Jack the Great (adding with a tone of pride):
"She was merely testing us, nothing more. She wanted to make sure we deserved to care for her granddaughter and great-grandchildren."
From afar, Aona overheard part of the conversation and turned to them, smiling:
Aona:
"My grandmother always believed that true strength lies not in destruction, but in protection. That's why she chose you."
Ronald (pulling her closer):
"And that's exactly what we learned from her… that strength without wisdom is merely violence."
The scene continues in an atmosphere of family warmth, where feelings of love blend with responsibility, and strength harmonizes with wisdom, in a beautiful symphony.
As the dancing continued, the lights gradually dimmed, leaving the warm family scene floating in the soft darkness.
Ronald (whispering in Aona's ear):
"You know? Perhaps that entire painful journey was worth all of this…"
Aona (squeezing his hand):
"Because it brought us here… to this moment."
In the corner, Jack and Jiraiya exchanged a look of satisfaction, while James and Jenny began to yawn, their eyes growing heavy with sleep.
Jack the Great (standing quietly):
"It's time for the warriors to rest."
Jiraiya (embracing the sleepy children):
"Farewell to tonight's dreams… and tomorrow a new adventure begins."
Finally, the scene slowly dissolved, leaving the family moment fading into the darkness, while Ronald's voice echoed as a final whisper:
Dark voice:
"The end… is just another alternative, and the house's policy must change. The time has come for me to ascend the throne of this house."
This is what circulated in the shadows of the hall, within those six pairs of red eyes watching the scene from afar.