CHAPTER 94
Dust hung in the air.
The grass still trembled from the man's footsteps as he fled down the road screaming curses.
Silence swallowed everything.
Januza stood frozen, his chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven breaths.
His hand was still half-raised, fingers curled slightly, as if the threat of violence lingered there.
Kael's boots hit the earth hard as he sprinted forward.
"Januza!"
His voice cracked with something between fear and relief.
He grabbed his son's shoulders, kneeling so they were eye-level.
"Are Are you okay!?"
Januza blinked. His lips trembled. The cold, terrifying presence that had taken over him moments ago was gone. In its place… was just a child. A frightened one.
Tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.
"I… I don't know what happened…" his voice shook.
"I got angry… and… and… Father…" his throat closed.
"I'm sorry… please forgive me…"
His voice was small. Breaking.
Not the voice of a killer but a boy who thought he had done something unforgivable.
Kael didn't hesitate.
He pulled Januza into his chest and held him firmly.
"No, no… it's okay," Kael whispered into his hair, his voice steady. Strong. Warm.
" You acted on instincts,you protected your brother."
Januza's eyes widened.
Protected…?
"That's what matters."
Kael pulled back so Januza could see his face weathered, tired, but gentle.
"You hear me?"
His voice did not waver.
"You protected your family."
Januza swallowed hard.
"...Azerin."
His breath hitched. He turned sharply.
Azerin stood a few feet away, blood trickling from his forehead, but still upright staring back at his brother with wide eyes.
Januza rushed toward him.
AZERIN!!!
AZERIN!!!
"AZERIN!! Are you okay!?"
He grabbed his brother's face and tilted it to see the wound, panic spilling out of him.
Azerin blinked then laughed weakly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine… Mother already checked it."
Arin was beside him, hand gentle on his hair.
She smiled tiredly.
"It's just a small cut. He'll be alright."
Azerin looked at Januza.
There wasn't fear in his eyes.
Not even confusion.
Just… amazement.
"…How did you move that fast…?" Azerin asked, voice quiet.
Januza stared at him for a long moment.
Then...
He poked Azerin in the forehead.
"Shut up."
His expression returned to its usual calm annoyance.
"You're just weaker than me."
Azerin froze.
His entire soul left his body in that moment.
"..."
Then he exploded.
"WHYYYY YOUUUUUUU!!!"
He stomped his foot, fists clenched as if preparing to punch the sky into submission.
"Just watch!!" Azerin shouted, pointing dramatically at Januza's face.
"I'll get stronger! Stronger and stronger and stronger than you!!"
Januza shrugged, expression flat.
"Eh. Try to catch up first."
Azerin inhaled so sharply the grass bent backward.
"YOU'RE DEAD!!!"
He launched himself forward.
Januza yelped and sprinted away.
And then..
Chaos.
Two teenage boys tearing across the yard at full speed, yelling at the top of their lungs.
"GET BACK HERE YOU FROG-FACED TREE STICK!!!"
"NO!! YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME, SHORT LEGS!!!"
"WE'RE THE SAME HEIGHT YOU DEMON-BANANA!!!"
"THAT'S WHY YOU'RE LOSING!!"
"MOTHER!!! HE'S INSULTING MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE!!!"
Arin clutched her chest.
"Ehh?! Januza!! Azerin!! Stop running, you'll knock over the...."
A clay pot shattered.
"—pots…" she finished weakly.
Kael put a hand on her shoulder.
"Let them play," he said softly.
"They're kids, after all."
Arin exhaled, smiling in spite of everything.
"You're right."
Kael smirked.
"They take after their father. Handsome. Strong. Naturally talented. A little cocky."
Arin stared at him.
"Ehh? From where exactly?"
Kael blinked.
"From… me? Obviously?"
Arin burst into laughter so suddenly she nearly bent over.
Kael stood there, betrayed.
"…What's so funny?"
Arin wiped a tear from her eye, trying to calm her laughter.
"Oh Kael… you silly man…"
But then — very slowly her smile faded.
The warmth dimmed.
Kael saw it.
"Arin…" he said quietly.
His voice lost all humor.
"You saw what Januza did."
She didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes drifted to their sons, still chasing one another, still shouting, still laughing.
Still children.
But something had changed.
"Yes," she whispered.
"I saw."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"It's only a matter of time before Azerin shows signs too…"
Arin lowered her gaze.
"…I know."
The wind grew quiet.
The sunlight felt heavier.
Kael took a slow breath.
"Arin…"
His voice was heavier now.
"Don't you think they should know who their mother really is?"
Arin didn't flinch.
She looked at him really looked at him her eyes full of something endless.
Sadness.
Fear.
Love.
She shook her head slowly.
"No.No. Not yet."
Kael's shoulders lowered not in defeat, but in understanding.
Arin looked back toward the boys.
Januza tripped.
Azerin tripped over him.
Both fell face-first into the grass.
Then burst out laughing.
Their laughter echoed like bells.
Arin's eyes softened.
"They're my life now," she whispered.
Then she turned fully toward Kael ..and the love in her eyes was so warm it could melt mountains.
"And you are my life now."
Kael felt something in his chest loosen something heavy he had been carrying for years.
He smiled.
A real one.
"I know."
Then he stepped closer, resting his forehead against hers.
"But still…"
"No but." Arin murmured, pressing her hand over his heart.
"I chose you. I chose this life I wanted this life, I chose to be in this world with you."
Her voice trembled not from fear.
But from how deeply she meant it.
"I love you, Kael."
Kael's eyes softened and closed.
His voice came out like a promise:
"I love you too, Arin."
The wind blew softly.
Januza and Azerin laughed in the sunlight.
And for now just for now
The world was still gentle.