Evening settled over the Veyris Empire.
The sky above the Imperial Gardens glowed with deep blue stars and drifting rivers of light. Floating lanterns slowly moved through the air while crystal trees shimmered with soft colors.
For once.
no invading beings.
No collapsing realities.
No strange messages in the sky.
Just family.
Sun Wukong sat upside down on a tree branch while spinning his staff on one finger.
He looked toward the daughters.
You know, when I was younger, I caused problems everywhere.
Silence.
Kaelignis Veyris looked up.
How many problems?
Wukong scratched his chin.
Hmm.
Enough to annoy Heaven.
Silence.
Elyrion Veythera raised her hand.
That is not a number.
Wukong pointed dramatically.
Because numbers stopped helping after a while.
Nearby.
Ignisia and Morrigan watched while standing near the fountain.
Ignisia crossed her arms.
You know...
they're getting stronger really fast.
Morrigan smiled slightly.
They're also becoming themselves.
That's different.
Ignisia looked toward Kaelignis.
Dragon flames quietly reflected in her eyes.
She used to just follow me around.
Now she asks questions.
Morrigan looked toward the others.
Growth does that.
Nearby.
the daughters had gathered together beneath a crystal tree.
Seralyth Veyris sat quietly.
Kaelignis Veyris leaned against the tree.
Elyrion Veythera had her floating book beside her.
Veyloria Kaelthera looked toward the stars.
Kaelignis suddenly spoke.
What do you all want to become?
Seralyth blinked.
Strong.
Elyrion immediately answered.
Knowledge researcher.
Creator.
Possibly inventor of impossible things.
Kaelignis looked at Veyloria.
What about you?
Veyloria stayed quiet for a few seconds.
The wind moved softly around her.
...I don't know yet.
She looked upward.
But I want people around me to feel peaceful.
Everyone became quiet.
Then Kaelignis smiled.
That's actually really cool.
Elyrion nodded seriously.
Extremely high-quality answer detected.
Suddenly.
a familiar voice came from behind them.
Good answer.
Everyone turned.
Kael Veyris had arrived.
He stood there calmly with his hands behind his back.
The daughters immediately looked at him.
Kaelignis blinked.
Dad...
How long were you standing there?
Kael looked at the sky.
Long enough.
Wukong nearly fell out of the tree laughing.
HE DOES THAT ALL THE TIME!
Above them.
the stars quietly shined across the Empire.
And somewhere very far away.
the mysterious Watcher observed again.
But now.
it wasn't studying Kael.
It was listening to the voices of those growing around him.