Fragility & Worry

"Dad?"

Aether's brow furrowed, and he fell into a brief silence.

He then rose slowly from the sofa, making his way toward the open balcony.

The night was clear, with stars glistening above.

Aether leaned against the balcony's railing, his gaze fixed on the enchanting night sky.

However, one element was conspicuously absent—the divided moon, a conspicuous and ominous absence.

Aether drew in a deep breath and shut his eyes for a fleeting moment.

When he opened them again, his attention shifted to the ringing phone.

Without any exchange of greetings, he tapped the answer button, and the call connected to his father.

"..." Silence reigned over the line, with neither party uttering a word.

"Hey, Aether, are you there?" Finally, a feeble voice emerged from the other end, belonging to a middle-aged man.

"Yes," Aether responded tersely, his posture still leaning against the balcony railing.

There was no immediate response from the other end, and a mutual silence settled between them.

"Well, I apologize for reaching out to you on a night like this, but there's something I'd like to discuss with you now." The middle-aged man's voice resurfaced from the other side of the line.

However, this time Aether remained silent, merely listening to what his father had to say.

"As you're aware, tomorrow marks the day of the peace treaty between our planet, Earth, and Mars. I simply wanted to suggest that you attend the ceremony to witness this historic event," the voice explained succinctly.

Aether, maintaining his unchanged expression, remained silent for a brief moment.

"Did you call me just for this?" Aether inquired, his voice devoid of emotion.

"It could be said that. In any case, do remember to exercise caution tomorrow. While the three federations are working diligently to maintain order, unforeseen circumstances can arise. I hope you won't become a victim if such a situation arises." The voice, though flat and indifferent, carried a hint of concern.

Aether lowered his head momentarily and released a small sigh.

"You needn't worry. I would have taken precautions even without your reminder," he responded indifferently.

"Very well, I'll conclude the call. Take care of your well-being," the voice sounded once more, followed by a sudden 'beep!' that marked the end of the call.

From start to finish, Aether's expression remained unchanged, but a trace of helplessness flickered across his face.

He stowed his smartphone away and stared at the screen displaying the last call record.

"No need to pretend to care... It's infuriating, damn it..." Aether muttered, his voice tinged with irritation, and he let out another sigh.

The serene nighttime moonlight that had graced the Earth was gone, all due to the detested Martians.

"If it weren't for the peace treaty, I'd consider ways to eradicate you all." Aether's face darkened, and his blue eyes burned with intense loathing.

He clenched his smartphone tighter in his hand.

It was the Martians who had stoked his anger and hatred to such extremes.

Because of them, humanity on Earth has suffered; innocent lives have been lost, and despair has consumed many.

And because of them, the mother he loved the most died before his very eyes.

If he had the chance and the strength, he wouldn't hesitate to seek vengeance for her and for humanity, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

Aether shook his head and dismissed his thoughts.

His face gradually returned to its usual composure, and his previous calmness resurfaced.

While lost in his contemplation, his smartphone rang once more, displaying Arhsley as the caller.

Without delay, he pressed the answer button and brought the smartphone to his ear.

"Hello, Aether? Are you there?" Arshley's soft and alluring voice immediately filled the air, bringing an involuntary smile to Aether's face.

"Of course, was there a specific reason for your call tonight, miss?" His gentle and calm demeanor had shifted compared to his response to his father's call earlier.

But then again, it was only natural, given the strained relationship he shared with his father, while Arshley was his boyfriend and fiancée, who was always by his side every time.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Aether, but I really wanted to apologize for not waiting for you to come home together. My father's bodyguard suddenly arrived to pick me up, and now I'm at my father's house." Arshley's helpless voice emanated from the other end of the phone.

Aether, upon hearing this, smiled gently and replied, "It's alright; don't worry about it. I already knew from Ethan as well."

There was no trace of anger on his face, only tenderness in his response to Arshley.

"I see... Thank you, Aether~" A happy and relieved voice emanated from the other end of the line, softening Aether's smile even further.

"You're welcome," Aether replied lightly, and the two continued their affectionate conversation.

...

In a spacious room adorned with towering statues on either side, a striking man with white hair and violet eyes stood before an expansive window, offering the same breathtaking night view that Aether had witnessed.

Upon closer examination, the man bore a striking resemblance to Aether, particularly in his snow-white hair, a trait that felt eerily familiar.

"I genuinely don't know how to earn that kid's forgiveness," he confessed, his mature voice carrying hints of exhaustion as he gazed downward.

Slowly, he lifted his eyes to the window, framing a serene and beautiful night sky.

"The tranquility and peace I've longed for feel strangely foreign," he murmured softly, his gaze never wavering from the celestial display.

"I pray that tomorrow unfolds smoothly and without complications, for if not, the Earth may well find itself on the brink of an apocalyptic catastrophe," he added solemnly, his eyes fixated on a twinkling point in the distance—Mars, as viewed from Earth.

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