Unfinished business

The Observatory Hall, Traxian Palace – Free Abyss

Above the palace's core—nestled inside a rotating dome of decisions—Traxis stands alone before the Deviant Stone Map.

A vast ethereal canvas, mapping the Mind, Soul, and Spirit of all beings across the multiverse.

💠 Mind: Blue fractals.

❤️ Soul: Crimson pulses.

💫 Spirit: Golden sparks.

And across it all, more and more nodes are turning neon greenish-yellow, the unmistakable hue of Devia's influence.

The sky above him warps like breathing glass.

He stares.

A thousand galaxies blinking into alignment with his system.

---

Traxis (quietly, but proud):

> "Look at them…

Truth has never been so loud."

He walks forward, the data echoing around his cloak like ripples of logic. The map grows.

> "I didn't need to conquer.

I just needed to… listen.

Airious asked for sacrifice.

I gave them sense."

He turns to the balcony, looking into the boundless chasm of the Free Abyss, whispering like it's an old friend.

> "I wasn't trying to win.

I was just tired of losing…"

---

Suddenly…

⚡A voice—echoing not in sound, but in his bones:

> "LOOK AT ME, TRAXIS!"

His breath catches.

His shoulders twitch.

The Deviant Stone trembles, just slightly, as if the universe itself blinked.

Elegia.

The voice of his wife. The one he lost.

The one who tried to stop him when he reached for the Soul Print Essence.

When he broke the boundary between truth and comfort.

He stands frozen for a moment.

Then he winces.

His posture cracks. His pride bends. Just a little.

A tear—a single honest drop—falls from his eye and sizzles into neon mist before it hits the floor.

---

Traxis (gritting his teeth, voice wavering):

> "Don't worry, Elegia…

I'm coming.

I told you I'd bring choice to the world, and now I will…

Even if it breaks me."

He swallows hard, almost like guilt is trying to speak but his logic won't allow it.

> "I never stopped loving you.

But conviction… isn't love.

It's heavier."

---

He turns away from the Deviant Stone.

His fingers brush the small glowing stone in his pocket.

A memory shard.

The only one left of Jorxis and Evexis—his sons too young to understand why their father disappeared.

> "Klexis...

You hate me, don't you?"

"Good.

At least you feel something."

> "Jorxis…

Evexis…

I was never there."

He shuts his eyes tightly, lips trembling.

> "Forgive me.

But I couldn't just be your father...

I had to be the world's whisper."

He sits down… the throne forms beneath him from fractured choices.

The king of Devia.

The father of flexibility.

The man who once stood for balance…

...but still aches like a man who lost his family to his own ideas.

---

Traxis (in a whisper):

> "I built this place for the broken.

But I never fixed myself…"

The Free Abyss, inside the Traxian Palace

A quiet hum of shifting colors pulses across the room as Traxis sits on his throne of decision, the Deviant Stone glowing faintly nearby. He stares at the swirling stats—the ever-growing map of beings who have chosen Devia.

Then, with a flick of his finger, a holo-call opens.

Traxis:

> "Klexis… come here, son."

---

Moments later…

Klexis enters, dual hammers strapped to his back, impact aura low-key rumbling around his frame. His mohawk's glowing streaks pulse in sync with the Free Abyss. A swagger in his walk, but… concern in his eyes.

Klexis:

> "This better not be about some cosmic tax. I'm still paying off the flexibility debt you gave me."

Traxis (smirking faintly):

> "Relax. Look—"

He points at the Deviant Map as it surges again. The flickers of Devia's energy stretching across realms: Airiens, Mana Beings, even some Crystal Casters and Authority Wielders.

Traxis:

> "It's happening.

They're choosing it.

Our system—our belief—it's being heard."

---

Klexis:

> "Yeah… I see it."

(pauses, eyes narrowing)

"You know, for someone who built a system on flexible reasoning…

You're really stiff when it comes to your own kind."

Traxis (his smirk fades, nodding slowly):

> "You're not wrong.

I'm a terrible father.

Absent. Distant. Rigid. Logical to a fault.

But Klexis… I built Devia for you.

For Evexis. For Jorxis.

For your mother."

Klexis (softly):

> "I know."

---

But then… something flickers across his eyes.

He shifts, scratching his neck as if something inside gnaws at him.

Klexis:

> "Devia's been good to me.

But… sometimes, when I doubt—

It doubts me back.

Like a feedback loop.

Like it's holding up a mirror and waiting for me to decide before it reacts."

Traxis' eyes narrow.

Traxis:

> "Ah… no.

No, no.

Don't tell me you're getting cold feet.

Klexis, listen—Devia isn't about control.

It's loose. Unstructured. Breathing.

You're not supposed to 'lock in.' It's like your bestie.

Yeah, maybe sometimes it disappears for a sec, but it'll be back.

Just chill with it."

---

Klexis:

> "Right.

But that's the problem.

If it bends too much…

What do I actually stand on?"

Traxis squints at him.

Klexis (eyes sharpen):

> "Tell me, Dad. What's your endgame?

Devia's rising, yeah.

But Avia isn't gonna just fade into nostalgia.

It's alive.

It'll fight.

And when that time comes…

What will you do?"

---

A long silence.

Traxis stares down.

The air tightens.

He sighs. A deep inhale. The weight of multiple universes in one breath.

Traxis (softly):

> "When that time comes…

I'll reveal."

He stands.

Traxis:

> "But not today.

Today, we go."

Klexis:

> "Go where—?

No… wait. You're not—"

Traxis (grinning slightly):

> "Oh, yes.

We're going home."

He grabs Klexis' hand—firm, but warm. In one sweeping motion, he opens a Deviant Gate, not just a portal but a woven rift of logic and soul-will.

---

Scene shift: The Garden of Emotions – Airious

🌸 A realm of living colors and self-reflective weather.

The moment they arrive, petals swirl and lights shift hue based on who enters.

The garden pulses like a beating heart.

It's lush, surreal—a place where truth manifests through emotion.

And standing in the center…

✨ Elegia.

Traxis' wife.

Draped in translucent emotional veils, hair floating like strands of warm light.

Her expression?

Not anger. Not shock.

But stillness.

The kind that says: "I waited."

Behind her—Jorxis, aura of unstoppable force, and Evexis, the quiet blade whisperer—both barely teens, glowing with potential and conflict.

---

Elegia (softly):

> "You finally came."

Traxis doesn't speak right away. His gaze falls to the ground.

Klexis (whispering to himself):

> "Whoa… they're actually… here…"

Traxis (to Elegia):

> "I've rewritten systems, restructured belief itself.

But I couldn't rewrite what I did to you."

Elegia:

> "Then don't.

Just be here."

She walks closer. The emotional weather flickers—rainbow sunshowers falling gently from above.

Traxis drops to one knee, taking both her hands.

Traxis:

> "I'm sorry.

I thought giving the world a new way to be…

Would fix what I couldn't face."

Elegia (placing a hand on his cheek):

> "You gave them freedom.

But not healing.

That's what Avia tried to do.

That's what I still believe in."

---

Jorxis (arms crossed):

> "You left us."

Evexis (softly):

> "You didn't even see me train."

Traxis (still kneeling):

> "You have every right to hate me.

But if you'll let me…

I'll stay this time.

Not to be your hero.

But to be your father."

---

The emotional field stabilizes.

The flowers bloom wider.

A resonance—faint, but undeniable—builds between Devia and the Garden.

Traxis stands, holding Klexis' shoulder.

Traxis:

> "Devia isn't a replacement for Avia.

It's the echo of a pain we never solved.

But maybe… just maybe…

It's time both paths stopped fighting.

And started listening."

The Xis Family House, Garden of Emotions – Airious

It stood there—weathered, untouched by time yet marked by absence. A small arch carved with Airien symbols hung above the entrance, spelling "Home is Where the Self Rests." Dust shimmered in the emotional light as Traxis stepped onto the porch, hesitant… almost fearful.

His fingers grazed the old wooden frame.

Traxis (softly):

> "Still creaks… like it used to…"

He inhaled. The scent of memory: old berries, parchment, and burned emberleaf. His mind wandered—not to philosophies or systems, but to something rarer.

A laugh.

A giggle.

Young Evexis, twirling with toy blades.

Baby Jorxis, knocking over a crystal vase with unintentional force, crying loud enough to shake the walls.

He chuckled. A ghost of a smile.

> "I missed it all…"

Footsteps.

He turns—there she is. Elegia.

Still cloaked in grace. Emotions wrapped around her like a second skin. Her presence made the air feel warm, like a long hug you forgot you needed.

She says nothing at first. Just walks up behind him… and places her hand gently on his shoulder.

---

Elegia (quietly):

> "You remembered the house."

Traxis:

> "Barely…

It's changed. Or maybe I've forgotten too much."

Elegia:

> "You haven't forgotten. You buried it."

He looks at her—but not directly. Almost like the truth would burn if he faced it.

Traxis (low voice):

> "I wasn't sure I should come here.

I thought… maybe I'd taint what peace you'd found."

Elegia:

> "You're not a ghost, Traxis.

And I don't believe in peace through erasure."

She takes a step beside him, facing the house now.

Elegia:

> "When I saw you at the Soul Print Vault…

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to break you.

But the truth is… I didn't feel rage."

Traxis (softly):

> "No?"

Elegia (shaking her head):

> "I felt everything else.

Grief. Hope.

The worst one was…

Relief."

That word hits him.

Traxis (gutted):

> "Relief…?"

Elegia:

> "Because it meant you were alive.

And I hated myself for wanting that."

---

A heavy silence.

Wind carries memories through the trees.

Traxis:

> "I failed.

Not just as a husband or a father…

But as a soul.

I built Devia out of logic, out of necessity… but I forgot what I had here.

Forgot you.

And… maybe, in some twisted way… I thought the world needed my brilliance more than you did."

Elegia (tearfully):

> "You always believed the weight of the cosmos rested on your shoulders.

But you were my entire world, Traxis.

Mine.

Jorxis'.

Evexis'."

He turns fully now—eyes stinging.

Traxis:

> "I don't deserve you."

Elegia (smiling sadly):

> "Maybe not.

But I don't love you because you're perfect.

I love you because… even when you ran, you never truly let go."

She places her palm against his chest. He flinches. There, her hand glows with a soft pink hue, the color of memory and longing.

Elegia:

> "You think your heart broke away from us…

But it remained.

It just got buried under your mission."

---

Traxis (voice trembling):

> "If you'll have me…

I don't want to convert anyone.

I don't even want to lead.

I just want to… be.

With you. With them."

Elegia:

> "Then come inside.

No Devia. No Avia.

Just you."

She pulls him close, and he doesn't resist.

Traxis (murmuring):

> "Maybe… maybe it's not about who deserves who.

Maybe it's about who's willing to return…

No matter how long it takes."

Elegia (smiling softly):

> "You've returned.

That's more than enough."

They embrace—no systems, no scales—just soul.

And somewhere upstairs…

Jorxis and Evexis peek down the staircase, watching quietly.

Evexis leans over.

Evexis:

> "So… is that really our dad?"

Jorxis (shrugging):

> "Looks like him.

But he's hugging.

That's new."

They chuckle quietly.

Down below… Traxis closes his eyes.

For the first time in ages… he feels whole.

Outside the Garden of Emotions – Airious

The sky was dripping a cool gold as emotion-light filtered through the trees, bending around laughter and unspoken wounds. Klexis leaned back on a stone bench, arms crossed, eyes scanning the horizon like he was looking for something that didn't exist—yet.

Beside him stood Evexis, ever sharp-tongued, braided hair glowing faintly with her sword-sheen.

Evexis (smirking):

> "Let me guess… Devia is the grand metaphor for the modern soul, right?

All edge, all brood, all 'nobody understands me' aesthetic?"

Jorxis, the youngest, playfully poked Klexis with an elbow.

Jorxis (grinning):

> "Yeah, yeah… it's the cooler, rebellious system.

What's next, Klex? Gonna wear a hood, stare at the moon, and monologue about how pain is beautiful?"

Klexis chuckled, shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours.

Klexis:

> "You guys are the worst.

But… not wrong.

Devia did feel like freedom, y'know?

Not just 'power' freedom—soul freedom.

Like I didn't have to prove anything to anyone anymore."

Evexis (mocking gasp):

> "Wow. That sounds like something a coffee shop philosopher would say while sipping existential espresso."

Jorxis (laughing):

> "Or a mixtape rapper named 'TraxXx' with three X's and trauma bars."

They all laughed. But Klexis… Klexis paused.

A ripple in the air.

A scent—salted serenity.

The ground misted for a moment.

Klexis turned slowly.

There she was.

Merina.

Her affinity always made her presence… obvious. The air shimmered with condensation, water molecules trailing like ribbons behind her feet. Her hair, dark blue with ocean streaks, flowed gently even though there was no wind.

She wasn't dressed in battle gear this time. No armor. No performance. Just her… in a flowing tunic laced with river patterns.

Klexis blinked, like seeing color for the first time after a long grayscale storm.

Merina (smiling, soft):

> "Still dramatic, I see."

Klexis (grinning):

> "And you still travel with a full orchestra of water droplets."

She chuckled, her laugh like water hitting smooth stone.

Merina (teasing):

> "It's called presence, Klexis. You should try it sometime."

Evexis whispered to Jorxis:

> "Okay, I'm not gonna lie… she ate."

Jorxis:

> "Devia could never make me that smooth."

They quietly stepped back, giving space as if the moment itself demanded respect.

Klexis stood, his voice suddenly softer.

Klexis:

> "I didn't think I'd see you here."

Merina (approaching):

> "Neither did I.

But something told me…

The boy who thought he wasn't good enough for Avia might need a reminder of who he really is."

She stepped closer, the mist parting with every stride.

Merina (eyes twinkling):

> "I remember when your Avia flickered the first time.

You thought it meant you were broken.

But it just meant… you were asking better questions."

Klexis (quietly):

> "And you… you were the only one who didn't run."

Merina:

> "Because I knew your mind was loud, but your heart was louder."

He chuckled, looking down.

Klexis:

> "I chose Devia."

Merina (softly):

> "I know.

And I still chose to see you."

Klexis looked up. The mist around her began forming tiny prisms, catching the golden light and casting rainbows over her hair.

Klexis (barely above a whisper):

> "You always made water feel like a home."

She nodded, then reached out and touched his hand—lightly.

Not to pull him. Not to fix him.

But to remind him that even amidst divergent paths, some connections ripple deeper than any system.

Merina:

> "Devia or Avia… doesn't matter.

Your heart knows its own current.

And I… I'll swim alongside it."

Klexis blinked slowly, overwhelmed.

Klexis:

> "You're gonna make me cry in front of my little siblings."

Evexis (from behind a tree):

> "Too late! Already recording for emotional blackmail!"

Jorxis:

> "Send it to Elegia. Caption it 'Water meets Fire, chaos ensues'."

They all burst into laughter.

And just like that, in the garden of emotion—a new current was born.