Finally, Home

After class ended, Stefan walked home with heavier steps than usual. His mind was still wrapped around everything that happened—especially the whole thing with his dual elements and how it might shape the rest of his life.

But there was something that gave him a little peace. Something he'd been looking forward to for a long time: seeing his family again.

Riverton hadn't changed much. Still the same small, peaceful town it had always been. And honestly, Stefan had missed this feeling more than he realized.

It had been ten years since he last saw his uncle John and aunt Clara. A whole decade. Even though they were family, Stefan's job back then always seemed to get in the way. Every time he had a bit of free time, something else came up—work, missions, responsibilities. Eventually, he just lost touch with people who used to be close.

But this time, coming home felt different. His mom had already told him Uncle John and Aunt Clara were in the house, waiting for him in the living room. He was nervous, even though they were family. So much time had passed, and part of him wondered if the distance had created something more than just time apart.

Standing in front of the door, Stefan took a deep breath to calm himself down. He rang the doorbell, and the soft chime echoed through the air. A few seconds later, the door opened.

And there they were—Uncle John, still tall and strong with his wise, steady presence, and Aunt Clara, warm as ever with that familiar smile.

"Stefan!" Uncle John said, his deep voice filled with warmth. "Look at you—finally home. It's been way too long!"

Stefan gave a small smile, feeling that old sense of comfort. "Yeah, it really has. I'm sorry, Uncle. Work just... took over everything."

Aunt Clara stepped forward and wrapped him in a warm hug. "You've been so busy, huh? Too busy to visit your old aunt and uncle?" she teased gently. "It's okay, sweetie. We get it. Life can get in the way."

Her words hit home. Stefan realized just how much time he'd let slip away, buried in work and training, chasing goals that made him forget the people who always waited for him.

"I'm really sorry, Auntie," Stefan said, sitting down beside them. "I missed so many moments with all of you."

Uncle John sat across from him, his expression calm but thoughtful. "That's just life, Stefan. We all get caught up in our own paths. But it's important to remember—family's always here. We never know how much time we've got. So don't wait too long to reconnect with the people who matter."

Stefan nodded slowly. His uncle's words cut deep in a good way. He was glad he came back. Glad he didn't let more time pass.

Then Aunt Clara leaned in, smiling. "So, tell us. What's this new chapter of your life all about? We've heard bits and pieces—something about you following a pretty big path. What are you really chasing out there, Stefan?"

That question made him pause.

"I'm... still figuring it out," he said. "I've learned a lot recently. About myself. About this power inside me. It's complicated. The world I'm in right now—it's nothing like what I expected."

Uncle John gave him a knowing look. "The world always shifts, Stefan. Sometimes we fall behind, but that doesn't mean we've lost. It just means we've got a chance to grow. Everyone's got more potential than they realize. The trick is knowing when to move forward... and when to pause and reflect."

Being around his family made Stefan feel more grounded. After years of pressure and expectations, this was the kind of peace he didn't know he needed. Their words reached a part of him he hadn't paid attention to in a long time. Maybe... it was time to start making more space for the people who truly cared.

That evening, they sat together and talked—about life, old memories, and what might come next. Aunt Clara and Uncle John shared stories of their own struggles and how they pulled through by sticking together. Stefan listened, really listened, realizing that the little things he once took for granted were actually the most important.