new life

Aleron led them through the estate—no, the mansion. The once-modest home they remembered had been replaced with something out of a royal fantasy. Towering ceilings, enchanted chandeliers glowing softly with mana light, silk banners bearing the Helios family crest, and well-dressed attendants bowing respectfully as they passed.

Valthor ran a hand along the polished mahogany rail. "This… wasn't like this before."

"No," Aleron said quietly, a nostalgic smile forming on his face. "Back then, we could barely afford hot meals every day. The Helios name… meant little. We were a forgotten bloodline, clinging to pride more than power."

He paused near a large portrait—him and their mother, standing together, both clad in battle-worn armor. Behind them, cities rose. Fires burned. Monsters fell. Heroes stood.

"But everything changed after the First Disaster. When the world started collapsing, and monsters invaded Earth, your mother and I… awakened. Not just as hunters, but as something more. She was the first. Her potential was terrifying—divine, almost. I followed soon after. And together…"

"You rose," Draegen murmured, eyes narrowed as he observed the portrait.

"We didn't just rise," Aleron continued, "we carved a legacy. Guilds were formed around us. Armies followed us. The Helios name became a symbol of protection, power, and survival. We went from poor… to pillars of the new age. We became heroes."

Kaelen gave a small whistle. "And here I thought we had it hard."

Aleron chuckled faintly. But then, his brows knit just slightly. His eyes drifted over them again—subtle, searching.

"Which reminds me…" he said, his tone slightly more cautious. "What have you four been doing all this time?"

The brothers tensed, just slightly.

Aleron continued, his voice growing curious, almost concerned. "I sense no mana from you. No divine trace. Have you not awakened at all?" He looked genuinely puzzled now. "You've been gone for over two decades… and yet…"

Valthor quickly masked the shift in atmosphere with a chuckle. "We, uh… didn't really have the best circumstances. Just a lot of surviving. We're still figuring ourselves out."

Draegen adjusted his glasses. "Yeah. We were just lucky to stay alive."

Kaelen crossed his arms, giving a lazy shrug. "Can't awaken if the right moment never came, right?"

Vexen leaned close, grinning. "Maybe we're late bloomers?"

Aleron stared at them for a moment longer. There was suspicion behind his eyes now—not hostile, but definitely not gone unnoticed. Still, he said nothing. Just gave a small nod.

"All that time," he said quietly. "We searched for you. There was no sign. Not even whispers in the dungeons. It was like you were wiped off the face of the world."

The brothers stayed silent.

"But… here you are," he said, brushing the feeling off with a warm smile. "And that's what matters."

"We've just been… figuring stuff out," Vexen offered casually, spinning a strand of his hair.

"Yeah," Valthor added, composed as ever. "A lot has happened."

"I imagine so," Aleron said. "But you're home now. And this time, we'll protect you. Your mother, your sisters, and I—we'll make sure nothing happens to you again."

The brothers gave vague smiles, keeping their true selves hidden, their power wrapped in shadow.

Aleron gestured down the next hallway. "Come. There's someone who's been waiting even longer than I have."

"Mom?" Kaelen asked.

Aleron nodded, his voice warm. "She never gave up on you. Not even for a second."

And with that, the brothers followed—silent, amused, and already mentally preparing for the next emotional storm.