As Leo stood there, watching survivors reunite through the glowing portals, another ripple of light tore open before him. From it, a small group emerged—familiar figures that made his breath hitch.
Lia.
Niya.
And Lyra.
Before he could even move, the three of them rushed toward him. Lia leapt into his arms, her tiny frame trembling as she buried her face against his chest. Lyra wrapped her arms around him from the side, holding tight as if afraid he would vanish again. Niya stood still for a moment, her eyes trembling, before Leo looked at her and said softly, "Why don't you come too, Aunt Niya?"
Niya's lips curved into a faint smile. She took a slow step forward and embraced all three of them at once—her warmth like that of a mother trying to shield what was left of her family.
For a moment, the chaos around them faded.
Leo could feel it—something inside him easing for the first time in years. His family was safe. They were together.
Then, from the side, a familiar voice called out, "Hey, don't forget me!"
Leo turned. Lili was standing there, still wounded but smiling faintly. He chuckled and reached out his hand. She took it, rising to her feet before joining their embrace. For the first time since the attack, laughter filled the air again—fragile, but real.
Yet amid that laughter, Lia's soft sobbing broke the moment.
"Lia?" Leo knelt to her level, brushing her tears. "Everything's alright now. You're safe."
She shook her head, voice trembling. "You… you promised us you'd come on time. But you were late…"
Leo froze. There was nothing he could say. The weight of her words crushed whatever smile he had left. He looked down, his silence answering her better than words ever could.
Lili, Lyra, and Niya watched quietly. Then Lyra stepped forward, placing a hand on Lia's shoulder.
Her voice was soft but strong.
"Sometimes… even heroes can't reach everyone in time," she said. "But what matters is—he did come. And he's here now."
Lia sniffled, nodding slowly as Leo smiled faintly at Lyra's words.
But that peace shattered the moment he turned back to Lili—and noticed the blood still staining her hand.
He gently took it. "Who did this to you?"
Her smile faded. "It was Arvaris," she said quietly. "He came here before… said he was ordered to bring you to the Empire of Rustalia."
Leo's eyes widened. And behind him, a voice broke the silence.
"W–wait… what are you saying?" Aurelius stepped forward, disbelief flickering in his expression. "Arvaris can't betray me. Not him."
He wasn't angry—just confused, hurt even.
Leo stood, his expression hardening. He patted Lia's head gently before turning to face the king.
Their eyes locked—Leo's burning with restrained fury, Aurelius's clouded by doubt.
"So," Leo said coldly, "what do you want, Mr. King?"
Aurelius met his gaze without flinching. "I don't know why Arvaris did this," he said calmly. "But I have nothing to do with it. Still…"
He took a step closer.
"I think," Aurelius said quietly, "you and I need to talk—in private."
The forest was silent. Only the faint rustle of wind moved between the tall trees, their shadows dancing under the pale moonlight.
Leo and Aurelius stood across from one another — two powers from entirely different worlds, now alone and facing truths that would reshape both their fates.
Leo folded his arms. "Alright," he said flatly. "We're alone now. Should we start talking?"
Aurelius exhaled slowly, his golden eyes reflecting a quiet ache. "Look, Leo… I don't know why Arvaris did this. Even I'm… shocked. I trusted him — more than anyone. More than myself."
The king's voice trembled faintly at the end. His composure cracked for the first time since Leo had met him.
Leo sighed, tilting his head slightly. "Alright, let's skip the emotional part. Just tell me what you want from me — that's what this is really about, right?"
Aurelius straightened his posture, nodding. "Yes. I need your help to stop the Temporal Disruptions that are coming."
Leo frowned. "Temporal… what?"
Aurelius glanced up toward the moon as if looking beyond time itself. "The world's timeline is beginning to fracture. As a Khronokai, I can repair only so much — but this distortion is growing beyond my reach. I need someone whose power can counterbalance the surge. Someone who's proven capable of breaking divine limits."
Leo blinked. "Khronokai? Temporal Disruption? You're throwing a lot of words I don't understand. Speak normally."
Aurelius smiled faintly. "I will — once we reach my castle. It's safer there. Too many eyes and ears in this forest."
But Leo immediately shook his head. "No. I can't come with you."
Aurelius raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
"I have my family, my friends… people who trust me. Without me, they'd fall apart. I'm not leaving them behind."
The king studied him for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. "Then how about this? I'll take them — all of them — into my empire as refugees. They'll live freely, treated like citizens. I'll heal whoever I can, give them shelter and work if they wish. The only thing I can't do…" He lowered his voice, "…is bring back the dead."
Leo stared at him for a long moment, weighing the offer. Then he extended his hand.
"Deal."
Aurelius smiled faintly and clasped it. "Deal."
A brief silence passed between them — not of hostility, but of understanding.
Then Leo asked, "By the way, what about those two — are they healed?"
"Ah, yes," Aurelius replied. "Both are fine. And that old man too — I made sure of it."
Leo's thoughts flickered briefly. So even Balzock got caught up in that mess, huh?
But then another realization hit him. His eyes hardened. "What about the goblins? The monsters who live with us?"
Aurelius blinked. "Monsters? You mean those creatures you brought here?"
Leo's tone sharpened. "They're not creatures. They're my people."
The king looked conflicted. "Leo, my empire is for humans and demi-humans. I can't take monsters in — and honestly, why do you even travel with them? How can you even communicate with them?"
"If you can't take them," Leo said coldly, "then I'm not coming either."
He turned, beginning to walk away. The king watched him for a second — realizing Leo meant every word.
Aurelius sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Wait… damn it."
Leo stopped but didn't turn around.
Aurelius hesitated, then said, "Fine. I can't let them enter the empire — but I can build them a village, a safe haven, not far from our borders. My knights will guard it. That's the best I can offer."
Leo turned back, thinking for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. But you'll show me that place first."
"Of course."
Aurelius closed his eyes and spoke through telepathy, his voice echoing faintly in the air.
"Send a squad of knights to my live coordinates — now."
The reply came a moment later.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
As Aurelius opened his eyes again, Leo stood silently.