The gentle sound of birds echoed through the ancient forest, filtering between the tall, silver-green leaves that swayed under the soft morning light. The small wooden hut—half hidden by moss and overgrown vines—stood quietly, like an old memory left behind by time.
Inside, faint rays of sunlight crept through cracks in the wooden walls, landing on the face of a sleeping dragonkin girl. Her white-silver hair shimmered faintly like polished moonstone as she stirred in her sleep, her tail twitching slightly as if she were dreaming.
"Lyra, you have to wake up now," Aizen's calm yet firm voice said.
Lyra opened her sleepy eyes and blinked several times, her aqua-blue pupils reflecting the golden light filtering in. "Huh? Oh… it's morning already?" She yawned softly, realizing her hand was still resting near Aizen's arm. She quickly pulled it back and sat up, her face turning slightly red. "Ah—uhm, sorry. I was too close to you again…"
Aizen let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's fine. You should get used to waking up early. We'll head out to the Old Human Kingdom today—Ravaryn." His golden eyes glimmered as he stood, adjusting the straps of his dark cloak before beginning to pack their supplies: coins, a dagger, dried meat, and a few relic stones that faintly glowed.
"Right… Ravaryn," Lyra repeated softly, stretching her arms. "We should be careful though. That route's known for bandits."
"No worries," Aizen replied, smirking slightly. "I'm already an adult, y'know. I'll turn nineteen soon. Besides—" He looked outside the hut. "—this continent is massive. We've walked for years, and it still feels endless. Traveling like this is just part of being treated as criminals by the kingdoms."
Lyra frowned slightly but smiled afterward. "Don't worry about that. Let's just find a peaceful place for now."
Aizen nodded, sheathing his sword and securing his bag. "Alright then, let's go."
Lyra grabbed her small dagger, hiding it under her sleeve. Aizen noticed but said nothing. He only smiled faintly and whispered, "Still cautious, huh?"
---
The two began walking through the forest. The air was thick with morning mist, the trees towering like guardians of forgotten legends. Their boots pressed against fallen leaves and cracked branches. Every sound echoed softly between the trunks.
As they walked, Lyra occasionally glanced at Aizen. He was different now—his presence heavier, calmer, and strangely… mature. His power was quiet, yet she could sense the storm beneath. He moved with the same grace he once had as the legendary Black Lion, the one who once scarred the Destroyer Goddess herself.
"Lyra, keep your senses open," Aizen said suddenly.
"I know," Lyra replied, gripping her dagger tighter.
Then, faint laughter echoed between the trees. Male voices. Cruel and taunting.
Aizen stopped walking. His ears twitched slightly. "Bandits."
Lyra frowned. "I can hear them too… they sound close."
"Let's move quietly."
The two slipped between the trees like shadows. Soon, they reached a clearing—and froze.
There, a group of filthy-looking men stood around two small children. The first child was a little girl with dark violet hair and tiny black horns—the mark of a devi race. Her red eyes burned with defiance despite the bruises on her arms. The second was a trembling boy with white wings folded tightly behind him, his eyes wide with fear.
"You brats should just give up!" one bandit sneered, twirling a blade. "Maybe I'll make you my slaves, sell your wings and horns—fetch a nice price in Ravaryn!"
The others laughed mockingly.
"No! Please leave us alone!" the angelic boy cried, trying to protect his sister.
"Fireball!" the devi girl shouted, summoning a small sphere of flame that shot toward the bandits—but it fizzled weakly before reaching them. The men laughed harder.
"How cute," one said cruelly. "She thinks she's a mage!"
The leader reached forward to grab the little boy—but his hand never touched him.
Because in the blink of an eye, the boy was gone.
No—both children were gone.
"What the hell—where—?"
A gust of wind swept past them.
And then, the world slowed.
When the bandits turned, all they saw was a dark blur moving faster than thought. One moment, Aizen was several meters away. The next, his blade was already drawn.
Seven heads fell before any of them even realized they were dead.
Blood dripped silently onto the earth.
Lyra turned the children away, covering their eyes. "Don't look."
The remaining two bandits screamed and tried to run—but chains of glowing blue energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around their throats. Lyra flicked her wrist, and they fell silent as their bodies hit the ground.
"Pathetic," Aizen muttered, wiping his blade.
He sheathed his sword and knelt beside the children. "You two alright?"
The little girl nodded quickly, her eyes wide. "Y-Yeah, mister! Thank you for helping us!"
The boy hid behind her, shy and trembling.
"My name is Mikaela!" the girl said proudly despite her messy hair. "I'm half demon and half angel! My little brother's name is Theodore—he's the same as me, just… more angel-looking." She giggled nervously. "Thank you for saving us. You're really kind."
Lyra smiled warmly. "Well, how about that, Aizen? We can't just leave them here. They're too young."
Aizen crossed his arms, sighing. "You want to adopt them?"
Lyra smiled knowingly. "They're alone, Aizen. We can't just walk away."
He paused, looking at the two trembling children. Something in his heart softened. They reminded him of the children who used to hide during the Beastman wars—those he couldn't save.
"Fine," he said finally. "It wouldn't hurt to have another family member."
Lyra blinked, slightly surprised. "Family member…?" she whispered to herself, blushing faintly.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself," Lyra said suddenly. She placed her hand on her chest and bowed slightly. "My name is Lyra Subaru, descendant of the First Dragon King. My father's a duke of the Dragon Kingdom, and—well—I'm a runaway princess."
Aizen rolled his eyes. "And I'm Aizen Arcime—the last Black Lion. You can call me Father, Mikaela. You too, Theodore."
"Woah!" Mikaela gasped. "Then Miss Lyra will be our mommy?"
Lyra nearly choked. "W-What?! N-No—wait—"
Aizen smirked. "Of course. She's my partner. So, yeah—your new mom."
The children cheered. Lyra's cheeks turned crimson. "A-Aizen!!"
He only chuckled. "What? You don't want to be their mother?"
She glared at him but couldn't hide her small smile. "You're impossible…"
---
As the sun began to fall, the four of them walked together through the quiet forest.
They stopped at a clearing surrounded by wildflowers and soft moss. A small stream glimmered nearby.
"This should do," Aizen said, setting down his bag.
They worked together to build a small camp—Aizen cutting wood with swift precision while Lyra used her magic to create sparks for the fire. The twins gathered herbs and dried grass. Soon, a gentle fire flickered between them, casting orange light across their faces.
The smell of roasted boar filled the air.
"Wow! This is delicious!" Mikaela said, biting into the meat with a wide grin.
"The sauce is amazing," Theodore added softly.
Lyra laughed. "That's because Aizen hunted and cooked it himself."
The twins' eyes widened. "Whoa! Daddy's strong and can cook?!"
Aizen chuckled, a little embarrassed. "You make it sound like a big deal."
Lyra leaned closer to the fire, watching the twins happily eat. But inside, a small feeling twisted in her chest. Every time one of them hugged Aizen, or leaned against him, she felt a little sting of jealousy she didn't quite understand.
Later, when the twins finally fell asleep beside Aizen—one on each side—Lyra sighed softly. She looked at the three of them under the night sky, the firelight flickering across their peaceful faces.
"…You're too kind for your own good," she whispered to Aizen.
He stirred slightly in his sleep, his expression calm.
Unable to resist, Lyra laid down beside him too—close enough that their shoulders touched. She closed her eyes and smiled faintly. "Goodnight… my Black Lion."
---
By dawn, the group resumed their journey. After several hours, the trees began to thin, and the smell of fresh soil and grain filled the air.
"We should be close to the village now," Aizen said, scanning the horizon.
"Woah, look at that!" Mikaela shouted, pointing ahead. "It's beautiful!"
Theodore nodded, eyes wide as they saw the first glimpse of the village—simple wooden houses, windmills turning in the morning breeze, and villagers moving peacefully across dirt paths.
"This place feels so calm," Lyra said softly.
Aizen smiled faintly. "It's where no kingdom dares to invade. A peaceful corner of the continent…"
"For now," Lyra added quietly.
The twins ran ahead, laughing. Lyra and Aizen watched them, then turned to each other.
"For us," Aizen said, smiling.
Lyra nodded and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him. "Yeah… it's peace for us."
He rested his hand on her back, looking at the rising sun. For a brief moment, the world truly was silent, as if time itself had stopped to let them breathe—just two souls, reborn from war, finally finding warmth again.
---
End of Chapter 80