"Hello, Kathy... my little kitten."
She looked at me with eyes drowned in fear, as if awaiting a punishment from a world unknown.
She whispered, her voice nearly breaking under the weight of tears:"Please... I don't want the treatment... I'll heal over time..."
I sat beside her and said gently,"Don't worry... it won't hurt, I promise."
She shook her head violently, clutching her clothes tightly."No... I don't want you to see it... you'll hate me..."
I placed my hand softly on her shoulder, and with a voice soaked in tenderness, I said:"There's no way I could hate you... you are my precious daughter..."
She gasped and cried out:"No... please... don't!"
I felt powerless. My heart trembled as if I were the child, afraid of the truth.I gently held her hand and poured the healing potion over her little arm… It began to mend, but the worry remained etched on her face.
I asked softly:"Is there more?"
She shook her head in denial—but I knew.She was young, yes, but her cleverness was unmistakable, written clearly in her eyes.
I gently lifted her shirt…And what I saw could rival the worst nightmares ever conceived.
Her stomach... was horrifically deformed.Claw marks. A demonic sigil. The image of a beast, etched not just on her skin—but deep into her soul.
I couldn't move.
She broke down into sobs… gasping like her chest couldn't bear another moment of life. She whimpered:"I'm sorry... please don't hate me... don't hit me... don't throw me away... I didn't do anything... I was just... born like this..."
Then I knew.Her blood was cursed, tainted—half-beast, half-cat… a pariah in the eyes of the world, but innocent in mine.
I couldn't speak.All I could do was hold her tightly against my chest.
I kissed her forehead, wiped her tears, and whispered:"Don't worry... I don't care about any of that... I just... love you."
The other girls stared in awe, as if something inside them had cracked—or maybe, something had finally healed.
I looked at them all, raised my head, and declared with firm resolve:
"From this moment on… I am your father. Tell me everything. I don't care if you're hybrids, half-beasts, half-gods—I don't care.Because I, too… am a monster.From now on… we are family."
One by one, they came to me.I embraced them all.They cried... as if they hadn't cried since the day they were born.
"Please… we're a family now. We'll live together—with no pain, no fear.I will protect you… Even if the gods themselves stand against me, I will destroy them. I will burn the world down… for you."
They looked at me with eyes full of tears and warmth.And Kathy, in a trembling voice, said:
"Yes... we're family..."
And from that moment on, I knew…I was ready to destroy this entire world, to sacrifice everything I am—just to see them smile.
After our long embrace ended, and the restless souls calmed, I smiled at them and said gently:
"I'll make dinner."
I entered the kitchen — my hands working, my heart fluttering with something that felt like peace… or perhaps, like life itself.
I placed the food before them, and they began to eat eagerly, as if hunger and fear no longer existed.
Kathy, reached her spoon toward me and said in her childlike voice:
"Papa… feed me, please."
I smiled and fed her with all the tenderness in my soul.
Aisha was devouring her food with her hands, unbothered — that was her way.
Anastazia, born of noble blood, held her fork and knife like she was at a royal banquet.
And Donna… she tried to mimic her, fumbling now and then, sneaking glances at me — silently asking for support.
And I… I didn't eat.
I simply watched.
I smiled.
For the first time in thousands of years… I had a family.
After we finished dinner, I said quietly:
"Time for bed… I'll blow out the candles."
Before I could take a step, Kathy tugged at my robe and whispered sweetly:
"Papa… sleep with us, please."
I laughed warmly and answered without hesitation:
"Of course, my little princess."
I laid out the big mattress and lay down first. Before I could even close my eyes, I heard a soft giggle:
"Yay! Papa's sleeping with us!" Kathy cried, then jumped on top of me and laid across my chest — as if she had finally found her eternal home.
The others hesitated for a moment, shyly — but I encouraged them:
"It's a father's duty… to sleep among his daughters."
Donna came first, curling up near my legs, hugging them like a child who had finally found warmth.
Then Aisha followed, clinging to my arm with all her innocence.
And lastly came Anastazia. She moved slowly and sat at my side, resting her head as if my lap was her true throne.
It didn't take long… before sleep took them.
They were asleep… and they were beautiful.
As if they had been waiting for this group hug since the day they were born.
And I…
I finally slept.
Not out of exhaustion.
But out of joy.
A deep, wordless joy… that can only be felt.
For the first time in thousands of years… I wasn't alone.