“Bad things happen… Do you know that it’s really hard to come up with fitting intro-lines?”

- A memory of the Old Ones.

***Carinthia***

***Magnus***

“And that's how your Daddy vanquished the evil fae and saved the world.” I close Sely's diary, which helped me to retell the events from all those years ago. “And then Mommy and I lived happily ever after.” Or so I guess. It's been eight years since we used the marble and we didn't find a single fae since then. Time sure flies by like nothing when there are no enemies to fight. Not that it matters. I’ve had more than enough of it.

Little Steven, Cecilia's son, and my daughter, Veronica furrow their brows in silent disbelief. I swear that they are too smart for their age. Whatever Gavin did to Cecilia and Sely in order to raise their fertility had unexpected side effects. I wonder if that's the reason why Sely and Annia are so talented in their respective fields of interest.

But why are the kids so unhappy with my story? Maybe I shouldn't have censored the sexy parts? Sely and I can get pretty rough when we are going for it. The two of them are smart, but I am not entirely sure that I should introduce them to all the things a man and a woman can do with each other.

The two little buggers are still watching me as if my skills at storytelling are seriously lacking. I sigh. “Okay, out with it. Point out all the plot-holes and other issues you have with my skills as a story teller.”

Veronica huffs and sucks in her cheeks. “You never explained about Kath! Is she now an Old One, or is she not?”

I fiddle with the diary in my hands, debating the issue about our practically adopted daughter. Children can be very mean when they find out that someone is different. Being a former human and all that. “Of course she is an Old One. And a member of the Bathomeus. No question about that.”

Steven raises his hand. “You never explained why there wasn't an Ice Age!”

I puff out my chest. “That's because we are using Fairy's mass to adjust the climate. We turned Fairy into a rainforest and are funnelling air through several large doorways in order to clean the atmosphere of sulphur and carbon. Gardener is helping us with the magically enhanced forest.”

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Admittedly, the freaky creature didn't seem entirely trustworthy when our people caught it in Fairy. I remembered it from my visit to Winter's throne room. But since Gardener obviously isn't a fae, and never did something offensive as far as we know, we decided to leave it be. As long as it stays in Fairy and is happy with using its green thumb to take care of the greenery. I wouldn't be all too pleased if it left its habitat.

I shudder at the memory of him.

And it's Veronica's turn. “Why didn't we take control of the humans? After the war it would've been easy to take over.”

I smile. That's something I can answer. “Because we aren't human. Why should we bother with governing anyone else but ourselves? It's not like we need anything from them which we can't simply buy.”

Seriously? Why bother? We are immortal. All it takes is a little patience to get our hands on more than enough human wealth. There is no need to control their entire society. “They are rebuilding on their own. All we Old Ones have to do, is to provide them with a suitable environment to prosper.”

“Sounds like they are nothing more than pets!” Steven shakes his head. “And I found that the end of the story was lacking. There should’ve been more battles. And a final boss. A story needs a final boss.”

I glare at him. “You asked me how Sely and I met. And that’s how the real world works. The one with the nuke wins. And who says that the story is over? It’s still going on!”

“Hah?” He gapes at me, not understanding.

“Do I look dead to you? As long as I am alive, the story continues,” I proclaim proudly. “I fully intend to live a long and prosperous life with my family.”

Veronica tilts her head and sighs. She looks so cute when she does that. With her mother's beautiful eyes and my hair, there is no doubt that she is ours. “And what about that strange energy network which you discovered?”

I keep smiling. There is no reason to show them my frustration about that little aspect. Even after years of research, Hatlix and I didn't come close to explaining the phenomenon. The marble lit it up like a Christmas tree and further experiments showed that we can make it visible as we please. We just have to stimulate certain energy wavelengths. But I don't know what it is, nor why it exits. Maybe we've to develop an entirely different branch of magic and physics to come even close to an understanding. It just shows that the universe still holds surprises. “We are working on that.”

Veronica crosses her stubby arms in front of her chest. “If you don't solve the puzzle, then I'll do it when I am big!”

I am sure you will do just that. I pull three decks of cards out of my pockets and wriggle them in front of the two rascals. “Why don't we do something else for a change? I've three decks of MtG cards.”

Steven coughs and Veronica shakes her head. “Daad... Isn't that a little too childish? Mom said that, at your age, you should really play with other things.”

Oh? I have no idea what she could have in mind. I am utterly clueless on what the nymph would have me rather play with.

I let my head droop. Why, oh why! The entire point of having a child is to play with them. It's the uppermost excuse for an adult to waste time and play around. I get down to the floor next to them and unpack the cards. “It's my firm belief that even with an intellect as high as yours, it would be a shame to waste your childhoods. And Magic is not just a simple game that requires luck. It also demands strategy, awareness and a nimble mind.”

I take Veronica's hand and give her one of the decks. “You either play the game with me, or I’ll ration your supply of cookies.”

Her eyes bulge. “You wouldn’t do that!”

“Watch me! And to top it off, I’ll run you two through a hellish training course to get your magic under control. Ask Kath, she’s already been through it.”

Steven draws in a sharp breath. “She didn’t lie!?” He looks down at the cards. “What were the rules again?”