A yawn escaped from Ynos's mouth as he fell down from the sofa. He lazily opened his groggy eyes, glancing at the group of people sitting around the table.

For a second, confusion clouded his gaze, 'What the— Humans?'

"Oh, look who finally decided to wake up and join us," Syra's voice echoed from the table shaking off his sleepiness.

"Oh," scratching his head Ynos stood up and glanced back at the sofa before speaking, "This thing you call sofa is very comfortable."

"I don't know why you don't sleep inside your room," Essie chimed from the side, tilting her head in confusion.

Another yawn escaped Ynos's mouth as he made his way to the table and flopped down the chair.

"Those things they call beds are too small and too soft," he said with a shake of his head.

"You're strange, brother Ynos," Essie mumbled in a low voice.

"Huh?"

"Nothing!"

"Back to what you were saying?" Sidus interrupted the two and turned to Syra with a question.

"Ah, yes. Seems like you might see an old face back soon," she said with a mysterious expression on her face.

"An old face?" Sidus asked.

Immy who was sitting by his side had her eyes lit as she jumped and asked, "Is it brother Aether?"

Hearing her words, everyone perked up and turned to glance at Syra with expectant expressions.

"Hmm," Syra nodded before continuing, "I just got the news that he had teleported into the plane."

Breta who was silent all this time frowned and couldn't help but ask, "How? We've been together all this time."

Syra smiled and answered, "You youngsters still have much to learn."

Sidus who was listening in by the side frowned in dissatisfaction. He then used his dark magic to summon an obsidian tentacle and used it to grab a large piece of the cake sitting on the other side of the table.

"Hey, I wanted that!" Essie grumbled but he simply ignored her.

"So, are we going to go get him?" Immy asked.

"Of course we are!" Ynos said as he stood up with a puffed chest.

Syra shot him one look and said, "Sit back down, dear."

"Yes, ma'am."

"All of you will stay here. I will go bring him back," she said.

"We can help," Sidus protested, his frown deepening.

"I know you can, but the steaks are too high this time."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Did something happen?" Breta joined in and asked.

Syra's expression turned serious for a moment before she slowly nodded.

"Yes, something did happen."

"Is brother Aether okay?!" little Essie asked as she jumped off the chair.

"He is… okay, for now."

"For now?" Sidus's aura started to stir. "Are you sure you don't need us to help?"

"You underestimate me, dear. You would be helping by staying here and holding down the fort."

Sidus closed his eyes and took a deep breath before nodding resolutely, "I understand, we will wait for you."

"Brother!" Ynos wanted to protest but Sidus shot him one hard look and spoke again, "I said, we will wait."

"Yes…" Ynos harrumphed and sat back down, his hand moving to the food on the table.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"When are you leaving?" Immy asked.

"Right away. Hopefully, we should be back by tomorrow," she answered.

****

"As long as you don't leave the village, and don't do anything foolish, then there won't be any problem," said Syra as she secured the small bag on her back.

"Don't worry we will remain here," Sidus answered with a nod.

Breta who was leaning against the door motioned with her head toward the small crowd sneaking glances at them with looks of awe and fascination. "You might need to do something about them, however." She said.

"Don't worry about them. It's rare for us to get visitors out here, not to mention ones that look like you."

"Is it because we are pretty?" Essie asked with a grin.

Syra affectionately patted her head in response before she said with a chuckle, "Yes, very pretty, my dear."

"Well, then I'm off!"

"Safe trip!" Essie waved.

"Please bring brother Aether back, safely," Immy gave a slight bow, with Sidus and Ynos following suit. Breta, on the other hand, gave a slight nod.

"Don't worry, I'll be back with him soon." Leaving those words behind, Syra disappeared off into the distance making her way out of the small village.

The small group of siblings and Goddess watched her go, until her figure was no longer visible before they retreated back inside the house amidst the hushed discussions of the villagers.

*****

Once she left the village, Syra's expression changed. Her easy going warm smile was nowwhere to be seen, a small sigh escaped her mouth before she spoke to the air in front of her.

"I didn't mind to bring in the other ones, they are her grandchildren after all. I would have done the same even if you didn't ask me to. They have no role in this war, but he is different."

A chronicle suddenly walked out of thin air and spoke, "We are not asking you to join the war. Simply protect the young Cosmic pillar. Don't let the Shades come in contact with him anymore."

"Wasn't it made clear that they need him? They won't do anything to hurt him."

"It matters not. Do not let him come into contact with the traitors."

"He is a Dragon, he has the right to decide what he wants to do. Or, are you concerned he won't make the choice you want him to?"

"Do not cross the line, Syra. We have ignored and forgiven all of your previous impudences. Do not be mistaken, we are not asking, this is an order."

Saying that the Chronicle disappeared the same way he did. His figure seemingly evaporated into thin air, leaving behind Syra who clenched her hands in annoyance before taking a deep breath to calm herself down.

"Assholes, all of them." she cursed.

A sudden clap of thunder echoed as she instantly disappeared from her spot with a flash of lightning.

Her figure traveled through the lightning as she left the small village and the massive mountain range behind with impressive speed.

****

"What the hell?" I couldn't help but mumble in disbelief.

The sounds of battle never quite disappeared after the Shade left. But for some reason, it felt as if everyone was avoiding me. Shades, Dragons, and Gods alike. It was eerie even, as I flew across the sky.

"Now what?"