The floorboards creaked under Bob's weight as he limped through his front door. "Jenette!" he called out, his voice carrying forced cheer. "Fetch some coffee and tea, would you? We've got guests!"

"Oh?" The clatter of dishes echoed from deeper in the house. "Who's visiting?"

Bob glanced back at the group following him into his modest living room. "Just some trouble makers!" he announced with strained enthusiasm that did nothing to ease the tension.

Neiva settled onto an aged couch while Angelo and Ruel remained standing, neither quite willing to make themselves comfortable. Red leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his ever-present grin suggesting he found the whole situation terribly amusing. Blue had chosen to stay merged with Angelo for now, watching through their shared consciousness.

"Well then," Bob eased himself into his chair with a grunt. "Let's not beat around the bush here."

"I'd appreciate that," Angelo replied, his tone carrying the edge of someone who'd run out of patience.

Bob's expression grew more calculating as he studied them. "Tell me - ever heard of something called the 'Statute of Limitations'?"

"No..." Neiva's outraged gasp cut through the room before he could continue. Her hands clenched into fists as understanding dawned. "Is that why you sold Angelo's house? Because he didn't claim it in time?"

Angelo blinked, the implications hitting him like a physical blow as his family home suddenly transformed from mystery into lost opportunity.

"Now, now." Bob raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Hear me out. When the Ashworths met their end, we obviously couldn't just hand down property to an infant. Yes, he was a valid next of kin, but protocol required us to look for other relatives in Luminia first." He shifted in his seat, discomfort evident in every movement. "Sadly, we didn't find any."

"Then why-" Neiva began, but Bob cut her off with another placating wave.

"Hold on, I wasn't finished." His fingers drummed against his chair's armrest. "Their names - Cyrus and Nova Ashworth. Can't believe I still remember them after all this time." His attempt at levity fell flat in the heavy atmosphere. "Obviously these are Infernian names. We tried searching for relatives there as well, but Infernia being a foreign region with... rocky relations at best..." He spread his hands helplessly. "It posed significant challenges."

"So where does that leave us?" Angelo's question carried dangerous calm.

"Well..." Bob's gaze dropped to his lap. "We searched for years. I suppose at some point it just... fell through the cracks. Until it was too late." Genuine embarrassment colored his next words. "To be quite frank, I wasn't even aware their son was still in Ashford. He never stepped forward..."

"How could you not know?" Neiva's voice rose with renewed fury, making Ruel flinch. Even Angelo tensed at her outburst while Red's soft chuckle floated from his corner. "Wasn't he practically a celebrity here?"

The argument was interrupted by Jenette's arrival, a loaded tea tray balanced carefully in her hands. "My goodness," she said, her warm voice carrying genuine concern. "Why all the excitement, dear?"

Bob seized the distraction like a lifeline. "Say, Jenette," he began, drawing his wife's attention. "Do you recognize that young man?" He gestured toward Angelo.

She pressed one hand to her cheek, studying Angelo with careful consideration. "I'm sorry, but I can't say that I do."

"I'm Angelo," he offered quietly. "Most people knew me as Harry's rival. You remember Harry, right?"

Recognition lit her features. "Oh! Yes, of course! My grandson is from your generation - he used to talk about you. The whole town buzzed about you for quite a while." She cleared her throat delicately. "Though I must admit, not all the talk was pleasant."

Bob and Ruel's eyebrows rose in unison as they studied Angelo with renewed interest. "Did they now?" Bob asked his wife. "What exactly did they say? Seems I was out of the loop."

"Oh Bob, you're getting so forgetful," Jenette waved off his question. "There were wild rumors about him being able to split himself somehow. But you can't believe every story that flies around town."

The room fell into loaded silence as Bob and Ruel's gazes drifted to Red, whose grin only widened. Jenette, following their looks, finally noticed him leaning against the wall. Red offered a casual two-fingered salute. "Yo, how you doing?"

The three locals blinked in perfect synchronization while Neiva and Angelo exchanged worried glances. To everyone's surprise, Jenette simply asked, "So the rumors were true?" Her eyes bounced between Angelo and his duplicate with calm curiosity.

"But you said they were intimidation tactics!" Ruel burst out. "Part of your powers!"

"What did you want me to say?" Angelo shot back, frustration finally breaking through his composure. "How else could I explain why there were more of me? I needed you to believe I was an only child - which is true!"

"Give it a rest, Roll," Bob attempted to defuse the situation. "No harm's done."

"It's RUEL!" The correction carried more bite than the situation warranted. "And this is your fault! What happens now? I invested significant company funds into that property and construction. I can't just write that off!"

Bob's shoulders slumped as the weight of the situation settled over him. But before he could respond, Angelo rose to his feet.

"Don't worry about it, sir," he said, his voice carrying quiet resignation. "You bought the house fair and square. I share some of the responsibility here." His next words carried the weight of years of questions. "Right now, I just want to learn more about my parents. That's all that matters."

A heavy silence settled over the room until Neiva turned to Bob with renewed intensity. "You seem awfully connected to all this," she said, studying his weathered features. "Why did you have the right to sell the property in the first place?"

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Bob shifted in his chair, joints creaking like old wood. "I'm the head of construction projects here in Ashford - have been for twenty-seven years now." A wry smile crossed his face. "You could say this job's my second wife!"

"I heard that," Jenette's disapproving look could have frozen water.

Neiva sat up straighter, excitement lighting her features. "Wait - so you oversaw the labs' construction in Ashford's school?"

Bob studied her eager expression with careful consideration. "Yes, though that's hardly a secret around here. After so many years, most students know who I am and what I do."

"Why am I not surprised Angelo didn't?" Neiva shot Angelo a look that somehow managed to be both fiery and glacial. He quickly averted his gaze, though Red's shared vision meant he couldn't completely escape her terrifying expression.

"Why do you ask, dear?" Jenette interjected, trying to soften the tension.

"Right," Neiva snapped back to focus. "Were you also commissioned to build the lab in Angelo's house basement?"

The question made Angelo tense, a reaction he could feel echoing through Red and Blue's shared consciousness.

"'Fraid not, lass," Bob said, crossing his arms. Angelo felt his hopes sink, until Bob continued: "However..." The single word drew Angelo's attention like a lifeline. "That lab was the most peculiar thing. Both house and lab were constructed before the Ashworths even moved in - by an Infernian construction company."

The revelation landed like a physical weight. Neiva's mind visibly raced. "But- But wouldn't they need special permits to build in Luminia?"

"Indeed they did," Bob confirmed. "Took months before the paperwork came through. I could hardly believe it myself - a foreign construction company building a house with a lab? In Ashford of all places? And Infernian at that?" He shook his head at the memory. "But the papers were legitimate, signed by all the higher-ups. All I could do was play along."

"What was the company called?" The question burst from Angelo with desperate intensity.

"InferBuilds Constructions."

The name seemed to seal something in the air. Red finally straightened from his wall, his usual grin taking on a sharper edge. "Guess we've got to pay them a visit. Unless you'd rather send an angry email?" His laugh carried bitter amusement.

"I don't know, Red..." Angelo's gaze dropped to the floor. "Going to Infernia? After what those terrorists did in Novaria?"

The tension thickened until Blue materialized beside Angelo, his scholarly presence a stark contrast to Red's barely contained energy. "Those were the Sundering Flames - a group even Infernia officially condemns as terrorists. We shouldn't judge an entire region by the actions of a few."

Bob nodded appreciatively at Blue's perspective, but Red's scoff cut through any agreement. "Bitch please. Everyone knows that group has government backing. Even I know that, blueberry."

"Young man!" Jenette's sharp rebuke made Red actually flinch. "That is very foul language!"

"Sorry," Red muttered, looking as surprised by his own response as everyone else.

Angelo sighed, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. "I just don't understand why they hate Luminians so much - enough to commit such acts."

"It's a complicated matter," Bob's voice carried the weight of old knowledge.

"Oh?" Angelo's response came out more hostile than intended. "You know something, old man?"

"Angelo!" Neiva's sharp reprimand could have cut steel. "That's no way to speak to your elders! Their life experience carries wisdom - show some respect!"

"Tsk, Whatever," Angelo muttered, though shame colored the dismissal.

"No offense taken, lad," Bob's gentle response carried understanding. "And yes, I do know something - not just from my years, but because my mother, rest her soul, she came here from Infernia." The revelation instantly captured Angelo's attention, his earlier rudeness forgotten in the face of potential answers. "I once asked her that very same question."

"Ever heard of the Hundred Year War?" Bob asked, settling deeper into his chair. Angelo shook his head.

"Great, a history lesson..." Red's scoff from the corner went deliberately ignored.

"Back then, Infernia was ruled by its royal family," Bob began, his voice taking on the practiced tone of someone sharing oft-told tales. "Not like today, where they're mostly symbolic figures - wealthy ones, mind you. No, back then they held absolute power. But a new faction rose up, one that believed power belonged to the people, not monarchs." He paused, letting the weight of what came next settle. "Soon enough, the region plunged into civil war."

The distant sounds of festival celebration filtered through the windows as Bob continued. "Many Infernians who wanted no part in either side fled to other regions. The conflict raged for nearly a century until Lu-Min stepped in - a Legendary Auron who wasn't even Infernian herself."

"Wait, what?" Neiva straightened, genuine shock crossing her features. "She wasn't Infernian?"

"No - she was Zhypherian." Bob's words carried grim significance. "And she didn't just intervene - she took sides against the monarchy. Created Luminia for the faction she supported." His weathered hands clasped together. "The Infernians called that day 'The Sundering.' After the war, many who'd fled tried returning home. But their own people saw them as cowards who'd run from trouble only to return when things settled. Turned away with nowhere to go, they found welcome in the newly formed Luminia." He spread his hands. "And here we are, 104 years later..."

"I never knew this was Infernia's side of the story," Neiva murmured, her earlier fire dimmed by understanding.

"It doesn't matter," Angelo's bitter response cut through the thoughtful silence. "They have no right to terrorize people over ancient history."

"Indeed." Blue's measured tones carried philosophical weight. "But as I told you before - the world isn't black and white. What seems right to one side often feels wrong to another. Sometimes there is no absolute 'right' answer, because none exists."

"Right then!" Bob clapped his hands, dispersing the heavy atmosphere. "Think that's enough heavy talk for one day. Listen, lad - let me make some calls, see if I can't make this right somehow. Come back tomorrow and we'll see what I've managed to dig up."

"I'd like to help too," Ruel spoke up, his earlier hostility completely gone. "I feel terrible about my part in all this."

Angelo blinked, caught off guard. "You, Mr. Ruel?"

"Yes - I'm CEO of Swords & Shields Incorporated. We manufacture Auron weapons and armor."

"So that's how you afforded such a mansion!" Neiva's eyes sparkled at the prospect of potential gifts.

Angelo's skepticism dripped from every word: "Really? Armor and weapons that can actually withstand Auron combat?"

"Of- of course they can!" Ruel's defensive response made him flush. He took a breath, composing himself. "Sorry. Yes, they absolutely can. We use a rare metal called 'Auranium' - it activates when exposed to Auron auras. Hardest, sharpest steel in existence."

Red leaned forward mockingly. "Come on - 'Auranium'? That's the silliest name I've ever-"

"I didn't name it!" Ruel shot back. "But I am serious about its capabilities!"

"I'll... consider it," Angelo managed, clearly overwhelmed by the sudden generosity. "Thank you for everything, Mr. Bob. I'll return tomorrow."

"Nothing to it, lad. For now, go enjoy the festival!" Bob's gesture encompassed the celebration sounds drifting through his windows.

Ruel pressed a business card into Angelo's hand before they said their goodbyes. The evening air carried the mingled scents of festival food and autumn leaves as they stepped outside, letting the parade's energetic atmosphere wash away the weight of revelations.

Colorful lanterns painted the crowd in shifting patterns while performers danced through streets transformed by decorations. For a moment, it seemed they might actually relax - until Red's voice cut through their temporary peace:

"Hey, isn't that Lin? Harry's mom?" His predatory grin stretched wider. "Come on, Angelo - I've got to see Harry's face when he realizes we've evolved!"

Before anyone could stop him, Red was already pushing through the crowd, carving a path straight toward the elegant woman in the distance. Angelo's panic propelled him after his duplicate with Neiva close behind, her confusion forgotten in the urgency of the moment. But even as they pursued Red through the festival chaos, one thought hammered through Angelo's mind: after all these years, was he really ready to face Harry again?

The answer would come whether he wanted it or not - Red was already calling out Lin's name.