Skyward Family Reunion
Originally, the plan had been to reach the end of the labyrinth and swing back home with Pelt in tow on the way. But after encountering the Labyrinth Will and acquiring the Yeoui-ju, circumstances shifted.
With the ability to warp freely to any floor I desired, the order of things got flipped around a bit.
I'd promised to bring Pelt along with a few Ents, so to keep that vow, a return to the Sky Zone was necessary no matter what.
Having the Yeoui-ju made travel a non-issue.
Well, almost.
There was one small problem.
We'd barely gotten back home, and now here I was leaving again—Snow and the kids, including Suli, started nagging right away.
They weren't wrong, of course. But this time, I had unavoidable reasons too.
Not that the last time hadn't been important as well...
I didn't want to be seen as the guy—or rather, monster—who ditches home and family every time something comes up.
Nothing's more precious to me than you all.
...Yeah. If I truly cherish them that much, I need to treat them accordingly.
I'm sorry.
In the end, fetching Pelt would have to wait a little longer.
The Labyrinth Will's quiet voice made me tilt my head for a moment.
Could it handle not just me, but others too?
How many, exactly?
I nodded slowly at the Labyrinth Will's words.
In the past, I'd have worried. But now, with Wise Scale leading the way and everyone else grown stronger, I could leave home without a care.
From what Snow said, she'd been busy recruiting subordinates, so no one on the 70th floor would dare challenge us.
Yeah, I could head out with peace of mind.
Plus, I really wanted Snow and the kids to see the Sky Zone's scenery.
Last night, they'd looked so excited when we talked about it. Might as well show them now.
And so, we warped using the Yeoui-ju.
Destination: the 88th floor, Lehatna's lair.
The aftermath of the recent battle hadn't fully cleared—pockets of chaos lingered—but the stunning views remained unchanged.
The moment I first saw this place, I knew I had to share it with everyone.
Watching my family murmur in awe made my chest swell with pride.
Suli, don't run around like that—it's dangerous.
That's a straight drop below.
To Soon-i, grab Suli quick.
What? Your legs are shaking too much?
Did To Soon-i have a fear of heights or something?
I barely had time to register my surprise at To Soon-i's acrophobia before lunging to snatch Suli, who was leaping straight toward the drifting clouds below our floating island.
I could've caught her even if she'd jumped, but it still shaved years off my life.
No more reckless wandering, Suli. Got it?
I scolded her softly, and she whined back with a petulant "Concong!"
No, clouds aren't solid ground you can step on.
They look huge, but inside they're empty.
You'd go right through—whoosh.
Super dangerous.
Even after my gentle explanation, Suli kept whining, clearly unhappy. I sighed softly.
Snow, watching quietly from behind—don't just laugh. Help out a bit.
That was really close.
Snow's soft voice made Suli cry out "No!", but her darting, flustered eyes gave her away.
I stroked her head gently, and though she denied it at first, she clamped her mouth shut.
Yeah, yeah. You've been lonely without us, haven't you, Suli?
Dad's sorry.
Our pretty Suli—want to go see those clouds with Dad?
Dad's been practicing flying like crazy while away.
I'll take you anywhere you want.
That one? Or how about over there?
Snow chided me to take her along too, so in the end, I shifted to my true form, loaded everyone up, and soared through the skies.
This wasn't why I'd evolved, but in this moment, being able to fly felt incredibly satisfying.
As we enjoyed some cozy family time midair, a familiar presence approached from afar.
Giryu and other familiar faces appeared one by one.
I descended slowly onto a nearby floating island.
Giryu glanced at my family beside me, and I spoke up.
I shrugged lightly at Giryu's puzzled tilt of the head.
No reason not to explain, but the full story was a bit much.
Giryu didn't press when I dodged.
Giryu bowed politely, surprising me a little as Snow accepted it calmly.
I glared lightly at Giryu as he nodded along, and he averted his eyes innocently.
The kids, clustered together and staring at him wide-eyed, made him bow his head slightly.
Giryu, used to low-rank young monsters from helping Lehatna, extended a wing cautiously.
"I'm Suli! Mom and Dad's daughter!"
Suli introduced herself boldly, unlike To Soon-i and Rue, who trembled and couldn't meet his eyes.
Suli was the odd one out—To Soon-i and Rue's reactions were normal for facing a high-rank like Giryu.
Giryu, familiar with such fear, said nothing.
He glanced at me fondly, noting Suli's bravery despite not flinching.
I frowned at his smug snort, but no comeback came to mind.
I just hoped Suli would turn down the arrogant prick.
But my sweet Suli didn't know the word "no."
In the end, with her cheerful "Okay!", Giryu took off into the sky with Suli aboard.
Her ecstatic cries echoed across the heavens.
A strange sense of defeat washed over me.
Afterward, Giryu—with Suli aboard—led us to Lehatna's lair.
She'd recovered much of her former glory through hard work, it seemed.
Hard to believe, but months had passed since the clash with Le Ganus.
Time must've flown more than I thought while lost in illusions on the 100th floor.
The Labyrinth Will confirmed it in my mind.
As Giryu said, Lehatna's lair was nearly fully restored.
The floating islands even seemed twice as large—maybe she'd annexed nearby ones?
Anyway, the lair looked far better organized than before. We descended quietly.
Monsters who'd spotted us from afar swarmed over.
The usual rowdy low-rank welcome grew even louder as more monsters arrived, hearing the news.
The place buzzed.
"Yeah, Pelt. Here to pick you up... You've changed a bit since I last saw you."
Pelt preened his wings under my gaze.
Pelt boasted proudly—he'd evolved to SA-rank.
Still a griffon, but sleeker, more majestic.
I couldn't help smiling at Pelt's deep bow.
SA-rank meant he'd be even more useful back home.
Taking just him felt lacking—maybe bring his sister Deabel too?
Siblings together wouldn't get lonely.
I hadn't thought where to use them yet, but something would come up.
Worst case, have them fly Suli and the kids around.
Petty task for an SA-rank, but oh well.
I'd already claimed Pelt. Deabel was just along for the ride.
Smiling at Pelt, two familiar presences approached.
The shrunken Lehatna and—oddly—Leysia at the same size.
The dragon sisters zipped over at speeds belying their tiny forms.
Boom—
Lehatna hurtled into my chest at breakneck speed.
The impact pushed me back steps and choked the air from my lungs.
Even in her fragile human form, that was some hit.
Had Lehatna grown too during my absence?
As I coughed quietly, she popped her head out and chirped brightly.
Lehatna rattled off questions, as bright and innocent as ever.
Months for her, but not for me—it felt awkward, yet I stroked her head familiarly.
Felt just like petting Suli or the other kids.
The Labyrinth Will's whisper halted my hand mid-stroke.
...What?
......
Speechless.
Lehatna, whom I'd always seen as a kid, older than me by decades...?
Unbelievable.
I glanced at Leysia, who tilted her head curiously at my stare.
I looked away, pretending nothing.
...Labyrinths appeared barely a century ago. How?}
...I see.
I nodded, glancing at Lehatna still hugged to me.
She tilted her head innocently.
So she's my big sis... no, grandma?
Still hard to buy, but my hands gently pried her off anyway.
Lehatna, oblivious to my stiffness, tilted her head.
I introduced my family.
With her natural charm, Lehatna hit it off quickly—especially with Suli.
Seeing them, it was even harder to believe she was centuries old.
Without the Labyrinth Will's nagging "Don't fall for it", I never would've dreamed it.
A bit later, I introduced the family to Leysia, Melusio, and others.
Surprisingly, Snow and Leysia bonded fast—queenly vibes, maybe?
They chatted amiably right away, soon thick as thieves in a quiet corner.
I didn't catch the exact topic, but Snow's joy made me smile warmly.
Glad I introduced her to a good friend.
As Lehatna and the monsters bustled for a "feast," we partied rowdily that night in her lair.