Arahan and Sirayunsul
The castle was made of unmelting ice. What should have felt frigid instead resembled ordinary bricks. The outer walls, blocking the bitter cold, seemed like a mirage—insubstantial. It was all Mio's magic, all mana at work.
A woman strolled along those walls. Sirayunsul, branch leader of the Kalia Rune exorcists. She hummed softly, taking in the massive, majestic Valenos Castle with her eyes. Was it because she was meeting the child she'd raised, even if it was a bit prickly? Or because she was seeing the adopted son of the man who'd raised her? Either way, both felt welcome. Rowen Valenos and Arahan. She hadn't expected to encounter them like this. Especially Arahan pining for Rowen, who might have become her brother. Arahan's unabashed, full-bodied expression of emotion was just adorable. Of course, running off without a word was infuriating.
At such a young age, earning the moniker of superhuman strength. She was still infuriating. Hate breeds love, they say—Sirayunsul didn't truly hate her foster daughter deep down. She'd been harsh because Arahan was so outrageous. Absolutely not sulking. Yeah. Not sulking.
"Oh my."
"Arahan?"
"Sirayunsul, what are you doing here?"
"As you can see, taking a walk. This castle's amazing. Made of ice, but not cold at all."
It reminded her of Kadan and Kael. Men who wielded the power of cold frost yet had warmer hearts than anyone. Sirayunsul had met them, so she could sense it. The realm born from Rowen's longing and Mio Lizfeldt's meeting. Or perhaps Mio Lizfeldt was just that kindhearted. It was odd that Rowen called a great mage who'd vanished off the map his friend...
"What are you doing here?"
"You don't need to know."
"Nah, it's obvious. Looking for Rowen, right?"
"...Do you know where he is?"
"You think I do?"
Sirayunsul shrugged. Her long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders.
"...Come to think of it, you haven't even greeted me properly."
"As I said before, you're not my parent."
"Cut the bullshit and listen. Who gave you a place to sleep and food when you were little?"
"...Kadan."
"Who asked him to keep you safe?"
"Thanks to you, my adventurer days ended."
"You chose to go under Kadan yourself. Without me, you never would've met that Rowen you love so much."
Sirayunsul planted her hands on her hips and scolded Arahan. Her legs slanted casually, the slit in her outfit revealing a beautiful line. Almost like she was showing off to Arahan. They say children take after their parents. Arahan, subtly aware, eyed Sirayunsul warily.
"...Sirayunsul, what are you trying to say?"
"What's so hard about saying 'it's been a while'?"
"It's been a long time."
"Fuck. Too late now."
"Typical foul-mouthed woman. Why's your mouth so filthy?"
"All because I raised your ass. Quit giving me heartburn."
"Stop caring about me then."
"I'd love to, but reality won't let me."
Blood might not connect them, but she'd raised her with her heart. Cutting off interest just because she was a bit twisted would be too cruel. Cruel to her? No—to Sirayunsul herself. Telling a parent to abandon their child was a gaping wound. Honestly, even this pointless banter was enjoyable for Sirayunsul.
"...Why are you smiling? Have you finally lost your mind?"
"Just... 'cause it feels good?"
"...Please go inside. It's cold out here."
"Mm... I'll stay a bit longer."
"I see..."
"Yeah."
And so Arahan and Sirayunsul wandered outside a little more. Arahan had grown nearly as tall as Sirayunsul. She glanced at her and smiled. She'd grown well. Of course, mimicking her speech patterns wasn't ideal, but what could she do? She was thrilled just to have this connection. A faint smile tugged at Arahan's lips—a secret not-so-secret.
Dense brown tree bark was blanketed in pure white snowflakes, looking almost like leaves. This place, gripped by an even fiercer cold than two years ago, was Albrin Forest. Rowen navigated it with ease. Wolves that once lunged at him now cowered under his presence.
"...Where the hell is it."
If his guess was right, Cain had swallowed a demonic seed somewhere around here. Otherwise, he wouldn't have slipped out of the unique barrier alone. That might've been Claus's scheme when he seized Snowfall. That bastard was tied to the demon cult too. But no demonic traces back then. He'd found a few rune fragments, but the odds they'd affected Cain were nil. Where the fuck had it gone wrong?
His brow furrowed, head throbbing. He accelerated his thoughts, his reasoning. Even with the great ancestors' aid, no answers emerged. No traces at all. It was maddening.
"That fucking prick. I worried he'd never screw up..."
And here he was, screwing up big time. Rowen was at his wits' end, suffocating with frustration. So much to do, so many fires to put out, and he'd let it come to this. He'd come to Albrin Forest hoping for a clue, but left empty-handed. Regret gnawed at him. Turning naturally, he stepped into Abel's unique barrier.
Purple shadow mana swallowed him for the first time in ages, cool to the touch, then warm light greeted him. Two years since he'd last visited. He'd met Mio. The rest: Uba, Lea, Abel.
"Uba's in Pandemonium, she said..."
Lea had ultimately shed her saintess body for angelic rank. A millennium ago, the pinnacle everyone aimed for. Mio could've become an angel but refused—said the overwhelming power and status would crush her. Uba didn't care. No reason. Just didn't. Abel... well.
"Did he even want to be an angel?"
In the end, his true wish was just Lea and Rian? Rowen figured becoming an angel meant vast mana. Not that he needed it now. Warm, cozy sensation enveloped his skin. Crackle, crackle. Pleasant sounds from the eternally burning flames in the hearth. Time still felt frozen here.
"...No one's been here."
Since Miyabi, Karin, Lucius, and Cain left. Spotless living room and bedrooms. Rowen smirked at the massive photo on the wall. Nostalgic to see their old selves.
"Mio's changed a lot too."
More beautiful? Matured? Nah... just prettier. Someone dwelled deep in his heart. Arahan. That's why he ignored Mio's feelings.
"Damn. Makes me feel like total trash."
[You're trash, alright. Rowen.]
"Shut up. Valenos."
[Just take both from the start. Problem solved.]
"That make any fucking sense?"
[Lianod humans allow polygamy. Cultural difference, that's all.]
"Hmph..."
Valenos's voice echoed in his mind. Teasing, pounding his chest in frustration.
"That's not the point right now."
[No. It is important. Crucial for growing my lineage.]
"...Sigh."
[A great mage's genes plus Arahan's, mixed with yours—imagine the warrior—]
"Aaaagh! Shut it!"
[...What the fuck? Finally lost your mind?!]
"Aaaaaagh!"
Rowen clutched his head, shaking it. Clearing the cluttered thoughts. Valenos's whispers were devilish. They lingered.
—Just take both. Problem solved.
"Is that really it..."
[It is.]
"Get out. Please."
[If I do, I'll call my kids. You'd suffer inheriting all their spirits.]
"...You thug."
[Heh. I'll take it as a compliment.]
Rowen ignored him. Plop. He collapsed onto the bed. Soft, enveloping warmth. Just instinct, and Arahan appeared in his mind. Last time in this room, they'd been together. Made his head spin more. So much to resolve, now tangled in relationships. He needed to stay cold. Why was his mind such a mess?
"Help me out, ancestors."
No voices answered. Like they expected him to figure it out. Rowen draped his right arm over his forehead, staring at the ceiling. Stars everywhere—cute, must be Mio's doing.
'Yuria's star magic from Mio's influence?'
Two years since Yuria said she'd stay at the Magic Tower for her own magic research. Whatever Mio told her soured her mood. Whatever—fleeting connection. Both long-lived; they'd meet again. Staring at the ceiling dredged up old voices. Abel and Mio.
—"Abel, I'll decorate it so you won't feel lonely!"
—"When everyone's back, we'll live happily here."
—"Don't leave your friend so alone..."
"Driving me insane..."
Past traces clung even after a millennium, emotions twisting in a chaotic symphony. What mattered was what do I want?
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be agonizing."
Really... gonna lose it.
"...Young master!"
No perfect answers from brooding, so he left Albrin Forest for Valenos Castle. Arahan ran to him like she'd been waiting. Unlike before, her hair wasn't tied back. Black strands flowed softly to her waist. Now he saw it—Sirayunsul and Arahan looked alike. No blood tie, but that outward vibe. Hairstyle and love of teasing confirmed it. Kids do take after parents.
"Where have you been...?"
Before Rowen could refuse, she pressed in, hugging tight. ...Very soft. Arahan looked unstable. Rowen was flustered. Her eyes were darkly sunken. Her obsession with him showing through. He flinched. She always used loneliness as an excuse for bed after this. But not today. Head a mess, and guests from Kalia Rune. Sirayunsul lurked behind her. Looking... seriously pissed. Like a mischievous sister catching her sibling's romance. Irritating expression. Rowen peeled Arahan off, even with Sirayunsul watching. He'd have anyway—knew her habit of clinging once hugged.
"...Young master?"
"Ah. It's..."
"Pushing me away? Vanishing without a word... Now even I..."
"Not that. Relax, okay?"
He tried soothing. Same old routine. Out of sight even briefly, and anxious eyes. Probably feared abandonment. Sirayunsul had told him—Arahan was abandoned as a kid. That memory twisting her?
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Relax. Okay?"
Still doubtful, Arahan gazed up anxiously. Rowen now towered over her. Fully adult now. Face still youthful. Rowen shot Sirayunsul a save me look. Arahan caught it. Glare. A killer glint. Woman was woman, even her foster mom. All women nearing Rowen were the same. But she was wrong—Sirayunsul was fully Team Arahan. No siding with some guy over her foster daughter. Duty to back her own.
Sirayunsul returned a faint smile and walked off.
"Hey!"
"Why the yelling and bullshit?"
"...Help."
"Call me sis, and maybe."
Grind. Rowen gnashed his teeth. ...Ego lost.
"Tch."
"Why the tongue-click?!"
"One 'sis' wouldn't kill you."
"Why obsess over 'sis'? It's just a word."
"Why not say that simple 'word'? It's just a word."
"...Just go."
"Was gonna. Look at that glare. Thinks you're her mom-killer."
"Haha..."
Sirayunsul pitied him but kept walking.
"Heh heh..."
"Arahan, let's rest today."
"Yes."
"Got a lot on my mind tod—huh?"
Arahan agreed. First time. Why? Thoughts raced. But her next words shattered the relief.
"Rest as much as you like."
"F-For real?"
"Yes. But..."
But?
"Rest in my arms tonight."
"Goddamn it."
"Heh heh. So thrilled? I don't know how to respond."
"Wanna sleep alone today."
"...Leaving me behind again?"
Fuck. Rowen felt madness creeping. He didn't hate it. Just wanted to sort his thoughts. But sharing the night...
"Heh heh. Shall we head back to the castle then?"
"...Yeah."
His neutral heart might just tip toward Arahan.