2025-11-01 06:04:29
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A whole World Awaits
The world did not notice when Evilside slept.The winds still crossed the Norm Lands, merchants still argued in Bron’s markets, and the sea still roared against its cliffs as though nothing ancient had withdrawn its gaze. Yet those who were born of roots, blood, moonlight, and old fire felt it, a subtle thinning, like a breath held too long.Heartless stood alone long after the roots had gone still.Without Evilside’s voice, the air felt heavier, quieter. Responsibility settled on her shoulders not as a crown, but as a shroud. She turned from the great tree at last, robes whispering against stone, already sorting through reports in her mind; monsters in the high seas. Gods whispering bargains. Kings pretending to be saviors. Love tangling itself into politics as it always did.You can handle everything, her mother had said.Heartless intended to prove her right.Far from Doomsany, the sea darkened.The harbor of Bron faded behind Snake and Dragon as Tide Liroid guided their vessel int
Final Call
Evilside’s roots carried reports from every corner of the world. As the old saying goes, Evilside knows all.At last, the ancient presence spoke.“I will need to sleep,” she said, her voice echoing through bark and bone. “For a few hundred years.”Heartless stiffened. “We will need you.”A low, knowing warmth passed through the roots. “I trust you, my child. You can carry this world. And you have Irinrod beside you.”Heartless allowed herself a small smile. “And Darkside. Death. Moon. Blood.”“All the Elders may guide you,” Evilside replied, her tone fading into something distant and vast. “But I will wake only when it truly matters.”Heartless stepped closer. “I will miss your counsel, Mother.”The great tree seemed to smile, its roots slowly recoiling, withdrawing into the depths.“So will I, Hakaya. My pride.”Heartless placed her hand against the ancient bark, lifting her gaze to the towering branches above.“Until another time, Mother.”The chamber dimmed as Evilside withdrew int
And so...
The wind shifted again, soft at first, then sharp enough to make the leaves hiss.Scream was the first to look up. “That wasn’t natural.”Glass followed her gaze. The light between the branches dimmed, roots along the garden walls tightening as if the estate itself had drawn a breath. “No,” she said quietly. “That was awareness.”Pattern rose to his feet at once. “Evilside?”Snake nodded. “Not directly. But she felt us gathering strength. She always does.”Dragon folded the maps and slid them into his coat. “Then we don’t linger.”As if summoned by the words, Lake approached from the far path, his silver hair catching the fading sun. “Father,” he said, calm but alert, “the wards on the eastern ridge just flexed. Nothing breached them, but something tested them.”Pattern’s jaw tightened. “That confirms it.”Glass touched Lake’s cheek briefly. “Go find your sisters. Keep them close.”Lake bowed his head. “Already done.”Cir exhaled slowly. “The veil really is thinning, isn’t it?”Scream
Revelations
They settled in the garden as dusk stretched long shadows across the stone paths. Wind bells chimed softly, and the scent of night-blooming roots drifted through the air.Scream broke the silence first. “Dark said you hurt her.”Cir sighed, folding his hands. “And by that, she means you told her a truth she didn’t want to hear.”Snake didn’t flinch. “She gave me no choice.”Scream nodded slowly. “I understand. She still lacks respect for the Goddess… and the elders.”“Beroot says it’s fine,” Dragon added, “but Dark keeps that wall up.”“In this family,” Dragon continued, voice firm, “Irinrod has the right to question everything even when she’s wrong. But this time…” He exhaled. “I believe it will end well.”Pattern inclined his head. “I hope so.”Scream turned to him, her eyes soft behind the veil. “Thank you, Pattern, for offering us refuge. I needed it. Helping Dark rule Doomsany is exhausting.” Her gaze drifted to Game. “And I lost time with my baby. She’s grown so close to her fat
Thinking Again
The next morning unfolded quietly, the estate softened by birdsong and drifting petals. The children had scattered early: Mist to the city with Bran, Core to sparring practice, Echo chasing servants with laughter, and Lake already deep in study.Glass walked the gardens with Snake, fingers brushing the leaves as though committing the moment to memory. Sunlight filtered through the high vines, casting patterns over the stone paths.“How are you today?” Snake asked at last.Glass smiled, slow and genuine. “Better than I imagined I would be.”Snake nodded. “Pattern doesn’t let a problem sleep. He prefers to wrestle it into submission.”She laughed softly. “That he does. Always his way, but somehow it works.”Snake glanced at her. “I’m glad you’re happy, Glass. After everything you went through with Mother… you deserve peace.”Glass exhaled, the sound carrying old weight. “I’ve grown out of it. I can’t be in the same room with her, not yet, but I’ve learned how to breathe around the absen
Wills and Woes
Dragon and Snake rode into Bron at dusk, the city’s lanterns already glowing like fallen stars. It was the letters, Glass’s letters, that had drawn them here, each one threaded with worry she tried too hard to hide.The moment Snake dismounted, Glass was already running.She crashed into his arms without ceremony, fingers clutching his cloak as if she might never let go again. Snake froze for half a breath, then wrapped her up tightly, resting his chin against her hair.Pattern, watching from the wide staircase, shook his head fondly. “Sometimes,” he said, “I forget she’s your baby sister.”Snake didn’t look up. “Remember it always.”Glass laughed into his chest, muffled and bright.That was when the children spotted him.“Uncle Snake!”They came like a storm, Lake first, then Core and Echo, then Mist, all of them colliding into him at once. Someone tripped, someone laughed, and Snake very nearly went down under the weight of Liroid affection.Dragon clapped once, grinning. “Now that
