The door creaked shut behind them.
Click.
Silence followed deep, still, and oddly comforting.
Jack, James, and Emma stood just beyond the threshold, shadows dancing across their worn faces as the soft glow of the hallway lights welcomed them home. Behind them, Sofia and Ava stepped in, their breaths still shaky, their hearts beating fast like war drums echoing the battlefield they had all left behind.
Inside, the house felt untouched as if time itself had paused to wait for their return. No howling beasts. No blood-soaked ground. Just warmth, and the fragile peace of home.
Thud, thud, thud…
Their boots hit the wooden floor with heavy steps. Relief was starting to settle in… but so was the weight of everything they'd endured.
Minutes later, one by one, they washed off the dried blood and dust of war. The water hissed as it touched torn skin, steam rising like breath from tired warriors. The scent of soap, mint herbs, and clean linen replaced the stink of beast guts and scorched earth.
Splash… hiss…
The battlefield was gone.
But its scars lingered.
They soon gathered in the living room, bathed in golden lamplight. A gentle fire crackled in the hearth.
Jack, James, and Emma sat together, their bodies clean but their hearts still heavy. Then, with quiet voices, they began to recount what had happened.
The words came slowly at first. The 1-Star beasts that came in waves. The relentless charge of the 2-Star monsters. The shouts. The roars. The blood.
Then came the 3-Star Peak Stage beasts.
The room tensed.
They spoke of Ironfang's sacrifice, James's loyal companion, and how he roared defiance until the very end.
Emma's voice faltered as she recalled the impact that knocked her back.
Jack described the sound when Ironfang was struck, bones shattering, the earth trembling.
And then... dust.
Only a beast core left behind.
A hush fell over the room. The fire whispered. The magic clock ticked loudly, unnervingly.
Tock… tock… tock…
Sofia's voice was barely a whisper.
"So Ironfang died… So I won't ever see him again?"
Her arms wrapped around her legs. Her tiny frame trembled, as memories of riding Ironfang and playing with him in the backyard flooded her mind, his warmth, his gentle growls, his strength.
James looked at her, unsure.
"I thought he was gone," he said quietly. "But… something's wrong. I can still feel him. The bond between us it's faint, but it's there. And... his core vanished from my hand when woke up from unconscious."
"Then Jack said maybe Ironfang still alive"
Everyone turned to Ava.
She closed her eyes, searching inward. When she finally spoke, her voice was firm.
"If the bond hasn't severed… then Ironfang isn't dead. When a beast dies, the connection snaps clean. If yours remains… he's somewhere else. Maybe he recovering from injures. Maybe…he was healing."
A flicker of hope returned to their eyes.
Jack remained silent. He already knew. Ironfang was in Beast Space, a secret dimension within the Sea of Knowledge. A place that only a true Beast Tamer could access.
He could teach his father the Ancient Taming Technique.
But that would mean revealing Sora. And the mysterious entity that taught him everything. Secrets he wasn't ready to speak aloud.
So he kept quiet.
Suddenly
Ava's voice rang out, snapping him back. "So tell me… how did you all survive when you losing side
?"
Emma looked over, her voice low. "When I was going to unconscious… the last thing I saw was Jack still standing."
All eyes turned to Jack.
He exhaled slowly.
"When the 3-Star Peak beast used his powerfull skill… Everyone collapsed. But I saw Ironfang fall. Dad almost died, and went unconscious. Mom is bleeding out. Something inside me…"
CRACK!
"…something inside me snapped, and rage took over."
His voice dropped an octave, quiet but intense.
"Then I broke through. Right then and there. Advanced into the 3rd Star."
"Their skill couldn't affect me anymore after I Breakthrough to 3rd Early Ascendant stage. I was… the last one standing."
A beat passed.
"I used everything I had. All my strength. My will. I killed them all."
BANG!
A log popped in the fireplace, scattering sparks.
He didn't mention the Devourer Blessing because of that he Breakthrough it's one of his secret. Or the power that surged through his veins. Or about Sora and her mysterious Master.
Some truths weren't meant to be shared yet.
The room fell silent again, heavy with awe and disbelief. Ava studied him, but said nothing more. She knew he was hiding something but also knew now wasn't the time ask.
The fire crackled in chimni. The shadows on the wall swayed gently.
And outside…
Wooooosh…
The cold night wind brushed against the windows, but inside… there was warmth. Safety. The fragile breath between one battle and whatever waited next.
Jack sat quietly, watching the fire.
----
"Big Sister Ava! You promised that once Big Brother, Mom, and Dad come back… we'll celebrate!"
Sofia's voice rang like a bell through the quiet house, full of childlike joy and excitement.
Emma turned with a gentle smile and stood up, her voice warm and full of life. "You're right, sweetheart. A promise is a promise."
She clapped her hands lightly. Clap! Clap!
"Alright then celebration tonight! You two, go get cleaned up. We've got a feast to prepare!"
"Yayyyy!!" Sofia bounced in place, arms high in the air, her joy contagious.
Jack and James exchanged amused glances before heading off to their rooms. The sound of water rushing soon echoed faintly from the hallways.
Whoosh… splash…
Meanwhile, Ava and Sofia followed Emma into the kitchen. Pots clanked. Flames danced under pans. The scent of sizzling beast meat blended with the earthy aroma of roasted wild herbs and spice berries.
Crackle! Sizzle! Clang!
The house came alive with warmth.
By 10 PM, the twin moons rose high in the night sky darkness, glowing like silver guardians above the world. Outside, the cold wind whispered through the trees
Whoosh… rustle…
But inside, laughter and golden firelight wrapped the home like a soft blanket.
At exactly 11 PM…
Ding!
The wall magic clock struck.
The long dining table was set. Dishes were steamed. Cups shimmered. The glow of candles flickered gently as if dancing to a silent melody.
The Wilson family, along with Ava, gathered around the table, eyes lit with contentment. They raised their glasses high, some filled with aged wine, others with sparkling special-fruit juice.
Emma's voice rang first, filled with strength and gratitude. "To our victory."
James lifted his glass with pride. "To our safe return."
Jack's voice was quieter, but deep and firm."To family."
Sofia grinned wide, holding her juice with both hands. "To the best celebration ever!!"
Clink! Clink! Clink!
The sounds of glass touching glass echoed like tiny bells of triumph.
Laughter exploded around the table. Ha ha ha!
The feast began. Roasted beast ribs fell off the bone. Spiced stew warmed the soul. Sizzling skewers, crispy bread, and rare Samsara wine brought by Ava herself added a hint of exotic luxury to the night.
James, Emma, and Ava drank slowly, savoring the aged crimson wine crafted by the finest winemaker of the Samsara World.
Glug… sigh…
Meanwhile, Jack and Sofia sipped their fizzy juice, chewing with full cheeks and bright eyes. Jack passed her more skewers, and she offered him a bite of her honey-glazed meatballs.
The world outside was cold, distant, quiet.
But inside, life pulsed like a drum.
Ava smiled with every toast, every bite… but her gaze often drifted back to Jack.
There was something about him. He somehow change after he returned from beast tide battle. And he became mysterious.
And buried beneath that calm face…something darker stirred.
She didn't know what it was. She didn't know what he had gained.
But one day she would find out.
-----
To Be Continued…!!