The Throne Hall of Black Light was quiet.
Not empty—never empty—but still.
The twelve dominions hummed in perfect accord, their vastness folded neatly into the palace's colossal arches and shadow-lit pillars. Ashura sat upon the throne, one arm resting along its edge, gaze distant—not weary, but contemplative.
Then—
Something small slipped through infinity.
A soft weight landed on his lap.
Ashura blinked.
A tiny hand gripped the front of his coat. Another pattered against his chest, clumsy and warm. Before he could even react, a familiar presence wriggled upward, crawling with unsteady determination.
"Da… da."
Ashura froze.
Then he laughed—quiet at first, disbelieving—and looked down.
Serenity Bellet beamed up at him, silver hair catching the dim radiance of Black Light, one crimson eye bright with mischief, the other blue and curious. She planted both hands on his chest and leaned forward as if the Throne Hall itself were nothing more than a couch at home.
"Dada," she said again, triumphant.
Ashura's expression broke completely.
"Well," he murmured, lifting her effortlessly into his arms, "look at you."
He raised her slightly, smiling wide. "Good girl. You got that right."
Serenity squealed, a soft peal of laughter echoing through dominions older than time. The Black Light responded—not surging, not flaring—but warming, as if the throne itself approved.
Ashura held her close, resting his forehead briefly against hers.
"You crawled through existence just to find me," he said gently. "That's my girl."
Without another word, he opened a portal.
Not with authority.
Not with command.
Just intent.
Black Light folded inward, revealing a familiar place—
Earth.
His mansion.
Home.
Ashura stepped through, Serenity still in his arms.
Lysera looked up from the room she was in, her senses flaring the instant he arrived. She didn't reach for a weapon. Didn't tense.
She smiled.
"It seems," she said softly, "she found her father."
Ashura chuckled and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Lysera's lips—warm, unhurried. "I guess she found me, babe."
Lysera had changed.
Not just as a mother—but as a being.
Power moved through her with quiet confidence now, refined and deep. The Deynar bloodline had awakened fully within her, woven together with Ashura's presence and the children she carried and bore. On Earth, few could stand against her now.
And she knew it.
That was why she hadn't panicked.
Not when Serenity vanished.
Because she had felt it.
"I knew she'd find you," Lysera said, brushing a hand along Serenity's back. "A few nights ago… I was dreaming. But I was aware. And she was there too—curled up with me. In the dream and here. Feeding, sleeping, safe."
Ashura laughed, rich and genuine.
"That's my children for you."
He glanced across the room.
Luciferus lay sprawled in a small bed nearby, white hair tousled, tiny chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. Ashura stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"Son."
Luciferus stirred.
Crimson eyes cracked open.
"…da."
Ashura's heart tightened.
Luciferus pushed himself up, clumsy and determined, then crawled straight toward him. Ashura scooped him up with his free arm, holding both children now—one on each side.
"Hey, little guys," Ashura said softly. "You miss papa?"
Serenity giggled.
Luciferus patted his chest.
Lysera crossed her arms and turned her head with an exaggerated huff. "I missed him too, you know."
Ashura raised a brow, amused. "Did you now?"
She didn't answer—just glanced away.
Ashura stepped closer, careful not to wake Luciferus fully, and leaned down. "Come on, babe. I'll spend the night with you. Don't worry."
Lysera looked at him then, eyes softer.
"Promise?"
Ashura smiled—that calm, unshakable smile that had terrified gods and soothed worlds.
"Promise," he said. "When have I ever gone back on my word?"
She smiled back.
Outside, the night was quiet.
Inside, for just a while—
The Eternal One stayed home.