The mountain refuge beneath the Emberfall ranges shimmered with quiet life. Formations pulsed gently across the stone walls, casting soft glows over the carved chambers and healing pools. It was a place built for survival—but today, it felt like home.
Jalen arrived at the entrance with Jaquan and Jael in tow. His robes were still torn from battle, his aura subdued, but his eyes held warmth. The moment they stepped into the inner sanctum, familiar voices stirred.
Lara stood near the central chamber, her aura steady, her skin no longer pale. She had awakened.
When she saw Jaquan, her breath caught. Her eyes widened, and without hesitation, she rushed forward, arms outstretched.
"My love, you're safe!"
He barely had time to brace before she collided with him, wrapping him in a fierce embrace. Her lips found his cheek, then his mouth, and for a moment, the world faded. They held each other like survivors of a storm—clinging to the one thing that hadn't been lost.
Jalen watched quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Then Lara turned to him, eyes misty. "Jalen, my son."
He stepped forward, and she pulled him into a hug. It was softer, but no less meaningful.
"Thank you for bringing him back safely," she whispered.
Jalen nodded. "I'm glad you're awake, Mom."
Her gaze drifted to the floating boy beside him—Jael, hovering with quiet curiosity.
"And who's this little one?" she asked.
Jalen placed a hand on Jael's shoulder. "This is Jael. My son. Your grandson."
Lara didn't blink. She simply smiled and opened her arms. Jael hesitated, then floated into her embrace. She held him gently, brushing his hair back.
"You're even more beautiful than my father says, Grandma," Jael giggled.
"You're this young, and you already know how to sweet-talk women." Lara chuckled. "And you are as handsome and strong as your dad."
Her smile softened, but her eyes sharpened. She could feel it—an ancient chill beneath the boy's warmth. Powers beyond her own stirred quietly in him, like a glacier hiding beneath a calm lake.
"You will definitely break many hearts when you grow up."
But not everyone was pleased.
From behind Lara, a flicker of lightning surged. Jared, now fully restored to his peak Diamond Realm, hovered with narrowed eyes. His aura crackled with tension.
A bolt of lightning shot forward—aimed at Jael.
Jaquan moved instantly. His hand sliced through the air, dispersing the bolt before it could reach its target. Not that it would have harmed Jael, who was two realms higher than he was.
"Jared!" he barked.
Jared flinched, eyes wide.
"What do I tell you about attacking people unprovoked?" Jaquan asked.
"That I shouldn't," Jared mumbled, "But he's hogging my mommy, and I don't like it."
Jared's fists clenched. He didn't understand why it hurt so much—only that it did. First, he had two new brothers who took up all the attention from his mommy and daddy. And now this strange kid, who clung to his big brother like a shadow, was getting cuddles from his mommy. And he didn't like it. Not one bit.
"He is family," Jaquan said firmly. "We don't attack family."
Jael's eyes glowed faintly. He raised a hand, frost qi gathering at his fingertips. His expression was calm, but inside, he wondered: Why does my uncle hate me?
"Jael," Jalen said sharply.
The boy froze mid-motion.
"No retaliation. You heard your grandfather. We don't fight family."
Jael lowered his hand, looking like a child caught with his hands in the cookie jar. "I'm sorry, Father."
Jaquan turned back to Jared, who now looked down, ashamed.
"Apologize," he said.
Jared hesitated, then floated forward to Jael. "I'm sorry."
Jael tilted his head, studying the boy who had just tried to strike him. Then he smiled.
"It's no big deal, little uncle."
Jared blinked. Uncle? He didn't know what that meant exactly, but it sounded weird. And cool. And maybe... okay.
The tension broke for now. Lara exhaled, and Jaquan rubbed his temples.
__
The family spent the next few hours together. Jalen had now officially met the twins—Jamir and Jamar—nestled in spirit-thread cradles, their tiny forms wrapped in shimmering silk. Their breathing was soft, their auras faint but pure.
He leaned in, studying their delicate features. They looked so peaceful, so impossibly small. When he gently picked them up, both began to cry instantly, their tiny fists flailing as if rejecting the unfamiliar touch.
"Guess they don't like me yet," Jalen muttered, half amused, half stung.
Lara chuckled softly. "They'll come around. You're new to them—but you're theirs."
Meanwhile, Jared and Jael entered another spat—this time over Jalen's attention. Jared clung to his left arm like a determined koala. Jael floated onto his shoulder, regal and composed, but his eyes locked onto Jared with icy disdain.
They glared at each other, sparks and frost swirling in miniature storms.
Jalen sighed and raised both hands. "Alright, you two need a time-out."
Two soft pulses of qi enveloped them. Both boys yawned, then slumped into unconsciousness, floating gently to the ground like feathers caught in a breeze.
Lara and Jaquan exchanged awkward smiles.
"He's really a dad," Jaquan whispered, a mix of pride and disbelief in his voice.
___
The next day, Jalen brought out several treasures from the Mystic Ground. He handed his parents rare herbs, spirit stones, and formation scrolls—tools to aid their cultivation. Lara's eyes gleamed with gratitude. Jaquan nodded solemnly, already calculating how best to integrate the scrolls into their training.
Then Jalen took Jared to a quiet spot at the back of the mountain. Jeal was also hovering nearby.
Jalen retrieved the Ice Jade Sunflower he had found at the Ice Ridge—a radiant bloom pulsing with frost qi, its petals shimmering like frozen fire. The flower thrummed with ancient energy, delicate yet potent.
It took several hours to refine, channeling its essence into Jaylee's core with careful precision. Jalen's hands moved steadily, weaving qi threads with practiced grace.
As the process completed, Jared's aura surged. His frost qi expanded, shimmering with crystalline clarity. Signs of a breakthrough stirred—his body showing hints of wanting to ascend to the Enlightened Realm.
Jalen smiled faintly, a flicker of envy passing through him. He's just a baby... and already reaching heights I struggled for.
Jared, who eventually got tire mid process and fall asleep, twitched and mumbled something incoherent. A tiny puff of frost escaped his lips, curling like mist in the air.
Jalen took him to Lara who put Jared to bed. He then turned his focus to the twins, who are asleep.
Though they hadn't been born with extraordinary physiques or a high cultivation base like Jaylee, he refused to let that define them. They were his sons. That was enough.
He placed his hands over their tiny chests, channeling gentle pulses of spirit qi. Slowly, their dormant roots stirred. Threads of energy flickered. Then—awakened.
Jamir and Jamar's spirit roots activated, their cores stabilizing at early-stage Ruby Realm. The cradles shimmered faintly, responding to the shift in energy.
Jalen exhaled, sweat beading on his brow. "There. Now you have a path."
Lara watched silently, her heart full. Jaquan placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression unreadable—but his grip was firm, grounding.
In that moment, the family wasn't just reunited—they were reborn.
____
Later that evening, Jalen sat with Simon and Jana near the fire pit, sipping tea brewed from Emberfall petals. The flames crackled softly, casting warm light across their faces.
"How is Rana?" Jalen asked. He figured her parents had kept quiet about the attack on the Flare family—otherwise, the girl would've rushed back to the continent.
Simon leaned back, his gaze distant. "Rana's doing well. We received a letter from her a month ago. She found a top-tier sect in the Northern Sky Province."
Jana nodded. "She's a master's disciple now. They're grooming her for leadership."
Jalen's eyes softened. "She always was talented."
Jana smirked. "So… when are you going to marry her?"
Jalen blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You've already got one kid," Jana teased. "Might as well make it official with my daughter and add a few more."
Jalen rolled his eyes. "I've never seen someone so excited to give her daughter away."
Jana chuckled. "When that man is you—handsome and powerful—I'm sure plenty of mothers would line up their daughters."
Jalen stood, shaking his head with a smile. He handed them rare herbs, spirit stones, and spirit tools—gifts of gratitude. Then he bowed respectfully and took his leave.
Back at the veranda, Jaquan sat beside Lara, both gazing up at the stars.
"You're leaving again," Jaquan said.
Jalen nodded. "I have unfinished business on the Reigned Continent."
Lara stood and hugged him tightly. "Be safe."
"I will," Jalen said.
Jaquan rose and embraced him. "Be safe, my son," he repeated.
"I will," Jalen echoed.
He turned to Jael, who was still asleep, curled up beside Jaylee. For the first time since meeting the boy, Jalen felt a pang of separation. He walked over quietly, knelt, and pressed a kiss to Jael's forehead.
Jael stirred slightly, a smile forming on his lips.
Lara and Jaquan watched silently, hearts full.
Jalen stood, adjusted his cloak, and without another word, vanished into the night—heading back to the Reign Continent to finish what he started.