[Few Days ago]
Snow ran across the vast living room with quick and light steps, her soft laughter echoing through the open space as she chased after Eva, who floated just ahead of her, slipping away every time Snow got close, sometimes rising higher into the air and sometimes drifting sideways at the last moment, making the chase feel endless as the two moved freely through the wide room that stretched far beyond what a normal space should allow.
The living room itself carried a warm and calm presence, soft golden lighting spreading evenly from above while the smooth floor reflected faint shadows of their movement, and along the distant walls, multiple doors stood quietly closed, each leading to a different section of the expanded shop, making the entire place feel deep and boundless, leaving more than enough space for Snow to run without ever feeling restricted.
"Hey... wait... no fair...!!" Snow laughed as she rushed forward, her hand stretching out as she nearly caught Eva before missing by the smallest margin.
Eva turned mid air with an easy spin, her laughter clear and unrestrained, "You almost had me... almost, but not really."
Snow let out a small huff, but the smile on her face did not fade as she turned quickly and ran again, her steps were fast as she tried to cut off Eva’s path instead of chasing directly this time. Her movement were supernatural, one which no one would expect from someone so young looking like her. And it was normal after all, she was at Mythical rank.
But for now she was restraining her abilities to not ruin the fun of their play time.
"Stay still for a second...!!"
"Why would I do that...?" Eva replied without missing a beat, drifting backward just enough to stay out of reach while keeping her playful tone, "That is literally the only thing I am not supposed to do."
Snow jumped this time, reaching higher with more force, her fingers brushing through the space where Eva had just been a moment ago.
"ELDER SISTER EVAAAAA...!!"
That only made Eva laugh louder as she floated further across the room, moving past one of the distant doors and then circling back again, her projection gliding smoothly as if the entire place belonged to her.
"Come on, you are getting slower now... what happened...?"
"I am not slow...!!"
Snow immediately sped up again, her steps quick and steady as she chased her without hesitation, her laughter mixing with Eva’s as the two moved across the wide space, their movements filling the otherwise quiet room with a lively and carefree energy that made the place feel far more alive.
From the couch placed at a distance, Ash watched them quietly, his gaze following their movement without interruption as he leaned back slightly.
For a while, he said nothing.
Just watched.
But then his eyes narrowed ever so slightly as that lingering thought returned once again.
It had already been days since Snow had awakened and yet, she had not mentioned anything about ’it’.
That silence had started to bother him. Even if she was unsuccessful in getting the Rune, he wanted to know atleast what had happened.
His gaze followed her as she ran past another section of the room, and finally, he spoke.
"Snow, were you able to get the Sacred artifact of the Mermaids..??!!"
Snow stopped mid step, her movement slowing naturally as she turned toward him, her breathing slightly uneven from running and with a wide smile on her cute face.
Eva also slowed down, her projection hovering near Snow.
And for a brief moment, the entire living room fell quiet.
Snow blinked once after hearing his question, her expression pausing for a brief moment as if the words had just reached somewhere in her mind, and then suddenly her eyes widened as realization hit her.
"Ah...!!"
She lifted her hand and lightly patted her head, sticking her tongue out in a small playful gesture.
"I forgot..."
Before either Ash or Eva could react, she raised her hand slightly, and the space in front of her rippled
And in the very next moment, a trident appeared in her grasp as if it had always been there, and the instant it manifested, a soft yet overwhelming light spread outward in a smooth wave, filling the entire living room without resistance as the wide floor, the distant walls, and even the closed doors along the far edges of the space were all washed in a calm blend of azure and gold.
The air changed along with it, growing heavier and denser as if the gravity has increased many folds.
The trident itself was large than Snow’s height, yet it rested in her small hand without any sign of weight, its body formed from a deep azure metal that seemed to shift faintly under the light like a calm ocean held in shape, while intricate golden patterns flowed across its surface in fine lines that glowed steadily, spreading from the base all the way to the three sharp prongs at the top that gleamed with a cold and absolute brilliance.
Eva froze where she floated, her earlier smile widening even more as her gaze locked onto the trident without blinking, a quiet anticipation building within her as if she was waiting to see what would happen next.
Ash slowly stood up and walked towards Snow with steady steps, his posture calm and controlled, though his mind was clearly focused on something else entirely.
How did Snow summon the Trident?
After all, the Trident had a Rune fused with it, and Runes could not be stored in any normal storage artifacts, which made its sudden appearance even more unusual. And with his Status Window gone, he was no longer able to keep track of all the different abilities that Snow might have developed, which made the situation even more unclear to him.
Thus, he used his Eye of Omniscience, focusing directly on Snow to check if there was some special ability she possessed that could explain this.
At the same time, his gaze shifted toward the Trident as well, he wanted to see its details too.
Then, as if seeing something invisible to everyone else, Ash smiled slightly, the answer becoming clear to him as he stopped right in front of Snow and gently patted her head, his touch carrying a quiet sense of reassurance.
Without saying anything further, he took the Trident from Snow, and the moment it left her grasp, it dissolved into a stream of light, breaking apart smoothly before disappearing into his Soul Space.
And like that Ash acquired the Last Rune that was present in Akumia.
The heavy pressure that had filled the room vanished along with it, and the air gradually returned to normal.
Ash lifted Snow into his arms with ease and kissed both her cheeks before lightly pressing them between his fingers, playing with her soft chubby cheeks in a way that carried a quiet affection that did not need to be spoken.
Snow let out a small burst of laughter, her earlier excitement returning naturally as she looked at him.
"You did well, little one. I am so proud of you that you accomplished such a dangerous task all by yourself, it must have been tough on you. I was really guilty, leaving such a task for you all by yourself, but you did not disappoint me, so I will reward you. Tell me what do you want, you can ask for anything, I will give it to you," he said, his voice calm and warm, his hand still resting over her head as his thumb moved lightly as if to comfort her without making it obvious.
Even Evangeline watched from the side with a soft smile, her projection floating quietly as her eyes rested on Snow with a hint of curiosity, wanting to see what she would ask for after everything.
Snow blinked at him, clearly not expecting that question so suddenly, her expression turning a little uncertain as she processed his words.
"I can ask for...anything?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a small hesitation as her eyes met his for a brief moment.
Ash gave a small nod without hesitation.
"Anything."
Snow went quiet after that.
Her fingers slowly came together in front of her as she fidgeted lightly, her gaze dropping for a moment before lifting again, then shifting away as if she was unsure how to say it, her body language showing a rare hint of hesitation that did not match her usual self.
"I..." she hesitated, then glanced at him again, "...can I..."
She paused once more, her small frame shifting slightly as she gathered her thoughts, her fingers tightening just a little.
"...stay with you always? I don’t want to stay away from papa."
Ash’s heart melted hearing that, the feeling rising within him in a way that felt almost unreal, as if a soft wind had passed through him carrying warmth along with it, his gaze resting on Snow’s small and slightly hesitant face as something deep inside him loosened, his eyes felt wet just a little, though he held it back.
Ash pulled Snow into a tight embrace and held her close, his hand gently pressing against the back of her head as he muttered, "Don’t worry, from now on you and I will always stay together, I won’t leave you alone like last time," his voice low and steady, but carrying a weight that made those words feel like a promise rather than comfort.
Snow laughed happily hearing that, her earlier hesitation gone as she wrapped her small arms around him without holding back, "I love you papaa!!!!!!"
"I love you too, little one," Ash muttered softly, his voice quieter now as he held her just a little tighter.
But beneath that warmth, something else stirred within him.
A sharp and persistent guilt that refused to fade.
What was I even thinking sending Snow alone? I was so reckless, greedy and blinded that I left a child on her own. Damn it... how can I be so short sighted...
The thought repeated in his mind like a loop, heavier with each thought, as he held her, his fingers tightening slightly without him realizing it.
He continued to berate himself, his thoughts growing harsher with each passing second, though he failed to notice one simple truth, that at that time he had not been in his right state of mind, and yet he still chose to place all the blame on himself without holding back.
But alas, that state of mind was also his fault one way or another, according to him.
After a few moments, he slowly eased his hold on her, though his hand remained over her head, his fingers moving lightly as if grounding himself.
Then his expression shifted slightly, the warmth still there but now mixed with a quiet seriousness as he looked at her again.
"Snow, do you mind telling me all the difficulties you faced? I can’t just let that slide, so tell me if someone bullied you, I will make sure to bully them in return," he said, his tone calm, but carrying a hidden coldness.
****