"Maybe this is why…" Alex said in a tone filled with conviction.
"Are you sure, son?" Sarah asked in a worried tone. "That is a big burden to bear."
"I know, Ma." Alex sighed. "But if we are to survive this madness, then it is only right that I use the gift I was given. This is our universe and if I don't fight for it, who will?"
Of course, he didn't mean to belittle the efforts of everyone else. But he was the only one with the ability to traverse the veil tears and storms.
Sarah looked at her husband and William returned her gaze. They understood their son enough to know he was serious. Then again, holding him back isn't possible as Alex was no longer a little boy.
He came back from who knows where in the universe, and that was only possible because he went missing and was given the chance to grow into the man he was today.
"Very well, son." William said, feeling proud of the words his son spoke. "It takes a man to claim responsibility like that."
"Yeah." Ross chimed in with a smile. "And I'll be with you all the way."
"Count me in!" Aaron added as well. He stood on his feet and clenched his fists with determination and resolve in his eyes.
Alex couldn't help but feel happy to have such a family. "Thanks, everyone. Your support means a lot to me."
"Of course," Olivia replied. "We're your family. If we don't do it, who will?" She quoted his words, making everyone chuckle.
"So, what now?" William went to the heart of the question. "You obviously can't go back to the academy."
Alex pondered on his father's question. He had many things he wanted to do before going back to fighting. He had been away for too long and wanted to spend time with his family.
He looked down at Julia. "Well, I have to get Julia home first." He got up with Julia in a princess carry. Somehow, she managed to cling to Alex and refused to let go even in her sleep. That was how much she missed him.
"She is finally letting go of the burden she had been carrying all this while." Turning to Ross, he suggested. "Maybe you should rest as well."
Ross sighed and got up as well. "Maybe… But I am not in the mood to sleep." Ross shook his head. "I'm coming with you, man."
"Sure, why not." Alex chuckled and then looked at his brother. "You wanna come?" His question surprised him a bit.
"Huh?" Aaron tilted his head in puzzlement. "Aren't you going to Mars?"
"Yeah. And I figured since you were at the academy, we could go together." Alex replied with a shrug.
"Well, I kinda took a break from the academy once I heard you were coming," Aaron said. "Also, I want to spend some time with you." The last part came out low, but Alex caught it just fine.
"Of course, bro." Alex would have liked to rub his head, but his hands were full. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
With those words Alex turned and faced the direction of Mars, his gaze piercing the obstacles and finding the place he wished to go.
His family watched on curiously as Alex stood there. "Uh... what are you doing?" William voiced the question on everyone's lips.
"This," Alex replied. He gestured ahead with his head and under the shocked gazes of everyone, a tear appeared in space as it morphed into a rectangular frame—a door to be precise.
On the other side was the grand mansion of the Knight household. Alex had just connected two points in space like it was nothing.
"What the…" Ross muttered with wide eyes, and he wasn't the only one. Everyone got to their feet as they stared at the door and the other side in disbelief.
"Did you just…" Olivia stuttered, unable to complete her words. She was too shocked to say anything.
But what did she expect? Her brother returned home by himself and this was what shocked her.
"It's easy actually," Alex replied. "Once you understand the basis of space magic, you can literally go anywhere."
"You speak as though we all have space magic." Ross shook his head. "It's honestly frightening that you can absorb the abilities of void creatures."
"Yeah," Alex chuckled. "Let's go."
The two friends stepped through the space door and emerged on the other side. Alex turned around to his family and said, "When I return, we'll go out for fun."
His family nodded as they watched Alex with pride while the portal closed behind them. The living room turned silent for a moment before Olivia broke the silence.
"Can't believe my brother returned as an overpowered monster." Her comment, however, puzzled her mother.
"What do you mean?" Sarah was not familiar with such a term and hearing her daughter call her brother a monster didn't sit right with her.
Her frown made Olivia realize her blunder. "Ah, sorry Mom. What I meant was that Alex has become really powerful and I doubt there is anyone out there who can fight him,"
"Oh, okay." Sarah nodded but was still not entirely convinced. William laughed at his wife's expression, and this time the laugh was genuine and heartfelt. A great burden had been lifted off his shoulder and everyone could tell.
William was happy.
"Don't worry too much," William assured. "It's a term the kids use to describe how monstrously strong someone is."
"Hmm. If you say so…"
The family continued to converse, with hearts filled with joy and relief from their burdens. It's been a while since they were this happy.
Meanwhile, Alex and Ross were almost surrounded as soon as their presence was felt.
However, before the guards could do anything to interrupt Alex's last message, they felt themselves frozen in place and unable to move.
It was not an attack as they felt no discomfort. But they couldn't do anything either. The thought of who could do such a thing sacred them until the person revealed himself.
"Relax… It's just me and I'm here with Julia." Alex said and released the guards as if he hadn't just stopped hundreds of powerful hunters like it was nothing.