While Jalen was having his long‑awaited family moment with Rana, Raja, and Jala, elsewhere in the Flare Palace another reunion was unfolding. Calen walked the familiar corridors, his steps hesitant yet steady, guided by memory and longing. He had not seen his mother Cali in years, and though he had faced countless dangers in the Time Realm, nothing made his heart pound quite like the thought of standing before her again.
He reached her quarters. The door was carved from spirit‑infused cedar, etched with protective runes that glowed faintly in the lamplight. He raised his hand to knock, but before his knuckles touched the wood, the door swung open. Cali stood there, her eyes widening, her breath catching in her throat.
"Calen…" she whispered, and then she was upon him.
She squeezed him so tightly he thought his bones might crack. To her, he was still her little boy, the child she had last seen at thirteen. Now he was nearly nineteen—eighteen years and six months to be exact—taller, broader, his features sharpened by cultivation and hardship. Yet to Cali, none of that mattered. He was her son, her treasure, her miracle returned.
"My child, you're safe," she said, pulling back just enough to inspect him. Her hands cupped his face, her eyes scanning every line, every scar, every change. "You're as handsome as your father, and strong too. All the ladies must be swooning over you. Tell me, is there any special girl in your life?"
"Mom…" Calen blushed, his ears burning. "I'm focusing on my cultivation at the moment."
"That's good," she said with a teasing smile. "But marrying a girl and settling down is not a bad thing either."
Calen nodded reluctantly. "Alright, Mom."
She guided him inside, the chamber warm with the glow of spirit‑stone lamps. The walls were lined with shelves of scrolls and trinkets, reminders of her life as both mother and cultivator. They sat together on a cushioned bench, and Cali's eyes softened as she studied him.
"So tell me," she said, "how was your adventure?"
Calen hesitated. He did not want to worry her with tales of near‑death battles, of the horrors he had faced in the Time Realm. So he chose his words carefully, speaking of the challenges in broad strokes, of the friends he had met along the way—Tobias, Jeremiah, Joshua. He described their camaraderie, their shared struggles, the bonds forged in hardship.
But when he mentioned Ruth, Layla, Sania, and Mira, Cali's face lit up, and the teasing began.
"Wow, you have four female admirers?" she said, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"It's not like that, Mom," Calen tried to explain, but she was already carried away.
"Which one do you like the most?"
"I like them all. They're my friends," Calen answer was nonchalant.
"But who do you see yourself with?" she pressed.
Calen sighed, rubbing his temples. "Mira and Sania already have their significant other. But Layla and Ruth… they are both in love with me."
"So what's the issue?"
"They're both my friends. If I choose one, I might break the friendship."
"I understand," Cali said gently. "But you can't let that stop you from a chance at happiness. Just choose the one you truly like. If they're your friends, it will work out in the end. Whoever gets rejected will understand."
"That's the problem, Mom. I like both of them the same. If such a thing is even possible." He knew that wasn't true. There must always be something about a person that makes you prefer them over another. As the saying goes, you can't serve two masters—and in this case, you can't be in love with two people in the same way.
"Oh…" she said, blinking in surprise.
"Yeah." He sighed, pitying himself. "But I don't want to be that type of guy who plays with the hearts of two lovely young women. I want something like you and Dad had."
"That's good. But the heart wants what it wants," Cali said, her voice soft but firm. "You can't keep running away from it. Sooner or later you'll have to make a choice, or you'll lose them both."
Calen shifted uncomfortably. "Alright, let's change the topic, Mom." He didn't want to dwell on it. The thoughts frightened him—the idea of choosing between the two weighed heavily on his heart.
"I just can't believe how big you've gotten," Cali said, pinching his cheek with a playful grin. "Talking about girlfriends already."
"If you keep this up, Mom, I'll stop talking to you," Calen joked, though his smile betrayed his affection.
"Alright, I'll stop," she laughed, raising her hands in mock surrender. Then her expression grew tense. "By the way, I have something to tell you."
"I know you're pregnant, Mom," Calen said with a smile.
She looked at him, shocked at first, then remembered he's a strong cultivator now with a strong spirit sense—it wasn't so surprising. "You're not mad?"
"Dad has been gone for a long time. It's only sensible for you to move on." The mention of his father saddened them both. Then Calen feigned anger. "The only way I'd be angry is if some creep knocked you up and ran off."
"His name is Walford," Cali said softly. "He's a charming man. We married in private two months ago. I'm sorry you weren't there, but I just couldn't wait."
"I'm just happy you're happy, Mother. I can't wait to meet my little brother."
Cali's smile trembled as tears spilled down her cheeks. She pulled him into a tight embrace. "I was so worried about what you'd think of this. Thank you for being such a good son."
"Well, I have a good mother," Calen replied with a smile. When the hug ended, he added, "I also have a surprise for you."
"It's not a secret grandchild, is it?" Cali teased.
"Mom!" Calen groaned, his cheeks flushing.
"I'm sorry," she said, laughing softly.
"I have a disciple. His name is Vinh. I'll introduce you both later—he's resting from the long journey here."
"Alright," Cali replied warmly. "I'd like to introduce you to Walford too."
"Okay." Calen nodded. "Tell him he can come out of the shower."
"You heard him, dear," Cali said with an awkward smile. It was clear Calen had known from the start that Walford was here, despite her best efforts to keep it hidden.
Walford stepped out. And yes—this was the former bodyguard of Princess Jaya of the Wangchester royal family. After being dismissed by Jaya to leave with Jalen, he had remained in the Flare State, training to grow stronger. He later ventured into a Time Realm with others from the Flare State, including Cali, though they hadn't been close then. Through battles and trials, Cali rose to the peak of the Star Realm, while Walford reached the peak of the Sage Realm. Their bond was forged when Walford protected Cali from an Immortal Realm beast at the risk of his own life. Nursing him back to health brought them closer, and now they were husband and wife.
"So you're Calen. I'm Walford," he said, extending his hand. Calen clasped it firmly. "Your mom has told me a lot about you."
"I wish I could say the same." Calen scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Walford chuckled. "You're as mischievous as your mother."
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Dad," Calen said with respectful sincerity. He even bowed to him.
"Same to you, son. Now give your father a hug." Walford opened his arms and pulled Calen into a brief, solid embrace.
Calen stiffened for a heartbeat, then relaxed, returning the gesture with quiet respect.
From the side, Cali watched them, her heart swelling with joy at the sight of her son and husband finally connecting.