The palace felt quieter that afternoon.
Not empty—
But calmer.
After the chaos of the morning, the laughter, the fire in the kitchen, and the strange vision that still lingered in Aerion's mind… everything had settled into something softer.
Something warmer.
Something… human.
Aerion walked beside Lyria through the long corridor, the small phoenix perched comfortably on his shoulder.
Its glow had dimmed to a gentle warmth now, no longer attracting attention—but still impossible to ignore completely.
Lyria glanced at it.
"…It's unusually quiet."
Aerion nodded slightly.
"…Yeah."
The phoenix blinked slowly.
"I am resting."
Lyria smirked.
"That's new."
"…I can be calm."
Aerion gave it a look.
"…You burned a kitchen today."
"That was a misunderstanding."
"…Of course it was."
Lyria laughed softly.
They continued walking until they reached a more private section of the palace.
One that wasn't filled with guards or servants.
One that felt… familiar.
Comfortable.
Lyria slowed down slightly.
"…We're here."
Aerion looked ahead.
The doors in front of them were simpler than the rest of the palace—less decorated, less grand.
But there was something about them.
Something warm.
"…Your parents?" he asked.
Lyria shook her head gently.
"…No."
She looked at him.
"…Yours."
Aerion paused.
"…Mine?"
She nodded.
"I sent a message earlier."
"…Why?"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Because after everything happening…"
She stepped closer to him.
"…I thought you should spend some time with them."
Aerion didn't respond immediately.
Because for a moment—
He hadn't thought about that.
Not since everything began.
Not since the egg.
The book.
The phoenix.
The prophecy.
But now—
Standing here—
It felt… right.
Before he could say anything—
The door opened.
A woman stepped out first.
Her presence was calm.
Elegant.
But warm.
Her eyes immediately found Aerion.
"…You're here."
Aerion's expression softened instantly.
"…Mother."
She smiled gently and walked toward him without hesitation.
Before he could react—
She pulled him into a quiet embrace.
No words.
No questions.
Just—
Warmth.
For a moment—
Aerion didn't move.
Then slowly—
He returned the hug.
"…It's been a while."
She pulled back slightly, her hands resting on his shoulders.
"…Too long."
Her gaze moved across his face, as if checking something invisible.
"…You've changed."
Aerion exhaled softly.
"…A lot has happened."
She nodded.
"I can see that."
Her eyes shifted slightly—
To the phoenix.
She blinked once.
"…And that too."
Before anyone could explain—
A deeper voice came from inside.
"So this is the reason the palace is talking."
A man stepped forward.
Tall.
Calm.
With a presence that didn't demand attention—
But naturally held it.
Aerion straightened slightly.
"…Father."
The man stopped in front of him.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Just observed.
Measured.
Then—
A small smile appeared.
"…You've grown."
Aerion nodded slightly.
"…I had to."
His father let out a quiet breath.
"…Good."
The phoenix tilted its head, observing both of them.
Then—
It jumped off Aerion's shoulder and landed between them.
"Hello."
Both of Aerion's parents looked down.
The mother blinked.
"…It speaks."
The father folded his arms.
"…Of course it does."
The phoenix looked up brightly.
"Have you seen my lovely papa and mummy?"
Silence.
Aerion closed his eyes briefly.
"…Not this again."
Lyria turned away slightly—
Trying not to laugh.
Aerion's mother looked at him.
"…Papa?"
His father raised a brow.
"…Mummy?"
Lyria couldn't hold it anymore.
She laughed softly.
"I'm sorry, I tried to warn him—but it just started calling us that."
The phoenix looked confused.
"…But you are my papa and mummy."
Aerion sighed.
"…We are not having this conversation again."
His mother covered her smile gently.
"…It's adorable."
His father nodded.
"…Unexpected, but acceptable."
Aerion stared at both of them.
"…You're both taking this too calmly."
His father shrugged slightly.
"When you've lived long enough…"
"…You learn not to question things immediately."
They moved inside shortly after.
The room was simple.
Warm lighting.
Comfortable seating.
Nothing overly royal.
Just… home.
Aerion sat down, the phoenix immediately climbing into his lap.
Lyria sat beside him.
His parents across from them.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
And strangely—
It wasn't awkward.
It was peaceful.
His mother broke the silence first.
"…Tell us."
Aerion looked at her.
"…What?"
"Everything."
Her voice wasn't demanding.
It was gentle.
"…We want to understand."
He glanced at Lyria.
She nodded slightly.
"…It's okay."
So he told them.
Not everything in perfect detail.
But enough.
The egg.
The book.
The Primordials.
The Fire Moon.
The successor.
The phoenix.
Everything.
By the time he finished—
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
It was heavier.
His father leaned back slightly.
"…So it has begun again."
Aerion looked at him.
"…You know about it?"
"…Not everything."
His father's voice remained calm.
"But enough to understand what this means."
His mother's gaze softened toward Aerion.
"…This isn't just power."
"…It's responsibility."
He nodded.
"…I know."
The phoenix suddenly shifted slightly in his lap.
"…You are not alone."
All of them looked at it.
Its small voice carried surprising weight.
"…We are together."
Lyria smiled faintly.
"…Yeah."
Aerion placed his hand gently over its head.
"…We are."
His mother watched that moment quietly.
Then she smiled.
"…You've found something important."
Aerion looked at her.
"…I didn't find it."
A small pause.
"…It found me."
She nodded.
"…Then don't let it go."
Time passed slowly after that.
No urgency.
No chaos.
Just—
Conversation.
Small laughs.
Simple moments.
At one point—
Lyria stood up.
"…I'll get something to eat."
Aerion raised a brow.
"…You're cooking?"
She smirked.
"…No. I've learned my lesson after today."
His father chuckled softly.
"…Wise decision."
As she left—
Aerion remained seated with his parents.
The phoenix resting quietly.
His mother looked at him again.
"…Are you afraid?"
The question was soft.
But real.
Aerion didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Not really."
A small pause.
"…Not as long as I'm not alone."
She smiled gently.
"…Good."
His father spoke next.
"…Fear isn't the problem."
Aerion looked at him.
"…Then what is?"
"…Doubt."
Silence.
"…Don't let it grow."
Aerion nodded slowly.
"…I won't."
The phoenix shifted again.
"…Papa is strong."
Aerion exhaled lightly.
"…I hope so."
"…No."
It looked up at him.
"…You are."
Lyria returned shortly after.
Carrying food.
"…I didn't burn anything this time."
Aerion smirked slightly.
"…Impressive."
She sat beside him again.
"…I know."
The sun slowly began to set outside.
Golden light filled the room.
Warm.
Peaceful.
For a moment—
Everything felt normal.
No prophecy.
No war.
No darkness.
Just—
Family.
But deep down—
They all knew.
This calm wouldn't last forever.
Still—
For now—
It was enough.
To be continued...