The sun hung low as Michael walked with the kids along the familiar road home. The path was peaceful, the kind of calm that made the whole town feel warm and safe. Kirian, of course, ruined that peace immediately.
"Guys, you don't understand," he said for the tenth time, waving his arms dramatically. "Being around a real hero? Like, the Michael Ironstrike? Legendary."
He kept talking over everyone, walking backwards while gesturing like he was giving a lecture. Michael chuckled under his breath but pretended not to hear.
Liliana trotted beside him, happily munching on sweets the townsfolk had handed her earlier. Every now and then she'd bump into Kirian's arm and cling onto it like a comfort object.
Emilia, meanwhile, had her merchant-mode face on — eyes sharp, brain spinning. She wasn't thinking about danger or excitement. No. She was thinking, A peaceful walk with a celebrity… hmm… maybe I can turn this into something profitable later.
Mirabel walked at the back with her arms crossed, keeping her eyes on the group like a tired older sister. Between Emilia's scheming and Kirian's mouth running on overdrive, she was seconds away from snapping.
Then—
WEEEEEEEEOOOOOOO—
A piercing siren sliced through the calm air.
The entire street froze. People looked around, confused murmurs rising. It wasn't panic — but it wasn't normal either.
Michael's entire demeanor shifted. His warm, gentle expression tightened into something sharp and focused.
"That's the emergency siren at the town gate," he said, already stepping forward. "The barrier is down."
He turned to the kids with a voice that brokered no nonsense.
"Stay here. Do not move until I return."
The kids nodded.
Wait.
No they didn't.
Kirian, Liliana, and Emilia exchanged the exact same mischievous grin that always meant trouble.
Mirabel recognized it instantly.
"No. No no NO. Don't even think about it. Michael said—"
They were already gone.
"OH COME ON!" Mirabel hissed, chasing after them.
—-
They hid behind a wagon near the gate, peeking around the wooden side. Michael was already there, speaking with the inspectors. One of them pointed toward a glowing crystal embedded in a stone pedestal — overcharged, pulsing erratically.
"I'm not sure what caused it," the inspector said, wiping sweat from his brow. "It just overloaded in minutes."
Michael examined it calmly, giving a few clear instructions to the guards. He looked completely unfazed, even though everyone else was tense.
Kirian whispered, eyes shining, "Look at him. Look how cool he is. He's not even stressed. He just… handles stuff."
Liliana nodded like a proud fan.
Mirabel rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
Then the air shifted.
A deep, echoing growl rolled over the trees.
Out from the woods came a hulking, wolf-like Beast — massive, matted fur, eyes glowing faintly. A creature that normally had no business getting anywhere near the town.
Behind it, a small group of young adventurers ran for their lives.
With the barrier down and the defense towers offline in that sector, the gate was completely exposed.
Michael saw everything in seconds.
He did not hesitate.
He did not flinch.
He simply reached down, picked up a fallen branch — a long, sturdy stick — and a gentle golden glow rippled across his body.
"Dad…" Mirabel whispered. Her voice trembled.
Then Michael moved.
He sprinted forward with a speed that didn't even look human. As the beast lunged for the adventurers, Michael leaped — high, effortless — and his stick sliced through the creature like it was air.
A single, clean stroke.
A flash of gold.
Two halves of the beast hit the ground and dissolved into shimmering wisps, fading harmlessly.
Silence.
Then the adventurers erupted into cheers.
"DID YOU SEE THAT!?"
"He didn't even have a sword!"
"That was insane!"
The guards nodded in that "yeah, he does that" way, but even they looked a little impressed.
Back at the wagon, the kids were statues.
Kirian's mouth hung open.
"I… I… DUDE. He cut a monster in half with a stick. A STICK."
Liliana squealed, hugging Kirian's arm. "He was glowing! He glowed! Did you see it!?"
Emilia was scribbling so fast her quill nearly snapped.
"Golden Michael Hero Series… Limited Edition…" she muttered.
Mirabel lowered her head, guilt washing over her. She had been snappy the whole day… but seeing her father like this? Brave, humble, strong — she felt a twist in her chest.
Kirian noticed, gave her a bright thumbs up.
"You got a great dad, you know."
Mirabel didn't answer… but she smiled.
—-
After a few minutes, Michael approached them.
He didn't look angry. Just slightly disappointed.
"You followed me," he said.
No one spoke.
"Go home," he added, in that tired-dad voice that held no room for debate.
On the walk back, the town slowly returned to its ordinary rhythm. Merchants reopened their stalls, kids resumed playing, and the siren faded into nothing but a story for tomorrow.
Kirian walked slightly ahead, still buzzing with adrenaline.
Liliana hummed happily beside him, cuddling the baby Beast Folk she'd been carrying from before.
Emilia was already planning… something. Something marketable, as always.
Mirabel walked near Michael, quiet but softer than before.
And Michael?
He just smiled at them all — weary, amused, and quietly proud.
A regular evening in Aleria.
Well… regular for them.