The sun was dipping low by the time the group reached the familiar wooden fence of the Zennon household. Warm orange light spilled over the yard like a gentle blanket, and the sweet smell of evening cooking drifted from nearby homes.
Before Kirian could even brag another word about Michael's golden aura-slice-of-amazingness, the front door swung open.
Dominique stepped out, hands on her hips, wearing the expression of a man who knew exactly how chaotic the world became whenever these children left the house.
"There they are!" she announced, grinning broadly. "My precious little disasters."
Liliana sprinted forward and leapt straight into Dominique's arms. Kirian followed with a dramatic heroic leap that missed by about half a meter, so he ended up hugging Dominique's waist instead. Emilia waved lazily, already eyeing the inside of the house like a wolf stalking dinner.
Michael chuckled. "You always know when to show up."
Dominique raised an eyebrow. "Please. I could sense your footsteps from halfway down the street. You walk like a man who's seen something explode today."
Michael smirked. "Accurate."
Mirabel stepped forward politely and bowed her head. "Good evening, Mrs. Dominique."
"Good evening to you too," Dominique replied with a warm smile.
Old Friends, Old Banter
The two of them faced each other in that way old friends do.
"You look tired," Dominique said.
"You look like you haven't worked in three days," Michael countered.
"Work is a flexible concept," Dominique replied proudly. "I prefer to call it aggressively meditating."
Michael exhaled a long-suffering sigh. "You mean napping."
"Semantics."
Mirabel let out an involuntary laugh, then quickly looked away, embarrassed. Dominique winked at her as if to say, Don't worry, it's always like this.
—-
Dinner Invitation
"Well then," Dominique said, clapping her hands together, "since you brought the kids home in one piece, why don't you join us for dinner? Camilla cooked enough food to feed a small army. Or Liliana when she likes the meal."
Liliana proudly raised her hand. "I have a fast metabolism!"
Emilia nodded seriously. "She eats like a starved dragon."
Michael shook his head gently. "Thank you, Dominique. Truly. But my wife already prepared dinner. If I come home late again… I fear there may be consequences."
"Ah. The fear of every strong man. Terrifying wives."
"Loving," Michael corrected.
"Terrifying and loving," Dominique insisted.
Michael gave up with a sigh.
The two of them exchanged their goodbye
Dinner Time
Once inside, the kids settled around the table while dinner was served. Warm broth, roasted vegetables, fluffy bread — the comforting kind of food that tasted like safety.
Kirian couldn't hold it in.
He slammed his hands onto the table. "LISTEN! Today, I witnessed the most AMAZING thing in the entire universe!"
Here we go, Dominique thought, settling down with her own plate.
Kirian stood up on his chair, holding his spoon like a holy relic.
"There we were at the gate, right? And the siren was blaring — BWEEEEEOOOO BWEEEEOOO — and the crystal was going crazy like boom boom spark! boom! and then—"
"That is… not what it sounded like," Emilia interrupted flatly.
Kirian ignored her completely.
"And then this HUGE wolf-beast tried to break in! Like, HUGE. Like—" He held his hands apart, realized they weren't wide enough, and stretched them further. Then further. Then further.
"That would be bigger than the gate," Liliana said.
"IT WAS A METAPHOR!" Kirian barked dramatically.
"And then Michael —HE WALKED FORWARD LIKE IT WAS NOTHING. Picked up a STICK.
A STICK! And just—FWISH—cut the beast into TWO PIECES!"
Kirian reenacted the slash, nearly smacking Emilia in the face.
Liliana's eyes sparkled with awe.
Emilia murmured, "Should monetize that stick. 'Hero Stick Replica.' Ten silver each."
Dominique watched Kirian's whole reenactment with a mix of amusement and nostalgia.
—-
A Hero's Resolve
When the excitement finally settled, the room grew quieter. Kirian sat down, breathless, cheeks flushed with the fire of inspiration.
He looked at his bowl but wasn't really seeing it.
"I… I want to be like him one day," Kirian said softly. "A hero who protects people. Someone… someone strong enough to help everyone. Someone who doesn't freeze or run away."
For a moment, the only sound was the gentle clink of dishes.
Liliana squeezed his arm gently. "You'll get there."
Emilia didn't look up but said, "Then stop tripping over your own shadow."
Kirian glared at her. She shrugged, unfazed.
Dominique smiled warmly.
"That determination… keep it. Just remember this, boy — a hero isn't someone who fights monsters. A hero is someone who shows up when it matters."
Kirian nodded slowly, absorbing the words like sunlight.
Outside, the quiet evening wrapped around the Zennon home.
Inside, three children dreamed of the future — one filled with light, struggle, and the hope of becoming something greater.
END OF EPISODE 2