The Morse code beeped steadily through Edward's little machine, and his fingers flew over the dials as he decoded the message.
It was written in Auratisian.
Yo, Ed. If you get this message then it means that I survived. Are you coming to Zandora? I heard that a new student from Earth is coming. Are you that student?
Edward stared at the words, and for the first time in years, his face lit up.
"Eli… Eli is alive. He survived."
He quickly typed out a reply and secured the connection before leaning back against the rooftop, letting out a long breath.
But before he could even get up, his communicator buzzed. A call.
He picked it up.
"Yo! Eddy! How's my favorite cousin doing? Is Jakey still alive? And are those two with you?" Elizha's voice was loud and teasing as always.
Edward couldn't help but smile faintly. "Arron isn't with us. I think he's with Dad. Any news about Auratisia?"
"None," Elizha said, her tone growing a little serious. "But there's this organization… shady, but they seem connected to the whole thing. Hey, did you… get any visions lately?"
Edward's hand froze on the communicator. His jaw tightened. "…Yeah. We need to speed up everything. The universe—" he swallowed, voice dropping— "might get destroyed. I couldn't see who did it… but there was this brown-haired kid. Brave, but…" He trailed off.
"You think it's close?" Elizha asked after a pause.
"Yes. Close enough," Edward said. Then, trying to change the mood, he added, "Did you take the position of Archmage yet?"
"Not yet," Elizha chuckled. "But I might claim the Black Tower. It suits me. You coming or what?"
"I'm the new student," Edward confirmed. "See you at school. Oh, and… there are bounty hunters after me now. Guess being first in line to the throne really is a pain. How's Lean?"
At that, Elizha laughed quietly. "Oh, Lean? She's fine. But… she's going to be hurt when I leave. I have to keep her safe too."
They kept talking — about old stories, new enemies, family gossip — their conversation stretching late into the night.
Meanwhile — Jake & Ryuu
Jake sat cross-legged at the foot of his bed, watching Ryuu like a hawk.
"So… did the medicine help?" he asked cautiously.
"Yeah," Ryuu muttered, lying flat on his back. "The pain's less now. But—" he suddenly sat up, glaring— "why the hell do you bathe in cherry blossom cologne? You're supposed to spray it. Not drown in it."
Jake blinked. "I don't."
That was apparently the wrong answer. Ryuu groaned and staggered to the window, throwing it open dramatically and cranking the fan up to full blast.
Gasping, he said, "Start. Using. Suppressors. Your scent is way too strong for me right now."
And then… he fainted.
Jake just barely caught him, lowering him back onto the bed. He could feel his own cheeks heating — and not just from the situation. His body was… hot. His skin tingled. Something was happening.
It hit him then — he was presenting. His second gender.
"Oh, shit," he muttered under his breath, slamming the windows shut and grabbing his phone.
The Chat
📱 Me: Yo. Does the medicine work on alphas?
📱 Me: I think I'm one.
📱 Me: Do I really smell like cherry blossoms??
📱 Big bro: Yes… you do.
📱 Big bro: Why do you think I begged Mom for a separate room?
📱 Big bro: Don't worry. Just take those vitamins Mom gave you. They're for alphas.
📱 Big bro: Good luck.
📱 Big bro: Am I a good wingman or what?
Jake stared at the screen, red creeping up his neck.
"Stupid Edward," he muttered, tossing the phone on the nightstand.
He flopped onto the bed next to Ryuu and, almost without thinking, wrapped an arm around him.
They'd always cuddled before — but this time… this time it felt different.
The Family
Hours later, Edward finally ended his call with Elizha. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes.
Downstairs, the front door creaked open.
Rimini came back, looking a little worn but victorious — and Ryuu's mom followed behind her, shoulders straight, head high.
Not long after, Ravchel came bounding in too, dropping her summer camp bags by the door and announcing loudly, "I'm home!"
The house felt full again — alive in a way it hadn't in a long time.
Three Years Later…
Time moved fast.
Edward left for Zandora and enrolled at the academy.
Jake stayed on Earth and got into Stanford — sticking close to Ryuu.
Ravchel, now in her second year of middle school, had grown taller and sharper-tongued.
The two moms had become best friends, sharing tea and gossip like they'd known each other forever.
Edward kept in touch only through quick calls and cryptic updates. Last Jake heard, Edward and Elizha were investigating some new enemy organization — still no word about Alex or Arron.
Meanwhile — On Takattu
Far across the galaxy, on a quiet planet near the outskirts of the Tortisia system, the morning sun rose over the streets of Takattu.
A jet-black-haired boy pedaled his bike down a dusty road toward school. His green eyes gleamed under the sunlight — the same eyes Edward had, the same ones Ravchel carried too.
He looked, if anything, like a male version of Ravchel — but taller, leaner.
His name? Arron Bolt de Auratisia.
Third prince of Auratisia.
The missing sibling.
He skidded to a stop outside the school gates, adjusting his backpack.
Behind him, the voices of his foster parents — Emma, the great red demon, and Raphael, ex-commander of the South Wing Air Force — still rang in his ears.
He was here. Alive. Waiting.
And his story… was just beginning.