---
In Heaven Realm
The great hall of the Heaven Realm was draped in pale silver light, where three ancient Heaven Ancestors sat upon their thrones. Their presence carried the weight of centuries, voices grave with unchallenged authority.
One of them broke the silence.
"However, we must place Ren as the new ruler of Heaven. It is the only way to maintain order."
The other two nodded slowly, but before the decision could settle, one of the Ancestors suddenly stiffened. His hands shot to his throat as if invisible chains strangled him. He gasped, choking violently.
The others rose in alarm.
"What is happening to you?" one cried.
The second narrowed his eyes, his aura flaring. "This… this is demon magic." His voice trembled with panic. "No… it cannot be—!"
A shadow surged through the air. Then, with a ripple of dark energy, a tall figure appeared in the center of their chamber, dressed in a sleek black suit. His presence was suffocating, his smile sharp and merciless.
"Smart," Dylan murmured, his hand visibly clutching the throat of the struggling Ancestor, lifting him with invisible force. "But not smart enough."
With a flick of his wrist, the other two Ancestors were hurled back as though by a raging storm. They crashed against their thrones, shaken but still conscious. Dylan's eyes burned crimson, vengeance glowing in their depths.
"Tell me," Dylan growled, tightening his grip. "Why did you do it?" His voice dropped, low and venomous. "Who killed my father?"
The Ancestor's eyes widened in shock, his lips trembling. "I… I do not know—"
"Liar!" Dylan roared, the chamber shaking with his fury.
The other Ancestors staggered to their feet. One shouted, "How dare you trespass into Heaven's holy realm, demon!"
The second added, "If Ren learns of this, he will never let you leave alive!"
Dylan smirked without looking at them, his grip still crushing the throat of his captive. Their magic surged toward him, radiant bolts of Heaven's light. Dylan extended his other hand, a black barrier flaring to life, absorbing their spells without effort. He didn't even turn his head.
"Answer me!" Dylan's voice was a thunderclap.
The choked Ancestor gasped desperately. "We… we did not kill your father, Alex… I swear! All I know is—during the Great War, peace talks were arranged. I, along with Xander, went to meet your father… but we were too late. He was already dead."
Dylan's fury reached its peak. His teeth clenched. "Don't lie to me!"
"I speak truth!" the Ancestor coughed. His voice cracked, but his eyes burned with conviction. "But I felt it… a strong demon aura, not your father's. I believe… it was one of your own people who killed him."
Dylan froze. His chest tightened.
"My… own people?" His voice was softer now, but filled with disbelief.
The Ancestor nodded faintly. "Yes… not Heaven, not us. Someone close to him… betrayed him."
The words rattled Dylan's very core. For a heartbeat, the fury in his eyes wavered. Slowly, he released his grip. The Ancestor fell to the floor, coughing violently.
But Dylan's wrath wasn't gone. With a swift gesture, he unleashed a dark spell upon the weakened man. The Ancestor convulsed, blood spilling from his lips before collapsing unconscious.
"This," Dylan spat, his voice breaking with raw emotion, "is for trapping my mother in a golden cage… and tearing her away from us."
His roar echoed across the Heaven Realm before his form dissolved into black mist, vanishing.
The remaining two Ancestors rushed to their fallen comrade, pouring healing light into his body, their faces grim and shaken.
---
In the BlueMoon Kingdom
The grand chamber of the palace was lit by warm golden lamps. Irin sat near the window, her eyes constantly flicking toward the door, her heart caught between excitement and fear. She had been waiting for him—waiting for the one whose path was covered in shadow.
At last, Dylan entered. His presence filled the room instantly. His dark aura was heavy, but Irin's face lit with relief and joy the moment she saw him. She rushed to him, her smile soft.
"Dylan," she whispered.
He cupped her cheek gently, his crimson eyes softening in her presence. "Did you eat dinner?"
She nodded. But then her eyes searched his. "Did you… find any leads about your father's murder?"
Dylan lowered his head. The silence stretched. Irin reached for his hand, her warmth steady and unwavering. "Don't worry," she whispered. "I believe in you. You'll find the truth… I know you will."
For a moment, Dylan simply stared at her. The chaos in his heart eased. She had never once blamed him for his absence, never once faltered in her support. His lips brushed her forehead. "Are you tired, my dear? Go rest."
"No," Irin said, shaking her head with a smile. "I was waiting for you."
Her gaze shifted toward the bed where a large box rested. She tugged his hand gently, leading him to it.
"Look," she said, opening the box to reveal small, worn toys. "Aren't they cute?"
Dylan picked one up, his eyes widening slightly. "These… these were mine." A rare smile broke across his face. "I played with these when I was a child."
Irin's smile deepened. She stared at him, her eyes shimmering. Slowly, she bit her lip, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Dylan… we will have a new member in our family soon."
He blinked, confused. "Who?"
Her smile widened. Tears glistened in her eyes. "Dylan… I'm pregnant."
The world seemed to stop. Dylan froze, stunned into silence. His heart pounded in disbelief. Then suddenly, without a word, he pulled her into a fierce embrace, burying his face in her shoulder.
Irin laughed softly, hugging him back. Dylan's lips curved into a rare, unguarded smile. "Thank you, Irin," he whispered hoarsely. "For giving me the title of father. I'm… so happy."
Her cheeks flushed pink as she nestled closer. "Dylan… have you thought of a name for our child?"
He chuckled softly. "Mm…"
Irin tilted her head curiously. "What name?"
His eyes softened. "Janet."
She blinked, then laughed lightly. "Do you want a baby girl?"
Dylan nodded like an eager child.
"But why?" she teased.
Dylan kissed her nose tenderly. "Because I want her to look like you. Her nose… sharp like yours." His finger traced her eyes. "Eyes, cute like yours. Cheeks, soft like yours…" He pressed his face gently against hers, his voice breaking with affection. "…everything like you."
Irin's smile faltered slightly. "Then… who is Janet? Was she… your ex-girlfriend?"
Dylan froze, startled. "No! You are the only woman in my life." Relief flickered across his face as she pinched his cheek with a mischievous grin.
"I know," she whispered playfully.
But then she asked softly, "Then whose name is it?"
Dylan's gaze darkened. His smile faded into cold silence. At last, he whispered:
"My sister's."
Irin's breath caught. Her smile disappeared. The room grew heavy as their eyes locked, the shadow of the past rising between them.
---