Vixen muttered to himself, "I really am getting older… maybe it's finally time for me to get glasses."
But he quickly brushed the thought aside and walked into the living room, clearing his throat.
"It's late. Everyone, go to bed now," he said firmly.
Kenny quietly returned to his room without a word. Zavrion followed, still scrolling on his phone as he disappeared into his own room. Kin stayed on the sofa, looking half-lost in thought.
Vixen sank down beside him, leaning just close enough to feel Kin's warmth. "I've searched everywhere for Megas," he said with a heavy sigh, "but no one has seen him. It's as if the boy just… vanished."
Kin tilted his head, thinking aloud. "Maybe he couldn't find our address and went back home. Or… maybe he said he was coming here but got lost somewhere else."
"That's possible," Vixen admitted. "But still…"
Kin smirked faintly. "Who knows?" He let out a long sigh. "It's late. Come on, let's get some sleep."
In his room, Zavrion had been quietly eavesdropping on every word. He had already made up his mind — tomorrow morning, before anyone woke up, he would go and find Megas himself. With that thought circling in his head, he eventually drifted into sleep.
---
At dawn, Zavrion slipped out of bed, moving as quietly as possible toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, a firm hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind.
" where do you think you're going so early, hmm?" Vixen's deep voice rumbled dangerously close to his ear. "If you're up to trouble again… I'll make sure you regret it. Now get back to your room."
Zavrion froze, a shiver running down his spine. He turned slowly, looking up at his father with wide, guilty eyes. "I—I was just going for a jog, Daddy…" he said, his voice small.
"Oh, a jog? In this cold?" Vixen narrowed his eyes. "Fine. I'll go with you. Let's jog together."
"That's… not necessary," Zavrion tried to laugh it off. "I'll just stay near the house."
"Good," Vixen replied without missing a beat. "Then we'll jog near the house together."
Realizing there was no escape, Zavrion sighed in defeat and set off with his father. But halfway down the path, he gave in and confessed the truth — that he was actually planning to search for Megas before anyone could stop him.
Vixen stopped in his tracks. "You were going to do something that risky without telling me? Do you even know the kind of dangers this village hides?"
"I do," Zavrion said softly. "I just… didn't want you to be dragged into it. I thought I could go alone."
Vixen reached over and tapped his son lightly on the head. "You think you've grown up now, don't you?"
They searched for hours, combing through the village again, even venturing beyond the borders of Zemura. But still, no sign of Megas. Finally, Zavrion set his jaw. "I'm going into the forest."
"No," Vixen said immediately. "Absolutely not."
Zavrion pleaded and argued, his eyes burning with stubborn determination. At last, Vixen gave in with a resigned sigh. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
The two of them stepped into the jungle. Almost instantly, Zavrion felt… different. The air was heavy, colder somehow, as if the trees were leaning in to listen. A strange, unfamiliar scent drifted into his nose — sharp, metallic, and oddly sweet.
"Do you smell that?" he asked.
Vixen didn't answer. His gaze was fixed on the shadows ahead as they ventured deeper into the whispering woods.
---
Continue....