The moment Omen's figure vanished, the darkened plains went silent.
The winds had stopped swaying and the sky which was once just a plain violet was bestowed with a full moon, white and spotty.
Agnus stood on the edge of the mountain for a long moment, blue flames rolling slowly from its mane. Then, without warning, the massive, 13 foot beast lowered itself on the ground.
It was kneeling.
Its front legs bent and it's head dropped.
The flames running around its body dimmed into a quiet, respectful glow as the air began to tremble.
Bluish fire began to gather in front of the horse, raging and tall.
It was the palest blue one could imagine as a blurry figure formed inside the flames.
A tall and thin, humanoid figure started to take shape, shifting like smoke trapped in a body.
Two glowing blue eyes opened, looking straight at the horse.
"Did he find the third state?" An old, and musty was echoed throughout the darkened realm. It carried weight, almost like the mountains were speaking.
Agnus didn't speak. Instead, the horse slowly shook its head once.
The figure went silent for a second, then, it tilted its head slightly.
"…He didn't?"
The flames around its figure flickered.
"He didn't even read the sutra properly?"
A pause.
"…and he still found the way back?"
The horse snorted softly and stepped once, lowering its head again.
That was enough for the ancient voice to understand what had happened.
The figure let out a low, quiet breath.
"Huh…"
Then, something close to a laugh rumbled in the sky, making the horse's mane tremble in fear.
"This one's quite a coward, huh?"
The horse tried to lift its head sharply, to protect Omen's dignity.
Its hooves stomped the ground hard.
The hazy figure looked at it and chuckled.
"Relax. I'm not insulting him…I'm just observing him."
The blue flames shifted as the figure walked forward, standing beside Agnus as it turned around, both of them overlooking the dark plains.
"He felt the pressure, the danger and even the weight of this world-"
The figure folded its arms.
"And instead of seeking power…he chose to go back?"
Pin drop silence echoed through the surroundings.
"That tells me something." The figure's eyes glowed brighter as it continued.
"He's not greedy, neither is he reckless."
"He's not drunk on ambition like the others."
Another second of silence followed.
"…but he's broken."
The horse's flames dimmed slightly.
"He doesn't trust power yet," the figure continued calmly.
"He doesn't trust this world or even himself."
Then, slowly, the figure smiled.
"But he will."
The blue flames pulsed, "He already chose once."
"He chose to live and not surrender."
The figure turned to Agnus. "And that's enough, for now."
The horse lowered its head again.
"He will return," the figure said simply.
"Not because he wants power."
"…but because this world will stop letting him live in peace."
The blue flames around the figure began to fade.
"When the pain becomes heavier than the fear…"
"…he'll come back on his own."
The figure's form started breaking apart into light.
"And when he does…" The voice echoed across the darkened plains.
"Make sure this place turns into the cultivation graveyard like I've always wanted."
***
Outside Omen's house,
Stella stepped through the front gate, the Hundred Flowers Valley still clinging to her robes in the form of faint spiritual fragrance. Her cultivation aura faded the moment she crossed a threshold, replaced by the stillness of home. It almost looked like she had changed forms.
The girl slipped off her shoes, calling on her brother softly, "Omen?"
The girl frowned slightly as no one responded.
The house smelled…different, she realized.
The smell of dust and stale milk seemed to have left the place entirely, and it seemed like someone had actually moped the floor clean without her doing it.
What shocked her most was the overwhelming smell of food pouring from their kitchen.
It wasn't the usual bland stuff but real food.
Her steps slowed down as she looked for Omen around th house.
Fsssshhhhh*
The sound of something sizzling caught the girls attention immediately as she rushed towards the kitchen on the left of the door.
The sound of oil seemed to be cracking along with a faint sound of someone humming…badly.
Stella froze, her eyes widening.
She walked into the kitchen and was stunned shitless.
Omen was standing at the stove.
Not sitting or slumping but actually standing straight, sleeves rolled up and an apron covering his shorts and t shirt.
Gone were the days that he only wore a simple house robe.
His long, white hair was tied nearly, face calm.
The girl couldn't believe it.
Her brother was actually cooking?
Rice was being steamed, veggies in the pan while Omen cracked eggs into a bowl.
Stella couldn't believe that her brother was alive and present in the real world.
Stella didn't move, or speak, simply watching as her brother moved around the placed.
Her hazel-crimson eyes just continued staring.
For a second…
two seconds…
three-
"…You're late," Omen said casually, not turning around.
"Sit. Food's almost ready."
Her throat tightened, chest feeling heavy.
This wasn't the brother she'd been living with.
No.
This wasn't the boy who barely ate.
Barely spoke or even existed.
She slowly walked forward and sat on a chair without a word.
Omen turned, carrying two plates.
He placed one in front of her and the next across.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke, only the sound of steam rising.
Finally, Omen broke the silence.
"…I'm sorry."
Stella looked up, her eyes beady.
"For everything," he continued quietly.
"For being weak and shutting you down."
"For making you carry me.."
"And specially for acting like I had already died."
The boy's voice wasn't dramatic, no.
It was honest.
"I'm fine now," the fair skinned boy said simply.
"You don't need to worry about me anymore."
The girl's fingers tightened around the spoon.
"I don't know how," he continued, meeting her eyes, "and I won't explain everything yet…"
"But I found something."
"A way forward, to grow again."
Stella's lips trembled as she stared into his eyes.
"I don't know how strong it is yet or what it will cost."
"And I don't even fully understand it yet."
"But I know one thing." He looked straight at her.
"I'm not giving up anymore." Before Omen could even continue, Stella's eyes started watering.
She tried calming herself down, just shaking shoulders.
She tried her best to stop it but ultimately, couldn't help but start sobbing loudly, placing her eyes against her tears to hide them, as if scared that all this might be a dream.
Omen stood up instantly and walked to her side, pulling her into his arms.
"It's okay," he whispered.
"I'm here."
"I'm not going anywhere."
The petite and hazel eyed girl started cried harder.
Behind her, a shadow moved as crimson flames appeared near the doorway.
It was almond.
He stood there silently, his cold eyes locked onto Omen almost like he was angry at the boy for making her cry.
Omen noticed him as their eyes met and for a second, the room felt heavy.
However, the 6 foot boy simply smiled, tired.
It was a smile that said:
I know you're watching and that you don't trust me.
I know you're protecting her.
But also, trust me this once.
Almond didn't move or speak, he simply stared at their figures as Omen tightened his arms around Stella.
"It's okay," he whispered again, more firmly this time.
"I've got this."
Stella cried into his chest.
And for the first time in years, the house felt alive again.
***