CHAPTER 86: CHILD OF THE KING AND QUEEN

They moved together along the garden path. The silence between them wasn’t cold. It simply lingered, unspoken and waiting, because neither of them knew how to start.

They walked until they came across a small bench, barely visible. It was between two flowering hedges. It looked old, weathered by years of rain and the weird-colored sun, the kind of wood that groaned when it remembered how to hold weight.

When they sat down, it surprisingly held. It was small, able to hold around two people.

In front of them, was a pond. It wasn’t too big, but a decent size. The water held still and quiet under the open sky. It caught the reddish light from above and held it like a mirror, calm and undisturbed, mimicking the space between them.

In the pond, dozens of fish moved freely. Their shapes seemed familiar at first, almost comforting... until you looked a little closer.

They looked like goldfish or koi, but something was off. Their colors were too dark. Their movements were too sharp. And when one swam toward him, he caught a glimpse of it. They were nothing like the fish he’d seen on the surface. They had disfigured mouths, small jagged teeth in places they shouldn’t be. They looked like small predators.

He didn’t move. He just sat there, his eyes locked on the pond, like he was waiting for it to speak first even though he knew it wouldn’t.

The water didn’t talk. Instead, it obeyed him. It swayed where his eyes moved. That gave him an idea. He wanted to try something. So he flicked his finger.

The entire pond began to rise—not like a wave, but like rain pulled in reverse. Water lifted from the surface, rising all at once until it formed a perfect sphere.

It hovered in the air, flawless and trembling, wiggling slightly as it floated, like a second moon hanging just above the garden.

Inside, the fish moved without fear. Their motions were smooth, almost lazy, like gravity had forgotten they existed.

It felt like the world had tilted without warning, and they didn’t resist. They just accepted it, like it had always been that way.

Stillness followed.

Then his mother’s voice broke the stillness. It was soft, gentle, cutting through the quiet tension.

"You truly take after your father," his mother said.

The words struck something inside him.

His focus slipped.

The sphere cracked. And all at once, the water collapsed. It crashed back down in a sudden rain, drenching the stones and the grass. The fish scattered with it, some flailing in the wet soil, their bodies twitching as they gasped for water. A few landed back in the pond on instinct, but others flopped helplessly across the garden floor.

He walked toward the ones still flopping on the ground. As he reached down to pick one up, it bit him—hard. Its small jagged teeth tore into his skin. It was quick.

Blood slipped down his finger. It stung—just enough to notice. But he didn’t flinch.

He gently placed the creature back into the pond, then turned to another, this one much gentler. He placed that one into the pond as well.

"You miss him, don’t you, Mother?"

His voice was quiet. He wasn’t searching for answers.

He already knew the answer—he just wanted to hear her say it.

She didn’t answer right away. Her stare was fixed on the seat Kael was sitting on.

Then he understood.

They used to sit here together. And now... he wasn’t here.

After a long pause, she finally spoke.

"Of course I do, Kael."

He said nothing. Not out of hesitation—just because there was nothing worth saying.

"I left my life in Olympus for him," she continued, her tone softening. "Why wouldn’t I miss the man I loved... and sacrificed everything for?"

She stood up, walked over, and sat beside him. Then she leaned down and lifted one of the fish from the pond, slow and careful, like it had been waiting just for her.

"He always believed everything happened for a reason," she said.

Then her gaze met his.

"You shouldn’t feel guilty for what happened, Kael. You were just... dragged into our problems."

She tried to stay composed, but her hands gave her away. The water in her palm trembled, rippling softly, like breath caught between two thoughts. And Kael noticed.

"You’re still just a child," she said, her voice low, almost to herself. "Forced to grow up too fast."

A breath slipped from her lips—shaky, uneven. Her next words barely made it out.

"I’m sorry, Kael. For placing all of this on your shoulders."

He lifted the finger where the fish had bitten him.

The blood that had spilled began to rise—slowly—each drop drifting upward through the air like time itself had turned back.

One by one, the droplets returned to his skin.

The wound sealed. Clean.

No scar.

No sign he’d been hurt at all.

She didn’t say a word.

Just stared. Eyes wide, unmoving. Like something in her had cracked, like the world she understood had just shifted beneath her feet.

Kael lowered his hand, slow and steady.

Then he shook his head, the motion small, deliberate.

"It’s not too bad," he said, voice quiet. "If anything... it’s because of you two that I’ll be able to accomplish my goals."

His gaze dropped to his hand, fingers curling slightly.

"To me, it’s an opportunity. It’s because you both made such sacrifices... that I even have a chance this time. A chance to break this curse."

Then she smiled.

Faint at first. Tired. Worn at the edges. But it was real.

"You sound like him when you speak like that," she said. Her voice was quiet, low, almost proud.

Kael stood, slow and easy.

He looked down at her, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Of course. After all... I’m the true child of the King and Queen of the Underworld."

That answer made her stiffen, just slightly, like Kael had touched something he wasn’t meant to find.

Before she could say anything, he cut in.

"You’ve been through a lot, Mother... but you don’t have to worry about me."

His gaze lifted.

Something shifted behind his eyes. Cold. Steady.

Above them, the sky darkened. Clouds gathered, slow and heavy, as if something was pulling them up from beneath the earth.

"Because unlike the others," he said, his voice low, "I’m far more dangerous than they think I am."

She didn’t speak.

She just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Firm. Quiet. Like she’d done it a thousand times before.

And he let her. He didn’t pull away.

"Mother," he muttered with a quiet smirk, "I think you might kill me before anyone else does."

She let out a laugh, then suddenly swung him around.

"And what happened to being dangerous?" she teased.

He giggled under his breath.

"I reserve that for the others," he said. Then his tone softened.

"But Mother... I need your help."

She paused, then slowly let him go.

"With what?"

He looked her in the eyes.

"Do you know where I can find King Minos?"

She laughed.

"Kael, you’re the ruler of the Underworld. You can call any soul you desire."

He paused. A shadow of concern touched his expression.

"But be careful," she added, her tone serious now.

"King Minos is not someone that can be trusted."

He laughed, loud and sharp.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Then he turned and walked away.

Liz stood nearby with her arms crossed, clearly annoyed that he’d slipped past her again.

She didn’t say a word. Just tapped her foot, eyes locked on him with a look that said she’d been waiting.

Her brow twitched. A breath slipped through her nose. She didn’t need to speak—he already knew he was in trouble.

She didn’t say anything... just watched him walk toward her.

From a good distance, he gave her a nervous smile.

"Hey there, sunshine," he said, voice unsure. "Good morning..."

She smirked.

"Come closer."

"I’m sorry. I won’t leave again."

"I can’t hear you," she said, tilting her head. "Come closer."

"Nah, ah." He backed up slightly, eyes narrowing playfully. "You’ve got that scary look. That murderous look."

"Come here."

He took a cautious step back.

"I had nightmares..."

A small fireball hissed past his ear.

His eyes snapped to her hand. Two more fireballs spun in her palm, glowing hot and waiting.

For a moment, he hesitated. He turned and ran—the best thing he could think of in that moment.

"I’ll see you later! I’ve got god stuff to do!" he called out, feet already kicking up dust.

She threw another fireball. He leapt right. Then left.

He kept running, but glanced over his shoulder and gave her a grin. It was playful, a little nervous, like he knew he was pushing his luck, but he didn’t care. Right now, her punches will hurt, so it’s better to let her cool down.

"I’ll see you later. Love you, sunshine!"