"Maybe this is why..." Alex said in a tone filled with conviction.

    "Are you sure, son?" Sarah asked in a worried tone. "That is a big burden to bear."

    "I know, Ma." Alex sighed. "But if we are to survive this madness, then it is only right that I use the gift I was given. This is our universe and if I don''t fight for it, who will?"

    Of course, he didn''t mean to belittle the efforts of everyone else. But he was the only one with the ability to traverse the veil tears and storms.

    Sarah looked at her husband and William returned her gaze. They understood their son enough to know he was serious. Then again, holding him back isn''t possible as Alex was no longer a little boy.

    He came back from who knows where in the universe, and that was only possible because he went missing and was given the chance to grow into the man he was today.

    "Very well, son." William said, feeling proud of the words his son spoke. "It takes a man to claim responsibility like that."

    "Yeah." Ross chimed in with a smile. "And I''ll be with you all the way."

    "Count me in!" Aaron added as well. He stood on his feet and clenched his fists with determination and resolve in his eyes.

    Alex couldn''t help but feel happy to have such a family. "Thanks, everyone. Your support means a lot to me."

    "Of course," Olivia replied. "We''re your family. If we don''t do it, who will?" She quoted his words, making everyone chuckle.

    "So, what now?" William went to the heart of the question. "You obviously can''t go back to the academy."

    Alex pondered on his father''s question. He had many things he wanted to do before going back to fighting. He had been away for too long and wanted to spend time with his family.

    He looked down at Julia. "Well, I have to get Julia home first." He got up with Julia in a princess carry. Somehow, she managed to cling to Alex and refused to let go even in her sleep. That was how much she missed him.

    "She is finally letting go of the burden she had been carrying all this while." Turning to Ross, he suggested. "Maybe you should rest as well."

    "Yeah," Alex chuckled. "Let''s go."

    The two friends stepped through the space door and emerged on the other side. Alex turned around to his family and said, "When I return, we''ll go out for fun."

    His family nodded as they watched Alex with pride while the portal closed behind them. The living room turned silent for a moment before Olivia broke the silence.

    "Can''t believe my brother returned as an overpowered monster." Her comment, however, puzzled her mother.

    "What do you mean?" Sarah was not familiar with such a term and hearing her daughter call her brother a monster didn''t sit right with her.

    Her frown made Olivia realize her blunder. "Ah, sorry Mom. What I meant was that Alex has become really powerful and I doubt there is anyone out there who can fight him,"

    "Oh, okay." Sarah nodded but was still not entirely convinced. William laughed at his wife''s expression, and this time the laugh was genuine and heartfelt. A great burden had been lifted off his shoulder and everyone could tell.

    William was happy.

    "Don''t worry too much," William assured. "It''s a term the kids use to describe how monstrously strong someone is."

    "Hmm. If you say so..."

    The family continued to converse, with hearts filled with joy and relief from their burdens. It''s been a while since they were this happy.

    Meanwhile, Alex and Ross were almost surrounded as soon as their presence was felt.

    However, before the guards could do anything to interrupt Alex''s last message, they felt themselves frozen in place and unable to move.

    It was not an attack as they felt no discomfort. But they couldn''t do anything either. The thought of who could do such a thing sacred them until the person revealed himself.

    "Relax... It''s just me and I''m here with Julia." Alex said and released the guards as if he hadn''t just stopped hundreds of powerful hunters like it was nothing.