For a long moment, no one spoke. The hum of the kitchen lights seemed deafening in the silence that followed Sensei's words. Zander could hear his own pulse thundering in his ears.
His mother was the first to move. Her trembling hand went to her mouth, eyes wide with fear and disbelief. "You mean… someone might come here? To this house?"
Sensei nodded once. "It is possible. The ores are like beacons—rare, potent, and wanted by many. They radiate energy signatures detectable to anyone with the right instruments. Zander has done nothing wrong, but their presence will not go unnoticed for long."
Zander's chest tightened, guilt rising like a weight pressing on his lungs. "I didn't know it would endanger you," he said softly, his voice cracking. "I thought coming home would be safe."
His father's chair scraped back. The man who had built machines his entire life—steady, methodical, unflinching—now stood rigid, his jaw clenched. "How long do we have?"
"Not long," Sensei said. "A day or two at most before the wrong kind of curiosity spreads."
His mother's eyes darted between them. "Then what do we do? Where can we go?"
Sensei's voice softened. "I have already made arrangements. You will leave this city tomorrow evening. I have secured a home for you in Novara—one of Earth's most advanced and secure land cities. It is governed by a trusted friend of mine. He has agreed to shelter your family quietly and ensure you are well-protected."
Zander's heart sank. "You already planned this?"
"I had to," Sensei said. "I began preparing contingencies. But the actual biggest reason is far greater than the ores."
He turned toward Zander, his gaze sharp and proud all at once. "Zander has become the first in recorded history to defeat a Lygari."
The words hit the room like thunder. His father blinked, disbelief etching every line on his face. "A Lygari?
Sensei nodded. "The very same. Zander didn't merely fight them —he won. And that victory will echo. Once word spreads, there will be eyes—human and otherwise , searching for him."
His mother's hand went cold in her lap. "Then they'll come for him…"
"They'll come for all of you," Sensei said gently. "Because Zander's triumph marks a turning point. He's no longer just another student in training. He has become a symbol—a possibility the world isn't ready to understand."
He paused, then added quietly, "And as if that weren't enough… he is also a genius. I have trained many over the decades—prodigies, soldiers, scholars—but none have shown his instinct, precision, or growth. His potential surpasses anything I've ever witnessed."
Zander stared down at the table, his stomach twisting. "Sensei, that's not—"
"Modesty is good," Sensei interrupted, "but denial is dangerous. You must accept what you are becoming. Greatness draws both light and shadow, Zander. The more you rise, the more you will be seen."
Zander's father exhaled slowly, the weight of it all sinking in. "Then we'll go," he said finally. "If it keeps my wife and children safe, we'll go."
"Dad—" Zander started, but his father raised a hand.
"I know what you're going to say," he interrupted. "That you can protect us. That you'll handle it. But listen, son… protection isn't just about strength. It's about foresight. Sensei's doing what any father would."
Zander stared at him, swallowing hard. He wanted to argue, to fight the inevitable—but his father's calm certainty left him no room.
His mother reached across the table, taking Zander's hand. "We'll be okay," she whispered. "Just knowing you're out there… that's enough for us. Don't carry all the weight alone."
Elara looked down at her plate, her expression conflicted. "Novara's labs are world-class," she murmured, trying to sound upbeat. "Maybe I'll finally get to see a live hybrid genome reactor."
Sensei smiled faintly. "Your curiosity will serve you well there."
Leo, however, was less convinced. "This isn't fair," he muttered. "We finally got him back, and now we have to move because of something he brought home? It's stupid."
"Leo—" Zander began.
"No!" the boy snapped, standing abruptly. "You don't get it. You get to leave all the time. We're the ones who have to pick up everything and go."
"Enough," their father said sternly, but Zander shook his head.
"It's okay," he said softly. "He's right to be angry." He turned to Leo, his voice trembling but steady. "I don't want this either. But if something happened to you because of me… I'd never forgive myself."
Leo's anger faltered. He looked away, eyes glassy, and mumbled, "It still sucks."
Zander smiled weakly. "Yeah. It does."
Sensei rose from his seat. "The arrangements are already in motion. Tomorrow morning, a transport will arrive. You will have until then to pack what you can. Everything else will be handled in Novara."
His mother stood slowly, nodding though her hands shook. "Then we'll be ready."
The rest of the evening was quiet. The house, once filled with laughter and conversation, had fallen into the heavy rhythm of goodbyes not yet spoken.
Zander found himself outside on the porch later, staring at the city lights below. He could feel the faint thrum of energy beneath his skin—the pulse of the ores reacting to something unseen. Sensei's warning wasn't paranoia; danger was already approaching.
His father joined him, leaning against the railing beside him. For a while, neither spoke.
"I built this house with my own hands," his father said finally. "Every bolt, every wire. Never thought I'd have to walk away from it."
Zander turned to him, guilt churning in his chest. "I'm sorry."
His father gave a quiet laugh. "You always apologize for things beyond your control." He looked at him then—really looked, with pride and weariness in equal measure. "You've become something I can barely comprehend, Zander. But don't forget—you're still my son. And sons protect their families, one way or another."
Zander's throat tightened. "I'll make sure they're safe. I promise."
"I know you will," his father said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "But remember—protecting them doesn't mean doing everything alone."
Morning came swiftly.
The sky was streaked with orange and violet as the transport craft descended silently onto the street outside. The hum of its engines seemed to vibrate through the pavement, sleek and silver, like a blade in the light.
Zander's mother embraced him tightly at the door, her tears dampening the collar of his uniform. "We'll be fine," she whispered. "Don't you dare worry."
Elara gave him a small smile, hiding her sadness behind forced brightness. "Send messages when you can, all right? I'll be studying twice as hard, so don't fall behind."
Leo didn't say anything—just hugged him suddenly, fiercely, and refused to let go until their father gently pulled him back.
Sensei stood beside the transport, arms folded. "Time," he said quietly.
Zander took one last look at his family as they stepped aboard. The ramp closed with a soft hiss, sealing them inside. The ship lifted, its thrusters glowing faint blue, and within moments it was gone—just a trail of light vanishing into the sky.
For a while, Zander stood in silence, staring at the empty space where they had been.
Sensei finally spoke. "You've done the right thing."
"It doesn't feel like it," Zander said softly.
"Few right things do." Sensei gestured toward the horizon. "Come. We must go as well. There is still much to prepare."
Zander turned to him. "Where are we going?"
"Mammoth city," Sensei said. "To meet my old friend Drayden. He specializes in strength-based combat. He will help you understand the limits of your power and how to control it."
Zander's gaze lingered on the sky, where the shimmer of his family's transport had disappeared. He squared his shoulders, drawing in a long breath.
"Then let's go," he said.
Sensei nodded, and together they walked toward their waiting ship—the morning light glinting off its hull as the city they once called home faded into memory.