After some time
Shane watched as Noah entered the room, having just finished consoling his younger son in the hallway. There was a rare softness in his father's eyes — a flicker of relief. It made Shane's chest tighten.
Just as Noah turned to leave, Shane called out.
Shane: "Father… I need to speak with you. Alone."
Noah raised an eyebrow. But when he caught the seriousness in Shane's gaze, he nodded. Will, obedient and curious, slipped out without question.
Once the door clicked shut, Shane spoke again.
Shane: "Can you check my core?"
Noah stiffened.
Without hesitation, he walked over and placed a palm on Shane's back, sending out a scan of his core. Seconds passed.
Then his expression twisted — confusion, alarm, disbelief.
Noah: "There are... three distinct energies inside you. And your core—it's deformed. Twisted into some bizarre shape."
Shane: "That's why I asked. I don't know either."
He hesitated. How could he explain Itsuki? That someone else shared his mind? That his consciousness had two residents?
Noah pulled his hand back slowly.
Noah: "Whatever this is… keep it to yourself. If word gets out… you might spark a war."
Three energies. No precedent. No possibility. No forgiveness from factions who built their power around a single truth: you only get one core, one path.
Shane: "Don't worry. I won't fight my brother for his seat."
The corner of his lips twitched upward. A bad attempt at humor.
Noah didn't laugh. He said nothing. Just stared at Shane for a moment too long — eyes dark, unreadable — then turned to leave.
And Shane broke.
Shane: "Did you know Mom died because of me?"
Noah froze mid-step.
He turned back. The look on Shane's face was unreadable. But he was studying Noah's — searching for denial, or confirmation.
He got the latter.
Noah's silence said everything.
Shane: "Did you ever even ask why? Did you mourn her? Or were you too busy doting on Will to remember she existed?"
His voice was trembling now, each word cracking like a whip.
Shane: "You're the strongest man in the kingdom. What use is your strength if you can't even protect your wife? Do you know how many nights I've tried to imagine her face? You never even kept a portrait. If… he hadn't shown me one, I might've forgotten her forever."
He was twelve. Angry. Grieving. Drowning in emotions too big for a boy his age. And yet, it wasn't petty. It was earned.
Noah didn't speak. Didn't flinch. Every word stabbed deeper than steel. But he let it.
He deserved it.
He hadn't shielded his son from pain. He'd avoided affection, thinking it would make Shane stronger.
But strength without warmth only creates distance. And now that distance was tearing them apart.
Finally, when Shane had no more to say, the silence hung heavy — until Noah walked forward, removed the locket from around his neck, and placed it in Shane's hand.
Inside was a tiny, faded painting.
A family. A man. A woman. A child between them.
Noah: "I… can commission another one, if you'd like."
Shane: "…Yeah. Please."
And in that moment, just a little, Shane forgave him.
After Noah left to find a trusted doctor, Melissa brought food and sat quietly at his bedside. Shane didn't speak much. He was still reeling — not from pain, but from feeling.
When sleep finally crept in, a voice echoed through his thoughts.
Itsuki: "Bro. Not the time to sleep. We need to talk."
Shane jolted upright.
Shane: "Right. Forgot about you."
Itsuki: "You'll get used to me eventually. Anyway, I've been scanning people since birth — energy flows, techniques, body types. With the simulations the system ran, I've found something perfect."
Shane: "Perfect?"
Itsuki: "No drawbacks. Just depends on your growth. It adapts to your dual revolutions and Kai flow. Faster regen, stronger body, improved flow control. Want to try it?"
Shane: "...Can you stop sounding omniscient?"
He was excited. Nervous. But one thing tugged at his mind.
Shane: "But… I still can't sense Lok."
Itsuki: "Oh, right. I sealed your sensitivity."
Shane: "…You did what now?"
Itsuki: "Chill. You have 95% sensitivity. That's insane for a human. But it's too dangerous. So I scaled it down. I'll adjust it gradually so your circuits don't melt like butter."
Shane didn't know whether to be angry or grateful.
Shane: "…Okay. Can I at least try the technique now?"
Itsuki: "Sure. Got a name for it?"
Shane grinned.
Shane: "Three energies… flowing through me… what about Tri-Lok Ascension Technique?"
Itsuki: "Kinda cringe. Kinda awesome. I like it. Ascending the Three Worlds… damn, I got chills."
Shane: "Shall we begin?"