The overwhelming sensation that was taking over Blanc created a deafness that he only felt when harvesting Raw Vita.
No screams of Faye, cries of Kael and Lune, or the clanking of metal as soldiers of Blood Maroux approached their location reached Blanc's ears.
All grew silent in his mind, as emotions he buried deep down overwhelmed him.
How were they with Blood Maroux?
How did they escape?
Were Elion and Valar somewhere with them?
Or were they sent off as Blanc and the twins were?
As questions that needed answering spewed into his mind as if a dam was breaking, letting all the water drown the surrounding area that was his brain.
His vision blurred, and he felt dizzy, having to strain his eyes only to keep seeing the face of the two women who gave birth to them.
By the Vita herself, they were magnificent.
He could stare into their eyes for centuries and see nothing but the beauty of it all.
He was relieved to see them unharmed, smiling.
But what relieved him more, as he took control over his own body, was that he managed to keep Kael and Lune safe until they met again, as promised.
"Mothers…" Kael muttered, his eyes full of tears, as he and his twin sister dashed forward at incredible speeds, jumping straight into their arms before their weapons even touched the ground.
Mera and Auren's composure crumbled as they caught the two, hugging them tightly.
What was a mother supposed to do after reuniting with her children, other than bawl her eyes out until no tears were left?
So that's what they did.
Blanc remained still, looking at them, a warm smile on his face, as his mind calmed down, letting him enjoy the view.
Lucien nodded towards Benedict before moving, together with his wives, towards Celine, who, out of instinct, straightened her back.
"Celine of Blood Denegis," Lucien muttered as they drew closer to her.
"My Lord, I-" Celine began, hoping that, this time, her father would refrain from scolding her.
But she got interrupted as she felt a pull drawing her body at great speed.
She was taken off her feet, and by the next moment, she felt the arms of her father hugging her tightly.
"My beautiful daughter really is alive," he sighed, kissing the top of her head, "Before the Daughter gave us your message, we almost thought you were dead."
"I am not, Father," Celine giggled, reciprocating the hug she received, "All the lessons you gave me served me well."
"But of course they did," Lucien said, freeing her, "After all, I made them."
Next was Lea, Celine's birth mother, who couldn't hold on any longer as she took her daughter in her arms.
"The Vita is good," she sniffed, her knees trembling, "You look like a proper woman since you left us."
Celine couldn't hold back a sigh. "That's because many proper women raised me, isn't that right?"
"You are killing her, Lea dear," one of Lucien's wives spoke, a woman with light brown hair and green eyes, the Birth Mother of Sophie, one of Celine's sisters, Salina.
At her words, Lea let go of Celine, allowing her to breathe properly, only for Salina to be the one to take her in her arms.
"It is good to know you are alive, child," she whispered in Celine's ears as she hugged her, "Sophie can barely hold herself from barging into this room."
"Is she here?" Celine asked, surprised.
"Just outside into the hallway," Salina replied, pointing with her head towards the doorway, "Look."
As Celine dragged her eyes towards the doorway, a pair of golden eyes looked over the room, before finding her.
They stared, digging deep into her soul.
Celine waved lightly towards her, a wide smile on her lips.
The eyes were gone, vanishing back into the hallway, as if they were never there.
"Unfortunately, she is mad at you," Salina sighed, "Poor girl almost accepted your death."
At that, the last of Lucien's wives took a step towards the still-hugging pair.
Her hair was that of a rose in color, with eyes as pink as the skin of a newborn.
She was the eldest of the three wives, as well as one of the strongest in the Empire when it came to wielding a certain type of magic.
"Greetings, Mother Manon," Celine said, letting go of Salina.
Manon smirked, the last to hug Celine, as she spoke, "From what we all have heard, you are soon to be a mother of your own, Little Celine."
"It is so, by the grace of the Vita," Celine nodded, "On the sixth week now."
"Already?" Manon muttered, looking towards Blanc, who was heading towards his mothers, "At least he looks fitting to be the father of your children."
"Mother Manon, he treats me and my sister all too well," Celine giggled, breaking free from her hug.
"Your sister?" Lucien asked, as his eyes ran towards Miyanna for a quick glance, "Who is she?"
"My Capesso and Blanc's second wife," Celine nodded.
"Which came first?" Lea asked, "In other words, whose doing is this? Yours or Blanc's?"
"When we met her, he wanted to kill her to keep me and his siblings safe," Celine explained, "It was entirely my doing which led to the arrangement as it stands now."
Lucien sighed, scratching his eyebrows, "I always knew your eyes were more for women, but I did not expect it so soon."
"You are wrong, Father," Celine shook her head, "My eyes are for my husband first, then her, then other women."
"I-I see…" Lucien muttered.
A statement that sent the three wives of Blood Maroux laughing out loud as they changed to talking about other matters.
"Still," Celine said, "Before I take you to meet her, I must say, you acted fast."
"Once the second message from the Daughter you spoke with reached us, we left immediately after, knowing your destination," Lucien explained, "Good thing the intel confirmed Blood Aron's betrayal not long before you first contacted us."
"Good thing you decided to tell me," Celine replied, looking at the bodies all around the dining hall. "Otherwise, things could've gotten much worse."