Chapter 89 – "Triumphant Return… or Just More Chaos?"
Valen stretched with a long groan, his back cracking like he'd carried an entire continent.
— Alright, we're heading back to HQ. I need a real shower… and a real bed. Not a cursed rock or a ruined floor.
Valor nodded.
— Excellent idea. I can't stand the smell of "scorched battlefield" anymore.
Nova sighed:
— Or the smell of Valen.
— Hey! protested Valen. I smell fine.
— Yes, replied Nova. Very strong.
They set off, step by step toward HQ. The closer they got, the brighter the light became, and the louder the murmurs of the crowd.
When the gates opened…
A wall of people awaited them.
Hunters.
Civilians.
Children on their parents' shoulders.
Apprentices waving handmade flags.
Even a skewer vendor shouting, "SPECIAL DEAL — the heroes are back!"
In the front row, their names were whispered, murmured, chanted:
— Valen! Lya! Nova! Valor! Zarion! Naël! Arthur! Béatrice!
In the back, almost hidden by taller figures, Liora was speaking with Elyon.
The two stood like statues: one majestic, the other unimpressed.
A child tugged on his father's pants and pointed.
— Look, Dad! It's Valen! He's even cooler in real life! I want to be like him when I grow up!
Valen froze, surprised. Then he stepped forward with a smile borrowed from a movie hero.
He crouched and placed a hand on the kid's head.
— Maybe one day you'll be like me… but you'll have to work hard, alright? And most of all, remember there will always be people who support you. Never lose hope in life.
The crowd collectively went: "Oooooh…"
Elyonna, in miniature form on his shoulder, squinted.
— Since when is he mature? Did someone swap him out?
Lya literally emerged from the ground like a ghost, making three civilians scream, thinking they'd seen a spirit.
She stared at Valen.
— Stop feeding kids nonsense. Tell them most of your powers are—
She was about to say "inherited," but—
WHAP.
Liora appeared and placed a hand on her head like snuffing out a candle.
— Quiet. Now.
Liora bent down to the child and said with a radiant smile… 100% lie:
— In life, only hard work pays off.
Valor, arms crossed, had a thought loud enough to echo across space:
(That's rich coming from someone born talented like a cheat code…)
In the crowd, Drake, Ethan, and Marie pushed their way forward.
— You're finally back! said Drake, relieved.
Ethan pointed accusingly at Elyon.
— Him! I don't know him! Who is that guy?
Liora replied, deadpan:
— It's a long story… Let's just say he's my son.
— Wait, what?! Marie choked.
— You have a son?! I did NOT see that coming!
The civilian murmur suddenly became very interested.
Heads turned. Ears perked up. Gossip ignited.
Liora gritted her teeth.
— All three of you, shut it. You want the civilians hearing this?
Let's get inside HQ. I need a shower, and I'm not talking about a bucket of cold water like on the battlefield.
Elyon sighed, looking as awkward as a teenager whose mom just yelled in a supermarket.
— No need to yell at them, Mother…
Valen whispered to Nova:
— There it is… she's already abusing her commander privileges.
Nova replied:
— Already? She started before we arrived.
The group finally entered HQ, cheered like legends… but with the usual chaos of a dysfunctional family.
And somewhere in the crowd, a child whispered:
— Mom, I want to be a hunter.
— Okay, but not like Valen, alright?
— Why not?
— He attracts trouble.
Chapter 90 – "The Meeting, the Name… and the Problems"
After a war-worthy bath — where Valen lost his soap three times, Nova tried to strangle a towel, and Zarion declared the water was "too peaceful for him" — everyone gathered in the HQ's grand meeting hall.
Commander Liora took her seat, imposing and cold, though her eyes were softer than before.
In front of her, lined up, stood:
Valen, Zarion, Naël, Arthur, Béatrice, Lya, Nova, Valor, Drake, Ethan, and Marie.
Elyon remained standing, arms crossed, leaning against the wall like a fallen prince or a secret boss.
---
Chaos Unleashed
Ethan spoke up without waiting for permission:
— So… you said this guy is your son?
Liora:
— Exactly.
Marie crossed her arms:
— How come he vanished all this time? You could've asked for help, you know. We would've supported you.
Liora raised a firm hand:
— This matter… concerns only me. I'm free to keep it private. I hope that's understood.
Valen raised an eyebrow:
— Can you stop abusing your commander privileges already?
Liora shot him a deadly glare.
Valen sighed:
— Okay, I said nothing…
---
**The Forbidden Name**
Drake looked at Elyon:
— And… what's his name?
Elyon slowly approached him — really slowly, like a final boss walking as if he controlled gravity.
He placed a hand on Drake's shoulder:
— You want to know my name…? Are you sure?
BOOM.
A titanic aura burst forth, crushing the room.
Drake's hair lifted as if caught in a divine wind, cold sweat trickling down his neck.
Naël choked:
— Bro… is he interrogating him or performing an exorcism?
Liora slammed the table:
— ELYON! STOP.
He just wanted your name! Drake's a sweetheart, you know!
Elyon, calmed, stepped back:
— Alright, Mother.
Zarion muttered, scratching his horn:
— He's changed… but still has his petty habits.
---
Liora's Oversized Ego
Liora took on a proud — too proud — expression:
— His name is Elyon. He's my son. Handsome, isn't he, Béatrice?
Arthur exploded:
— Wait, what?! You only ask Béatrice?! There are plenty of women here and you pick her?
Liora smirked:
— Why? Are you in love with her?
Arthur turned red as a volcano.
He sat down and placed a hand on his heart:
— Béatrice… that kind lady… is my ray of sunshine…
Béatrice stood up suddenly, moved:
— My sweet Arthur… I want to hold you in my arms! Come here!
Valen turned to miniature Elyonna on his shoulder:
— Look at that show-off… always flirting with the ladies.
Elyonna sighed:
— And you… always jealous because no one wants you.
Valen:
— That's false and slanderous!
Liora snapped her fingers:
— That's an order. I do NOT want your nonsense in this meeting!
Naël grumbled:
— Always with the power trips…
---
**The Real Question**
Liora took a deep breath and turned to her son.
— Today, a grand banquet will be held to celebrate our reunion.
But I'd like to ask you something, Elyon…
She paused.
The entire room fell silent. Even Valor stopped chewing his invisible gum.
— Would you… like to join us?
A sacred silence fell.
Elyon looked up at her.
His aura, for a moment, completely stilled.
— Yes, Mother.
I'll join you.
And… I have a lot to make up for.
Liora smiled.
A real smile this time.
The kind that only appears once a century.
Valen whispered:
— Well… things are gonna get wild with a mini-Liora on the team.
Nova replied:
— Mini? Him? He's a nuclear bomb.
The meeting continued… and so did the chaos.
Chapter 91 – "The Banquet of Return"
The sun was setting over HQ, tinting the windows with a red glow that screamed "Welcome to the madhouse."
In the grand hall, preparations for the banquet were in full swing. Hunters ran everywhere, cooks shouted, and Valen was already sampling dishes like he was head of quality control.
Zarion slapped his hand away.
— Stop picking at the food! The banquet hasn't even started!
— I'm inspecting! You never know if it's poisoned!
— Valen… we cooked it ourselves.
— Exactly. Even more dangerous.
---
The Group Arrives
The doors opened and Commander Liora entered, followed by Elyon, now dressed in a sleek black and silver uniform.
Silent, but not threatening.
Calm.
Determined.
So different that even Lya felt compelled to comment:
— Yo… who's this magazine model?
Elyon raised an eyebrow.
— Want a demonstration of my true form?
Lya dove straight into the floor.
— No thanks I love your current style stay like that bro.
Valor clapped his hands behind them.
— Ladies and gentlemen, let the BANQUET begin!
Nova:
— But no one said it was time yet…
Valor:
— Doesn't matter, my stomach said yes.
---
The Banquet Begins
The hall lit up.
Tables overflowed with grilled meats, stews, exotic dishes, and glowing desserts…
Even Arthur had dropped his princely composure.
— BÉATRICE! LOOK! Dragon-shaped meringues!
— My sweet Arthur, you're too adorable when you shout.
Marie watched Elyon from a distance.
— Does he even eat?
Ethan:
— With that aura, I thought he fed on stars.
Elyon picked up a plate.
— I eat.
Then looked at Valen.
— Just not with your demonic appetite.
Valen, mouth full:
— Tfa pfa a demo tfoi?
Lya:
— Valen, keep talking like that and I'm filming you.
---
A Strange Calm
Everyone laughed, ate, chatted.
A true moment of peace.
Even Liora seemed… at ease.
She watched her son with a gaze no one had seen before.
Not that of a commander.
Not a war leader.
A mother's gaze.
Zarion nudged her.
— You're smiling.
— So?
— It's scary.
— One more word and I'll cut your vacation days to zero.
Zarion:
— Ah. There's the real Liora.
---
Valen and the Tiny Menace
On Valen's shoulder, miniature Elyonna bit into a dessert.
— Could you stop eating like you've never seen food before?
— I'm recovering from battle, madam!
— You just walked.
— False. I also shouted a lot.
— That's not effort.
— For me it is. I have impressive vocal talent.
Elyon watched the scene, puzzled.
— What… is that?
Valen:
— My sword partner.
Elyon:
— She has a miniature form?
Elyonna:
— You want a problem?
Lya:
— Leave them be. This is gonna turn into a dwarf duel.
---
The Disruptive Event
As the party reached its peak, the lights flickered for a moment.
Just enough for everyone to stop talking.
A deep sound.
Very deep.
Like a heartbeat from far away.
Naël stood up.
— Did you feel that?
Zarion grabbed his weapon.
— Sounds like… something hitting the outer barrier.
Valor:
— Maybe it's an animal?
Liora:
— No. I know that sound.
She clenched her teeth.
Elyon looked up, his gray pupils narrowing slightly.
Another beat.
Stronger.
Closer.
BÉTOOM.
Lya emerged from the ground.
— Okay, that wasn't an animal.
Nova:
— Definitely not friendly.
Arthur:
— EVERYONE TO THE ENTRANCE, NOW!
Valen:
— I haven't finished my plate.
Elyonna:
— VALEN, ARE YOU A HUNTER OR A HEAD CHEF?!
Valen:
— HUNTER BUT I'M HUNGRY!
A third beat shook the walls.
Liora whispered:
— It's starting… much earlier than expected.
Elyon stood calmly.
— I suspected as much.
Someone's coming for me.
Chapter 92 – "Those Who Knock at HQ's Door"
HQ trembled for the fourth time.
This time, glasses rattled, lamps swayed, and Valen's dessert slid across the table on its own.
Valen set down his fork.
— Okay. Now it's personal.
Zarion stood up:
— Everyone! Positions!
Liora strode across the hall, her cape billowing like it had its own built-in fan.
Elyon followed behind her — calm. Too calm.
Nova whispered:
— Why does it feel like he already knows what this is?
Valor:
— Because it's probably a problem coming for him.
Lya:
— Great. The guy just got here and trouble's already knocking.
---
At HQ's Entrance
The reinforced doors were shaking, like someone was pounding on them with meteors.
Arthur placed his hand on the handle:
— I'll open it.
Béatrice tugged his coat:
— Arthur. My ray of sunshine. Are you trying to die today?
— I was just… checking the handle. Nothing dangerous.
Zarion pressed his ear to the door:
— Sounds like… three knocks. Slow. Steady.
Naël:
— Slow? Steady?
Valen:
— So not a monster. Monsters knock like maniacs.
Nova:
— Since when are you an expert in knock analysis?
Valen:
— I have my talents.
---
The Silence… Then the Voice
Suddenly, everything stopped.
No more knocking.
No more tremors.
Just a heavy silence.
Then… a voice.
Deep. Distant.
Like muffled through layered dimensions.
> — "Open… Elyon."
The entire team slowly turned toward him.
Elyon sighed.
— Confirmed. It's for me.
Lya:
— BRO WHAT KIND OF LIFE DO YOU HAVE?
Valor:
— Can we go back to the banquet and pretend we didn't hear that?
Mini-Elyonna:
— You just want to eat.
Valen:
— EXACTLY.
Liora stepped in front of the door:
— Elyon. Who is it?
Elyon answered without hesitation:
— Someone… I wish I'd never see again.
---
The First Crack
A sinister fracture appeared at the center of the door.
Zarion:
— Okay, that's not a normal person.
Arthur drew his sword:
— Shall we greet them?
Béatrice:
— With elegance. Or violence. I'm fine with both.
Marie:
— I'd like to go home.
Ethan:
— Don't worry, no one goes home in chapters like this.
Elyon stepped forward:
— Don't get between me and them. They only want me.
Liora placed a hand on his arm:
— Elyon. You're a hunter now. You're not alone anymore.
Elyon lowered his gaze… then smiled faintly:
— Thank you… Mother.
---
BOOOOM
The door exploded into shards of steel and energy.
Everyone shielded themselves.
When the dust settled…
Three figures stood at the entrance.
Three beings cloaked entirely in white, each marked with a black eye at the center of their chest.
Their aura… wasn't magical, divine, or abyssal.
It was the absence of aura.
A void.
A hole in reality.
Naël whispered:
— What are those things…?
One of them pointed a finger at Elyon.
> — "First Prince of the Throne. You abandoned your role.
We've come to take you back."
Elyon froze.
Valen exhaled:
— Oh no… this is worse than I thought…
Lya:
— WHO ARE THEY!?
Elyon:
— …
— The Guardians of the Void.
The jailers of the Throne itself.
Silence.
Zarion:
— I don't like their name.
Valen:
— Me neither.
Nova:
— I like their faces even less.
Mini-Elyonna:
— If one of them touches me, I swear I'll go full-size and scatter two of them across the moon.
The central Guardian stepped forward.
> — "Elyon. You have one last chance.
Return… or we will destroy this world."
Cliffhanger.