Saroto was still clinging tightly to his parents, as if his arms refused to believe what was happening. This wasn't just a reunion; it was a miracle he hadn't even dared to dream of. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding wildly, his fingers gripping his father back and his mother shoulders, as if afraid they would vanish if he let go.
Morvan smiled and patted his son back, then said in a quiet voice that masked deep longing, "Tell me, Saroto… how are things in the Kingdom of Darkness?"
Saroto raised his head, tears still glistening in his eyes, and said, "Father, it's only been a month since you passed away, but rest assured, things are fine."
Morvan froze for a moment, then scratched his head and chuckled softly. "Good."
The three of them couldn't contain themselves and burst into laughter, a laughter tinged with sadness and longing, but genuine nonetheless.
Saroto turned slowly toward his mother, Carmelina. The woman he had parted from when he was five years old, the woman he had last seen for ten long years. He stood before her, speechless, staring, as if afraid that even blinking would cause her to vanish. He smiled shyly, his voice trembling: "Mother… I never expected to see you again. I don't even know what to say after all this time…"
Carmelina gently raised her hands, placing them on his head, then pulled him to her chest and hugged him tightly, saying in a voice full of tenderness: "That's enough, my son… It's enough that I'm here with you now."
Saruto eyes widened in surprise, then he smiled and returned the hug. At that moment, Hades, the ruler of the underworld, spoke in a stern tone: "Saruto, I will grant you only one day to spend with your family. After this day, I will begin your training, as we agreed."
Saruto nodded respectfully and said, "Thank you, Lady Hades."
He and his parents left the palace, their bodies rising into the sky, floating among the floating lands. "I never imagined I'd be able to see you both again," said Saruto, looking around in amazement.
"Neither did we, my boy," smiled Carmelina.
"Where are we going now?" Saruto asked.
"To the palace," Morvan replied simply.
Saruto paused in flight for a moment. "A palace?!" he exclaimed in surprise.
Moments later, they arrived at a magnificent palace. As soon as they entered, Saruto eyes widened in admiration. "Why do some people here live in simple houses, while others live in palaces?" he asked, taking in the high walls and dark decorations.
"In the realm of the dead," Morvan replied, "those who live in palaces are the former kings of the Dark House. Those who live in houses are the common people of the Dark Kingdom."
Saruto nodded understandingly. "So… if I go to one of these palaces, will I meet the other founders of the Dark House?"
"Yes, that's right," Morvan said.
"And why is it that in the realm of the dead, only those who possess the power of darkness exist?" Saruto asked curiously.
"The answer to that question lies with the ruler Hades," Morvan sighed. "Even I don't know why."
Carmelina smiled and changed the subject. "Forget the questions for now. Tell me about everything you've accomplished."
"I've already told you about his achievements," Morvan said.
"But I want to hear the story from him," she replied with a sly smile.
Saruto laughed and began to tell her everything: about his friends, the rigorous tests at the academy, his two fiancées, his defiance of the four founders, and the dragon Void that dwelled within him.
"So, Saruto, you've fallen in love with two princesses… and when are you getting married?" Carmelina smiled.
"I haven't decided yet," he said, flustered.
"And have you chosen names for your future children?" Carmelina asked.
"Mother! Please stop embarrassing me!" said Saruto.
All three of them laughed, and the palace was filled with a warmth Saruto hadn't felt in a long time. Moments later, two men and two women entered the palace. Morvan welcomed them and invited them to sit. "Mother… who are these?" whispered Saruto.
"They are my parents, and your father's parents," she said with a smile.
"You mean… my grandparents?" said Saruto.
"Yes," said Carmelina.
One of the men stepped forward and said in surprise, "Morvan, who is this boy?"
"Father… this is your grandson. Saruto," said Morvan.
Silence fell, then one of them said in astonishment, "Is Saruto dead?"
Morvan and Carmelina exchanged a shocked look. They realized the harsh truth: since Saruto was in the realm of the dead, it meant he was dead. "My son… are you dead?" said Morvan anxiously. "And who killed you?"
"Did you die without accomplishing anything in your life?" Carmelina asked, her voice trembling.
Saruto quickly raised his hands. "Calm down! I didn't die. I was simply dragged into this world."
He explained everything that had happened, and when he finished, Morvan said with barely concealed anger, "So that Umbra is the reason…"
"Let's leave that for now," Carmelina interrupted. "Saruto doesn't have much time left before his training."
Morvan took his son hand and said, "Come, I'll introduce you to your grandparents."
He pointed them out one by one. "This is your grandfather, Saruto, and your grandmother, Farnet. And this is your maternal grandfather, Kaiser, and your grandmother, Fiona."
Saruto bowed respectfully, and they returned the greeting with proud smiles. "It's an honor for me that you bear my name, my grandson," said Grandfather Saruto.
"The honor is all mine, Grandfather," said Saruto.
"Father… why do my grandparents look so young?" Saruto asked, surprised. Morvan smiled. "In the world of the dead, everyone stays thirty."
Suddenly, his grandparents lifted him up, laughing. "Let's celebrate our grandson today!"
The celebration began. They shared stories and laughter, ate, and reminisced. Saruto was the happiest of them all, because he was finally reunited with his entire family in one place.