The Beast Attack

[Fairview - Richard's house]

Akihiro slowly regains consciousness, slowly coming to terms with the dull pain coursing through his body. He struggles to rise, eventually finding the strength to stand up.

"My body hurts so bad, Damn It! Stella!" Akihiro mutters, as he leaves his room and steps into the living area.

To his surprise, his family is gathered, engaging in a festive cleaning spree. As he catches Sarah's gaze, he averts his eyes, feeling a mix of shame and relief.

Before he can gather his thoughts, Sarah rushes towards him, enveloping him in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're awake,"

Noah chimes in, his voice heavy with concern, "You know I respect you as my brother, but please, don't worry Mom and Dad like that again."

Akihiro, swallowed by guilt, murmurs, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

"It's okay, son," Sarah reassures him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Amelia, silent and composed, continues cleaning, her gestures speaking volumes. Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupts the atmosphere in the room.

Noah strides towards the door, questioning aloud, "Who might it be?" As he opens it, he's greeted by the familiar, mischievous faces of the blue-headed twins.

"Luke and Rukh?" he exclaims, surprised by the unexpected visit.

With a wide grin, Luke enthusiastically greets Noah, "Look who it is."

Rukh adds with a chuckle, "Talk about unexpected, giggle bum."

"No silly names, guys," Noah retorts with a laugh. "Where have you two been?"

Sarah, from the background, inquires, "Who is it, Noah?"

"It's Luke and Rukh," Noah replies.

Akihiro rushes to the door, his face lighting up. "Wow, it's been so long! Come on in."

Luke and Rukh, with regret in their voices, explain, "We can't stay; we were just passing by. We have much to do and need to gather our belongings for our journey to the kingdom of the Akatsuki."

"Is that so? Guess we'll meet again," Noah says with a smile.

"See you all soon, Akihiro, Noah, Aunt Sarah, and Amelia," the twins bid their farewells.

"Thanks for stopping by," Sarah calls out as Luke and Rukh turn and leave, closing the door behind them. Akihiro attempts to engage Amelia in conversation, but she remains aloof.

"I'll handle the cooking; you can rest, Mom," she declares, her voice calm but distant.

Noah offers a reassuring pat on Akihiro's back. "It's okay. She'll come around."

Akihiro breathes a heavy sigh, grappling with a sense of desolation. Suddenly, the door swings open, revealing Richard. His eyes lock onto Akihiro, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"So, you're awake, huh," Richard says with a grin.

"Yes, but I want to..." Akihiro begins, only to be interrupted by Richard. "Let's talk about that during dinner, okay?"

Akihiro nods in compliance.

[Later In The Evening]

As evening descends upon the household, the warm, golden light of the setting sun casts a cozy glow throughout the room, creating a tranquil ambiance. The clinking of cutlery against plates fill the air as the family gathers around the dinner table.

The savory aroma of a carefully prepared meal drifts from the kitchen, tantalizing their senses and further emphasizing the familial intimacy of the moment.

Richard, setting down his fork and knife after a hearty bite, exclaims, "Wow, what a great meat! I think the person who will marry my daughter should pay 1000 gold or maybe 10000 gold."

Sarah and Noah share a lighthearted chuckle, while Amelia and Akihiro remain uncharacteristically subdued. Richard, attempting to lighten the mood, finds his efforts fall flat.

"Look, all of you, I understand what Akihiro did was wrong, but he is family," Richard asserts solemnly.

"Family? We don't even share the same blood. What gives him the right to do that at my parents?" Amelia explodes with frustration.

"Amelia?" Sarah interjects, a note of concern in her voice.

Akihiro, his fists clenched, offers a heartfelt apology, "I'm sorry. I don't deserve the right to do all that. If I caused you all trouble, I'll leave. But I am very sorry."

Richard interjects firmly, "No way you're leaving. We are all family. You should remember that every family goes through moments like this; it only serves to strengthen our bond. The world is imperfect, and so are we. Understand that, Amelia."

He motions for Akihiro to take a seat, continuing, "Nothing in this world is perfect. Everything that appears perfect has undergone a multitude of imperfections, trials, and revisions before emerging as something remarkable. Now, let's be family again."

Akihiro, overcome with remorse, nods earnestly. "I'm sorry, Amelia and Dad, everyone. I'm very, very sorry for everything. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."

Noah smiles empathetically, "I forgive you, brother." Sarah adds, "I forgive you too, my son. Let's always stick by each other."

Amelia finally speaks, her voice soft but resolute, "I... I forgive you. But only if you promise not to stress our parents like that again."

Richard beams with joy, "I'm glad you've all settled down. I, too, am sorry, Akihiro. I'll tell you what you want to know tomorrow."

The dinner progresses, the family enjoys their meal, the clinking of cutlery mingling with occasional laughter and heartfelt conversations.

As the meal concludes, they retire to their respective rooms, their hearts lighter and their bond reaffirmed, unknowingly on the cusp of an unexpected turn of events. Little did they know, the impending night held a twist that would send ripples through their tranquil evening.

[HOURS LATER, AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT]

The night unfolds, casting a heavy shadow and an eerie stillness, marking it as the darkest night of the year. An icy chill permeates the air, seeping through every crevice, as the sky overhead becomes a canvas of awe-inspiring beauty. The once clouded expanse now reveals a pristine, star-studded sky, each radiant, dazzling star shining with an uncanny intensity.

Suddenly, a deafening, thunderous roar shattered the tranquility, emanating from the central part of the village. It was the manifestation of a portal connecting the Man Beast world above to Earth.

Tom, was the first to be stirred from his sleep by the clamor. He muttered, "No... not tonight."

THE BEAST ATTACK???