Chapter 386: Smile Once More

Perseus POV

"Grandma Lynda!"

"You've returned." She replied, returning my hug, "Ah, there are so many guests!"

We got home and since the guests aka Dawn's subordinates currently had nowhere to go, I had them stay at my home for now, it'll take a day or so till the chief can arrange a place for them.

But they're not going to live there for long, the chief has ordered evacuation to the village's secret bunker and to leave the ones who can fight behind, Tehios have announced their alliance with the heroes after the death of the majority of their council members at the hands of Kano, who did it with the claim of them betraying demonkind.

Before we get into the complexities of the fate of the demons of Tehios if the heroes win, Russo has sent a letter asking for our surrender and is waiting for a reply by 7 months from now.

The deadline was because Tehios isn't stable with Russo as their de facto leader, and their citizens are also reluctant to join the war, 7 months should be enough for us to give a proper response(which is a fucking rejection and a kick in his nuts) and his people to stabilize themselves.

"Here ma'am, Perseus has asked me to give you these medicines." Dawn said and handed some to Grandma Lynda, who just rejected it, "Wager and I have lived long enough, keep it for the injured."

"But grandma, this medicine-"

I then cut myself off...my family heavily worships Dawn, and Vince himself participated in prayers...if she finds out that Dawn is the sun goddess...my grandparents will never wake up right then and there.

"Seriously? Another woman?" Vince said and next to him was Anna, "L-Perseus, you need to slow down."

"What the hell did you tell him?!"

"What?! I just said that I got a date." She pouted

"I didin't give you that permission!"

"What's wrong with having a mistress? You already have 5 women?"

"You're an 80 year old woman!"

"Wait, she's 80?" Vince gave me a puzzling look, "How?"

"Bro, this is a world of magic, there are places that can even increase you- OW."

"He's a child, he doesn't need to know about that yet." Grandpa Wager said after hitting my head.

"Is that what you did?" Vince asked

"Why?"

"How the hell does he know what we're talking about?" Grandpa Wager demanded, "It was you, wasn't it? You're the big brother, can't you be a better role model."

"Role model? I wasn't even here!"

"Even worse, you're teaching him to abandon his family!"

"What the-"

*****

Leilah POV

The others must have sensed Mom's presence, her powers are fully restored, and there is no way that the others can't sense it, even the other roses, however, the only ones who can properly visit without having their head on a pike, that would be the gods.

Perseus also owed them for putting on their vows, the others brought over a mutant who willingly worked for Cain and he also brought along the schematics for an atomic bomb. He also brought over a lot more.

Sure enough, after our arrival, it took only about an hour for them to be at our door, though We had to make sure that Saber didn't make any contact with our mother, considering his...incestual feelings for her. 

Isfrid was here as well, but unlike the other 2 who went to hug our mother and demanded to know where she've been, he stayed far away and just looked over the scene coldly.

I don't want to be that person, but...were the rash decisions to make this war influenced by him somehow?

"Here ya guys go, you 2 got what ya want."  Perseus said as he gave them what they demanded.

He also gave the slightly reformed Cassius a souvenir, which were hair sprays since this world doesn't have them yet. He also handed him some other things, but I ignored them and headed over to Isfrid.

"Hey."

"Hey." he replied curtly, "How may I help you?"

"Isfrid, you've spent years alone in your solitude. Don't you ever miss the company of your own family? Visit me more often, and I'll talk to you, even if Perseus doesn't like you, he'll at least listen to me."

"I've grown accustomed to solitude. It's easier this way, away from others."

"You've been carrying this burden for far too long. The tragedy that befell our mortal family was not your fault nor Lilith's, I can help you."

"It doesn't matter whose fault it was. They're gone, and I remain, so I must finish what I've started."

I tried to reach out to him, but he backed away.

"You can't keep punishing yourself like this, brother. You may be the God of Winter, but you shouldn't let your heart freeze over completely. Come, talk to Mom, she missed you."

"If she did, she would have returned. Besides, it's hard to let go of the pain, sister. It's the only thing that connects me to them now."

"I understand your grief, but remember, we're still family. We have the power to shape our destinies and find joy again. You're a God, you can do anything."

"That's why I'm eliminating the demons."

"But they aren't the same people, you can't just try to cause their extinction."

"They took my family from me. They deserve to feel the pain I've felt."

"We're family, we're still here. Vengeance won't bring them back. It will only repeat the cycle of suffering."

  "You don't understand, sister. You weren't there when they were torn from me."

"No, I wasn't. But I see the pain you've been carrying all these years. And I don't want to see you consumed by it."

"I don't know if I can let go, even if I wanted to."

As I gazed upon my brother, and the torment he carried, a deep well of sadness enveloped me. The weight of his long grief, isolation, and thirst for vengeance weighed heavily on my heart. I wished I could shoulder his anguish, return the warmth to his heart, and see him smile once more.