Joining the Family

"What son?"

"Right… So he never told, did he?" Daruun's seriousness was shattered as he broke out in laughter. "Sorry… Don't think of this as disrespect. I'm just surprised that he hid that fact from you of all people."

"Who hid what from me?" questioned Jack, feeling agitated by the blatant sidestepping of the answer and the intermixed laughter.

"Your father. We hide it from the rest but I'm still surprised Sterfen never informed you, of all people, that I'm his biological father and your legitimate grandfather."

Numb, Jack's body went limp for a moment as he rag-dolled in his chair. 

"Who's Sterfen?" Duorda asked.

"He's my son who was born on Kartonia while you were fulfilling your duties as temple guardian," answered Daruun. "Since he chose not to become my full-time partner in the inevitable future, I told Sterfen to not challenge you and ruin our little test."

"Sterfen is… That's why he's so… Does that mean--"