Antrodos woke up to the sound of chirping birds and the first rays of sunlight peeking through the window. He turned to his side and looked at his wife, Laussinna, sleeping peacefully beside him. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before getting out of bed and taking a quick bath.
As he walked down the hallway, he could hear the sound of his two youngest children, Illyanna and Agnes, giggling and splashing water in the bath. It made his heart swell with warmth and emotion. He smiled to himself and continued to walk towards the front door.
As he opened the door, he saw his eldest son, Max, training outside with his shield. Antrodos watched him for a few moments, admiring his son's dedication and hard work. He wanted to approach Max and start a conversation, but he was afraid. Afraid of not knowing what to say or how to connect with his son.
He decided to leave Max alone and instead went to the kitchen to chat with Matterinna, his trusted maid and friend.
"Good morning, Antrodos," Matterinna greeted him as she prepared breakfast.
"Good morning, Matterinna," Antrodos replied with a small smile. "How are my children doing?"
"They're doing well," Matterinna said, stirring the pot. "Illyanna and Agnes are having a fun time in the bath, and Max is training outside as usual."
Antrodos nodded. "I...I wanted to talk to Max, but I don't know how to approach him. I feel like I'm not a good enough father for him."
Matterinna placed a comforting hand on Antrodos' shoulder. "You are a wonderful father, Antrodos. You have raised three amazing children. You just need to be honest and open with them. They will appreciate that more than anything."
Antrodos sighed, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Thank you, Matterinna. I will try."
Antrodos and Max walked through the woods, the sunlight peeking through the branches above. Antrodos kept glancing at his son, trying to find the right words to say.
"Max," Antrodos started, "I know I'm not the best at this fatherly stuff, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you."
Max was surprised by the compliment. His father had never been one for words, and it caught him off guard. "Thank you, Dad," he replied, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Antrodos stopped in a small clearing, turning to face his son. "I've been holding onto something for you. It's your legacy, as a member of our family."
Max looked at his father, his curiosity piqued. Antrodos held out his hand, and a small object appeared in his palm. It was a small, black gemstone.
"This is your Akhasa, Max. It's the power you've inherited from me, and it will allow you to summon a suit of armor from the demon realm."
Max stared at the stone in disbelief, unsure of what to say. "But...I didn't know you were...a half-demon."
Antrodos chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Surprise," he said with a grin. "Your mother was an angel, though. Quite the combination, huh?"
Max shook his head, still trying to process everything. He looked up at his father, his eyes filled with wonder. "Can I try it out?" he asked, eager to see the power his father had given him.
Antrodos nodded, and Max held the stone in his hand. He focused on the gem, and suddenly, a suit of armor appeared around him. It was black and silver, with intricate details etched into the metal. Max couldn't help but feel a sense of power and strength as he gazed down at himself.
Antrodos summoned a sword and swung it at Max, testing the strength of the armor. It held up well, but there were still weaknesses to be worked on. Antrodos explained that the armor would grow and strengthen with Max's abilities and proficiency, just like his shield.
Max felt grateful for the gift his father had given him. He couldn't wait to learn more about his powers and the legacy he had inherited. As they made their way back to the household, Max couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of pride and confidence. He knew that with his father's guidance and support, he could become an even stronger warrior.
Antrodos and Max were walking together through the woods, discussing Max's training with his new suit of armor. Suddenly, they were approached by one of Antrodos's brothers-in-arms, a ranger, who looked visibly concerned.
"Antrodos, we need to talk to you in private," the ranger said, his voice low and urgent.
Antrodos nodded and turned to Max. "I'm sorry, Max. I have to go take care of something. You head back home, okay?"
Max's face fell, but he quickly composed himself and forced a smile. "Yeah, sure. No problem."
Antrodos gave his son a quick hug and then turned to follow the ranger. Max watched them go, feeling a pang of loneliness in his chest. He hated when his father had to leave unexpectedly like this, especially when they were in the middle of spending time together.
He sighed and started to walk back home alone, kicking at the dirt path as he went. As he walked, he tried to shake off his sadness and focus on something else. He looked up at the trees, listening to the birds chirping and the leaves rustling in the wind.
But he couldn't stop thinking about his father and the urgency in the ranger's voice. What could be so important that it required his father's immediate attention?