World's Edge was not really the end of the world, as planets are spheres, but the magnificent view along with the vast ocean made it truly seem as if it was the boundary of the world. To the back of the cliff were extremely steep mountains that loomed above the clouds, casting a shadow on the surrounding area.
The sun had set a while ago, and yet the twins were still speechless. Julian and the twins sat in comfortable silence on top of Nova's head as the world slowly went to sleep.
"Do you twins have any family members?" Julian finally asked, breaking the silence.
Turning her head, Emmia answered, "no, I've been with Ica as far as I know. No one bothered to help us either."
She clasped her brother's hand for some comfort. Looking at other families, Emmia always longed for familial affection. Which child doesn't? The only family she had was Icarth who was half asleep and half bored all the time. She didn't particularly dislike her brother's personality, it just wasn't easy living without any parental figure to look up to.
The short time that she had been with grandpa Julian had made her extremely happy and she was sure that Icarth felt the same way deep inside.
Julian just nodded. If the twins had any family, he would've had to.....convince their family to let him teach the twins. But since they didn't have anybody, the process became slightly easier.
"Do you two want to live with me?" Julian asked softly.
"W-hat?" Emmia stuttered, unsure if she heard correctly.
"I mean do you two want me to become your grandfather legally?" Julian clarified.
"Yes! Really? Really? You will?" Emmia fired out.
Julian chuckled, "calm down, yes really. Only if you two agree."
Emmia was about to answer when Julian put his hand up to stop her.
"Now listen to me, if you agree then I will be training you while raising you."
"This universe is unforgiving. The world needs stronger people to defend it from outside threats."
"If you two agree to be my part of my family, you will have to step up in the future."
"Think carefully as it's your future. Even if you two refuse, I'll make sure to enroll you two into Nova academy."
Julian stopped speaking at gazed at Icarth and Emmia's reactions. Both were deep in thought, thoroughly thinking of what they truly wanted to do.
Icarth glanced at Emmia before turning to Julian, "gramps, will you make us stronger?"
"Of course Ica," Julian said before smirking, "why do you ask? Is that what interests you?"
"Maybe," Icarth replied lazily before laying down with his head on Julian's lap. He turned to look at Emmia who was hesitating whether to speak her mind or not.
"Go ahead Mia," Julian urged gently. "You should say what's on your mind without any fears."
Firming her resolve, Mia asked, "Grandpa, I don't know about becoming stronger, but can I still build things?"
"There are many ways to help Mia, fighting is just one of them. Of course, you can build things," Julian smiled gently.
Emmia perked up, glancing at Icarth who nodded his consent, she exclaimed, "Then yes, please become our grandpa!"
"Then from today, your names are Emmia Struze and Icarth Struze," Julian proclaimed. Then he smiled as Emmia rushed to hug him crying out her eyes from happiness. He patted her head and also drew Icarth closer. Ica grumbled slightly but went along, all the while smiling faintly.
Nova, who was silent throughout the whole conversation, announced "Welcome to the family!"
"Hehe, thanks uncle Nova," Emmia smiled brightly, wiping away her tears.
"Please take this small gift from me kids," Nova then roared, his majestic roar reverberating throughout the mountains and seas while the night skies split apart to showcase a wondrous sight.
"Look up," Nova said before Emmia could look around in confusion. Icarth was already looking up and was awed by the sight.
It was a gorgeous silver star warmly emitting light. Surrounding it were numerous smaller red stars revolving slowly around the bigger silver star. These red stars followed golden-colored paths made of cosmic dust and mysterious energies. All this created a mystical feeling around the twins.
"Wooahh..." Emmia let out softly.
Nova chuckled, "Do you like it?"
"Uncle Nova, you're the best!" Emmia exclaimed laying down to try to hug his giant head. Nova grinned, the stunt he pulled was worth it.
"Alright Nova, I think you should close the rift now," Julian said as he could feel Nova getting tired from keeping the rift open.
Nova was tempted to argue but decided against it. "Kids, take a good look, I'm going to close it now."
Emmia turned around and put her head on Julian's lap as well. As the twins seared the surreal spectacle into their minds, Nova slowly closed it. The last thing the twins saw was the gigantic silver star with the golden cosmic rings before the night sky enveloped it.
"Thank you, uncle Nova," Emmia said.
"Thanks, uncle Nova," Icarth softly gave his thanks as well.
Hearing their thanks, Nova felt that it was all worth it. Bearing with his tiredness, he laid down and closed his eyes while listening to Emmia's conversation with Julian.
"What was that grandpa?"
"It's a star," Julian answered.
"Ooh," Emmia responded with awe.
As their conversation continued, Ica and Nova were lulled to sleep with Emmia too growing drowsy.
"Today was fun grandpa," Emmia said drowsily.
"It sure was," Julian smiled.
"Thank you, grandpa...." Emmia mumbled before she finally fell asleep exhausted. Julian chuckled, 'what energetic kids. I guess I'll be having my hands full for the future.'
Stroking the twins' hair Julian started to hum his odd tune. A melody from his youth. As he sat watch on top of Nova, his soft tune was drowned out by the crashing waves. The wind softly rustled his grey hair leaving him deep in his thoughts.
-----
In an unknown place deep inside the planet, a single lonely orb of light floated. Its light was dim like it could go out at any minute, illuminating near nothing to its surroundings.
Flickering slightly, a frail voice whispered, "my children..." And just like nothing happened, the light returned to its dim color.
-----
Back in the place which looked as if Hell had been brought forth, those hazy forms could be seen once again.
The garbled voice spoke out, "we have lost track of the watchdog."
"What happened?" Asked the grating voice.
"It was a decoy, it seems the watchdog lost focus of it." The garbled voice replied calmly as if it had not been duped.
"Find the watchdog," the grating voice commanded.
"Affirmative," the garbled voice responded and then vanished.
"What is the status of the search?" The grating voice, who was evidently the leader, asked.
"Nothing so far. We also believe that other species have not found the perfect hosts either." A low-pitched voice rang out.
"What is the status of the reinforcements?" The grating voice asked.
"They will take some time to arrive, around 12 years." A sing-song voice answered.
Thinking for a moment, the leader voice commanded, "Gather all our forces and send them to search. We must kill or cripple at least one of the perfect hosts before they grow."
"Affirmative," a plethora of voices rang out before all of them dispersed.