All of Anton's closest companions had gathered at his home, setting aside their obligations. No one worried about the commitments they had left behind.
This day was special—no one wanted to ruin it.
"I thought you wouldn't come, old friend. Is that a gift?" Koji asked John as soon as he arrived, holding a large present.
John placed the gift with the others and said, "I wouldn't miss this gathering, especially after hearing about Zoe's birth."
Akira approached, holding a large tray of food, and responded, "Thank you for the gift, and welcome."
"It's not much, but I hope Zoe will like it in the future." John, for the first time, seemed a bit anxious.
Everyone who had arrived earlier was also surprised. Jay, the newest subordinate that Anton had trained, murmured, "Wouldn't he give her a gun?"
"Are you stupid, or are you just pretending?" Koji glared at Jay, who simply thought he was right.
Anton soon arrived, holding another tray of food, but this time it was raw meat for the grill.
Jay, seeing Anton with the meat, stood up and said, "I'll handle that, buddy."
"Are you sure?" Anton raised an eyebrow, doubting this dramatic companion.
Jay patted his chest three times and said, "Buddy, I've made more sausages and barbecues than all of Texas combined. Trust me, this is nothing."
"Then the food is in your hands."
"Of course, relax."
Everyone was cheerful, though most were pretending.
Anton sat beside Akira, gently took one of her reserved hands, and she responded with a squeeze. Both had accepted this complicated relationship for reasons that were more than obvious.
The fence in Jerusalem had been akin to a war against dark entities. Anton had to come to terms with his likely death in that situation, as he was the symbol of humanity who always had to lead the way.
He wasn't saying his life was doomed, but he knew he could never escape a fate similar to his father's.
He would never know what Akira's childbirth was like, as she was alone when their daughter was born. He had no choice but to keep moving forward until the end.
"Can you believe a nun hit me?" Alexander brought up this embarrassing topic as everyone was discussing more trivial things.
John, who rarely spoke, asked, "Was she in the mafia?"
"I don't think so. She pulled out a cross instead of a gun." Alexander smiled at this and couldn't resist sharing the details.
Anton just smiled, not participating in the conversation, as he wasn't eager to talk.
When someone dedicates their life to something that gives it meaning, something that defines the lives of many people, Anton must intervene so they can have a bit of rest.
Rafael had no family, neither did Alexander, and Jay seemed to like a girl, but after what happened in Jerusalem, he distanced himself from her, as he wasn't a selfish man.
They all needed something to keep going, and Anton hoped that none of them would die before the dark entities were eradicated.