The air was still as Samuel stood before the small home. Warm yellow light spilled through the windows, casting a soft glow against the evening sky. Inside, he could hear the gentle murmur of voices—his parents, unaware of the storm that had been raging in his life.
For months, he had fought battles that defied logic, crossed into realms beyond mortal comprehension, and awakened powers that reshaped the fabric of reality itself. Yet, standing here, facing the threshold of his childhood home, he felt something unfamiliar—hesitation.
Faith floated beside him, her small form wrapped in a soft white onesie. Her golden eyes, so much like his own, sparkled with curiosity. She babbled something unintelligible before stretching out her tiny arms toward the door.
Samuel exhaled. It's time.
With a firm but measured step, he knocked.
---
A Mother's Embrace
The door opened within seconds. His mother, Adebisi, stood in the doorway, her warm brown skin illuminated by the hallway light. For a moment, she simply stared, her eyes widening in disbelief. Then, without warning, she pulled him into a crushing embrace.
"Samuel!" she gasped, her voice thick with emotion. "Where have you been?!"
Samuel let himself be held, closing his eyes as the familiar scent of home washed over him. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed this.
His father, Tunde, approached from the dining table, his expression stern yet relieved. "Boy, do you know how long it's been? Your mother has been worried sick!"
"I'm sorry," Samuel said sincerely. "I should have come sooner."
His mother pulled back, eyes scanning him critically. "You've changed."
Tunde crossed his arms. "Of course, he has. He disappears without a word, and now he shows up looking... bigger?" His gaze moved over Samuel's broader shoulders, his stronger frame.
Before Samuel could explain, Faith giggled and floated forward, drawing both their attention.
Adebisi gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. "Samuel... what is...?"
"Mom, Dad..." Samuel gently reached out and caught Faith mid-air, holding her securely. "I need to introduce you to someone." He smiled, his voice softening. "This is Faith. My daughter."
Silence.
Tunde blinked. "Your... daughter?"
Adebisi covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. "You have a child?"
Faith, as if sensing the moment, tilted her head before babbling, "Mama!"
Adebisi let out a choked laugh before reaching forward. "Can I hold her?"
Samuel nodded and carefully placed Faith in her grandmother's arms. To his surprise, Faith didn't resist. Instead, she gurgled happily and reached for Adebisi's face, tiny fingers grasping at her cheeks.
"My sweet girl," Adebisi whispered, her voice breaking. " What is her name?"
Samuel smiled. "Oluwakemisola is her Yoruba name. But I call her Faith. I know mother won't be pleased if I didn't give her a youruba name."
Tunde let out a long breath, rubbing his forehead. "This is... a lot."
"You don't know the half of it," Samuel muttered.
---
The Truth Revealed
After settling into the living room, Samuel began to explain everything. He told them about his awakening, his transformation into an angel, and the battles he had fought. He spoke of Heaven and Hell, of gods and demons, and of the looming war that threatened their world.
His parents listened in stunned silence.
Adebisi held Faith protectively, occasionally glancing at her son as if trying to reconcile the boy she had raised with the being sitting before her.
"You mean to tell me..." Tunde finally said, his deep voice steady but low, "...that my son is no longer just human? That he's some kind of god now?"
Samuel shook his head. "Not a god. But something more, although that's close if you think of the similarities."
Adebisi wiped a tear away. "And this war… is it coming here?"
"Yes," Samuel admitted. "But I won't let it touch you."
Tunde exhaled through his nose, a sign he was deep in thought. "You were always special, Samuel. But this? This is beyond what I ever imagined."
Adebisi, still holding Faith, looked down at her granddaughter. "And her? What will become of her?"
Samuel hesitated before answering. "She's special, too. Stronger than anyone realizes."
As if to prove his point, Faith giggled and floated out of Adebisi's arms, hovering in the air with ease. She stretched her tiny hands forward, reaching for Samuel, who caught her effortlessly.
"She has control over space," Samuel said. "Even at six months old, she's already showing signs of power. She's special just like her father."
Tunde shook his head in disbelief. "A six-month-old floating like a spirit. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes… I don't even know what I will be able to not believe after this."
Adebisi reached for Samuel's hand. "No matter what you are, what you've become, you will always be our son."
Samuel felt a warmth spread through him. "And you'll always be my parents."
---
A Warning and a Promise
As the night stretched on, Samuel helped put Faith to sleep in his mother's arms, watching as she clung to her grandmother's warmth. He envied her innocence.
Standing outside the house later, he gazed up at the night sky, feeling the weight of everything yet to come. His father joined him, silent for a moment before speaking.
"You're worried."
Samuel didn't deny it. "A higher sector has noticed this world. It won't be long before war reaches us."
Tunde grunted. "Then you'd better be ready."
Samuel turned to look at his father, surprised at the calmness in his voice.
Tunde smirked. "I may not understand everything you just told us, but I know one thing. You're my son. And my son doesn't lose."
Samuel chuckled. "No, I don't."
His father patted his shoulder. "Then do what you have to do. Why not leave faith here? With the war on the brink of starting it's best if you keep her away from all of it we'll take care of her ."
Samuel nodded. "I will. I think it's also better if I has some protection on you and mom. That will better protect you and faith."
With that, he stepped forward, his wings unfolding as he disappeared into the night sky, leaving behind the warmth of home but carrying its strength with him.