Aria's mother sat across the table from her husband, her gaze cast downward, her fingers nervously pinching at the edge of her sleeve. She lifted her head, worry darkening her eyes.
"I wonder what Aria's doing right now," she murmured, her voice thick with apprehension. "I wonder if she's alright."
Aria's father looked at her, his expression unwavering. "I know my girl. She's strong. She'll be back as soon as she realizes that this is out of her control."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, breaking the quiet tension of the room. Aria's mother shot to her feet, her heart racing as she crossed the room. Swinging the door open, she found herself looking at three figures: A man with sharp, dragon-like features, the guard that Aria's father had sent to watch over her, and Aria herself.
Without a word, Aria's mother threw her arms around her daughter, pulling her close, relief flooding through her. "I was so worried about you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I was thinking… maybe we should go to the treehouse ourselves."
She drew back and looked up, her gaze catching on the man's horned silhouette and sharp fangs. Recognition flitted across her face—this man wasn't entirely human.
Her gaze dropped back to Aria, noticing the strain in her expression, the tightness around her eyes.
"Who is this?" she asked, worry and confusion tangled in her voice. "What happened?"
"Mom, we need to talk." Aria's voice was steady but somber. "Inside."
With a nod, Aria's mother stepped aside, allowing them all to enter. The guard settled himself against the counter in the kitchen, his watchful gaze darting between Aria and her father. Aria's father inclined his head in a nod of approval at the guard, who returned it with a silent acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, the investigator set his bag down on the table, spreading out an array of photographs and documents. Aria's mother looked on in anxious silence, her eyes widening as the investigator began to speak.
"Please, just listen to him," Aria said softly.
As Arman Spyro recounted the details of the attack in the treehouse—the creature, the Veilwalkers, the strange symbols, and the archaeologist Derek Mane—Aria's parents listened with growing disbelief and horror. Her mother's hands shook, and her father's face grew grim, lines of worry etched deeply into his features.
When the investigator finally finished, Aria's mother shook her head slowly. "I heard about those creatures when I was a child… the Veilwalkers. But they were said to be extinct, sealed away."
Her father's brow furrowed. "That's impossible," he muttered. "They were put to rest, locked away for good."
The investigator glanced at Aria's father. "I would have believed that myself, sir. But we were attacked. These creatures are very real." He shot a concerned look at Aria. "They are dangerous."
Aria's mother turned to her daughter, her face pale. "You were attacked?" She reached out, cupping Aria's face with trembling hands. "You have to stop this, Aria. Stop it before you're in over your head."
Aria looked back at her mother, her gaze unwavering. "I can handle it, Mom. I just needed you to know."
Her mother's hands dropped to her sides, her expression a mix of fear and resignation. "What do you even plan to do now?"
A silence settled over the room as Aria held her parents' gaze, her resolve evident in her eyes. "I'm going to find them."
At that, her father stood abruptly, his voice firm. "You will do no such thing."
The investigator leaned forward. "Miss Morrison," he said gently, "I understand this is hard. But going after them alone, especially with magic like this… it's reckless. You could get yourself killed."
"I know the risks," Aria replied. Her voice was steady, yet beneath it was a flicker of desperation, of unyielding anger. "But I need to do this. Cody didn't deserve what happened to him."
Her father stepped closer, his voice low and filled with authority. "No, Aria. This isn't your battle to fight. Let the authorities handle it."
Aria's jaw tightened, her voice raising in defiance. "I can't stand by and do nothing! If we don't stop this, it'll keep happening. More children will disappear, more families will suffer. I have to do this."
Her father crossed his arms, his voice unyielding. "Aria, go to your room. This is not up for debate."
Aria's face flushed with frustration, her hands clenched at her sides. Without a word, she turned, but as she took a step toward the door, she found the guard blocking her way. She looked up at him, her eyes blazing.
"Move." Her voice was a low growl. "Get out of my way."
The guard remained impassive, standing firm. Aria shoved at him, but he was as unmovable as a stone wall.
Furious, she looked over her shoulder at her father, anger thick in her voice. "I want justice for Cody, and I will get it!"
Her father shook his head, his voice filled with a desperate calm. "Aria, please. You saw what we're up against. This isn't something you can handle alone."
"That's not going to stop me!" Aria's voice wavered as frustration surged through her. "If I don't stop them, who will?"
"That's not your responsibility," her father replied. "You're not a soldier. You're not even trained for this."
Aria squared her shoulders. "I'm not a child. I'll get help if I have to, but I will stop them."
"Aria." Her father's tone was a command. "Go to your room. If you try to leave, the guard will make sure you don't."
Fuming, Aria shot one last, defiant look at her father before turning and storming upstairs. The sound of her door slamming echoed through the quiet that followed.
The investigator, the guard, and Aria's parents remained in the living room, the weight of what had just transpired settling heavily in the silence. Aria's mother sank into a chair, her hands trembling as she stared blankly at the table. The investigator gathered his things, his expression tinged with sympathy.
"She's a strong girl," he said softly. "But… you're right to be worried. I'm sorry for your loss."
Aria's father nodded, his jaw tight. "Thank you."
The investigator inclined his head and headed for the door. The guard turned to Aria's father, concern in his eyes.
"What do we do now?" the guard asked, his voice low.
Aria's father let out a long breath, exhaustion etched into his face. "Just… keep an eye on her. I know Aria. She won't stop until she finds a way out. Don't let her."
The guard nodded, his face resolute. And as the house fell into silence once more, Aria's parents shared a look of worry and sadness, concerned about the battle that had only just begun.