As Chloe approached, a bright smile spread across Aron's face. He eagerly opened his arms, waiting for her.
When she reached him, they embraced, sharing a quiet, warm moment. Each of them lost in the comfort of the other's presence, the world around them fading away for just a brief second.
As they pulled apart, Aron's gaze turned to Alex. His expression shifted—disbelief, confusion, and surprise all flickering across his face. Chloe immediately noticed the change, though she wasn't sure of the cause.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, concern lacing her words.
Aron took a deep breath and, still troubled, spoke. "Inferno told me Alex was found dead, with only his arms remaining. But now I see him alive and well. How is that possible?"
Chloe paused for a moment, then began recounting her encounter with her father, Sam.
"I see," Aron said after hearing the full story, his tension easing. He let out a relieved sigh, his face softening with understanding.
He turned to Sam, who stood beside Chloe, and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Grand Elder," Aron said earnestly.
Sam waved his hand dismissively, smiling at Aron's thanks. "No need for that. It was just luck I was nearby when I did."
Aron nodded but turned his gaze back to Chloe. "What brought you here, Chloe?"
Chloe, who had been playing with baby Alex, looked up from him, turning her attention to Aron's question.
"We came looking for Inferno to help him," she explained. "Father thought the demon's regeneration ability might make it difficult for Inferno to defeat it."
Aron glanced over at the distant ashes of the burned demon, his brow furrowing. "Looks like his worries were for nothing," Chloe added, her voice light.
"But where's Inferno now?" Chloe asked with concern, scanning the area. "I can't find him anywhere."
Aron nodded knowingly. "Oh, Inferno is fine. He was lucky I was nearby. After I finished killing the intermediate Lord Realm demon, I went looking for you, but I couldn't find you. All I saw was blood, so I followed the trail and found Inferno nearby."
Just then, Inferno appeared and greeted Chloe and Sam.
"I'm glad you're alright," Inferno said warmly before turning his gaze to baby Alex.
Alex, surprised by Inferno's sudden appearance, stared at him curiously.
Inferno smiled softly, gazing at Alex, his heart warming. He had thought the baby was lost forever.
Aron looked at Inferno with curiosity. "Inferno, do you think you could determine baby Alex's element?"
Inferno's expression faltered slightly. He had understood Aron's intention but still felt a pang of disappointment. "Sadly, Master… I can't determine his attribute," he replied, his voice low.
Aron smiled reassuringly. "It's nothing to be sad about, Inferno."
He then turned back to Alex, his eyes narrowing slightly. His son didn't bear the King Word or the tattoos like he, Chloe, or his grandfather did.
Worried, Aron asked, "Do you have any idea why his bloodline or tattoos haven't appeared yet?"
Inferno hesitated, then gave the most plausible explanation. "It's possible that he didn't inherit the bloodline, Sire."
Aron sighed heavily, his thoughts drifting to the state of their bloodline.
"Aren't we going to get another bloodline user?" Aron muttered, frustration clear in his voice. "We're just three left. The human domain will soon lose its ranking if there are no bloodline users left…"
Chloe, curious about her husband's bloodline, asked, "Can't the human domain still maintain its power without a bloodline user?"
Aron shook his head, a tired look crossing his face. "We'd be weak compared to other domains with bloodlines. The elves have their High Elves. The beasts have three ruling bloodlines—the Golden Dragons, Blue Phoenix, and Vermilion Bird. The robotic domain might not have bloodlines, but they have over six Saint Realm experts, and that makes them formidable."
Chloe frowned. "So, even with Saint Realm experts, we'd still be weaker than them?"
Aron nodded grimly. "Exactly. And that's just the robotic domain. Think of our counterparts."
Chloe then asked, "So, how can we increase the number of bloodline users?"
Aron sighed again. "Reproduction is the only way, but it's difficult for bloodline users to bear children. Even when they do, most of the time the child doesn't inherit the bloodline."
Aron's thoughts turned dark as he considered the power-hungry human family heads under their rule. He couldn't shake the suspicion that they might be preparing to take control once the bloodline was gone.
"I wouldn't be surprised if this entire assault was orchestrated by one of the family heads," Aron muttered bitterly. "They want to get rid of us so they can take control of the entire family."
Meanwhile, Alex was still processing everything he had just learned. He had barely begun to understand the power dynamics of his new family, and it was overwhelming.
All he could think was: My family… they're very strong. Heartless, too, in some ways. The way my grandfather killed the demon, the way my father burned it to ashes… it's all too much.
He also learned that he was part of a lineage of powerful bloodline users, stronger than any human due to the inherent advantages of their bloodline. Their bloodline granted them superior power and authority over other humans. Intrigued, fearful, and surprised by the newfound family he had, Alex still missed his sister and mother. The anger and frustration he felt boiled over when he remembered how he had died.
Boom! Boom!
The ground trembled as a colossal pressure radiating malice and destruction swept across the area, distorting the very air itself.
Their hearts clenched with a sense of urgency. The force behind the pressure could only belong to a Saint Realm practitioner—an individual far beyond even a Lord Realm expert. A Saint.
Aron's expression hardened. He could guess who this was based on their aura. His gaze swept across the scorched remains of the demon he had burned, which shared a similar aura. The demon's body was reduced to smoldering ashes.
The trio of powerful individuals—the strongest among them—lifted their eyes to the heavens, watching in silent awe and growing concern. In the distance, the blue domain clashed violently against the black one. The collision of their powers sent waves of distortion rippling outward, twisting the environment in unnatural ways. As if reality itself was struggling to hold together under the sheer force of the confrontation.
Through the chaos, Aron's eyes focused on one figure. Zelda.
The user of the blue domain was none other than Zelda, his mother. Her presence was both familiar and terrifying. The icy blue glow of her King symbol burned brightly on her skin, casting an ethereal glow around her as she stood firm in the heart of the storm. The blue tattoo that snaked across her body pulsed with energy, radiating an aura of freezing cold. Her form was shrouded in the glow of her domain, her entire being exuding an intimidating presence that could freeze anything in its path.
Opposite her stood a man—an unsettlingly calm figure, floating in the air with an air of casual arrogance. His dark, imposing form seemed to absorb the surrounding light. His smile, sharp and smug, was a taunting contrast to the ferocity of the battle raging around them. He folded his arms, unbothered, as if his very presence was enough to overwhelm her.
Zelda's expression was grim, her eyes narrowed with focused determination. She knew that her opponent was no ordinary Saint. He was Baal, a Demon Saint—one of the most powerful beings in existence. Unlike other Saints, Demon Saints were prodigies of their realm—beings of unimaginable strength who could shatter entire armies with ease. Zelda felt the weight of that power bearing down on her, but her resolve did not waver.
With a voice dripping with controlled disdain, she spoke, her words cutting through the air like ice: "Demon Saint Baal, what brings you to the Human Domain?"
Baal's smile widened, a glint of mockery dancing in his eyes. His voice was smooth, casual, as if he were discussing something trivial. "Oh, I was simply passing through. Thought I'd pay a visit to an old rival of mine—John. But it seems like he's not here at the moment." He paused, his grin widening as he looked at her. "It's such a pity. I had hoped for a more... stimulating reunion."
The pressure around him intensified, swirling like a storm. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, suffocating. Zelda gritted her teeth, her gaze unwavering, but a shiver of unease ran through her. Baal was toying with her—she could feel it. His very presence was suffocating, a reminder that she was far out of her depth.
Zelda didn't hesitate. Knowing full well that she couldn't take on Baal alone, she quickly reached out to Sam through mental communication. Her voice was laced with urgency and concern, but there was also a quiet determination. "Sam, gather everyone at the estate. Power up the barriers fully. Contact the Patriarch, if you can, but I'll hold off Baal as long as I can. He won't get any further."
Baal's eyes flickered towards the distance, sensing her transmission. He didn't try to stop her. Instead, his smile deepened, and his amusement seemed to grow. "How quaint," he muttered, watching her struggle in silence. "You think you can stop me with such feeble measures? How adorable."
Zelda's jaw tightened, but she knew there was no turning back now. If she didn't slow him down, he would undoubtedly decimate the entire human domain. She gathered her power, focusing every ounce of her strength into the icy domain she controlled, ready to face the Demon Saint before her.
But Baal remained unfazed, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the raw power he radiated. He was enjoying the spectacle, and Zelda could feel it.