A couple hours later
The bell signaling the end of the school day rang, and Kael was out the door before anyone could stop him. The warm, infernal air greeted him as he began the walk home—or, more accurately, the trek back to the castle. It wasn't exactly a typical home; the towering, obsidian structure with spiked turrets and a fiery moat was a constant reminder that he wasn't like most kids.
As he trudged along the winding path leading to the castle gates, Kael's mind replayed the events of the day. Aurora. Her blush, her voice, her warmth when she accidentally sat on his lap—it was all too much. He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they lingered, stubborn as ever.
By the time he reached the massive gates of the castle, he was in a foul mood. Puberty wasn't helping, of course. At 13, Kael's emotions were a tangled mess, swinging wildly from one extreme to another. One moment, he was daydreaming about Aurora; the next, he was brooding over how unfair life felt.
The heavy doors creaked open as Kael stepped inside. The grand hall was as imposing as ever, with its high ceilings, flickering torches, and walls lined with ancient tapestries depicting battles between heaven and hell. Ere'ana was waiting for him near the foot of the grand staircase, her radiant, angelic presence a stark contrast to the dark surroundings.
"Hi, Kael," she said warmly, her smile as bright as ever.
Kael barely glanced at her. "Hey," he muttered, his voice flat, as he stomped up the stairs without another word.
Ere'ana's smile faltered slightly, but she didn't press him. She knew better than to poke the bear when Kael was in one of his moods. Puberty was hitting him hard, and while it hurt to see her son so distant, she understood it was a phase he had to go through.
Kael reached his room, slammed the door shut behind him, and flopped onto his bed. He pulled out his phone, scrolling mindlessly through social media to distract himself. He didn't want to think about Aurora or school or anything else. All he wanted was to be left alone.
Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, Aralyn was skipping through the hallways. Yumi and Akuma's angelic daughter was the complete opposite of Kael in every way—cheerful, curious, and full of energy. Her golden hair shimmered in the light, and her small wings fluttered slightly as she moved.
She found Kikidori in the throne room, lounging on his massive, spiked throne with an air of casual disinterest. A goblet of some dark, steaming liquid was in his hand, and he was idly flipping through a book that looked like it hadn't been touched in centuries.
"Grandpa Kikidori!" Aralyn called out, her voice bright and cheerful.
Kikidori looked up, one eyebrow raised. "What is it, kid? Make it quick; I'm busy."
Aralyn giggled, skipping closer to the throne. "You don't look busy. You're just sitting there reading."
Kikidori smirked. "Reading is *serious business*, kid. Now, what do you want?"
Aralyn twirled a strand of her golden hair around her finger, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I was wondering… can you teach me how to make fire like you?"
Kikidori blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Fire, huh? And what does a little angel like you need with fire?"
"Because it's cool!" Aralyn said, her wings fluttering excitedly. "And you're the coolest grandpa ever, so you have to teach me!"
Kikidori chuckled, setting the goblet down. "Flattery will get you everywhere, kid. Alright, I'll show you a trick or two. But you'd better not go burning down the castle, or your mom will have my head."
Aralyn clapped her hands in delight. "Thank you, Grandpa Kikidori! You're the best!"
Kikidori shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. Despite his gruff exterior, he had a soft spot for Aralyn. She reminded him of Yumi when she was younger—full of life and impossible to say no to.
As Aralyn climbed up onto the armrest of his throne, ready to learn her first fire spell, Kikidori glanced toward the staircase. He thought about Kael, who had been so distant lately, and sighed.
"Teenagers," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "One day, they'll figure it out. Hopefully."
The End of Chapter 3