"Matt?" Isabelle called out when she saw him. Matthias smiled at her amicably, "I'm here." He replied.
He then looked around the room and asked, "Where's Alex?" He asked.
"Can't you just use your Spirit Sense?" She teased and moved towards him to hug his arm. "You know where he would always be. He's in the training room. Apparently, his father is so strong and that be needs to be stronger to take care of you when you're old." She chuckled while holding his hand.
Matthias chuckled too and caressed her hair. He then stimulated his Divine Sense and pinpointed at the spot where Alexander was. He saw him diligently multitasking both spearmanship and cultivation.
As usual, Matthias was proud while looking at his son. He was at first shocked when Alexander told him that he instead of wielding a sword, where he saw his father excel, he wanted to wield the spear so that he could be different from him.
Matthias didn't want to disappoint his son by saying that he also knows the spear and even is his favorite weapon, so he made him think that he wields only the sword so as to make his son continue to learn the art.
While his wife was leaning on his arms, Matthias watched Alexander as he dominantly wielded the spear. A while later, Matthias suddenly spoke, "It is his birthday two weeks later, right?"
"Hmm?" Isabelle, who had been already sleeping on his arm, was suddenly awakened by his question. "Yes. He would celebrate his birthday two weeks later. Do you already have a birthday present for him?" She asked.
"I think I already have an idea." Matthias smiled.
They stayed like that for a while. When Isabelle stood up, it was already an hour later. Matthias stood soon after and patted her, "Go fetch our son. We're returning to the Immortal Territories." He told her with a whisper.
Isabelle's eyes widened and turned to him, "We're going back?"
Matthias nodded, "We've already been staying here for two decades. I guess it's time for us to leave." He replied.
"I'll go prepare then. I'll call Alex."
"Go. I'll just bid our farewells to Raiel." Matthias and Isabelle then left for their respective destinations.
When Matthias reached the front of the gates entering the Throne Hall of the Spirit Palace, his robes fluttered and floated as if there's strong wind even if there's none. His hair also lifted from his back slightly, having the image of a celestial that came down from heaven.
Without being pushed open, the gates moved apart, exposing the inside of the room.
A shiny white room revealed itself to him. Inside, almost everything was marbled, from its tiles, to its walls, and to its pillars.
A silver throne was at the top of the stairs, and there sat a bulky and stout man with a chiseled face as if it was crafted by a professional.
When the man saw Matthias, he stood abruptly and descended the stairs and knelt on one knee, "We greet our god!" He yelled.
"At ease, Tarsus." Matthias waved his hand and smiled, "You were the one who changed my name yet you're also the one who still adamantly uses my old name." Tarsus, or Raiel, stood up and chuckled at Matthias. "Why are you here?" He asked.
"I can't just leave without greeting my friends, can I?" Matthias smiled at him and replied.
As soon as Tarsus heard the word 'leave', he was shocked, "You're leaving?"
Knowing the current emotions of Tarsus, Matthias smiled saddeningly and nodded, "It has already been two decades since I entered this realm. I ought to return to the Surface, don't I?" He noted.
Tarsus then lowered her head and went silent. A while later, He lifted his head and persuaded him, "You are already a god here, someone worshiped by all! Do you really want to leave this realm, abandoning this power?"
Listening to him, Matthias had the urge to laugh and rebuked, "Somewhere deep in the Cosmos, I am greater than just a god of a small realm. My authority reaches far beyond your understanding, Tarsus. Don't bother tempting me with these insignificant things."
"That said, I and my wife Isabelle and my son Alexander bid you our farewells. Just inform the others about it." Matthias slightly nodded at him and turned around.
Suddenly, Tarsus shouted, "Have you seen the Princess?" He asked.
Matthias stood still. The Princess' that Tarsus was talking about was obviously Princess Raya who vanished with Guin at that time.
Three years after the event, Princess Raya appeared by herself in front of the gates of the Empress's Palace and let herself be locked up and placed in custody by Empress Yuna.
She was then interrogated about certain things, one of which was about the whereabouts of the Ichtir Saintess Guin. Princess Raya then answered that she had killed her when Guin attempted to kill her behind her back.
Not seeing anything wrong about that reason, Empress Yuna just detained the Spirit Princess for three years and later was released. Princess Raya was then said to vanish from the eyes of the people. Later on, she was discovered by the higher ups to have stayed beside a huge pond below the eastern Arthron Mountain, living a quiet, peaceful, and simple life with fishing and cooking.
She wanted to be alone and accepted the existence of the Princedom of Arti, not resisting its position in the Spirit Race even though she was still alive as a Royal Spirit.
When the news reached Matthias, knowing her wish, he decided to leave her alone. But, now that he's going to leave the realm, he thought that it was appropriate for him to at least visit her once.
So, he turned around and nodded at Tarsus, "I'll do so." He smiled and left the Throne Room.
He returned to their room, where Isabelle and his son Alexander were already prepared. Alexander, from being that cute and small chubby baby, turned into a 1.87 meters tall, nearly reaching Matthias' standing erect and straight beside his mother. On his hand was a spear that was a head taller than him. Sweat trickled down his whole body from the training that he had gone through.
"Father." Alex bowed towards him and greeted with seriousness.
Looking at him, Matthias wanted to laugh, "Just ten years ago, you were still calling me Pops while begging for us to let you join what we're doing. Now, look at you all grown up and serious." He teased the son of his and ruffled his hair.
"Father!" Alexander exclaimed indignantly, "That was ten years ago! I am already an 18-year old man. Don't tease me about my immature past." He whined.
Matthias then laughed wholeheartedly and pounced at his son, wrapping his arm around his neck and gave him a light noogie on the head, "Nah. You're still and will always be a kid to me." Matthias giggled with amusement.
"Ah! That hurts!" Alexander yelled, "Why am I forever a kid to you?!* He whined indignantly.
Then, Matthias stopped and turned Alexander, facing him, "Why? It's because I am your Dad, silly." He then smiled wide and patted his cheek.
"Geez." Even though he was indignant, Alexander still felt warm in his heart. He was proud that Matthias was his father, because his father was revered by all. The only problem is that they were always pestered by others.
"Are we leaving now, Dad?" He asked. Matthias nodded, "Yes. We've already stayed here for a long time. But before that, we're going to visit your Aunt." He said and held the two of them and vanished from their positions.
Viridescent Haven, East of Mount Arthron.
This place was the old Hayle's Princess Raya dwell. It was said that it is named after the leaves and grass that stays green in every and any type of season.
Instead of having a huge mansion erected with the magnificence and aura of a royal house, the only building standing here was a simple wooden cottage beside a large pond. In front of the cottage was a drying rack, a garden, a fireplace, and a rocking chair.
In the rocking chair was a Spirit that was devoid of facial features, unlike the new Spirits. She sat in the rocking chair, peacefully gazing at the scenery in front of her. Beside her was a fishing rod that's line was extended down the water.
Looking at her, Matthias smiled sadly. Princess Raya, although she escaped with a fugitive, was a kind woman. Maybe it was her kindness that persuaded her to save Guin even though she had done misdeeds. Matthias and his family walked towards her and stopped behind her.
"You've come?" After a while of silence, Princess Raya talked with tranquility in her voice..
"It has been a long time, Princess." Matthias smiled sadly.
Princess Raya stood up from the chair and turned to them, "Yes. It has been a long time."
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