Jin returned to the large house, the one he had bought. The quiet of the evening surrounded him, the gentle breeze stirring the curtains as the sun set on the horizon. His training session with Steve had gone well, and the boy had shown great potential, learning quickly under Jin's guidance. It was clear to Jin that Steve's innate aura, that faint, hidden power, would only grow stronger with time. He would make a formidable martial artist. But that was for the future. Tonight, he had something else waiting for him.
When he stepped inside the house, the familiar warmth of the place greeted him. Velka was there, standing by the window, her back to him. She looked peaceful, calm, as though she was lost in thought. Her golden hair shimmered in the soft light, and her presence was both familiar and comforting. Jin couldn't help but smile. Everything about her felt like home.
He walked up behind her, his footsteps light, not wanting to disturb her quiet moment. But before he could speak, Velka turned to face him. There was something different in her eyes, a softness and vulnerability he hadn't seen before.
"Jin," she said softly, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "I... I need to tell you something."
Jin's smile faded as he saw the seriousness in her expression. He could feel the shift in the atmosphere around them, a sense of anticipation in the air.
"What is it, Velka?" Jin asked, his tone gentle, his heart already starting to race in response to the change in her demeanor.
She hesitated, her eyes dropping to the floor for a moment before she gathered the courage to look up at him. "I' think you will become mother soon, Jin."
For a moment, the words hung in the air between them. Jin blinked, processing what he had just heard. His mind raced, but he remained still, not allowing his emotions to take control.
Mother? The thought was overwhelming. His mind shifted to the future, to the implications of what this meant. Velka was carrying their child—a symbol of their love and bond. The world around them seemed to pause for a beat.
Jin reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. "Velka... are you sure?" His voice was barely above a whisper, his concern and protectiveness clear in his gaze.
Velka nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I took the test. I know, Jin. I've known for a while now, but I wasn't sure how to tell you. I wasn't sure what it would mean for us... for our future."
Jin let out a slow breath, his thumb brushing across her cheek. His mind was racing, thoughts of their past, their present, and now, their future, swirling together in a whirlwind. He had never expected this—never imagined he would be a father. But the thought of it filled him with a strange sense of purpose, a sense of hope he hadn't known he was missing.
"Velka," he said, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "I don't care what it means. You and our child... you are everything to me. Nothing will change that."
Tears welled up in Velka's eyes, and she reached up to place her hand over his, pressing it gently against her cheek. "I've been so scared, Jin. I didn't know what to do, how to tell you. I thought maybe you would be upset, or maybe you wouldn't want this... but I couldn't keep it from you."
Jin shook his head, his grip tightening on her. "There's nothing to be afraid of. You're not alone in this. We'll face everything together, Velka. Our child will grow up knowing that their parents will always be there for them. And I'll always be here for you."
Velka's tears finally fell, but they were no longer tears of fear or doubt. They were tears of relief, of joy, and of love. She stepped closer to Jin, wrapping her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
Jin stood there for a long moment, holding her close, feeling her heartbeat against his. A new chapter of their lives was beginning, one that neither of them had expected but both were willing to embrace. The journey ahead would be filled with challenges, but it would also be filled with love, and for Jin, that was all that mattered.
"I love you, Velka," Jin whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
"I love you too, Jin," she replied softly, her voice muffled against his chest. "And I'm so glad we're together. I've never felt more sure of anything in my life."
They stood like that for a while, just holding each other, letting the weight of the moment settle in. Outside, the night had fallen, but inside the house, it felt as though the world had just begun again. Together, they would face whatever came next—because now, they had a future to protect, a family to build.
After a long while, Velka pulled back slightly, looking up at Jin with a soft smile. "What now?"
Jin grinned, his eyes lighting up with a newfound resolve. "Now, we build a future. We protect each other and our child. And we continue to live, no matter what the world throws at us."
As the night went on, the two of them talked, laughed, and dreamed of the future. For the first time in a long while, Jin felt at peace. His past, his battles, and the world they had left behind all seemed distant. In that moment, nothing mattered but Velka and the life they would build together.
And so, the next chapter began—one of love, of family, and of hope
The quiet twilight draped itself over the distant world Jin now called home. The sea beyond the horizon shimmered beneath the dying sun, and a gentle breeze caressed the trees surrounding the lake beside his newly bought estate.
Inside the large, modestly furnished house, Jin leaned against the balcony railing, staring up at the starlit sky. His long white hair swayed slightly, eyes glowing faintly crimson as he closed them. The world was still — and then, in the silence, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Master?"
Jin's lips curved into a faint smile. "Nyreth."
A second later, the voice grew clearer in his thoughts, brimming with loyalty and emotion. "It's been too long. You vanished without a trace, and yet… I never lost faith."
"I know," Jin replied calmly, "I had no choice. This world… it's far beyond even the my Cosmology. A different axis of reality. The Astral Rift brought me here."
There was a pause. Then Nyreth's voice returned, tinged with joy. "Everyone's relieved to hear your voice again. Your parents — Lord Han Jin Hyuk and Lady Eva, Lillian, Chris, Kaelros, Lysander, Rin… even Arden offered a silent prayer. Athena smiled like she knew all along."
A chuckle left Jin's lips. "And Lia?"
Nyreth's tone warmed. "Especially Lia. She wept, Master. But not with sorrow — with peace. She said, 'If he's alive, he will always return.' And then…"
"Then?"
"She said she had a feeling... that you finally did what your heart truly wanted."
Jin's smile grew softer. He glanced back toward the house, where Velka was humming softly, arranging some herbal teas by the kitchen. "She's right. I married Velka."
There was a stunned silence across the link.
"...You what?"
"You heard me."
"Master you married Velka?" Nyreth's shock turned into wild delight. "Master, by the Astral Stars, you actually did it! I must inform the others—wait until Lillian hears this—no, wait, Chris is going to—no, Lysander! I can't wait to see the look on his face!"
Jin laughed, rare and genuine. "Calm down, Nyreth."
"Sorry! It's just… we never thought… after everything with you … this is truly a miracle."
Then Jin grew quiet for a moment. His gaze softened.
"Nyreth."
"Yes, Master?"
"You're going to be a babysitter soon."
There was a long pause.
"…I'm sorry?"
"Velka's pregnant."
Silence. Then came a crash — something had apparently dropped on Nyreth's side of the telepathic link.
"A-A-A child? You're going to be a father?!"
Jin nodded. "Yes."
"You… you're serious! I… This is…! M-My lord, you do know what this means, right?"
Jin raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I will prepare the greatest library of parenting tomes, magical crib blueprints, celestial lullabies—wait, wait, we need to arrange soul blessings, a Name Rite—oh gods, oh gods, the first child of Jin Shang and Velka—"
"Nyreth."
"Yes, Master?"
"Relax."
There was a breath on the other end. Then a low chuckle. "Forgive me. I'm just… happy. Beyond happy. Your journey has always been shrouded in blood and sacrifice. But now, finally… finally, there's something new. Something pure. A beginning."
Jin looked out toward the quiet lake. The stars shimmered above, and within the house, Velka's soft humming continued, carrying with it a peace Jin hadn't felt in lifetimes.
"You've earned this, Master," Nyreth said. "And whatever comes next… we'll stand with you. Always."
"Thank you, Nyreth."
As the link gently faded, Jin turned and walked back inside. Velka looked up and smiled — and in her eyes, Jin saw not just the light of love…
…but the promise of a new world he would protect with all his strength.