We continued walking in comfortable silence for a while longer until Seraphiel gradually slowed her steps.

Her hand tightened slightly around mine as we approached a beautiful floating home nestled among glowing crystal trees.

The house was elegant but warm, made of living crystal that shimmered softly in shades of soft blue and warm gold, reflecting the emotions of those inside.

Small lanterns floated around the entrance, casting a gentle light.

This must be her home, huh?

Seraphiel stopped in front of the door.

She stood there for a long moment, staring at the crystal surface.

Her wings were trembling faintly behind her. I could feel the nervousness radiating from her, the mix of excitement, fear, and overwhelming emotion.

She turned to look back at me, her mismatched eyes wide and vulnerable, silently asking for reassurance.

I met her gaze and gave her a small, reassuring nod.

"You’ve got this," I said quietly.

Seraphiel took a deep, shaky breath. Her chest rose and fell visibly. She turned back toward the door, raised her hand...

...and knocked twice.

Knock... Knock...

The sound echoed softly through the crystal home.

"Hiss...!"

She sucked in a sharp, cold breath, her shoulders tensing. Almost immediately, she turned to look at me again, eyes wide with panic and anticipation.

I couldn’t help it, and a small laugh escaped me.

"Don’t be so nervous," I said, tilting my head slightly with a faint smile.

"They’re your family."

Seraphiel gave me a small, embarrassed smile, but her body was still rigid with tension.

Then... the door opened.

A woman with long, flowing silver hair streaked with soft blue stood in the doorway.

Her mismatched eyes, one bright silver, the other deep indigo, widened the moment they landed on Seraphiel.

The crystal walls of the house instantly shifted to a warm, glowing gold, reflecting pure joy.

For a second, everything was silent.

Then the woman, probably Seraphiel’s mother, let out a broken, trembling gasp.

"...Seraphiel?"

Her voice cracked.

"Mom..." Seraphiel’s knees nearly gave out.

The older woman dropped whatever she was holding and rushed forward, pulling Seraphiel into a crushing embrace.

Tears spilled down her cheeks instantly as she held her daughter, as if she might disappear.

"My baby... my little star... You’re home... You’re really home..." she sobbed, her voice thick with decades of longing.

Her wings were similar to Seraphiel’s but older and more graceful, wrapped tightly around her daughter.

Seraphiel broke completely. She buried her face in her mother’s shoulder and cried loudly, letting out unrestrained sobs that shook her entire body.

"I’m sorry... I’m so sorry it took me so long..." she wept. "I missed you... I missed you so much..."

A man with dark indigo hair and warm silver eyes appeared behind them, Seraphiel’s father. His eyes filled with tears the moment he saw her.

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around both his wife and daughter, his large wings enveloping them both.

"My girl..." he whispered, voice hoarse. "We thought... we thought we’d lost you forever..."

The three of them stood there in the doorway, holding each other tightly as years of separation, worry, and love poured out in waves of tears and broken words.

Seraphiel cried harder than I had ever seen her, clinging to her parents like a child who had finally come home after a long, terrible journey.

I stood a few steps back, watching quietly.

A faint, soft smile rested on my lips.

Seraphiel’s mother eventually pulled back just enough to cup her daughter’s tear-streaked face with both hands, thumbs gently wiping away the tears.

"Look at you... you’ve grown so beautiful... and so strong that I can’t even read your power levels!" she whispered, smiling through her own tears.

"You’ve grown so much."

Seraphiel could only nod, still crying too hard to speak properly.

Her father looked over at me then, his silver eyes filled with gratitude and curiosity.

"And you..." he spoke, wiping down the tears brimming on his eyes.

"You’re the one who brought her home?"

I gave a small nod.

Seraphiel finally turned toward me, her eyes still wet, but shining with overwhelming joy and even a hint of love.

"Mom... Dad..." she said, voice shaky but full of pride.

"This is Aestrea... He’s the one who brought me back."

Her parents turned to me.

For a moment, there was only silence as they took me in.

Then Seraphiel’s mother stepped forward, eyes still glistening with tears. She reached out and gently took both of my hands in hers.

"Thank you..." she whispered in a soft, teary voice.

"From the bottom of my heart... thank you for bringing our daughter home. We thought we’d never see her again. You have no idea what this means to us."

Her father placed a strong hand on my shoulder, his silver eyes filled with deep gratitude.

"You have our eternal thanks, young man. Whatever you need, whatever we can offer, it’s yours. You brought our little star back to us."

I gave them a small, respectful nod.

"It was my honor," I replied quietly.

"She’s been incredibly loyal and helpful to me. She deserved this."

Seraphiel’s mother wiped her eyes again, smiling warmly despite the tears.

"Please, come inside. You must be new to Elyria. Let us welcome you properly. We’ll prepare some dishes from our home... things Seraphiel used to love as a child. It’s the least we can do."

Seraphiel looked at me with hopeful, slightly nervous eyes, clearly wanting me to accept.

I smiled softly and nodded.

"I’d be glad to."

Her father stepped aside and gestured warmly toward the open door.

"Come in, come in. Make yourselves comfortable."

We stepped inside the floating crystal home.

The interior was beautiful and alive, the walls shimmered with soft, shifting colors that reflected the family’s current emotions: warm golds and gentle blues filled the space, radiating what seemed to be joy and relief.

Soft, melodic chimes played faintly in the background, as if the house itself was singing a welcome.

Seraphiel’s mother hurried toward what appeared to be the kitchen area, already calling out instructions to the living crystal fixtures.

"Darling, bring out the star-apples and shadow bread! And the twilight stew, quickly!"

Her father chuckled, guiding us toward a comfortable seating area made of plush, glowing cushions that adjusted automatically to our bodies as we sat.

"Forgive her excitement," he said with a warm smile.

"She’s been dreaming of this day for centuries. We both have."

Seraphiel sat close beside me, still holding my hand tightly, as if afraid I might disappear. Her wings were relaxed now, but occasionally fluttered with leftover emotion.

Her mother soon returned carrying a large floating tray filled with colorful dishes. The aroma was incredible... sweet, savory, and floral all at once.

"Here, try this," she said, placing a bowl of glowing twilight stew in front of me.

"It’s Seraphiel’s favorite. The flavors change with every bite; it’s sweet, then savory, then a little tangy. Just like the twin moons."

I took a spoonful.

The taste was complex and beautiful, shifting smoothly on my tongue.

"It’s excellent," I said honestly.

"I can see why she missed it."

Seraphiel’s mother beamed with pride.

"I’m so glad! Please, eat as much as you like. And you must try the star-fruits too, they only grow properly when both moons are aligned."

She placed a small plate of shimmering, star-shaped fruits in front of me.

As I ate, Seraphiel’s parents exchanged a quick, excited glance. Her mother leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"So... Aestrea," she began, unable to contain herself any longer, "how did you two meet? Seraphiel has always been so focused on her duties. We never imagined she’d bring someone home one day."

Seraphiel immediately turned bright red beside me, her wings twitching nervously.

"Mom..." she mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

Her father chuckled warmly, but he was just as curious. "Yes, tell us. We want to know everything. How long have you been together?"

I glanced at Seraphiel, who was now looking down at her plate, cheeks flushed. I decided to answer gently.

"We met during a difficult time," I said.

"She was serving under another god at the time. I... freed her from that service. She chose to stay by my side afterward. She’s been incredibly loyal and capable ever since."

Seraphiel’s mother’s eyes softened with emotion.

"She always had such a strong sense of duty," she said fondly. "Even as a child, she wanted to protect everyone. I’m glad she found someone worthy of that loyalty."

Her father nodded, studying me carefully but kindly.

"And what about you, Aestrea? What do you do? You carry yourself like someone important. Are you a warrior? A ruler?"

I gave a small smile.

"Both, in a way. I lead an organization called Crimson Moon. We’ve grown quite strong recently. But more than anything, I try to protect the people important to me."

Seraphiel’s mother reached across the table and gently squeezed her daughter’s hand.

"And you, sweetheart? Are you happy? Does he treat you well?"

Seraphiel looked up, eyes still a little misty from earlier, but shining with genuine warmth.

"He does, Mom. More than well. He’s... kind. Even when he doesn’t have to be, he brought me here without me even asking. He just... knew how much it meant to me."

Her voice cracked slightly at the end.

Her mother’s eyes welled up again.

"Oh, my baby..." She turned back to me, her voice full of gratitude. "Then you have our blessing. Truly. Take care of her. She deserves the world."

Her father raised his glass of glowing twilight wine.

"To new beginnings," he said warmly.

"And to the man who brought our daughter home."

We all raised our glasses. Seraphiel leaned against my shoulder slightly, still blushing but clearly happy.