Chapter 376: Eric and Ebele

Chapter 376: Eric and Ebele

As Jack stepped out of the teleporter and onto green grass, he threw his head back and took a deep breath. After the Cathedrals dark, bleak, airless void, the forests of Earth were paradise.

It had already been a year since Jacks last visit. It felt shorter, for some reasonperhaps the constant training messed with his passage of time. Still, it made one think. Once upon a time, a year was the time from the Integration to when he defeated the planetary overseer. Now, it was just a long training session.

His children would have grown so much.

What do you think, Brock? Jack asked, turning to his best friend. Will you come with me to see the kids?

Father and Mother first, Brock replied. First old, then new.

Jack laughed. Alright. You know where I livesee you soon!

The two of them flew off in different directions. Their speed was extremely leisurely, the equivalent of strolling through the air. Jack felt so light. So powerful. Space was fragile here, and all the natural forces were laughably weak. His perception covered a hundred miles. If he simply willed it, the entire sky within that range would come crashing down like a million little comets.

Any casual punch could easily level a state.

But, of course, Jack reined in his powers and aura. To anyone observing him, he seemed like a mortal. Only now did he understand the Sages previous words, why all the high-level cultivators felt so relaxed on the Cathedral. Having to constantly restrain ones power was a similar feeling to wearing socks: not bad, but it would feel amazing once you reached home and could take them off.

The trees passed by him, swaying in the breeze, and the sun was bright. It was early autumn. The forest below him was suffused with life, a myriad little creatures wandering around and struggling to survive. At this time of the year, food was aplenty, leading to fewer hunts and a more relaxed existence.

Jacks perception could capture everything in the forest below, and he shook his head. Animals lacked food in the winter and water in the summer. Really, they had it rough. The Dao of Mortality encapsulated them as well.

Trees gave way to hills. Jack ascended the nearby mountain, landing before a house that was elegant yet simplewooden walls, a red-tiled roof, and a glass window overlooking the scenery. Emotions welled up inside him. He didnt need to knockwhile his perception hadnt rudely intruded, he could easily sense the waves of energy radiating from this house, and their owner could sense him too.

The door swung open, revealing a dark-skinned woman in a blue dress. Her legs were long, her waist slender, and her eyes bright with kindness. Her aura surgedshe was a D-Grade.

Vivi, Jack muttered.

She smiled. Welcome home, she said sweetly, then stepped aside. Two little forms were revealed behind her. The boy yelped and followed his mom, still hiding behind her and peeking out his head, while the girl stood her ground, gazing at him with wide, bright eyes.

This is Dad, Vivi said, emotion in her voice. She did not push them to move. Jack didnt either. He squatted down, bringing himself almost to eye levelthey were tiny!and smiling.

Hey kids, he said. Ebele, Eric I missed you.

Something in his voice reached them. They did not remember him, but they recognized that sound, that powerful warmth. Eric hesitantly walked out from behind Vivi and said, Da?

Ebele made the connection. Her face brightened, she shouted, Papa! and rushed into his arms. Jack laughed as he hugged her. Eric moved as well, emboldened by his sister, and fell onto Jack as well. Vivi watched this happen with a huge, sweet smile on her lips.

She wasnt tired from raising two children herself. However, watching her children rush into their fathers embrace That feeling was just something else.

As for Jack, he felt the stress and exhaustion of the past year disappear. All the pain hed endured simply washed off him, leaving him fresh and full of love. He laughed out loud, rising to his feet with one child wrapped in each hand. They yelped but didnt cry.

How brave you are! he exclaimed, his own happiness transmitted through his aura. I love you both! All three of you!

Will you eat with us? Vivi asked, her voice sweet. We just finished making lunch, and were looking forward to hearing about your adventures Plus, I suspect you havent eaten a proper meal since the last time you were here.

Jack felt like hed been caught. He laughed again, unable to contain his joy, then gave Vivi a warm gaze. Of course Ill eat. For the next two weeksIm all yours.

***

Lunch was heavenly. Jack really hadnt eaten a proper meal in a yearnot only because he didnt need it, but also because very little food could survive on the Cathedral. He ravenously fell on the table, enjoying every taste.

Between bites, he narrated his experiences at the Cathedral. Not accurately, of coursethe children were listening. He framed them as fairy tales, omitting the dangers and pain to focus on overcoming impossible odds to succeed.

So did I Jack replied, sinking deep into her night.

***

For the next two weeks, Jack remained with his family. They stayed at home, reveling in their love. They toured the world, exploring its wonders. They made memories. Jack was stuck to his children as if glued on them, and they loved every moment. Their carefree laughter echoed across the house, filling it with joy.

One day, Jack and Eric built a treehouse togetherwithout using cultivator superpowers. The little boy was beyond excited. He rushed from side to side, happy to just be spending time with Jack and helping however he could. When they were done, Jack grabbed Eric and flew to the top. Eric cried out in joy. Then, Jack flew even higher, like a bird, using his aura to protect Eric from the sharp winds. Every peal of laughter was medicine to his souland the timid Eric believed in his father so fully that he never felt a shred of fear.

The two swam through the air for a while, unable to stop smiling.

Another day, Jack took Ebele to observe the clouds from above. Her eyes were wide in wonder, gazing at the infinite sea of white, then she yelped as they began free-falling, piercing through the white and towards the blue sea below.

Ebele was scared, but that only made her excited. She laughed through the wind, playing with it and admiring how her little limbs and hair flew upward. When they approached the surface of the ocean, Jack grabbed onto Ebele and swerved over it, cutting through the surface and raising waves. They then flew higher again, until the waves were nothing but lines on the vast blue, and Ebele was having the time of her life.

Again! she shouted, and Jack had no choice but to keep going. Only an hour later, when Ebele was completely exhausted and almost fell asleep, did she let him leave. He hugged her tightly on the way backnot out of caution, but of love.

His two children were different from each other, but he loved them equally. His heart couldnt grow any fuller. If anything ever happened to them

He didnt want to think about that. He would grow so strong that hed never have to.

Besides spending time with his family, Jack also met his other friends and relatives on Earthhis mother, Edgar, Harambe Brock visited often, playing with the children and quickly becoming Uncle Brock. The children loved him. Somehow, his Dao of Brotherhood seeped through, making them see a wide world and learn to rely on each other.

While Jack and Brock were of different species, they regarded each other as brothers. He was also part of the family.

And so, two weeks passed. Finally, there came a day when Jack would have to leave again.

When will you return? Vivi asked him at the front door. The children were inside the houseJack had already bidden them goodbye.

I dont know he admitted. The Church hasnt scouted out the hidden realm. It could be long or shortI really have no idea.

Vivi nodded. Both of them knew that the hidden realm would be an exceedingly dangerous place. Perhaps, Jack would never returnbut they both chose not to mention that.

Be safe, Vivi said, tears sparkling in her eyes. She bit back everything else she wanted to tell him. I love you.

I love you too.

He planted a hot kiss on her lips, savoring this final moment of warmth before the storm. His heart felt weakdid he really have to leave this place and risk his life in an unknown land?

Soon, however, he suppressed the doubts. He was who he was. If he backed away now, he would never be able to live with himself.

Im going, he said. Take care of the kids. Tell them I love them.

They know, she replied with a smile, but Ill tell them. Every day until you come back to us.

Jack looked deep into her eyes and nodded. Then, he flew away. Brock was already waiting for him at the teleporter. As he saw Jack arrive, he read all the emotions in his brothers heart. A good bro makes hard decisions, he said softly, and hard decisions make good bro. You best father I know. Believe.

Jack gave a tight smile. Thanks, Brock. I needed that.

No problem.

The two stepped into the teleporter, activated it, then set off for the Cathedral again. The hidden realm expedition was upon themthe unknown and dangerous.

Besides himself, Jack really looked forward to it.