Chapter 269: Chapter 268
[Third Person's PoV]
Cid stood before the vast emptiness of a galaxy, his hands clasped behind his back. With a calm motion, he extended his palm forward. In an instant, a fully functioning solar system materialized before him—planets rotating in their orbits, each spinning slowly around a radiant sun.
A satisfied smile crossed his lips as he declared, "And on the seventh day, The Shadow Monarch said, 'Let there be light!'"
At his command, the solar system expanded at blinding speed. Behind him, an enormous sun burst into existence, shining brilliantly. Its golden light cast his front in shadow, yet he could feel its warmth against his back.
He chuckled to himself at the thought. "Wow, I almost gave myself a god complex there… Now, all is where it should be."
His amusement quickly turned into excitement as an impatient smile spread across his face. "Now, let's go see my little ones! It's been too long."
Without another word, Cid vanished into his shadow realm, a place where time had been frozen. Everything and everyone within it remained suspended in stasis—until now. As he appeared, time resumed its natural flow.
Before him stood Alpha and Aurora. The moment their eyes met, the three of them instantly turned and sprinted toward the presence they had longed for—their children, being cared for by Lucifer.
"My babies!!" Aurora and Alpha cried out in unison as they rushed forward, each snatching their child from Lucifer's grasp.
Aurora cradled Celeste, who blinked up at her in astonishment. Alpha scooped up Lorion, holding him close, while Cid gently lifted Loriel into his arms.
They showered their children with affection, but Celeste only looked on in confusion. Fresh tears still lingered on their cheeks from the last time they had reached out, calling for their parents to return.
"Come on! Say 'Mama.' Ma. Ma." Alpha encouraged Lorion, exaggerating the sounds in the hopes he would repeat them just as he had when they were leaving.
A voice interrupted their reunion. "Not to disrupt this moment, but… is the war with the Monarchs already over?" Beatrix, Alpha's aunt, asked. Her expression was as stoic as ever, but there was a hint of curiosity in her gaze.
"Yes," Aurora answered between pressing kisses to Celeste's face. "It lasted a few days, but we managed to end the Battle of the Monarchs with our victory."
Celeste scrunched her face, one eye closed as her cheek was squished under Aurora's relentless affection. Secretly, she was grateful to Beatrix for asking what she had been wondering herself.
"The Battle of the Monarchs?" Cid repeated, raising an eyebrow as he held Loriel close. She clung tightly to his neck, her small hands grasping at him desperately, as if afraid he might disappear again. Tears welled at the corners of her tightly shut eyes.
"Yeah! All great wars have names, and I'm calling this one the Battle of the Monarchs," Aurora said proudly.
Cid scoffed. "I'm sorry, but that's terrible. And you had the nerve to make fun of my naming sense before?" He patted Loriel's back, pressing a reassuring kiss to the top of her head before resting his head gently against hers.
"How about… The Great Monarch War?" Alpha suggested, playfully bopping Lorion's nose with her fingertip.
Cid nodded in approval. "Better."
Aurora pouted at the rejection of her idea, but before she could argue, Cid refocused the conversation. "Alright, let's go. As much as I wish we could take a break, we need to keep moving and plan. I've already informed the others to meet us in the meeting room."
Cid then turned to Lucifer. "Oh, and good work. You may return."
"I did nothing to deserve your thanks, my liege," Lucifer said, bowing slightly, regret lingering in his voice. He wished he had been of more use to his master.
Cid smiled reassuringly. "I was only able to fight with peace of mind because I knew you would keep my children safe if anything happened. So give yourself more credit."
Tears welled up in the corners of Lucifer's eyes. "Your words are too much for me, my lord," he said emotionally before sinking into the shadows.
"Could I perhaps join the meeting?" Beatrix asked, raising a hand.
"Sure, I don't mind. Let's go," Cid said with a nod.
---
When they arrived, everyone was already seated, waiting for Cid's arrival. He took his place at the head of the long rectangular table, while Beatrix stood behind Alpha.
"We're not getting a break, are we?" Eta sighed, placing a pillow on the table and resting her head on it.
"Unfortunately not. We're moving straight from one war to the next," Cid admitted. "It may seem like I'm rushing, and that's because I am. The quicker we handle this, the less we'll have to worry about in the future."
Though they appeared somewhat fatigued, everyone knew they would recover quickly thanks to their abilities.
Cid scanned the room, his gaze resting on each of them. "I know most of you have suffered at the hands of the Diabolos Cult. And you're not alone—Shadow Garden was built around those who have endured their cruelty." His tone darkened. "Whether they unjustly slaughtered your kin—" He glanced at Zeta, who clenched her fists along with many others. "—Or personally experimented on you." This time, Aurora lowered her gaze, and Alexia placed a hand on her own arm.
"They have already lived far beyond the time they should have perished," Cid said coldly. His disdain for the cult wasn't born from personal hatred, but their existence had left scars on those he cared for. That was enough to make it personal.
Leaning forward, he gently patted Loriel's head as she sat cozily on his lap. "As the Monarch of Death, my decree is final: their time is up. Although I could wipe them from existence with a snap of my fingers, I doubt that's what you'd want. I won't deny you the satisfaction of claiming the revenge you all rightfully deserve."
Cid's expression softened as he looked at them. "You all fought by my side in my war without hesitation or complaint. It's only right that I help you fight yours. I'm giving you the rest of the day off. Make sure to get plenty of rest—tomorrow morning, we move out."
"Looks like someone already took your order to heart," Elisabeth noted, nodding toward Eta, who was hugging her pillow tightly, snoring contentedly.
Cid sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, you're all dismissed. I just needed to inform you of our next objective."
As the meeting wrapped up, Celeste, who had been resting with Aurora, suddenly squirmed in her mother's arms, stretching toward Cid. She grunted in frustration, reaching out with tiny hands.
Aurora's expression fell. "Celeste… you don't want to stay with Mommy?"
Cid gently handed the sleeping Loriel to Beatrix before taking Celeste into his arms. Aurora glared at him. "Why does she love you so much? She loves you more than me…"
Celeste's eyes widened in panic. Quickly, she blew Aurora a kiss, her little hand pressing against her lips before extending outward.
Aurora melted instantly, her earlier disappointment vanishing. "Awww~"
Cid smirked. "Wait… so you don't love me more than your mother?" he teased.
Celeste froze, her eyes darting between Cid and Aurora, unsure of how to respond. She turned to Alpha, silently pleading for help. Alpha only laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I'm just messing with you, you dunce," Cid chuckled.
Celeste pouted before repeatedly tapping her forehead. "Listen!" she demanded, wanting Cid to read her mind like he always did.
Obliging, Cid pressed his forehead to hers and asked, *"Yes?"*
*"Thank you for keeping your promise!"* Celeste's thoughts rang clear, her expression warm and bright.
Cid smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. *"I would never break my promise to you, my little princess."*