Year 24,991 | 10th Month Glacis | Day 21
A new day dawned in the Wilson household.
The morning light crept across the sky, casting a soft amber glow as the twin moons of Samsara faded behind wisps of silver clouds. In the backyard.
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
The sound of air being sliced echoed faintly.
Jack stood shirtless on the training field, his bare feet gripping the earth with each movement.
His body moved like shadow and flame swift, silent, focused. Every motion flowed with sharp precision.
CRACK!
His fist struck the training dummy's core.
THUD!
A heel kick followed, sweeping through the air like a blade.
His lean, sculpted torso glistened under the sunlight, sweat dripping down his abs, tracing the muscle lines carved by constant training. The scars along his arms told stories of battles survived and lessons earned.
He wasn't just training… he was sharpening his skills.
Then
"Jack! Breakfast!" His mother's voice echoed warmly from the dining room window.
Jack paused mid-motion. Huff… He exhaled slowly, the morning frost still steaming from his breath. His eyes softened as the warrior within him gave way to the son.
He grabbed a towel from the fence, wiped the sweat from his body, then walked inside the house. After a quick wash and change into a clean set of simple but neat clothes, he made his way to the dining room.
Inside, the table was already alive with quiet warmth.
James and Emma sat side by side as always, a picture of calm resilience. Little Sofia sat beside her mother, legs swinging under the table, her big eyes already fixed on Jack with a gleam of excitement. Beside her, Ava sipped tea in silence, her gaze distant yet aware, always watching, always thoughtful.
Jack took the empty seat between James and Ava.
Today's breakfast was simple, but comforting: grilled beast meat sandwiches with a savory herb sauce, paired with wild-fruit juice freshly harvested from the surrounding woods. The scent alone filled the room with hunger.
Even though they were now Ascendants beings who didn't need to eat, drink, or sleep this family chose to keep those old human habits alive.
To eat was to feel human. To rest was to remember peace. To gather around a table like this… was to never forget what they were fighting for.
As they ate in content silence, Ava's voice broke the moment.
"So… what's the plan for today?" she asked casually, placing her teacup down with a soft clink.
Emma answered with her usual calmness, "The Adventure Guild is holding its reward ceremony today. They're distributing loot and promotions to those who participated in the Beast Tide. So, Jack, James, and I will be heading there shortly."
Then she turned toward the Sofia and Angel Ava. "You two are welcome to come along, of course."
Sofia immediately brightened. Her chair creaked as she hopped in place.
"Yay! I'm going with Big Sister Ava!" she shouted, her voice bursting with joy.
Ava sighed helplessly but the corner of her lips tugged into a smile. "I suppose I don't have a choice, huh?"
Sofia nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "Nope!"
Everyone chuckled.
After breakfast, the grownups sipped their herbal teas while the younger ones drank the rest of their juice. The meal, simple as it was, left a sense of warmth lingering in the air.
Then Emma stood up, her voice turning firm.
"Alright, time to prepare. Take your showers and wear something proper. This isn't a normal day
we're meeting the Guild as honored warriors. Show them how proud we are."
"Understood!" James replied with mock salute, earning a giggle from Sofia.
Jack stood, rolling his shoulders. The tension from yesterday still echoed through his limbs but today, the storm had passed.
Today… was for reward.
And maybe, just maybe… the next step toward the future waiting in the shadows.
Without delay, everyone stood from the table and headed to their rooms. Footsteps echoed lightly on the wooden floors, doors creaked open and closed, and the house briefly returned to quiet.
Ava remained in the living room, reclining gracefully on the sofa, legs crossed, a worn book in her lap. Sssip... She took a small sip of warm herbal tea, the fragrant steam rising and curling in the air like a lazy spirit. Her violet-gold eyes
skimmed the pages, though part of her mind remained on Jack.
An hour passed in tranquil silence.
Click. One door opened.
Then another.
One by one, the Wilson family returned, each dressed and radiating presence.
Jack appeared first, wearing a dark blue battle coat trimmed with sleek silver lines. The fabric clung smoothly to his form, accentuating his lean build and quiet strength. His hair was neatly combed, his posture proud, yet calm.
James stepped out in a regal black outfit lined with gold. His tall frame carried an aura of command, and the light gleamed off his polished boots with every step.
Emma followed, donning a flowing violet robe adorned with delicate beast-mark embroidery. Her grace rivaled that of any noble, her gaze composed and quietly fierce.
Sofia came last, spinning once in her adorable sky-blue dress, a snowy white ribbon tied neatly in her hair. Her little shoes tapped excitedly on the floor as she beamed at everyone.
Ava had changed too; her clothes were now a blend of elegance and readiness. She wore a fitted black coat with emerald edges, a garment designed for both mobility and grace. The silver crest on her collar shimmered faintly in the light.
By the time all preparations were complete, the time read exactly 9:00 AM.
The family stepped out into the front yard together. The gate creaked as it locked behind them, and the cool morning air embraced their skin.
Then
FWOOOSH!
Ava raised her hand. From her space ring, a gleam of light flashed and a beautiful flying ship materialized in the air before them.
Its surface shimmered like enchanted crystal-metal, sleek and polished. Wings extended from its sides like blades of silver light, and faint runes pulsed along its hull.
"Shall we?" Ava asked.
They boarded.
The ship hummed to life. A soft
WHIRRRR
Vibrated beneath their feet as it rose into the sky. The wind swirled around them, carrying the scent of pine and dew.
The view from above was breathtaking.
Vast rivers shimmered like silver snakes below. Forests stretched endlessly, a sea of green trembling under the breeze. Mountains rose like silent guardians in the distance. Birds flew beside them for a moment then scattered with startled cries as the ship accelerated, slicing through clouds with divine grace.
Time flowed peacefully.
Then, in the distance a city.
Jakartha.
The sun had climbed high, bathing the world in gold.
At 10:00 AM sharp, the flying ship began its descent.
WHOOSH!
The craft glided smoothly down, its light thrusters pulsing with a soft glow as it touched ground before the Jakartha City Branch of the Adventurer Guild.
A grand sight unfolded before them.
Hundreds of Otherworlder Ascendants and others had already arrived. The entire front courtyard of the Guild building was packed row after row of young warriors, some dressed in flashy armor, others in simpler robes. All carried the same proud light in their eyes.
The tension in the air buzzed with excitement.
Native Samsara Guild officials stood in rows beside the crowd, calmly organizing and preparing the reward ceremony.
Jack looked out over the sea of people, eyes steady.
This wasn't just a reward event.
It was recognition.
Today, they weren't just survivors.
They were True Ascendants.
They were warriors of a foreign world who had faced Life And Death and won.
And now… it was time to be honored.
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To Be Continued….!!