Chapter twelve: The Seeds of Tomorrow

Morning came quickly.

Cid rose before the rest, washed his face, and stepped out into the garden. Dew still clung to the grass, the air sharp with the scent of damp earth. He worked quietly—gathering dead leaves, cutting away dry branches from the tree, and clearing the soil until the small patch of green felt alive again. The labor was simple, grounding, a far cry from the hunts and the blood that usually stained his hands.

When he came back inside, he set the pan on the fire and began preparing breakfast. The hiss of fat on the skillet filled the kitchen.

Soft arms wrapped around him from behind.

“Honey,” Fenrona whispered against his back, her breath warm.

“I see you woke early,” Cid said with a faint smile, lowering the fire so the food wouldn’t burn. He turned and kissed her.

“I wanted time with only you,” she said, holding tighter.

He chuckled softly. “So, you envy our daughters for keeping me to themselves?”

Fenrona’s wolf ears twitched, her eyes playful. “I envy them as much as I love them. They’ve given me so much… and yet taken from me just as much.” Her fingers brushed his cheek, her touch tender.

They kissed again, lingering this time, until footsteps broke the silence.

“Papa, Mama!” Adel cried, waddling over with her arms raised as Nyx and Dalin sat at the table.

“What is it, little one?” Cid asked, lifting her into his arms.

“I wanted to say good morning,” Adel said shyly.

“Then good morning, little one,” Cid replied, setting her down on her chair. He placed bread on the table, leaned down, and kissed Fenrona’s head.

“Come on, eat,” he said warmly.

“You’re not eating with us, my love?” Fenrona asked, tilting her head.

“There’s something I need to do, honey,” Cid answered, his tone calm but clipped. He pulled on his coat and stepped outside.

Across the street, a young man was waiting.

“So, you’re the man my grandmother spoke of,” the boy said, raising a hand. “Name’s Johny. Johny Hursen.”

“Cidolfus,” Cid replied, gripping his hand.

Johny’s gaze sharpened. “So… where’s all your money from?”

“Hunting,” Cid said flatly.

“Just hunting? Then you must be high rank,” Johny pressed.

“What do you want?” Cid asked, his tone cooling.

“Straight to the point, then,” Johny muttered. “Will you train me?”

Cid studied him, silent for a moment. Finally, he said, “I’ll think about it,” and turned away, leaving Johny to stew.

The Hunter’s Tavern was quieter in the morning. Ker was already behind the counter, pouring drinks.

“You here for a job, or something else?” she asked, sliding a cup toward him.

“I came for intel,” Cid said, sipping.

Ker raised a brow. “On who?”

“Charls, the son of Briks… and Johny Hursen.”

Ker leaned back, thinking. “Johny? A nobody. Never fought in his life, never learned how to use magic properly. But his parents… they were SS-rank hunters before they died. His grandmother raised him.” She shrugged. “Whatever strength is in his blood, he hasn’t found it yet.”

“And Charls?”

Ker’s expression hardened. “The oldest son of the Dorin family. Dangerous, but reckless. About your age. Strong power, no control. If you’re asking me—neither of them can cause real trouble.”

Cid drained his cup. “Good.” He set the coin down and stood. “Thanks.”

When he returned home, the air smelled of firewood and bread. Fenrona met him at the door, her smile soft, her kiss warm.

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“Welcome back, love.”

From the living room came Nyx’s cheerful voice. “Come play with us, Father!”

Cid’s lips tugged into a smile. “I’m coming,” he said, stepping inside.

They played for hours, the sound of laughter echoing through the wide halls of the house. Then, a sudden knock rattled the door.

Cid stood, his instincts sharp as ever, and opened it.

“Cid!” Emily exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

“Emy,” he murmured, hugging her tight. For a moment, the years between them melted away.

“Welcome back,” Fenrona said warmly from where she sat on the floor, a dragonling perched on each knee.

“I couldn’t wait,” Emily said, slipping inside. “I wanted to play with my nieces.”

Cid smiled faintly, though his voice carried that firm edge of care. “Emy, I love that you came—but shouldn’t you be at the Academy? I don’t want you neglecting it just because I’m here.”

Emily hesitated, then squared her shoulders. “Actually… that’s why I came. Can you train me?”

“What?” Cid raised a brow.

“The exams are soon,” she explained. “If I pass, I can enter the Hero’s Academy.”

“But you’re only sixteen,” Cid said. “You’ll finish school this year.”

“Yes,” she nodded, determination burning in her eyes. “But the Hero’s Academy is a place of honor in the kingdom. Only the strong are chosen. I want to prove myself.”

Cid studied her for a long moment, then exhaled. “Fine. Tomorrow.”

Her face lit up. “Thank you, brother!” She hesitated, then added, “And… one more thing. Fath—Briks invites you all for dinner tonight.”

Cid’s eyes narrowed. “First—Emy, you can call him father. That’s who he is for you. Second—” his voice softened, though it carried weight “—I’ll come. My wife and daughters can choose for themselves.”

“I will come as well,” Fenrona said immediately, her voice calm but resolute. “What wife would I be if I did not stand beside my husband?”

“We want to go too!” Nyx, Dalin, and Adel chimed in at once.

“Then we all go,” Cid said.

“Good. I’ll go get ready,” Fenrona said, rising with grace and heading upstairs.

“Go help her,” Emily told him with a smile. “I’ll stay with the kids.”

“Thanks, Emy.”

Upstairs, steam curled from the bathroom. Fenrona was already under the shower when Cid stepped inside.

“My love,” she said with a smile, water dripping down her silver hair. “I guess today… I finally have you again.”

“Honey,” he whispered, stepping into the warmth with her. “You always have me.” He kissed her deeply.

She traced his face with her fingers. “My dear husband… your smile has returned.”

“Thanks to my bountiful wife and daughters,” he said softly.

They lingered together before stepping out, dressing in their room. Fenrona crossed her arms, eyeing him.

“I hope you’re not planning to dress as always, my love.”

“Why not?” Cid asked, pulling on his usual black coat.

“Because,” she said, opening the closet, “I bought you a suit. Wear it.”

He blinked as she slipped into her own tailored dress. The sight of her left him speechless. “…Too fancy, don’t you think?” His lips curved into a grin despite himself. “Gods, you look bountiful.”

“I know,” she said with a teasing smile, hugging him. “And that suit looks good on you, my love.”

When they came down the stairs, Emily stood waiting with the children, all of them neatly dressed.

“You two look good,” Emily remarked with a grin.

“Papa!” Adel cried, running to him. He lifted her easily, setting her on his shoulders as she giggled.

“Come on,” Emily urged, excitement flickering in her eyes. “We should go already.”

Fenrona lifted Dalin into her arms, Nyx holding her hand proudly. Together, the family stepped out into the capital streets—toward the dinner that would test bonds old and new.

By evening, they reached Briks’ home. Emily pushed open the door with a smile.

“I’m home—and I brought them.”

Briks looked up from the table, his broad frame lit by the hearth’s glow. His eyes narrowed, then softened. “Kid… you’ve grown. And you’ve made a family. Come, join us.”

“Thank you for inviting us.” Cid stepped forward, his voice steady but edged with caution. “This is my wife, Fenrona.”

“It is nice to meet you,” Fenrona said politely, bowing her head.

“These are my daughters,” Cid continued. “Adel, Dalin, and Nyx.”

Briks gestured proudly to his own brood. “My oldest, you already know—Charles. This is David, and the little one is Ross. My wife is still at work, but she’ll be home soon. Let us begin. She will join us later.”

They sat together around the table, sharing food, stories, and the small laughter of children. Yet beneath the warmth lingered unspoken tension, as if the walls themselves remembered old choices.

“I am home,” came a voice at the door.

A woman stepped in, her cloak dusted with the night air. She froze mid-step when her eyes fell on Cid.

“It’s you…” she whispered.

Cid frowned. “Do I know you?”

“Near the capital gates,” she said. “A month ago. The dragon you killed. I was the mage you saved.”

Recognition flickered in his eyes.

“This is my wife, Jun,” Briks said, his tone shifting. He looked at Cid with renewed respect. “Then, Cid… I am forever in your debt for saving her.”

“You don’t have to be,” Cid said, his voice low. “But… there is something else. Emily asked me to train her, and I agreed. I also have a proposal: I can train Charles as well.”

Briks leaned back, arms folding, studying him. “Of course… but tell me, how can you train what you don’t have?”

“That,” Cid said evenly, “I cannot tell you. What I can tell you is this: if he trains with me, he will be stronger than anyone in this kingdom.”

Briks’ eyes gleamed, calculating. “Then let me offer you another. A girl named Alpha—your age. She also cannot control her magic. But her father insists she trains in their house.”

Cid finished his cup, setting it down with quiet finality. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” Briks said, nodding. “From tomorrow, you will be my son’s teacher. I will speak with Alpha’s father.”

The matter settled, Cid and Fenrona gathered their children and made their way home beneath the pale night sky.

Later, in their room, Fenrona lay with her head upon Cid’s chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

“Love,” she murmured, her voice soft as velvet, “in four months this family will be bigger.” Her hand brushed her stomach gently. “Until then… can I train with you?”

“Of course,” Cid said with a small smile. “You’re the only one who can put up a fight against me.”

Her lips curled playfully. “Bill taught me how to speak to the weapon. Her name is Elga.”

“Elga, hm?” He kissed her, lingering.

“Good night, my love,” she whispered.

They drifted to sleep, their breaths weaving together, unaware of the storm tomorrow would bring.