After chatting with each other some more, they take their precious time savoring the food on the table. The warmth of the restaurant and the fullness in their bellies make them feel content and relaxed. After eating their fill, they finally leave the restaurant, the cool evening air a welcome change.
The restaurant was their last stop anyways, and not to forget, it is already evening. The sun has dipped low in the sky, painting the clouds in brilliant shades of light red and orange. The long shadows stretch across the cobblestone streets, making the surroundings feel surprisingly peaceful and soothing.
The four of them were on their way back to their shared home, their footsteps echoing softly on the ground. The comfortable silence between them was filled with unspoken understanding.
As they were walking, a casual question comes to Alice's mind, her curiosity piqued by their earlier conversation.
"Arlecchino, aren't you the other personality? Why don't you remember anything about the incident regarding your parents?" Alice asks, her voice soft and curious, her eyes wide with genuine interest.
Brenna immediately gives a 'Don't' look to Alice, her eyes widening slightly as if asking why she is bringing the topic about her parents once again.
But just like last time, Arlecchino doesn't mind it at all, her expression unreadable.
"We share the same memories. I don't remember what she doesn't remember. It must be because of childhood trauma that those memories are being locked away in my mind," Arlecchino answers, her voice calm and matter-of-fact, as if she's discussing the weather.
"Huh? Then how come you are two different people if you share the same memories?" Alice questions back, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Cause I'm better?" Arlecchino says as if it is a matter of fact, not something that needed approval, a confident smirk on her face.
Ravenna couldn't help but sigh, shaking her head slightly. "I shouldn't have asked," she mutters under her breath.
"What about you two? I've been seeing you two for quite a while now. You two seem exceptionally close lately," Arlecchino asks back, looking at Ravenna and Brenna.
Ravenna stops her pacing and points at herself, a surprised look on her face. "Us? Does it seem that way?" she asks, her voice a little higher than usual.
"I feel the same," Kailith adds, her eyes flicking between the two of them.
Brenna couldn't help but smile shyly as well, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "She's been teaching me the ways of awakeneds for quite a while now, so I guess we have gotten pretty close," she says, her voice soft but clear.
"That could be the reason," Ravenna nods in agreement.
The four of them continue their walk. They were already more than halfway anyway, to the point that they don't even need to see the direction. Their muscle memory was enough to lead them home now, their feet knowing the path by heart.
The four of them were busy chuckling and chatting between themselves, the comfortable atmosphere wrapping around them like a warm blanket, the evening air filled with their laughter and easy conversation.
But then, as they were almost reaching their destination, Kailith looks at the front by coincidence. She turns her head around once again, her mind still half occupied by their chatting.
But her instinct makes her look again, and this time she doesn't look away. She sees two people standing on the other side of the street road, their figures stark against the fading light.
As she does, she realizes that several people on the road have their gaze locked on them.
She stops walking, her body tensing up, and taps the back of Ravenna, her touch firm and urgent.
"Look, it's Lortell and Selene," she says, her voice low and urgent, but not like it was something bad.
All three of them immediately look towards the direction Kailith had pointed, their casual expressions shifting to ones of sharp focus.
"Let's go, check it out," Kailith adds, her voice firm as she takes the lead.
The three of them follow without a word, their footsteps falling into sync as Kailith approaches Lortell and Selene.
"Good evening, Lortell," Kailith says, her voice polite, "Good evening, little angel," she adds, a small smile playing on her lips.
At the same time, Ravenna, Brenna, and Arlecchino also come forward to greet them, their voices a mix of formal and casual.
"Hello," That's all Ravenna could say, She had always been fearful of Lortell.
"It's a pleasure to meet you here," Brenna adds, her voice soft and polite.
"Good evening," Arlecchino says, her tone neutral, her gaze sharp and observant.
Lortell and Selene smile back, their expressions calm and welcoming.
"Good evening, you all," Lortell says, her voice deep and reassuring.
"Good evening, aunts," Selene also greets, her voice sweet and innocent.
"Call us big sis, we're not that old," Kailith immediately adds, a little hurt by the 'aunt' word, a slight pout on her face.
Before Selene can respond, Kailith shakes her head, turning her attention back to Lortell, her expression serious again.
"What made you come all the way here and wait here in the open?" Kailith asks, her voice low and direct.
"Ohh, it'll ruin the fun. How about you all wait here as well?" Lortell replies with a sly grin, a hint of mystery in her eyes, her gaze twinkling with amusement.
"Ummmm..." Kailith rolls her eyes, feeling awkward, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. "Okay, I guess?" she says while looking at the other three, as if asking for their thoughts, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Too bad, there won't be the pleasure of patience. They are already here," Lortell answers, looking forward, her eyes fixed on something in the distance.
"Who?" all four of them ask in unison, their voices filled with curiosity and a growing sense of anticipation.
But then, they follow Lortell's gaze, looking forward towards the street road.
As they do, they see a figure slowly emerging from the horizon, the evening sunlight covering it with shadows, making it hard to make out at first.
But it meant nothing to Kailith. She sees through it as if there is no distance between her and the figure at all. A big smile full of joy appears on her face, her eyes lighting up with pure happiness.
"Maruti is here," she says, her voice filled with excitement, her heart pounding in her chest.
"What?! For real?" the other three shout in unison, almost jumping on their feet, their faces breaking into wide, incredulous smiles.
And just like Kailith had said, the shadowy figure slowly reveals itself. It was Maruti riding her superbike, with Esdeath on the backseat.
"Look, everyone is already gathered," Maruti says, pointing forward, a confident smirk on her face.
She speeds up the bike a little more, grabbing the whole street's reaction onto her. The roar of the engine echoes through the quiet evening, drawing the attention of everyone around them.
Their reactions were definitely what Maruti wanted from the people of awakened kingdom. It was literally their first time seeing something like this, and their expressions were like they have seen an alien, their eyes wide with shock and awe.
Drrrrr....!
The bike stops just in front of them, the engine purring as Maruti cuts it off.
"You're finally here, and what is this thing?" Brenna and Ravenna coincidentally ask the same question, their voices filled with excitement and curiosity.
"I'm too tired to explain anything. For now, as you can see, I'm finally back," Maruti says, opening her arms, a wide, welcoming smile on her face.
Kailith, Brenna, Ravenna, and Arlecchino run towards her in unison, their footsteps echoing on the pavement, embracing each other into a combined hug.
"Mother," Selene immediately runs towards Esdeath, hugging her and wrapping her small hands around Esdeath's waist, her face buried in her side.
Esdeath does the same, her arms wrapping around her daughter, before stopping and then immediately going for Lortell, her eyes filled with a deep, longing love.
"I missed you so much," Lortell says, hugging her tightly, her voice filled with emotion.
"Me as well," Esdeath says softly, her voice slightly cracking as if she was about to cry out of joy, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
For a few seconds, both sides just stay still like that, lost in the warmth of their reunion, before Selene breaks in.
"What about me?" Selene says with a pout, her hands on her hips, trying to look stern but failing miserably.
Esdeath immediately chuckles, leaning down and kissing her forehead.
"Of course I missed you as well," she adds, her voice warm and reassuring.
For the next few dozen seconds, they get busy with the excitement of reuniting with each other, their laughter and happy chatter filling the evening air, the earlier tension completely forgotten.
"How was your journey? Was it fruitful?" Lortell asks, her voice calm but filled with curiosity, her eyes searching Esdeath's face for any signs of trouble.
Esdeath nods, a grateful smile on her face. "Yes, and once again, thank you for believing in me. Although I do need your help to refine an essence stone," she says, her voice serious but hopeful.
"No problem, leave it to me," Lortell answers confidently.
"What about you? Was the training of Selene and others going good?" Esdeath asks.
Lortell nods, a proud look on her face. "Of course, as it should be," he says, her voice filled with pride.
"Most of the preparations are done. I need to refine a Rank A essence stone, some more training to get used to them, gather everyone to depart to hell, and... and–" Esdeath pants a little, taking deep breaths, her words tumbling out in a rush of excitement and exhaustion.
"Whoa... whoa, chill! You've just returned, no need to mangle in hassle once again," Lortell interrupts, her voice firm but gentle. "Let's go and rest for now," she adds, leaving no room for argument.
Esdeath sighs, but a small smile emerges on her lips, growing wider. "Whatever you say," she says.
Meanwhile, Kailith and the others already had plans on jumping on Maruti, their eyes gleaming with mischief and longing.
"I can't wait to go back. We've been pent up for so long, I'm pretty sure you were waiting to feel relieved as well, right?" Kailith says, licking her dry lips.
"Nope, all I can think right now is to sleep. It's been days since I slept well," Maruti answers, letting her body go loose against Kailith, her head resting on her shoulder.
"I'm gonna sleep. Kailith, take me home," she says, closing her eyes and completely entrusting her body to Kailith and the others, her breathing already slowing down.
There was a hint of disappointment on Kailith's face, but she could understand Maruti's situation as well. She had just come from an over a month long journey from the demon realm, and it was normal to feel overly fatigue.
Kailith lifts Maruti's loosen body and shifts her onto her shoulder, her movements strong and confident.
"Let's go," she says to the other three, and then looks at the trio of Lortell, Esdeath, and Selene.
"We're going back, let's meet again soon," she says, before turning around towards their home while casually carrying Maruti over her shoulder.
Lortell looks between Esdeath and then Kailith, a sense of competition sparking in her eyes.
And then, without asking, she grabs Esdeath, hurling her immediately, carrying her like a princess in her arms, her movements swift and effortless.
"Whoa— wait, I'm fine, there's no need," Esdeath almost shouts out of surprise, her face flushing red, her hands instinctively wrapping around Lortell's neck for balance.
But Lortell didn't let go at all, her grip firm but gentle.
"Selene, let's go," she says, her voice soft but commanding.