Around twenty people burst inside the office one after another.. One of them, that was in the forefront, said after he scanned his surroundings in panic "Patriarch.. What happened? are you okay?"
Another man beside him inquired just then "We just felt a burst of aura just now.. we thought something must've happened for you to release your powers like that.."
Everyone nodded at that and expressed their concern.
Heather waved his hand "It's nothing.. I just lost control all of a sudden.. you all can get back work.."
All of them gave a slight bow and responded in unison "Yes Sir.. yes patriarch.." with that they left the office in an orderly manner..
Heather turned to face his daughter, and saw her sparkling eyes looking at him with interest.. Like a small puppy who waits for treats while wagging it's tail..
With a warm smile, he raised his hand and softly rubbed the top of his daughter's head.. With a curious glint in his eyes. "You don't seem startled.. not even a flicker of surprise," He said, his voice low and edged with amusement. "You felt it, didn't you? The surge of power-- my power."
He paused, studying her expression as if searching for answers in her silence. "So tell me.. what secrets lay hidden within that ring? Have you unraveled it's truth yet?'
Forsythia blinked, her eyes widening for a heartbeat before narrowing in guarded curiosity. A flicker of surprise danced across her face—quick, but unmistakable. She hadn't expected him to know that she knew. Her lips parted slightly, then closed again. Her father's gaze was steady, and so was the weight of truth between them.
She exhaled slowly and pulled up the sleeve of her white hoodie, revealing the spiraled flower vine etched into her forearm—ice blue, ancient, and faintly glowing in the presence of awakened power.
"Yes," she said aloud, her voice low but unwavering. "I just discovered it."
But in her mind, the words continued like an echo she didn't yet dare share aloud:
Not long ago… when I died, only then did I find out about it.
Flashes of a life I'd lived before this one—a life filled with regret, pain, and loss.
I missed the chance back then. I let fear and doubt win. Never questioned anything, anyone.
But this time…
She looked at the glowing lines on her skin, pulsing in time with her heartbeat.
This time, I'll do everything I was meant to do. Everything I wanted to do. I won't submit to anything or anyone. I'll uncover every secret, no matter where it leads.
She raised her hand, fingers splayed, "You can now come out, baby bird.." the tattoo responding to her call. A shimmer cracked the air, like a ripple across the surface of reality. From within the rift emerged a majestic...um 'tiny' bird!!! its wings aglow with ancient light, its eyes sharp with cosmic memory.
The creature perched on her shoulder, silent and knowing.
She turned back to her father. "This is.. uh.. um.. Baby bird!!," she said as she scratched her head in confusion. She let it slide and continued "It's bonded to the ring—and now, to me."
The baby bird got angry and his facade of majestic aura cracked at one, It jumped and poked her hair as it chirped in protest "Squeak.. You stupid human... I told you already, do not call me baby bird again,, but you.. Squeak.. you take my lightly, don't you? Squeak.. You think I can't do anything to you just because I am bound to you?"
The bird was out of breath after all that jumping, so it stopped and sat back down on her shoulder to save energy.. Forsythia rubbed her head as she said in a guilty voice "But.. You never told me your name.. how do I know what to call you? So I thought I can just can just call you baby bird,"
She paused as she eyes the bird with caution before she continued in a tiny voice, almost mumbling "What's so bad about 'Baby bird'.. you look like a baby bird.. tiny and cute.."
The bird saw was furious after hearing that, he once again jumped on top of head to poke and scold her..
Heather, who got interrupted even before he got a chance to respond to his what his daughter said, was watching their interaction with amusement.. He chuckled slightly, "Pfft.. haha.." which got both of the troublemakers to freeze and turn to look at him at the same time..
Heather saw them like this and finally said "The venerable who was trapped inside the ring, please accept my respects to you.." with that he gave a slight bow as he stood up from the sofa.. "This junior is Ambrose Edward Heather.."
The blue bird looked at him and Chirped, trying to speak in a serious voice "Squeak.. You can just relax Mr. Heather.. I'm not what I used to be.." Downcast tiny eyes, it continued "I've long lost all glory of the past.. squeak.. Just call me Aldric.."
Heather felt aura radiating from Aldric, with knowing eyes he said "How can that be? Lord Aldric.. I can tell just by your appearance and aura, what power you must've held in your time before you got sealed inside the ring.." he paused before continuing "i can't disrespect a venerable Aldric.."
"Do what you like.. hmph.. Squeak.." Aldric chirped showing a facade of annoyance and turned his head to the side to ignore him..
Forsythia had been observing their interaction closely all this time.. when her father paid respect to Aldric, the bird's eyes flashed with sudden sadness.. She thought to herself "Something must've happened to Aldric in the past.. or someone must've hurt him to seal him in the ring.. otherwise.. just as father said if he was so strong, how could anyone just seal him away!!"
She shook her head and decided to put it on side for the time being, and ask Aldric later..
Forsythia took a deep breath and asked her father "Dad.. can you tell me, Why you gave me the ring? I've been thinking about all the possibilities.. But, in my memory of all these years, you never told me anything about the supernatural powers, the origin of the ring.."
***