The Terra's body lay at the center of a crater, still burning with the last flickers of light magic. It didn't twitch. Didn't groan. It was gone — utterly destroyed.
Raiken stood over it, untouched. Magic crackled softly around him, threads of light dancing across his skin like fading sparks. His face was calm. Detached.
He dusted off his coat with one hand, turned away from the dead terra, and said nothing.
Mission complete.
The front door creaked open.
The house was quiet, warm, and lived-in. Faint smells of tea and old books hung in the air. A hallway stretched past the door, where a young voice called out.
"Dad?"
Kazuki's head peeked around the corner, eyes wide. When he saw who it was, he lit up.
"You're back!"
Raiken smiled, shrugging off his coat.
"Didn't I say I'd be?"
Kazuki fell into step beside him as Raiken headed into the kitchen.
"How was the mission?"
Raiken grabbed a cup, filled it from the tap, and drank slowly. His movements were casual, unhurried.
He stretched, joints popping.
"Easiest job I've had all month."
Kazuki blinked. "But didn't your boss say it was a strong Terra?"
Raiken grinned and winked.
"Then that just means I'm extra strong."
Kazuki's eyes lit up with admiration. "Really? Then I guess no Terra can beat you!"
Raiken leaned against the kitchen wall, crossing his arms.
"That's right. And you know why?"
His expression shifted — not boastful now, but sharp and steady. A hunter's gaze.
"Because of all the hard work I've put into being a hunter."
Kazuki nodded solemnly, soaking it in.
"So if you want to be even stronger," Raiken added, voice low and sure, "you'll have to work twice as hard."
A beat of silence.
Kazuki stared at him, eyes full of awe and curiosity.
Raiken smirked, then reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Of course," he added with a grin, "I'm also just naturally talented."
Kazuki laughed. Raiken joined him — not the loud kind of laugh, but the quiet, easy one that came from being home, from feeling safe. For once, the world outside didn't matter.
Later, Kazuki brushed his teeth in the bathroom, now dressed in pajamas with stars on them. Raiken leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, watching his son with a quiet pride.
Kazuki wiped his face dry and looked up at him with a grin.
"I'll work hard like you, Dad."
Raiken nodded, smiling gently.
"I know you will."
Raiken tucked him in, pulling the blanket up to Kazuki's chin.
"Aww… already?" the boy asked, eyes pleading.
"Yeah," Raiken said, flicking off the light. "I've got something to do tomorrow. Don't want to stay up too late."
Kazuki blinked at him in the darkness. "Another mission?"
Raiken paused.
Just a second. Barely enough to notice.
Then he smiled.
"Yeah. Just one more job."
Kazuki curled up under the blanket, eyes fluttering shut.
"Goodnight, Dad…"
Raiken lingered at the doorway, voice soft.
"Goodnight, Kazuki."
Now the house was quiet.
Raiken stood alone in the hallway, shadows long and silent.
His face shifted — not much, but enough. The smile faded. His eyes turned distant. Focused somewhere far beyond the walls of this peaceful home.
The house rested under a pale moon, its windows glowing softly in the night.
Quiet. Still.
For now.
END OF CHAPTER TWO