Chapter 143 - Family Bonding

"Haah!" Orion roared as he charged against his uncle Kyle. 

The clashing sound of two sharp blades could easily be heard from the courtyard. Orion was not holding back and so was Kyle. 

It was a year ago that Kyle's father retired from being their army's general, he now took the place of his father. Ever since he was young, he mastered the use of the sword and he taught everything he knew to Orion.

Christopher caught up at the sight of Orion running towards the nearest wall. He climbed up to the stoned foundation, only to thrust his sword against Kyle. "Hiyah!"

To get an upper hand, Orion elevated himself. He used his weight to bring down his Uncle Kyle's sword and he succeeded! After seeing the blade fall to the ground, Orion rolled with his head first before pointing his sword at Kyle. 

Orion practiced on a double-edged sword, fully customized for his built and current height. He pointed the same to Kyle's neck as he declared while panting, "This is officially... my first win, uncle!"

Kyle pushed away the blade, and he said, "Very well." He offered a hand to Orion and said, "You did a good job, son."

"Thank you, uncle," responded Orion with a confident grin. 

They eventually heard a clap from behind them and Orion turned to see his father. 

"Come here, boy, and hug your father," told Christopher. He leaned down and opened his arms for Orion. 

"Father," said Orion. He dropped his sword and slowly walked in Christopher's direction. He happily gave him the embrace his father longed. 

Christopher did not want to turn emotional in front of his son, but he could not help it. 

For the eight months of their travel, he saw through his growth through Amanda's eyes, but it wasn't enough and he recognized it greatly now - now that he was holding him in his arms. He kissed Orion's face and took a deep breath, savoring the feeling of being a father. 

His heart was throbbing, and his emotions were a mess. He shed a tear. 

"Son, I missed you. Just like I missed your mother," said Christopher before breaking down into tears completely. 

Christopher never knew that he could cry that much. Even Amanda's eyes watered at the sight of her husband finally connect with his son. 

Orion understood why his father was crying. He was gone for too long, but growing up as the future master of Aeros, he really felt awkward with the situation. He said, "Father - father. We should just go to the family sitting area."

While he embraced Christopher back, he said, "They are all watching us."

Christopher was left chuckling when he pulled away. He wiped the wetness on his face before saying, "You are acting like you are on puberty when your body is still ten years old. Don't forget you are still a baby. That has not changed."

Without warning his son, Christopher put both hands on his cheeks and kissed him all over his face. 

"Oh, no! Father!" Complained Orion. 

From a nostalgic reunion, they all wound up laughing. 

Amanda joined in, hugging both her husband and son. She expressed, "I am so happy. We are a family again."

In the evening a feast was in order. Cassy had flown in from Plethora and Agatha came from the moon. It was a gathering of friends and honored families of Aeros, coming to welcome Christopher back after a long journey. 

From the great halls of Aero's castle, various music was played while servants bring in food and wine. One by one, Christopher's men asked him about his expedition. 

Standing in front of those who assembled for his arrival, he said, "Friends, my adventure led me to many discoveries including the knowledge to make Aeros a better and more civilized placed to live in."

"Now that I have returned, I want to apply all those that I have learned in our land and help our neighboring nations as well."

"There is so much life out there - in the universe. One day, I hope that we can have the same advancement as the other worlds so we can easily travel across the galaxy. It's a long shot, but who knows one day, we can achieve it."

After receiving praise, he smiled and added, "For now, I will start with our nation. To Aeros!"

Claps resonated across the great halls, and Theo also took the chance to make a special announcement. He stood and said, "Now that my son is back. I would like to reveal my retirement."

"Of course, I will not leave right away. I still have to spend time with my son, but soon, a formal announcement will be made, inviting other nations before I can declare Christopher as your new ruler, but moving forward please feel free to address him accordingly," told Theo. 

"For now! Let's enjoy and be merry! For today my son returns to our side!" Theo raised the cup of his wine and said, "To Christopher! To the new master of Aeros!"

"To master Christopher!"

"To our new ruler!"

Following the celebration, Theo's family walked outside to the courtyard. Christopher had earlier proposed that they go closer to the stars that night. 

The skies were bright, and the stars were gleaming. 

All six of them were standing, looking up to the skies when Christopher said, "Let's all fly up to the clouds!"

Theo coughed and said, "I feel like young again."

Laughing, Agatha said, "Don't worry, darling. I'll make a potion to make you young again. As soon as we go to the moon!"

"Okay, I'm ready!" Said Cassy, thrusting her wings out, She ended up tearing the back of her dress but she did not care. This was a once in a lifetime event for their family. 

Eager to fly with his household, Orion did the same, grunting as he spread his wings. Like Christopher, he also inherited the ability to fly and heal. He declared, "I'm going to be the fastest!"

"Hold your horses, buddy! Wait for us," said Christopher. He also thrust out his wings. 

Like always, Amanda burned down her clothes as she converted into her phoenix form. She said, "I'm ready."

Agatha, on the other hand, magically brought her flying staff, instantly appearing before her. "I'm also ready."

"On the count of three!" Suggested Orion. "One. Two - "

Blazing in the air, Orion finished, "Three!"

"Oh, my goodness! My son is a cheater!" Told Amanda. She fired up, flying together with Orion. 

Everyone else followed, flapping their wings while Agatha rode on her magic staff. 

"My nephew is something else!" Announced Cassy as she struggled to catch up with the flying boy. She had to admit, Orion was strong. Even his wings were incredibly strong. 

Above the castle of Aeros six people were soaring through the night skies, reading for the clouds above them. Only Amanda's fire lit them up, catching the eyes of those who were also gazing up into the stars. 

Christopher sped, seeing his son go so far. He warned, "Halt, young master of Aeros! That's enough, son! You are going too far!"

Only then did Orion stopped, panting and laughing, Orion said, "Dad! I really like looking up at the stars! I feel like I could see mother's home star from here!"

Finally catching up to him, Christopher maintained to flap his wings, but this time, just enough to stay afloat. He said, "It's good to have that kind of connection with the dragon star, son. After all, that is where your mother is from."

"Caught you!" Announced Cassy. She was the next to catch up with her nephew, hugging Orion outright. 

"And I caught you!" It was Amanda's turn, crashing into Christopher's arms. Her fire quickly put out at the touch of him. She laughed before wrapping her arms around him and she kissed his lips. "This is so nice. I like this family bonding."

"Aww, you guys! I'm all jealous! Why don't I have a man yet?" Complained Cassy. 

Agatha and Theo settled with them, drifting in the skies where clouds sometimes went past them. Hearing her daughter, Agatha said, "Maybe you'll be like Chris, meant to be with a great powerful being!"

"Amazing destiny seemed to run in our family," added Agatha with a grin. 

"Yeah! I agree with that! You will definitely be with someone so great!" Remarked Christopher as he rotated with his wife, who was now in her second skin.

He smirked at Cassy before adding, "Someone as great as Kyle!"

"Pfft! Haha!" Amanda laughed before telling, "I agree!"

"What? Kyle? No way!" Complained Cassy. "He is an ass!"

"He might be, but he is a fine ass," commented Amanda. She was laughing at her words, but then she realized her husband became silent. She sneered and said, "Of course, my husband is the finest!"

"Well, I want to marry a princess!" Announced Orion. 

"Hey! You are still two years old, buddy!" Reminded Christopher. "You still have much to learn."

The family spent half an hour lingering in the skies. They kid and laughed as part of their family bonding that night.. They only returned when Christopher urged doing so, feeling horny at the fact that he was so close to his wife.