Chapter 484: Sliver of Light

"Where have you been brother?! Little Sis and I have been looking for you for hours!" Lily exclaimed with an agitated and upset tone as soon as he emerged from the dimensional gate, leaving Haven behind. 

Immediately, not giving any chance for him to repent, the blonde girl flew herself towards him, crashing onto his chest. Burying herself in her favorite spot she began to sniff and sob as she released all the pent of emotions she was holding down.

At the same time, Galina looked at the two, with a bittersweet smile. She was actually mostly aware of what was going on by listening to his brothers through the mental channel. Though it was slightly inconvenient as it required much more mental strength from her to focus due to the effects of the time dilation, yet she was mostly aware that Aiden was fine, and was spending most of his time with the human woman that held a complicated relationship with the group. 

Yet, she wasn't sure what she could reveal to the Young Miss, and without any guidance from Aiden, she opted for silence instead. The only thing she said was that her brother was safe and was just training.

Unfortunately, such vague words did little to quell the growing worry in Lily's heart. After going through so much ordeal, even going as far as almost losing him during a similar situation way before, Lily felt insecure without any direct means to know about his status. Word by word just didn't cut it, even if it came from someone like Galina, who she knew would never state any lies.

Spending the last hour or so in his room, waiting with an overwhelming sense of worry and concern, Lily could no longer hold herself back and keep her emotions at bay when her brother finally appeared.

Her body was violently trembling as her worry, concern, and the trauma that she constantly held down and hid behind the mask of her ever-present cheerfulness suddenly erupted from the constraints of her heart.

"Brooo-ther!" Her muffled sobs were the only source of sound for over a minute as she held herself on her beloved brother's chest, ignoring everything else entirely. 

Looking at her disheveled, distraught state, Aiden flashed a tender smile, reaching out and embracing the shivering, shaking little girl. 

Giving a gentle peck atop her head, Aiden whispered warmly to ease her troubled heart. 

"Calm down, big sis. I was fine, nothing bad happened. In fact, I have nothing but good news for you!"

Looking up and freeing her face from the soothing embrace of his chest, Lily looked up at her brother with a face full of interest and rising curiosity. 

"What is it, brother? Tell me!"

Thus, Aiden began to recount the story behind their Master's Number 3's tale, going back to the beginning 2 weeks before, and retelling how she fell, before going forward and explaining in vague terms how he saved her, all the way to the moment of her awakening.

Though he left out bits and pieces, Lily was one of the very few that was aware of her brother's true 'face', his Primal race and its peculiarities with their ever-evolving, transforming nature as they absorbed the deceased of other races to strengthen their own selves.

He explained to Lily as like him, she was also blissfully ignorant in the basics of how the world's power level worked, how humanity was the only race on the face of Eora that was deprived of a core in their bodies. 

This revelation birthed a very interesting and peculiar question that caused Aiden to be frozen for a while. 

"Brother… If that is the case, then what about me? I'm half a human by birth, does that mean I also haven't a core, and I cannot grow stronger to stand with you in the future? Am I destined to become a burden?" She asked, her eyes turning blurry with the barrier of tears that already began to form in her eyes. The thought of forever being destined to be weak and be only a limiting factor, a weight to hold back Aiden was terrifying.

Aiden, couldn't answer at first, but only stare in stunned silence at the little girl. Not because he didn't know the answer to her question, but because he didn't know how to say it, what he should offer. 

Yes, due to her cursed heritage, she too was an abomination, an entity devoid of a core. Though her elven traits provided her with a much more vibrant power than normal, she too, like Number 3 before her transformation, was limited in terms of growth. 

For now, she could walk the path alongside her brother, but that would ultimately end at some point, without any assistance she would never be able to cross a certain threshold. True, she may grow exceptionally strong in the mortal realm, she could never ascend to the stages above it.

That is, or to be more precise, that was the case until recently. With the forbidden evolution, the wishful fantasy becoming a reality with Number 3's case, there was now hope, a sliver of light penetrating the darkness. Lily too, like their master, had an alternative path, though barely trodden, but still… 

However, Aiden wasn't certain that he should reveal such a fact to her. At least for the time being. What about the dangers? Even for Number 3, their Master, they still couldn't be fully certain that there weren't any drawbacks, some hidden mutations, risks that they may have miraculously avoided for now, but could affect them during their second try.

No. He has to wait until he can be certain. He needed to grow his divinity, understand his powers, and make sure he has absolute certainty that his 'Big Sister' wouldn't oppose any grave threats. Only then, could he reveal this secret and offer it to the undoubtedly most important person in his life.

Coming to the conclusion, Aiden steeled his heart as he resolved himself to the path he had chosen. He looked at Lily and revealed his usual calm, warm and friendly smile.

"Don't worry, Lily. Though it is true, and as you can also feel it, you do not have a core churning, pumping inside you currently, that does not mean you are weak, nor that you are forced to be caged into that mindset." He explained, reaching down and caressing her cheek.

Lily looked at her in silence, still battling to keep her emotions in check, lest they would erupt once again. 

"There is a way… I can't speak about it yet but know that Number 3 successfully crossed the hurdle that plagued her kind. Once we can be certain that her case wasn't just a fluke and it would be safe, rest assured I will do everything in my power to give you what you desire as well. Until then, work hard, you still have a lot of leeway for growth!" He explained, reaching for the top of her head and ruffling it, causing a soft giggle to escape her lips, instantly calming her agitated mood.

With her mood gradually calming down, the trio walked over to the single bed in the room, sitting down on it, and spent the last bits of the night all the way to dawn talking and spending time together.

Once, the first rays of the sun peaked through the windows, illuminating the room in the dawn's warming light, a series of knocks on the door alerted the trio.

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AN: Hey there Readers!

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