In the grand Hall of the Primordial Chaos Sect, Adams sat on his throne, one hand resting on his chin, eyes closed in a peaceful but commanding posture. The aura around him was still, yet the power emanating from him felt undeniable, saturating the room.
His father, Laden, and mother, Aria, were seated beside him, each stealing glances at their son, while Lovigary and Lokk, his younger brothers, stood nearby, observing quietly.
The tension in the room was light, though a certain anticipation hung in the air. Aria's brow furrowed slightly as she watched Adams, trying to decipher his mood.
"Who are we waiting for?" she finally asked, her voice soft yet curious, her gaze lingering on her son.
Adams didn't open his eyes, his expression unchanged as he responded with an almost indifferent tone. "No one. Just going to assign a few tasks before I leave," he said, his voice calm, though the weight of his words hinted at something more significant. His body remained perfectly still, only the faintest rise and fall of his chest giving life to the image of a man in absolute control.
Aria nodded, a small sigh escaping her lips as she leaned back slightly in her chair. She could relate, remembering her own days of wielding power and leading her people, the heavy responsibilities that came with such strength. Her mind wandered back to those moments, wondering if Adams felt the same burden she had once carried.
Without warning, Adams spoke again, his voice breaking through her thoughts. "No, it isn't strenuous," he said, eyes still closed, as though he had plucked the thought straight from her mind. "Normally, they already know what to do. I'm just using this as an excuse to make a dramatic exit."
His casual revelation made Aria stiffen. Her eyes widened for a moment as she stared at him, her lips parting in surprise. He read my thoughts, she realized. She turned her gaze sharply to Adams, and in that moment, she was reminded of another time, not long ago, when she had worried whether their combined strengths would be enough to save her daughter, Arianna. Had Adams known her thoughts then, too?
Before she could gather her words to speak, Lokk's voice cut through the silence, his tone brimming with curiosity and a hint of awe. "Wait, eldest brother... can you read minds?"
Adams finally opened his eyes, revealing a calm and knowing gaze that locked onto Lokk. His lips curled into a small, almost teasing smile. "What do you think?" he asked, his tone carrying a playful edge, though his expression remained unreadable.
Lokk blinked, momentarily taken aback by the cryptic response, his face twisting in a mix of confusion and amazement.
Before Lokk could process it further, a burst of laughter erupted from Lovigary, breaking the tension in the room. His laughter was hearty, filled with a strange sense of relief and amusement. "It all makes sense now," he chuckled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Our brother has really changed—no, he's evolved. I can't wait to see what else you've got up your sleeve, Adams."
Adams observed the exchange with a slight smile of his own, his gaze moving between his wives and his mother. Despite their strength and grace, his wives appeared almost bashful in this moment—something he found both amusing and endearing.
The atmosphere in the hall had shifted, becoming less formal, more intimate, as the once-powerful and composed figures allowed themselves to relax in the presence of family.
Laden, who had remained quiet, watched the scene unfold with a contemplative expression. Though he said nothing, the approval in his eyes was clear. He gave a slight nod, his pride for his son evident in the way his posture straightened, his eyes lingering on Adams as if reassessing the man his son had become.
The moment was warm, filled with subtle emotions that didn't need to be spoken aloud. In the midst of all their strength and responsibilities, they were still family—bound not just by power, but by the ties of love and respect.
Adams casually reached into his robes and pulled out the Soul Prisonning Treasure, the object pulsating faintly with restrained energy. Without a word, he handed it over to John, his movements precise and deliberate. "You're close to breaking through to the Primordial Deity Realm," Adams began, his tone calm but firm, his eyes locking onto John's.
"That means you should have no trouble reincarnating these souls. I'd do it myself, but I want you to handle this. Consider it a step toward your next phase." His voice carried a weight of expectation, though there was a subtle undercurrent of trust beneath the command.
John's expression tightened with resolve, his grip firming around the treasure. He understood the responsibility Adams had just passed to him, and the quiet confidence in his master's voice spurred him on. He nodded, his eyes flicking momentarily toward the treasure before returning to Adams. "I won't let you down."
Adams then turned his attention toward his wives and Melina, his gaze softening just a touch. "As for all of you," he said, pausing to meet each of their eyes, "I told you I'd give you something in case the Inheritance Secret Realm wasn't a sham." His voice carried a teasing edge as his lips curved into a faint smile. "Well, it turned out to be a sham...
but since it was my father behind it, I'll still hold up my end of the bargain."
Mabel's brow furrowed in curiosity, while Akira's ears twitched in anticipation, her tail swaying ever so slightly. Enigma, ever composed, raised a brow, though the subtle gleam in her eye betrayed her interest. Lilith tilted her head slightly, her calm demeanor cracking as the corner of her mouth quirked upward.
Even Melina, who usually kept a quiet distance, leaned forward slightly, intrigued by Adams' words.
"And you too, Enigma and Lilith," Adams added, his eyes flicking toward the two of them. "So brace yourselves."