The word "Dad" slipped softly from her lips, but it echoed in the Deva Overlord's mind like a thunderclap. His eyes widened, his breath catching as he struggled to process the reality in front of him. This wasn't a trick or a dream—his daughter was alive. Truly alive. Trembling, he stumbled forward, reaching out as though afraid she might vanish at the slightest touch.
His daughter's eyes, once so distant and lifeless, now glowed with a warmth and brightness that reminded him of her childhood—those days when she had laughed, clinging to him with boundless energy. Now, that vitality had returned, but it was transformed into something far more profound. She looked at him, her face softened with a gentle smile, her expression serene yet touched with confusion, as if adjusting to the life coursing through her veins. Her gaze met his, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, two souls connected across a chasm of loss and longing.
The Deva Overlord's face crumpled as he stepped closer, unable to keep the tears that welled in his eyes from spilling over. He knelt at the edge of the bed, his hands trembling as he lifted one to cup her face, afraid to break the spell of this miraculous moment. His fingers brushed her cheek, feeling the warmth there, the unmistakable sensation of life.
"My girl...my precious girl," he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I thought...I thought I'd lost you forever."
Her small hand reached up, covering his, her fingers warm and steady. She tilted her head, leaning into his touch, her own eyes shining with a mixture of tenderness and curiosity. "Father..." she murmured, as though tasting the word for the first time. "Why...why do you look so sad?"
He let out a choked laugh, struggling to find his voice through the tidal wave of emotions crashing within him. "I...I've failed you, my love," he said, his voice raw. "I failed to protect you. I failed to be the father you deserved."
She reached out, wiping a tear from his cheek with a soft touch, her expression filled with compassion. "Father...you were always there for me. You did everything you could, didn't you? I remember..." Her brow furrowed slightly, as if grasping at memories that felt both familiar and distant. "I remember you always watching over me."
He nodded, his hands wrapping around hers as though anchoring himself to her warmth. "I would have given anything to save you," he confessed, his voice low and broken. "Even if it meant...even if it meant risking everything. And now...now that you're here...you're here, my love..."
His words faltered, and he pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around her protectively. She rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers lightly tracing the symbols on his armor. The warmth of her breath against his neck made his heart ache with a fierce, protective love. For this brief, sacred moment, the sorrow of his past mistakes seemed to fade away.
The chamber filled with a tender silence, broken only by their soft murmurs and the quiet sounds of breathing. His daughter's arms wrapped around him, returning the embrace with a gentle strength that belied her small frame. She clung to him as though she, too, had been waiting an eternity for this moment.
But then, from the shadows, a voice cleared, low and purposeful. "I don't mean to interrupt," Aria spoke, stepping forward, her eyes fixed on the girl lying in her father's arms. Her face was softened with a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy, her gaze unwavering as she watched the two.
Aria's gaze was like ice as she faced the Deva Overlord, her eyes cold and unyielding, though a spark of fiery rage smoldered beneath. Her stance was one of power and authority, her chin lifted high, each word she spoke measured yet dripping with contempt.
The woman took a breath, visibly shaken, her eyes searching his face, as though she hoped to sway him. She took a small step closer to him, her voice becoming softer, almost pleading.
"But he did all of that... to save me," she whispered, reaching up as if to touch Adams, her hand hovering just before his. "I am your wife now... can't you... make an exception?"
Adams watched her closely, a flicker of tenderness crossing his otherwise stern face as he observed her attempt to appeal to him. But his expression remained resolute, and he shook his head slowly.
"You were not my wife until moments ago," he said with a mixture of finality and regret. "His actions are not justified by his motives. But... there is one thing I can offer him."
The Overlord's daughter watched him intently, a glimmer of hope dancing in her eyes.
Adams reached out his hand, his movements steady and graceful, extending his palm toward the Deva Overlord. "I can grant him one mercy," he said, his voice calm and steady. "His soul will be allowed to reincarnate in a mortal realm, far from here. That's the least I can offer in return for the pain he caused."
As Adams' words echoed through the chamber, a faint, white glow appeared in the Overlord's chest, like a tiny flame flickering in the darkness. It grew brighter, illuminating his face for a brief moment—revealing the depth of sorrow, regret, and, finally, acceptance within his eyes.
The Overlord's expression softened as he met his daughter's gaze one last time. His lips trembled, and his hand reached up, as though he might try to touch her, to bid her farewell. A single tear traced a line down his cheek, his final act of love.
With a slight gesture from Adams, the white essence drifted free, lifting slowly from the Overlord's form and hovering above his outstretched hand. The Overlord's body swayed for a brief moment before collapsing, empty, to the ground. Silence filled the room, thick and heavy, as Adams closed his hand, the soul's light fading from view.
The woman's gaze remained fixed on the lifeless body of her father, her expression a complex blend of sorrow, gratitude, and an unspoken understanding. She looked at Adams, her eyes shining with a mixture of emotions—confusion, hope, and an emerging respect that went beyond their bond.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking, barely audible.
Adams gave her a solemn nod, his gaze filled with a quiet strength that promised protection—and perhaps, something more.