Ancestral Lineage

It was a tranquil morning in the Will Planes, yet the air was charged with anticipation. The skies above were streaked with dawn's golden hue, casting a warm glow over the gathered multitude.

From the grand obsidian palace — a towering structure forged from enchanted volcanic glass — every member of the Will Clan stood in reverent silence.

The T'Shalari, the E'Sherils, the proud Gargoyles, and even the mighty Spirit Beasts were present. They filled the vast stone courtyard like a living sea, a tapestry of races united under one banner.

And then he appeared.

The obsidian doors slowly creaked open, and Ethan stepped out into the light.

His presence was... serene.

Gone was the imposing battle form of the Sovereign of Will. In its place stood a man clothed simply — a lime green blazer draped over a white undershirt, loose brown shorts resting just below the knees, and black Crocs that made a soft clap as he walked forward. His silver-black hair had been trimmed short to his nape, and the once-prominent horns atop his head were gone, hidden by his will. His eyes held calm, deep wells of power veiled beneath mortal warmth.

Then, with sudden ripples in space, his spirit beasts appeared one by one beside him, manifesting like loyal stars around their sun.

Galeno, the Divine Tortoise, yawned as he shuffled forward in sleepy grey pajamas, his golden ponytail tied messily and his feet slapped against the polished stone in flip-flops.

Maverick, the Alchemic Gargoyle, towered confidently to Ethan's right, wearing a matching lime green blazer and brown shorts like his master, somehow managing to look like a bouncer on vacation.

Stygian, the cerberus guardian, mirrored Maverick's attire but added a sharp pair of dark sunglasses, his expressions ranging from excitement to boredom.

Onyx, the curse-wielding shadow maiden, and Saareiya, the psychic spirit girl, walked side by side in striking high school-style black blouses, short pleated skirts, and knee-high stockings with polished shoes, giggling as if this were a fashion show rather than a farewell.

Sage, the ancient Sound Drake, emerged last, slow and deliberate. His scaled body shimmered with wavy veins, and he wore a sleeveless monk-like robe of white and gold, his eyes glowing faintly. Despite his serious aura, a straw hat perched on his head tilted comically.

The crowd bowed instinctively, a wave of heads dropping low, not out of fear, but deep respect.

Ethan raised a hand casually, his Crocs squeaking slightly as he stepped forward. "You all look like you're attending a graduation," he joked, a warm grin spreading on his face.

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.

Still, everyone could sense it — this was not just another day.

It was a moment marked by something greater. A page-turner.

A Sovereign's farewell… and the calm before the rise of an empire.

"I will be back soon, my people. And when I return…" Ethan's voice echoed across the courtyard, calm and steady, yet resounding like a sacred oath. "Old Gassendi will enter an era of complete change. Until then, farewell."

His eyes swept across the gathered masses — the warriors, the elders, the children — all watching in reverence, their expressions a mixture of pride and sorrow.

Then he turned to face the leaders.

Queen Ashtora, proud and regal, stood tall. Beside her were Urrandel, wise and composed; Heimdall, the stone-skinned gargoyle chieftain with burning eyes of vigilance; and Goeric, the ancient flame-winged beast who had led the spirit beasts since the Will War.

"Ashtora, Urrandel, Heimdall, Goeric," Ethan said, meeting each of their gazes. "I leave the Will Clan in your hands. I trust that you'll guide this family to even greater heights."

"We will, my king," Ashtora answered first, her voice firm and resolute. As always, she spoke for the rest, her role as Ethan's first chosen leader solidified over the year of conquest and rebuilding.

"Mm. Thank you." Ethan nodded. "Farewell, then."

Behind him, a portal of shadow and silver flame shimmered into existence, swirling gently like a waiting mirror. The magic pulsed — not violently, but with familiarity. It was the same portal that had once thrown him into the Beast Plane unceremoniously, nearly killing him more times than he could count. And yet… it had also become his gateway, his loyal thread connecting him to two different worlds.

Now, it opened willingly.

He paused, reaching out with his senses. Beyond the veil, he felt it — home. The gentle pull of the physical realm. And beyond that, their emotions: anticipation, joy, impatience… love.

His wives. His children. His brother. His mother. His father.

He exhaled softly. The emotion in his chest was a quiet fire.

Stepping forward, his black Crocs made one last soft tap on the stone ground before crossing into the swirling dark. Just before entering the portal fully, he turned once more, taking in the sight of the Will Clan — his clan.

And he smiled.

He had left them a final gift.

Something to help them evolve, to grow — a web of divine formations etched into the land using his Creation and Alchemy affinities, silently changing the Will Planes into a paradise of growth, resilience, and power. A land that would feed itself, empower its people, and bloom eternally.

As he vanished into the lightless corridor between worlds, his voice drifted back one last time, mischievous and bright:

"Hehe… I wonder how they'll react."

And then, he was gone.

For now.

...

The portal shimmered into existence in the center of the courtyard, its dark-silver glow humming softly as it rippled with dimensional energy.

The sudden surge of power startled several of the younger members of the family—Delphina, and the twins Ericson and Eric, along with Devon, Trevor's children, and Werock and Ivy, the children of Lamair. Their screams echoed through the estate as they bolted from the courtyard, tripping over themselves to reach the adults inside the mansion.

"He's coming back…" Trevor whispered, already halfway out the door. Though his voice was quiet, the way it caught the wind made everyone present hear it as clear as day.

Within seconds, the courtyard was flooded with people—the entire family, gathered and breathless.

Zark and Madeleine, Ethan's parents, stood tall near the front. The in-laws of his wives, once distant and cautious, were now anxious and eager. Regnare and Delphina, his children, stood with wide eyes and trembling lips. Trevor stood with his wives, their children clinging to their legs, and Lamair soon followed, towering over everyone but filled with childlike anticipation. Jerry and Kira appeared together, holding hands, while Reginald, Gertrude, Thomas, and all of Ethan's wives and relatives stood close by.

Even his grandparents—Vlad and Seraphina, freshly returned from their celestial honeymoon—had come, hand in hand, regal and composed, though even Vlad's fingers twitched in anticipation.

Then the portal stirred.

A yawn broke the silence as the first figure stepped out. It was Galeno—massive, sleepy-eyed, in wrinkled grey pajamas and flip-flops. The wind made his robe flap dramatically like a royal cloak, but his half-lidded eyes ruined the effect.

Everyone stared in stunned silence—except one.

"You fucking lazybones!!" came a furious shout.

A flash of silver shot through the air and BONK!

Galeno crumpled like a puppet whose strings had been cut, groaning as he clutched his head in pain. Towering as he was, the one who stood over him was half his size, yet ten times more terrifying.

Athelia crossed her arms, radiating menace.

"Big sis! I didn't even do anything wrong!" Galeno whined from the ground, sounding like a punished child.

The scene was hilarious—a divine giant being scolded like a toddler.

"An ant disciplining a dragon," Thomas whispered, struggling not to laugh.

Then came Maverick and Stygian, striding out with identical swagger, almost looking like unidentical twins.

"Yo fam! What's poppin'?" Maverick greeted with a wide grin.

But the moment they saw Galeno kneeling and Athelia hovering like a storm cloud, both brothers froze. Without saying another word, they slid off to the side like shadows avoiding sunlight.

Onyx and Saareiya were next—both ethereal in appearance, drawing audible gasps from the crowd. Their beauty and mystical aura left several people stunned, until their eyes fell on Athelia standing beside the grounded Galeno.

Even the spirit beasts backed down. That was saying something.

And then...

He appeared.

First, the black Crocs stepped through, then brown shorts, and finally the familiar lime green blazer.

The moment Ethan fully emerged from the portal, the air changed. The wind stilled, time seemed to hold its breath.

Even Zark, the God-Above-All, felt his heart tighten. The aura that seeped from Ethan wasn't overwhelming or oppressive—it was divine serenity, the kind of power that didn't need to prove itself.

A stillness so absolute, it silenced the entire realm.

Ethan looked around at the faces of those he loved, eyes soft, lips curving into a gentle smile.

"Good to see you too," he said calmly.

And then—

All hell broke loose.

"DAD!!!"

"BROTHER!"

"ETHAN!!!"

They charged.

Hugs, cries, cheers, and laughter erupted all at once. Children clung to his legs. Wives rushed into his arms. Friends and brothers piled into him like a divine dogpile. Even Zark couldn't hold back a chuckle as Madeleine wiped her eyes.

And Ethan?

He just stood there, smiling, wrapping his arms around all of them, letting the love and chaos wash over him.

He was home.