My Soul card is a Reaper

After a while, Fiona slowly woke up and found herself in the healing ward, on a bed. Affea is seen standing on the side. Azzy was seen there, sitting.

As she slowly sat up, her eyes fell upon Azzy. "You haven't informed me that you were a demigod. The match itself is unfair." She spoke.

Azzy replied with a smile. "Yes, it was. The match was never about a wager, Fiona. It was to show you that being a 9-star Arcana Master is also nothing in front of some people. I had to beat you like this before telling you that the Death Clan doesn't need your strength, or else you won't listen. Your strength means nothing to me or the clan, atleast under my rule. I'm only here to give you a chance to come and be a part of the Death Clan. However, you are an adult yourself. So, you have to make up your choice. Whether you like it or not, Dad will return with us as he has the duty to serve the clan. If you want to become a part of the family, then come to our ancestral home next Sunday for a family dinner. If you are not interested, send a letter of refusal to Dad. I will take that as your decision and will never bother you. Of course, that also means you have to leave out Garcia's surname from your identity, according to the clan's rules. You can then enjoy being the daughter of Vesyrn Garcia without being tied to the clan. But I hope you atleast come and give it a try before taking any decision."

Fiona's breath caught for a moment at Azzy's words.

"Okay, I have said what I need to. Now, I will take my leave." Azzy got up, saying to Affea to pick up Orion before returning to the clan, together.

As he was about to leave, Fiona stopped him. "Wait."

"Hmm?" As Azzy turned around, Fiona spoke. "I will say the same thing I told others who told me the same. But since you are a monarch, I believe you can make it happen. I will return to the clan on one condition."

Azzy waited. "Go on."

"My mother," Fiona continued, "Flora, will she be accepted… truly accepted as the daughter-in-law of the Garcia family? Can you give that title to my mother, also the place of her grave in the Garcia family cemetery?"

Azzy blinked and nodded. "That simple? She will be, naturally. Dad married her officially. Of course, that automatically makes her the daughter-in-law of the Garcia family. Moreover…"

Fiona's gaze lingered on him, waiting for him to continue.

Azzy softened his tone as he continued, "I was close with your mother, you know. We studied together. I mentored for a while, even though it was just a few months. She was like a little sister to me. We also worked together once as fellow teachers, long ago, but I never expected she and my father would hook up…"

"Hook up?" Fiona interjected sharply, eyes narrowing further.

Azzy blinked. "Hmm?"

Fiona's voice trembled slightly with restrained anger. "It wasn't some random hook-up, Azrael. They fell in love. My mother gave everything for him, even when she knew what it meant to love a man who belonged to another woman."

Azzy couldn't say that his father actually used Flora for his selfish purpose. Hence, he could only sigh, raising a hand in surrender. "You're right. That was careless of me. I was trying to lighten the mood."

Fiona exhaled slowly. "Don't."

Azzy gave her a small nod. "Understood. I meant no disrespect. She was brave. And… so are you."

Fiona looked away, swallowing the emotion tightening her chest.

Azzy stepped toward the window, letting silence settle briefly. Then he turned back to her with a faint, respectful smile.

"Regardless of what happened in the past, you're family. The Garcia name runs through your veins just as it does mine and Affea's. You're my sister, Fiona. And the clan… is your birthright."

He held her gaze for a moment longer before stepping toward the door.

"I'll wait for you at the clan," he said quietly. "Come whenever you feel like it. Affea will later give you your own access card to enter the village. After all, it is your home."

He opened the door and left the room, his robes flowing like silent waves of shadow behind him.

Fiona stood still, staring at the now-closed door. Her hands trembled slightly.

*

Leaving Affea behind, Azzy made his way through the winding stone path to the familiar gates of Mia's mansion, though "mansion" felt too grand a word for the homely, ivy-draped estate tucked on the green hillside of Northern Qudour.

He was greeted by a butler, who immediately recognized him despite it having been several years and bowed deeply, ushering him into the sunlit sitting room where Mia awaited.

She was seated with a tea set already arranged, her hair now tied in a mature braid streaked with hints of silver. Though time had softened her features, her presence still radiated the same command and warmth Azzy had always admired.

As she looked up, she smiled. "You really don't age, do you?"

Azzy let out a small chuckle as he sat across from her. "I expected surprise and other things."

She rolled her eyes but grinned. "Well, when you grow older, you ought to become calmer."

They both shared a quiet laugh before the mood shifted gently.

Azzy poured himself a tea. "So, how's your family?"

Mia's expression dimmed slightly. "Gone through a lot."

"What happened?" Azzy frowned.

She set her cup down, looking out the window for a moment. "Calder passed away eight years ago," she said softly. "Along with my father. It was collateral damage from a battle between two Supreme Realm idiots in Egrein City. They didn't even know what they left behind."

Azzy's grip on the teacup tightened. "I'm sorry."

Mia waved her hand gently, a sad smile on her face. "It's alright. It's been long enough. The ache's dulled. And Serestia is also doing well. Broke into the 7-star realm three years ago. She now teaches at Phoenix Academy as an assistant instructor."

"That's impressive," Azzy said sincerely.

Mia nodded. "She got Calder's drive. And maybe a bit of my temper."

A short pause followed before Mia shifted slightly, looking away. "I've… also started seeing someone."

Azzy blinked in surprise. "You're dating?"

Mia raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm only 61, Azzy. I've got at least three centuries left."

Azzy smiled and nodded. "That's right. You're still young, in our world's terms. It's just I didn't expect you to say it to me directly."

"It's not as if I had intentions to hide from the world anyway. I just haven't told Serestia yet." She sighed, sipping her tea again. "I don't know how she'll feel about me… moving on. Kids don't like it when their parents find their own happiness after separation. That's what worries me the most."

Azzy leaned forward. "If Calder's spirit still watches over you, I bet he'd want you to be happy. And Serestia will understand. It's not like she is a kid."

Mia gave a small smile, touched by his reply.

"Enough about me," she said, her voice warm again. "Tell me about you. Did you find Claire?"