Chapter 47: Chapter 46: Armistice Feast

Carl headed back inside and began preparing a party feast.

A short while later Omedra appeared newly dressed, luckily Alysse and her were similar body-types and whist Alysse was a bit more buxom, Omedra’s added height took up the extra.

“Creator, apolog-”

“Omedra, it’s fine okay. Call me Carl please, I want us to be family and I want you to be free to be you.”

“Still, I’m sorry. Being confronted with that woman right off the bat was annoying after she tried to implant memories with that fire of hers…” She went on to explain that Tiamat had tried making her see her as a mother, to test Carl’s influence more than Bahamut had.

When Carl called her through, she simply laughed and shrugged it off which annoyed Omedra even further. “Seriously, this woman needs to be watched closely.” Omedra huffed as Tiamat smirked.

Carl chuckled before explaining. “You’re in luck, that is going to be your job.” The revelation made her grin and glare at Tiamat, then a chill ran up her spine and she froze.

“Carl, two massive presences just appeared below.”

“Don’t worry, that’s just your twin and older brother. Your twin Aldra will be emissary to Bahamut and your big brother Equinox will be who you go to. Of course as long as you do your job, you’re free to live your own life, okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, feel free to fall in love with whoever come back and visit when you aren’t busy, whatever you consider living life to the fullest.”

“Ew, Dad, not interested… I mean, err, Carl, I’m not interested.” Omedra said as she grew red.

Carl sighed, half-expectant, half-uncomfortable. “Omedra, can I take this to mean you and Aldra see me as a dad too? Why didn’t you just say?”

“I can’t speak for Aldra, but I do, I just… Well, I look older than you and you were angry okay. I didn’t want you getting creeped out or rejecting me.”

Carl hugged her. “I won’t lie, it’s strange, but I made you so age is appearances be damned. Just break it to your mum gently when she gets home okay?”

“I promise, I can’t wait to meet her, anyway my brothers just got here.”

“Maybe we need to reevaluate, the familial labels…” Carl chuckled. “If they don’t want to think of it the same way, then it could get confusing.”

Omedra chuckled with him and they called the returnees into the kitchen.

“So I have an awkward question. Do you guys see me as a dad?”

“I see you as my creator, I could not balance my role as being a mentor with such a personal bond.” Equinox explained as though he had been waiting for the question.

“I personally don’t have much in the way of emotions or understanding such things. I only wish to see safe what you hold dear and what you see as injustice brought to justice. That said, I think calling Omedra my sister is right. If others see we three as siblings whilst we are away from home, they won’t see us as isolated.”

“Wow, thanks brother…” Omedra sulked at the lack of reciprocation.

“Don’t worry Omedra, if he isn’t wired that way, it’s my fault not his. Don’t hold him responsible for my neglect.” Carl’s words brought a tense silence.

“Dad, forget it please, I was just messing around.”

Carl chuckled, the weight of his abilities was bearing its fangs, it was an enlightening moment. When he created Equinox, he realised he was toying with life, now he realised that was only one of the important things he was toying with…

Hearts, minds, nature, reality… He was toying with all of it.

“Equinox, thank you, if you hadn’t cleared the path for me ahead of time I’d be a mess right now. Thanks to you though, I’m okay with this. I can’t change what I’ve done but I can support you all as long as I live.”

“Dad, you’re a dork and we need to get food ready. Aldra, go get dressed. Won’t let my dumb brother embarrass my dad.”

“Oh, that reminds me, when you meet your sister I only ask for mercy.” Omedra chuckled before nudging him to get on with cooking.

“We’ll get out of your hair and get to know everyone.”

Carl smiled and started cooking, the world at large melting away as he focused on the process that had become much needed therapy. His world had become messy, unpredictable, filled with things that mankind was never meant to interact with.

Gods, alien worlds, different dimensions, myths became reality and the monsters beneath childrens beds crawled out from the shadows…

Dragons, spirits and demons…

Dwarves, gnomes and bluecaps…

Lycans, beasts and banshee…

All creatures that humans once talked about in stories, all creatures humans once silently hoped were make-believe nonsense….

They were everything to Carl, a human who was raised by a banshee, then helped along by a succubi, then pulled forward by another banshee and further raised by a demon. Challenged by a lycan, fell in love with the same banshee that pulled him forward, supported by creatures of every race imaginable, killed by a wyvern, resurrected by a god and was then told his purpose.

Carl smiled and continued cooking, the world at large melting back into view as he focused on the family that had become much needed therapy. His world had become messy, unpredictable, filled with things that mankind was never meant to interact with and he felt no shame at all in his selfish gratitude.

Gods, alien worlds, different dimensions, myths became reality and the monsters beneath childrens beds crawled out from the shadows and they brought everything good in his life with them.

Dragons, spirits and demons… A daughter and precious creations, another daughter and a mentor and a mother, an aunt and a grandmother.

Dwarves, gnomes and bluecaps… His first foray into diplomacy, a incredible classmate and engineer and a great friend who was always there when Gillian or him needed a counterweight.

Lycans, beasts and banshee… The best rival he could have asked for, beasts to add to his family and a loving wife and her family.

“Dad, you need help plating up?”

“Please and thanks.” Carl kept his words as vague as he always did, not out of obliviousness but out of habit from times like this.

All of his life, words had been loaded, every “thanks”, “goodnight”, “sorry” and “your welcome” they all meant more than the words did justice. He didn’t embrace his vague way of talking out of defeat or laziness however, he embraced it because it was a promise every time he used it.

Every single time was an unspoken promise. “One day I will show you the full extent of that word.”

When food was finally served Carl looked about and realised that despite only having taken a few steps towards the future he wanted, he had already achieved more than he could have hoped.

He looked around and noticed that Lydia hadn’t returned with Kitsunoko yet, without delay he sent a message.

[ MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM CARL : HEY, SORRY TO INTERRUPT, FOOD IS ON THE TABLE. ]

[ MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LYDIA : ON THE WAY… SORRY CARL, I KNOW YOU WON’T MISUSE THAT ABILITY LIKE I DID. I SHOULDN’T HAVE GOTTEN MAD. I WILL ADD IT TO LILLIM’S LIST OF URGENT TRAINING. ]

Carl announced that Lydia and Kitsunoko were on their way back then, just a few moments later they arrived.

“Well now that everyone’s here, I would like to say some stuff.

First of all, let me officially welcome the two newcomers, Aldra and omedra. I know it might seem strange but Aldra would rather be seen as a faction member rather than a member of our family like most of my creations… Please respect the choice and at some point I’ll see about releasing you as an individual and get you to sign a contract to join as one properly.

Omedra on the other hand has made it clear she sees me as a dad like Squidge and Levi, so please welcome her to the family. Kitsunoko, Squidge, please welcome your new sister, she may have been made after you, but she is still your big sister Kitsunoko.”

Secondly, I’d like to thank all our guests who stayed and came to see how we do things. I hope those of you wanting to join are aware that this could have easily deteriorated into a confrontation, but if you still want to join I won’t say “no”, you can speak to Kon, Gillian and Blanc and they can get contracts drawn up.

Lastly, Tiamat and bahamut, I apologise for any tactics I used seemed underhanded. I would have preferred to show my hand from the start, but when it comes to my family and what I want in the future. I will do whatever it takes to achieve the best possible outcome.”

“Think nothing of it, you managing to manipulate us so easily merely underlined how complacent we had become.”

“I should apologise too, I have no doubt Lillim had delayed teaching you aura control because of what your aura is. I will say this though, sealing it as you did is reckless. I’m not exaggerating when I say it nearly had us begging you for headpats and snuggles. That is likely your only effective defence against beings like us and make no mistake, I would have burned you to ash upon realising the threat you pose if we hadn’t already made peace.”

“Good, now that that’s all settled, let’s enjoy the food.”

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