Creation Of All Things

The ground kept rumbling.

The roar hadn't stopped echoing yet, but people were already stepping out of the main structure.

Freya was the first to appear, her silver hair tied up messily, sword still in hand from training. "Did something just roar?" she muttered.

Raphael walked out right after, adjusting his gloves. "That wasn't just something," he said, his tone sharper than usual. "That was a dragon."

Aurora floated down from the tower, barefoot, her eyes glowing faintly. "No dragon is supposed to be this loud," she said, more curious than worried.

Aria, in her usual calm way, just appeared beside them like a ghost. "It's heading this way."

The sky cracked.

Literally.

A split ran across the sky like someone had sliced it with a sword, and from it—wings.

Massive, black-red wings, each flap sending gusts strong enough to snap trees in half. Clouds scattered like dust.

And there it was.

The dragon.

Kael'Thar.

150 meters of pure "what the hell is that" energy, covered in obsidian-like scales with glowing red-gold runes. Its eyes burned like twin suns, and every flap of its wings sounded like space itself being torn apart.

Everyone froze.

Even Mael, who never looked impressed by anything, was squinting upward like he wasn't sure he was seeing things right.

Joshua's jaw actually dropped. "Bro… that's not a normal dragon."

"No shit," Alfred muttered, shielding his face from the wind.

Then they all saw it.

Him.

Perched on the dragon's back, like it was just a comfy couch or something, was a man. Legs casually crossed, elbow resting on one knee, chin in his hand.

Laid-back.

Relaxed.

Like he was just sightseeing.

Black hair. Eyes half-lidded like he just woke up from a nap. Wearing sleek, layered gear that shimmered slightly under the light of the dragon's flames.

"Is that—" Freya started.

"Adam," Aria finished, voice low.

The dragon began its descent, wings folding slightly as it lowered toward the clearing near the cliff. The ground split where it landed. The air trembled. Fire shimmered beneath its breath.

Kael'Thar didn't growl or roar again.

It just stood there, towering and still, like a monument.

Adam stood up slowly, brushing his sleeves.

Then he stretched.

Like he'd just gotten out of bed.

"Yo," he said casually, looking down at everyone. "Long time no see."

Silence.

Everyone stared.

Then—

"…You came back riding a damn dragon?" Raphael finally said, voice sharp.

Adam tilted his head, pretending to think. "Well, teleporting's boring."

Freya blinked. "And this isn't?"

Kael'Thar let out a low rumble, a soft one this time. It sounded… amused.

Adam slid down the dragon's side, landing lightly in front of them.

He looked around, smiling lazily.

"Miss me?" he asked.

No one answered.

Because they were still processing the fact that this man created a dragon that made the sky split open.

And was treating it like a normal Tuesday.

The silence hung like thick fog. No one moved. No one breathed.

Until Alfred did.

"BIG BRO!!"

He took off like a bullet.

No hesitation. No thinking.

Just pure, reckless emotion.

He ran straight at Adam—full speed, arms flailing a little, eyes already stinging. His footsteps echoed loud against the trembling earth, Kael'Thar's eyes following him with faint amusement.

And then—bam—he slammed into Adam's chest.

Tight.

Like he was scared if he didn't hold on hard enough, the man would vanish again.

"You idiot!" Alfred choked out, voice cracking. "You were gone for twenty freaking years!"

Adam blinked, caught him effortlessly, one arm going around his brother's shoulders. "Damn. You got tall."

"Shut up," Alfred mumbled, still clinging. "I thought you were dead…"

The others finally moved.

Joshua let out a long breath, still staring at Adam like he was seeing a ghost. "Bro, what the actual hell… you've been alive this whole time?"

Adam gave a sheepish shrug, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Kinda."

Mael crossed his arms. "And you chose not to say hi for two decades?"

"Yup."

"…I hate you," Mael said, looking away.

Aurora floated down, her bare feet touching the grass. She said nothing. Just stared.

Then, finally, a quiet: "You're late."

Adam scratched his head. "You still don't smile, huh?"

"I do," she replied. "Just not for you."

He chuckled.

Freya stepped forward slowly, eyes wide. She didn't say anything at first. Her hands trembled slightly—sword long forgotten, still strapped to her back from earlier. She looked at him like a mother trying to convince herself this was real.

"Adam…" she whispered.

"Hey, Mom."

And then—Freya moved.

One step.

Then another.

Then she hugged him. No warning. No drama. Just a quiet, tight hug.

Like she was holding on to time itself.

Raphael followed right after, hands in fists at his sides. His mouth was tight. Eyes glassy. He didn't speak until he was right in front of Adam.

"…Where the hell have you been?"

"Everywhere," Adam said.

That was all.

Raphael pulled him into a quick, awkward, one-arm hug—then immediately stepped back, coughing. "Tch. Still smells like fire and attitude."

Adam smirked. "You too, Dad."

Then came Aria.

Quiet as always.

She didn't say a word. Just appeared beside him and flicked his forehead gently.

Hard enough to sting.

Adam winced. "Ow. What was that for?"

"For being a dumbass."

"…Fair."

Kael'Thar shifted behind them, the air rippling with heat. The dragon lay down slowly, curling around the clearing like some kind of oversized housecat. Its glowing eyes closed half-lazily, half-watchful.

Adam stretched his arms again and flopped onto the grass like it was the softest bed in the world.

Everyone stood around him, still not sure if this was a fever dream.

He threw one arm over his face. "Man… it's good to be home."

No grand speeches.

No flashy words.

Just him, lying there, like this was just another lazy afternoon.

Aurora sat down cross-legged a few feet away, her hair glowing faintly in the light of the cracked sky.

Joshua plopped down next, arms behind his head. "I still can't believe you came back with a dragon. Like… a freaking god-tier dragon."

"Teleporting's boring," Adam mumbled from beneath his arm.

Mael sighed and sat too. "You haven't changed."

"I did," Adam replied.

"Yeah? How?"

"I'm cooler now."

Alfred rolled his eyes, finally letting go of his brother. "You're the same annoying idiot."

Adam smiled.

"Exactly."

And somewhere up in the broken sky, the clouds started to close.

Like the world itself had been holding its breath.

And now, finally—

It could breathe again.