[Third Person's PoV]
As they returned, Zeta's gaze shifted toward Alpha and her newborns. "Congratulations on your little ones, but I have urgent matters to attend to. If you will excuse me," Zeta said, offering a graceful bow.
She turned to Cid, pressing a brief, tender kiss to his lips. "I shall take my leave now, my lord," she said softly before vanishing into the shadows, utilizing her abilitys to teleport out of the Shadow dimension.
Cid watched her depart before being brought back to the present by Aurora's voice. "Cid, the thing," she said, gesturing to the tiny bundle in her arms—Celeste, their daughter.
"Ah, yes, you're right, I almost forgot about it" Cid said, handing Loriel to Beta, who was already cradling one of Alpha's infants in her other arm. He gave Beta a nod before stepping aside with Aurora.
Beta's eyes sparkled as she looked down at the baby in her arms. "With everything happening because of Celeste, we haven't had the chance to properly spoil these little ones," she said, her voice filled with affection as she traced her fingers across the baby's soft cheek.
The others gathered around, surrounding Alpha and Beta, cooing and murmuring sweet nothings to the tiny child. Their presence created a warm, harmonious bubble of laughter and whispers, the perfect backdrop to the tender scene unfolding nearby.
As Cid and Aurora walked further away from the others, they came to a secluded clearing where the noise faded into silence. Aurora held Celeste, who tilted her head curiously, her wide eyes reflecting confusion.
Cid sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Now comes the hard part of being a parent—administering punishments."
"Eh?" Celeste's tiny gasp was punctuated by a flinch. The word 'punishment' echoed in her mind, sparking a rush of worry. 'Punishment? Am I going to get spanked?'
Cid's expression turned stern, a seriousness settling into his eyes that made Celeste freeze. "Celeste, we've told you many times not to teleport by yourself. It's reckless and dangerous, yet you continue to disobey. I'll admit some of that fault lies with me for not being stricter, but I had hoped you would listen. Clearly, you haven't."
"I'm swrry, Dwddy," Celeste mumbled, her small voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes fell to the ground, lips trembling.
Cid reached out, causing her to shut her eyes tightly, bracing for the worst. But instead of pain, she felt the warmth of his hand resting gently on top of her head. Her eyes flew open in surprise.
"I know you're sorry, sweetheart, but you need to understand that what you did was extremely dangerous. You could have been hurt—or worse. That's why, as your punishment, I'm going to seal away your powers and abilities," Cid said, his voice unwavering.
Celeste's eyes widened in disbelief. Her lower lip jutted out in a pout, and she gave him the most imploring puppy-dog eyes she could muster. 'No! Not my super-duper awesome abilities! What am I going to do without them?'
Cid met her gaze with a calm, unmoving expression. The subtle quiver of her lips grew more pronounced as she realized it wasn't working.
With a determined thought, she let her eyes glisten with unshed tears, tiny stars twinkling around them as they shimmered.
Cid didn't falter. "I'm still sealing your abilities," he said, the decision resolute in his tone.
Celeste's expression shifted, and she turned her head to the side, clicking her tongue in frustration. Aurora raised an eyebrow at the sound, amusement dancing in her eyes as she stifled a laugh.
"Bwt... what abwout Swrious?" Celeste sniffled, her voice small and resigned. She knew there was no escaping her punishment. "Is Swrious going away too?" Tears welled up, and she began to cry softly. "Plwease don't take him away too," she pleaded, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists.
Cid's expression softened. "I won't take Sirius from you. This punishment is meant to keep you safe, not to hurt you."
He lifted his hand above her face, fingers glowing with an ethereal, bright purple light. "I will now begin the sealing process. You will regain your powers and abilities when I'm sure you're ready and responsible enough to use them without putting yourself at risk."
Celeste's eyes widened one last time before they rolled back, her small frame going limp as sleep claimed her. Cid caught her swiftly, cradling her close. She instinctively nestled into his shoulder, her little arms wrapping around his neck as she murmured in her sleep, "I'm sworry... Dwddy."
A faint, bittersweet smile crossed Cid's face as he kissed the top of her head. "It's alright, my little princess. Rest now."
He looked up and met Aurora's gaze. She was beaming at him with a bright, smug smile. Cid raised an eyebrow. "What's with that look?"
"I don't know. Just seeing you being all serious and fatherly tugs at my heartstrings a little. It's... attractive," Aurora teased, taking his free hand in hers.
Cid rolled his eyes, a smirk ghosting his lips as he started walking with her. "There's nothing attractive about it. Do you know how many times I almost gave in and took back the punishment?"
Aurora rested her head on his shoulder. "But you didn't. That's what being a father is about—holding firm, not because you don't love them, but because you do. You did the right thing."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "And I think you're amazing for it."
Cid just had an awkward expression, "I just hope she doesn't hate or resent me… I think that would hurt me more than any stab wound I have ever received"
Aurora chuckled slightly, "Celeste is a very smart girl, she knows this is for her own good" Aurora then scoffed, "Plus that little girl is one big daddy's girl, she is probably more upset about the fact that she disappointed you and made you disappointed in her than you taking away her powers."
Cid let out a sigh as he squeezed Aurora's hand, "I hope you're right…"
[Third Person's PoV]
A Few days later…
Shadow stood before Captain Haitani, the commanding leader of the camp where Cid had chosen to reside. Captain Haitani stood rigid, trying to maintain a façade of composure. Yet, standing so close to Shadow, the mere presence of his overwhelming power pressed on Haitani like a crushing wave even while it was suppressed. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and he swallowed hard, the subtle tremor in his breath betraying his nerves.
Behind Haitani were Akane, one of Cid's shadow clones, and Yuuka observed the exchange with faint, knowing smiles, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Shadow's gaze was cold, unyielding, as he spoke in a voice as sharp as a blade. "So, Captain, what is your decision?"
Haitani inhaled deeply, steadying the chaotic drumbeat of his heart. "Can you truly put an end to all of this?" His voice was a low rasp, the question heavy with the desperation of a man cornered.
"I am a man of my word," Shadow replied coldly.
Haitani's eyes flickered with doubt, his brow creasing. "But how can we trust you? You appeared out of nowhere, showing power beyond comprehension. If you can indeed end this nightmare, then I will pledge my loyalty to you, without hesitation." The captain's voice was firm, though an edge of defiance laced his words.
Shadow's head tilted ever so slightly, a ghost of a frown playing at the corners of his lips. "Do you take me for a fool?" The air around them seemed to freeze, and a suffocating aura descended on Haitani. It felt as though an unseen hand clamped down on his throat, squeezing the very breath from his lungs. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air. The pressure was relentless, like the cold stare of death itself judging him.
Haitani's vision blurred, unable to lift his head from the cracked, dusty ground. His instincts screamed that to look up would be to invite death. A shaky gasp escaped him as the oppressive force threatened to consume him.
"Enough!" Akane stepped forward, her expression taut with concern as she met Shadow's gaze. "Please, there is no need for this."
Shadow's dark eyes narrowed. "Are you questioning my judgment as well?"
Akane drew in a breath, steadying herself. "No, Lord Shadow," she said softly but firmly. "Forgive the captain's hesitation. He is unsure, but we are not."
Shadow's eyes bored into hers, searching for even a hint of deception. When he found none, his gaze softened, barely. "I granted you all seven days to decide. That was more mercy than most receive. Your indecision itself is a decision."
Akane's eyes widened, and she spoke quickly. "We have decided. Captain Haitani's doubts do not reflect ours. We are prepared to pledge ourselves to your cause."
Shadow's stern expression shifted into a small, approving nod. "Good. You show wisdom." He turned, the hem of his cloak fluttering as he began to stride away.
"Wait," Akane called, her voice steady as she helped the trembling Haitani to his feet. The captain's eyes were wide, filled with both fear and awe.
Shadow paused, his silhouette framed against the darkening horizon. "What is it?" he asked, his tone distant but curious.
Akane took a step forward, her gaze unwavering. "What do you plan to do once you defeat the one behind this?"
A smirk curled Shadow's lips, though only those closest could see the glint of ambition in his eyes. "I will rebuild this civilization better than what it ever was…" With that, his form sank seamlessly into his own shadow and disappeared, leaving only a whisper of dark energy in his wake.
Haitani stared at the spot where Shadow had stood, his breath ragged. The implications of that parting promise struck him like a blow. 'So that's his aim… complete domination. He means to rule the world.' He turned to Akane, eyes wide with realization. "Do you think it was wise to submit to him?" he asked, his voice a fragile echo.
Akane's smile was weary, a blend of resignation and determination. "What other choice did we have?"
Haitani let out a low, humorless laugh. "I suppose you're right."
---
Shadow emerged within his shadow realm, He pulled back his hood, revealing Cid's youthful face, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh?" he said, raising an eyebrow as a surge of energy pulsed nearby. "Looks like she's close to breaking through." He chuckled, rubbing his chin in mock thought. "Ah, it's time for this Young Master to witness his dear sister face her heavenly tribulation."
With a single step, he moved effortlessly across the dark expanse and reappeared at the edge of an ethereal clearing. There, Claire sat in a perfect lotus position, eyes closed in intense concentration as brilliant mana pulsed around her. Sparks of lightning crackled along her skin, Her brows furrowed, sweat glistening on her brow as she drew in more mana, purifying her core.
Cid folded his arms, suppressing a grin as his eyes glimmered with pride. A bolt of lightning arced dangerously close, ruffling his hair, but he remained unfazed, his focus locked on Claire. Silently, he extended a thread of his own mana, steadying her flow without disrupting her concentration.
Suddenly, the lightning surrounding Claire intensified, her mana core began to become integrated into her being becoming a part of her. The lightning began to change colors going from yellow, to blue, to purple, to green, to white, to red, before it started to gain a black hue and began to darken… A shockwave burst forth, carving a crater into the earth as Claire floated above it, eyes still closed. The ground trembled as the dark energy subsided, leaving only the soft hum of power in the air.
Claire's eyes fluttered open, revealing dark eyes with a black glow as tendrils of lightning danced at their edges. "This… power," she whispered, awe dripping from her voice.
Cid stepped forward, pressing his fist to his palm and bowing with mock formality. "Congratulations Junior Martial Sister on your breakthrough and conquering your heavenly tribulation… It seems you have benefited and absorbed the highest ordered of the heavenly tribulation and used it to transform your constitution into the Yin Lightning Physique"
Claire mimicked his gesture, a grin splitting her face."Phttt…Thank you Senior Martial Brother, It's only made possible because of your support that I was able to advance in my Heavenly Dao of Lighting,"
They exchanged glances, and suddenly both burst into laughter, the tension of the moment shattered.
"Hahaha, man I forgot you would be able to understand my references" Cid said as he wiped his tears from laughing.
Claire chuckled before looking at Cid excitedly, "Now tell the titles the great Dao has bestowed upon my achievements of passing my heavenly tribulation! I heard the other girls gained super cool titles when they broke through as well"
Cid's gaze turned serious as he assessed her, eyes glinting with a deeper, ancient power. Claire felt a shiver crawl down her spine, as if every fiber of her being was laid bare under his scrutiny.
"You my dear sister…" Cid began
****************************************
A/N: I'll leave the title granting to you guys, so come up with some really good ones 👍
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