Beyond?

“A story has no real beginnings or endings, just places and events which are interesting to hear about.”

-The first Technomage of Nict.

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Sariel***

After watching the movie I dragged Nathan to my family's mansion and introduced him to Azir and Stella. Unfortunately the poor boy doesn't seem to be comfortable with the atmosphere in our living room. “You don't have to be so stiff, Nathan.” I pat his back. “Nobody is going to eat you. And it would be nice if you didn't glare at him like that, Dad.”

I smile at my father and my mother. They are both sitting on the sofa across from us.

“I just have the feeling that I know him, but I can't put my finger on it.” Azir raises his cup with coffee and takes a sip. “Boy, can you explain to me what's going on between you and my daughter?”

Nathan forces a smile onto his face. “I am a little overwhelmed myself, trust me, even I don't fully understand why I am here, Sir.”

“Hahaha.” I hug Nathan from the side. “It's of course because I am introducing you to my parents. Dad, why don't you go and show Nathan your laboratory. Surely the two of you will find something interesting to talk about!”

Azir stands up, taking his cup of coffee with him. “Come, we have to talk.” He leaves the living room with Nathan following him.

“Are you really sure that he's a good choice?” Stella asks me with questioning eyes. “It seems like he is very easily intimidated by Azir.”

“I've planned for everything, Mother. Once they break the ice everything will be okay. Nathan's interests are very similar to Father's. Actually I've selected him because of his ability to deal with his future father-in-law. There were other candidates, but I don't think that they would've been able to get Azir's approval.”

“So you planned this far ahead?” Stella leans back and tilts her head. “Somehow I feel bad for the poor boy. Not only is he younger, but he is still very well mannered. He even seems to be a little shy, but it's probably normal if you suddenly get snatched by a girl of a royal bloodline.” She smirks. “I'll always remember your father's face when I showed up at his house with my mother. So could you explain why you find Nathan attractive?”

I start explaining my reasons to Mother. Foremost is Nathan's character and his cute reactions towards me. I like it when a guy shows that his interest in you goes further than simply dragging you to bed.

Suddenly an explosion shakes the house and I jump to my feet. “What happened!?”

Stella gets up and runs towards the exit. “I think that came from the laboratory! Maybe you miscalculated?”

I follow my mother and both of us hurry into Azir's devastated laboratory where an extraordinarily strange scene is taking place. There is a huge hole in the wall, opening a path to the garden.

A black haired beauty is standing right next to a very pale Nathan, hugging him. “They didn't hurt you? Did they? We hurried to come here and save you when your signal suddenly entered Azir's property!”

She has big similarities to Nathan, could she be his mother? Why is she here? That's not corresponding to my plans!

Azir is on the ground between his techno stuff, trying to choke a man who could be Nathan's father. The man is trying to choke Azir in turn, which results in both of their faces changing colours.

“Serenzar Draco!” My mother calls out and starts readying a rune spell to fire it at the intruders.

Time slows to a stop as I try to make sense of the situation. So Nathan is the second Emperor's son, who went into hiding? How truly unexpected and problematic!

But he hasn't done anything wrong according to my knowledge. So why should a child suffer for the mistakes of his parents? And didn't they live proper lives for twenty years to protect their son?

My decision may be rash and I don't know the full story, but I have to stop this before it escalates even further! A single step brings me to the control panel at the wall. Similar ones are located right next to every room's entrance. They control the functions of the house.

I type in the four numbers to unlock the house's safety features and activate the miniature inhibition field against the usage of magic. A second button releases the fire fighting system and the room is splashed with cold water. A third button activates a passive regeneration field to help the injured in case first aid is needed.

My mother's rune spell disperses before she can finish the cast and I turn around to run towards Nathan and the black haired woman. “Nathan!” I hug him to the complete surprise of the woman at his side.

“Sariel!” Nathan answers with a dazed expression, but does nothing else. “I think this got a little out of hand.”

Pressing my cheek to his I reach for the black haired woman's hand and shake it. “Nathan's mother I presume? I am Sariel, his girlfriend and your future daughter-in-law.”

“Hah?” The woman's frightened expression drops. “Nathan!? What's going on?”

“I-” But Nathan doesn't manage an answer, as my mother starts screaming from behind me.

“Sariel Gejene! You knew who he is!” She stomps closer, her hand already raised to hit me, but I place Nathan between me and her, so he collects the blow instead.

“Of course I knew! Nathan and I searched for a way to solve this peacefully!” Bringing my mouth to his ear I whisper. “Play along!”

Somehow Nathan snaps out of his shock. “Actually, yes. We were searching for a possible way to confess everything, but it wasn't the right time! It seems like my parents placed a tracking bug on me and panicked when I entered your estate. I am sorry that we messed up.”

“So you didn't get caught?” Nathan's mother gasps.

I turn to face her. “No, we were searching for a way to get my parents to keep your identity a secret. You were proper citizens for twenty years after all. Everything just for your son.”

Placing my arms around Nathan's chest I smile at my mother. “And Nathan didn't do anything bad. Why should a child suffer for the mistakes of his parents? You agree with me, Mother? Don't you? All that bad blood was twenty years ago. Isn't it proper to give someone a second chance? Even Jeremiah got it!”

Stella opens her mouth, but closes it again.

Before she can say anything, someone else arrives at the scene. “Brother!” Jeremiah and Ivy appeared in the hole towards the garden. Without hesitation he joins the brawl between Azir and Serenzar, trying to separate the two of them. But Azir and Serenzar are both somehow offended by Jeremiah's interference. Fists and kicks start raining down on the poor bringer of peace.

Ivy is just standing there, holding her mouth closed with both hands.

Stella drops her defensive stance. “After watching them I somehow don't feel like fighting any more. I feel tired, let's go upstairs and have a drink and... talk.”

I push Nathan towards the exit. “That's a very good idea! Talking is always better than fighting.”

“But what about them?” Nathan's mother watches the men with a conflicted expression.

Stella shrugs her shoulders. “What about them? Let them fight until they are exhausted. The house's healing spell is very powerful, it's unlikely that they manage to kill each other.”

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Azir***

“Goodbye.” I grumble, waving towards Elora and the hobbling Serenzar who decided to spent the night at Jeremiah's mansion. Then I whisper towards Stella. “They are turning their backs towards us! Allow me just one spell and we are rid of them forever!”

“Behave! For Sariel.” She whispers back.

I turn and glare at my daughter's boyfriend, who seems to be unable to cope with the situation. “And you-”

Stella steps forward and hugs him. “He'll spent the night here. I think there is enough space in Sariel's room.”

Sariel freezes at Nathan's side, but doesn't reply.

“Or were you not serious when you instigated this mess?” Stella glares at Sariel, who quickly hugs her. “Of course I was serious, Mom! Thank you!”

Then she hurries over to me and hugs me too. “Thanks, Dad! For deleting the records of this night.” She stops and reaches for my head, pulling a single hair from it. “But seriously, you shouldn't let yourself grow grey hairs over this. It is okay, even if you'll be a grandpa sometime in the future!”

I reach for the silver-grey hair between her fingers and take it. A grey hair in my forties? I am really turning old again!

Sariel takes Nathan's hand and pulls him towards the house.

“You are really okay with this?” Stella steps to my side, following Sariel and Nathan with her eyes. “No bad feelings about him?”

“He is just a child. It's his parents whom I want to roast!” I show the hair to Stella. “Look! A grey hair! And she said that we'll become grandparents!”

She tilts her head, reaching for my forehead. “You are sure that you didn't get too much of a beating? A few grey hairs happen to guys at your age, it's nothing to be shocked about.”

I take her hand and pull her towards the house. “We will show them that we aren't that old!”

Stella answers surprised. “What? Could you be talking about-”

“Of course I am talking about that! Tonight we will make sure to be louder than them!”

.