Celestial Hybrid

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“Rosa, what have we done?! The kids are nowhere to be found!” Cynthia's panicked voice rang out, trembling with desperation.

Rosa stood frozen in place, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of the table. “We shouldn’t have let them stay out for too long,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

The sound of rain pounding against the windows grew louder, as if mocking their helplessness.

“We have to find them, now,” Danny demanded, his voice breaking under the weight of fear.

Rosa turned to him, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. “Where do we even start?”

“It's been a day and they're nowhere to be seen. I thought I sent Remiel to go pick them up? Cynthia trembled.

“What do you think would happen if the siblings were to be together for over an hour? She asked, rhetorically.

“That hooded man won’t just allow them to vanish like that, right?” Rosa exhaled loudly, her voice trembling as she tried to convince herself.

“If only he could just show up with them right now,” she muttered, her hands gripping her arms tightly as if holding herself together.

As if responding to her plea, a portal shimmered into existence before them, immediately capturing their attention. Four figures stepped through the glowing gateway before it vanished. The women’s faces lit up with joy, and they rushed toward the arrivals.

“Remiel? David? Where have you been all this time?” Cynthia cried softly, pulling her children into a tight embrace.

Meanwhile, Rosa wrapped her arms around her daughter. “Scylla! Are you alright? Did anyone hurt you?” she asked, her voice trembling with worry.

Danny stood back, smiling warmly as he watched the heartfelt reunion unfold. Remiel felt a lump rise in his throat as he saw tears streaming down Cynthia’s face. Though she wasn’t his biological mother, her love for him was undeniable, and he cherished it deeply.

“Uhmm mum, are you trying to squeeze us to death?” he teased gently, his voice laced with affection.

“Oh? sorry boys” Cynthia giggled, realizing her grip until a force pulled her back. This time, she was the one in David's tight embrace.

David wept like a baby as he held his mother on his chest. “I'm not done yet, mum.” he said.

“Now you're the one squeezing me.” Cynthia smiled.

“I'm fine mom. No one hurt me.” Scylla assured her worried mother.

Rosa glanced askance at the tall figure behind Scylla. “Scylla, who's he? she asked

“Sorry miss, I didn't want to interrupt your reunion. I'm Seran Xeratheon.” Seran introduced.

Danny's eyes widened like he remembered something. “I've heard that voice before.” He said within himself.

“He’s the one who saved us.” Scylla answered

“Huh? Saved you from what? What happened? Rosa questioned, panic evident in her eyes.

Remiel sighed heavily.“It's best we sit down first.” He said, directing them towards the empty chairs surrounding the table. Only Seran chose to stand, looking like a golden statue behind them.

Once seated, the trio began to narrate all that had transpired the other day, causing the adults' faces to be filled with shock, awe and lastly… regret.

“We should've told you guys something, but we were wary of what you would do if you knew, so we kept it to ourselves.” Danny apologized.

“It's alright. You guys did it to protect us and we are grateful for that.” Remiel said.

"So, you were the hooded man? That explains why your voice sounded familiar," Cynthia said, her tone filled with gratitude. "Thank you for saving the kids, Mr Seran. If it hadn't been for you, things could have turned out much worse.“

"It's a pleasure, ma'am, but we need to be cautious from now on," Seran warned.

"Why do you say that?" David asked, his brow furrowed.

"I don't know," Seran replied, his gaze shifting to the window as the dark clouds began to part, revealing rays of sunlight. "But I have a feeling the people who came after you aren’t finished yet." His thoughts drifted as he stared into the distance. What could she possibly need from them that would drive her to send one of the most ruthless assassin corps in Aurora?

What do we do now, Seran? Scylla’s voice cut through his thoughts, her tone tinged with worry.

"Mortalis is no longer safe for you," Seran said firmly. "Leaving you here would only put you and everyone else in greater danger. It's best if I take you three with me to Xeratheon."

"Just the three of us? What about our parents? Why can't they come too?" Remiel protested, a hint of frustration in his voice.

“It's not possible, Remiel! Each Myther is designed differently and created to house specific beings," Seran explained firmly. "The air over there is extremely toxic to mortals—they wouldn't survive if they stayed there. The only reason it doesn't affect you three is because... you aren't from this world.”

"It's okay, son," Cynthia said softly, her voice steady despite the sadness in her eyes. "I always knew a day like this would come—the day you'd be taken away from me. Just like your mother said."

Before anyone could respond, Rosa suddenly gasped, her face pale with urgency. "Scylla! How long have we been here?" she asked sharply.

Scylla hesitated, her voice faltering as she began to answer. "It's been more than an hou—" She froze mid-sentence, her expression shifting as the truth hit her.

"Too late! They're already here."

Panic erupted in the village of Eralis as its inhabitants fled in every direction, the terrifying sight before them shaking them to their very core.

Multiple crimson rifts tore open the sky, spilling forth entities that descended with a thunderous impact, shaking the ground beneath them. Each figure was clad in red ninja-like attire, with twin swords strapped to their backs and a dragon's tooth insignia prominently marked on their foreheads.

In a fluid, practiced motion, the group spread out, encircling the village and cutting off any chance of escape for its terrified inhabitants. One of them—clearly the leader—stepped forward, her presence radiating authority and menace.

The leader raised a gloved hand, and the other figures froze. Her voice, calm yet edged with steel, carried across the trembling silence of the village.

“Do not fear,” she said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. “We have not come to spill your blood, nor to take your homes. We seek only two among you — a boy with hair the color of the sky, and a girl whose hair burns like flame. Surrender them to us, and no harm will come to the rest.”

Her words lingered, firm and commanding, leaving no doubt that refusal was not an option. The people, visibly shaken, exchanged confused glances, their faces etched with uncertainty as they murmured among themselves.

Before anyone could muster a response, a heavy thud echoed through the square. Gasps rippled across the crowd as all eyes fell upon the ground — where a body lay sprawled, lifeless… headless. The scent of blood tainted the air.

Terrified shrieks broke out, villagers stumbling back, clutching their children, their eyes wide with horror. Panic threatened to erupt, but the red-clad figures around them held their ground. They never knew who made the kill nor did they see the assailant move an inch or draw her blade.

The leader did not so much as flinch. Her gaze swept across the trembling mass, sharp as a blade.

“Let this be your only warning,” she said coldly, her voice slicing through the chaos. “We are not here to s*******r you… unless you force our hand. Give us who we came for, and no more of your people will share his fate. Your hesitance would only amount to more senseless deaths.”

A young girl, roughly Scylla's age, stepped forward hesitantly, her trembling hands betraying her fear as her eyes darted nervously toward the headless carcass nearby. "I-I know who you're looking for… and I can take you to them," she stammered, her gaze fixed firmly on the ground, unable to meet the piercing stare of the figure before her.

"Lily! What are you doing?!" a woman in the crowd cried out, her voice filled with desperation.

"Mom! We can't just stay silent and watch them kill us one by one!" Lily shot back, her voice trembling yet resolute. "One of us has to do something!”

Knowing how right her daughter was, the woman didn't speak further.

“You're a smart one, aren't you? The lady spoke, her gaze fixed on the girl before her. “Now take me to them!” She said,

She turned sharply toward her comrades, her tone commanding. "Mira, you're coming with me. The rest of you — stay here and keep watch over them." Her voice dropped, colder and sharper than before. "If anyone tries to escape… don't hesitate to cut them down.”