Chapter 23: The Night of Knowing (Part Two)

  In the previous chapter, D was explaining to everyone what had taken place 15 years ago.

  But he was interrupted by Charlie, and they had to take a break. Everyone went to freshen up and check on the children.

  Charlie wanted to leave, but Ashdon stopped her.

  “Please stop. Just listen to what he has to say first… then leave if you want. Think about it after that.”

  “Let me go. I don’t want to stay anymore,” Charlie said, trying to pull away.

  “Just stay for me. I know you might be wondering if I knew everything before… but let me clarify — I didn’t. I only know as much as you know. So please… stop.

  We need to understand what happened. Please trust me. And if you can’t do that… then listen for our children’s sake,” Ash pleaded.

  Charlie looked at him, her expression softening slightly.

  “It’s not that I don’t trust you. Remember… I fell head over heels for you. You stayed by my side when no one else did. And you’re right… we need to know what happened to us… and to our children.”

  Finally, Charlie calmed down.

  After a short while, everyone returned to the study room to continue the explanation.

  D cleared his throat.

  “As I was saying… now we know who did what to us. But unfortunately, we cannot deal with the government. If we do… it could start a war with the entire world. And I don’t think that’s a viable option.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “But why?” Charlie questioned sharply. “Don’t you believe in our strength?”

  “It’s not about strength, my dear,” D replied.

  “We are stronger and more durable than the Earth itself. But an all-out war would only destroy the world… and that is something I refuse to do. It would also be bad for our business.”

  “Again with the business shit,” Charlie muttered skeptically.

  Maple snapped.

  “So what — you want to destroy the world? If we do that, where will we live? Have you thought about the children?”

  “That’s enough,” D said, his voice rising.

  “Until I am alive, this world will live. No one is going to destroy it. If I wanted to destroy the world, I would have done it in the very beginning. Have you ever thought about that? If I had… would any of you — or our future generations — even be standing here today?”

  “Enough with the destruction,” Elisis intervened gently. “Please… and Papa, you need to calm down too.”

  Ash spoke firmly.

  “We may be killers… destroyers… villains in many eyes. But this planet is our home. It is our birthplace — and our children’s. So everyone… forget about destroying or disrupting this world. For God’s sake.”

  D took a breath.

  “I’m sorry, El. I’m sorry, everyone. And yes… I hope we all agree with what Ash has said.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  D continued.

  “Let me go on… if everyone agrees.

  Fifteen years ago, I drained almost all of my power to keep us safe. I was weak… and my wife had gone into labor. And then it struck me — maybe this was our chance.

  A chance to escape the bloodshed… the battles… everything that brought us to the brink of destroying the world.

  I thought… at the very least… my children deserve to see this world for themselves. Not just hear stories about a distant past.”

  His voice trembled slightly. Everyone felt the weight of his words.

  “So… I left a video message. I know it was vague. But at the time… I believed we all needed to go our separate ways… to live normal lives.”

  Silence.

  Then Charlie exploded.

  “Fuck you. You’re such an asshole. How can you decide what we want? What we need? What we don’t need?

  You manipulative bastard. I’m leaving. I don’t want to hear any more of your bullshit.”

  Her voice shook with rage and pain.

  She stormed out — and this time, no one stopped her.

  Aleina sighed softly. “That was expected.”

  “Stop it, will you, A,” D said quietly.

  He turned back to the others.

  “I know this is unsettling… but I want to say one last thing before we return to our homes.

  I never knew… nor did I expect… that our children would develop powers. When I realized it, I was afraid — truly afraid — for their future.

  By the time I learned the truth… I had already placed my own powers on lockdown… so they wouldn’t interfere with our normal lives.

  More importantly… I’m grateful that all of you honored my request and didn’t use your powers.

  For that… I thank you. Truly.”

  Everyone stood in stunned silence.

  Not just because of what he had asked… but because they understood why. They had chosen separation for survival — and restraint for safety.

  D bowed his head.

  “Lastly… thank you for coming and listening to me. Even though I’ve always been selfish… I have always seen you as family. Never just soldiers… never just subordinates.”

  One by one, they said their goodbyes.

  Then they returned to their ordinary, quiet lives…

  …until the final recall.

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