Grown up

= 8 years later =

'8 years have passed since that day, I still think back on it sometimes when I close my eyes. But nothing too fucking cringe.'

"My baby!" A sudden hug to his right had Ray deadpan as his mother rubbed her face alongside his happily.

"Mother, could you not treat me as a child anymore." Ray spoke as if dead and picking up on this his mothers dramatised scenario of 'her youngest not loving her anymore' within a corner. Ray turned around and immediately shouted "you know it's not like that!" As his mother than turned to face Ray with sparkles around her whole being.

'You are really something' Ray thought as his Father Drilon the king of the demonic Ryjin family, joined them in the garden.

"Have I been missing something fun?" 'Missing my mother - your wife, act like the victim yes and fun is totally out of the question at this point.' Ray could only remember those torturous times his mother would try and breastfed him at 7! 'Not even Ash or Xion got this kind of treatment- lucky them'. He envied his less loved older brothers.

"Dear our son is so grown up" as if seeing where this was going Ray's father looked at Ray's book that he'd been reading for sometime.

"What you reading there son?" He questioned quite openly hoping Ray got the memo as Martha watched on in silent disappointment. Catching on quick Ray began to explain about his new fixation on 'solidifying' which was a term one used to 'exceed their normal strength levels'.

Ray's mother sat alone for a bit until Opal came from behind and whispered in her ear about her 3rd oldest sons that had finally returned. Ray and his father also managed to hear the news as they all made haste towards the front of the castle to greet the twins safe return.

Ray hadn't realised that back than when he was 2, the reason the twins disappeared was to find someone in a conquest of sorts. 'They we're trying to sever their bounded souls' Ray knew that was it - as the carriage holding his older twin brothers pulled in front of the three. Hoping off the driver seat up top where the ropes to steer the horses were located. The driver opened the passenger door to reveal quite handsome and charming men.

' What would Isla call these people again?' Ray thought for a bit as Sythorn and Sythen stepped out with elegance- 'Ah I remember- 'pus*y boys''. "Ah my two gorgeous young boys!" 'of course you wouldn't address them as men now. But I doubt even if we passed 100 years old' which is passed the fledgling stage of age for a demon 'would our mother ever address us as anything but her babies'.

"Mother" they both spoke in synch as their Father approached them, patting them on the back. Something he did to welcome loved ones home, it was even done to his daughters. 'I think this man is just a very socially awkward person' Ray thought with a half laugh and half worried vision of his father regardless of his achievements or titles.

Spotting their youngest brother Sythen was the first to come over and hug Ray, "So good to see you again Ray, it has been a very long time. Last time we saw you- you still wore diapers" he joked as Ray remained as indifferent as possible. 'Please don't say that again', "welcome home brother, it has indeed been some time" Sythen as if surprised by Ray's mannerisms, slammed his back with his right hand.

"Wow look at you, only 10 and speaking like an old geezer - just as Lance did" he laughed 'as I would kinda say I did but I was more classier.'

"It would seem so" 'but to be fair I was 27- hang on… would I be 37 now since I lived 10 years in this life? Maybe I'm overthinking it.' Sythen's friendly attitude was cut short though as he noticed the stigma on Ray's neck, it proceeded to cover all the way around like a choker tattoo of sorts. How he didn't notice back then when giving Ray a hug was anyone's guess. After all as something so dark on the neck, this tattoo stigma was hard not to notice.

"It seems you have had a rough past 8 years before our return brother" spoke Sythorn this time as he placed a hand on Sythen's right shoulder. 'Mind reading' Ray thought straight away as Sythen departed from the two of them and their mother seemed to latch onto him instead. "Ray, don't let him make you think anything stupid. We just know the hardship of that stigma and didn't receive news that you were the one chosen to receive the blessing" Sythorn's eyes narrowed on his father who didn't bother to seem innocent.

'It seems the twins and father have somethings going on, I'll have to enquire about this later. For now I should just enjoy the fact that two of my older siblings have returned' Ray concluded as they made their way inside.

= Evening, later that day =

"Why would you not relay that sort of information to the family!?" Shouted Sythen as Sythorn simply watched and so did their Mother. Their Father simply listened as he realised that this was going to happen quite a bit.

When Drilon had said final words that Ray would be the chosen, he'd made all his other sons and daughters go to different kingdoms. Rose had gone on her own to a neighbouring kingdom, to aid in support on the battle front in the war with Zillion and Qiolun after his fight with her and the 2nd oldest Macey.

Macey too had set off on her own journey. From what his 'watches' (assigned high demon scouts) told him, Macey was in an adventurer party and was eradicating monsters while moving up ranks and gaining experience.

Viola had been sent to the kingdom of which she was going to be married into for training. Whereas Lance and Ash were sent to train at the prestigious academy of swords and magi. A high class dormitory and educational system to provide best understanding and training to high class demons.

Xion also chose his own path, however his whereabouts could never be fully pinpointed, yet he did leave evidence of him being in places to let Drilon's watches know he was alive and safe.

Sythorn and Sythen had set out many times during their youth to find a certain someone to aid in their unique condition. However each attempt has been later seen as fertile as nothing was ever achieved or accomplished.

"You'll have to wait till the others arrive during the week" their father simply spoke before standing up and taking his leave.

"Mother- are you really just going to let him-" raising her hand, Sythen closed his mouth as Sythorn felt his emotions of anger like no other towards his father.

"I understand you are mad Sythen-Sythorn, I was devastated too when he said Ray would be the warrior. But please wait until the others have come back and we will discuss what happened while you all were away" before she too calmly stood up and left the twins to their thoughts.