Gate Hunters

All four Gates were successfully destroyed in less than twenty minutes.

The train guard will undoubtedly be relieved to hear that he can return to work without any complications related to his job environment.

Ruby and I settled into her car, and she turned to me, "The tales of your talent were indeed true. We've completed our business in record time," she remarked.

"Given my level of expertise, victory was a foregone conclusion, irrespective of the elemental types I encountered," I quipped.

As Ruby began to drive, she spoke, "But you prove that your clan..." She paused, a frown forming as she caught herself, "Sorry, I forgot that's a sensitive topic." The realization of her near slip brought a shadow over her expression.

"No, it's okay. I've come to terms with being a part of the Godfrey family. So, it doesn't bother me if you mention them," I said, dispelling the tension with my prompt reply.

Suddenly, her car's ringtone sounded. The display showed a phone number labelled "My Emo Baby." "Do you mind answering that?" she asked.

"Sure," I responded promptly, accepting the call.

...

"Hey mom. Is it okay if I buy a game online. There is an eighty percent off special." Said the boy with a depressing voice.

"Sweetie, I'm bringing home your new father. We'll have a chat once everyone has been introduced, okay?" Ruby stated in such a casual manner.

The voice went silent then the call ended.

"Sorry about him. He just extremely anti-social and gets uncomfortable around new people." Ruby spoke.

I rolled down the window to get that cold cool breeze, "It's okay. Eventually he will warm up to me. But I need to know are they also like us?" The one question that lived rent free in my mind.

"Yes, but they are not aware of it. And we will leave them like that...it's simply far too dangerous for them to get involved with hunting. I simply can't afford to lose any more people I care about." Ruby seemed to be distress about something that her grip on the steering wheel has tighten.

With a gentle smile and my hand on her shoulder, I assured her, "You don't have to worry about a thing. As long as I'm here, there's no need for them to use their abilities. I promise you that."

Ruby lightly giggle, "Right about that...oh, here we are."

The house in question was a two-story, light peach-coloured dwelling, typical of the local architectural style.

My response to the stunning household was a short cat whistle.

Ruby replied to me with a cheeky smile, "I know, right? The landlord allowed me to rent it for half the original price because I made him the best coffee in the world."

The coffee must be very good otherwise that's an obvious lie.

After Ruby parked her car in the driveway, "Are you ready?" She asked.

I'm going to meet her children. Why am I so nervous? This was supposed to be easy.

I fought monsters, train under harsh conditions and survived six months in the jungle.

Yet...meeting her children was making me sweat buckets.

We exit the car and slowly arrived at the front door.

Both of us inhaled deeply before Ruby swung the front door open.

"Welcome-" the first to great us was a young girl that slightly resembles Ruby.

Our eyes met and she immediately asked, "Are you the new daddy?" Going straight to the point.

I nodded my head, "Well yes, my name is Krist Page. It's a pleasure to meet you young one." Confidence and prep time. I spent hours of my time two days ago practising on how I should spoke to her children.

Will I be the cool dad or the strict dad? No matter the role, my goal is to be the second-best dad for her children.

The girl smile and ran up the stairs, "BIG BROTHER, COME HERE QUICKLY!" She shouted.

Ruby looped her arms through mine, offering a gentle smile. "Let's take a seat. You've earned a moment of rest," she insisted.

Ruby practical dragged me all the way to her couch and putting me down.

She straightened my tie and brushed off my suit, saying, "You are almost perfect," as she also adjusted my hair.

After she was done, she waited patiently for her children to come downstairs.

She tried to play it cool, but she was as nervous as I was.

After a few minutes of silence besides the ticking of the clock. Her two children came walking downstairs.

Ruby daughter looked like an innocent girl who was around the age of eight. Carrying the same red hair as her mother and attempting to mimic her style. Her eyes were blue like her mother and her skin was fair just like her.

The son appeared deeply depressed, sporting ear piercings despite being only eleven. His hair was jet black, unkempt and dishevelled. His eyes were a striking blue, contrasting with his somewhat darker skin.

The children settled beside us as Ruby pierced the quiet, her voice tinged with forced cheerfulness. "I'd like you to meet someone very special—your new father and my beloved husband, Krist Page," she announced, attempting to infuse the introduction with excitement, though it fell flat to the sceptical young audience.

"It's a pleasure to meet both of you. I realize it might seem as though I'm invading on your personal space, but I want to assure you that—" I continued, aiming to establish a positive rapport with them.

"I don't like this." Said the depressed boy.

He stood up and stared directly at me, declaring, "It doesn't matter who you are or why you chose to marry my mother. There's absolutely no chance that I will ever see you as a father."

He left immediately and ran upstairs.

The little girl rose to her feet, and before she departed, she offered me a warm smile. "Welcome to the family," she said. "I apologize for my big brother—he just misses our real dad." With that, she exited the living room and scampered up the stairs.

...

I barely said anything, and it went terrible. Did I do something wrong when I was speaking?

Ruby laid her left hand on mine, gripping it firmly, and said, "I'm sorry about Ken... his father was practically his best friend, and it might be very painful to see someone take his place. However, I'm glad Amber was fine with you," she said.

"It's fine, as I mentioned. They'll come around to me in time. For now, let's discuss our living arrangements, and perhaps you can give me a tour of the house tomorrow," I suggested.

Ruby withdrew her hand and repositioned herself so that we were facing each other. "Alright, I've arranged a single bed for you," she said. "Since I'm not comfortable with us sharing a bed just yet, I think it's best if we keep things this way for the time being. Plus, your stuff is due to arrive tomorrow morning, and I'll be here to help you settle in before I leave for work," she added.

Our arranged marriage was still in its early stages. We were comfortable with holding hands and embracing, but anything more intimate was not yet considered appropriate.

So, I was slightly disappointed.

"I understand, tomorrow morning I will make breakfast for everyone to show my efforts to make this family work." I said.

Ruby gently pinched my cheeks and said, "No strawberries. I'm allergic." Therefore, I need to remember not to include strawberries in tomorrow's pancakes.

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.