Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"Don't worry, it is a father's thing," Rain forced a smile.

"I guess the next best thing was having the chance to meet you and talk like this finally," Sealyn said while rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"This puts a smile on my face," Rain said.

"Considering what I heard from grandfather and Mom and your expression, you don't want to fight with us, right?" Sealyn asked. "Unfortunately, I am in a place where I can't put my family before anything else. I reached a position of power, and I received a lot of help from a lot of people over the years. I can't betray the faith they have in me. I don't want to betray their expectations."

"I am proud of you for that. Before disappearing, I also tried to accomplish many things for the sake of others and not only for the sake of my family," Rain said. "Still, I realized that I couldn't do that, so I decided to change my approach. Still, I believe that you can accomplish what I didn't."

"Is that your fatherly side speaking or your logical side?" Sealyn asked.

"Both of them are speaking right now," Rain said. "If I didn't think that you couldn't do that, I wouldn't leave until I forced you and the others to come with me to search for everyone else."

"... Looking back now, I realize that we should have tried harder to stick together," Sealyn said. "After commanding people for several decades and losing some friends, I realize the importance that family has when they are with us.

Grandfather and Mom are with me, but putting aside the fact that they could help us a lot on the battlefield, I can't help but worry that the enemy might try to take us down while we are separated. When you find them, can you tell them that I would like to apologize in person for being such a kid back then?"

"Of course, I am sure that they have matured enough to think the same," Rain said.

"I sure hope so," Sealyn said and then got up. "I have to prepare for the next battle, but before that… Can you move now, Mom? You are terrible at pretending that you are sleeping."
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"I wasn't pretending. I was being conscious of not disrupting the moment," Seara said after she moved away for a bit.

"You are already 146… you don't get free passes to act bashful," Sealyn said. "Father, can I have a hug, for old times sake? Knowing Mom, I can tell that she hasn't hugged you since you returned."

"Of course, it is also fine that she became like this. It is interesting, if anything," Rain said. "I just hope that my nose endures this as much as possible."

As Rain and Sealyn shared the hug, there was an initial sense of awkwardness, a tentative feeling as they navigated the unfamiliar territory of physical closeness after years of distance. Their hug carried a mix of emotions—uncertainty, tentative hope, and a hint of vulnerability.

For Rain, this moment was a realization—an epiphany that struck him amidst the hug. The initial awkwardness gave way to a flood of emotions that underscored the true value of life's experiences. As he held his daughter, feeling her presence, he recognized the profound significance of this fleeting instance of connection.

In that embrace, amidst the awkwardness and uncertainty, Rain's heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. All the hardships, the solitude, the relentless pursuit of his family—every single trial and tribulation he had faced over the years seemed justified in that moment of shared happiness.

The weight of time spent searching for his loved ones, the countless challenges endured, and the sacrifices made and every single second now seemed worthwhile, every struggle worthwhile for this fleeting yet immensely precious moment of reunion and connection.

"You smell quite good… even though you haven't cleaned yourself since you arrived," Sealyn said.

"... It seems that you also inherited some troublesome quirks from your father," Seara said while furrowing her eyebrows. "Also, when was the last time you hugged me?"

"You didn't nag at me so much. This wouldn't be a real issue," Sealyn said and then shrugged. "See you two later."

Rain nodded and then smiled… Before long, Sealyn disappeared in the distance as she began to work. Although Rain didn't raise her for long, it looked like she inherited a lot of Rain's mannerisms and quirks, just like Seara said. That made Rain worry a bit…

"You said that she is a lot like me, but she has a lot of you on her as well," Rain said. "She is way more honest with her feelings by expressing them in actions."

"Whatever you say," Seara said while looking away.

Rain laughed a little… he could tell that Seara was jealous since she couldn't be that honest, even while keeping a serious expression on her face. In the end, Rain hugged her from behind and breathed in deeply on her nape. Her good smell was there as expected… Rain wondered if Seara would headbutt him from behind, but she didn't do that. She didn't try to push him away either.

Her ears got really red, and that was rare to happen… so it looked like she enjoyed that very much.

"I guess you still like it when I am pushy," Rain grinned.

"Shut up," Seara said. "Don't even try to sweet-talk me to get what you want. I can read you like an open book."

"It is fine, and I can wait," Rain said. "Right now, my brain is filled with wholesomeness instead of earthly desires. I just hope that just like Sealyn, Danny, and Annie have grown a lot, but they still are the best kids in the world."

Seara had a bunch of mixed emotions. As she witnessed the sweet moment of reconnection, there was a pang of disappointment that stirred within her. She had secretly hoped that Rain would persist a little longer with her as well, insisting on spending more time together before parting ways.