Feeling they had imparted their final message and blessing to Kazien, Atlasion and Sylvina nodded with a profoundly relieved smile. The two High Elves then turned around and walked back to their son, intending to cherish every last remaining second before their eternal parting truly came to pass.
Not long after the two of them left, Lordius, Allen's biological father, stepped closer. The black-haired man with a sturdy posture approached Kazien, a broad and warm smile etched on his face.
Without an ounce of awkwardness, Lordius immediately raised his hand and gave Kazien's shoulder a firm, hearty pat, much like an uncle brimming with pride for his own nephew.
"I will not ask much of you, Kazien." the black-haired man said in an enthusiastic tone, though his eyes radiated a profound seriousness. "Please, take good care of my son and love him sincerely. In the past, I was far too consumed by my merchant affairs, often neglecting him. Because to me right now... seeing the happiness of my son is the one and only thing that can bring me true peace and joy."
Hearing such a sincere request from his uncle, who now also bore the title of his father-in-law, Kazien nodded firmly. There was not a shred of doubt on the young man's face.
"I will guard him with all my heart, Father-in-law!" Kazien replied resolutely, looking straight into Lordius's eyes. "I swear I will always love Allen sincerely and will never let him feel lonely."
Lordius smiled with immense relief hearing his nephew's oath. "I believe in you, Kazien."
The man turned around, ready to walk back to his son. However, after taking just a single step, Lordius halted. He glanced slightly over his shoulder at Kazien, his expression now tinged with a faint melancholy yet enveloped by an overwhelming sense of pure acceptance.
"Kazien... there is one more thing." Lordius said softly. "Please pass on my message to Elisa."
Kazien remained silent, listening attentively to the message for his aunt.
"Tell her..." Lordius took a slow breath. "...if someday she finds someone she wishes to marry, tell her that from up here, I will always give her my blessing. She deserves to move on with her life and find new happiness."
Kazien was quite surprised to hear his uncle's words. Giving a blessing to his own wife to marry another man was not an easy thing for a husband to say. However, from that gaze alone, Kazien knew that his uncle's love for Aunt Elisa was incredibly pure and selfless. He only wanted happiness for the woman he loved, even though he himself had passed away.
Kazien couldn't help but accept the task. Furthermore, it was the final message from someone who would never set foot in the mortal world again.
"Understood, Father-in-law." Kazien replied, slightly bowing his head. "I promise I will deliver this message directly to Aunt Elisa."
Lordius offered a faint smile. He gave Kazien a thumbs-up, a casual gesture typical of him in the past, before finally stepping away to approach his son.
And next, it was Arken's father's turn to come and meet him.
Borris walked with a steady, upright pace. The middle-aged man stopped right in front of Kazien. For a few moments, the two of them simply faced each other in a silence laden with profound respect.
"Young Master..." Borris began, reflexively using his old title out of sheer respect. "Thank you so much... for taking such good care of my son all this time."
Kazien smiled faintly upon hearing it.
"But, to be honest..." Borris continued, wiping his face with his hand as if he still couldn't wrap his head around it. "...I still never expected that Arken would ultimately fall in love with you and even want you to be his husband."
Hearing Borris's honesty, Kazien chuckled, recalling the past moments filled with Arken's boldness.
"I didn't expect it at all back then either, Father-in-law." Kazien answered in a slightly amused yet warm tone. "At that time, after everything we had been through together, Arken suddenly said with a serious face that he wanted to make me his husband. He even boldly urged and asked me to swear that no one else but him would be allowed to marry me."
Borris's eyes widened slightly. He never imagined his son could act so bluntly and aggressively regarding his feelings toward Kazien.
"That kid... he really has no shame..." Borris muttered while shaking his head, though a proud smile couldn't be hidden from his lips.
"Please just call me Kazien, Father-in-law." Kazien said then, very politely interrupting Borris's muttering. "It feels very strange and inappropriate for the father of my own spouse to address me as 'Young Master'."
Borris was stunned for a moment. But seeing the absolute sincerity in Kazien's eyes, the middle-aged man finally nodded slowly, deeply understanding the character of the young man before him.
"Very well, Kazien." Borris replied, his tone now growing warmer, like a father speaking to his son-in-law. "I entrust my son to your protection and affection. In that world, he will only have you all. I truly believe you can be a father figure, an older brother, a husband, and an irreplaceable friend throughout his eternal life."
Kazien nodded in understanding, absorbing every word from Arken's father into the depths of his heart.
"I will do my absolute best for him. Because for all eternity... Arken is my spouse, a part of my soul. And it is entirely impossible for me not to love him sincerely!" Kazien declared with absolute conviction.
Hearing such a resolute answer from his son-in-law, Borris smiled with profound relief. The heavy burden on his chest vanished without a trace.
"Thank you so much, Kazien."
And not long after, following their brief conversation, the man turned around and walked back to join his son.
....
....
Time continued to pass unnoticed. Silence and peace enveloped the divine realm as the three youths spent their immensely precious remaining time with their respective parents. However, every meeting must eventually have an end, and that end had now arrived right before their eyes.
A majestic and absolute voice suddenly broke the solemn silence.
"Kazien! Split yourself and stand beside each of your spouses and their parents!" commanded Goddess Nirfelia, her voice echoing softly yet carrying an undeniable authority.
Without arguing, Kazien immediately did as the Goddess commanded.
The young man focused his mana flow and split himself until three perfectly identical figures of Kazien were created. No one could tell which was the original body and which were the clones.
And each of the three Kazien figures walked calmly toward Alvin, Allen, and Arken.
"Line up like a complete family!" Goddess Nirfelia ordered again from a distance. "I will create a photograph for you to take back to the mortal world as a keepsake!"
Hearing the word "photograph" just uttered by the Creator, Alvin, Allen, and Arken were instantly startled. Their eyes sparkled brightly. Without needing any cue, the three of them immediately pulled the arms of their respective husbands' figures to stand close.
They lined up neatly. Arken was flanked by his father and Kazien, Allen was flanked by Lordius and Kazien, and Alvin was flanked by his parents and Kazien.
In order to produce a beautiful photograph, the three of them immediately held their husband's hand tightly, brimming with happiness.
However, what surprised the four youths was when three figures of Goddess Nirfelia suddenly stepped forward and joined them. The Goddess Creator of the universe positioned herself standing right next to Kazien.
Alvin, Allen, and Arken exchanged glances, their faces flushing with awe. The four of them felt incredibly, extraordinarily happy and honored that the Goddess was willing to join their photograph.
Even though the three of them were completely unaware of the fact that the Goddess standing next to Kazien was actually their husband's own biological mother in the divine realm.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Three medium-sized picture frames suddenly formed and lay neatly on the white ground before them.
As soon as the photos were picked up and raised by Kazien, the four youths smiled blissfully. Within the frames, their moment of togetherness was captured to absolute perfection.
Alvin's happy face with his parents, Allen's moved expression standing next to Lordius, and Arken's wide smile with Borris, along with the figures of Kazien and Goddess Nirfelia smiling in every photo.
"Goddess Nirfelia... thank you so much!" Kazien, Alvin, Allen, and Arken exclaimed in unison, bowing their bodies with deep gratitude.
"You are welcome, my children. May those photographs soothe your longing for them here when you return to the mortal world." the Goddess said in a very gentle, motherly tone.
Alvin, Allen, and Arken were currently completely immersed in the euphoria of the keepsake photos. They gazed at their parents' faces in the pictures with an overwhelming sense of relief.
However...
Amidst the euphoria and blossoming happy smiles, the tone of the Goddess's voice suddenly changed. Her maternal warmth receded slightly, replaced by the uncompromising firmness of the Ruler of the Universe.
"Alright... the time is up. It is time for me to send the four of you back to where you belong!" Goddess Nirfelia declared, her voice echoing as a marker for the end of their reunion.
In that very instant, the joyous expressions adorning the faces of Alvin, Allen, and Arken were wiped away as if by a harsh winter wind. Their smiles instantly vanished, replaced by pale expressions and widened eyes as the time to finally part with their dearly beloved parents had arrived.