Theo's body stiffened for a fraction of a second.
Then he slowly relaxed.
"…Dad."
His father's grip tightened slightly.
''Thank you.''
"It's fine," Theo responded quietly.
His father pulled back slightly, looking at him.
''It's not,'' he said. "You shouldn't have had to—"
''Well, I did,'' Theo cut him off.
He shook his head slightly.
"This happened because of me too," he said. "So it's only right."
His father stared at him for a moment longer.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Still. Thank you."
Theo didn't respond.
Yet, his gaze never left his parents.
'Never will I let something happen to them again,' he thought firmly.
After a short while, he made his way to his room.
Closing the door behind him, he sat down cross-legged on his bed.
His eyes closed, and small mana threads immediately began racing toward his core's walls.
Time passed quietly.
Outside, the last traces of sunlight disappeared completely as night finally set in.
Finally, Theo's eyes snapped open again.
