Chương 49: Chapter XIV — Shadows of the Past

They hit him with a solid thwomp. He staggered back, absorbing the joyful, reckless force of their embrace.

"Whoa, take it easy," he chuckled, hugging them tightly.

"Sorry," Aletheia and Lisandra giggled, squeezing him.

"We can't help ourselves!"

"How are you two doing?"

"We're doing great!" Aletheia and Lisandra said in unison, loosening their arms.

"Japan is so much fun to run around in!"

"Sounds wonderful," Galan said, releasing them.

"But let's talk more while I rest, okay?" The duo nodded and trotted back to the resting area. Meanwhile, Filippo had noticed the commotion from his perch high above. His eyes went wide at the sight of his old teacher. That's him! I have to see him! He flew toward them just as Galan sat down, now the focus of five pairs of expectant eyes. Galan sighed. He knew he had to take control of the space or be devoured by their collective shouting for attention. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but commanding.

"Alright. First things first. Where's my drink?" Pheidon handed a dark bottle to Meredith.

"Remember," she said, passing it to Galan, "this stuff's hard."

"You say that as if you ever win against me in a drinking contest," he chuckled.

"I warned you," she said sarcastically. Galan examined the bottle. The label read: 'Virgin Blood' and 'Mixed with decades-old Falernian wine.' The back had a disclaimer: 'May or may not contain actual virgin blood.'

"Are ye just going to stare at it, Bloodsucker?"

"I was just surprised you guys stock these," he said.

"Your family gave us a discount," Pheidon explained.

"Thanks to them, it's the cheapest blood drink that also tastes the best. Or so I'm told."

"Wow, I'm convinced." Galan said with a mischievous smile.

"Here goes." Please don't bring me back, Galan thought, uncorking the bottle. Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! He took a sip. An intense, fiery heat ignited his throat, followed by the deep, coppery sweetness of life itself. A symphony of iron and vitality. He took four more long gulps, the potent harmony settling in his chest without dragging him back into the past.

"So? What do ye think?" Meredith asked, smiling.

"Much stronger than the usual high-shelf stuff, that's for sure." He grinned.

"Kinda makes me want a gulp."

"Here."

"Nah," she laughed.

"You're not getting me to drink that ever again."

"Your loss." Galan smirked. As he drank some more, Filippo approached him while fidgeting.

"Uhm... Master Galenaios?"

"What is it, Chubby?"

"I-it's... nice to see you again."

"Aww, c'mere." Filippo darted into his arms, burying his face in Galan's chest and sobbing, releasing the years he'd spent feeling adrift without his anchor.

"Heheh. You're a big putto now, Chubby." Galan said, rubbing his head.

"You know we can always talk through my omniscience."

"But I really miss your hug."

"I get it. I'm here now." Galan smiled, then turned his attention to the twins.

"Anything you'd like to ask me?"

"Well…" Lisandra looked at her sister.

"You go first." Aletheia nodded, her expression hesitant.

"So… how is Theara?" The playful energy vanished. A dreadful stillness fell over the group. Filippo stopped crying, sensing the shift. Galan mustered a tired smile.

"Straight to the point, huh?"

"It's just that... we always saw her on her bed," Aletheia said, her voice small.

"And lately... everyone's been avoiding talking about her..."

"She died from her cancer, Aletheia," Galan said, his voice quiet but firm.

"I'm sorry for not telling you. I just didn't want to make everyone go through the grief all at once."

"Don't you think we all deserve to grieve for her?" Lisandra asked, her voice cracking.

"You do," he said.

"If you want to tell everyone through my omniscience, you're free to do so." But he knew she couldn't. He watched her crumble at the thought of being the one to deliver such devastating news, collapsing into Aletheia's arms. He sighed, the cruelty of his test settling heavily on him.

"I'm sorry. That was cruel. I shouldn't have put that burden on you." Grief washed over the group. Meredith began drinking heavily. Pheidon sat motionless, his expression distant.

"You're handling this well, Pheidon," Galan said. The old man turned, a genuine, weary smile on his face.

"Well, Kuberneeta, I'll be sailing the Acheron myself anytime now," he said, mentioning the Greeks' soulstream.

"No, you're not," Galan said firmly.

"You're tougher than any mortal I know. You've got at least twenty more years."

"Thanks for the blessing, Captain." Galan's gaze shifted to the centaur twins.

"Aletheia. You did well taking care of everyone while I was gone. Thank you." She smiled through a hitching sob.

"It's the least I could do."

"Lisandra," he said gently. She wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I know it was selfish for me to carry that burden alone," he continued.

"But I hope you can understand. I'm not expecting you to forgive me." She looked up, her gaze clear.

"That's the opposite of selfish. Marrying you, I knew what I was in for. But..." She hugged her arms to her chest.

"It still hurt."

"Yeah," he said, his own voice thick.

"It still hurts for me too." Lisandra stood and walked to him, Aletheia following. They knelt before him, and he set his bottle aside. He wrapped his arms around them, gently rubbing their shoulders and backs, a silent, comforting presence. For a few long minutes, they grieved together under the steady, industrial hum of the hangar.