Creation Of All Things-Chapter 26: Family Reunion 2

"So, you must be Adam. And that means you're Alfred… and you're Aria."

Tatia's sharp eyes swept over the twins as she called their names. Both nodded instinctively, feeling the weight of her gaze.

Gloria, still shaken, took a deep breath before forcing herself to speak. "Mom, why are you here?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

Tatia's gaze snapped to her like a hawk spotting prey.

"You have some nerve asking me that," she said, voice cold. "After you hid my own grandchildren from me all these years?"

Gloria flinched, gripping the edge of the table. "…I was just following my brother's wish." Her voice was quieter now, eyes downcast.

Tatia scoffed. "And how did that work out for you?"

Silence.

"Aria almost died because of that brat Mark," Tatia continued, her voice filled with restrained fury. "Alfred would've followed if not for Aria awakening at the right time. And let's not forget Adam—who had to step in and clean up the mess."

Gloria swallowed hard, guilt tightening her throat.

Adam exhaled and leaned back in his chair, meeting his grandmother's gaze. "That's enough."

Tatia paused.

"We're fine," Adam said, his voice calm but firm. "That's what matters. The past is done. What's important now is the present—and the future."

He smiled slightly, looking at the woman who had stormed into their lives the moment she learned of them. She wasn't here out of duty. She was here because she cared.

Maybe his family hadn't abandoned them after all.

They just never knew.

Tatia sighed, pulling out a chair and taking a seat. She wasn't the president here. Just a grandmother.

"So, what's the occasion?" she asked, serving herself like she owned the place.

"Nothing much," Adam said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just happy to finally have a proper family meal again… It's been a while."

He didn't say it, but the memories flickered in his mind—his parents, the warmth of their voices, the laughter that used to fill the house.

Tatia hummed as she glanced at the twins. "Well, now that you two have awakened, it looks like you've both inherited some serious firepower. X-rank abilities—fire and ice."

Alfred grinned at the mention of his power, while Aria just crossed her arms.

Then Tatia turned to Adam. "And you… I'm not quite sure about yours yet."

"Technopathy," Gloria chimed in, keeping her eyes down, avoiding her mother's gaze.

Tatia looked at her for a moment before shifting her attention back to Adam. "I'm afraid that's not completely true."

Adam tensed slightly, but Tatia just kept watching him. His aura was restrained, but she could feel it—something deeper, something much bigger than technopathy.

"I thought your ability had something to do with raw strength," Alfred added, oblivious.

SMACK.

Aria pinched him hard, making him yelp. "Think before you talk, idiot."

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Adam sighed, shaking his head. He wasn't trying to keep secrets forever, but the supernatural world was complicated, and he was still figuring things out. Aria understood that. The others… not so much.

Tatia, however, caught everything. The hesitation. The glance between him and Aria.

"So, a double awakener, huh?" she mused, her sharp eyes narrowing. "That would explain the outburst during your awakening. But…" She paused, studying him carefully. "Even that's not quite it, is it?"

Adam didn't answer.

Tatia smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Well, keep your secrets for now. I'm not in a rush. After all, I've got all the time in the world with you brats."

Gloria finally lifted her head. "And what about your job as president?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it.

Tatia turned to her slowly.

Gloria immediately dropped her gaze back to her plate.

The rest of the meal passed in a comfortable rhythm—plates clinking, quiet conversations, and the occasional jab between Alfred and Aria. Adam mostly listened, lost in thought. Tatia was here now, and that changed things.

Soon, the table was nearly empty, only a few scraps left. Gloria stood up first, gathering the plates, but Adam beat her to it.

"I got it," he said, stacking the dishes.

Gloria gave him a look but didn't argue. Meanwhile, Alfred stretched with a loud yawn, patting his stomach.

"Man, that was good," he said, slouching in his chair. "I could sleep for days."

"Then get up and help," Aria muttered, smacking the back of his head.

Adam chuckled before glancing at Tatia, who was finishing the last sip of her drink. He exhaled. Now was as good a time as any.

"Grandma," he said, placing a hand on the table. "There's something I need to ask you."

Tatia's brow lifted slightly, but she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Go on."

Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, dark orb. It looked like nothing special—just a pitch-black sphere, completely still.

But Tatia's expression changed the moment she saw it.

"Where did you get that?" Her voice wasn't harsh, but there was an edge to it.

"From some Blackveil guys," Adam said, setting the orb on the table between them. "It's unactivated… but I know what it is."

Tatia studied him for a long moment, then looked back at the orb. "The Devourer's Orb…" she murmured.

The room felt quieter. Even Alfred and Aria were paying attention now.

"What should I do with it?" Adam asked, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.

Tatia didn't answer immediately. Instead, she picked up the orb, rolling it between her fingers. After a moment, she placed it back down and met Adam's gaze.

"Keep it," she said simply.

Adam blinked. "Keep it?"

"It's safer here than anywhere else," Tatia said. "In the wrong hands, it's a disaster waiting to happen. But in yours… I trust it won't be misused."

Adam exhaled, nodding. He wasn't exactly excited to have something like this in his possession, but if Tatia thought it was best, he'd listen.

"It's safe here," she said simply, leaning back in her chair. "If you hand it over to the wrong person, it could cause problems. And knowing Selene Blackveil…" She scoffed. "I'll have a chat with her."

Adam wasn't surprised. He knew Selene. She wasn't the type to go through proper channels to get what she wanted. If she was after the orb, there was a reason.

Tatia smirked. "Don't look so serious, kid. You'll give yourself wrinkles."

Adam sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, yeah…"

Alfred leaned over, staring at the orb with interest. "So… what does it do exactly?"

Tatia just smiled, her eyes glinting with something unreadable.

"Let's just say… it's better that you never find out."