waring father and son

Seth and Odo continued to argue, oblivious to the silent audience gathering nearby. Destiny sat on a bale of hay just outside the red barn, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp. She'd been there the whole time, watching. High above, two black crows swooped down, landing beside her. They shimmered as they touched the ground, transforming into Heth and ReNew in their humanoid forms.

"How long can they go at this?" ReNew asked, crossing her arms with a smirk.

"I guess until one of them runs out of steam," Heth said, not even flinching as a loud grunt echoed from inside.

"Or until they kill each other," Destiny added dryly. She shook her head. No one moved to stop the brawl—perhaps everyone agreed the two men needed to let this tension burn itself out.

Suddenly, Seth lunged at his father. His fist flew toward Odo’s face, but the older man sidestepped just enough to avoid the brunt of the blow. He retaliated quickly with a punch to Seth’s ribs, knocking the wind out of him. Seth gasped but recovered fast, landing a wild haymaker that sent Odo stumbling backward—right into the pig pen. Again.

But this time, Odo grabbed Seth and yanked him in with him. They crashed into the muck together, thrashing like boys on a playground—if that playground smelled like wet bacon and manure.

At that moment, a portal opened. Argun stepped through holding two massive bags of popcorn. “What’d I miss?” he asked, casually handing out snacks to the others as he took a seat beside Destiny.

Soon, Idris and Dr. Gilead arrived through the portal, intrigued by the spectacle. “No way,” Idris murmured, eyes locked on the scene. “Are they doing wrestling moves now?”

They were.

Odo climbed onto the pigpen railing and launched himself into the air like a flying squirrel. But Seth saw it coming. He twisted, caught Odo midair, and body-slammed him into the muddy slop with a splash so loud even the cows turned to look.

“OHHH!” the crowd groaned in unison.

Odo disappeared beneath the muck.

Seth cautiously stepped closer, peering into the bubbling mire. A single fat bubble rose—then popped. A glowing burst of energy exploded outward. “Pop!”

Seth went flying, landing awkwardly on the railing. Dazed, he staggered back to his feet, his shirt dripping with pig-stink.

The small crowd clapped and cheered like they'd just watched an action scene from a Marvel movie. Then they realized what they were doing—cheering for a family fistfight in a pigpen—and suddenly looked sheepish.

Seth glanced around, his face flushed. “These are my friends?” he muttered to himself. Judging by the popcorn in their laps, they’d been there a while.

"Who are these fates?" Odo grumbled, also catching on to their audience.

Before Seth could answer, Odo’s eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting on the hay—his mother. Destiny still had a piece of straw in her mouth like she’d been waiting for the exact moment to speak.

“Are you quite finished yet?” she asked, her voice as smooth as silk and twice as sharp. Her gaze gleamed with power, and the warning beneath her words was unmistakable.

"As entertaining as this has been," she continued, standing gracefully, "I believe I smell apple pie. Shall we?"

The two men climbed out of the pigpen, dripping in filth. With a flick of Destiny’s wrist, both were instantly cleaned. The crowd backed up respectfully.

“Now that you’ve worked out whatever that was,” Destiny said, “it’s time to talk. I think Charlene and Beth have gotten to know each other quite well while you two were trying to out-wrestle hogs. Let’s go inside for a proper chat, shall we?”

No one dared object.

They made their way toward the house—a massive plantation-style estate with towering white columns that stretched beyond the second floor to frame a stately balcony. The front façade was perfectly symmetrical, a portrait of elegance and ancient pride.

Destiny walked between Seth and Odo, still sensing tension between them. She reached out and rubbed Seth’s hand—a subtle gesture, but one filled with pride. She never looked up at him, but he felt it all the same.

Closer to the house, ornate details emerged—arched windows, dormers, wide porches, and iron widow’s walks that wrapped the rooftop. The house was not just large, it was alive with history and defiance.

Odo paused on the porch, one hand on the door. He turned around, giving everyone a flat stare. “Wipe your feet,” he said, gruffly.

Everyone obeyed immediately, rubbing their shoes on the welcome mat like schoolchildren about to face the principal.

When the door swung open, the smell of cinnamon, apples, and buttery crust filled the air. Charlene and Beth were standing inside, smiling, holding trays of sweet tea with lemon and slices of hot apple pie.

“Come on in and sit a spell,” Beth said cheerily. “I’m so glad to finally meet all my son’s friends.”

Odo scoffed.

Beth elbowed him. “Be nice,” she warned under her breath.

“Destiny, it’s been too long!” Beth embraced her mother-in-law warmly. Destiny accepted the hug, eyes narrowing slightly. Something had changed. She noticed the necklace was no longer around Beth’s neck—and she could feel the difference in her energy.

The moment Destiny stepped inside, her eyes swept the room.

Contraband. Floor to ceiling.

They weren’t hiding it. Trinkets, photographs, Earth relics—items they were forbidden to have since the banishment. It must’ve taken them years to gather it all.

The interior of the home was breathtaking—polished floors, chandeliers, servant quarters, libraries, a ballroom, and a sweeping staircase that curled up to the second floor. It was extravagant and deliberate.

“What a lovely home, Beth,” Destiny said, politely. She wouldn’t mention the contraband. Not yet.

Beth blushed. A compliment from Destiny was as rare as snowfall in fire.

“Thank you so much!”

Seth looked around and finally said what was on everyone’s mind. “Maybe someone forgot this is all contraband,” he said. “We’re not supposed to possess these things. It’s literal proof we were on Earth when we weren’t supposed to be.”

Beth glanced away. Odo stayed silent.

Then Beth turned to her son, her voice soft. “Hello, my son.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears. Seth stepped forward, smiling.

“Hello, Mother.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “Welcome home, my prodigal son.”

Seth clung to her, eyes closing.

“Oh, Mom…”