you are truly a disappointment

Heth and ReNew perched silently atop the red barn, cloaked in the form of two ominous black crows. The realm’s twilight skies gave their feathers a sleek, unnatural sheen. Both of their minds were tethered—interlocked with Seth and Charlene's thoughts. Every word spoken, every flicker of emotion, they absorbed in perfect synchronization.

“It looks clear from up here,” ReNew murmured telepathically.

Heth gave a sharp nod. “Too clear. Like a trap waiting to spring.”

Farmland stretched as far as their enchanted eyes could see. Crops swayed softly in the wind. Chickens strutted freely, cows grazed lazily, a rooster crowed proudly from atop a wooden fence. Pigs wallowed in the mud while a pair of horses trotted playfully near a fenced boundary. Off in the distance, a still pond reflected the darkening sky, flanked by ducks and geese floating serenely.

“This place looks like a postcard from Earth,” ReNew said, her voice laced with suspicion. “No Realm architecture. No energy walls. No floating crystal tech. Just… dirt and livestock. Who in the Realm keeps a functioning Earth-style farm?”

Charlene giggled quietly through the mind-link. “I said the same thing. I half expect a scarecrow to wink at me and start square dancing.”

ReNew replied with dry amusement. “I still don’t get what the nose ring on that black steer is for. Is it ornamental? Magical? Or just poor fashion sense?”

But on the ground, things were far less humorous.

Seth stood rigid with impatience, scanning the landscape with darting eyes. “Let’s just get this over with,” he muttered, jaw clenched.

Charlene watched her father in silence, concerned. “Dad… are you okay?”

He didn’t respond. He kept pacing in the dirt, fists tight at his sides. She could feel his fury bubbling beneath the surface.

“We’re just here to meet your parents,” she said softly. “Not storm a battlefield.”

Seth grunted but said nothing.

Up in the loft of the barn, Destiny and Argun remained hidden, nestled in bales of hay. Neither spoke. Their presence was backup, not interference.

In the surrounding field, Idris and Doctor Gilead shimmered in and out of visibility, magically cloaked. Silent sentinels. Ready if things went south.

Charlene looked skyward. The three orbs—Realm’s celestial markers—were now high above. Night was creeping in fast.

“Shouldn’t your mom be here by now?”

Seth’s tone was edged with tension. “I don’t like this. We’re exposed. And we don’t know what kind of artifacts they’ve been hoarding.”

Charlene stepped closer to him, lowering her voice. “Can we… maybe try giving her the benefit of the doubt? Please? Just once? I mean, I’ve never met her. She looked kind to me.”

Seth glanced at her. In her eyes, he saw something that melted the hard edge of his anger—a child’s hope. A daughter’s plea.

“For you, Princess,” he said, forcing a smile. “I’ll try anything.”

He barely finished the sentence before—

Click. Click.

“Hands up!” barked a voice from the shimmer.

Seth raised his hands slowly. “Do what they say, baby girl.”

Charlene obeyed, heart pounding. A figure materialized—tall, gray-haired, hard-eyed.

“You couldn’t respect your mother’s wishes and come alone?” he scoffed. “Tell the two hiding in the loft to leave. And the ones in the field too. Or your daughter gets it.”

Seth’s voice boomed across the farmland. “Idris, Doctor Gilead, Argun, Destiny—return to the war room. You’re no longer needed.”

The figure lowered his weapon. “Satisfied?”

Seth turned stiffly. “Hello, Dad.”

Charlene blinked. That’s Grandpa? This is the worst reunion ever.

She extended a hand with a warm smile. “Hi… I’m Charlene. You must be my grandfather.”

He stared at her hand like it was diseased. Like she’d just wiped it in pig slop.

Charlene looked down, puzzled. “Did I… do something wrong?”

“No,” he said coldly. “But your father did.”

Seth stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”

“What gives you the right to bring your half-breed daughter onto my land?”

Charlene’s body tensed. ReNew growled in her head.

Seth immediately stepped between them, shielding her. “Don’t you dare speak to her like that!”

Charlene wasn’t having it. She leaned around him, eyes blazing. “Excuse me, sir, but that just means I’m twice as interesting. If you bothered to talk to me instead of acting like you stepped in something foul, you might actually like me.”

“You know nothing about her!” Seth growled. “And I won’t let you treat her like you treated me.”

The energy in the air thickened. Both father and son touched their marks. Power crackled around them like a thunderstorm winding up to strike.

Suddenly—CLAP!

A sharp explosion of energy burst between them, sending both men flying. One landed in a hay bale. The other in the pigpen with an undignified splat.

Beth stepped forward from shimmer, eyes blazing, mark glowing on her wrist.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?” she shouted. “Have we not suffered enough loss and division to last eternity?”

She turned to Charlene, instantly softening. Her anger melted into awe. Gently, she cupped Charlene’s face.

“I’m so sorry for what he said,” Beth whispered. Tears welled up as she touched her granddaughter’s cheek. “You didn’t deserve that.”

Charlene swallowed hard, emotions catching up to her.

“Can we start over?” Beth asked softly.

Charlene nodded as the woman wrapped her in a tight embrace.

Beth didn’t even glance at the two bruised, groaning men. She was done with the eternal feud between them. This moment—this girl—was all that mattered.

“What should I call you?” Charlene asked as they walked away.

“Well,” Beth smiled, “on Earth, they say ‘Grandma.’ I like the sound of that.”

“Then that’s what I’ll call you. Grandma.” Charlene grinned to herself. Now I have three grandmas. I’m officially spoiled.

They walked across the open field toward the glowing estate, white and regal, like a southern plantation from Earth. Wide porches wrapped around the house, and wind chimes tinkled gently. It even had a porch swing and wrought-iron balconies. It looked like a dream.

Charlene turned to her new grandmother. “I’ve been all over this realm. I’ve never seen this place.”

“You wouldn’t have.” Beth slipped a glowing stone from around her neck and tucked it in her pocket. “It’s cloaked. Always has been. We’ve lived here a long time…”

She paused.

“…Ever since everything changed.”

Beth opened the door. “Are you hungry, sweetheart? I made some apple fritters and sweet tea.”

“Starving,” Charlene smiled.

The door closed behind them.

Back at the barn, the two black crows let out amused caws.

“See what you’ve done!” Odo shouted, climbing out of the mud. “You couldn’t just stay away, could you?”

Seth groaned, still pulling straw from his hair. “You were a tyrant then. And a fool now. You made my childhood miserable. You nearly ruined my adulthood. The only good thing I ever did was leave!”

“You dare—”

“And if you ever insult my daughter again,” Seth hissed, eyes flashing, “I will end you where you stand.”