Lightning Is the Only Way

When Gravis heard Aris speak, he felt like he was meeting someone completely new.

Aris had always had inner conflicts. Some parts of human psychology and beast psychology battled in his mind. One side told him that he should get into contact with others more and join a group, while another part of himself told him that he didn't need all that. He only needed power.

Gravis knew of all these inner conflicts, but when he saw Aris again, he felt that the conflicts had been resolved.

The Opposer had told Aris that he should go into a world where the tempering was organization-based, not species-based. In that world, humans and beasts joined the same powers, and they lived in relative harmony with each other. The enemies were not the ones that didn't look like them, but the ones belonging to other powers.

Apparently, living in such a world for such a long time had done a lot to shape Aris' personality.

Well, that and time. After all, Aris had spent nearly 200,000 years in that world.

"Aris," Gravis said with a smile on his face as he came closer. Then, Gravis looked Aris up and down. "Honestly, when I just saw you, I thought that I saw another version of myself. You really resemble me."

Aris smiled slightly.

Pack!

Gravis' eyes widened as Aris pulled him into a hug.

"I missed you, father," Aris said.

Gravis was taken aback as he heard Aris' words.

Without noticing it, Gravis' feelings were going wild.

Gravis had always told himself that his children were beasts and that it was normal for them to not want to spend any time with him. He knew that, and that was why he always gave them their free space.

However, this didn't mean that Gravis didn't wish for a deep connection with his son.

After all, Aris was his son!

Even if they hadn't met for a long time, Aris was still one of the most important beings in his life.

the hug and

that Aris had hugged him of his own

such a

"As your father, it was my

and Aris looked into each

how hard it was for human parents to let go of their children. I also

for a fight, and whenever I saw that, I was reminded of you.

guys growing up in the wilds while constantly having to fight off other beasts. It was hard to see you guys leave for the Tribes to temper yourselves, but the hardest part was watching you guys leave for the higher

high for you to return alive, and we wouldn't see

on Aris' shoulders. "But here you are! You've grown up as a

now realize how much of a burden I must have been back

Gravis repeated. "You've never

just saying that," Aris said with a more serious voice. "Even now, I am riding on

saw that

I count as a beast, and I shouldn't have any Karmic Luck. Yet, if I didn't have

alive is precisely because I am your son.

are probably working really hard to stay

an awkward smile

"I didn't really work that hard,

years

Working hard?

Eeehhhh.

he put his hand on Gravis' shoulder. "You're human, just like half of all beings. You can't work yourself to the bone at all times, and you need your breaks. I

only one beast arrives for every two humans. Humans don't have worlds where only

It is the force that tips the scales when an outcome is uncertain. When two parties have the same power, it's all down to luck, and the party with less luck will

while not even being there. In a sense, it hurts my pride, but I also know that luck shouldn't be a

again, forcing you to prove your

the fact that you were willing to help us so

of an exchange. You would get the chance to reach the Nascent Nourishing Realm, and we would get the gift of life. Our mother abandoned us, and there was nothing to it. I'm partially a beast, and I realize that there is nothing wrong with

love for you, and we only saw you as a more powerful beast of our race. We didn't think about your survival, and

helped us time and time again, even though

contact. After all, you also have to