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

that Aris had

a

it was my duty to help you on your way. I've never seen you as a

and Aris looked

how hard it was for human parents to let

fight, and whenever I saw

a bitter smile. "It was difficult. It was hard to see you guys growing up in the wilds while constantly having to fight off other

alive, and we wouldn't see each

Gravis smiled as he put his arms on Aris' shoulders. "But

now realize how much of a burden

say that," Gravis repeated. "You've never been a

not just saying that," Aris said with a more serious voice. "Even now,

he saw

world, I have been saved by sheer luck a couple of times," Aris said. "For Heaven, I count as a beast, and I shouldn't have any Karmic

because I am your son. Even

are probably working really hard to stay important to Heaven so that

and an awkward smile appeared on his

about that," Gravis said awkwardly. "I didn't really work that hard, you

of thousands of years he had spent with Stella, doing absolutely

Working hard?

Eeehhhh.

reassuring smile as 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 understand that. But I don't want

beast arrives for every two humans. Humans don't have worlds where only humans are, but beasts have worlds where only beasts are. If there were no natural worlds, not even one in a hundred Ascenders would

an outcome is uncertain. When

not even being there. In a sense, it hurts my

looked down on you time and time again, forcing you to prove your power to us. You could have just abandoned us for our unthankful

fact that you were willing to help us so much is not something many people

and we would get the gift of life. Our mother abandoned us,

human mindsets. We didn't feel any love for you, and we only saw you as a

but you still never stopped loving us. You helped us time and time again, even though we were neutral towards you,

would have simply cut contact. After all, you also have to