Outside, the stars blurred into streaks as the ship shot forwardâheading home.
As the ship touched down on the now-flourishing surface of Planet Satan, the sight before them was vastly different from what it used to be.
Where once the landscape was bleak and scorched, now it bloomed with vibrant gardens, tall structures, and joyful laughter echoing from every street. Peace had finally taken root here.
The twins' noses were pressed against the window, eyes sparkling. "It's so colorful!" the little girl gasped.
"I wanna meet Uncle Zack first!" the boy shouted, practically bouncing in his seat.
Safari laughed as he opened the hatch. "Alright, alright. Let's go knock on his door before you two burst."
The family made their way through the lively streets, residents waving and calling out as they recognized Safari and Angeleva as their fame had spread here thanks to Ian publishing his documentaries.
People bowed respectfully, some even in awe, but all with warm, welcoming smiles. Safari and Angeleva asked the citizens if they knew Zack. They nodded and showed them his house which was located nearby.
The twins waved back enthusiastically, skipping along the path as they finally reached the modest but charming home nestled near the edge of the town.
The boy twin knocked eagerlyâthree loud thumpsâand the door creaked open.
Zack, now 20 years old, stood at the threshold. His once-childish features had matured into a young adult's calm, composed face. He blinked in surprise at the two small figures grinning up at him.
Before he could speak, both twins launched themselves forward, grabbing his legs, trying to climb him like a tree.
"H-Heyâ! What theâ?!" Zack stumbled back, trying to shove them away gently. "Whose chaotic gremlins are these?!"
Just then, Safari and Angeleva stepped into view.
"Zack," Safari called out with a familiar grin. "How've you been?"
Zack's eyes widened as he looked up and truly saw them. "No way... No freaking wayâSafari?! Angeleva?! You're actually here?!"
"It's been 8 years," Angeleva said softly, her smile touched with nostalgia. "We thought it was time to visit."
Zack staggered back in disbelief. "I can't believe it... I thought I was hallucinating!"
Safari chuckled. "We've changed, huh?"
"Wellâyeah! Zack glanced down at the kids, who were still hugging him tightly. "Are theyâ?"
"They're ours," Safari said with pride, arms crossed. "Our twins."
"They're not just random mischievous kids," Angeleva added with a chuckle.
Zack's eyes widened as he looked back at the children more closely. The soft glint of fairy wings, the tiny devil horns... it all hit him at once. "No way... No way! I've missed so much!"
The twins looked up at him. "You're Uncle Zack, right? We've seen you in the photos!"
Zack knelt, a little overwhelmed, as he gently placed his hands on their heads. "You two already act like you know me... even if we've never met. That's wild."
Safari walked forward, placing a hand on Zack's shoulder. "You've changed, Zack."
Zack smirked. "Well, I'm working at the hospital nowâmy healing skills are useful, finally. Still learning a lot... but I'm doing good."
Angeleva smiled warmly. "We're proud of you."
Zack's gaze drifted back to the twins. "A fairy-devil hybrid... I didn't think they'd be this adorable. They really are something else."
Safari and Angeleva exchanged a soft glance, watching their kids laugh and cling to Zack.
And in that quiet, beautiful moment, the family reunion had begun.
Inside Zack's home, laughter and old memories filled the air. Safari leaned back on the couch while Angeleva sat close beside him, both holding warm mugs Zack had offered. The room was cozy, clean, and filled with a quiet warmth that made it feel like a true home.
"You've done really well for yourself," Angeleva said, admiring the place. "Living alone in such a peaceful space... You've grown so much, Zack."
Safari nodded. "I remember when you I first met you as a stowaway inside my spaceship. Now look at you. Full-grown man, has his own house."
Zack scratched the back of his head, a little shy. "Well, y'know... time changes things. And being part of your crew taught me a lot."
Just then, a loud crash echoed through the house. One of the twins had knocked over a flower vase, and the other was already halfway up a shelf, eyeing a glass trinket like it was treasure.
"Ah! My shelf!" Zack jumped up, rushing toward the chaos.
Angeleva chuckled softly and immediately pulled out a few folded bills. "Don't worry, I came prepared. We have plenty of cashâplanet liberation pays surprisingly well."
Zack waved it off, flustered. "No way! I'm not taking cash from you two. You're like my big brother and sisterâI owe you both too much already."
"But you're the one dealing with our little hurricanes right now," Safari teased, watching the twins dangle a curtain rod between them like a swing.
"They sure are a handful," Zack muttered, guiding one down gently while dodging a pillow flung by the other.
Suddenly, both twins grabbed their parents' hands and tugged hard. "We're bored! Let's go see Aunt Jen now!"
Safari and Angeleva exchanged a tired glanceâalready defeated by the kids' sparkling eyes and pouting faces. Safari let out a breath. "Can't say no to that."
Angeleva smiled. "We'll see you soon, Zack."
Zack gave them a wave from the doorway, still laughing. "Tell Jen I said hi! She's at her shopâDaily-Meals. You can't miss it!"
They headed off, strolling through the bustling market area of Planet Satan, hand in hand with the twins, who excitedly pointed out everything they saw. They reached the front of Daily-Meals, a charming eatery with hand-painted signs and delicious scents wafting out from inside. The place was lively, filled with customers and chatter.
A kind assistant greeted them at the counter. "Welcome to Daily-Meals! What would you like to order?"
Safari and Angeleva gave a small orderâjust a few meals, enough for them and the twins.
The assistant wrote it down. "I'll pass it to the kitchen."
The assistant took the order and handed it off to one of the cooks behind the counter. Just then, Jenânow 24 years old and confidently managing the bustling kitchenâglanced over and caught a glimpse of the customers.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked past the counter.
Her breath hitched.
Two small children sat eagerly at the tableâeach one with two distinct devil horns poking out from their hair, and shimmering fairy wings fluttering gently from their backs. Her gaze slowly shifted to the parents sitting beside them.
"...No way," she whispered.
Jen immediately walked over to the cook. "Hold on. Let me take that order."
The cook blinked. "Huh? Leader, you don't have toâthere's already a line. I'll handle it."
Jen smiled, but her tone was firm. "No, really. I insist. These are... familiar people."
With a curious shrug, the cook handed her the order. Jen tied her apron tighter and rolled up her sleeves. As she began to prepare the dishes, her hands moved with a rhythm that only came from years of cookingâbut now, there was a bit more care, more warmth in each motion.
She even crafted a little garnish design for the twins, making their plates extra fun with star-shaped vegetables.
When she finally stepped out from behind the counter, balancing the plates, her eyes gleamed.
"I knew it."
Safari looked up with a smile. "So the leader herself brings the food now, huh?"
Angeleva chuckled. "Must be special customers today."
Jen set the plates down and said warmly, "Your cooking was always special to me. I couldn't let anyone else serve you."
The twins clapped their hands in delight. "Yay, food!"
Safari took a bite and let out a satisfied hum. "Still as amazing as I remember."
Angeleva nodded. "Your touch hasn't changed at all. Still the best."
The twins looked up at Jen and cheerfully greeted her, "Hi Aunt Jen!"
Jen blinked. "So you're really theirs... You have to be. Horns, wings, and that little glint in your eyes..."
Safari smirked. "Yup. Definitely ours."
Jen placed her hands on her hips. "I can't believe it's been eight years... And now I'm seeing you two as parents? It's surreal."
Angeleva leaned forward, smiling fondly. "You've grown too, Jen. You've built all thisâDaily-Meals, a full staff, customers everywhere... You made it happen."
Jen looked back at the twins, who were already halfway through their meals. They were lively, playful, and completely unbothered by the world around them.
She crouched down to speak to them. "So... you know who I am, huh?"
The boy nodded proudly. "You're Aunt Jen! We saw you in photos!"
The girl added, "And we heard stories! Like when you made cookies, pastries and crackers for Uncle Zack to keep him energized during healing!"
Jen burst into laughter. "Wow, you even know that one?"
Safari leaned back. "We made sure they knew who their family is. We told them everything. Showed them every photo. You're already a part of their lives."
Jen's eyes softened as she looked at the two. "They're wonderful... They really are your kids. I can see a bit of both of you in them."
"Reckless and strong like Safari," Angeleva said, chuckling.
"And charming and sweet like me," she added with a wink.
They all shared a heartfelt laugh. The warmth in the atmosphere was like something frozen in timeâeight years hadn't dimmed the bond they shared.