The weight of Dune’s words still hung in the air long after he declared Yuki as his daughter.
His voice, usually stern and commanding, had wavered with rare vulnerability.
The Sand tribe now saw their leader not just as a figure of power — but as a father who had silently suffered under the same rules they blindly obeyed.
“I followed the tribe’s traditions,” Dune admitted, his voice raw. “I watched my daughter be cast aside — labeled undesirable — because I thought it was the only way to be a good leader.” His gaze swept over his people. “But I failed… as a father.”
The crowd remained silent, but there was a shift in their expressions — a flicker of sympathy. They had feared Yuki’s power earlier, but seeing their leader — once seen as unshakable — now baring his regrets, forced them to reconsider everything.
Finally, Dune took a shaky breath, turning to Kairo. “I want to see my grandchildren.”
Kairo nodded. “I’ll take you to them.”
Queen Veyra, still recovering but standing strong, stepped forward. “I’ll lead the way back to the Aqua territory.”
Before they could move, Arson spoke up. “Hey, Kairo big bro… can we come too? I kinda want to see what you and Yuki big sis created.”
Sylvia smiled softly. “We’d love to meet the little ones.”
Glacius and Peggy, despite their injuries, both nodded eagerly.
Kairo smirked. “Sure. Just don’t scare them.”
Even some members of the Sand tribe, still grappling with the revelation of Yuki’s power and lineage, stepped forward hesitantly. One of them finally spoke. “Would it be… alright if we came too? We… we’d like to see them.”
Yuki, now standing on her own but still leaning slightly into Kairo, exchanged a glance with him before nodding. “Yes… you can.”
With Veyra leading the way, the group — a strange combination of Sand, Aqua, and other elemental warriors — journeyed back to the Aqua territory.
The familiar sight of Veyra’s palace emerged from the horizon, its elegant water-sculpted architecture shimmering under the sun. Kairo felt a slight weight in his chest, wondering if the twins had sensed his and Yuki’s absence.
Once inside the castle, Kairo led the group down the corridor until they reached the room where the twins were kept.
As soon as the doors opened, the soft sound of crying pierced the air.
Two tiny figures, wrapped in aqua and sand-colored blankets, squirmed in a crib — their cries growing louder as their parents entered.
The maids, clearly exhausted, immediately bowed. “Lord Kairo, Lady Yuki… they’ve been crying non-stop since you left.”
Yuki didn’t hesitate. She crossed the room swiftly, her motherly instincts taking over, and gently scooped both babies into her arms. “Shh… it’s okay… we’re here now,” she whispered, rocking them softly.
Kairo stepped beside her, brushing his hand over their small heads with a soft smile. “We’re back.”
The twins, still sniffling, slowly quieted at the sound of their parents’ voices — though the girl clutched Yuki’s finger tightly, while the boy blinked up at Kairo, his small hand trying to grasp a strand of his hair.
The room was silent for a moment, everyone simply watching the family reunite.
Then, Dune stepped forward, his usually imposing figure now oddly gentle. He knelt slightly, peering down at the babies. “So… these are my grandchildren.”
The girl gave a small hiccup, still clutching Yuki’s finger, while the boy finally caught Kairo’s hair and tugged.
Dune’s lips twitched — not into his usual scowl — but into a rare, soft smile. “I’m your gramps,” he said, his deep voice surprisingly tender. “And you two… you’re going to be strong. Stronger than me.”
The babies simply blinked at him, and for the first time, the Sand tribe leader didn’t look like a warrior — he looked like a grandfather.
Veyra, standing next to him, chuckled softly. “And I’m your aunt,” she said warmly. “You can visit me here anytime you want.” She leaned in a bit closer, her heart clearly softening at the sight of her brother’s children. “You’re both part of the Aqua and Sand tribes… a rare, powerful mix.”
Arson, unable to hold back any longer, grinned and stepped forward. “Man… they’re tiny,” he said, hands on his hips. “But they’ve got this fierce look — definitely got Kairo’s fire.”
Sylvia smiled, gently brushing a vine across the girl’s hand, who instinctively grabbed it. “She’s strong.”
Glacius tilted his head. “And the boy’s quiet… but there’s something about him. Like he’s watching everything.”
Peggy giggled. “They’re cute, Kairo big bro! Looks like they’ve got a bit of both you and Yuki big sis.”
Kairo smirked. “Let’s hope they didn’t inherit my stubbornness.”
Yuki chuckled softly. “Or mine.”
The Sand tribe members who had followed kept a respectful distance at first, but one finally gathered the courage to speak. “May we… may we touch them?”
Another added, “Or hold them… if it’s alright?”
Kairo glanced at Yuki. This was a tribe that once saw her as unwanted — and now, they were asking permission to interact with the children they had once deemed impossible.
Yuki, still gently rocking the twins, nodded softly. “Yes… but be gentle.”
One by one, the Sand tribe members approached, carefully reaching out to stroke the babies’ tiny hands or lightly touch their cheeks.
The girl grasped at one of the Sand tribe member’s fingers, making the warrior freeze for a moment before a quiet laugh escaped his lips. “She’s got a strong grip.”
Another watched the boy quietly blinking at everyone, whispering, “He’s so calm…”
Dune watched all of this unfold — his tribe, the same people who once cast his daughter aside, now treating her children with a gentle awe.
For the first time in what felt like years, he allowed himself a moment of hope.
Kairo, still standing close to Yuki, whispered so only she could hear, “Looks like they’re starting to accept you… and them.”
Yuki’s eyes softened, a tear slipping down her cheek — but this time, it wasn’t from pain.
It was from something else entirely.
Peace.