Chapter Text
Choi Han leaves for the Super Rock Villa after spending the day at the graves.
He traverses through the newer parts of the forest that have grown in the past three or so decades, the trees having grown after the mana keeping it clear washed away.
Because years upon years have passed, and after a while even the strongest of magic can fade away, especially without people here to recast it.
Even Cale's garden, once neat and tidy with rows of cabbages, chili, berries, corn- disappeared one by one, either from the lack of care or simply mutating as the Forest darkness started to consume the areas that were once claimed from it.
Choi Han had no fortitude for mana, that was sure. And back when Raon was still alive- especially in the years before his death, he couldn't bring himself to face the territory more than he already had to, in the Castle of Light. Unable to confront himself with the evidence of just how much time has passed since Cale's passing- since everyone's passing.
It is strange how the worst parts of yourself seem to be inherited from the children you raise, even if they aren't your own blood.
But even if their home was mostly gone now, Harris Village- or what's left of it, managed to thrive.
It had developed into it's own, quaint city, with stories of Cale-nim being passed down from word of mouth and writings etched into the walls. He had gone down there once or twice, gently correcting the mistakes people occasionally made, or sliding in new paitings to be "discovered" by the people the next day.
They expended, places that used to be a vast playground for the kids now held bustling streets and vendors lining the sides, with humans and beastmen treating each other with little to no difference from each other.
Choi Han knows Cale would be happy with this outcome, that even if his parts of his home were now gone and buried under layers of greenery- people were no longer suffering as they were. So Choi Han, weary and tired and yet still all the same in the face of time, makes no move to change it.
With the Super Rock Villa being right in the middle of the town, preserved still from all the illusions and barriers that would break upon Choi Han's death- he has to cross through half the town to reach his home- just as magnificent and grand as it was seven-hundred years ago, but always so empty and hollow compared to what it used to be.
He walks through the expanse of Harris Town- (or "New Town", as the residents like to call it.) quiet and unnoticeable as he ducks and weaves through the crowd, his feet not stopping as the crowds thin and disperse as Choi Han comes face to face with a giant boulder.
In front of it was a Plaque made of dark black marble with painted white words describing the "monument".
Choi Han resists the urge to sigh.
A "wondrous sight ", the people called it. A "fascinating display of nature", they say. To other people, the wards and illusions set up to keep the Super Rock Villa safe for people was nothing but a large hill-an escarpment that existed in the middle of their town with moss and vines hanging down the curve of rocks.
People looked at the beauty of illusion and swore to protect it, protested for it. For the animals that flew into the magic fueled trees and false leaves.
It made Choi Han grimace, with him being glad the people were willing to protest and protect his home, but also a little guilty people were doing it under the assumption they were simply protecting the environment and the animals that live within it- because they werent.
He sighs, slipping past the guards and through the illusion- the world swirling and reforming around him to reveal the Super Rock Villa.
Choi Han removes his hood, the need to hide his face gone within the refuge of his home.
The sun gleams above him, bathing the villa with bright afternoon light, gentle breezes rustling the tree leaves and various wind chimes people had set up through the years.
"…I'm back, everyone." He says,
As usual, he gets no response.
That's fine, it's not their fault he was destined to live absurdly long.
He smiles, closing his eyes and walking towards the entrance, another gentle breeze tickling his ear.
In his mind, he could see it- their faces blurred from memory, sure. But still them, still his family- still his loved ones.
Lock and his siblings playing tag on the patches of grass, giggling and tumbling around the sunlit areas as excited yelps and occasional yips would fill the area- he could see Cale lounging on the front porch, swaying back and forth on his rocking chair. The kittens would lounge on his lap with Raon, Ron by his side with another glass of sweet tea and the occasional lemonade to keep Cale on his toes.
With his eyes still closed, he opens the doors. The sound echoing loudly within the house.
Choi Han squeezes his eyes tighter. It doesn't feel safe to open his eyes yet.
He can hear Rosalyn greet him as he enters the main hall, dragging a small cart full of trinkets, metal parts, and mana crystals behind her.
She would notice him coming, smile and say hello, then ask him to help her test her inventions-
"Sorry, Rosa, I'm on watch duty tonight." He says, his voice awkward.
"..."
She would look at him strangely for his tone of voice, but trust him enough to nod and accept his rejection with grace. She would tell him to have fun before waving goodbye and going about her own day- leaving Choi Han to his own devices.
He was always on watch duty nowadays, with no one else around.
Choi Han moves towards his bedroom, the one right across Cale's own- on the third floor of the mansion.
He sees Hannah on the second floor, asking him for a spar. He turns her down once again, and Hannah rolls her eyes semi-fondly. She'd nod and tell him to call her when he's free for training.
Choi Han should have accepted her spars more.
It still doesn't feel safe to open his eyes, so he keeps them shut.
He sees Jack on the stairs to the third floor, his pope clothes white and pristine- neat in ways that suited his holy job. Jack asks him how he's been, Choi Han was smile and tell him-
"I'm doing fine, and you? I met Hannah on the way here."
"…"
Jack would beam at his answer, and then even more at his his question. He'd tell him about how both he and Hannah were getting better at regulating their emotions and mood swings- tell him that their attachments and relationships with each other and everyone else was getting better too. Jack would look at him with solemn eyes and tell him that he too could join them, could help him if he wanted.
Choi Han would refuse, tell Jack he already knew why he couldn't go.
He didn't want to not to have his world not revolve around Cale. Not when the redhead man was the person who kept him alive for so long, not when Cale was the person who showed him what if meant not to survive, but to live again.
Sure it was unhealthy, having someone and their attitude towards you be the indicator of your mood for the rest of the week. But it was just how he worked, the thought of no longer being as attached to Cale as he was- it made him want to tear his limbs off.
Jack nods, leaving Choi Han with a sombre air around himself.
On the third floor, he runs into Hans.
"…"
Hans would greet him enthusiastically, and Choi Han would grimace and ask him to drop the title. Hans would agree then ask him if he's seen the cat children, and Choi Han would respond with a smile on his face.
"The children are out on the entrance, under the Porch with Cale-nim."
"…"
Hans would nod absurdly fast and thank him with a beaming smile as he beelines to down the halls- leaving him without giving Choi Han a chance to say goodbye.
Choi Han hopes that Hans didn't hate him in the God of Death's realm, for giving away his cats after his death. Choi Han just couldn't take care of them- not with the care they deserved at least.
Silently, he arrives in front of his room.
Here, he would meet Cale-nim, about to go out and check on the children, who were-
Ah.
No, Cale wasn't with him this time. Cale was down on the porch, dozing off as he watched the kids play around.
Cale couldn't be at two places at once, get a grip, Choi Han.
It doesn't feel safe to open his eyes.
He does it anyway.
Slowly, Choi Han blinks to accommodate the light suddenly beaming through the windows, his world simply too dark moments prior to adjust immediately.
To his left, was his room. To his right, was Cale-nim's room.
He turns left.
It wasn't his place to intrude on Cale's room, no matter how much he missed him.