Chapter Text
Somewhere in Ithaca
Stands a palace that is a home for the king, queen and princess of Ithaca. Used to shine with luxurious decorations, but now it's covered in red blood.
In the middle of the palace, Junta, a reigning king of Ithaca stands in the middle of the dead bodies of 108 suitors. Maybe Junta did the right thing to kill those suitors, as they planned to kill his daughter and marry his wife.
" Father...??" A female voice echoes in Junta's ears.
He looks at the source of the voice, it was 20 years old Mia, the daughter he had been dying to reunite, looking at him with disbelief. She's trying to confirm herself if it was her father that she always wanted to meet.
" Daughter..??" Junta pulls down the hood of his cloak, revealing his identity to Mia.
Seeing this, Mia felt a bit relieved, recognizing him as the man that held her as a baby in her childhood picture and cherished her.
An awkward silence fills their surroundings. This is the reunion that they wanted, yet they don't know to start reminiscing every memory they have.
" It's really you, father. You're... back. After 20 years, I've finally met you. All my life I have been thinking about you,you know." Mia broke the silence with a soft voice.
Mia took a towel nearby and cleaned up the blood from Junta's body while picking words to start a conversation with Junta.
" All these years, even when I have friends, I felt extremely lonely without a father like you. Mother is too busy holding down those suitors... to give you more time! I want to know what it feels like to have a father. I want to show off my skills to you and want you to be proud of me when I become the warrior of the mind! I wanted to be your daughter!" Mia let out every word her heart stores.
Junta was speechless. He let out tears from eyes. Throughout his journey, he always wondered what his daughter's world had been. Now he knows what his beloved daughter feels during his absence, he smiles knowing that Mia still trusts him instead of calling him a 'monster'.
Junta gently holds Mia's hands. Mia let go of the towel.
" Mia... My beloved daughter, my sweetest joy. Oh how much you're grown now. Ever since you were born, you brought light into your mother's and my life. Every step I took, every lives I killed, I always think about you and your mother. Through my journey of pain and suffering, I was more worried about you and your mother's safety here. Now, nothing can hurt us, thanks to your strength and wisdom. You're not alone now, Mia. You are legendary. I'm so proud of you."
In a blink, past memories strike Junta's mind.
" When you were little, I used to say I will make the storm cloud cry for you. I would even capture the wind and sky for you. Your mother and i were the happiest when you walked your first step. I even asked your uncle Shintarou to make toys for you. You were our treasure, Mia."
Mia feels nothing but joy after hearing those exact words that she wanted to hear from her own father. Now her father is back, her life and family is completed.
Junta embraces Mia, the touch that Mia always yearned for. He spoke the words that Mia wanted to hear.
" My daughter, I'm finally home!"
Mia returned the embrace. She can't stop shedding tears knowing this is the first time she hugged her beloved father.
" Oh father, how I've longed to see you!!"
For Mia, this is a dream come true. She gained a father's love that she craved for so long.
After they hugged each other for a minute, they released each other's grip then Junta holds and gently caressed Mia's face. He forever cherishes his only daughter.
" Go tell your mother I'm home. I'll be there in a moment"
Mia smiles and nods before heading to Carla's room.