Above Coelestis, the moonlight glowed brighter. Tokino’s uneasiness grew as she walked in the deep woods. She held her right upper arm: one that showed the horrifying truth. Sadly, she still knew not of it.

She stopped to check again. Sure enough, it became glass again at will. The sand seeping from the cracks had withered lavenders below. She gasped, and they returned to color. The petals even glistened with morning dew.

Alas, it only made her pant more in sweat. Her right arm reverted into flesh. She held it tighter. “What’s… happening?” Her eyes lit up. Anxiety peaked to the point a familiar face had her rapier drawn from behind.

Hokori raised his hand in front. “Quick as always, kid. It ain’t gon’ dent my eyes, tho.” Despite repeating bodily facts to his family, he loved it. He even told an excerpt of his controllable durability.

She stored her sword and sighed, eyes closed. “You don’t have to tell me every week.” She led the way out of the forest.

Looking at the moon, he chuckled. “Funny ya said that. The last time I saw you use your freaky powers, it was a waning gibbous.”

She stopped in her tracks once more. Tears welled up, acknowledging the truth of her foresight. Her heart had torn to shreds. She hugged the nearest comfort but to no avail.

He patted her back to end the sobs. “Come on, kid. It ain’t that bad. Now, you know you’re on par with Kakunō.”

On his lower chest, she shook her head. “No… All of it is bad. I know better than anyone.” She let go and dried her eyes. “My Haruto has a curse within him, too. He ravaged just like me long ago.”

He chuckled again. “It ain’t no curse, kid. More like a power awakening. But I got ya, and the boy don’t need knowin’.”

Within such a few words, her heart calmed. “Thank you, brother…” she smiled, lending a fist bump. “Promise?”

He returned the demeanor and complied. “Ya ain’t gon’ tell me every year. And yes, forever till the end.”

9:00 PM had struck, yet the moonlight glowed the brightest. The lavender child’s heart got mended.

They took to walking after riding transit. Near the exclusive mage station, Tokino followed behind this time. Golden memories flooded back. Her brother always stood straight and tall.

She smiled as they went inside a teleportation chamber. It did not fade upon entering their home. However, she did gasp in the dining room. Chaos would do the word no justice.

Despite such havoc, more smiles appeared. Hayato kept flicking financiers with his fork. Curiosity made him wonder how many her sister would catch in her mouth. Yukino did not disappoint as none had missed.

The two children’s Automodachi began a food fight at the table. Yukino’s duo threw nigiri while Hayato’s soloed both with ease. To think it only needed garlic sticks as polearms.

Kakunō’s argument went to the ceiling. Yet, Kenkō smirked over and over. “Why are you mad, country boy?” she asked, struggling. “It’s not my fault you skipped runic courses.”

“I didn’t!” he banged the table. “They restricted it back home to ‘discourage foreign ideals.’” He loudly revealed that samurai needed raw magic to climb hierarchy ladders. At worst, heresy punishments put seppuku to shame.

She snickered, “Hahahahahaha!,” and wiped a tear, sighing. “No worries, country boy. I know well enough. Now, unto apples and oranges.”

Her brother’s veins popped numerous times. He had even shouted some Japanese. Unexpectedly, she joined the self-made heated argument. Then, her veins popped. “Apples are my tree-picking childhood, asshole!” she banged the table.

He grunted, teeth clenched. “So!? It doesn’t make oranges inferior. In fact, they’re the opposite!”

Tokino covered her mouth upon seeing the next food fight commence. She realized that their meal was less than half. It did not take long to hear the kitchen busy at 75db.

Hokori walked past her to the mentioned room. “Hey, boy! Are the wagyu legs ready!”

Haruto laid massive clubs of beef onto a smoking tray. “Just a minute, Bro!” he flambéd his pan. “You can’t rush perfection.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I feel ya. Take care!” He waved behind and returned to his favorite seat.

Tokino slowly walked with a smile. As her husband wiped his forehead, she went for it with a tap. Then, the tables turned. Her foresight did not reach in time.

Haruto lowered his hand and stored his apron. “Took you quite a while coming back. Feeling peckish?”

She giggled. “Not much. I’ll eat later. Still, you handled all this better than I thought.” She looked at the counter’s smörgåsbord.

“Yeah, but I’m still learning.” He neared her right ear. “Speaking of, I prepared a few for us tonight.” His eyes turned to the stairs.

Her face turned red within seconds. “W-W-What!? I-I’m not into that. I’m not sure I’d even like doing—” Her eyes widened. The tables turned again, now on her lips; all according to plan.

He let go, holding her shoulders. “Don’t worry. It’ll stay tame: chocolates and fondue. Just make a safe word.” He waited a little while for the answer. Alas, his wife was still leagues above his teasing. His face reddened next. “Not that safe word!”

She giggled again and wrapped her arms around him. “Why not?” Her eyes drooped, smirking. “I’ll say it even when I’m ninety. You’re my K**ito every day.”

Later on, the family dinner went livelier. All had conversed and laughed like no tomorrow. Even the Automodachi emulated their joy.

Hokori raised his glass. “Cheers to Hayato’s first anniversary! The only ever saint mage. Kampai!” They then cheered in unison.

Below the city lay a place joy could not survive. Bentham Penitentiary had not had a criminal of absurd infamy for fifty years. A former Ted Manson lackey, no less. Half the staff sprinted outside and levitated the bed inside. Strapped on all sides, Fieri smiled.

Two flying cars arrived at a mage-only parking space. Feuer exited, standing tall. Yet his brother had a slight hunch, eyes indifferent. His twin comrades followed him to the sliding entrance.

Hatsune breathed faster as they all walked deeper into the prison. Sweating bullets, she forgot being twelve seconds older. Dainishi wasted no time rubbing her back. “It’s okay. That bastard’s in a cell.”

Thirty seconds later, they arrived at the beast’s glass vault. A guard pressed the combination for them. Hagel felt no anger but always hated seeing one of the twins cry. He threw a backhand slap at the wanted chef’s smile.

“Enough, dear brother,” Feuer held his shoulder. “Pain for the enemy won’t grant those who grieve a wish. Be ever patient.” He told everyone to stand back. With a closer look, it was baffling. Fieri’s eyes spoke nothing of remorse but annoyance. Either way, he had a seat before him.

He held his own hands, eyes stern. “I know you speak without much breath. But perhaps your short mouth can still utter valuable ‘info,’ as they say.”

Fieri continued smiling calmly. He chuckled for a minute—no words. After another tick, he inhaled. “World will change. I’m happy.”

Feuer sighed. “Cooperate, if you please? Life sentence or nay, our majesty’s blessed you with the best accommodations.” He bent forward, looking closer. “Tell me with confidence. For what do you know of the ongoing plague? Is the Icarus Folly more than meets the eye?”

The chef chuckled louder. “World will change. I’m happy.”

The charade went on for fifteen minutes. Feuer carried on, but Hatsune hyperventilated. Hearing the phrase again would be the limit. Faster than light, it occurred. She walked with heavy steps, eyes narrowed. Dainishi failed to do her part in time.

Hagel blocked his comrade with his right. “Such meaningless tripe, brother,” he turned. “Mayhaps we consider my theory of vaster darkness looming in our streets. I still believe it was that—”

“Shut your mouth!” exclaimed Feuer, looking back. “Your notion is without morals and sane judgment. I now wish to hear nothing of it.”

The session went on for two hours. Even the guards felt exhausted standing. Now midnight, more time had passed. Near the Witching Hour, the Kizoku twins decided to buy them dinner. Hagel crossed his arms, barely tolerating the repeated phrase.

Feuer tried all his might not to lose a nerve. He clenched his fists lightly. “Tenacious, you always were. But this is a new summit, or low in my case.” He stood and stretched. “Fret not. Tomorrow awaits us all.”

He nodded at his brother to exit the prison. The same guard opened the sliding glass. However, they heard a chuckle once more. It had now sounded like hissing. They turned and saw a toothy grin.

Fieri lowered his head and looked above faster. “Hahahahahahahaha!!” Several of his bed straps broke off. Guards rushed to the scene. The brothers followed suit.

Shockingly, the chef had no intention of escaping. He still grinned and inhaled deeply again. “Tomorrow? Like the play or the movie? What’s your pick?” He began singing until he hit 88db.

Feuer grunted, not recognizing the tune. “Enough of this nonsense! Speak, not speak. Know the consequences, you bastard cuntfuck!” His brother backed away in sweat. The modern tongue never suited him.

Frieri stopped right before the chorus. He started for three seconds. “The sun will come out. That’s all.” Out of nowhere, he burst into a yellow inferno. Indiscernible pieces fired everywhere. Several guards rolled on the floor only to cross the other side.

It was a sight to behold, especially in an anti-magic prison. Confused further, the brothers heard speakers of the same song. It boomed louder by the second. Every inmate covered their ears only for red to drip out.

Dawn had broken. Outside, the Kizoku twins brought paper bags. For a change, they tried a restaurant that sold earthly fast food. It was not 100% accurate, but they had the logos right.

Dainishi could not wait any longer. Drooling lightly, she opened a red box. Hatsune shook her head and tsked. “I can’t believe you like kid stuff, dude.”

“Shut up,” she pouted. “It says ‘Happy’ unlike any other joint. So, I am.” She bit a mouthful of cheeseburger.

Minutes in, they returned to Bentham Penitentiary. Numerous brigade mages stormed inside. The twins wondered for a while—only for the answer sitting before them. They dropped their bags and ran for the brothers’ aid.

Feuer and Hagel had their drums turn into mush. Mages instructed them to tilt their heads sideways for cloth. Luckily, they had enough runic skills to give them new ones. The younger brother tapped both ears.

Hatsune panted and clutched her chest. “By the Gods… Are you alright?” Her sister checked for other ailments.

Feuer nodded and walked past them. Driving slowly in the central park sounded nice after the fiasco. Hagel stayed sitting for his now-wet burger. He carefully brushed off the melted sundae; at least the fries survived.

The twins bowed in unison. “Forgive my recklessness, sir. I promise it won’t happen again. Hey, stop copying me!” They looked at each other.

He finished the last fry and drank the cola, lid open. “Wait in our vehicle. I shall follow later.”

They bowed again and complained about who would drive this time. Hagel drank more—until his ear caught a thud above the building. Looking around, he saw nothing but scarlet pigeons. It sounded bigger.

He lost interest in the sound and recalled a few things. Back in the cell, the late chef looked at him in his final words. He had a hunch on what the “sun coming out” meant. He pulled out a syringe and eyed it closely.

“Only for the right time.” He observed its glowing orange liquid. Hearing the horn, he stood up.