Charles knelt down beside her. “I can give it to you now if you want, but it isn’t wrapped. I couldn’t find anything to wrap it with in the town inventory. Besides, don’t you want to open it at the same time as Silvi?”

She nodded. “Thanks, Charles.” Her small arms suddenly swung around his neck as she hugged him.

“Of course, sweetie. I keep telling you. We’re a family, an odd one, sure, but that’s what we are.”

“Family,” She whispered against his cheek. “Yeah, we’re family.”

The door to the bathroom opened, and a wave of steam billowed out along with Silvi. She had her long silver hair and tail wrapped in towels, keeping their dampness from her clothes.

“The eggs are ready, everyone. I think we can manage to survive on just that until a little later and we see whatever they have going on down there in town.” Kira announced, bringing a plate heaped high with a perfectly browned, vegetable-laden omelet over. She knew how much Charles disliked runny eggs and had made sure the omelet was properly cooked.

Myriam hesitated at the sight of all the healthy veggies, but eventually gave in and started eating with the rest of them.

A little bit later, everyone who wanted to go down to Dungeonville to celebrate Christmas had gathered in the main area outside the shops.

His parents and grandparents stood beside him as he used the ‘Zero Door’ to create an opening for them to go down. The duration he could keep it open was still somewhat limited, so everyone knew they needed to rush.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll start working on creating some runes to create a permanent portal system people can use. It would be easier if you could just transfer the spell over to me though.” Charlotte said from the side as they watched everyone hurry through.

“Sorry Char, but he can’t. Not until he gets better control of his power and abilities. That is part of what was sealed off. Transferring information like that requires some skill, otherwise you can easily overload a person’s brain and kill them. From what I gathered during our little integration into the system last night, it was something the gods did poorly. I imagine it is one of the many reasons so many died that first night.” Her mother said.

“I’ll make sure to mention it to Gaia the next time I see her,” Charles muttered, straining to keep the spell going. He waved everyone off and shut it down.

“I think I should like to meet this Grand World Spirit of yours.” His grandmother decided. “It sounds like she has a lot that she needs to be taught.”

Charles took a deep breath and opened the next doorway down to the town. “Go for it. I’m sure she would love to talk to someone who was more open to teaching her than Dantanian.”

***

The party was already in full swing by the time everyone made it down into the town. And just like he knew would happen, James appeared at his side a few minutes later.

“For some reason, I doubt you’re here to celebrate Christmas with everyone.” Charles quipped to the lich.

“No, you’re right, I’m not. Gaia wants you to take those kids home already. You disappearing like that really threw her for a loop, though she realizes you didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Tell you what,” Charles clapped him on a bony shoulder. “You might not be interested in spending this holiday with family, but I am. Why don’t you bring the kids down and let them enjoy it with us?

“When the celebrations are over, I’ll bring them up to the space station with us. Then I’ll send them home tomorrow. I couldn’t do it today in any case. Is she okay with Charlotte and me now?”

The necromancer nodded. “Yes, whatever the two of you did seems to have worked. She says she can still feel your power, same with your mother and the other two, but it no longer interferes with the system. As long as the kids are gone, then she can handle upgrading everything without too much of an issue. However, she is nearly at her limits, containing special existences the likes of Kira, Alli, Scott, and the rest. This can’t be delayed anymore.”

“Alright, like I said, I’ll do it tomorrow. Just bring them down, and then spend some time with Scott. I know he would enjoy it. Oh, right before I forget, my grandmother wants to meet Gaia. She seems to think that there are some things she needs to know but doesn’t.”

“I’ll tell her.” A white hand made of bone waved goodbye as he hurried off.

Charles hurried off to the system building to find some wrapping paper and tape for the presents before joining everyone. This was a day of celebration. It was meant to be spent with family, and that is exactly what he intended to do.

When he came back, he saw the three kids and the bears standing off to the side uncertainly, unsure of what to do. He waved them over and quickly explained what was going on.

That was all it took. Zara set off for the food, her three bears surrounding her protectively.

“Does she ever get enough to eat?” Charles wondered with a wry grin.

“Oh, yeah, she gets full. But growing up, we never knew when we would have our next decent meal, so if she sees food now, she gorges herself. I’m still waiting for her to gain some more weight before I tell her to stop.” Zack smiled after his sister fondly.

Tessa had a small smile of her own as she watched the younger girl. The last week they had spent inside the tower had solidified their friendship. Whereas before, it had mostly been one of convenience and still growing in many ways. Now, it was a true one.

He eyed the bracelets the they were each wearing, curious as to what Gaia had given them, but not enough to ask. The secret was theirs to keep, if they even knew themselves.

He left them to mingle with the crowd while he went off to find his family.

Strangely, he found them all near the opening of the town with James.

“Oh good, there you are.” His mother said. “We were wondering where you had run off to.”

“And you thought I had left the town?”

“No, your mom and dad just wanted to see these monsters they keep hearing so much about. I guess your grandparents are just along for the ride.” Kira shrugged and pointed to Myri, who was sitting on top of Alli. “And these two refused to leave our sides and stay at the party by themselves.”

He cracked his neck and sighed. “Fine, Alli, if you would please change forms for a minute. If we are going to do this, then I think it would be best if I gave you your presents first.”

He pulled out the three presents he had prepared and just recently wrapped for them. “I hope you all like them, and I’ll explain more in a minute.”

Myri ripped into hers first, revealing the much too large bracelet. Silvi followed more delicately a moment later.

Myriam traced the figures on her bracelet, a sniffle escaping as she ignored her leaking nose. “How did you know what they looked like?” She asked in a soft voice before breaking into tears. “Momma, poppa, I thought I’d never see them again.”

Silvi and Kira looked at the bracelets and while they didn’t have the same visceral reaction, they both appreciated what the different designs meant.

“Now slip them on, ignore their size for the moment.” The three were amazed as the bracelets shrank to the proper size. “Now, touch them to each other’s.”

Charles took a moment to explain what the bracelets did and then looked at the rest of the group. “I’ll be able to make more later, but doing these four this morning really took it out of me.”

Cassy shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Laying done an enchantment without even properly knowing what you’re doing, and with any extra benefits from your true race sealed.

“Making these was pretty much all-natural talent and your own hard work so far. It was based on what you have managed to understand concerning the secrets of spatial magic and its concepts. That wouldn’t be easy for someone raised as a human to understand.”

Conor nodded in ready agreement. “You have given birth to some fine children, Cassy. I can’t wait to see what they can learn under some proper tutelage.”

Charlotte peered at their mother. “Mom, do you know the ‘Zero Door’ spell? If you do, now that we’re back, you could erase your seal enough to teach it to me. Right?”

“I do know it,” She admitted. “It’s one of the first spells any High God is taught as a child.” She glanced at her husband with pleading eyes.

“I think what your mother is trying and failing to say is. While she can simply teach you the spell and let you figure out the runes yourself. She would rather work with you on creating a new language of runes unique to the two of you together. Or something like that.” Steve translated for his helpless wife. He knew she wanted to spend more time with their now grown kids, but hadn’t been sure how.

“Oh, is that true, mom?”

Cassy nodded and smiled at her. “I think it would be interesting to come up with our own language of empowered runes. I’ll even be able to explain to you the method by which they work, which will make it easier.”

“I… Yeah, alright, that sounds like fun. Let’s do it.” Charlotte agreed hesitantly, slowly getting on board with the idea.

“Now, are we ready to see these monsters you all were talking about earlier? I want to see what the local gods managed to come up with. Maybe when I have my conversation with Gaia later, I can steer her towards creating some new terrifying beasts.” Clara clapped her hands excitedly.

“Ugh, come on mom, that is not what we are going for here. We are not trying to eliminate the humans from Earth, by introducing some being from the depths of chaos itself.” Cassy glared at her parents as they walked down the road and away from the town.

“Calm down dear, I doubt she was going to invite one of those things down,” Conor peeked at his wife. “Right sweety?”

“Um, sure. I totally wasn’t going to invite Chuthu or one of the others. Nope.”

The adults each groaned and continued on.

“Mom,” Charles muttered. “Maybe it would be best if you were there whenever she spoke with Gaia just to ensure nothing too dangerous slips out.”

“That would probably be a good idea.”