The carrier broke through the clouds, its engines humming steadily as it angled toward the expansive landing strip of Dominion Sanctum.

Below, lights twinkled across the island like stars adorning a crown against the dark sea.

Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Archaeologists pressed their faces against the windows, as they looked at the sight before them.

Soldiers straightened in their seats, eyes flickering with excitement as home drew near.

At the back of the cabin, Arthur sat quietly by the rear hatch, hands resting on his knees.

His expression was unreadable as he gazed out at the afternoon sky.

With a heavy thud, the carrier touched down, metal grinding against the runway before coming to a halt.

"Hisssssss...!".

With a hiss that echoed throughout the air,the the doors slid open and cold wind rushed inside.

Arthur was first to stand up; his boots hit the ground with a solid thump.

Rasing his head and looking ahead, then he saw them.

Waiting in neat lines at the edge of the runway, illuminated by the Sanctum's glow, stood his family.

Liz was first to break free from her spot.

"Big bother!"

Her voice cracked as she sprinted forward, twin blonde braids flying behind her like banners of joy.

She flung herself into his arms without hesitation.

He caught her easily and lifted her off her feet as she clung to him like a child.

Arthur smiled faintly and ruffled her hair. "Wow...Liz You've grown much heavier! Are you eating properly?"

She didn't respond but buried her face against his chest instead.

Ashley's voice cut through moments later, sharp and demanding.

"Welll...well...well! Looks who is back huh. Half a month! Do you even realize what kind of panic you caused? I nearly filed a missing person's report for an entire continent!"

She stomped her foot and walked closer, hands on her hips and glaring up at him as if ready to lecture him all day long.

Margaret brushed past Ashley and pushed her aside without acknowledging her noise at all.

She seized Arthur's shoulders and turned him left and right, scanning every inch of him with quick hands full of concern.

"Look at you… skin pale, eyes tired! Did you eat? Did you sleep? You could collapse any moment..."

Arthur chuckled softly and sais "I'm fine, Aunt Margaret."

"You don't look fine to me." She pinched his sleeve hard enough to leave a mark.

Emily approached more slowly; her smile was soft but her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

She touched his arm gently,unlike Margaret's fussing, and whispered warmly, "Welcome home."

Last came Julian, Nathaniel, and Richard, their footsteps calm yet purposeful; their posture upright but relaxed.

They didn't rush or scold him; instead their eyes revealed everything: relief tightly masked beneath layers of composure.

"You took your time," Julian remarked dryly, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Next time, give us a heads-up before you vanish," Nathaniel chimed in, his brow furrowed in concern.

Richard exhaled deeply, as if he had been holding his breath for weeks. "At least you came back in one piece."

Arthur inclined his head slightly, acknowledging more than just their words; he felt the weight of their concern.

Billy stepped forward, tension radiating from him like heat waves.

Kaia lingered just behind him, her quiet presence a steady anchor. Billy's jaw was tight, and his eyes sparkled with unasked questions, questions that hung heavy in the air.

Arthur let out a short laugh,unexpected even to himself. "I didn't think you all would worry so much! Maybe I should disappear more often; I could get used to this warm welcome!"

Ashley gasped dramatically. "Don't you dare!" she snapped instantly. "If you pull another stunt like this, I'll...."

"Complain for another half month?" George interjected with a smirk from behind her.

Ashley spun around, fists clenched and ready for battle. "Say that again, George! I dare you!"

Laughter erupted among the cousins,Bella covering her mouth to stifle giggles, Eva shaking her head, Olivia muttering something about Ashley never changing.

Even Edward cracked the faintest smile.

For a brief moment, laughter spilled across the runway like sunlight breaking through clouds.

Ethan and the commanders stood behind Arthur, exchanging glances filled with unspoken grief that still lingered like shadows.

But seeing the Osborns so vibrant and alive brought weak but genuine smiles to their faces.

Then came the onslaught of questions:

"Where were you?"

"What happened?"

"Why did it take half a month?!"

Arthur raised his hand calmly; his voice was playful. "Didn't i tell,i went for an adventure … into the unknown."

"Oh! You mean going to search for the lost treasury of the Azurian Empire! Ashley tolled her eyes.

Arthur nodded with a smile.

"So did you find it?" Ashley eyes lit up as she looked around.

Arthur kept smiling as he gestured toward the carrier where soldiers began unloading crates, heavy and reinforced stacks towering high above them.

The family's attention immediately shifted sharply.

With a sharp metallic crack, the first crate opened wide.

Light glinted off its contents as gold spilled into view: bars stacked neatly alongside coins rolling loose across the ground.

Gasps filled the air like fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Bella froze mid-step; her eyes wide with disbelief. "Are those..."

"Gold bars," Eva breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the moment.

Ashley couldn't contain her excitement.

She shot forward with incredible speed even Arthur was surprised by such speed.

She dropped to her knees and scooped up a handful of shimmering coins. "Jewels! Gems! Arthur, you've brought us the greatest treasure trove in history!"

Margaret rolled her eyes and swatted Ashley's shoulder. "Put those down before you embarrass yourself."

But Ashley was lost in her own world, spinning around with the coins flashing like stars in her hands.

"Eva, Bella...we're going to create necklaces that will make everyone drool! Earrings, bracelets...oh, just imagine the auctions we'll hold!"

"Calm down," Edward interjected, though his gaze remained fixed on the gold bars.

"This isn't just wealth; these are relics. Thousands of years old. Do you know their significance?"

Oscar chuckled, giving Edward a friendly pat on the back. "You say significance; I say power. This could fund an empire of industries!"

William crossed his arms with a smirk. "And ignite envy among every rival we have."

Julian leaned closer, running his fingers over a golden bar with reverence in his voice.

"The Azurian Empire… it truly existed at this scale."

Nathaniel's expression sharpened as he surveyed the scene. "Once word gets out about this haul, people will come for it...no one will leave us alone."

Richard nodded thoughtfully. "Then let's ensure that word doesn't spread too far."

In the midst of all this commotion stood Arthur, silent yet observant, his eyes darting from one excited face to another.

The voices of his family intertwined—excitement mingling with ambition and worry alongside awe.

He glanced at Liz still clutching a coin like it was candy; at Ashley already bickering with Edward; at Margaret fussing over whether the jewels were clean; and finally at Julian, Nathaniel, and Richard who watched him silently.

A quiet thought surfaced in his heart:

This is my family. My dynasty. This… is why I endure.

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