(Grandpa's POV)

Darkness.

All around me, nothing but an endless sea of darkness. Usually, when the shadows came, it meant my spirit had returned to the waking world. But this time… I didn't awaken.

Instead, visions flickered before my closed eyes — faint, distant, like memories that didn't belong to me.

And then… she appeared.

A woman, radiant and still, floating amidst the void. Her hair shimmered like moonlight upon quiet waters, her skin glowing softly as though the stars themselves bent their light to honor her. She wasn't human — no, she was something greater. A being untouched by time, untouched by death.

Before I even realized it, I knelt, lowering my head in reverence. My heart trembled in her presence. Her aura didn't belong to this world. It was as if she held the strings of fate in her delicate hands — the same strings that governed every life, every destiny, every soul that ever breathed.

"It is an honor," I said, my voice shaking as I bowed deeper. "To stand before one such as you is a blessing this old body does not deserve."

Her lips curved into a gentle smile, her voice calm — soft, yet heavy with grace.

"I am pleased by your humility, child of Seraphina."

My eyes widened at that name. It had been centuries since anyone uttered it—our ancestral matriarch, a legend whispered through our bloodline.

"This Old dragon is overjoyed that the Great One remembers our ancestors," I said, still kneeling, my forehead nearly touching the unseen ground.

But she only shook her head, her glow dimming slightly, becoming warmer — almost human.

"No… you should not bow so low. You still carry Seraphina's blood within you. That alone commands respect."

I hesitated, then slowly lifted my gaze to meet her eyes. "Your kindness humbles me, Great One."

Her smile faded, her tone shifting—still calm, but laced with something heavier, ancient.

"Tell me, descendant," she said. "Why have you touched my eternal bond? Why have you tried to peer into what is not yours to see?"

The weight of her voice pressed against my chest. I bowed again, not out of fear, but out of respect.

"I meant no harm," I said truthfully. "While examining a spiritual contract, I stumbled upon something strange… something that defied all laws I know. A bond between a mortal and a being beyond this realm—bound together not by choice, but by fate itself."

For a long time, she was silent. The stars behind her flickered faintly, as if listening.

Then, finally, she spoke — her voice quiet, curious, almost wistful.

"Which bond do you speak of, child?"

I drew a slow breath, the name heavy upon my tongue.

"The one that was recently formed," I said. "Between a human… and an ancient demon."

She paused—just for a heartbeat—her radiance flickering like a candle in the wind. When she finally spoke, her voice had softened, but each word still carried the weight of the heavens.

"You need not concern yourself with such things," she said. "The prophecy will unfold as it must. No one can undo what has already been written."

Her words struck me like thunder beneath calm skies.

"Prophecy?" I echoed, disbelief tightening my chest. "Which prophecy do you speak of, O Great One? There are many, but none ever spoke of a bond between a human and a demon."

Her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile—a smile that held both sorrow and truth. It was the kind of smile only those who had seen centuries could bear.

"History may have erased that prophecy," she whispered, "but the laws of fate never forget. It was written long ago… and you, too, have a role to play within it."

I lowered my gaze, humbled, the weight of her words pressing upon my soul. "This lowly being cannot comprehend the wisdom of the Great One," I murmured. "I fear I am unworthy to understand such fate."

She didn't answer at first. The light surrounding her began to scatter, as though her very form were melting into the void itself.

Her final words came like a fading melody, gentle yet inescapable.

"Go now. My time here grows short. Speak of this to no one. Let what is written… come to pass."

And then—silence.

The light vanished, swallowed by endless black.

Once more, I stood alone in the dark,

Darkness.

The Divine Woman's form began to fade, her radiant light scattering like silver dust into the void.

"Wait—!" I reached out, my hand trembling as the world around me crumbled into shadow. "Please, answer me… Is Yuuta the one the prophecy speaks of?"

For a moment, she looked back at me. That faint, sorrowful smile—half mercy, half regret—was her only answer. Then, with a small shake of her head, she vanished.

Not quite a yes. Not quite a no.

It was as if something far greater forbade her from speaking the truth.

And then, everything fell silent.

Only darkness remained.

I gasped awake. My chest heaved as if I'd been drowning. Cold sweat trickled down my temple, and the dim lamplight of the room came into focus.

"Grandpa!"

Erza's voice pierced the haze. She was kneeling beside me, her voliet eyes wide, her hands gripping my arm. "Are you okay? You were screaming so hard—I thought—"

"I…" My voice trembled as I struggled to breathe. "I saw something…"

Her expression tightened. "What did you see?"

I closed my eyes, the vision replaying in fragments—the divine glow, the woman's silence, the thread that bound light and shadow together. My throat felt dry as ash.

"I witnessed something that cannot be stopped," I said slowly. "No one can change it. It will happen… no matter what we do."

Erza frowned, clearly unsatisfied. Without hesitation, she grabbed my beard and yanked it down. "Don't talk in riddles, old man. Speak clearly!" Her voice cracked slightly, the fear behind her anger bleeding through. "Is Yuuta truly bound by an eternal bond?"

I hesitated. That divine warning echoed in my mind—Speak of this to no one.

Looking into Erza's eyes, I saw a mother's terror, not a queen's pride. She wasn't ready for the truth… and perhaps the truth itself wasn't ready for her.

"I…" I forced my breath to steady. "It was a Mistaken Bond."

Her hands loosened. "Mistaken… Bond?" she repeated, confusion flickering across her face. "What does that even mean?"

"It means," I said, my voice low, "a bond that should never have existed. A thread tied between two souls by accident—or by something beyond our understanding."

Erza's lips parted, but no sound came out. I continued, my tone grave.

"Yuuta is the victim of it. The bond between them is eternal, yet not without end. After a hundred years, if the contractor dies, Allen will depart—without disturbing Yuuta's soul, reincarnation, or afterlife. When that time comes, he will simply return to where he once came from."

Silence.

Erza didn't speak. She only stared at me, searching my face for a lie—but found none. She knew the truth. She knew the sight I carried had never failed before.

Erza's voice trembled as she stared at me.

"So… there's no way to remove this demon from him?" she asked quietly. Her tone carried a sorrow that even the proud Dragon Queen couldn't hide.

I sighed, resting my hand on my knee. "Erza, listen to me. Nefarions aren't ordinary demons. They're ancient and powerful—yes—but loyal to their contract. They protect their host as fiercely as their own life." I looked at her, hoping my words would ease that storm in her eyes. "You know that, right? Yuuta won't face any harm. If anything, that demon might just be his shield."

But Erza wasn't satisfied. Her brows drew together, her voliet eyes flickering with unease. "And what if that demon tries to influence him? What if it pushes him to… take over the world?"

I couldn't help it—I laughed.

"Erza, my dear," I said, shaking my head, "do you really think your human dreams of conquering the world? That boy can't even win an argument against you."

For the first time that evening, the corners of her lips twitched upward. A soft, reluctant smile.

"Yes," she murmured. "You're right. Even if he did conquer the world, he'd probably just make food free for everyone."

She let out a small chuckle, lowering her gaze . "That's all he ever thinks about… that stupid human."

I smiled faintly, watching her expression soften. For a woman who once ruled dragons, she looked almost… human.

We both shared a laugh—an honest, genuine laugh.

Not the forced kind that hides sorrow, but one that felt real, warm enough to melt years of distance between us.

It had been decades since I'd seen Erza laugh like that. Not as a queen or a warrior, but as herself—a granddaughter teasing her old fool of a grandpa.

Truly… she had changed.

As our laughter faded, I leaned back with a small smile. Then, a thought struck me.

"Wait—where's Yuuta?" I asked, glancing around. "He was sitting right in front of me when I started the soul inspection, wasn't he?"

Erza froze for a second. Then, with a deep sigh, she lifted her hand and pointed toward the front door.

I followed her gaze—and nearly burst out laughing.

There he was.

Yuuta lay sprawled across the floor, limbs twisted in an utterly ridiculous pose—half like a fallen warrior, half like a cartoon hero who'd just lost a battle with gravity. His eyes were still spinning, and he muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "I think… I touched the sky…"

I blinked, confused. "What in the world happened to him?"

Erza's lips twitched as she tried—and failed—to hold back a laugh. "You pushed him," she said flatly. "When you yelled 'Stop!' during your soul bond inception, you also stretched your hand forward. He was right in front of you… and, well—he went flying."

I stared at her, speechless for a moment, then scratched the back of my neck with a sheepish grin. "Ah… so that's what happened."

(Yuuta's POV)

I groaned, pushing myself up from the floor, my head spinning. "Ugh… Grandpa," I muttered, rubbing my back. "Next time, at least warn me before you decide to launch me into orbit!"

Grandpa scratched his head and laughed. "My bad, boy. Guess I got a little too spiritual back there."

I sighed. "A little? You nearly sent my soul flying into the afterlife!"

Erza folded her arms, shaking her head. "You two are absolutely ridiculous," she said with a hint of exasperation. But I caught it—just for a moment—a small, fleeting smile on her lips. No matter how much she tried to hide it, she clearly felt that same warmth I did.

This… felt like family.

And then—

A tiny yawn echoed through the room.

We all turned. Standing in the hallway, rubbing her sleepy eyes, was Elena.

Her face was smeared with pizza sauce, and her red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.

"...Mama?" she murmured, voice trembling.

Erza's expression softened instantly. "Elena?"

The Elena lips quivered before she broke into tears. "Mamaaa!" she cried, running as fast as her tiny legs could carry her. She clung to Erza's leg tightly, sobbing into her dress. "Why did you leave Elena alone?"

Erza knelt down, gently brushing the Elena's hair. Her voice was calm, tender in a way only a mother's could be. "I didn't leave you, sweet one. Mama and Papa just had some work to do. We went out for a little while, that's all."

"Really?" Elena sniffled, looking up at her.

Erza smiled softly. "Really. So, why are you crying, my brave girl?"

Elena rubbed her eyes again. "Elena had a bad dream…" she said, her voice breaking a little.

"A bad dream?" Erza asked gently.

The Elena nodded, her words spilling out between hiccups. "Yes… Papa… Mama…" Elena's voice trembled as she held her dress tightly.

"I saw a dream… no, a scary one."

"There was a man… he was all black… like a shadow. I couldn't see his face… only his beautiful eyes."

"And there was a lady too… she was glowing. So pretty… like light."

"They were together… but one day, the light lady said she's going far away."

"The shadow man tried to stop her, but she still left…"

"He started running… calling her name… but everything around him turned dark."

"Then… then he disappeared too."

"Papa… it was so scary…"

The room went quiet. Even Grandpa stopped smiling.

What..?

To be continue...

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