As Kurama and I walked through the streets toward the house I once called home, the weight of countless stares bore down on me. Their gazes were laced with disdain, a stark contrast to the admiration they once held for me.
"Why in the world didn't you just teleport us straight to my house?" I hissed, keeping my voice low as I dodged the venomous scrutiny of the onlookers.
These people used to idolize me—after all, I was Rank 1, an S-class tamer, a figure of unparalleled prestige. Yet, I had abandoned my duties, forsaking everything they revered.
"My sincerest apologies, milady," Kurama rumbled, his deep voice oddly soothing. "But the laws remain unchanged—we must pass through the gates."
"Ah… right." My lips twisted into a grimace.
A sudden outburst shattered the silence.
"Oh! She's finally here!"
Before I could brace myself, Yosuke sprinted toward me and ensnared me in a tight embrace.
"You still smell divine, milady! May I taste your blood—ahh! That hurts!"
Yosuke yelped as Ryuu smacked the back of his head with the force of a reprimanding elder.
"How many times do we have to tell you to stay away from her?" Tyler groaned, exasperation evident in his voice.
I chuckled. They weren’t of the same zodiac lineage, yet their bond had grown formidable since the day I tamed them.
I studied them quietly. It had been a long time since I’d seen them together like this. Despite my absence, they had managed to care for themselves well enough.
Scott, the youngest, hailed from Aries' descendant, followed by Kevin of Taurus, Ten of Gemini, Heie of Cancer, Chad of Leo, Greg of Virgo, and Yosuke of Libra.
Then there was Lee, a descendant of Scorpio; Kurama, of Sagittarius; Ryuu, of Capricorn; and Tyler, of Pisces.
It was evident—my next task lay with Aquarius.
I had intended to tame Aquarius before Pisces, but circumstances changed. Not that I cared enough to dwell on them.
"We're glad you've returned, milady," Lee greeted me sheepishly. Of them all, he was the most innocent—despite being one of the eldest.
"I wish I could say the same," I replied without hesitation.
Disappointment flickered across their faces, stirring a brief pang of guilt within me.
They had remained fiercely loyal to me, even as I continuously rejected them. They knew I despised this place, knew how the mere thought of it ignited a rage that burned through my veins. If I was here now, they should have anticipated my reaction.
Greg broke the silence. "Your mother, Her Highness Lelith, requests your presence immediately, milady. She is already waiting for you alongside the other rulers."
I shot him a glare. "She is not, nor will she ever be, my mother."
Turning away, I added, "I need to change first. And while we’re at it—behave yourselves, especially you, Yosuke."
"Why me?" His eyes widened as he pouted.
"And stop acting cute. You're giving me goosebumps."
"AHAHAHA! You really do look terrifying, Yosuke!" Chad howled in laughter.
"And that goes for you too, Chad," I remarked dryly.
"Ha—I'm sorry, milady."
I smiled inwardly. Some things never changed. "Kurama, keep an eye on them while I’m gone."
"Of course, milady."
Stepping into my room, I exchanged my attire for the black-and-red crusader surcoat—my signature battle ensemble.
"This color suits me far too well," I mused, studying my reflection in the mirror.
Greg’s words echoed in my mind.
Your mother, Her Highness Lelith, wants to see you right away.
My expression darkened.
That woman is not my mother. She never was, and she never will be.
A frown tugged at my lips, unbidden.
Not once had she shown me an ounce of affection, and yet I was shackled to this life because of her. Because I was her so-called daughter, I was forced into a role I never desired, burdened with expectations I never wished to fulfill.
"What a damn nuisance," I muttered, snatching up my sword before storming out.
"Let’s go," I ordered, striding toward the door.
Yet, when I turned, I found them unmoving, their eyes fixed on me with an almost reverent stillness.
"The hell are you guys doing?" I snapped, shaking them from their stupor.
Yosuke covered his mouth, his eyes shimmering with emotion.
"The way you look right now… it’s so nostalgic, I could cry." He sniffled. "We missed you so much—ahhh!"
I stared, momentarily speechless.
"What have you all been doing in my absence?" I turned to Kurama. "Is he eating properly?"
"A-ah, yes, milady," Kurama stammered before elbowing Yosuke in the ribs.
"I'm sorry! It's just that—"
"Oh, spare us," Ryuu snorted, dragging Yosuke behind the others.
I smirked inwardly. Yosuke had always been the closest to me. I never even tamed him—he had chosen to follow me. When I left, he had nearly lost himself, wreaking havoc upon the Demon Realm. In the end, Aiden had no choice but to permit him access to the human realm so he could visit me whenever he pleased.
"Quit whining! You'll make her angry," Tyler scolded.
"For the love of—" Scott groaned when Yosuke extended a hand, silently requesting a handkerchief.
I sighed. "Enough of this. Let’s head to the Center."
Kevin raised a hand. "Should I teleport us there?"
I hesitated, tapping my chin. "Actually… let’s walk. I want to take a look around. What do you all say?"
"We’d love that!" Lee’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I allowed myself a small smile. Their excitement was palpable.
As we moved through the streets, the weight of public scrutiny settled upon me once more.
"That’s the tamer, isn’t it? Why has she returned?"
"Is she even allowed back after what she did?"
"Ungrateful wretch."
"She ought to be ashamed."
I remained indifferent, gliding past the insects that buzzed their worthless opinions. Behind me, eleven god-like figures followed, their presence a stark reminder of who I was.
Yosuke clenched his fists. "Can I snap their necks? I’ll be back before you know it."
"Hold your horses." Ten grabbed his collar before he could act, dragging him back beside me.
"Can you not?" Kevin shot him a glare.
"But did you hear them? How dare they insult Tabitha? I can’t just let that slide!"
"Ignore them, Yosuke," I murmured. "We don’t stoop to the level of the insignificant."
His lips curled into a grin. "That’s cold—and I love it."
"Perhaps," I mused. "Now, stay quiet before you cause unnecessary trouble. And when we arrive, do not stray from Kurama. Understood?"
"Understood!" He flashed a thumbs-up.
We turned into Bottomless Street, a path notorious for harboring outlaws and criminals who had eluded justice.
"Uhm… may I ask why we are here?" Greg whispered as he edged closer.
"I need to visit an old friend."
"Oh…"
We navigated a narrow, grimy alley before emerging onto a broader street. My steps faltered as my gaze locked onto a man outside a modest yet well-kept house. He was clad in a loose red shirt and matching pajamas, sweeping his small backyard like an ordinary person.
"Why is he here?" I murmured.
Kurama’s voice was solemn. "Since your departure, he has never stepped foot in the Center or the Spirit Realm. He blamed himself. He cursed Her Highness Lelith upon learning the truth."
A pang of guilt struck me. Before I left, I had unfairly placed blame upon him. But he had never been at fault. He had always accepted me, loved me for who I was.
Our eyes met. His widened in shock, sorrow evident within them.
Without hesitation, he ran toward me and pulled me into a tight embrace.
"It’s you… It really is you!" His voice broke.
His shoulders trembled. His warm tears dampened my back.
For the first time in years, I was home.