“President Huang, you shouldn’t be in here.” Eva barked out. She was annoyed at how arrogant and rude all of the higher ups in Twilight Garden were. This was the Bureau’s tent and there were guards outside with instructions not to let anyone in.

“And why shouldn’t I? Isn’t one of my guild members here receiving treatment? Are you, the Hunters Bureau, telling me, the president, that I cannot check on one of my own guild members?” President Huang responded with a sharp tongue.

“President Huang, regardless of your affiliations, you cannot simply wander into the Hunters Bureau’s tent without permission. As the leader of one of Indiana’s guilds you should be aware of these rules.” Director Morris refuted. He was also not fond of Twilight Garden’s attitude.

“Oh, Director, you’re here? Outside of your office? Has something interesting happened?” President Huang continued to jab as she responded smoothly with a light smile.

Director Morris frowned in response. “Was there something that we can help you with?” He wanted these people to leave as quickly as possible. They were nothing but trouble.

“As I said, I just wanted to check on one of my guild members.” She replied with a sly grin.

“I understand that we have you to thank for opening the dungeon and rescuing her.” President Huang directed her attention to Kailan as she sized him up.

Kailan didn’t really like being sized up. Especially not with this woman’s slimy eyes. But he didn’t care enough to make a big deal out of it.

“There’s nothing for you to thank me for. She’s my big sister, so of course I rescued her. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we were getting ready to head home for the morning. Everyone is really tired.” Kailan responded plainly, still wearing his usual friendly smile as he turned to leave.

“Actually, I would like to have a word with your sister. This is a major incident after all, there are procedures we need to go through.” President Huang quickly stated.

“Tomorrow. She’s tired and needs to rest. Doctor’s orders.” Kailan slightly frowned as he replied, disregarded her and continued to lead his family away.

“I’m afraid this isn’t something you can simply put off for her. She has obligations after all.” President Huang didn’t really take Kailan’s actions to heart. But the two vice presidents looked displeased.

“Maybe he can’t, but I can.” Eva jumped in.

“Oh, and how can you, the Hunters Bureau, meddle in my guild’s affairs?” President Huang turned towards Eva, this woman was always troublesome to deal with.

“Firstly, this is the Bureau’s tent. So you have no authority here and shouldn’t even be in here without permission in the first place. Regardless of whether one of your guild members is here or not.” Eva responded with a sly grin of her own.

President Huang finally started to show a slight frown.

“Secondly, Kailan is a Returnee, as I am sure you are aware by now.” Eva glanced at Alexander for a moment before turning back to face President Huang.

“That means that his entire immediate family falls under Bureau jurisdiction, including his sister. In other words, we have the right to supersede your authority in ANY matters related to the Jones family. And I say that they have had enough for one day.” Eva’s grin widened. She knew that she had clinched victory in this war of words and there was nothing the guild president of Twilight Garden could do about it.

President Huang’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Eva intently. She also knew she could do nothing here. There were laws that even they had to follow and the protection of Returnees was taken very seriously in any nation. So long as the protection period for his family was active, she could do nothing to them.

Her teeth clenched unnoticeably as she cursed in her heart. She was only the guild leader of a medium sized guild, she didn’t have enough authority yet. Chyou was a very ambitious woman. But she was also a very cunning and patient woman. Still, she didn’t like the feeling of having to bow out on a technicality.

“Fine, I understand. They have been through a lot after all. Rebecca, be sure to come in tomorrow to file a proper report. Be in by noon with the others. I would also like to see you tomorrow in my office. I’ll be expecting a personal report from each of the remaining members of the raid team. As for you Kailan, you are always welcome at my Twilight Garden guild. Please stop by sometime, I’m sure there is much you can gain.” President Huang restored her grin as she tried to entice Kailan, before turning to leave with the two vice presidents in tow.

Kailan maintained an indifferent look as he watched them leave. He wasn’t even slightly enticed. This woman was too slimy and she had the aura of someone who used others for her own benefit. It wasn’t the type of person he could get along with.

Rebecca knew that things were going to get troublesome after this. She had heard that the president of Twilight Garden was a strong woman with a bright future who took good care of her guild members. But even she could see the subtle undertones of the conversation that just occurred, and she didn’t like the President’s attempted manipulations. Especially not towards her little brother.

If she was forced to choose between the guild and her little brother, she would sooner burn the entire guild to the ground. In this she was very similar to her mother. In fact her mother was just about to say something before Eva stepped in. President Huang didn’t realise the schism she had just created between herself and the Jones family, especially Rebecca.

Kailan could also tell that these were troublesome people and he would probably be forced into being involved with them at some point. Destiny is a fickle thing and it often leads people into unexpected situations. He of all people knew this the best. But he decided to put that to the back of his mind for the time being. He just wanted to go home and rest. Gods don’t get tired or require sleep, but they still feel some mental fatigue when dealing with a lot of things all at the same time. Especially nuisances. And he could tell that his family was exhausted.

At the far corner of the tent, peering in from a crack where the sides came together, a short girl was watching everything that was happening. It was Kayla, the girl that Elias had knocked down earlier, and who was an avid fan of Rebecca’s. She snuck in to see how her idol was doing only to catch something even more interesting.

“Wow! The president is so amazing. So sly and cool. That damned Hunters Bureau. What’s their problem anyway?” She thought as she stared at the departing back of President Huang with stars in her eyes, before switching to glaring daggers at Director Morris. From where she was eavesdropping she couldn’t hear what they were saying but she could somewhat tell what was going on from their expressions and reactions.

“On the other hand, Agent Eva is so cool too. So smart and confident.” She looked at Eva admiringly.

Eva felt a chill run down her spine but wasn’t sure why. She rubbed her shoulders, wondering if the chill of fall was starting to affect her. “Now that we’ve dealt with that problem. Douglas and I will escort you home.”

Douglas grunted as he nodded towards Kailan. He was still in business mode, so his words were practically non-existent.

“Kailan, we’ll need you to come in tomorrow for a debrief. Eva will contact you with the details once we have them.” Director Morris turned towards Kailan and gave him a knowing look.

Kailan understood what they were probably going to ask him about. He nodded his head in affirmation. Maria didn’t interfere this time, she knew that her son had done something amazing and unprecedented, and the Hunters Bureau wouldn’t let it go. It was normal for them to investigate any unusual matters involving the dungeons and Hunters. Plus, they were acting as a sort of guard detail for Kailan for the time being. So to more effectively control the situation and de-escalate things it would be better if Kailan cooperated with them.

“Becca, do you want me to use Healing Hands on you?” Kailan turned towards Rebecca and asked sweetly.

Rebecca paused momentarily as she stared at her brother. Her mouth slowly formed into a mischievous but sweet grin. “Mmmm!” She let out a high pitched hum of satisfaction and jumped on Kailan again. Rubbing her face on his like she did earlier. It had occurred to her how embarrassing it was, but she didn’t care anymore. She had accepted her brother complex a long time ago and in her mind it shouldn’t be any different now.

“You’re so sweet to be worried about your big sister. But I’m fine.” She replied as she continued to coddle him.

Kailan wore a defeated look and just gave Eva, Douglas and Director Morris a ‘don’t ask’ gesture with his eyes when they stared at him questioningly. Maria looked at her daughter and just rolled her eyes while the other two had loving grins on their faces. It would honestly be more accurate to say the entire Jones family had a Kailan Complex.

Kayla who was staring at Rebecca lovingly only a moment ago suddenly felt stunned. Her jaw formed an O shape as it dropped at how Rebecca was acting. What was this? Where was her strong, stoic and fierce Rebecca?!

“What is happening right now? My Rebecca is acting like one of those star struck lovers who relies heavily on her man. She’s acting completely whipped!” She thought to herself.

She focused on Kailan and looking at his strange expression, she seemed to understand something. This man had done something to her Rebecca. Who the hell is this guy? And what right does he have to be hugged by her idol and goddess? Kayla grew heated and angry. This wasn’t right, but she couldn’t just burst in there and beat that stupid bastard up. She had to find out who he is and where he lives. That way she can monitor him and find the right moment to put him in his place.

If Kayla could hear the conversation she would have known that this man was Rebecca’s little brother.

After several minutes Kailan was finally able to pry Rebecca off of him and he and his family gathered as they headed out of the tent. A number of bureau agents surrounded them to escort them through the mass of reporters and nosy people that had lined up behind the quarantine. It took them around 10 minutes but they were finally able to get to the car. And luckily Eva and Douglas had parked nearby so they were able to meet up and guide them past the several roadblocks that had been placed.

A number of reporters ran to their vehicles to try and catch up with the Jones family, but a wall of police and bureau agents appeared out of nowhere to block the road.

Incidentally, Dana Warshank, the reporter for WRTV was among the reporters now trapped by the wall of police and agents. She had gotten coverage of everything that had happened but she was stone walled when she also tried to invade the Hunters Bureau tent. The agents that had stopped her still felt their ears ringing even now from her breathless tirade.

Dana was thoroughly enraged. She hadn’t had this much trouble with a story since her college days. But she was determined to break it wide open and get the exclusive on it.

“That Returnee boy is involved and he did something unbelievable. I know there’s a major story here, and it won’t be long until I blow it wide open.” She thought to herself as she dragged the cameraman to the far side of the quarantine. This was where the Twilight Garden tent had been set up.

Kailan and his family made it home without incident. Luckily they were able to avoid any tails so Eva and Douglas left shortly after making a few rounds around the neighborhood for security reasons.

The whole family was exhausted. Everyone except Kailan that is. His god-like vigor kicked in and he was back to normal in a moment. After another 30 minutes of Maria nagging at him and Rebecca, giving them a once over, they finally all went to bed. It was going to be a long day when they all woke up and they had no idea what to expect, but one thing was for sure. They all slept extremely well, pleased with the safe return of both Kailan and Rebecca.

The next morning, everyone slept in. It was a Saturday so Maria and Edward didn’t have work. Maria finally got up around 10 to make coffee and breakfast. Edward woke up the moment he smelled the coffee coming down the hall. As for Kailan, he was already awake, he was just pretending to lay down as he stared out of his bedroom window. He was watching the wind and the trees, admiring their beauty and simplicity. He often found himself just stopping and staring at things lately. It had been a thousand years since he was on Earth, he wanted to absorb everything he encountered and savor it.

Maria went door to door waking everyone up. When she came to Kailan’s room, she was surprised to see him awake and staring out of the window.

“And what are you looking at?” She asked as she sat on the side of his bed and began caressing his hair lovingly. She was still in shock of his return as well as how big he had grown.

“Everything. It’s very different here, I was gone a long time, so everything seems new or nostalgic to me.” Kailan replied with a relaxed smile as he turned to look at his mother. It felt strange having her hand running through his hair, but it also felt familiar. She used to do this when he was a kid.

“Was it awful over there?” Maria ventured. She didn’t expect him to answer as he had been tight lipped about everything, but she still felt the need to ask. She felt helpless and saddened just thinking about what he must have gone through. Kailan still hadn’t told them anything about the realm he was sent to or what he had experienced.

“No, it wasn’t.” Kailan grinned softly as he turned to stare out of the window again. This time it seemed as if he was peering past everything in front of him, like he was trying to see past this realm and into another one. “It was really nice there. I miss it, just like I used to miss Earth when I first arrived there.”

“You miss it?” Maria was surprised. She didn’t expect Kailan to have such feelings for the place that took him away from his family and home for a decade.

“Yeah. Maybe one day I can take you all there. Then you’ll understand why. Until then, is that fresh coffee I smell?” Kailan turned to his mother grinning, salivating at the smell coming down the hall. Even after a thousand years he still had a craving for coffee in the morning.

“Hahaha, I made a special pot just for you. Have as much as you want.” Maria laughed joyously. Her Kailan had returned and he had changed a lot, but some things will never change.

They both got up and walked into the dining room where the rest of the family was already sitting and serving out eggs and bacon. Edward had the coffee pot. Kailan stared straight at the pot with the pure intent to steal it from his father. Edward could feel Kailan’s eyes and after his eyes darted back and forth between Kailan’s and the coffee pot a few times, he knew he was in trouble.

“I offer this savory pot of freshly brewed coffee beans, with a slight pumpkin spice artificial flavoring, to my adorable son. Please take it in peace.” He held the pot of coffee up with both hands as if it was an offering to the heavens, it was a truce offering.

“Ah, I humbly accept this delicious smelling pot of freshly brewed coffee beans, with a slight pumpkin spice artificial flavoring, and bring news of peace.” Kailan took the coffee pot with both hands, playing along. It was something he and his father used to do a long time ago. Edward was a history teacher, add in his goofy personality and he would often imitate historical events, adjusting them to the situation, for amusement purposes.

Kailan also had a goofy personality, being very playful and cheerful, so he would play his part. Rebecca and Elias chuckled at the two of them. It was just like 10 years ago, before all of this hardship happened. During a time when they all felt peaceful and happy.

Maria and Kailan sat down at the table and they all had breakfast. It was going to be a busy day and this was bound to be one of the only peaceful moments they would have. So they indulged in it.