[Dragon territory, 1st Heaven]
The first thought that went through her mind was the inevitable fact that… going through the portal was not a sensation she appreciated too much.
It felt like she was being squeezed and stretched at the same time, time and space became momentarily meaningless to her.
A moment became an eternity and the concept of distance had become nothing but an afterthought.
When she finally stepped on the other side the portal connected to, Nefertiti couldn't help but take a deep breath. All of her senses were cheering at the fact that she was finally back to reality.
The fresh breeze of the sea, the sound of the birds flying around as well as the subtle ringing of the waning waves.
For her, who had lived in a world of never ending desert for as long as she could remember, those sensations were both odd and wonderful at the same time.
It was truly a confusing situation for her. A sense of oxymoronic feelings raced through her head.
At any other time she would have slowly deciphered those new sensations and fully analyzed them.
But right now…
Right here…
The moment her gaze landed on him.
Everything else lost its importance. Only him and him alone was left in her sights.
Nefertiti had dreamed of this very day for as long as she could remember but now that she was here she was suddenly at a loss as to what to do.
What could she even do in this situation?
How should she greet him? Was there a certain way to greet someone you've met after a long time?
She didn't know, nor could she think up anything suitable. Her mind was drawing a complete blank at this moment.
"I…"
She opened her mouth, but was unable to speak her mind. But she soon realized that she didn't need to do any overthinking nor did she need to say anything… He would do it for her…
"I am so happy to see you, Nefertiti."
She felt herself tightly ensnared in his embrace. Unable and unwilling to move from that position.
She had never felt so much at ease as she did at this moment. That embrace, his loving words, those were enough to completely make all of her worries vanish into thin air.
This was truly a magical moment for her. The ones that were spoken of in fairy tales, and she was thoroughly relishing in this moment…
While all of this was happening, Isis took a step back and observed Sol and Nefertiti briefly before gazing at the scene that was truly interesting to her.
The reunion of her dear parents.
Anubis had vanished for many many years so the last time those two had been together had been quite long ago.
In a corner of her mind, Isis couldn't help but become worried about this sudden reunion of theirs.
She couldn't help but wonder if her parents would still share the same intimacy that they once shared.
After all, even the greatest love could fade away with time.
"My dear and beloved wife. You are as stunning and breath-taking as I remembered you to be. You haven't changed a bit…"
Nephthys smiled. She knew very well that Anubis did not care about physical appearance in the slightest.
What mattered to him was the beauty of the Soul itself. Something that was difficult to change for any being.
But even though she was happy to see her husband after so many years, wouldn't it be too easy if she simply accepted all of this so easily?
Crossing her arms below her abundant chest, a movement that greatly offended Isis by the way, Nephthys moved her head to the side.
"You are very mistaken if you believe that just some sweet words are enough to compensate for the time you've been gone."
Isis cringed a little and when she heard Sol approaching her with Nefertiti walking one step behind him, she couldn't help but mutter.
"Is this how I sound usually?"
"Oh. You have no idea."
While they had tried to be quiet, there was no way Nephthys couldn't hear them.
"*Ahem*"
Coughing a little to hide her embarrassment, she ignored Anubis who was giving her a cheeky smile and approached Isis before giving her a hug.
"I am glad you are safe."
Once they separated she looked her daughter up and down and nodded to herself.
She could feel that Isis was no longer chaste and the reason for this was standing right beside her.
Giving a look at Sol, Nephthys couldn't help but nod in admiration inwardly.
'Such startling growth.'
The young man who had struggled when facing two Duke level bandits was no more.
"What should I call you now? Dragon Emperor or Son-in-law?"
Sol shook his head, "The title of dragon emperor comes from a power that is not mine. Though it's quite a mouthful, I do like being called son-in-law."
Sol did not like people calling him Dragon Emperor that much.
They had called him so because of what he did during the war.
But the problem was that all that was only possible thanks to that foreign Divine power.
This was a title he did not deserve yet. Furthermore he was not particularly interested in becoming the "Dragon Emperor."
If he had to get a title, he wanted something that uniquely belonged to him.
Nephthys covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she chuckled. She was happy to see that despite his growth in power, his personality did not change that much.
He was still a proud but kind boy with his head on his shoulder.
Her daughter had found a good man.
She didn't know how long it would last, but at least it wouldn't be a problematic relationship.
"Well, I think we will leave the two of you be."
Sol gave a nod at Anubis and Nephthys before taking Isis and Nefertiti by the hand and flying away.
"Hey! I also want to see my mom."
"Stop being a busybody. Let them have their time alone."
As the three of them walked away, their voices still reached the two adults.
Then as if remembering something, he turned around and shouted–
"Take your time. No need to go salute the Empress now. I will take care of it."
—Then left with a grin etched on his face.
Now alone, the atmosphere between the husband and wife solidified for a short instant. But the atmosphere broke pretty fast.
"I really like that boy. Hahaha!"
Anubis laughed out loud, thankful for the opportunity to be alone with his wife.
Nephthys, though embarrassed by her earlier actions, felt much the same.
The two of them gazed deeply into each other's eyes. Searching and hoping to find the same spark that had existed since the start of their relationship.
Neither was disappointed by what they saw.
"I am truly sorry."
Anubis. The Necromancer King, Master of Death and one of the most powerful beings in existence bowed his head with no reluctance on his face.
His expression was contrite with none of the earlier clowning.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"I did you wrong many times and for that I am truly sorry."
"Will you stop your exploration if I ask?"
"Yes."
Anubis did not even hesitate for even a single instant. His family was everything for him.
Anubis wanted to go home.
But this was mostly nostalgia and obsession as well as a need to find the truth that was compelling him.
Keeping his head low, Anubis felt Nephthys' hands gently cupping his face and raising his head.
When he looked up, he could see infinite love and compassion in her eyes. The same love that enchanted him once upon a time.
"Since when did my husband become such a doofus?"
Nephthys gave a quiet laugh before putting her forehead against his,
"The man I fell in love with is the incarnation of freedom itself. In the past, I was nothing but a bird trapped in a golden cage. But you were the one who freed me from it."
Nephthys could never forget what she felt while following Anubis through the many adventures they had in the Astral realm.
Not everything was good of course. They had their moments of dispute and doubts.
They sometimes faced nearly impossible odds and she had to face the cold eyes of her relatives when she came back with a kid from a necromancer.
Indeed. Her life had been filled with both hardship and delight.
But compared to the time when she was nothing more than a soldier fighting for a cause she did not even understand, those days could only be called heaven.
This was why Nephthys had no regrets.
"You are the one who taught me what freedom truly is. There is no way I will become the chain that binds you."
"But…"
"No buts. You raised Isis into a fine woman with a clear set of values. You always took time to make it. I never felt like I was abandoned."
Her eyes became wet with tears, "You certainly are not a perfect husband or father but no one can be perfect and I love both your good points and your flaws."
Anubis closed his eyes. It was in moments like this that he really felt like a scumbag.
Rather than shouting or cursing, this quiet acceptance of his wife hurt him all the more.
But it also made him realize how Nephthys and Isis were the best things that had ever happened to him.
'I am sorry for being such a bad husband.'
"Thank you."
'I am sorry for making you cry so much.'
"Truly thank you for everything."
'Once I find the truth, I promise that I will dedicate my whole life to make up for everything.'
Thus Anubis solemnly swore inwardly while looking lovingly at his beloved wife.
