First Demonic Dragon - Chapter 1245: Give a Little Grace

Chapter 1245: Give a Little Grace

Odessa’s eyes sparkle as she admires the brand-spanking new college campus nestled beside a large lake.

She holds her cheeks together as she screams mentally.

’It’s sooo awesomeeeee!!!’

Abaddon smiles. “I thought it might be a little too big given that there aren’t very many of you…”

’N-No, it’s awesome! It’s like the colleges on TV and everything!’ Odie jumped up and down giddily.

Yggdrasil understood little of what was going on, but she clapped for her aunt in the safety of her grandfather’s arms.

“Yes, well, it may be similar, but just make sure you aren’t going to any parties and drinking and-”

’Dad.’

“Yes, yes, I know.” Abaddon sighs. “Helicopter parenting.”

Odessa stares at her father for a brief moment. He begins to ask her what is on her mind when, suddenly, she embraces him.

Abaddon was no stranger to his daughter’s spontaneous burst of affection, but somehow things felt a little bit different now.

“…Should I ask you what this is for?”

’…Just because.’ Odie shrugs.

“Lying is a no-go in our house, child.”

Odie frowns slightly as she looks up at her father. ’Just… I want you to know that it really meant a lot… what you said in front of everyone, I mean.’

Abaddon smiles down at his daughter. “I meant every word, my dear. You’re making me prouder and prouder every year.”

The dragon looks out into the lake with a slightly forlorn expression.

“…I meant what I said about me not being like you or your mother. You guys are.. everything I have ever wanted to be and more. The fact that you love me despite my shortcomings is an undeniable blessing.”

Odessa stared at her father with a small pout.

“…What?”

’Sometimes, you can be too hard on yourself, Dad. It’s okay to give yourself some grace in life.’

“Ha!” Abaddon throws his head back and cackles. “Listen to you, talking like you’re my senior. You’re adora-”

The fierce glare that Abaddon received from Odessa, as well as her shadow, was a sufficient enough warning for fim to take her seriously.

“…If I am hard on myself, it is only because the nature of what I am demands it. Yesh created me to-”

’Live. And part of living is making mistakes, Dad. If God himself never held a grudge against you for your mistakes, then why are you doing it to yourself…?’

Abaddon could not answer her. His daughter, in her seemingly infinite wisdom, had left him speechless.

“…You’ve given your old man a lot to think about, kiddo.”

’That was the intention.’ Odessa smiled proudly. ’Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a tour to join!’

The young girl starts to skip away from her father, then suddenly pauses and looks back at him.

’Hey, Dad..? We’re gonna be safe here, right?’

Abaddon walks towards his daughter and places his hand on her head.

“My daughter… know that your safety, and the safety of everything you hold dear, will always be my highest priority. No matter where you go, so long as the cosmos spins, you will be safe.”

’…Cool! Bye, Dad!’

Odessa skips away happily, humming a soft, gentle tune in her usual carefree demeanor, leaving her father behind.

As the temperature drops outside, Abaddon takes a moment to stare up into the sky, in contemplation.

A sudden feeling of uncertainty seizes his heart firmly. But rather than let it consume him, he instead hardens his resolve and looks out into the world with renewed hope.

“…I will win this war. I have to. But I can’t help but think… what is really the purpose of all of this, old man…?”

–

Time passes by much more slowly on Earth now. And yet, morning comes before Abaddon is ready for it.

A few hours before the day was due to arrive, the festivities began to wind down as the dragons naturally made their way to their quarters for a bit of rest.

Abaddon did not hear the sound of his family coming in for the night. He, his wives, and his grandchildren were all asleep on the couch upstairs.

Slowly, the dragon’s eyes fluttered open after an unknown amount of time.

The first face he sees belongs to his youngest sister.

Kanami smiles at him subtly, her eyes soft, but expectant. Almost as if to confirm something about her brother.

He nods slowly as he sits up, gently placing his hand on the back of his sister’s neck and pulling her in close.

Their foreheads connect, and they share a quiet moment that few in the world could ever understand.

When they pull apart, they touch each other’s faces once more and smile.

“No time like the present?”

“No time like the present.”

Abaddon kissed his sister on both cheeks before releasing her.

He turned to the sofa where his wives were sleeping. On top of them, Askari and Reken slept with their arms sprawled out like drunken old men.

Cookie crumbs and dried milk circled their lips as evidence of last night’s shenanigans.

Hopped up on sugar, the boys had actually managed to last until the third green ogre movie before they finally crashed.

Abaddon rose silently and began to nudge his wives awake.

He started with Lailah, gently rubbing her cheek until she returned to the waking world.

She stretched her deliciously sinful form before holding her arms out for her husband.

He embraces her as if she were the sweetest respite from the bitterness of the world.

“…It’s just another day right now. No need to be so tense.” Lailah kisses her husband’s cheek once before planting several more along his neck and jawline.

She is warm and soft. Her skin and hair smell lightly of cinnamon, and her nails across her husband’s skin feel like a dream.

“Are you ready?”

Abaddon smiles at her. “Always.”

Suddenly, Askari’s gem colored eyes slowly fluttered open after feeling so much movement.

“Grandpa…?”

Abaddon smiles at him. “Sorry to wake you, little man.”

“Are you leaving now..?”

“…Fraid’ so.”

Askari rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he lifts the half-eaten cookie in his hand.

“You can have this. Mommy says you’re always supposed to eat breakfast before doing important stuff.”

Askari doesn’t even give his grandfather the opportunity to refuse.

Instead, he inserts the cookie into his grandfather’s mouth like a coin slot and sits back with a pleased expression.

Lailah giggles sweetly, nd the sound is like a soft melody that wakes everyone else up.

As the dragons slowly rise, they look toward their husband with expectant gazes.

“Well… best we get started then.”