[B3]Chapter 190: A Timeless Reunion

Theo’s eyes flickered with surprise as he took in the figure standing before him—a familiar face framed by hair streaked with white and gray. It was the same man he’d once thought of as family, the one constant in his life for nearly a decade.

For a moment, he simply stared, as if his mind couldn’t quite process what he was seeing. A complex array of emotions stirred within him, feelings he hadn’t allowed himself to confront in years.

Without realizing it, Theo’s legs carried him forward, his expression hard to read as he drew closer, his gaze fixed on the man before him.

Ryuk watched him approach, a cheeky smile spreading across his face. “Ah, boy, you look shocked. I understand—seeing this old face again must have stirred up old memories.”

Theo stopped just a step in front of him, his expression hardening. The surprise in his eyes faded, replaced by something sharper.

Ryuk chuckled, crossing his arms loosely. “I know you’ve missed me, but let’s not get too sentimenta—”

His words cut off as Theo’s fist drove into his gut with a force that made the air around them tremble. The impact was immediate and brutal.

Ryuk’s eyes bulged, his mouth forming an “O” as he staggered back, clutching his abdomen.

Theo’s figure glowed faintly with a crimson aura, his eyes flashing with a far more intense emotion—anger.

“W-what the...” Ryuk gasped, catching his breath, though a smirk tugged knowingly at the corner of his mouth.

In a blur, Theo launched another punch, then another. The blows came fast and unrelenting, forcing Ryuk to step back, arms raised defensively. Although he could have stopped Theo, he chose not to.

As the punches rained down, Ryuk laughed between breaths, “This is... quite the wild reunion... my boy.” He grunted as another punch connected with his arm. “But go on—get it all out.”

Theo’s fists kept coming, each one carrying his deep pent-up frustration and anger against the old man before him.

Ryuk made no attempt to fight back, merely raising his arms to guard his face, allowing Theo to vent as he absorbed the relentless onslaught.

Finally, after what felt like hundreds of punches, Theo stopped, his fists trembling from the force he’d unleashed. He glared at Ryuk, a look of pure madness in his eyes.

Ryuk dropped his guard, lowering his arms as he met Theo’s gaze directly. “Feel any better?” he asked, a trace of amusement in his voice, as if enduring a flurry of punches was nothing more than an entertaining diversion.

Theo’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. “That... depends,” he muttered, stepping back to catch his breath. Glancing around, he gestured to the frozen figures surrounding them. “But explain this—what happened to them?”

Noticing the puzzlement in Theo’s expression, Ryuk’s smile faded slightly. “Ah, this, my boy, is what I’d call the space between life and death... or something like that. In simpler terms,” he waved a hand dismissively, “I’ve come to take you with me to the afterlife.” He winked, as though the entire situation was some grand cosmic joke.

Theo’s lip curled into a mocking smile. “Didn’t know you enjoyed being on the receiving end of a beating. Are you planning to brag about this to the others in the higher realms?” He interlocked his fingers, cracking his knuckles.

“Alright, alright—no more jokes. Your wonderful grandpa happens to be the Sovereign of Time element,” he explained, crossing his arms. “So, I’ve simply stopped time, just for a moment, to have a lovely family reunion with my grandson.”

“Don’t call me your grandson,” Theo snapped in a sharp voice. “I’ve had enough of that lie for a decade.”

Ryuk raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Who said you aren’t?” he replied smoothly. “You’re planning to marry my granddaughter someday, aren’t you? That would make you my grandson-in-law, technically speaking.”

Theo was silent, at a loss for how to respond. This man, standing before him with that irritating grin, was the root of so much pain and confusion.

Seeing the shift in Theo’s expression, Ryuk’s demeanor softened. “I knew you’d want an explanation for all of it,” he murmured, his voice dropping, as if for once the laughter had truly left him. “But there was really no other way.”

Theo’s face hardened, a flash of anger rekindling in his eyes. “You might get away with saying that for what you did to me—exiling me to a secondary world. But why did you involve Lilith? Why did you imprison her in the basement all those years, alone?” His fists clenched tighter, his eyes piercing, demanding an answer.

Ryuk sighed, his shoulders sagging as he placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder. “Believe me, it pained me more than you know. But for all that I’ve done... there was truly no other way.”

He snapped his fingers, and the world around them began to shift. The landscape faded, replaced by a fragrant breeze carrying the sweet scent of lilies.

Theo blinked as he found himself standing before a small, pink-hued pond, its surface rippling gently as a fresh stream fed into it, curving into a brook that flowed away.

The edge of the pond was encircled with blooming lilies, and at its center stood a large, glowing blue stone that cast a gentle light across the water.

Nearby, nestled within the branches of a wide tree trunk, was a familiar carved house.

Yet what caught him most off guard was the sight of himself and Lilith standing in the same clearing, both gazing around with awe, as if experiencing the serene beauty of the place for the first time.

“My child, you have come...” a voice echoed, gentle and full of warmth.

Theo’s gaze shifted to Ryuk. “Is this... real?” he asked in a quiet voice.

“Yes,” Ryuk replied, his eyes glinting with that ever-present mischief. “If I allowed it, you could even talk to them directly... but that would lead to all sorts of complications.”

Theo shook his head, still baffled. “How is any of this possible?” It felt surreal, and yet the old man's calm tone made it sound like he was discussing the weather.

Ryuk gave a smug grin, waving off Theo’s question. “This? Oh, just a teeny, tiny part of your grandpa’s power.” He smirked. “I’m incredible, right?”

Theo sighed, rolling his eyes at the old man’s shameless bragging, though he had to concede: the old man had proven himself nearly godlike with this display of power.

Suddenly, the voice spoke again. “It feels like I held you in my arms just yesterday... but years have passed, and you’ve grown so much...”

The scene from Theo’s past began to play out before him, vivid as the day he’d lived it.

Then, the old lady beckoned to Lilith. “Come with me.” Her eyes twinkled as she added, "You stay back, kid. This conversation isn’t for a man’s ears."

Lilith turned, casting an apologetic glance at the other Theo, who gave a simple nod of understanding.

Then, with Lilith at her side, the old lady disappeared into the house, the door closing softly behind them.

“Come on, let’s go inside...” Ryuk motioned toward the house.

Theo hesitated. “Isn’t that... intruding her privacy? Also, she warned, This conversation isn’t for a man’s ears.”

Ryuk merely raised an eyebrow, grabbing Theo’s wrist. “Privacy, schmivacy. Sometimes the truth is worth breaking a few rules. Now, come along—unless, of course, you want to stay in the dark about what happened.”

Before Theo could protest, Ryuk tugged him forward, walking straight through the wooden wall and into the house as if it weren’t even there.

==[SnowNote]==

Brace yourself, because the following chapters are going to leave you stunned...