Chapter 20 – Greed vs Grace.
Damon woke up to Hazel's tiny hands covering his eyes.
He chuckled, his voice low from sleep. "Who else has hands this small?"
He gently lifted her off and set her down on the chair.
Then he smelled something.
Cooking.
Not just food—home.
Warm, familiar.
He followed it to the kitchen and froze.
Nyra stood beside Richard, his father, both of them wearing aprons. She was asking a hundred questions at once, while Richard laughed through all of them. It almost looked… normal. Like she'd been his daughter for years.
"What's this?" she asked, holding up a bottle.
"Soy sauce," Richard said. "A little is enough to add flavour."
"How much is a little?"
"Well, about—wait, no, that's too much—"
It was already too late.
Nyra poured half the bottle in, and Richard laughed so hard he had to hold the counter.
"Looks like we're making the salty version of breakfast."
Damon leaned against the doorframe, watching them with a faint smile. It felt strange seeing Nyra this at ease, seeing his father laugh like that again.
"Good morning," Damon said.
Both turned.
"Morning!" Nyra said brightly, her face speckled with something green.
His father grinned. "You've got good timing. Your sister's learning how to poison me."
Nyra puffed her cheeks. "I just wanted to help."
"Yeah," Damon said, smirking. "This smells… helpful."
She frowned and reached for water but instead grabbed a Sprite bottle that had fallen earlier.
The moment she opened it—pssshhhhh—it exploded all over her face.
Damon burst out laughing.
"I just wanted water," she muttered.
"Water's right there." He pointed to the sink.
Nyra crossed her arms, pretending to pout, but her eyes were smiling.
Richard shook his head. "I like her. You two argue like real siblings."
"Like?" Damon said. "We are."
Richard nodded, his tone softening. "Then it's good to finally have the family full again."
Nyra beamed, then started talking about her night. "I slept very well. Earth's gravity feels… odd but good."
Richard chuckled. "Never heard that one before."
She looked around. "I understand why Natsuki didn't believe Damon before. This place, it's simple, but… it has something."
"Chaos," Damon said. "I think you mean chaos."
"No," Nyra said, smiling faintly. "I cant place it. But its very different to other planets I've been to."
Richard glanced between them. "You've really been to other planets?"
"Yes," she said casually. "Many. And Earth's the only one which hasn't solved cancer."
Richard blinked, caught off guard.
Before he could speak, Damon sighed. "Please, not biology talk before breakfast."
Hazel stretched from the table, yawning, her squeal so high-pitched it made Daichi bark. Then Daichi licked her entire body.
Hazel flailed her wings. "Get this mutt off me!"
Richard laughed. "You won't need school anymore, kid. Might as well get used to early mornings."
"Yeah," Damon muttered, "and lectures at breakfast."
Nyra giggled.
When they finally sat to eat, Damon had to admit—it tasted good. The salt wasn't as bad as he feared. Perhaps his dad balanced it out.
He looked at the two of them laughing at the table. It was quiet. Safe.
Something he hadn't felt in a long time.
After they ate, Damon stood and stretched. "Nyra, finish quick. You have to change before we leave."
"For what?"
"The game."
She blinked. "The human ball game?"
"Yes. Basketball."
Richard wiped his hands. "She can wear one of your mom's old outfits if you want. I… never threw them out."
Damon froze for a second. "You didn't?"
His dad shook his head. "Couldn't. I tried but..."
He looked at Damon with quiet guilt.
Damon smiled faintly. "It's okay, Dad. You don't need to explain."
Nyra looked between them, sensing the weight in Damon's tone.
"I'd love to wear her clothes," she said softly.
Damon nodded. "Alright. Then we're set."
He took Daichi for a bath, came back, and together they left for the gym.
The court was alive.
Students, parents, banners—Selmore High's name echoed across the bleachers.
Damon could already spot her—Natsuki—on the court, practicing her shots.
Her uniform was white with blue streaks along the sides, simple but sharp. Every time the ball left her hand, it sank perfectly through the hoop. Until Nyra called out—
"Natsuki!"
She turned, smiled—and missed.
Damon waved at her. She waved back smiling.
The game began soon after. The opposing team walked in wearing red and black. Their captain—Rika Sanezaki.
"Look at you," Rika said, smirking. "The greedy one who became captain."
Natsuki's eyes narrowed. "Rika Sanezaki, the ultimate thief."
"Only when I'm stealing your ball," Rika said, grinning.
Natsuki leaned in. "Then I'll be greedy, with every score."
They shook hands—hard enough that you could hear it.
On the seats, Damon sighed and facepalmed.
Hazel peeked out from his pocket. "Why?"
"Old history," Damon said. "She and Rika, the other captain, went to primary school together."
"What happened?" Nyra asked.
"Rika hated her innocence," Damon said quietly. "And tried to break it by bullying."
The whistle blew.
The ball went up.
Rika jumped higher.
Game on.
She weaved past two defenders, fast, smooth, taunting every move. Natsuki cut her off, but Rika curved her wrist, spun the ball through her legs—and dunked.
The crowd roared.
Natsuki didn't react. She just stared.
But when Rika leaned close and whispered, "Heard your little boyfriend's mom died," Damon saw Natsuki's hand tighten.
Still—she said nothing.
She just guarded harder.
For the next few minutes, it was brutal.
Rika's team dominated. Natsuki's shots were off.
Her coach called time out, frustration sharp.
Nyra, not understanding "rules," stood on her seat and shouted, her voice carrying like a chime through the noise.
"Hey! Natsuki! Damon said you were the best! What are you doing out there? You look like a branch flowing where the wind blows!"
The whole court turned to look. Damon pinched his forehead. "Nyra…" The crowd murmured.
She didn't stop.
"Who are you playing for, Natsuki?! If you lose, you lose for yourself—but you dare not lose!" Daichi barked in agreement.
Then the crowd cheered.
Natsuki blinked—then smiled, faintly.
"Thanks, Nyra," she muttered. "But this time, I'm not playing for anyone. Not even Damon. Just me."
The next whistle blew.
And it began.
Natsuki took the ball and the court became hers.
Her feet moved like lightning. Her dribble—sharp, low, untouchable.
She spun past one, passed between two others, caught the return like she was part of the rhythm itself.
Every bounce echoed like thunder. The crowd was quiet in amusement.
Even Damon couldn't help but smile.
Rika moved to block her, sliding back, ready.
Natsuki stopped inches away. "You know why you'll lose today?" she said. "Because you play for admiration. And I play for joy."
She bounced the ball behind her back—then between her legs—it diagonally through the air. Rika's eyes followed it. Wrong move.
The ball arced upward—caught by Natsuki's teammate—then thrown high.
Natsuki dashed forward, leapt, both hands gripping the ball midair—
Dunk.
The sound hit the court like a heartbeat.
35–20. Selmore is catching up.
The gym went silent. Then erupted.
Renji, Vanessa, Haruto—all on their feet.
Even Damon stood, eyes wide.
Daichi barked once, proud.
Nyra clapped her hands.
The game rolled on. Fast, fierce.
Rika's skill was undeniable—but her anger ruined her focus.
Natsuki's team adapted, moved like water.
When it ended—57-42.
Selmore High had won.
Natsuki fell to her knees, laughing, panting. Her teammates celebrating around her, with her.
Rika stayed down, head low.
Natsuki walked over.
"Looks like I'm better," she said softly. "But only because you've been training for revenge."
Rika looked up, eyes trembling.
"I'm done with that," Natsuki said, holding out her hand. "Let's be done too."
Rika stared at it, her pride cracking. Her hand lifted—
Then—
CRASH.
The wall behind them split open.
A demon.
Huge, twisted, its eyes bright with hunger. Its limbs bent in ways no bone should. Its breath sounded like thunder strikes in reverse.
Rika froze as the demon jumped in behind her. She turned her head slowly. The thing raised its arm—ready to strike her.
Natsuki didn't think. She shoved Rika aside just as Damon sprinted in.
He caught Natsuki mid-fall, tumbling back, landing hard but safe.
The gym erupted in panic.
Nyra grabbed a child by the arm, then another, shouting, "This way!" Her voice shook.
Daichi barked, dragging a crying baby by its sleeve, trying to pull it away from a fallen toy.
In Nyra's mind "Ive seen many beasts, but this, I really don't wanna fight this one."
"Where's my baby?!" someone screamed.
Hazel appeared, her small body glowing faintly, whispering fast—contacting someone.
The demon roared. Damon turned toward it, fists clenched, no weapon, no light, just will.
He stepped between it and the crowd.
Natsuki weakly reached out. "Damon—"
He didn't look back.
"Run away."
And as the beast lunged forward, Damon braced himself, the air trembling.
Hazel looked to the sky, desperate, and repeated, "Your Majesty—please we need your permission to use eterna?"
The Queen's voice echoed cold.
"No."
And in that instant—
the world seemed to hold its breath.
End of Chapter 20 – Greed vs Grace.