"Arlo Keenan! What do you think? Do you agree to my offer?"
A muscular man was seen sitting on a large chair, a cup of hot coffee in his hand. He was wearing a plain white shirt that was tight enough to reveal all the curves of his body. His hair was fiery red, like fire, and he looked energetic. His gaze was sharp and piercing, and his large eyebrows added to his intimidating aura.
Before him was another young man in casual black clothes and jeans. He stood relaxed, his right hand resting on his chin in a thinking pose. His right leg was bent slightly, tired from standing. In the next second, after thoroughly considering his answer, he walked over to the muscular man in front of him with a relaxed gaze. "Okay, I agree. But, honestly, I'm not sure. Do I really needed? Didn't the race war end ten years ago? I have a wife now, so I don't want to get involved in another war. However, if the situation is really that dangerous, I need to help, right?" asked the young man—his name was Arlo Keenan.
The muscular man lowered his head until his eyes landed on the stack of documents on his wooden desk. He answered seriously, "Yes. The inter-race war is over. After all, you were the one who defeated the dragon queen. However, there is something far above us. A disaster that will come from outer space." He picked up one of the documents and handed it over as strong evidence for his statement. He took a deep breath, then continued, "The watchers have discovered strange dimensional rifts in the eastern and western skies of the world. They say something will emerge from there, but they don't know what. They're just certain a disaster is coming. The watchers call it… 'The Catastrophe'."
"The Catastrophe? Is it more dangerous than the inter-race war?" Arlo asked curiously. He accepted the document the muscular man handed him, and now he was looking at a photo of the sky that appeared to be cracking, as if energy fluctuations were warping space.
The muscular man nodded twice. "Yes, a hundred times more dangerous. That's why we need you, Arlo!"
Arlo froze in place for a moment, trembling slightly with fear. A fleeting thought crossed his mind about his family back home. He feared something might happen to them. Confidently, he closed his eyes for about five seconds, then opened them, nodding in agreement. "Okay, I'll help you guys. Besides, the new 'Executors' are about to be recruited, right? Maybe I can enlist there."
"Sure," the muscular man replied with a broad smile. He looked very excited.
Arlo turned and headed for the exit. "Then, see you later, Chief Leon." Their conversation finally ended on a bright morning.
Arlo exited the building where he had been discussing with his old chief. The building belonged to a sect of Executors renowned for their abilities. Some passersby were even amazed by its grandeur. Numerous guards surrounded the building, prepared for any disturbances.
A gentle breeze blew, cooling the plains. The shade of the trees added to the cool air surrounding the people. Arlo stopped briefly at the grocery store, bought some supplies his wife had ordered, then returned to a relatively simple house.
The expansive, lush yard was clearly visible, the white walls reflecting the refreshing morning light, and the scent of sunflowers planted near the window. As Arlo arrived at his front door, he took off his shoes and cautiously entered.
As soon as the door opened, two small children greeted him. One was a boy, the other a girl. Their eyes were wide, round, chubby cheeks, and small noses. They were so adorable. Arlo's heart felt at ease when he saw his children appear just as he returned home.
"Welcome, Papa!" they both exclaimed in unison. They smiled broadly together, creating an incomparable cuteness. Their feet clumsily walked toward their father, occasionally almost falling due to their unbalance.
Arlo smiled slightly, his hands on his two children's heads, gently stroking their hair. "Are you waiting for Daddy? Oh yeah, where's Mama?" Arlo asked his children, still stroking them.
Suddenly, someone appeared from the kitchen, gracefully appearing before Arlo. She was a truly beautiful figure, her shiny white hair awe-inspiring. She held a black spatula in her right hand. Her soft lips parted, "Honey, you're home? You forgot breakfast, right? You left so early in the morning, anyway. Now let's eat, I've made some food. The kids have been waiting for you. Come on!" the charming girl in front of her invited, her wings curled behind her.
She was once called the queen of dragons, even a murderous monster. But now, she was just a simple girl making food for her husband.
They all finally gathered in the dining room to eat the breakfast that Arlo hadn't had time to eat due to Leon's sudden call earlier. Arlo took a spoonful of the side dish on the table and shoved it into his large mouth. He was surprised to find the food too delicious to eat. Without thinking, he hurriedly finished the plate of rice and several side dishes on the table, overwhelmed by the deliciousness.
"Hahaha. Slow down, honey," the girl exclaimed, giving off a sweet, adorable laugh. Her right hand slightly covered her mouth, making her look graceful.
Arlo smiled in response to his wife's remark. He openly filled her with food, "This is delicious, Vivian!"
"Yes, Mama! It's delicious! Can Titin have some more, Mama?" asked the boy, who was having some difficulty holding his spoon.
"Ririn wants some too, Mama! Feed Ririn, Mama!" replied the girl, who couldn't hold a spoon herself and needed to be fed by her mother.
Vivian—that beautiful girl—was now displaying a more beautiful laugh than before. Even the starlight at night was eclipsed by her incredibly sweet smile. If the stars illuminate the night from darkness, then Vivian illuminates everything from sadness. The evil dragon, once often used as a lamb, now lives happily in a warm family.
"Yes. That's fine! If it's not enough, Mama will cook some more, okay?" Vivian replied, her face slightly red.
"Okay!" They all replied, including the husband, who had a slightly childish demeanor around his wife.
The warmth of family between them, hopefully, will never fade. The Catastrophe—or whatever it is that will destroy humanity—might as well have never existed. Even if evil will one day come, their family story will never fade, like a star that maintains its light from destruction.
They will surely survive…
Even if the world asleep in hollowness.