As Sehun observed the spirit animals, something occurred to him. They weren't brought back in a single pair or two in other to continue their race. Not even as babies, but in various ages, including kids and that had him wondering what actually happened to them. It was like they ceased to exist at a certain point in their lifetime and returned just the way they were several centuries later. Sehun regretted not reading more about the book of hearts, it was a mistake on his part. He was sure it explained a lot and probably all the answers he needed were in the book. Maybe even the return of Kai's dragon and Mina's involvement. A soft flutter suddenly brushed against his mind, like a gentle hand was his chest in a good way. It was familiar to how he felt connected to the cursed tree, as if it was right before him, but no the curse tree was gone, it had– Oh mothers. Eyes widening at the spirit animals that were all suddenly staring him, Sehun instantly realized as well as understood what had happened. It was coming from them. Once, the curse tree had been ordinary, but after the curse, somehow the spirit animals had became one with it. They had been trapped in it for some reason and that was what made the tree was sentient. Sehun had a strong feeling the curse had used their magic as fuel to keep it going for all those years. It made sense considering their strong stand in Varal. The gratitude he felt and heard from the tree, made lot more sense. Sehun had released them from their entrapment, and now they were once again thanking him. Knowing he had some sort of connection with the spirit animals, not as Kai's mate but for a different reason, was thrilling. A soft laugh had Sehun gazing at Zach. "It's because you're Kai's mate." He sent to Sehun. "What?" Sehun glared at the other. Zach ignored him, his attention back to Kai. The spirit animals finally stood from their kneeling position and turned to face Kai. Zach was the first to reach the emperor and bowed deeply, the others followed suit. Kai's eyes scanned the people before him with intense concentration as if printing every face in his mind. A moment passed, then he acknowledge them with a stretch of his arm. Zach grabbed it, placing his forehead on it. While he did that, the spirit animals directly behind Zach placed a hand on the latter's shoulder. One by one, the others did the same with the immediate person in front of them, until some sort formation was formed. Fascinated, Sehun watched as Kai's energy passed through them all, until they glowed with it. When the glow dimmed, Zach let go of Kai's hand, clearly the ritual was over. The spirit animals were a novelty. Zach straighten out, his sharp eyes settling on Sehun for a moment before they traveled to something/someone behind as they softened instantly. Curiously, Sehun turn to see what the other was looking at, he realized it was Lyla. The cat had a happy look on her, wagging her tail, while Zia– next her –had a bored look. Lui huddled next to Zi, watching Zach with no expression whatsoever. Damnation! Sehun cursed inwardly. How could he have totally forgotten about something very important related to his very important cat friend? Now that things had changed how was it going to work between them? Zach was apparently a spirit animal, while Lyla wasn't. And the babes in Lyla's belly, what would become them? The question here was; were they going to be hellacats or had inherited Zach's ability to change form? If it was the latter, how was Lyla going to care for her human cubs when she had claws and fangs that could be harmful to the younglings? But there was Zach, he could take care of their young right? He would have to discuss things with Zach. Just because he could take on human shape, wouldn't give him right to hurt Lyla. Good thing Lyla was a sentient being, but it was still a little strange from Sehun's perspective. Would it be like a human marrying an animal? Sehun wasn't sure and he didn't care when Lyla's happiness was involved. Besides they were already mated. Zach wasn't allowed to ditch her, it would break her beyond anyone's comprehension. Sehun blinked, noting Zach had somehow reached Lyla's side when he wasn't paying attention. Kneeling in front of the female, Zach rubbed her fluffy head, his actions filled with affection, which eased Sehun's worry a little. Lyla purred, clearly enjoying the attention as Zia rolled her eyes at the two.  Turning his head, Zach beckoned Mina and the little girl walked over to them. Zach said something to Lyla and her brother whose ears suddenly perked up. Sehun could tell Lui was very interested in whatever Zach said, because for the first time, Lui actually nodded in response to someone that wasn't Sehun or his mate Zi. Lyla on the other hand didn't have a reaction as if she couldn't understand what was happening. Zia was grunting, shaking her head as she took a step back, while Zi had his usual expression of a lovestruck, his eyes on his mate, clearly in agreement with Lui.  Mina waved a hand. Seeming to understand what she meant, Zach stood and moved to the side. Lyla looked between her mate and the girl, with clear confusion. Zach merely smiled with a nod as if to reassured his mate. If not for the fact that Sehun was quite aware, Zach– when his cubs were inside Lyla –and Mina wouldn't harm Lyla, he would have rush over to put himself between Lyla and the two. Lyla looked nervous. Mina pressed her hands together and when she drew them apart, a rainbow light was between her palms. She lifted her hands above her head and the light intensified as if taking energy from above. When her hands were blindingly bright, she lowered them making a circling motion. The light engulfed Lyla first, then Zi and Lui. Zia still shaking her head frantically made an attempt to take another step back– run from it, but it still caught up with her and Sehun swore he had her swearing even though she didn't send the word to his mind. Transfixed, Sehun couldn't take his eyes off the scene. Deeming it enough, Mina pulled back her hands, and used her right to swirl the rainbow light like magic wand around the cats and for a moment it gave Sehun the impression she was like a fairy godmother from Cinderella story.Clearly she was no longer the human girl she once was. He wanted to know what she was doing, but most importantly he wanted to understand how she was able to bring Kai's dragon from the heavenly realm.  When Mina's movement seized , the lights faded with it. In place of the hellacats were hominid beings and Sehun's jaws dropped. He realized with a start what just happened. Out of all that had occurred today this was by far the most shocking to Sehun.  The Panthers he had raised as his own, had taken shapes of handsome young men and women. Lui with blond long hair that reminded Sehun of Lan Zhan's –albeit darker– in black trousers, was the most handsome person he had ever seen. Sehun might be biased because it was Lui, but he could even see a halo hovering over his head adding to his dazzling appearance. Lui was the tallest, even taller than Zach, well built and exceptionally good looking. Stood near him, Zi was a head shorter than his mate, but just as handsome with brownish green hair. The two retained their cat ears, that twitched atop their heads in sync. So cute. When Zi's eyes landed on Lui's, he let out a choked sound, taking in the Adonis before him greedily and for a moment, Sehun feared he was about to jump Lui and ride him right there and then. He wouldn't, though. It was just Sehun's erted mind at play. The poor cute Zi was just overwhelmed, seeing his mate in human form. Seemingly unable to stand it, Zi pulled the other by the neck to crush their lips in a bruising kiss. It was as if he had always wanted a kiss Lui all his life, something unattainable in his cat form. The closest thing to a kiss for hellacats was one another. With a smile, Sehun finally tore his eyes from the males and looked to the females. His breath got caught in his throat immediately, and Sehun's beast had to remind them to breath. A rare beautiful blonde in golden robe was gazing down at herself in wonder. She was very pregnant, at least seven months along in human terms which proved she was definitely Lyla. Just like the male cats, she too retained her cat ears, but what differentiate her from them was her tail which made her appear quite cute. Another female a few steps from Lyla was letting out a string of curses and without a doubt Sehun knew it was Zia. She seem upset for acquiring a human form. It was clear she rather remain a hellacat. Unlike Lyla, Zia on the other other hand looked more imposing. Her physique was that of a warrior. She was taller than Lyla, almost as tall as the males. And where the others hair was straight, hers was wavy, almost bushy. Nevertheless, she was beautiful just like every other spirit animal. Which again had Sehun wondering: was being drop dead gorgeous an ability or requirement of spirit animals? He swore none of them were average looking. And it wasn't fair to his eyes. Wait a minute. The important question was: were all hellacats spirit animals? Or was his own cats case different? A hand pulling him into an embrace snapped his attention away from the hellacats. "Thank you Byun Mina." Kai spoke to the girl stood not far away. "You're amazing you know that?" "I know." Mina preened at having her ego , and Sehun couldn't help his laughter, watching the girl flipped her hair, acting cool. Letting out a soft chuckle, Kai turned Sehun in his arms so that they were facing each other. "Hey!" Kai smiled lovingly. "Hey there!" Sehun reached up to run a finger along Kai's face, smiling when Kai's dragon responded with a needy growl as the deep green in his eyes, became slits.  "Mine!" The dragon said, taking a lung full of Sehun's scent as he lowered his head to Sehun's neck. "Mate." "Hmm!" Sehun agreed, allowing his mate to bury his head in his neck. "Yours, all yours." At his words Kai's hand tightened around his waist, clearly pleased. His own beast pushed forward wanting to be close to his mate, especially now that said mate was whole again. The sensation was stronger with Kai's dragon. "I am glad to have you back." Sehun told the dragon, who grunted in response, head still buried in his Sehun's neck. Sehun could feel the familiarity of this. It was how he remembered Kai to feel in the previous timeline and he was glad he got to feel Kai like this despite not really liking the previous timeline, because he knew things were different now. Kai loved him just as much . With that thought, Sehun let happiness wash over him. The moment was perfect, relishing in his husband's warmth. Now all they had to do was get their kids back and live a happy wonderful life. As if against the notion of his happiness, suddenly a loud boom came from overhead and Sehun started from the pressure descending. Kai reflexively pushed Sehun to the side as two figures crashed on the ground. ! Sehun should have known better to let his guard down so soon when the big threat hadn't been subdued. From somewhere near he could hear the sound of weapons clashing repeatedly.  But he couldn't take his eyes off the ones before him. Faced with the demigod, Sehun felt a shiver down his spine. The demigod's eyes were on Sehun, condescending as usual with a hint of disdainfulness, as though Sehun was nothing more than an ant and would eventually decay and turn into the mud under his feet. "You ruined it all." He spat out the words. Ruin? What the hell was he talking about? The demigod inched closer and Sehun took a step back. The second fallen figure struggled to his feet as he put himself between Sehun and the demigod. He lifted his arm, with clear intent to fight the demigod. He seem to have lost his strength, his hand shook with his weapon before it clatter to the ground. He was injured and was unable to stay on his feet, soon he joined his weapon as he fell heavily, unmoving, save for his eyes that were blinking sluggishly. Seeing the demigod's attention was diverted, Sehun chanced a look when a particular loud cry pierced his ears, and saw the two goddess fighting the Yin mother. The fire goddess was holding the all seeing eye, using its power as she continuously attacked without mercy. She had succeeded in taking the eye back, it seemed. A second male god, who sustained heavy injuries was being helped by another. The latter too could barely stand on his feet. They were both swaying as they made their way to the one near Sehun. The gods had brought the fight here and Sehun was scared what devastation it would bring to the mortals. When they reached their brother, one strained to pull him up, but ended up falling in on top of him. Sehun couldn't even begin to imagine how powerful the demigod was, to leave three gods in such state. It was terrifying. If the gods couldn't kill him, then who on earth had the power to do so? At least not anyone in Varal. Maybe the high mother would have to get involved? The demigod scoffed at the male gods, lifting his sword with an intent to end them and Sehun's heart stopped, but couldn't bring himself to attempt to stop it. He knew he was no match for the demigod and was reluctant to risk his life to help the gods after everything he went through. He couldn't put Kai through the grief he went through, and his kids needed him alive. Call him selfish, but Sehun wasn't ready to give up his life. However a rainbow light countered the demigod's attack, sending it upward to the open sky. Frowning, the demigod gazed at the source, and his eyes took a hungry glint as if he were a starving man that was finally being offered a nice meal. Sehun didn't like the look in his eyes. He followed his line of sight to see Mina stood with both hands extended toward the demigod as her magic swirl her fingers. She was so tiny, but the fire in her was undeniable. Cub mate. His beast said with pride, gazing at Mina through the human eye. Sehun felt ashamed of himself. If Mina could stand against the demigod, he should make an attempt as well. "A goddess with pure essence." The demigod said, inching closer to Mina that stood her ground. "So much power in that little body." A goddess? Mina? Shaking his confusion, Sehun moved forward to put himself between Mina and the demigod. Goddess or not, she was a child and no match for him. However before Sehun could reach her, the demigod had teleported in front of her, his hand reaching to grab her.  Damnit. Sehun cursed, still advancing toward the two. The hand was yet to grab the girl, when it was cleanly sliced off. Sehun paused, catching sight of red wings fluttering away and he realized it was the demon that had saved Mina. Knowing that Mina was safe, he let out a breath of sheer relief. The demigod didn't even let out a sound to indicate he was in pain as he glared at the demon hovering with Mina in his arms. "Ah you again." His tone was almost fond with a hint of exasperation. "Stop acting like we're friends or something ." The demon frown, flapping his wings to fly away, far from the demigod's line of sight. Uhm maybe if they joined hands with the demon they would be able to defeat the demigod. The grandmasters would be willing – Huh? Sehun blinked a couple of times in shock to make sure he was seeing right. The severed hand regenerated right before Sehun's eyes. But that wasn't really surprising. What had him frowning were the twisted monsters born from the demigod's spilt blood. Each drop took the shape of a horrendous creature. He had never seen anything like them. They looked like mutated zombies, large and horrifying, their mouths dripping with tar like substance. What the ? Does this mean we can't kill him? Sehun wondered. If his blood produced such creatures then it would be like going in circles without actually achieving their goal. It would only result in making more monsters for the thoroughly exhausted army to fight again. And they didn't know their level of intelligence and strength which would be challenging if both qualities were high. Nine or so of them stood behind the demigod awaiting his order like soldiers and their general, yet their eyes were fixed on the gods barely alive. Sehun had a bad feeling and waved his hand for those close by to give the monsters a wide berth. The people understood as they share