Timeless Assassin

Chapter 1059: The Skyshard Family

(The Skyshard Mansion, Dinner Table, Leo’s POV)

The Skyshard family had gathered this Friday for a family dinner, just like they had for the past fifteen years, as ever since Leo had returned to the Time-Stilled World, it had slowly become a tradition none of them ever chose to break.

The long dining table was filled to the brim with earthly dishes that were otherwise difficult to obtain within the Time-Stilled World, and yet, when one was the Cult Master of the Cult of Ascension, such inconveniences no longer applied.

Because through the shadow assistant network left behind by Chaosbringer, a system designed to cater to Leo’s every preference, even the smallest comforts of Earth had been recreated with near-perfect precision, allowing them to live as though they had never left it.

Salads drizzled in Caesar dressing sat beside delicate slices of roast beef, while freshly baked bread, soups, and desserts filled every available inch of the table, as the spread reflected not just wealth, but also care.

As for once, there was no discussion of war.

No strategy.

No urgency.

Just family.

And food.

As they ate together, the contrast between them became impossible to ignore, as while Luke, Alia, and Amanda bore the marks of time, their features matured, their presence aged, the rest of the family seemed almost untouched by it.

Amanda looked like a woman in her forties.

Luke and Alia, closer to their fifties.

While across from them, Leo and Leonardo appeared no older than men in their twenties, their youth preserved unnaturally by the very power they had attained.

It was a strange sight.

Since by age, Leo was a lot older to Leonardo.

"So, I heard you’ve been working on something new lately, something about improving the safety of destroyer ships," Luke said, as he set his fork down and looked toward Amanda with genuine curiosity.

Amanda perked up instantly.

"Ah, yes, I’ve finally found my rhythm again in blacksmithing," Amanda said, as her eyes lit up slightly while she wiped her hands and leaned forward, clearly eager to share.

"For the past decade and a half, I had almost completely given it up, since I was so busy raising Caleb and Mairon," Amanda said, as she glanced briefly toward her sons before smiling softly.

"But now that I finally have some time again, I feel like my craft has improved in ways I didn’t expect," Amanda continued, as her tone carried a quiet sense of pride.

"It’s strange, but I feel like I have a lot more patience now after becoming a mother," Amanda said, as she let out a small laugh.

"Before, I used to get frustrated when things didn’t work immediately, but now... I can sit with a problem longer, understand it better, and slowly work through it."

She paused briefly.

"Though I’m still nowhere near Supreme Master Argo’s level, I can feel myself getting closer," Amanda said, as her voice softened slightly.

"Maybe in another decade or two... I might reach that level myself."

Luke smiled.

A warm, approving expression spreading across his face, as he nodded and took another bite of his food.

"Well, you’ve not been slacking either, brother, I mean look at the size of those biceps!"

Leo said, as gave Luke’s rock hard biceps a few tight squeezes.

"You’ve broken into Transcendent Tier recently, haven’t you?"

Leo asked, as Luke nodded, unable to hide the satisfaction in his expression.

"Yeah, I did," Luke said, as he exhaled lightly, the weight of that achievement still fresh in his mind.

"To be honest, I never thought I’d get there," Luke admitted, as his voice lowered slightly.

"After everything that happened... the damage to my foundation... the doctors said it was nearly impossible."

He paused.

"But somehow, I made it."

There was no arrogance in his tone.

Only quiet relief.

"Alia was worried I’d leave her too early if I didn’t break through," Luke said, as he glanced toward her with a faint smile.

"But now that we’re both Transcendent... I think we’ve bought ourselves at least another century together."

Silence followed.

Not loud.

Not forced.

But heavy.

As Leo and Amanda both instinctively paused, their movements slowing as they took quiet bites of their food, neither choosing to respond immediately.

Because it was a thought that lingered often between them as well.

The thought of how there might be a day where Leo might still be around, while Luke, Alia and Amanda were no more.

*Clench*

Leo’s grip on his fork tightened slightly.

Just a fraction.

As no matter how many years passed, no matter how strong he became, and no matter how much he tried to rationalize it, the thought never grew easier to bear.

It was inevitable.

He knew that.

And yet...

Whenever it was spoken out loud...

It felt heavier than it should.

"By Soron’s tongue!

Cut it out you old geezers."

Mairon said, a visible frown on his face as he pointed a fork towards Luke.

"Uncle...."

He began, as Luke immediately raised a hand in protest.

"No, No.... Absolutely not.

I will not fight you after dinner Mairon.

Yes, I am Transcendent, which means we are finally at the same tier once again.

But No.

I will fight you when I’m in the mood.

Not immediately after dinner.

Because after dinner, I will sit with your father and sip on whiskey.

And No.

No matter how much you dislike it.

There will be no fighting today!"

Luke clarified, as immediately Mairon felt the energy leak out of his body, as he shrunk back and dropped his fork.

*Clank*

The fork cluttered, as his facial expressions looked like that of a deflated balloon, as immediately, it was her aunt and mother who felt bad for him.

"Aww.... My poor baby, You can battle me if you want."

Alia offered, but Mairon just shot her a glance before shaking his head in rejection.

"Sorry Aunt Alia, but my mum has told me that I must not bully the weak."

Mairon said, as immediately the table burst into a round of laughter.

"Hahahaha—"

Everyone chuckled, except for Alia, who reached out across the table and gave a hard tug on Mairon’s ears, until the boy squirmed in pain as she said.

"Rude..... your mother should teach you some manners before she teaches you battle etiquettes!"

She said, as Caleb chuckled loudly at the side while shaking his head.