“No.”
She gave him a questioning look, “You’re not giving up on being a father?”
“Yes.”
“Are you giving up magic?”
“No.
“You’re playing some game, aren’t you?
“Yes!
Her eyes narrowed, “Do you still love me?”
He thought she had caught him but then he rolled his eyes and gave her a very sarcastic, “Nooooo.”
Ikuno kept glaring at him, “Well played.”
They both laughed for a moment before Ikuno got serious again, “What have you decided?”
Kal took a deep breath, “You were right I was deluding myself thinking that I could have this perfect father/daughter, father/son relationship like I had always wished my father had with me growing up. The conclusion I came to is that my children will grow up knowing that they have a father out there that cares about them and will visit whenever he can, instead of some nameless dalliance. You said it was a luxury for Aradelle and Eludora to have that. I plan on giving that tiny luxury to each of my children,” he said smiling.
“You’re okay with this?” she asked suspiciously.
“I had to redefine what being a father meant to me. But yes, I’m fine with it.”
“If you never get the chance to go back and visit?”
“That would be sad, but they would still grow up knowing that I care about them.”
“What about if you have tons and tons of kids out there.”
“Easy, we will name them ‘Generation Kal’,” he said as Ikuno shook her head smiling.
“I guess it’s about time to get out of here,” said Kal looking about the cavern.
Ikuno looked over at Gerda as Kal collected his pack and cloak, “Could you take us home? The path I used to get here will take many hours and then we will have to cross back over to the south side of the mountains.”
“I don’t know south, take to surface, point way.”
Ikuno spoke as Kal finished getting ready, “If the sun moves from east to west then eep!-”
Once Kal was ready, Gerda took him by the hand then grabbed Ikuno’s as she was explaining compass directions and pulled her off the moss bedding.
“Close eyes,” she said then all three of them immediately sunk into the ground. They moved downward for just a moment then began moving upwards at an angle, Kal’s wonder at the strange feeling of having rock move around his body like water warred with his anxiety at what would happen to him if Gerda ever let go.
——
The trio rose up out of the ground onto the trail, except for Ikuno whose feet got stuck because she was too tall, Gerda had to leave her feet embedded in the stone for a moment then lift her up by the hips to get the oni’s feet free.
Looking both directions Ikuno pointed back towards her home, “We need to go that way, there’s a cave by the foot of the mountains, that’s my home” she said.
Gerda nodded and took Ikuno’s hand but Kal pulled his away, standing off to one side he tried to get his panic and breathing under control. “I don’t think I can do that again. I know you are strong Gerda, but what happens if you let go or my hand slips out of yours?” he asked.
“Be calm, I will come back,” replied the golem and extended a hand to him, “Won’t go yet, take,” she said.
Kal hesitantly took the offered hand, the rocky side of her face grew down her neck and made its way down her human arm, as it reached her hand the rocks covered Kal’s as well. “Can’t let go now,” she tugged on his arm, “You will be safe,” Gerda said as the rocky hand Ikuno was holding onto did the same.
Kal took a deep steadying breath and nodded. Ikuno, Kal, and Gerda all sunk down into the stone of the mountain once again and through the golem’s powers moved through tons upon tons of rock as she took them home.
——
Edited by: Old Fart