5 years later...... Silver stirred gently in bed beside Shadie, and Cream was still curled up, half-asleep on the couch, sketchpad resting on her lap. Midnight lay at the foot of the bed, ears twitching in the soft morning light. A deliberate knock sounded at the front door, crisp and insistent, breaking the calm. Shadie stirred, gripping her cane. “Who…?” she murmured, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She stood carefully, cane supporting her weight. Silver murmured something in his sleep but didn’t wake fully. Midnight lifted her head, tail flicking, alert to the sound. The knock came again—sharper this time. Shadie made her way down the hall, careful not to wake anyone, and peered through the door. “Finally! Morning tea, and I get a greeting!” came a familiar, teasing voice. Shadie’s eyes widened. “Will?” Her brother, nine-tailed kitsune Will Azeroth, leaned against the porch railing, golden eyes gleaming, smirk fully in place. His nine tails twitched lazily in the early sunlight. “Well, look at you! Married, still using that cane, and apparently keeping the house intact. I barely recognized you! Five years, Shadie. Five years!” he teased, bowing dramatically. “Honestly, I thought you’d be taller by now—or at least stronger.” Shadie gritted her teeth, gripping her cane tighter. “You’re impossible.” “Impossible is my specialty,” Will said, spinning on one foot. “Also, five years is too long to be away from your radiant face, so here I am, delivering warnings and charming everyone simultaneously.” Shadie shook her head. “Enough joking. Why are you here so early?” Will’s grin widened. “Morning! The perfect dramatic entrance. Also… Infinite’s back.” Shadie stiffened. “The Jackal? I thought he was gone.” “Gone?” Will scoffed, tails flicking. “He’s stronger, smarter, and hunting survivors. You included. And I couldn’t risk anyone else finding out first. Had to come straight to you—family first, chaos second.” Shadie steadied herself with her cane. “How bad is it?” Will leaned casually on the railing, teasing still obvious in every movement, but his golden eyes held seriousness. “Bad enough that I had to leave everything behind just to warn you. But hey—bonus, I get to see you heroic, married, and running a household. Cute, really.” Shadie rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “You’ve gotten worse with age.” “Worse?” Will snorted. “Nope. More charming. And still cocky, obviously.” Shadie followed his gaze to the window. There was Cream, half-asleep, still holding her sketchpad. She’d been drawing the family—Will included, saving the world in style. “Look at this,” Will said, crouching by the window. “She made me taller than Fiona. Naturally, I approve.” He winked at Shadie. “Your kid’s brilliant.” Shadie felt a warmth in her chest. Even now, with Infinite looming, the family was still here. Still safe… for now. Will’s grin turned serious again. “But the calm won’t last. Infinite isn’t just hunting—you need to be ready. Strategize, prepare defenses, make sure the people you love most are out of reach. He’s coming, Shadie. And he’s coming for you first.” Shadie gripped her cane tighter. “Then we fight. Together.” Will’s tails fanned proudly. “That’s my sister. Heroic, stubborn, brilliant. And I’m glad I’m here in time to see it.” The morning breeze rustled the autumn leaves. Midnight padded quietly beside Shadie, ever-watchful. The storm had returned—but for the first time in years, Shadie felt ready—cane in hand, family by her side, and her cocky, teasing brother warning her just in time. The battle was coming. And they would face it together.
