The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 16

Matsu gathered and addressed the group, "Hey, everyone, just wanted to let you know that for the next 20 days, Calie, Marie, and I will be spending our afternoons in Eclipse City. We won't be back until after sundown."

Blaze, Terry, Jackie, Angelo, Orca, Opal, and Marina, being familiar with Matsu's routine, nodded in understanding. However, Exander looked puzzled and asked, "What do you mean by clones?"

Matsu took a deep breath, "I have 20 clones. They're all 5 years old. I visit them once a month, spending one day with each of them. They're like my children." There was a somber tone in his voice as he spoke about his clones, hinting at the pain that surrounded their origin, a subject he preferred not to delve into.

Blaze, Terry, Jackie, Angelo, Orca, Opal, and Marina exchanged glances, knowing not to press for more details. They respected Matsu's privacy, understanding that some aspects of his life were better left untouched. The group assured Matsu that they would manage things on their end while he spent time with his clones.

Exander, still absorbing this new information, nodded hesitantly, "That's... interesting. I guess."

Matsu appreciated the understanding from his friends and thanked them for their support. As the group continued their day, Matsu looked forward to the upcoming visits with his clones, a routine that brought both joy and bittersweet memories.

Blaze, always curious, couldn't help but ask, "Why do you want to go with Matsu to Eclipse City?"

Calie grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "Well, Blaze, we want to spend more time with our future step-kids!"

Marie chimed in, "Yeah, and we've always wondered why Matsu comes back so happy every time he returns from Eclipse City. We figured we'd go and see for ourselves what makes those little clones so special."

Blaze raised an eyebrow, "You're telling me you want to spend your afternoons with a bunch of five-year-olds?"

Calie laughed, "Exactly! They're adorable, and it's a chance for us to bond with them. Plus, we want to understand why Matsu loves spending time with them so much."

Marie added with a smirk, "Who knows, maybe we'll learn a thing or two about parenting from our dear Matsu."

Blaze chuckled, realizing that Calie and Marie's motives were a mix of genuine interest, mischief, and a desire to share more moments with Matsu, even if it involved a group of five-year-old clones. She shook her head, thinking about the uniqueness of their situation, and said, "Alright, have fun with the little ones then. Just make sure Matsu doesn't come back with even more clones in tow."

Calie and Marie exchanged mischievous glances, and Calie winked, "No promises, Blaze. The more, the merrier, right?"

Blaze rolled her eyes, laughing at the playful banter. The prospect of Calie and Marie spending time with Matsu's clones promised both entertainment and heartfelt moments. Little did they know, this trip to Eclipse City would become another cherished memory in the tapestry of their unconventional family.

Then Matsu, Calie, and Marie gathered in the living room, ready for their trip to Eclipse City. Matsu looked at his watch and said, "Well, since we all have the day off today, how about we head to Eclipse City a bit earlier? It's been two years since you two visited, right?"

Calie and Marie exchanged excited glances before Calie responded, "Yes! It's been way too long. I can't wait to see how Eclipse City has changed."

Marie added, "Last time we visited, those little rascals were just learning to talk. I wonder what they're like now."

Matsu smiled, pleased that Calie and Marie were eager to reconnect with his clones. "They've grown a lot in the past two years. You'll be surprised by how much they've changed."