The Absolute and those who can rule it

Chapter 23 [Pattern and plan]

"Papa, wake up or you'll be late," a sweet voice pierces through the fog of my dreams, gently pulling me back to consciousness. I feel small hands shaking my shoulder, insistent but careful. Slowly, I pry my eyes open, blinking away the remnants of sleep to find Spica's bright eyes peering down at me, her face a mix of excitement and mild concern.

"Morning, sweetie," I mumble, my voice still rough with sleep. I reach out to pat her head, my fingers running through her soft hair. The simple gesture floods me with warmth — a reminder of the family I've found, against all odds.

"Mama said breakfast is ready!" Spica chirps, her energy seemingly boundless even at this early hour. She tugs at my shirt, eager to get me moving. "Come on, Papa!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," I chuckle, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. As I stand, I take a moment to stretch, feeling the satisfying pop of joints aligning. The fatigue settling deep in my bones tells me I've had another late night, but the smell of breakfast wafting through the air is motivation enough to get moving.

As I follow Spica's bouncing form down the hallway, I can't help but marvel at how much has changed in just three months. The house around us is still new enough that sometimes I wake up disoriented, momentarily forgetting where I am. But then I'll hear Noarin's humming from the kitchen or Spica's laughter from her room, and I'm grounded again.

By "normal," of course, I mean we're still knee-deep in ornament-related crimes. It's a strange realization that this has become my version of normal — juggling domestic bliss with the constant threat of supernatural danger. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The biggest change, undoubtedly, has been moving in with Noarin and Spica. Despite the earth-shattering revelations about my true nature, I'm grateful that it hasn't changed how they see me. Their unconditional acceptance is a gift I never thought I'd receive, let alone deserve.

As we enter the kitchen, the aroma of fresh coffee and something sweetly spiced — cinnamon, maybe? — envelops us. Noarin stands at the stove, her hair tied back in a messy bun, spatula in hand. The sight of her, so at home in our shared space, never fails to make my heart skip a beat.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she greets me, a teasing lilt to her voice as she places a stack of pancakes on the table. Her eyes, warm but sharp, scan my face. "Let me guess, staying up all night again to work on the Chaos Bringers case?"

I rub my neck sheepishly as I sink into a chair, feeling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "You read me like a book," I admit, unable to keep the fondness out of my voice.

"Hell yeah, I do," Noarin replies, settling into the chair next to me. Her tone softens as she continues, "Maybe I've said it too many times, but you work too hard, Aruta."

"Am I?" I respond flatly, shoving a forkful of pancake into my mouth. It's delicious, as always, but I'm too preoccupied to fully appreciate it. In the back of my mind, the Chaos Bringers case file looms large, along with the unsettling silence from Belzad. The longer he stays quiet, the more uneasy I feel. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I can't shake the feeling that when it does, it's going to hit hard.

Noarin sighs, and I can hear the concern beneath her exasperation. "Don't forget to count on us, please..." She pulls out her phone, tapping the screen a few times before holding it out to me.

I stop mid-chew, my eyes widening as I take in the information on the screen. "Wait, did you find him?" I ask, surprise coloring my voice.

Noarin nods, a hint of pride in her eyes. "He's hiding in Grim City, 12 miles south of the capital."

"How did you find him?" I can't keep the awe out of my voice. We've been chasing this particular member of the Chaos Bringers for weeks with no luck.

"With a clear mind after enough rest," Noarin says pointedly, her gaze fixed on me. "You keep overworking your mind, Aruta. Take a rest so you can see more insight into the case."