The same afternoon our heroes said their goodbyes and left on their trip back home and ready to spend their day resting in their own temples and dealing with annoying neighbors.

But before they could start one of their own stayed for a while to properly say his part.

He hugs his son for so long to remind him that one of these days or months he'll come back. Though their few days of bonding wasn't perfect he felt it was enough.

As for the boy's mother the saint gave her an item she could wear to remind him, his scarf. After that he finally left to join his comrades.

Time Skip[five months later]

It's almost a month left for her son's first birthday and the boy's health had changed ever since his father left. He randomly gets his episodes but thankfully they last for four seconds. Wearing the same scarf and his hair growing fluffy and in shoulder length he looks more like his father but more calmer.

"Hold still." On her knees with the sheep shears Ava cuts away the hair in favor of a more shorter style since the long hair reminds her too much of him.

Five months has pass that they left and no news of him has ever came except for the time he send currencies so she could support herself, though that was two months ago.

Now done cutting she releases Arkhes where he chases after chicks in the backyard.

"Don't poke them." She called out after her son suddenly has the tendency to poke everything that moves in these months.

Her belly though grew but not as big than the first time and already she experience various kicks and surprisingly stings. Caressing it her smile disappears.

Please come you're worrying me so much. She thought of the saint.

Time Skip[one month]

One sunny evening she made her way from a small bakery holding a small cake for her son but she was depressed that a certain person never showed up on the day of the boy's birth. Now that it's almost dusk she gave up the hope he's given to her.

Since she's good friends with the bar owner the small celebration was located in her place after kicking out some tipsy customers.

The building was close and Ava puts a smile so that they won't see her real feelings as she extends her hand to enter.

Going through the doors that swing open she was given a plate of food from the owner herself.

"I'm not hungry." Ava said.

"Don't lie to me I know you are. Anyways there's this bum that won't leave my place and I'm wondering if you can politely kick him out for me?" Calvera nods where a heavy cloaked figure sits onto the farthest table from them.

It was strange but the goddess did had to back her up when a customer refuses to leave.

"I'll get right on it." Ava carefully walk across the empty tables to approach the man. Now standing in front of him she taps his back to get his attention. "Excuse me but please leave."

"I just got here and you want me out? You're really rude."

She quickly knew the voice. Before anything can be done the stranger got up to face her as he removes his disguise. She was beyond surprised that it was Kardia all along and he came just in time.

"You came!!!" She threw herself against him but he had to stop her first or else she'll unintentionally hurt the unborn child.

"Wouldn't want to miss his day, and I came to check up on you." He could see how small her bump looked and placed his hand on it making her to blush from it. It is small but a strong cosmos is detected inside.

He was glad that it survived.

"It's a boy, just like you said." She said with a bashful face but unlike her he was now eager to meet it.

"How does it work I want to see him quick!!!" He acted like a kid waiting for a sibling to come early.

"Three more months so wait a little." She smiles at him.

The rest of the evening was nice and calming for her, seeing him helping the boy with the small cake gave a family-like feeling but suddenly her son acted odd towards his father. The toddler seemed to avoid him whenever the young man tries to feed him and often growls at him. Even he tried to poke at the saint but with a harmful intent than how it was the last time.

"That's strange to see him like this." Ava takes Arkhes away to place him in his own chair.

"Hah don't worry probably he's showing me how tough he can go." Once as Kardia tries to give his son a pat on the head the boy rapidly tried to poke him away, but this time it was more of a aggressive defense. Quickly the Scorpio had to withdraw his hand away.

"Don't do that to your father." She politely scolds her son.

"Relax he hasn't seen me in the longest so I deserve that." He ends it with a small laugh to lighten the mood but once she glance at her son the little boy glared at him like if he's a total stranger.

Or maybe he can sense what's going to happen in the coming years.

Once each of them has had their share of the pastry she wanted to ask something now that it was only her and the saint together while their son plays with the small wooden toys ontop of the surface of the counter where Calvera cleans a few cups for tomorrow.

"How is everyone doing?" Ava sat next to him.

"...missions are a pain, Degel is a even bigger pain and that lion brat got more annoying. But there's something you need to know." He looked cautious and serous which gave Ava small chills.

"W-what happen?"

"Whatever happens you'll need to be ready."

It was weird to hear him like this but it worries her.

"Did something happen over there???"

"No I'm giving you a early start. I'm sorry but my next visit will be my last, also I found a place for you and Arkhes." He hands her a small letter, "it's far but at least you two will be safe."

It was scary for Ava of the way how he spoke like he's giving out a farewell speech but with a dark feeling to it.

"Well can Arkhes still go to Sanctuary when's he grown?" She hugs him tightly but the saint ignores her question as he looks at the boy with a pained face.

"Uh I'll think about it when I come back..."

Time Skip [big day]

It started in the morning after she went to feed the chickens. With her maids returning from their break they rush to her aid and took her to a small room to deliver while her son and the Scorpio's friend waited patiently.

For three hours it was a painful process for her and her body aches but using her large amount of cosmos she was able to get the child out.

"Miss?" One of the maids look baffled at the infant who she covers in a small fabric. Ava was overall tired but seeing the maid smiling she had to ask.

"W-what is...it?"

"Take a look."

Handing the baby to her Ava could see the sleeping baby has red hair just like her with a gentle face.

But after seeing a red nail located on its left finger she was quickly reminded of him. Soon she went to a depressive state but not without giving its name first.

"Yuri." She couldn't think of why out of all names she chose that but it's simple and faster to pronounce.

Then something knocked on the doors until they open. Someone came in holding her unhappy son who repeatly keeps stabbing against the gold armor while he struggles to be released at the same time.

"You...came." She felt her whole world brighter now that he came to see the newborn. But he looks completely different starting from his appearance, his hair grew longer and wild along with his height.

Even he had a seemly frightening face that she bet might had scared enemies. With the boy struggling to get off of the saint's arms Ava could understand why. Even her maids were a little intimidated by him.

What is once a sweet looking and playful saint is now more of a ruthless-looking fighter that had experience in past, and messy, battlefields.

"What's the matter you look at me if I'm a stranger." He wasn't glad of the way they all stared at him. For three months he had to train harder to catch up against his golden competitors in preparation for the war that was recently mention by the pope. Moreover the hard training paid off but he lost part of his way of connecting with his family and most of his friends.

"Haven't you look in the mirror recently?" Calvera pass him to go see the infant for herself. For once she was glad it looks more of it's mother, not that she dislikes Arkhes but the thought of seeing three versions of her annoying and arrogant friend was enough to give her strands of silver hair.

"N-no it's because you look different than last time." Ava felt nervous speaking at the new Scorpio.

"And is that bad???" Kardia walked to the side of the bed where he then sits close to her.

Finally putting his son down the boy quickly crawled next to the protection of his mother.

"It fits you nice." With her new son snuggled against her she hands him over to the Scorpio. "His name is Yuri."

With the infant fast asleep and cradled in his arms the saint felt like his old self returning like the first time he met Arkhes. His eyes suddenly look glossy as he looks at their new addition.

He wasn't attempting to cry of joy for this day but of the fact that they found Athena in a nearby village in Sanctuary though she was still young so they had to wait a few years more. Even so it means that war will come.

Unfortunately ever since of the discovery reports of specter attacks were on the rise. And when that happens he must do whatever to keep his family safe which is what he personally chose the country Ava and her sons wil go.

It will be bittersweet that he'll never be there for them but at least they'll be out of danger. As for Arkhes he hopes the new home will keep him alive and well.

"Are you feeling well?" She saw how blue he looked now suspecting that something did happen on the other side.

"Yeah, I am." The Scorpio carefully looks at Yuri from the small red patch of hair to the round face where it has two small blushes as he sleeps and soon the older brother suddenly crawl and sat next to the saint trying to get a better view of his little brother.

"Hey give us a minute." He look at the maids and his friend after he placed Yuri aside on a safe area of the bed, soon they all left the two parents alone with the children.

"Is there something I need to know-" the words from Ava were cut out as he straight up kisses her by surprise. She wanted to embrace him but her arms were tired of holding on to the mattress. While they do their thing Arkhes on the other hand finally looks on his brother and smiles at him. In return Yuri smiles back even in his sleep state.

"I'll miss you." Tears came out of Ava after their little moment. Seeing her like that he also wanted to do the same but he must take it all in like a saint of Athena.

"One day I'll be back again and I'll stay with you guys forever." The Scorpio softly smiles taking away one of the tears from her face.

Having three of his achievements with him was the best he could had. She showed herself that no matter how flawed he was she still care for him and went through troubles alongside him.

But if only he was given another chance he'll definitely return...in a heartbeat.

The end.

Don't worry I'll post a bittersweet bonus chapter by Sunday and I'll have some news to share!

Thank you for the support!