The Earth After Rebirth

Even though she had nowhere to be, Isla woke up early that morning. It was the day Kiro told her he could only be free in. She didn't really understand, as he'd not told her anything yet.

He was still unsure how much to tell her, so he kept to himself and after dark.

Isla was smart enough to not start an argument over something she didn't fully understand, so she decided to wait. Her phone rang and it was Saanvi.

"What?" She answered.

"Are you ready?" She smiled asking her.

"I am, but also I feel like throwing up frogs. My stomach isn't at all still." She was more nervous than when she decided to kiss Kiro.

"Of course you are, you're such a daddy's girl." Saanvi shook her head.

"Well how about you, has Hiro met your dad?"

"What for?" She rolled her eyes.

Isla didn't answer or ask any further. Clearly they had different views on this matter and she didn't really want to spend the entire day debating with Saanvi about this.

"I'd come and offer moral support, but figured the less people there, the better."

Isla nodded in agreement. It wasn't like he was asking to marry her, she relaxed a little. And enjoy the rest of the day, gaming.

It was a bit dangerous running a dungeon when she had plans later on, as the game didn't allow you to logout when one was attempting a dungeon. But it was one she knew very well, it was the one Kiro sold on their website.

Her only concern was levelling up. Even though she was the one who produced the killing arrow against the harbinger, she felt she could've done much more. So she vowed to get more levels and get stronger.

"Boss lady, we've been going at it for days, can we catch a break?" One of her teammates complained.

"I told you not to call me that, as it happens, I have plans in an hour so I have to log off. You all better be working harder, you don't want to get left behind, especially with guild wars around the corner." She didn't even wait for them to argue back, she was instantly gone.

She took another bath, quickly.

The door bell rang throughout the entire house. Isla was already at the stairs when that happened, opening the door. Kiro stood beyond it with what seemed to be a gift.

'Well done, you've done proper research.' Isla commanded internally.

Kiro almost missed a step as he walked in. At first, he couldn't recognise the person standing atop of the flight of stairs.

Isla didn't pay much attention to dressing, not to say she didn't dress nicely, but tonight she dressed to kill. The long dress made her look very mature and sophisticated, she even was even wearing the necklace had gotten her.

Her red hair was let go, not tied. She slowly walked down. Kiro stood right where the steps, admiring the sight before him.

She was almost at the bottom when he offered her a hand. She smiled and took it.

"Did you get taller? And your muscles!" She couldn't say what about his muscles, she thought they were harder than the last time she fell asleep on his chest.

"Your eyes deceive you, I didn't get tall at all, maybe muscles, I've gained some, but I'm still lean." He shrugged.

"Are you ready?"

"I have to be." He sighed.

Kiro wore a simply black and white tux. But Isla was charmed all the same. The slightly longer curly hair and blue eyes had become a sight to see for her.

They walked in the dining room. Isla almost yelled in shock. Each and everyone of her family members were present. Even the siblings who were almost always busy for such things.

Kiro was taken aback. Isla told him it would only just be her mother and father. Tiana was already presenting a broad smile at their appearance, Kiro wanted so bad to let go of Isla's hand but he held it in.

He walked with her, and seated her first before he took a seat of his own besides her. He smiled awkwardly, and greeted them as he sat.

"Oh right, you've never met my mother before, this is Marian Silva."

Kiro stood to shake hands with her. Isla was the spitting image of her mother, only she had black hair. She immediately accepted.

"I've heard so much about you, finally great to put a name to a face." She said approvingly.

"All good I hope. I've heard great things about you." Kiro didn't know how else to approach what she had just said.

The grandfather from before was also there. Seemingly minding his own business, drinking the night away.

It was awkward silence for a while until the food arrived. There was nothing they didn't ask Kiro. From asking how did he hear about the AI company, to his kidnapping, to his father starting a gaming pod company.

Kiro's answers were all calculated and brief. He didn't know who the enemy was yet, so he had to especially watch what he said.

"You're very well-spoken, everything you say leaves me wanting more." Marian commented.

Kiro choked on the red meat he was swallowing as she said that. He took a glass of wine to properly swallow everything. He didn't know whether every mother had a sixth sense, but this to him was proving that by the hour.

Her questions were very calculated and precise. So Kiro asked ones of his own.

"The Sanctum, what is it?"

He watched the eldest son shift uncomfortably in his seat. Clearly he knew something about it. Before his son ruined it though by asking a dumb question, Jesús stepped in.

"You're asking because the kidnappers asked you about it aren't you? I wish I knew though. It's interesting that some dark things are happening in our society without the knowledge of many." He took a sip as he said.

'Was that actually a threat?' Kiro wondered.