An hour passed when a knock resounded at the door. 

Neban grew tense as his mind told him to take Theo and bolt because it could be a specific person at the door, changing their mind once again and taking his son from him. 

He needed Theo; he did not want to lose his son no matter what. 

But he stays seated, holding Theo a bit tighter, the boy not minding, as Isona stood up and opened the door. 

When he heard Wey's voice before the man came into view, Neban relaxed the tension in his muscles, but it did nothing to get rid of the surrounding tense atmosphere he was unconsciously creating. 

Wey walked into the living area, telling Neban and Theo 'hey.' Theo replied with enthusiasm while Neban nodded in acknowledgment before sticking back to his son. 

Wey and Isona looked at each other like they were, once again, communicating with their eyes. But they did not say anything out loud about Neban's behavior as they sat on either side of him. 

It was quiet, with Theo talking a few times with Wey and Isona about the show they were watching. Well, Neban was not watching the show; his mind was only on keeping his son with him. 

He hated that he was letting the woman, whom Neban barely remembered when she gave him Theo (until much later when he remembered her again), was affecting him like this. 

Neban was not scared of anything except losing his son because, after the three years and few months he had the boy, Theo became his world and anchor (Theo was one when the woman gave his son to him). 

Theo was the first person Neban wanted to change for and do better because he wished to be a good father for his son. 

Before his thoughts could continue, Wey leaned over until he was whispering in Neban's ear, "Can we talk in the kitchen?" 

Neban looked at the man, then back to his son while biting his lip. He was getting ready to say no, the word on the tip of his tongue, but the look that Wey was giving him stopped Neban short. 

He swallowed before nodding, "I will be back," he whispered in Theo's ear before getting up and setting the boy on the couch. Theo smiled at him, nodding before facing the TV again. 

Neban hesitates, almost staying when Wey cleared his throat before pointing his head to the kitchen. Neban sighed by making his way there. 

But they did not get too far because Neban stopped Wey; he wanted to keep his son in his sight. Wey did not say anything as he stared at him. 

"Neban, Isona and I have been talking once you reentered the living area," Wey started. 

"You were not here during that time." Neban interrupted. 

Wey sighed, "I know," before starting again, "Isona wanted to ask what was wrong, but I decided I will because sometimes she can be a bit emotional, and I know you do not need that right now. So, what is wrong?" 

Neban was silent for a few minutes, looking at Theo, like he was making sure the boy was still there, instead of glancing at Wey. 

And Wey was patient. The man was always patient; it was different from Isona. Isona can be emotional sometimes and ready to jump on something while Wey thought more and remained patient through many things. 

And with Neban's personality, it was something he needed from both of them. 

Another minute passed before Neban tore his gaze away and looked at Wey, "Someone called me and told me that the mother of my child is coming back here." 

Wey's expression was neutral, which Neban was glad for, "Isn't the mother the one who gave you Theo because she didn't want him?" 

Neban slowly nodded. 

"The same one to disappear without giving you any documents for the boy?" 

Once again, Neban nodded.

"Are you worried that she is going to change her mind and take him back?" 

Neban froze for a bit, his fear laid bare, out in the open, before he nodded. Wey did not react, but he grabbed Neban's hand with a softness that caused him to relax. 

Wey looked at him with a calm expression before saying, "She cannot take him from you. The woman threw everything away when she said she did not want the boy and disappeared. I am sure if she tried, it would not end well for her. 

"And do not let this get to you, because that is what the person who told you wanted. I know you are not the type to give into others that do not matter, Neban." 

Neban was nodding his head the whole time, feeling better than he did when Angel told him that Theo's mother was coming back. 

Wey was right, and Neban should not let this worry him. Theo is his son and will always be with him. 

Neban will not lose Theo. 

He looked at Wey with a soft look before silently saying, "Thank you." 

Wey smiled, giving him a small, soft kiss before letting him go and backing away. "Let's go back and have a good night. Isona is letting her anxiety eat away at her." 

"Okay," Neban responded as he walked back into the living area in a better mood. 

Neban could not help but wonder how boring and sad his life would have been if he never had Theo, Wey, and Isona. It was something he never wants to happen. 

Neban is content like this. 

****

It was the next day as Neban was making his way back to Qut Street. Well, it was the afternoon because he did not want to leave home, but he had to fight Yini before she decided to wreak havoc because Neban did not show. 

As he walked over to the abandoned street, Neban thought about Theo and wondered if the boy is fine. Wey could not watch him because the man started a part-time job while Isona had classes to attend. 

So, Theo was with his grandparents, and his mother told him that they were taking his son to the park. Neban rather not have Theo out because what if Angel or Luka come out of nowhere? Or worse, Theo's mother? 

He did not want that, but his mother was stubborn, so it was hard to dissuade her. Neban sighed, worrying about Theo as he walked into the abandoned area. 

'Clear your mind; we are going to get in a fight soon.' Siren spoke. 

Neban rolled his eyes, pulling Siren out of his sub-space before looking at his surroundings. 

There were no monsters around. Seeing that the portal remained open, Neban wondered if the government was doing anything about this or ignoring it since nothing terrible hasn't happened yet. 

Neban's thoughts did not continue when Yini appeared in front of him, looking at the sword in his hand. 

She gave a broad smile, showing off her fangs, "How lovely, you brought Mother'sss weapon. I cannot wait to crusssh it." There looked to be a crazed gleam in her eyes, different from her dull look. 

'Crazy. The woman is crazy.' Siren commented. 

Neban ignored the comment as he brought up his weapon, getting ready to attack Yini, when she put out her hand, stopping him. 

"Wait, human, I want to fight you in my natural form. I have been here long enough, and the majority of my powersss came back to me." Yini told him. 

Neban did not like what he heard because it meant that the longer monsters stayed in this world, the more they got back to full power. 

Did that mean things were getting closer to when Mother crossed over and brought destruction? 

Yini smirked before a green aura started to surround her, shooting out. Neban used [Shadow Travel] to move away when he saw the aura break pieces from a building. 

He kept using the move, keeping away from the green aura that was going crazy the bigger it got. A minute passed of Neban continuously using [Shadow Travel] when the aura dispersed. 

Standing where Yini used to be, was a vast snake that reminded him of a Dru. The snake sounded like it was laughing as its fork-tongued kept coming out, making the hissing noise. 

"Ah, I missssed being myssself." The snake spoke, showing that it was Yini in her natural form. 

Neban wanted to say something, but the words died out when Yini quickly went underground, creating a vast hole while causing the ground to shake. 

Stumbling, Neban turned on [Absolute Sense] as he tried to keep his balance; it was hard to see the outline of the snake when the ground was making it hard to stand straight. 

Once he found his balance, his instincts and Siren instantly warned him when Yini popped out in front of him as her head came out first with her body following. 

She opened her mouth wide as she rushed towards him. Neban thought it was almost like fighting the Dru as he stopped Yini's head from engulfing him by using his sword to keep the snake's mouth open.

He was getting pushed back. 

Yini laughed before moving back when she felt the sides of her mouth getting cut. Neban was breathing a bit hard as her force was more significant than a Dru's. 

"Let'sss play that human game called Hide and SSSeek," Yini spoke before disappearing into the ground again. 

Neban looked at the ground, trying to look for the snake as he gripped Siren, only to realize that [Absolute Sense] was not working because he could not see the snake's outline one bit. 

'I guess it is up to my instincts.' Neban thought. 

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