That night came sooner than Aurora and I expected, or desired. We decided to have the talk before dinner. Again, all our kids were laughing and cutting up around the dinner table. The familiar sounds of their back and forth washed over me; sounds I’d thought I’d never hear again.

  Xavier, tall and confident at twenty, was teasing Margo about her latest science project while she rolled her eyes dramatically. Maeve sat quietly observing, a small smile playing at her lips as she occasionally inserted a perfectly timed comment that would had everyone laughing. Nadia, our youngest at thirteen, fiercely defended Margo while simultaneously plotting her own revenge on Xavier, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

  I caught Aurora’s eye across the table, and the flash of pain in her gaze mirrored my own. We were about to shatter this perfect moment, this innocent happiness. But what choice did we have?

  Aurora was the first to speak up.

  “OK, listen up. Your father and I have something very important to tell you. It’s going to sound crazy, like fantasy crazy, but I need you to have an open mind.” She said, running her fingers through her curly blonde hair nervously.

  “…aaand I’ll let your father take over from here.” she said while tapping me on the back, a gesture that managed to convey both support and ‘you’re on your own with this one.’

  “That was a lot of help,” I said sarcastically, watching her bashful grin. Even now, with the weight of the world on our shoulders, she could make me smile.

  I cleared my throat, drawing the attention of our children. Xavier stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning serious as he noticed the tension in my posture. Margo’s eyes widened slightly, her quick mind already sensing something significant was coming. Maeve’s observant gaze sharpened, while Nadia straightened in her chair.

  “As your mother said, a ridiculous situation has happened. What I’m about to tell you cannot be repeated to another soul. Do you understand me?”

  They all nodded their heads as I looked at each one of them, making eye contact to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

  “This will sound absolutely crazy. You know the other night, when I was acting weird? The thing is,” I took a moment to collect myself. “I had just returned from the future.”

  The room went silent. No breathing, no movement, just four pairs of eyes staring at me in varying degrees of disbelief.

  The first to pipe up was Margo, her scientific mind already racing to process this impossibility. “Wait...what? Dad, are you messing with us?” Her voice rose slightly at the end, a nervous laugh escaping her lips as she looked around for confirmation that this was some elaborate joke.

  I held out my hand to her, signaling to give me a second to explain.

  “Babe, just show them the thing.” said Aurora impatiently.

  I just stared at her like she was crazy for a second. You fight otherworldly beings and regress through time, only to have your wife tell you to get to the point. She just smiled that huge grin that I’d missed for so long.

  “You better be glad I love you.” I said with a smirk. She just mimicked a little shimmy dance and a smile that sent warmth through my chest. How many times had I thought I’d never see that smile and stupid dance again?

  “Fine.” I relented while releasing my mana Thread for the family to witness. I let it lengthen and wrap itself around the lights above the dinner table, the purple glow casting strange shadows across their astonished faces.

  Margo yelped in surprise and glee. “This is freaking awesome!” she squealed, her hands clasped together on her rosy cheeks as she stared at the thread with unbridled fascination.

  Xavier jumped from his chair and slammed both hands on the table. “Dad, what is this?!” he said aloud, his eyes full of wonder and a hint of alarm.

  Maeve just sat in silence with her left hand to her mouth, watching the movement of the purple Thread with a calculating gaze. Her eyes tracked every subtle movement, analyzing, processing.

  “Dad… what did you do?” was her immediate response. Always the possibilities of danger with her, I noted, even in this timeline.

  Nadia’s eyes seemed to pop from her socket as she reached out to touch it before any of her older siblings. We always had to prove fire was hot with that one. She just laughed maniacally, as her mind raced with ideas.

  Aurora still stared in shock, even after witnessing it many times. She was gone before I had access to most of my abilities in our last timeline. I explained the multitude of skills I possessed to her, but she still became dumbfounded at the sight. I had to remember that this was a different Aurora than I had explained everything to the night before.

  “It’s about time you all learn the truth.” I stated firmly.

  I released my Thread, much to everyone’s disapproval. The light dimmed, returning the room to ordinary, though nothing would be normal for us again.

  “You’ll all be taught different skills, but first, you need to know what’s happened.”

  I went through everything that happened after The Fall, piece by piece. I recounted the same actions as I did to Aurora the night before, though I carefully edited certain details; the most graphic deaths, the worst horrors we’d endured. They didn’t need those images in their minds. Not yet.

  As I spoke, their faces transformed. Xavier had tears falling from his eyes as I recalled his little sisters all dying. His hands clenched into fists on the table, knuckles white with strain. He turned his gaze away as I described the loss of his future wife Rose.

  Margo only stared in shock as her fantasy of a world with magic crumbled under the weight of reality. Her lips moved silently, formulating and dismissing questions faster than she could voice them.

  Maeve seemed frightened and horrified at who she became; what she had to do to survive. Her ever observant eyes clouded with emotion as she tried to reconcile the skilled killer I described, with her current self.

  Nadia ran over to her mother and just held her while crying her eyes out. Aurora wrapped her arms around our youngest, stroking her hair and murmuring words of comfort I couldn’t quite hear.

  “This will happen again if we don’t become stronger. Humanity has only us to help guide and protect it. I’ve got a plan set in motion to help us all become the best versions of ourselves.” I said, trying to give back some measure of comfort, to offer hope amid the devastation I’d just laid out.

  I took a deep breath, as this was the moment that I dreaded.

  “You each have a choice to make,” I said a second time, while lifting two fingers. “Either I can train you and give lessons on what’s to come.”

  I dropped a finger. “Or I could restore your memories from the other timeline. With them, you will always become stronger than those without. However, without them you don’t have to suffer from the horrible memories that will scar you to your core.”

  “And yes, they are incomparably worse than you’re trying to imagine.” I added, taking the breath out of the room.

  Silence descended, heavy and oppressive. Xavier stared at his hands, as if already seeing the blood that would stain them. Margo’s gaze darted between me and Aurora, seeking reassurance neither of us could honestly give. Maeve’s expression had turned unreadable, her eyes focused on some middle distance as she processed everything. Nadia clung tighter to Aurora, her young shoulders shaking.

  “Make your decision as the training for each differs drastically. I’ll come to each of you separately, and we’ll work our way through your answers. We only have three years to spare. I wish I could give you more time. I had to make an impossible deal to just get this far.”

  “I’ll take any questions you guys have.” I spoke, my voice gentler than before.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Over the next hour I took questions from the kids, each revealing their personalities through what they chose to ask. Xavier focused on tactical concerns; how to prepare, what skills would be most valuable, whether certain events could be prevented. Margo wanted to understand the science of it all; how mana worked, how memories could be transferred, whether plants could be enhanced with magic. Maeve asked fewer questions, but each was incisive, probing for weaknesses in my plan, contingencies I’d prepared. Nadia’s questions were more emotional, would we stay together this time, could we save more people, was I scared.

  As we wound the night down, they each gave me tight hugs. I felt the trembling in their embraces, the fear and uncertainty, but also the love and trust. These weren’t just my children anymore; they were reluctant heroes in a war that hadn’t even begun.

  Xavier came to me right after the talk. “I’m ready, Dad.” he said resolutely. I nodded and asked if he’d like to be alone, or with the family.

  His jaw set in determination. “I want them all here. My life would actually mean something, and I could affect real change with the knowledge you’d give. Besides, it’d just be me catching up with myself.” he smiled while lightly jabbing my arm.

  My son’s attempt at humor despite his obvious fear made my chest tighten. His courage had always been one of his defining traits, even in the worst moments of the previous timeline. But there was something else there too in his voice; hunger for purpose… for meaning, and that worried me slightly.

  I hugged my son tightly, whispering in his ear. “I’m proud of you boy.”

  “Sit on the couch and get comfortable. Everyone else, give him some space.” I said while closing my eyes and activating Memory Pocket.

  Margo and Nadia squealed as the purple bubble formed in my palm. Maeve glanced into it and saw a pool of rippling waves swirling within, her eyes narrowing slightly. I brought it to Xavier’s mind and gently held the back of his head, steadying him for what was to come.

  As the bubble connected with his skin, it burst into tendrils that sank into his temples. His body went rigid, and a gasp escaped his lips. He jerked back towards the couch nearly causing himself whiplash.

  “Dad!” he screamed aloud with his eyes closed. “Where is everyone? He’s right behind me!”

  I could see him reliving his final moments; hunted like an animal in the forest by Chris and his Hyenas. My son had died alone, afraid, calling for help that never came. Now wasn’t the time for the anger I felt, I needed to help my boy. I filed the information in the back of my mind for later. Retribution will be taken.

  “I’ve got you son, it’s ok. Open your eyes.” I said through tears. I could hear the snivels behind me as well. “You’re safe. Just open your eyes.”

  “Dad?” he said while opening his eyes, disorientation and recognition warring on his face.

  He grabbed me in a massive embrace, his breathing ragged against my shoulder. Then he looked behind me and saw his family. He flew past me and grabbed them all up and laughed his heart out, though the sound held an edge of hysteria.

  “Are we dead?” he asked while turning to look at me.

  “No, son.” I said while chuckling at the repeated first question. Aurora had asked the same thing. “Take the time and search your memories, I should’ve given you the answers.”

  He closed his eyes, brow furrowed in concentration. “Dad, this is insane! You turned back time?!” he hugged me again, while catching his breath.

  Without warning, as Xavier tended to do when he became serious, he looked me in the eyes and asked, “What do you need me to do?”

  Even as a child he took every task extremely seriously. His hyper focus on a subject made him start to lean into a perfectionist mindset. If left to his own devices, he was a smart and extremely capable person.

  Once told to do a task, he would focus and complete it with expert efficiency. He could become any person or learn any trait necessary to accomplish his goal.

  That mindset, however, tended to make him see others as either useful or useless. It made him seem rough around the edges but insulated him from idiots who wanted to capitalize on his gifts.

  “Just try to return to normal life for the next 30 days. You need to rest and remember what life was like before The Fall,” I said while rubbing his back.

  “Understood.” he said seriously before his face melted into a smile again. Xavier ran up to Nadia and grabbed her up in a hug.

  Meanwhile Margo approached me. “I know why you’re worried now dad.” she said with an understanding expression in her eyes. “That night in the kitchen, I understand it now.”

  “I’m ready.” she said with a stern expression and then winked.

  I kissed her forehead, and everyone stood back as I repeated the process again, straining my mana.

  “Seems I can’t do anymore tonight.” I said after releasing her precious memories.

  I expected the same shocked response, considering Aurora and Xavier. What I didn’t expect however, was emerald green light to shine from Margo’s eyes when they opened.

  Her mana channels seemed to be already open, full tilt. She was always the most mana sensitive of us all if I recall. Her constant usage of her plant magic in our salves and potions made her mana control and efficiency skyrocket.

  She looked up at me and smiled with her joker’s grin. As she opened her palm, a single green sprout sprang from it, tiny leaves unfurling in her hand.

  “I’m back, daddio!” said Margo with that beautiful voice of hers.

  From the back of my throat, a phrase I hadn’t used in years threatened to make the waterworks start anew.

  “Hey, knucklehead!” I said as we embraced before everyone stormed us and piled on. “We all missed you so much!”

  The weight of all of my family being whole, alive and together nearly brought me to my knees. How many nights did I lie awake, remembering their faces, haunted by how I’d failed them? Yet here they were, given another chance.

  “I read through all your memories dad, reeeaaal slick way to use mana. I see what you did there.” she said with a grin.

  Margo was always a genius at mana control. As she bonded with nature, her senses seemed to expand in their readings. I knew exactly what her training technique should be. I shook my head. Now wasn’t the time for that.

  “Thanks kiddo. I’d do anything for you.” I said with a sappy smile, staring at my family.

  Xavier chimed in “Yeah, resetting the world kinda shows that dad. You don’t have to worry, you’re not alone in this anymore. We gotcha!” he said, clapping me on the shoulder.

  Before I could respond, Nadia rammed into my back with her forehead. I turned to see her with that stubborn look in her eyes when she feels ignored for too long. As the youngest, sometimes she felt overlooked.

  The truth was, she’d been unnaturally strong since she was a baby, mentally and physically. We put her in martial arts at a young age and, as a self-proclaimed champion of justice, it made her into a very tough child. At the age of 13, she practically ran the middle school. We all know which side of the family that strength and solidity stemmed from. She was the spitting image of her mother.

  “Hey baby, are you ok?” I asked with worry.

  She squared her shoulders, her eyes meeting mine with a directness that belied her age. “I don’t want to do this. I understand all your reasons, but I don’t wanna remember all that.” You could tell what it meant for her to say this, as she was on the verge of tears.

  She never hooked to anyone’s bandwagon, including ours. It never mattered what everyone else did, she followed her own compass. If she wasn’t sure of something, she’d follow her own path.

  “And that’s alright, baby.” I said as I kissed her head softly.

  “This is an impossible situation, and I have no doubt you understand yourself better than we ever could.”

  Relief flooded her features, her body relaxing. She’d been bracing herself for an argument, for pressure to conform. Instead, she threw her arms around my waist, burying her face against my chest.

  “Thanks, Dad,” she mumbled into my shirt.

  I turned to Maeve to see how she felt. She chose to wait a few hours, and we’d discuss it privately. Always listening, she picked up when I glossed over her parts in the other timeline. I could tell she wanted to support her little sister.

  Maeve caught my eye and gave a small nod, a silent communication passing between us. She’d always been the most observant, picking up on nuances others missed. I suspected she’d already guessed more than I’d explicitly told them.

  We all chose to grab some food before calling it a night. I let everyone know that we’d work on their mana sense and control starting tomorrow. I needed to rest up a bit after expending that much energy, both physically and emotionally.

  After an amazing dinner everyone sat back in their chairs. Margo and Xavier hadn’t had home cooked food in quite some time, and it was a sight to watch them devour everything.

  Xavier sat back patting his belly and loosened his belt. “Oh man, it’s been a while.” he said with a full look of happiness on his face.

  “I know right!” said Margo while finishing off the potatoes…again. Some things just didn’t change. Maeve just sat back and listened while smiling occasionally.

  Nadia, however, seemed to be taking this harder than I intended. I had never considered that maybe a 13-year-old child might not want to give up their place in this world for a memory of the apocalypse. It pained me to watch her sit in silence near Maeve, giving slight glances at her family. She felt isolated, like her family was taken from her. My heart ached in my chest for my child. In one evening, I had ripped her life from her and torn her world asunder.

  I made a mental note to handle this as soon as possible. I needed to focus on Maeve for the next recollection, but I needed to keep in mind that she might want to stay and protect her sister.

  “I’m intensely proud of all of you.” I said glancing around to everyone, lingering on Aurora.

  “Right now, I need to reinforce something to you all. I know I shouldn’t have to say this, but you cannot tell anyone about what’s transpired here.” I said, growing serious.

  “Understand that people would want to take advantage of us,” said Aurora looking firmly at me. “If anyone found out, we’d be chased to the ends of the Earth.”

  “That’s right,” I said. “ but I don’t think you guys understand, including you babe.” I stood from the table and looked each one in the eyes.

  “Right now, we’re the most powerful people on the face of this Earth. By the time I’m done teaching you, our family alone could topple any government. I need to know you comprehend the future ahead of us.”

  They each sat in absolute silence, weighing the power of the words I had spoken. In turn they each gave me their verbal understanding.

  I could barely stand and I decided to get some rest until it was time to handle Maeve.

  “Good night.” I said while heading to bed before the headache from mana exhaustion threatened an intense migraine. “I love you guys.”

  As I walked to the bedroom, I glanced back at them gathered around the table. Xavier was already deep in conversation with Margo, their hands moving animatedly as they discussed what they’d remembered. Maeve watched them with a small smile, occasionally glancing at Nadia who seemed to be slowly coming out of her shell again, asking questions about what they were talking about.

  Aurora caught my eye and gave me a smile that carried both love and concern. She understood what I’d had to do tonight; break our children’s innocence to forge them into warriors. The cost had been high, but as I looked at my family, together and alive; I knew it had been worth it.

  Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, I would sleep knowing I wasn’t alone anymore.