Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground



Chapter 1072 Fight?

"Still untouchable, Grandpa."

At Atticus's words, the steely expression on Magnus's face cracked, replaced by a genuine smile.

"Rest," he said simply, his voice carrying over to the groaning figures struggling to rise. Then...

Crack

He turned into a streak of lightning, appearing in front of Atticus in an instant.

"Is everything okay?"

Atticus looked at him and smiled. Somehow, despite the blunt tone, he could feel it, that if he said no, Magnus would turn the world upside down to make it right.

He shook his head. "I... can't answer that. Not yet, anyway. Even I'm not sure."

After his talk with Ozeroth, after lying to his mother, Atticus had made a decision. No more lies. Not to those he fought for. If his strength was meant to protect them, what good was it if their relationship was built on deceit?

"There are things coming," he said quietly. "Things I'm not certain of. We have to prepare, Grandpa."

Magnus's eyes narrowed slightly. He was surprised. Since the day this monstrous grandson of his was born, Atticus had lived shrouded in mystery. Everyone close to him knew, Atticus was hiding something. Many things, actually.

But this moment... this felt different.

It felt like the first time Atticus was about to open up.

Magnus stepped closer. His voice was softer now, sounding more like a grandfather. "What's going on?"

It didn't sound like a demand. It sounded like a plea. Like he was asking to be let in, to be trusted.

'I shouldn't keep things anymore, Atticus thought.

"Don't worry," he said, smiling. "I'll gather more information... and then I'll tell you everything."

He stepped forward and hugged Magnus. The old man blinked, then smiled and wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.

"Alright," Magnus said quietly.

From behind them, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Ha! Grandpa Magnus is hugging Atticus!"

Caldor had just stood up, rubbing his back from where he'd been flung.

His words broke the others out of their reverie. They turned and stared, mouths open wide. Magnus and Atticus, two of the coldest, most untouchable people they knew, were actually hugging.

Both of them flinched like they'd been caught in the middle of something forbidden. And before Atticus could even open his mouth to explain, Magnus vanished in a flash of lightning, leaving nothing but a crackle of static behind.

Caldor dashed forward. "How can you do this to me, Grandpa! I thought we had something!" He threw his arms up, yelling to the empty air where Magnus had stood moments ago. "I'm supposed to be your favorite grandson!"

Then he turned to Atticus, eyes narrowed. "You!"

Atticus raised an eyebrow as Caldor pointed an accusing finger at him.

"I was gone for just a few years, and you stole Grandpa away from me!"

Atticus chuckled softly. "It's good to see you too, Caldor. I've missed you."

"You-! You...!" Caldor stuttered, completely caught off guard by the warmth in Atticus's voice. His fake anger fizzled out.

"Of course you missed me. It'd be a crime not to miss this greatness." He flicked his hair with flair.

From Atticus's mind, Ozeroth growled,

"Who the hell is this clown? To dare call himself great in front of me is sacrilegious!' 'You two are the same, Atticus replied inwardly, already exasperated.

'Dramatic, loud, and convinced the world revolves around you. You'd click instantly!

'Take that back, bond!' Ozeroth thundered. "The great Ozeroth is not dramatic! And to compare me with such-

Atticus tuned him out instantly.

"Yes, yes," he said aloud, smiling. "I admit. It's been a long time, Caldor."

He pulled Caldor into a hug. The latter stiffened for a second, clearly not expecting it. But then his expression softened, and he smiled warmly, hugging him back. "I've missed you too, brother"

After the death of Ariel, Ember and Caldor's father, the three of them had grown close. In every way that mattered, they were family. Siblings, not by blood, but by bond.

After they separated, someone else suddenly called out.

"Atticus."

A quiet voice drew his attention, and before he could fully turn, Ember had wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

Atticus blinked in surprise, then smiled softly and returned the hug. "I missed you too, Ember."

"More than Caldor," she murmured without missing a second.

"Hey!" Caldor snapped from beside them. But Ember didn't even glance his way. She simply pulled back, staring silently into Atticus's eyes, as if daring him to refuse.

Atticus cleared his throat, chuckled, and said, "Of course. More than Caldor."

Caldor gasped. "How dare you betray me, Atticus!"

But Atticus only shrugged with a smile, eyes still on Ember.

"Life's not fair," he said.

Moments later, the rest of the group began to approach. Aurora didn't waste time, she sprinted forward and practically leapt into Atticus's arms, hugging him tightly, as if afraid he might vanish again.

Atticus chuckled and returned the hug. When it stretched longer than expected, he murmured softly,

"Looks like someone missed me. It's alright, I was always going to return."

Aurora finally pulled away, but the look she gave him could've set the sky on fire.

"We can't say," she huffed. "You got yourself helplessly trapped in a ball, waiting to be saved like a princess."

Atticus's lips twitched.

Caldor whistled. "Damn! Now that was some roast." He grinned and high-fived Aurora, who returned the gesture with a sheepish grin toward Atticus.

Atticus raised a brow. "Speak for yourself. At least I didn't scream 'Atticus!' every two seconds like you were auditioning for a soap opera."

Aurora's face instantly flushed. "You-!" Flames erupted around her in a small burst of fire, her aura flaring.

Before anything more could be said, a voice cut through.

"Fight?"

Everyone turned toward Kael, who was watching them with a glint of excitement in his eyes and a wide grin on his face.

They all shook their heads in unison. Of course he'd picked up on Aurora's battle intent.

And of course, he assumed a fight was about to break out.

One he had absolutely no intention of missing.

They all burst into laughter.