Evolto City: The Nexus of Eternity

The room was still.

Soft beeping echoed from the monitor above the infirmary bed, tracking slow, steady heartbeats. Pale sunlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow across the sterile walls and wrapping the room in a peaceful hush.

Nyxia's fingers twitched.

His golden eyes blinked open slowly, unfocused at first then sharpening as sensation returned to his limbs. He felt the warm weight of something resting against his hand.

Turning his head slightly, he saw her.

Eri.

Her tiny body curled up in a chair beside his bed, cheek resting on his hand, her white hair spilling over her shoulder like snow. She had fallen asleep holding onto him too afraid to let go, even for a moment.

His throat was dry, but he managed to rasp out a word hoarse, weak, but unmistakable: "...Eri…"

Her ears twitched, and she stirred.

Then her red eyes fluttered open and the moment she realized who had spoken, she gasped.

"N-Nyxia?!"

She bolted upright.

"You're awake! You're okay!!"

And without thinking, she threw herself onto his chest in a tearful hug—gentle but tight, overflowing with relief.

"Dad!"

Silence.

She froze, realizing what she had just said. Her little hands trembled, afraid of what he might say.

But Nyxia didn't flinch.

Though still weak, one of his arms trembling slightly wrapped around her small frame.

He didn't say anything at first. But his golden eyes softened, and he gently rested his forehead against hers.

"...I'm here."

The double doors hissed open with a soft mechanical sigh.

Out stepped Nyxia, no longer wrapped in monitors or tubes. He wore a light black coat over his usual attire, golden eyes sharp but tired still recovering, but whole.

Beside him, her small hand wrapped tightly around his fingers, was Eri. Her steps were light, skipping a little as they crossed the threshold, her bright red eyes beaming with relief and happiness.

She turned to him with a huge grin.

"No more scary machines!"

Nyxia chuckled softly just a low hum in his throat. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze in response.

Waiting just beyond the doorway, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his usual crooked grin, was Vidarath.

"About time, sleeping beauty."

Before Nyxia could retort, Eri let go of his hand and ran straight to Vidarath, arms open wide.

"Vidarath!!"

He let out a little "oomph" as she hugged him tightly.

"Tch. You're getting stronger," he smirked, ruffling her hair. "Any longer and you would've leveled me."

She giggled, still clinging to him.

Nyxia approached, quietly observing the ease between them.

Vidarath looked up at him, half-smiling with an expression Nyxia rarely saw on him something halfway between teasing and genuinely sentimental.

Then he said, casually:

"You know… I suggest you go ahead and register her at the Adoption Bureau."

Nyxia blinked, eyes narrowing slightly.

Vidarath raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Hey, don't give me that look. She's already calling you 'Dad,' clings to you like a shadow, and guess who sat with her every day while you were comatose? Yours truly. I've seen the way she looks at you. She's not going anywhere."

Eri peeked up from Vidarath's coat, looking between them both shyly but with hope sparkling in her eyes.

Nyxia didn't speak, but his answer was clear in his expression a rare softness, a quiet nod, and the faintest smile as he looked down at her.

Evolto City Adoption Bureau — Central Branch

The building was sleek and modern, a tall arc of glass and marble embedded with softly glowing runes. Despite its pristine appearance, the atmosphere inside was surprisingly warm, with bioluminescent plants and a gentle musical hum drifting through the air.

Nyxia, tall and quiet as ever, stepped inside, hand-in-hand with Eri, who looked around wide-eyed at the glimmering murals on the walls each one showing scenes of families across different species and dimensions coming together.

Behind the circular reception desk sat a woman in a white and gold uniform. Her expression was calm, almost serene, and she radiated a kind of unnerving politeness.

As Nyxia approached, she stood up, placing a small stack of papers aside.

"Good morning. You must be Nyxia, yes?"

"I am Attendant Lyressa. Assigned to oversee this adoption case."

Then she knelt slightly to meet Eri's eyes, her voice warm yet somehow measured.

"And well, hello little one. You're quite the brave girl."

Eri blushed and held tighter to Nyxia's coat.

Lyressa rose again and motioned to the side office.

"Let's get started."

The walls were lined with glowing script and silent observation glyphs. Lyressa handed Nyxia a series of forms everything from guardianship rites to magical consent clauses.

"Due to her multiversal status and latent Quirk potential, Eri falls under Tier-3 protected classification," Lyressa said smoothly."You'll need to sign here… here… and initial there."

Nyxia dutifully worked through the paperwork, quietly focused.

After nearly twenty minutes, Lyressa handed him the final document.

"Excellent. That finalizes the bond. As of now, Eri is under your full guardianship within Evolto City jurisdiction."

Then her tone changed slightly still soft, but with firm clarity.

"Do be aware, however you will be visited once every two weeks by one of our agents for welfare inspections."

She folded her hands.

"If she is found in a dangerous or unfit home… she will be taken back into Bureau custody."

Nyxia gave a small nod accepting the terms without hesitation.

Nyxia and Eri exited the building into the amber glow of Evolto City's late afternoon sun. Standing casually by a vendor cart, eating a glowing blue fruit, was Vidarath.

He waved lazily.

"So, how'd it go?"

Nyxia glanced down at Eri, who was now happily holding a tiny adoption charm she'd been gifted. Then he looked back at Vidarath.

"Her name was Lyressa. Calm. Polite. Said visits would be biweekly. Finalized everything."

Vidarath choked on his fruit, eyes going wide.

Then he burst out laughing.

"Pfft—you're kidding! Lyressa?! Oh, you lucky bastard!"

Nyxia raised an eyebrow. "...Why?"

Vidarath grinned, tossing the fruit core behind him as he leaned in.

"She's one of them."

Nyxia blinked again. "One of…?"

"The Cult of the Veil," Vidarath said, hands spreading dramatically."Yeah. Our boss has a cult. Don't worry it's not the creepy kind. More like the 'Zalthorion is the flame between stars and savior of the multiversal thread' kind."

He clapped a hand on Nyxia's shoulder.

"Since you're a personally recruited agent of Zalthorion, they go way easier on you. Normally? Adoption visits are every three days for the first three months."

He looked down at Eri.

"Looks like you're already swimming in divine bureaucracy perks."

Eri giggled, looking between the two of them.

"Does that mean I'm part of the cult now?"

Vidarath raised a finger, mock-serious.

"Only if you get the robe and memorize five Zalthorian titles."

She gasped playfully. "I want a robe!"

Nyxia let out a rare, quiet exhale almost a chuckle.

Vidarath's grin faded suddenly as he glanced sideways toward a distant alley his pupils momentarily flickering with static.

"...Uh-oh. I have to go."

Nyxia turned toward him, brow raised.

"Problem?"

Vidarath began jogging backwards, already weaving through the crowd.

"Let's just say someone accidentally summoned a void-chicken again. See ya!"

And like a flash of chaotic wind, he was gone.

Eri walked beside Nyxia, her head tilting from side to side as she took in the bizarre brilliance of Evolto City.

Multicolored amphibians played chess on floating lily pads. A gelatinous vendor offered "flavor cubes" that changed emotions instead of taste. Winged dogs barked in rhythmic pulses. A group of Dendrites played lullabies by vibrating their leafy fronds.

"...This place is so weird," she whispered, eyes wide."But… I think I like it."

Nyxia gave a low nod.

Soon, the crowds began to thin, the architecture changing from vertical spirals and floating bridges to quiet, curved buildings nestled between crystal trees and void-stone hedges.

Nyxia's Home 

They reached a black-and-gold home built into the side of a hill sleek and minimal, like Nyxia himself. The door responded to his presence, opening with a hiss of compressed air and a soft tone of welcome.

Eri stepped in and gasped.

On the living room table, three boxes sat waiting each bearing a distinct seal:

One was wrapped in shifting fabric and glowed faintly with Vidarath's chaotic glyph.

One was sterile white with a silver serpent clasp: unmistakably Dr. Wagner's.

The last was simple, sealed with black wax stamped with a seven-pointed star .

Eri walked to the first box Vidarath's and peeled the fabric open.

Inside was a plushie of Nyxia's monstrous form: soft tendrils, mismatched glowing eyes, even his antlers stitched with void-thread.

She gasped, hugging it tightly.

"It's you! But squishy!"

Nyxia raised a brow, slightly amused.

She ran to open the next.

Inside Dr. Wagner's package lay a sleek bracelet with an interface screen, biometric pad, and runic inscriptions.

"Control bracelet," read the note."Lets her release her Quirk at 5% to 30% safe, monitored, and doesn't revert furniture to nothingness Wagner."

Eri blinked.

"He's cooler than I thought."

Then she moved to Zalthorion's box.

It was a stack of sealed documents state-processed, flawless, official.

"Eri is now a legal citizen of Evolto City," Nyxia read aloud."Protected by Treaty 7-Delta, with honorary guardian status under Agent Nyxia."

But as the last paper was lifted…

There was something underneath.

Lying beneath the last paper was a small black envelope—barely noticeable, bearing no seal.

Eri picked it up and opened it carefully.

Inside was a card.

It simply read: "To the little light that softened the monster's roar welcome"

And beneath the card?

A pendant shaped like a miniature version of Nyxia's eye, carved from obsidian and glowing faintly with the same golden hue.

As Eri held it, the pendant pulsed gently then shimmered, transforming briefly into a small protective shield of energy before reverting.

"It's… warm," she whispered."What is it?"

Nyxia took a long look, recognizing the subtle layering of dimensional shielding.

"A soul-bound charm. It… protects her."

And in Zalthorion's way, it meant more than words ever could.

Just as Eri tucked her new pendant into her shirt and hugged her plushie tightly, a sudden, heavy thoom-thoom-thoom echoed through the house.

The door creaked slightly under the force of the knock.

Nyxia turned silently, golden eyes narrowing. With a slow motion, he opened the door and was met with a wall of chest armor and soft fur.

Yariam.

The towering Ogryn stood smiling wide, his broad hands folded politely in front of him. Behind him trailed an entire crowd of kids, clinging to his back, arms, and shoulders like ornaments on a tree. Even one on his head, fast asleep.

Nestled beside him was Ero, Nyxia's mischievous Orowyrm, who let out a happy squawk and spiraled up Nyxia's arm.

"Oi, Mister Nyxia!" Yariam bellowed, his voice rumbling like a gentle avalanche."Was passin' by an' heard yer out the 'ospital. Brought a lil' welcome gift for yer lil' lassie!"

He knelt with a surprising softness for his size and handed Eri a carefully wrapped bundle inside was a plush crocheted miniature Orowyrm, stitched with love and slightly lumpy.

"Made by da' kids wif help from Miss Cavian," he beamed.

Eri's face lit up as she took the handmade gift.

"T-thank you, Mr. Yariam!"

Yariam let out a booming chuckle and gave a small, proud salute.

Then he looked back up at Nyxia, expression sincere.

"Now… if yer eva got ta go off choppin' monsters or vanishing inta black holes,"

"You can drop da' lil' un off at Miss Cavian's Daycare. Real safe, dat one."

"Lots o' space. Soft stuff. Fuzzy animals. Some kids from other dimensions scream weird, but they's friendly."

Nyxia gave a thoughtful nod.

"I'll keep it in mind."

Yariam turned to leave but not before the dozen kids clinging to him peeked around his back, staring silently at Nyxia and Eri.

They blinked.

Nyxia blinked.

Then, one by one, the kids waved.

Eri paused, then waved back, smiling shyly.

"They're...kinda cute," she whispered.

Yariam called out one last time, already thudding away down the path: "Wotcha later, Mister Shadow Eyes! Keep dat girl smilin'!"

The door closed slowly behind them, and Eri looked up at Nyxia.

"...I like him."

Nyxia gave the faintest nod.

"He grows on you."

The door closed with a soft hum, and peace returned to the house.

Nyxia, stepped quietly into the kitchen, his coat brushing gently against the countertop as he moved. Gone were the towering antlers and writhing tendrils replaced by calm eyes, steady hands, and a subtle weariness he carried with dignity.

Behind him, Eri was still sitting on the floor, surrounded by her gifts. The plushie of his monstrous form was propped beside her like a silent guardian. She was humming softly, swinging her feet, clearly happier than she had been in months.

In the kitchen, Nyxia reached for a few ingredients. The stove lit with a press of his hand a quiet blue flame flickering to life. The smell of warm spices, vegetables, and simmering broth quickly filled the air.

As he stirred the pot, his mind wandered.

Tomorrow, he would visit Cavian's Daycare. A place filled with chaos, joy, and the unpredictable energy of children from across the multiverse. He had heard of it before, of course Cavian, the woman who had adopted hundreds, perhaps thousands, of orphans. Her name was legendary in Evolto City for a reason.

"It'll be loud," he thought."But… safe."

A good place for Eri to smile without worry.

From the corner of his eye, he saw her approach barefoot, holding her new plush tightly. She peeked over the counter.

"Nyxia… what're you making?"

He didn't answer in words. Instead, he pointed toward a bowl and slid it gently in her direction sliced fruit glazed with Void-honey and glowing berries from Evolto's gardens.

Her eyes sparkled. "It looks like galaxy candy!"

He gave the faintest smirk.

"Try it."

She dug in, giggling.

They ate dinner quietly him focused, her still occasionally glancing at him with admiration. The silence wasn't heavy. It was peaceful. Earned.

As the stars of Evolto City shimmered in the night sky, Eri sat by the window, watching strange birds fly past crystalline towers.

Behind her, Nyxia rinsed the dishes, then stood still for a long moment eyes distant, hand resting on the counter.

Then, as if grounding himself, he looked at her again.

Tomorrow, they would step into a new chapter.

But tonight?

They were home.