Chapter 178: The New Gatekeepers - Adrian and Ophelia
We are the Gatekeepers now.
Not just us. All of us. The family. The city. The world.
But we stand at the door. We sing the song. We keep things balanced.
It's not hard. Not anymore. We've been getting ready for this our whole lives. Since the first lullaby. Since the first pancake.
"It's different," Adrian says, hand on the door. "Lighter than I thought it would be."
"Because we're sharing it," I reply. "Together."
"Always."
We look at each other. Same face. Different light. Shadow and silver.
"Do you ever regret it?" he asks.
"Being connected like this?"
"Being... us."
I think about it. About the childhood we never had. The normal life we gave up. The responsibility we took on.
"No," I say.
"Why?"
"Because of this." I point at the door. At the tree. At the city below. At the worlds beyond.
"We made this happen. Mom and Dad started it. We finished it."
"Together."
"Always."
We hold hands. The door hums. The tree grows.
A new visitor comes. Through the tree this time. A green visitor, but different—taller, older. With leaves for hair and bark for skin.
"We are the Elders," it says. "We have watched you grow."
"And?" Adrian asks.
"You have done well. Better than we thought you would. Better than we hoped."
"Your bridge... is strong."
"Your love... is real."
"Your flaws... make you perfect."
We bow. Not because we have to. Because we're grateful.
"Thank you," we say.
The Elder smiles—a strange look on a face made of bark.
"Keep going," it says.
"And teach others."
"The way you were taught."
"With pancakes."
"And lullabies."
"And love."
It fades into the tree. Becomes part of the bark. Part of the roots.
We stand alone. Together.
The Gatekeepers.
The bridge.
The flawed, perfect family.
Forever.