Morana had never been this confused.

Wooyoung had finally managed to light a torch and Yeosang held it over the bizarre scene while San cradled Morana in his brawny arm, ready to snatch her away if something happened.

But Morana already knew this demon wouldn't lash out at her. They were the same.

They were family.

Morana couldn't remember meeting demons before, but she hadn't imagined them this monstrous. Even after everything her uncles told her about her father.

Mingi had huge horns, curling over his head and twisting around themselves to end just above his shoulders. His shoulders were covered in thick, black fur, which looked gritty with dirt and dried blood. A leathery tail whipped from a hole in his tattered pants, black like his claws. And matching hooves scrambled under him.

His hair was so overgrown, Morana couldn't see his face at all. Through the mussed-up part of ink, an eye stared back at her, unmoving and unseeing. Looking at its black onyx, she remembered.

Her father was blind. And he got startled earlier for a good reason when they approached him from behind.

But he was in a pitiful state. Nicks and scars marred his mighty horns. The surrounding walls were scratched by his powerful claws, leaving deep marks.

He was terrifying, and Morana's heart hammered at the idea of touching him.

But his tension evened out as soon as she pressed her fingers to his. As if he forgot why he had been furious. His skin was hot like fire, but it didn't burn her. Anything that might have repulsed her fell away at once, when this peace overcame her soul for the first time.

He was the same as her. Not only in race, but in blood. The one who made her.

Her father.

This was where he had been all this time? Alone and in pain?

Morana couldn't fathom what had driven him. And upset as she was for seeing him live without her, his agony was written in the draw of his shoulders.

Somehow, she understood.

"Do you believe us now, Mingi?" Yunho asked, kneeling by Mingi's side. Wooyoung had stayed near the entrance with Aodhán on Mulberry, ready to chase him out into safety. He held onto Buddy as well, since the dog had stormed ahead earlier and caused poor Yunho a heart attack.

"Why are you here?" Mingi whispered, and his voice hadn't spoken in a long time. Morana frowned at its scratch.

He looked to be in a lot of pain. His body was battered, and he sounded hollow. Her uncles reacted with such a fright as well. Had he once been different? Not so massive and scary?

Hongjoong returned to their group, nursing the scratch on his arm. He didn't look angry to get hurt. More so that he couldn't ease his pain with magic.

"Morana needed her father," Yeosang mumbled behind Mingi, at ease now that the demon wasn't flailing anymore.

Morana bravely withstood her fear when Mingi's massive hand closed around hers. He took a shuddering breath as if to take in the feeling. Something wet dripped from his chin.

"Oh..." Morana made when she realised.

Somehow, she forgot how sore she had been. How ignorant she found him for leaving. Had he been this miserable all along? He found no fortune, no new family. Didn't frolic while she suffered.

No, he had been here all this time. Haunted by the same grief that marred her other uncles, just much worse. He could have been so much more, so strong and impressive, but he hid away in the darkness.

Who had he been? How was he so weak in that mighty body?

"I'm so sorry, Morana. I'm so sorry..." He wept and Morana didn't understand her feelings. Part of her wanted to rage and demand a battle to restore her honour.

But the rest of her was just... sad. Ached at seeing him like this. This man she never knew.

Driven by the part of her that came from Seonghwa, who loved this demon so much to have a child with him, Morana freed herself from San's arm. She stepped closer bravely and wrapped her arms around the mess of long hair and fur until she found Mingi's neck. He ducked his horned head, ducking on instinct.

For a heartbeat, he was frozen. Warm in her embrace. So big and muscular.

Then, the most cautious hug engulfed her. Morana knew she was safe. She felt it through the echo of their hearts.

With a relieved sound, Yeosang stepped back from them.

Morana never experienced such a warm hug. It doted on her, swaddled her in safety how she wished for it all her life.

Something was lodged in her throat, and a sob broke over her lips. She didn't understand it, but it was freeing. Broke a dam that tormented her longer than she realised.

She cried into Mingi's shoulder after having missed him so much. And Mingi held her gently, trembling with her as he shared her suffering.

Morana believed him he was sorry. And she was also sorry. For seeing him like this, for cornering him like an animal.

They cried together while Yunho stayed by their sides, blinking against the tears while he patted Mingi's back. The demon was no longer in a frenzy. As if shaken awake by Morana's touch, he cradled her like the greatest good.

Morana lost track of time, but their tears ran dry. When she pulled from Mingi, her eyes were bleary and she felt as if she woke from a long nap. She was exhausted and all her many questions caught back up with her.

Mingi leaned their foreheads together. Cradled her with those steady hands.

"I'm not leaving you behind anymore. I'm so sorry, Morana." His suffering sounded so genuine, so raw. It choked Morana up anew, but she nodded before he could break down.

This big creature was so soft to her. So kind. So warm.

When Morana peered over her shoulder, she realised the others had made a fire. They were preparing a meal and Wooyoung and Mulberry had hunted down a mountain goat to feed their additional hungry stomach.

Gingerly, Morana pulled on Mingi's hand and he followed right along with her, staying on his hands and feet since he didn't know the height of the cave. She led him slowly, cautious he wouldn't knock into something.

This was a memory. This big hand in hers, if better groomed. Leading him through white corridors. The same doting smile, as if utterly bewitched by the life he created.

Was this what family was like?

They sat at the fire, and Morana continued to stare at him. At this big demon and his terrifying appearance that nestled the most peaceful of souls.

Yeosang grinned at seeing them unfurl from their long embrace.

"Are you hungry, Mingi? We brought a lot."

Mingi nodded gradually. His reactions were slow, hesitant, as if in disbelief. Was he rarely doted on?

"Good to see you back among the living. You gave me a mighty scare," Wooyoung huffed as he pressed his horn of mead into Mingi's hand to bring his spirits back. Mingi sniffed on it before he wet his parched lips. Somehow, seeing him drink and take care of himself made Morana giddy. She wanted to cheer him on and take care of him.

His hand gently squeezed hers. Surprised, Morana squeezed back. She was skittish since she barely knew him, but her uncles treated him like family. Mingi seemed shier and not as giggly of a father as Yunho was with Aodhán, but Morana found him incredibly charming. She only wished she could see his face.

"Sorry for not checking on you more often. You wanted to be alone, but your loneliness turned you into this. I should have known," Hongjoong mumbled from the other side of the fire. He sighed to himself. As if he would have made the effort to find Mingi anytime, despite his duties if he had known.

Still unsure about this situation, Mingi stared right into the flames, not perceiving them.

"Seonghwa is... I don't know if I can be the same without him. Though I am happy you came for me."

Glum silence. They all shared that sentiment, and Morana got used to it. Nothing worked without Seonghwa. The entire world was Seonghwa. And she was too weak to change things.

But she wasn't too weak to take care of her unfortunate father.

"You already changed, Mingi," Yeosang whispered. He didn't go into more detail, leaving that for later. Mingi accepted a plate of food neatly cut into pieces by Yunho. He responded with a crooked smile and Morana let go of him to eat. His heat was so pleasant by her side. So different from any fire. So much like a home she never knew.

When Mingi's hair caught between his lips, Yunho got to his feet. He jogged around their gathering and looped a leather band from his wrist. Morana watched as he gathered Mingi's hair and tied it back for him, not exposing his face too much, since Mingi seemed reluctant about that. The demon wore a glinting ruby band on one horn. It looked delicate and expensive against his rugged exterior.

"Back in the day, San did everyone's hair," Yunho mused with a fond chuckle, and Morana remembered once more. Everything was easier now that so many of them were here. Their laughter she knew from back then. Gentle fingers in her hair.

Until San lost his second hand.

Puzzled, she gnawed on her bread while Yunho sat back down. They could help Mingi clean up later. Wild as a beast as he may have looked, his movements were mindful of his surroundings.

"Where am I?" He muttered around another bite and Hongjoong already let go of his grudge, not tormenting Mingi with the knowledge he scared everyone. Even Morana had flinched back, as much as the tall demon awed her.

"The Ruby Glacier, in the Dwarven North. You ran far," the sorcerer muttered. Wooyoung added right on, and Mingi subtly shook his head at his soft voice. As if trying to shake off a shadow looming over him.

"I'm glad you made it out. We missed you," the gryphon-born offered.

Mingi didn't reply. His hand felt over his plate, and Morana carefully reached over to nudge his bread into his fingers. He stilled, surprised. Then a bashful smile tugged on his lips.

"Thank you," he whispered, almost soundlessly, and Morana's heart expanded in her chest.

Yes, she liked this. She liked helping him.

Mingi washed down his bite of food and though it must have been long since he last ate, he seemed sated quickly. How did he live while he was here?

"I... I see light. Right over there."

Aodhán blanched when Mingi nodded at him. Morana's brother was visibly terrified, hugging Buddy around his neck, so the dog also stayed safe. Seeing his teacher hurt must have spooked him.

"That's Aodhán," Hongjoong explained without missing a beat, giving his pupil away despite his mortified gasp.

Mingi's lips fell open. He sat frozen still, not moving in, since Aodhán was silent as a grave in his fear. A beat passed and Mingi understood he must look scary.

Morana liked him more and more. He was so tentative and understanding. So open to his feelings.

"You... You brought both of them here. Is everyone here?"

Aodhán exhaled subtly when he got a pass. Morana snickered at him and Wooyoung also looked ready to taunt his panic, but they left it since Mingi still warmed up to their presence. Yunho looked at him with all the fondness and Buddy looked excited for the moment he was allowed to get up and bump his nose into the scary demon.

"Everyone but Jongho. We were searching for you, but let's talk about the rest later. Mingi isn't scary, Aodhán," Yunho replied and though the boy remained a pinnacle of silence, Mingi dared a careful grin.

"Nice to meet you again. And I apologise if I scared you. Your shine is gorgeous."

Fascinated, Morana peered at him from below. He definitely couldn't see. Only specks of light, perhaps? Aodhán shone like a little sun, after all.

"He has it from his parents," Yunho replied proudly and Mingi chuckled with them like in the old days.

Everyone looked so fond of it. So glad to have found Mingi alive.

Morana was also exhilarated. She had a father now, her very own. She wanted to learn from him and wanted him to be there how Yunho was there for Aodhán.

Giddy and so glad they had come all the way here to find him, Morana studied him some more because he was the first person she met who was so similar to her.