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Throughout Centurion Tenebrae's very long existence, he had seen myriad things and met many people, monsters, and Summon Spirits. During those millennia, however, he had never really gotten to know humans, elves, half-elves, or dwarfs all that well. He knew of them and even spent some time shape-shifted into them. Over four thousand years ago, he was acquainted with Mithos Yggdrasil and his companions through the Summon Spirit Ratatosk. Even so, he never would have thought he would truly befriend some mortals, much less be a chaperon for a meeting between a monster and a human infant.
She was not just any infant, either, but the child of Lord Emil and Lady Marta.
Tenebrae stood next to a massive furred beast he had summoned moments before. Both quadrupeds were near a large pond just outside of the city of Palmacosta, far away and off the beaten path enough that few people ever went there. It was Marta and Emil's favorite spot for outings. The water was astonishingly clear and some large trees provided ample shade against the bright sun. The Centurion of Darkness found this scene picturesque, even if he preferred the shade, and very much preferred the pond on a cloudy, moonless night.
The large wolf, Zeimia the Orion, stretched and said, I love coming to this place. A canine monster, like Zeimia, could not talk in a verbal sense. What she said to Tenebrae was conveyed in a series of huffs, low barks, body language, and thoughts. Being an intelligent monster, an Orion like her could communicate in a manner that was closer to language than most other creatures. She continued, it's too bad Monsoon and Galena can't join us. I understand why, though. Monsoon's wicked beak and talons could hurt the Lord and Lady's pup, and there are Galena's fangs and claws. Even her very hide is like stone!
Tenebrae almost wanted to say how sharp Zeimia's own fangs and claws were, but he knew full well she would never harm the child. The Orion was not quite right. While all of the monsters were not going to meet Sophia at the same time, Tenebrae would summon them to this spot on different days so they could meet the child without overwhelming her. Tenebrae also found it amusing that no matter how many times he referred to Sophia as a child, infant, or baby, Zeimia still called her a "pup."
Oh, I can't wait to meet Lady Sophia! I haven't seen Lord Emil and Lady Marta since before she gave birth! I have never seen a human pup before, but I would wager anything that she is adorable! After all, her parents are just darling! Do you think Lady Sophia will like me?
Tenebrae hid a small smirk at Zeimia's enthusiastic stream of consciousness. Zeimia the Orion, a proud and powerful wolf monster, was pacing with excitement and wondering if a human baby would like her. It did not surprise Tenebrae, though. Zeimia was unfailingly loyal, excitable, and affectionate. Of course, she would be ecstatic to meet the child of her dearest friends.
"I am sure she will like you. Lady Sophia may only be seven months old, but she is a curious infant that generally enjoys new experiences and people. After all, what child wouldn't love a giant, friendly doggy? And yes, I may perhaps be biased, but Lady Sophia certainly is an adorable infant."
Zeimia wagged her tail and replied, I hope you're right, Master Tenebrae! I mean, I hope you're right about her liking me! I'm sure you're right about how darling she is!
Tenebrae never imagined he would compliment a mortal infant like this. He was the Centurion of Darkness, the enigmatic and noble servant of the Spirit of the Giant Kharlan Tree, Ratatosk. He commanded legions of monsters, but that did not mean he could not appreciate cute things. That was not the hard-to-imagine part; Tenebrae having any reason to interact with a human baby was.
A moment of silence passed before Zeimia "spoke" again. She said, you know, I was surprised when I learned of Lady Marta's pregnancy. Lord Emil is Lord Ratatosk in human form, but I never considered that he was human enough to sire offspring.
"My surprise came well before Lady Marta became pregnant," Tenebrae said, "What I never thought would happen was Lord Ratatosk falling in love with a mortal, to begin with."
Zeimia's ears and tail rose in surprise. She paused in thought for a moment before she replied, maybe I should find them falling in love more surprising. It's just that for as long as I have known Lord Emil, he was more or less human. Instinctively, I know he is the Lord of Monsters, but he looks, sounds, and smells human. It made sense to me that he would fall in love with the mortal he traveled with. Although now that I think about it, why did I believe him to be human enough to love Lady Marta, but not human enough to father a pup?
Tenebrae chuckled at that contradiction, although he had no answer for her. Instead, he said, "I have served Lord Ratatosk for my entire existence, which is one reason why people keep referring to me as an old man," Tenebrae said wryly, "For most of the millennia that I have known him, my Lord has cared for mortals and even befriended some. However, I never would have imagined that he would not only fall in love with a mortal but choose to live a mortal life to be with them. Even before Lord Ratatosk came to resent humans and half-elves for a time, he would have thought the idea of falling for a mortal to be unthinkable. I've never even known my Lord to show romantic interest in the other Summon Spirits."
I had no idea! Do you know if any of the other Summon Spirits have fallen in love with mortal people? Zeimia asked.
"It seems to occur more often in myths and popular fiction. For instance, there is a novel series about a human descended from Efreet. There is a grain of truth to it, as Efreet had a liaison with a mortal after his falling out with Celsius."
Zeimia's ears and tail rose in astonishment. What, really? Efreet and a mortal?
"This is third-hand information, admittedly. It was Solum who told me, and he was told this by Gnome. Also, Gnome himself had spent a human life with a mortal and even started a family.
Wow, Gnome, too?
"Gnome has always been eccentric for a Summon Spirit. But yes, Lord Ratatosk is not the first Summon Spirit to have mortal progeny, and I would believe it if other spirits than Gnome and Efreet have taken mortal lovers. Even so, I still never would have imagined Lord Ratatosk living as Lord Emil until now."
As Zeimia took in the information, Tenebrae's thoughts drifted to the recent past. Ratatosk living as Emil would have seemed preposterous to him, even laughable. The Centurion had laughed at the idea of Marta pursuing Ratatosk-Emil romantically. First, after Marta had met the recently reawakened Lord Ratatosk, she become obsessed with the boy she believed had saved her. It seemed even more ridiculous when Marta and Tenebrae found Emil in Luin. Emil was not only too pensive and wish-washy to even consider a romantic relationship; Marta was actively, if unintentionally, pushing him away. They did eventually come to understand one another and become closer, but Emil was still in truth the Summon Spirit Ratatosk. He was playing the part, albeit subconsciously, of a timid, awkward teenage boy. He was going to regain his memories someday, and he would not return Marta's affections. Or so Tenebrae thought.
The Centurion of Darkness also found it amusing how flustered his unknowingly amnesiac lord was in regards to Marta. Tenebrae found it so entertaining that he could not help but poke additional fun at Emil. Tenebrae was somewhat surprised when Emil expressed worry that Marta may have felt she could not depend on him. That was because she had stopped fawning over him so much, which came about after Emil himself had grown enough of a spine to snap at Marta to tell her to stop. It was just too ironic for Tenebrae, and very funny. It made Emil sound like he enjoyed the way Marta expressed her undying love for a boy she hardly knew. Tenebrae even insinuated that Emil had become smitten with Marta, and that got him riled up.
At first, Tenebrae believed Emil's shrinking away from Marta to be a part of the unconscious ruse Ratatosk created to keep up his human guise. Yet as they continued their journey and Emil and Marta changed and grew to know one another better, Tenebrae came to understand that was not the whole truth. As amusing as Tenebrae initially found the idea of Ratatosk seriously falling for Marta, he slowly realized that the notion was not preposterous. He saw how Marta came to fall in love with Emil, with Ratatosk, for who he really was. It was as if she could tell that Emil and the side they used to call "Ratatosk Mode" were the disparate parts of the same whole. Tenebrae saw how Emil came to reciprocate Marta's feelings and how even the other part of his persona, "Ratatosk Mode," came to love her as well.
Tenebrae smiled internally as he thought, not for the first time, that he was glad that of all the mortals in the world for his lord to fall in love with, it was Lady Marta. The Centurion had never known a mortal as well as he knew her, but he thought highly of her. She had her flaws, especially how she made fun of Tenebrae's age, but she was very determined, brave, kind, and more selfless than she gave herself credit for. Marta took it upon herself to save the world even though she was little more than a child at the time She also brought out the best in Emil; brought out aspects of Ratatosk that Tenebrae had not seen in millennia, or ever.
He also found himself caring about Emil differently from Ratatosk. Emil is a part of Ratatosk; both a distinct individual and also embodying specific aspects of the great Summon Spirit. It was a sort of cognitive dissonance to think of Emil as simultaneously the same as Ratatosk, but also a different person. Yes, this current form is but a facet of the mighty Lord of Monsters, but Emil was was also his own person, and much more human than Tenebrae ever thought would be in Ratatosk.
That was why he had no qualms with making jests at Emil's expense, particularly as he started to fall for Marta in earnest. As much as Tenebrae teased Emil for his burgeoning feelings during their journey, he liked seeing Marta and his lord happy together. Deep down, the Centurion had wanted them to somehow share a life, despite how impossible that seemed.
It was funny how things turned out sometimes.
Zeimia barked, snapping Tenebrae back to attention. The Centurion of Darkness rarely lets himself get that lost in his thoughts. He noticed his lord's presence, faint but approaching them. Emil and Marta soon came into view. The both of them carried supplies Tenebrae could not quite make out and Emil had a sling tied at his left shoulder, likely holding a swaddled infant.
Zeimia excitedly stood up and started to trot over to the couple.
No, wait, I shouldn't rush! Zeimia thought aloud in a manner that Tenebrae could "hear." I'm a big monster. I don't want to frighten the little pup. I want her to like me! The large wolf quickly circled before she sat up on her haunches. She tried to exude an air of patience, but her wagging tail gave her away.
Tenebrae smirked. Only those two could make a giant puppy out of a fearsome wolf monster. It reminded Tenebrae of how curious it was that he got along so well with the Orion. Zeimia was not a dark-elemental monster. Indeed, she was aligned to light, his antithesis. Tenebrae was always cordial to light-elemental monsters, but now that he thought about it, he was never all that close to one before. He would normally not be able to summon an Orion, or any other monsters that were not darkness-aligned, if not for the bond Marta and Emil had with their four remaining monsters as well as the small remnant of Ratatosk's power within Emil.
Eventually, the young parents reached Zeimia and Tenebrae's place under the trees.
Marta cheerfully greeted them. She ran ahead of Emil and then embraced them one after the other, giggling.
"I take if you are glad to see us, Lady Marta" Tenebrae said.
"Of course," she replied, "I know you've been seeing us more often ever since Sophia was born, but I'm always happy to see you." Marta then turned her focus to the Orion next to Tenebrae and patted the fur on her neck. She continued, "And I'm happy to see you, too, Zeimia! I haven't seen you in a long time." The wolf monster obliged by woofing.
"Hi Tenebrae, hi Zeimia, it's good to see you!" Emil greeted. In the cloth sling, little Sophia gurgled and cooed. Emil carefully picked his daughter up from the sling, cradling her in his arms so that Tenebrae could see her face.
"Who's that, Sophia? Who's that?" Emil asked the baby in a cheery voice. The infant laughed in delight upon seeing Tenebrae. Sophia was quite fond of the Centurion, naturally.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lady Sophia," Tenebrae said. He floated over to the family, which thrilled the baby further and he used his tail to gently stroke her cheek. While Tenebrae did not understand why many mortals spoke to babies and even small animals and monsters in a cutesy, singsong manner, he did talk to Sophia pleasantly.
When would she be old enough for his brand of humor?
Emil then turned to face Zeimia, showing her their daughter.
"Oh, and who is this?" Emil asked in the same cheery, singsong manner. "You've never met her before."
"Sophia, this is Zeimia," Marta introduced, "She's one of our monster friends and now she's your friend, too."
Sophia's giggle became a quieter gurgle as her eyes widened to stare at the Orion. Zeimia sat on her haunches, wagging her tail. While she was vocally silent, Tenebrae could still "hear" her thoughts out loud.
You are right Master Tenebrae! She is precious! She has Lord Emil's eyes and Lady Marta's hair and she's so little! Are all human pups this adorable? Even if they are, Lady Sophia must be even more darling than any other!
The baby stared for a moment longer before she reached out to Zeimia with her tiny hands.
"Aww," Marta cooed.
"Do you want to pet Zeimia, Sophia?" Emil asked. She replied with a little sigh.
Emil brought the baby closer to the patiently sitting—although internally very eager—Orion. He stopped once Sophia's hand touched the monster's fur. She laughed happily as she moved her small arms up and down repeatedly over Zeimia's chest, almost slapping her.
I think that means she likes my coat. It's soft, isn't it? Oh, look at those tiny paws!
"You should have seen her when she was a newborn. She has grown much in the past seven months," Tenebrae explained.
I wish I could have seen her then, but she is still such a darling pup now, Zeimia "said." She whined a little, and then lowered her snout to breathe in the baby's scent. She then licked the baby's right cheek, which made her squeal in delight.
"I didn't know if Sophia would be afraid of Zeimia or not," Emil said. He pitched up his voice and asked the baby, "You like Zeimia, don't you, Sweetie?"
Sophia laughed again as if replying to her father.
In a similar sweet tone of voice, Marta said, "Of course she likes Zeimia. Sophia can tell she's a big softie that would never hurt her." At the same time, she patted the Orion's shoulder.
Of course, I would never hurt a pup, but I am glad that Lady Sophia doesn't fear me, Zeimia said.
Watching Zeimia meet and gush over Sophia reminded Tenebrae of the first time he met the baby. Another thing he never thought he would ever do was watch a human baby being born. The birth itself was not pleasant, certainly not for Marta, but it was how this little being came into the world. Seeing this child, who looked so much like a blend of her parents, two people he has come to care for greatly, filled Tenebrae with a sense of awe. Awe and a bit of—maybe confusion was not the right word, but perhaps uncertainty was.
The Centurion's feelings were strange. He knew he should show respect and reverence for this child, but this was an unprecedented situation. With rare exceptions, Summon Spirits did not start families. He never imagined his own lord becoming one of those exceptions. When Emil and Marta married, and once he learned from Solum some months later about Efreet and Gnome's descendants, he knew to expect children not to be far behind. When he first heard that Marta was expecting a baby via monster word of mouth, Tenebrae was not surprised but it still seemed so unreal to him.
Sophia was very real, though; real, wonderful, and very important to him. Important because she was Ratatosk's child, but also because she was the daughter of his charges—his friends. He learned more about her and her personality each time he visited and wanted to continue to watch her grow.
Tenebrae wondered how much she would take after her parents. As much as he enjoyed jokes at Marta and especially Emil's expense, he knew of their strengths. Would she have Marta's determination and selflessness? Would she have Emil's thoughtfulness and big heart? Would she have both their kindness and courage? Maybe she would have some of Ratatosk's stubbornness? He wanted to know what sort of person this adorable human child, the mortal daughter of a great Summon Spirit, would grow up to be. Tenebrae knew he would find out soon, but he still wondered.
After some time, Zeimia lay down on the ground and Marta and Emil sat near her, keeping a watchful eye on their child. Sophia was placed next to the Orion and she started crawling along the large wolf's body. Sophia pawed at, tapped, and patted Zeimia's belly and the monster found it endearing. She rubbed her face into Zeimia's side and laughed at the softness of her fur. The baby even tried to climb up the wolf's back, but she could not quite do it. Instead, she took a few uneasy sideways steps, her hands holding onto Zeimia's side. It would be some time before she could truly walk.
Of course, under normal circumstances, having a human infant play with a large wolf monster would be a terrible idea, but Zeimia had always been gentle. Tenebrae was there more to be a translator and to bring Zeimia there easily than to be any sort of guardian. Even so, he liked the excuse to spend time with them.
"Tenebrae."
A soundless voice spoke in his mind, more a telepathic message, and different from Zeimia's thoughts and emotions. It was a voice he recognized, but one that he had not "heard" in a long time, save for some brief moments about eight years ago.
"Lumen," Tenebrae replied to his fellow Centurion.
While Lumen stayed invisible, Tenebrae could sense the Centurion of Light's presence strongly and could see her in his mind's eye. With Emil in his fully human form and Marta without the decoy core, neither one of them could see her. While Emil could sense Centurions and monsters, Lumen was far enough away not to be detected by him.
Lumen was about Tenebrae's size and resembled a wolf with light-gold, almost white fur that glowed faintly. She had shining markings of yellow-gold color on her legs, chest, and around her light blue eyes. Her pointed ears were considerably smaller than Tenebrae's. Swept-back wedges seemingly grew behind Lumen's knees and her long tail was exceptionally fluffy, at least according to many of Ratatosk's previous summoners.
"It is good to see that you have fully awakened, even if you have chosen to physically hide yourself. What brings you here?" Tenebrae asked.
"Yes, it has been a long while, at least compared to the other Centurions. Most of them have regained their physical forms years ago. Perhaps I took this much time due to Lloyd Irving being protected by the spirit of the new tree. Now only Ventus and Solum remain in their core forms.
"Anyway, I came on this beautifully bright day to introduce myself to Lord Ratatosk's—pardon, Lord Emil's family. Once I saw that someone else is becoming acquainted with their child, I thought I shouldn't interrupt them."
Lumen was nothing if not polite, even if she could be a stuffy Centurion at times.
"I'm sure Zeimia wouldn't mind if you stole her thunder, to borrow a phrase from Tonitrius," Tenebrae replied.
"Oh, I couldn't do that. I'll introduce and re-introduce myself to them at another time," Lumen responded.
As Lumen and Tenebrae talked soundlessly, Sophia was giggling as she sat on Zeimia's back, Marta holding her up so that she wouldn't slide back down.
"I thought I should stay and ensure you could handle a monster that is the polar opposite of your element," she continued.
"I can 'handle' Zeimia just fine," Tenebrae said with a telepathic huff, "She is an unfailing well-behaved Orion while under my guidance."
While Lumen was generally polite, she did take the occasional jab at Tenebrae. Light could not exist without darkness (and vice-versa, admittedly), but since they were the other's elemental opposite, it meant Lumen and Tenebrae never got along completely.
"Well, if that is the case, I'll observe them for a while longer. It has been some time since I've spoken to mortals. I need to be prepared now that Lord Ratatosk has assumed a mortal form," Lumen said.
"It may be for the best. I imagine both Lady Marta and Lady Sophia would adore your fluffy tail. Lord Emil probably would as well. I think you will want to mentally prepare for that attention," Tenebrae needled.
That time Lumen huffed. It was then that Zeimia asked a question, wanting Tenebrae to relay it to Marta and Emil.
"Zeimia asked if you would like to hold Sophia and ride on her back. She can go at an easy pace so you can all stay on."
"That's a great idea! I'm sure Sophia would love it," Marta replied.
"I think so, too," Emil added.
The visible Centurion of Darkness and hidden Centurion of Light watched as the young parents climbed upon the large Orion's back. Marta sat closer to Zeimia's head, holding their baby daughter. Emil sat behind her, his arms keeping both of them steady. Once they were settled, Zeimia stood up and trotted around the pond at a deliberate pace, not wanting either of them to fall off.
"Such a lovely scene," Lumen said as Sophia laughed and gurgled happily. "The Lord's child is elated even being so close to a great monster. She is radiant in both spirit and heart."
"While I wouldn't quite put it that way, Lady Sophia is charming to be sure and rather fearless for an infant," Tenebrae said.
The lupine Centurion of Light watched the family wordlessly for some time. Tenebrae could see a faint smile on her face. Lumen then said, "I am still . . . not used to this."
"Lady Sophia has only been in this world for about seven months now. I would hardly say I'm used to it myself," Tenebrae said.
"I don't just mean Lady Sophia. I am still not used to Lord Ratatosk taking a human form to live a mortal life. I still find it hard to believe. Yet here he is, and he has fallen in love with a human and even procreated. I'm not even used to calling him 'Lord Emil'."
Tenebrae wanted to smirk. He was mulling over some of these same points earlier that day.
"You were in an unhatched form for longer than the rest of us and spent more time in core form than most. It must seem rather sudden," Tenebrae surmised.
"That is perhaps part of it. Also, Lord Emil and Lady Marta have only known each other for eight years or so. That's hardly any time at all," Lumen said
"Eight years may be an infinitesimally small amount of time to immortals like us, but it is a long time for mortals, humans in particular with their shorter lifespans compared to other races. Lord Emil is Lord Ratatosk, but he is a small part of him. He does not have most of his memories as a Summon Spirit," Tenebrae explained.
"I see. So he must perceive himself as a mortal despite his immortal origins," Lumen mused.
Not for the first time, Tenebrae said, "That body of his is, for all intents and purposes, human."
Lumen's slight smile became more pronounced as she said, "There was a time when if either of us had told Lord Ratatosk he had a human side, he would have reverted us to our core forms and kept us stuck in our altars for several decades."
Tenebrae chuckled and said, "Indeed he would have. As much as Lord Emil embodies Lord Ratatosk, and even resembles him before he became hardhearted, he is his own person, too."
"So that is why you deride him as Lord Emil when you wouldn't ever do so as Lord Ratatosk."
That time Tenebrae smirked outwardly, "Well if he didn't make mocking him so easy, I would not continue to do so." In actuality, Tenebrae did not make fun of Emil nearly as often in the present day as he did during their journey, but he can't help but rib his lord from time to time.
Zeimia continued to trot at a steady pace around the pond, panting but sporting a canine grin. Sophia continued to laugh in the childish wonder of being given a horsey ride on a giant wolf.
"Jokes about my tail aside, what would Lady Marta think of me? From what I observed of Lady Sophia, she would get along with just about anyone," Lumen asked.
Tenebrae chuckled earnestly, "Lady Sophia is indeed fond of everyone, and just about everything as well. As for Lady Marta, she has wanted to meet and become acquainted with all of the Centurions. I have only known her for eight years, but she is an exceptional human being. I believe you will like each other just fine."
"Hmm," Lumen mused "She does have an affinity for the light. I should be more surprised at how highly you think of Lady Marta despite that."
"I may revere the darkness, but I am not some wretch that hisses at the bright sun, no more than you would cower in the deepness of night," Tenebrae said.
"I suppose that is true."
The doggy-horsey ride had come to a stop after they traveled around the perimeter of the pond a few times. Emil and Marta then set down a blanket on the ground and laid out the food they brought for a picnic lunch. Zeimia happily wolfed down an old favorite of hers—beef stew.
"Lady Sophia . . . She is human. Of course, I know it isn't possible for a being to be half-Summon Spirit," Lumen said.
"To even be able to sire children, the form Lord Ratatosk incarnated himself into is human in virtually every way," Tenebrae explained.
" As you said, in this form, he is for all intents and purposes, human. Yet I can still sense a faint power in the child," Lumen said, more to herself than to Tenebrae.
"It is as if that much power could not be completely contained within Lord Ratatosk's core and it eventually passed down to his daughter," Tenebrae added, "That being said, it's a rather minor ability; monsters are drawn to her. I'm not even certain if she can sense them as Lord Emil can. She won't be able to make pacts, but she will likely befriend a few more monsters."
There was a hint of sadness in Lumen's mental voice as she continued, "Lady Sophia is as mortal as Lady Marta."
"Yes. Lord Emil's body will age and die, but he will return to being Lord Ratatosk after that. His soul is still that of a Summon Spirit," Tenebrae said ponderously.
Lumen did the telepathic version of a sigh, "It is perhaps a good thing that Lord Emil does not have Lord Ratatosk's memories. I worry about what will happen when they do pass away."
Tenebrae let the mental silence stretch on for a while longer. He had thought of that from time to time, too. Tenebrae broke the silence to say, "It will be difficult for Lord Ratatosk when that time comes. That may be one reason why he chose to give this aspect of himself the chance to live a mortal life. Mortals live their lives to the fullest, particularly humans."
"The realization will hit him hard once his body and core reunite," Lumen said.
"That it will, but as they say, time heals all wounds. Lord Ratatosk will have a human lifetime of memories to keep, even if he will grieve the loss of his mortal family and friends for a time."
Lumen hummed in a slightly amused-sounding way. She then said, "I've never known you to look on the bright side of things, Centurion Tenebrae."
"Is that so? Perhaps that is a bit unlike me. I'll have to retreat to the beautiful dark depths of my altar once we are done here."
Lumen laughed lightly at that.
They continued to watch the picnicking family without exchanging any more words, mental or otherwise. Emil fed some pureed fruit to his daughter and maybe only half of it was swallowed. Zeimia found that oddly adorable. Tenebrae thought that spit-up was maybe the second or third least-charming trait of human infants.
The panther-like Centurion ruminated on his and Lumen's prior conversation. She was right in that he generally was not an optimist. Perhaps seeing Emil and Marta overcome their hardships to stay together had changed him a little.
Maybe he also did not want to dwell on the short lives of mortals. The lives of mortals were but a blink of an eye to Centurions and Summon Spirits. Marta would likely be the first mortal he would earnestly miss when she dies. Sophia and any hypothetical future children would live for a time longer, but only for a few more decades. Those children may have children of their own once they grow up, but how well will he know them?
It will all come in good time. He would watch over them as they live their lives; Marta, Emil, Sophia, and any future progeny of theirs. There was no need for him or Lumen to get ahead of themselves. Sophia could not even talk yet, and there he was thinking about her death, as inevitable as it is. Their lives would seem to last only moments to him, but he also knew that it would seem long to them.
At that moment, Sophia had finished eating and was sleeping against Zeimia; the blanket Emil carried her in now draped over her. Marta gushed over how adorable the baby and Zeimia looked together, with Emil and the Orion agreeing with her.
Tenebrae would miss them, and this quaint moment in time spent by the pond. As an immortal being, he understood on a conceptual level how important memories were, but never really thought about it much before. He had come to realize then more than ever how much he should cherish these memories and this family. When the time came that all he would have of them are memories, he wanted many to look back on.