Noah sighed, and nodded. "I hope so."
It was good for them all to study in different ways, but he knew grief was holding each of them. He watched Marcus tread carefully around magic, Ravenna guard her heart like a blade, and Margot stare too long at the horizon, already hunting shadows. He wanted more for them—wanted mornings untouched by war, days filled with learning and laughter, not strategy and survival. He wanted them to grow up slow, with room to question, to dream. Not to carry the weight of gods and monsters before they were grown. If he could shield them forever, he would. Without hesitation.
But he couldn't.
Like his own parents couldn't shelter him and Zeke from Halo's atrocities and dangers, he couldn't shelter his own children.
But he would be at their sides, for as long as Vi granted him life.
Looking back to his friend, Noah reached out and took Hadama's forearm to shake, offering the once-mer a faint smile. "I am glad I ran into you today. I must get back to them now."
FIN
It was good for them all to study in different ways, but he knew grief was holding each of them. He watched Marcus tread carefully around magic, Ravenna guard her heart like a blade, and Margot stare too long at the horizon, already hunting shadows. He wanted more for them—wanted mornings untouched by war, days filled with learning and laughter, not strategy and survival. He wanted them to grow up slow, with room to question, to dream. Not to carry the weight of gods and monsters before they were grown. If he could shield them forever, he would. Without hesitation.
But he couldn't.
Like his own parents couldn't shelter him and Zeke from Halo's atrocities and dangers, he couldn't shelter his own children.
But he would be at their sides, for as long as Vi granted him life.
Looking back to his friend, Noah reached out and took Hadama's forearm to shake, offering the once-mer a faint smile. "I am glad I ran into you today. I must get back to them now."
FIN
the forsaken
