Keshiema wandered back toward the garden entrance as the first rays of morning light filtered down through the canopy, the crisp air reminiscent of high mountain forests. A sparrow followed her, chirping softly every time in landed on branch to rest. Foxxes watched her as she passed their dens and lizards scurried across the leaf-covered ground, paying her no mind.

  Her heart did somersaults as she remembered kissing Dásos. The acorn-turned-apple was perfectly crispy and sweet, and tamed her appetite nicely. Morning dew dropped on her feet as she bumped the ferns and berry bushes. She was the first to reach the clearing, but could hear others approaching.

  Cresil arrived shortly after her. "Hey, did you forget to pack a brush?" He teased, ruffling her already messy air. "Oh?" He flashed a cheeky grin, "You got a little something," he scratched the side of his neck. Blushing, she focused her aura and quickly healed the lovebites.

  "So?" Cresil pestered, wanting details. "First kiss?"

  Colors gold, jumping up excitedly, she squealed an enthusiastic "Yes!" Before sobering up. "Well," she cleared her throat, "first real one at least."

  "Oh, give me the details!" Cresil whispered. Eurynome entered the small clearing, his eyes red from lack of sleep. "Later." He added after a lingering glare toward the Reaper, who appeared not to notice.

  "Morning," Asmoday announced himself as he walked up. Everyone else filtered in, most looking well-rested and ready to start the day, with a few desperately holding back laughter as they spied Keshiema's wild mane; particularly Gaap and Pyro.

  A hairbrush appeared in front of her. Following the hand, she turned around to find Dásos. "Thanks!" She beamed, snatching the brush and quickly going to work on her tangled mop.

  "So when does training start? Am I to assume we'll stick to mostly the same schedule? Obviously Ayperos is gone, so we'll have to think of something for psychic training, but other than that, I think we can make this work." Keshiema talked a mile a minute, trying to keep the inevitable awkward silence from forming. "Maybe I start the day with Asmoday to practice Taijiquan. Then I can work on my Archery with Gaap. And-"

  "Actually," Asmoday interrupted her, "I believe you need to take a break for a bit."

  "A lot has happened," Gaap agreed, "you need time to process. We'll pick things up in a couple of days."

  "We can't just leave everyone out there to fend for themselves!" Keshiema growled. "You saw all that smoke, the king was already burning villages as we left!"

  "Keshiema," Dásos set his hand on her shoulder, "you have to rest. Your body is still adjusting to awakening. How about a compromise? Take today off, and start training tomorrow."

  "Fine," she huffed, "it's not like I can make you train me."

  A loud shriek ripped though the forest, and someone knocked Keshiema off of her feet, landing on her chest. The group reacted quickly, tearing the intruder away from her before she even knew what was happening.

  "What the hell? You're not Zeke!" The bronze beauty shouted, not even trying to get out of Asmoday's grip. Wavy obsidian hair framed her bright blue eyes as her gaze bore into Keshiema's soul. Dásos and Asmoday seemed unbothered by the human woman, so even with everyone else on edge, Keshiema trusted she was safe.

  "Ra, you're being rude." Asmoday scolded the woman in his arms.

  "I'm not the guest here." She argued.

  "Want to guess again, Azura?" Dásos asked her, his tone mildly threatening.

  Her eyes lit up, "Phorest! You are still going by Phorest these days, yeah?"

  Dásos signaled for Asmoday to release Azura. "Don't do anything you'll regret, Ra," the Serpent warned before letting her go.

  Cautiously, Azura stepped closer to Keshiema. "You're name?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with wonderment and awe.

  "Keshiema. You tackled me because you sense Ezekiel, right?"

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "I did. Tell me, why do smell like him? I picked up your aura miles away." The woman was completely in Keshiema's personal space now, but Dásos held up a hand to keep the demons at bay.

  "Maybe it's because he's my father?" The woman made a small, interested noise. "Dásos called you Azura?" Using the Primordial's true name earned a raised brow from Azura. The woman looked at Dásos who flashed a coy smile. Backing up a step, Azura gave Keshiema room to breathe, simultaneously allowing everyone else to relax.

  "I think we're going to take this conversation elsewhere." Dásos grabbed Azura and Keshiema's hand and teleported back to the Tree of Life.

  Looking over Keshiema again, this time from a slightly more respectful distance, Azura exclaimed, "I don't feel old enough to be a grandmother."

  "Funny thing, immortality." Dásos patted her on the head.

  "Shut it, old man," Azura smacked his hand away.

  "You've been awake more days than I have, so what does that make you?"

  "Why don't you go away so I can get to know my new family?" She shooed him off.

  Locking eyes with Keshiema he waited to ensure that was what she wanted. When she nodded he kissed the top of Keshiema's head, mumbling, "Call me if you need anything," before teleporting away.

  "Please," Azura held out her hand, "would you allow me to braid your hair?"

  "Ah, alright," keshiema complied, nervously handing the brush to the woman who looked young enough to be her sister. Azura settled in behind her, humming softly as she worked the tangles. "You're Ezekiel's mother, right?"

  "Yes," Azura answered "How old are you, Keshiema? My son has been banished for centuries, but you seem so young."

  "Oh, I turned twenty not long ago. My mother is an Ice-Daemon." A deep pang echoed through Keshiema's hollow chest as she thought about her parents.

  "So he was able to reunited with Snow Lily? It must have been her pregnancy that had him banished. Curious things, those Ice-Maidens."

  "I wouldn't know," Keshiema's hair shifted to onyx as silent tears escaped her obsidian eyes.

  "Oh my, you are of Fotiá's bloodline." Azura spoke under her breath. "My child, please don't fret. I know the culture was nearly wiped out, Snow Lily must not have been able to teach you much on her own."

  Choking back her heartache, Keshiema shook her head, "I-its not that. She didn't... couldn't..." Gasping, she tried to control the emotion threatening to break loose, "She left me... when I was born... I don't have... anyone." Squeezing her eyes shut, balling her fists, shaking her head, Keshiema fought the wrenching anxiety to no avail.

  Turning her around, Azura pulled Keshiema into her arms. "Sh, sh." She rocked her like a small child. "I'm here. You're not alone anymore. You never have to be alone again. I promise you."

  "I'm sorry," Keshiema sniffled, pushing Azura away. "I don't know what came over me, we just met, you must think I'm out of my mind."

  Cupping Keshiema's face in her hands, Azura smiled, "No, child, you are the daughter of my son, and that means you're family. You've always been in my heart, I just didn't know it until today." Shivering, Keshiema swallowed back the pain and panic, wholeheartedly accepting Azura's words.

  "Keshiema, could you call Phorest?"

  "Um, yeah, alright." Quickly wiping away her tears, and reclaiming her neutral blues, Keshiema called out, "Dásos?"

  "Missed me already?" He asked from behind her. When she turned and he saw her puffy red eyes, his cocky smile vanished and he quickly pulled her into his arms. "What happened?"

  "We were talking," her words came out breathy and trembling. "We landed on some touchy subjects."

  Dásos felt useless, knowing he could never take away her pain completely. "Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?"

  "I was hoping you could take us to the center of the garden." Azura asked with wide pleading eyes that glimmered in the morning light.

  "I see," tightening his hold on Keshiema, Dásos took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He had to prepare himself, to stay strong for Keshiema, but he was nowhere near ready for what Azura was asking of him.

  A spring bubbled up from atop a small hill, sending out four streams, each flowing in its own direction. A man and woman, both human, greeted Azura warmly as they descended the knoll. Their resemblance and kindhearted welcome to Azura left no doubt in her mind that despite their youthful appearance, they were her parents.

  Keshiema and Dásos lingered at the edge of the treeline, waiting for Azura to announce them. "Mom, Dad!" The three shared a hug. "I brought some guests."

  "You have?" The woman's melodic voice soothed every ounce of Keshiema's nervous anxiety. "Well, where are they?"

  "Ok, so you already know one of them, so don't be too surprised, ok?" Azura waved for Keshiema and Dásos to come out.

  "Dásos?" The man asked, unable to believe his eyes. "Is that really you?"

  "Adam, Eve." Dásos swallowed, "I know you must be furious with me."

  "What?" Eve's eyes widened, "Whatever do you mean, child? It's hardly your fault the Creator was filled with such jealousy and malice."

  "We have no reason to be angry with you," Adam agreed, "your gift was our salvation from an eternity of blind servitude."

  "It was my intent, but I thought... I got you licked out of Paradise."

  Eve waved her hands dismissively, "Only for a few thousand years! We were able to see the world, watch humanity's evolution. Besides, wasn't it you who opened the gates and let us back in once our Creator abandoned Vitera?"

  Dásos nodded, relieved to see them after so many years, related to find out they held no grudge against him. Keshiema took his hand, placing her fingers through his in hopes to comfort him as he had done for her so many times.

  "Who's this?" Adam gestured towards Keshiema. "And why does she look so much like..." He looked at his daughter and back to Keshiema, "you, Ra?"

  "Soooo, about that," Azura smiled mischievously, "This is Keshiema, Zeke's daughter!"

  "Keshiema," Eve tilted her head, "it's wonderful to meet you. Please, come join us for a meal. We would love to get to know, to hear your stories."