awkward encounter

Seth and the First Spear stood there awkwardly, saying nothing at first. The cave echoed with silence, the kind that grew louder with every passing moment.

Seth's thoughts spun like a storm. Where do I start? I have so many questions.

“Start anywhere,” she said gently. “I’ll answer your questions.”

He blinked. “That’s right—you can read minds.”

“Absolutely right. And emotions, just like you and Charlene.” Her tone was soft, steady, trying to ease the tension she could feel rising in him.

She sensed his nerves and didn’t want to make this any harder than it already was. “Walk with me, Seth.”

They paced through the cave, the cool air brushing against them like ghosted memories.

“Can I just talk plainly to you?” Seth asked, hands shoved in his pockets. “Without all the prestige? Your Majesty and whatnot. All due respect.”

“Your daughter certainly does,” she grinned.

“Oh—I’m so sorry.”

“Please don’t be. It’s refreshing to be around her. I especially like the nickname she gave me. Gi Gi.” Her eyes lit up with quiet pride.

Seth tilted his head. “Why are you so interested in Charlene?” he blurted out.

“The same reason she’s interested in me.”

“And that is?” Seth was still skeptical, but something in her calm presence kept him from shutting down.

They entered the war room.

“She loves me,” Destiny said, her voice layered with something old and vulnerable. “And I love her. Truly and in every sense of the word. She doesn’t want anything from me. She enjoys my presence, and I personally enjoy her quirky behavior. It’s nothing I’ve experienced in over the millennia.” She laughed, thinking of the first time they met.

She waved her hand, and monitors appeared around the room, casting a soft glow. “That’s better,” she said, scanning the realm. “This will help in the days ahead.”

“Sincerely, thank you,” Seth said quietly.

“You’re welcome.”

“I remember you showed me the future regarding Tamera,” Seth said, voice low. “And I’ve accepted that… for now.”

He hesitated, eyes dropping. “I want to talk about my parents.”

Destiny didn’t speak. She waited.

“You see… they’ve been gone for a while. I don’t know where they went. The council said they’ve been recycled. But I know for a fact…” His voice faltered. “I know my dad’s an Original. So where are they? If you don’t mind.”

He sank into a chair at the large circular table, tension bleeding from his shoulders.

Destiny sat with him, her gaze calm but brimming with something unsaid. She didn’t want to anger him—she only wanted to bond with her great-grandson.

“Seth… when you left sixteen years ago, believe it or not, your parents were devastated. And I granted their wish.”

“What was their wish?” he leaned forward, anticipation sharp in his voice.

“They wanted to leave the Realm… to look for you.”

“What?” He turned the chair away from her, hiding his face.

“They are alive and well, Seth. They’re still searching for you.”

He sat in stunned silence. All this time… I hated them. I thought they abandoned me.

He lowered his head, shame burning in his chest. If I had never run away, would they still be here?

“I would have come back if I’d only known,” he whispered. “Where are they now?”

“Here. In the Realm,” she said.

“What? Since when?”

“Since Charlene sent out the message.”

A flicker of hope lit in his eyes. “So they should be here… among the other Fates. Someone would have told me they saw my parents move through the portal. Why didn’t they make their presence known?”

“They still believe in the old ways. They don’t agree with Torrock’s leadership, but they won’t stand against him. They’ve chosen to stay away… for now.”

“What do I tell Charlene?”

“Nothing right now. It would only be a distraction to her. Give them time. They’ll come around. Charlene said it best—those who want to be here, are.”

Charlene entered the room quietly.

Seth turned. “What happened to my father… to make him this way?”

“The Calling was too great for Odo,” Destiny said, her voice heavy. “And he chose to suppress it. This… this is what happens.”

“You couldn’t intervene?”

“It was a gift I gave him. My firstborn. And he didn’t want it. There was nothing I could do. Even when you started to show signs of the gift… he was resentful.”

Seth flinched, remembering. “He was downright abusive, to say the least. If it weren’t for my mother…”

“You have to have a heart for these things. He didn’t, Seth.”

“You must feel hurt… being rejected.” Seth’s voice softened. He was using his gift now.

“Yes,” Destiny admitted. “To rule this Realm, you must have a heart for the Fates. None of my twelve other offspring had the quality needed. So I started the council. Combined, they had the tools to lead. No one Fate is greater than another. We are One.”

She looked off into the distance, choosing her words.

“Odo was the only one with potential. But he wouldn’t even try. His brother Torrock has always been power-hungry. I had to keep an eye on him constantly. He’s the one who pushed for a head council member.”

“I urged them to work as a team. There was no need for a head. But they voted unanimously. So I appointed Odo.”

“You were hoping my father would take it seriously?”

“I wanted to give him one more chance. But he fought the role too. Dropped off the council and became a Journeyer instead.”

“There was no longer a need for me. So I claimed I needed rest. Told them to call me if needed. I turned back into the Spear, or so they thought. I slept.”

She smiled faintly. “And that led us to now. To your daughter.”

Seth smiled. “One more question.”

“Anything.”

“What do I call you now?”