Where does your strength come from?

[Akiv Orlouge]

When class released the young boy sprang from his seat, today might be the day. As he waited for the other kids to make their way from the room he turned to his teacher, “She’s waiting for me I bet.”

Aimer gave him a gentle nod and the best smile he could muster, which didn’t quite look real but Akiv could pretend it did. “I hope so bud. Now you go and have some fun okay?”

It had been the same scene all week, he would make his way into the hallway and there Sei would stand. He would ask all the questions his mother did, but it just wasn’t the same. Today was no exception, Sei put his arm around his grandson and they began the journey up to his office.

” How was your day? The mute’s tone was kind as it entered the boy’s mind. It was obvious he could feel the disappointment.

“It was okay.” Akiv stared at the floor, watching the toes of his shoes meet the concrete with each step, focusing on the soft tap that followed.

The mute stiffened slightly, an uncomfortable silence filling the void where the voices should have been. ”What did you have for lunch?

The boy sighed, “I don’t remember.”

”You always say that. A chuckle followed the words, Sei's face lighting up as he plucked the true answer from the child's mind. Akiv had enjoyed his roast and potatoes.

“When is she coming home?”

That was the moment when it Sei stopped talking. He could try to fake a conversation, force a happy face when Kyla broke her promise again, but he couldn’t make it stop hurting his grandson. The mute closed his eyes as they ascended the steps, trying to will himself to lie. A soft gasp reached his ears as the boy’s shoulder left his hand. Footsteps pounded against the stairs as Akiv ran to the landing.

“Mama!”

[Amber Eyes]

It had been five weeks since she left, much more than the three she had promised. The dusty-haired boy had grown at least an inch and his face seemed to age by the day. Kyla pulled him in close, taking in his scent and squeezing tightly. She rested his hand on her back and patted gently and Kyla noted not for the first time just how strange it was that the child felt the need to comfort his mother.

Hadn't it always been that way though? Akiv had more than once saved Kyla from the darker sides of herself. He was her only reason for living, and each time she forgot that the small boy would nurse her back from the edge. Each time promising to be stronger, only to fall that much harder the second time around.

She kissed his forehead before standing, "You've grown a foot Akiv! What have you been up to while I was away?"

Accusations were clear in the boy's face, but he chose not to share them. Instead he began to re-tell stories of days on the playground and training sessions with Grandpa and Aimer. He even told the story of Gran Gran's teeth ending up in the soup at dinner one night, every single thing he could think of other than what he truly wanted to say.

When they reached the fifth story landing Kyla pulled her hand from the child's. "Go on and change now, Akiv. Grandpa Sei and I need to talk."

"Mom, you only just got here." The boy protested, not yet ready to let her leave his sight.

"I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

[Silence Sei]

Sei crossed his arms as the young boy reluctantly found himself nodding and running back down the granite stairs of Ixian Castle. Kyla’s eyes wandered towards her adoptive father, who did not happen to share the same happy expression. The girl blinked for a moment, her smile fading while approaching the elder Mystic. “I came to tell you that I’m ba—“

“How long are you going to keep doing this, Kyla?” Sei uncrossed his arms, moving his hands upon his hips and shaking his head.

“You’re the one that made me the Captain of the Investigations Team,” Kyla objected, her tone more stern now. She sounded angry that her father would think such things about her. “If you wanted me around more, you should not have let me lead a team that is constantly going out.”

Sei’s position shifted again, the judgemental squint in his eyes relaxing a bit. “That’s just it Kyla” Sei ‘spoke’, his daughter’s face turning into one of fear, “As of right now, you are relieved of your duties as Head of Investigations...”

He would not keep his grandson from his mother any more, even if it cost him a General.

[Amber Eyes]

The young mother held her breath as her 'father' spoke. His lectures tended to be a bit on the long side, but he always meant well and Kyla would do her best to stay respectful. When he finished though, her heart dropped.

"What do you mean relieved from my position? But the prophecy clearly..."

"Damn the prophecy, Kylana! How can you fight for Corone when you cannot run your own life? His tone softened as he continued. "You need to be with Akiv. He is a fine young boy, and I will always care for him, but you are his mother and he needs you.' As he 'spoke' the last word Sei placed his hand gently on the shoulder of his daughter, doing his best to keep her calm.

Kyla was heartbroken, everything she'd worked for; all that she had accomplished was for nothing. The girl took a deep breath, sure she could sweet talk her way out of this with enough time.

"Perhaps if I just take a break? Give the team a month or so, we're just about wrapped up in Salvar and..."

'I've already found a replacement.'' Sei's 'voice' was low, almost not there at all.

Kyla's face flushed crimson but she held steady to her composure. Who could possibly be better suited for the investigation team? "And who pray tell..."

Once again the elder mystic cut her off, his tone steady now, "Joshua Cronen"

The name was legend, the man....well, he was a legend too. His charisma would open many doors, and those it didn't, well he had the strength to open them himself. There was no talking Sei out of this one.

[Silence Sei]

“Sei,” Kyla’s voice wavered, the emotion catching in her tone, “you need me on the Knights. You need me to help you. I’m sorry if I haven’t been there.”

“For Akiv” Sei interjected.

“Yes, for Akiv,” Kyla added.

“At all.” Sei concluded. His eyes watching as his daughter’s brow twitched in annoyance.

“Yes! I’m sorry I haven’t been there for Akiv at all! By the Thaynes Sei, I was a mother at nineteen years old! I couldn’t even take care of a goldfish, let alone another human life! You can sit there all high and mighty and act like raising kids is easy, but you’ve been at it a hell of a lot longer than I have! I bet if I go down there right now and ask Gran-Gran just how much time you spend with Ella—“ Kyla stopped for a moment to take a deep breath to compose herself. It seemed she realized that she was yelling.

“Kyla. I’m sorry, but this conversation is over. Joshua Cronen will become leader of Investigations effective immediately, and you will be moved to a different position.” Sei furrowed his brow at her, his stance unwavering. He had to make sure that she knew he meant business when it came to this issue.

“Wait,” Kyla caught the phrasing now, and Sei had to resist the urge to crack a smile, “A different position? Just where are you putting me?”

“I think it would be fitting if the girl who cannot even take care of a goldfish is responsible for juveniles and delinquents. After all, what a poster child for turning one’s laugh around than the former thief turned Ixian General?” Sei turned from her now, a grin forming across his features. He did not even have to look back to see the look of absolute horror on his kin’s face.