The warm sun beat down on Edan, making him squint as he looked around, wide-eyed. Sitting on his father's shoulders, his little body leaning forward to use his father's head as an armrest, Edan watched the crowd around them.

Everywhere Edan looked he saw color. And not just in the pedestrians that walked past in their colorful clothes and armor, weapons flashing in the sun. The storefronts were painted in creams and pastels with bold highlights of red and yellow. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased all sorts of goods for sale.

“Dad! Dad! Look a sword!” Edan exclaimed, smacking the top of his father's head to get his attention. His voice squealed with excitement and his father's rumbling laughter sent vibrations up Edan’s legs.

“I see it.”

“It’s bigger than yours!” Edan’s head twisted, trying to keep the sword in sight, as they walked past the store.

“I don’t have a sword. I have an axe. Its blade isn’t meant to be bigger than a swords. And that one is probably shi-bad quality.” Tyrian said, correcting himself midway through the sentence. He had been trying to cut down on his cussing around Edan.

“If you want real quality swords, go to a smith. Anything in a store like that is what’s called a showpiece.”

Nodding along to his father's words, as if he understood them, Edan was already focused on something else. A stall selling sweetmeats. Tyrian rolled his eyes as he felt Edan slapping at his head again.

A couple of moments later and a few tokens less, Tyrian resumed his walk down the road. Chewing on a piece of skewered meat, Edan hummed happily as he watched a cart loaded with crates being pulled by an old man. He wiggled with excitement. He couldn’t wait to unlock his system. Sitting on his father’s shoulder, sauce and grease smeared on his mouth, Edan smiled at the old man.

“Remember what I told you, Edan?”

“Begawd.” Edan said around a mouthful of meat. A bit fell out of his mouth, landing on his father’s head and he quickly dug around for it.

“Be good, Yeah-Hey! Did you drop something in my hair?” Tyrian said, feeling his son’s questing fingers nudging at his scalp. “Edan!”

“No!” Edan tried denying it, but he had never been very good with deceit. “Sowy.”

“If you keep dropping food on my head I’ll let you down and you can walk on your own.”

Tyrian tilted his head up, bumping Edan’s chest as he tried to look at his son. Framed against the afternoon sun, he saw the wild halo of dark hair Edan got from his mother. His son's bright blue eyes looked at him innocently as his little fingers tried to cover his mouth and ensure nothing else fell out.

Clamping down on Edan’s thighs so his son wouldn't fall off, Tyrian shook his head. He could never stay angry at Edan for long.

“Like I was saying, I need you to be good. I know you love hanging out with Reema and Sanik, but while I’m gone I need you on your best behavior, Okay?”

Edan nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“Good boy. I…I don’t know how long I’ll be gone but they’ll look after you.” Tyrian wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure Edan or himself now. “Look, there’s their store.”

Pointing with his chin, Tyrian motioned to a small, simple, two-story building along the side of the road. A sign hung over the door. Edan, still learning to read, couldn’t understand the fancy writing, but he liked the picture of the scissors and ruler.

A bell over the door chimed as they entered, Tyrian swinging Edan off his shoulders so he wouldn't hit his head. The inside of the store was simple but clean with manikins lining the wall in various colorful outfits. A counter ran along the wall opposite the door. It was from behind this counter that Reema popped up.

Her long dark hair was tied in a messy bun, a few strands slipping free to frame her heart-shaped face. Her eyes turned warm as she looked over at the pair, a smile turning up the corner of her lips.

“Aunty Reema!” Edan called out, running towards her with his hands out.

“Hello, little Edan,” said Reema warmly. Dropping the pile of fabric she was holding so she could scoop him up for a hug. “How are you doing today?”

Tyrian watched on with a smile as Edan started telling Reema about his morning and the sword “that was bigger than daddies.”

“Sorry to stop by so early,” Tyrian said, butting into the conversation as Edan didn’t look to be slowing down. “I figured it would be best to get it all sorted out now. Is Sanik around?”

“Sure. We’re closed for the day, anyway. I just had to receive a delivery of new treated beast leather.” Reema pointed at the fabric she had been holding. Edan was pulling on her other hand. She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at the curtain behind the counter. “Sanik’s through there. Why don’t you go see him while I handle this little terror!”

Edan’s giggles as Reema tickled him followed Tyrian as he ducked under the curtain. The back room was the main workshop where Reema created the clothes she sold. Long tables took up most of the space with tools Tyrian couldn’t even begin to name strewn about. Bolts of fabric, strips of metal and bone, and even sheets of rough leather were stacked in corners.

Sanik had his back to the entrance. His tall, broad frame leaned over a table as he studied something out of sight.

“Yo!” Tyrian called out, moving through the room to his friend.

Sanik glanced up. His blonde hair, usually tied in a ponytail, was currently loose and fell like curtains on either side of his face. Light blue eyes looked at Tyrian in disapproval.

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“You’re here early. Can’t wait to get rid of him and go running off on another adventure?”

Tyrian chewed on the inside of his cheek. Sanik’s harsh words would have usually provoked an equally aggressive response from him, but Tyrian just didn’t have it in him today.

Years of familiarity must have alerted Sanik to his friend's mood as his eyes softened.

“Sorry,” he said, grudgingly. “It’s just…you know I don't agree with this right?”

“I know.” Tyrian let out a sigh and leaned back against a table. “I don't even know if I agree with this. But I can’t just let her go, Sanik, she's out there. Somewhere. Alone!”

“And that was her choice. It’s been years! You still have your son to look after. What's Edan going to think, huh? Mother runs off and father follows, neither one of them thinks to stay with him?”

“Oh, Fuck off!” Tyrian said with heat. “You didn’t see how scared she was when she left. I can! I see it every damn night when I put Edan to bed and sit alone in the dark watching over him. I love her. I can’t leave her to face whatever it is alone. I’d take Edan with me if I thought I could keep him safe.”

Sanik brushed the hair from his face. His features were still twisted in disapproval but after a brief moment, Sanik let out a long, slow exhale and moved to stand next to Tyrian.

“Fine. Still think you’re a dick though, for leaving your son.” Sanik said, giving him a pat on the back.

“You may think it, but I know it. I feel like crap.”

“Any idea where you should start looking?” Sanik asked.

Tyrian scrubbed roughly at his face, feeling the stubble on his chin poke his palm.

“I know she’s off-world,” he said at last, his voice resigned. “More than that? Not a clue. I’ve managed to call in some favors from the Hunters Guild-”

“Barny?”

“Yeah, Barny. He owes me one from the old days. He’ll work up some bullshit excuse so I can get off world. The FSHA shouldn’t cause any problems. I figure heading to Lumyx is a good starting point.”

Sanik nodded along. He didn’t know how Tyrian planned on finding someone who didn’t want to be found, especially when they had an endless number of planets to hide among. But Lumyx would be a good start. The trading capital of the Lower Realms, gossip, and information flowed through those streets quicker than coin.

“The Four Star Heavenly Sect may not have any issues letting you go, but you know how strict they are on re-entry.”

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Listen, I need you to do something for me,” Tyrian said, reaching into a pocket.

“Because I’m not already?”

Ignoring the snippy tone, Tyrian pulled out a thin silver chain with a coin on it. Sanik leaned in close, his curiosity getting the better of him. There was something engraved on the coin, some type of design, but for the life of him, he couldn’t make it out. It seemed to twist and change the more he focused on it.

“What is it?” He asked.

“I’m not sure,” Tryian admitted. “Lillian left it with me to pass on to him. Now I’m leaving it with you. I need you to give it to him when he’s older.”

“Why don’t you just give it to him now?”

“Sanik, that kid would bounce off the walls if left alone. He’d lose the necklace within an hour. Whatever it is, it’s important to Lilli, and I want him to get it. Please?”

“Sure. What’s one more favor at this point.” Sanik snatched the pendent, tucking it away safely. He thought of where to keep it. Reema would be the best person to ask. Speaking of Reema…

“Reema is over the moon with joy,” said Sanik, choosing to change the subject. “She’s been wanting a baby and she loves Edan. Having him here will be perfect for her.”

Tyrian looked at Sanik, cocking an eyebrow in question. “And you? Don’t want a baby, yourself?”

“Maybe. Don’t get me wrong, mate, I love Edan. The little ball of energy has a special place in all our hearts, and sometimes when I look at him I think it may be time to have one of my own, you know?”

Tyrian nodded.

“But I still feel the call to cultivate. I still want to reach higher…even, if I’m being honest, my progress has started to slow down. Can’t do that and have a family. Look at you!”

Tyrian scowled under the accusatory glare from Sanik.

“Again, I say, Fuck off,” Tyrian said, though this time with a smile. “I thought my adventuring days were behind me.”

Further conversation was made impossible as Edan came racing into the room, followed closely by Reema. Shouting out in joy, Edan ran full speed at Sanik before launching himself into the air. Catching Edan mid-flight, Sanik swooped the boy down before lifting him over his head. Edan whooped with joy, his hands held out in front as if he were flying.

Setting Edan down so he could stand on the table, Sanik ruffled his hair.

“How’s it going, Kiddo?”

“I saw a sword bigger than daddy's!” Edan said.

“From what I hear, that isn’t hard to do.”

Tyrian could only roll his eyes as he was forced to hear another retelling.

“And Daddy said I get to stay with you and Aunty Reema for a while,” said Edan. “He said I have to be good.”

“Not too good,” Sanik shot back, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “That would be boring.”

The duo shared a smile, both pretending Tyrian couldn’t see. Using that as a segue, and feeling his own heart drop at the impending departure, Tyrian pulled Edan towards him.

“Okay, Edan, I think it’s time for me to go,” he said, ignoring the stinging in his eyes. “I want you to be good…or try to be good, or Aunty Reema will be mad at both you and Uncle Sanik. Okay?”

“Okay, Daddy,” Edan said in a small voice.

“I love you, Edan Mawe, more than all the stars in the sky and across all the realms in the Great System. Your mum does too.”

“You’re going to bring mummy back?”

“That's the idea.” Tyrian pulled Edan close and looked him in the eyes. “I wouldn’t do this unless I had to. Remember what I always say? ‘We do what we must not-’”

“-not what we want.” Edan finished, his lower lip trembling as he fought back tears.

Tyrian had no doubt his son didn’t understand the meaning behind those words. But he would. One day.

Gathering Edan in his arms, cradling his little boy in a hug, Tyrian had to fight against the urge to just stay.

He could do it. Give up on Lillian. She had been the one to leave. Tyrian could stay with the son he loved and live a good life. He didn’t have to go. But then he remembered her face before she left, the tears streaming down her cheeks, and the fear in her eyes she had tried to hide.

If that was the last memory of his wife and the woman he loved, Tyrian couldn’t stay.

“Reema and Sanik will keep you safe,” Tyrian muttered, to both Edan and himself. He gave Edan a kiss on the head, his son's hair tickling his nose. “I love you!”

Releasing his son into the waiting arms of Reema, Tyrian turned his back. He didn’t want to see the look of disappointment in Sanik’s eyes, even as he put a protective arm around Reema and Edan. He didn’t want to see the pity in Reema’s face as she cradled Edan to her chest. Most of all he didn’t want to see his son, with tears in his eyes.

If he turned around now he would stay, and if he stayed he would be haunted by his wife's face for the rest of his life. Even as he cursed her for putting him in this situation.

He would be back.

He had to.