Later
The night was late, close to midnight and the castle hallway was wide and lonely. Oil burners slowly withered in the passing night giving the place an eerie feel. Julian paced back and forth, sleep deprived and agitated. He kept stopping at the chamber door, peering in to see what was happening only to be pushed away by angry attendants.
He could hear voices and motion. He longed to be there, begged the people to let him in but it was to no avail.
Julian kicked the floor in frustration, sliding down the wall.
"This isn't fair you know!" he shouted at no one in particular before a mighty squeal sounded and a dozen or so nurses scurried into the chamber.
That was it, the Gungan could take it no longer. Julian leapt to his feet, bowling over Human and Gungan alike he burst into the room skidding to a halt before hitting the medic.
The doctor faced Julian, holding the tiny bundle in his arms.
"Congratulations, Sir Shua." He smiled. "It is a boy."
Julian's heart skipped a beat as the bundle was carefully placed into his arms. He felt like he would pass out but forced himself not to as for the first time he gazed into the face of his own son. The sleeping child stirred, revealing to the new father two magnificent, golden eyes.
"My eyes," he stammered, his smile beaming from ear to ear.
Julian gazed over at Adia who was dozing but woke upon his approach. Every day she seemed to get more and more beautiful. Julian sat down beside her on the bed, kissing her lightly on the lips.
"I love you."
"I know." Adia gave him a weary smile that signalled to him that not all was right. "The sphere's force has drained from me." she whispered pulling herself upright and signalling to the bundle in Julian's arms. "Look at his back."
Julian gave the girl a worried stare, as he pulled away the infant's coverings, then froze. All the air suddenly seemed get sucked from his lungs as he felt his entire body go numb.
"Impossible." He whispered, taking a second glance but he could not deny the tiny marking. The shape of the scythe… the curved blades.
"The Shul."
But this marking seemed different somehow. More rounded and not as noticeable as Adia's. Rather it seemed to almost blend into the child's skin.
"It's different. What does it mean?"
For a moment Aida was silent. She was pale and looked as if to be sick.
"The very first Shul held this scar. It is the symbol of the ultimate power. A power that until today; was only held by one being. Mersai."
Julian pulled back as if to have been hit in the face by a boulder.
"He is the one. He will challenge Mersai."
Adia nodded, "And he will carry your name. I have called him Julian."
"Julian?" he breathed, his head suddenly feeling dizzy. "He is our true Guardian."
Adia's smile immediately faded. "No, he is not."
Julian's body snapped upright, "What?"
"His mission is not trained on us. It is trained on his other legacy."
"The Otollas?" Julian whispered.
Adia nodded slowly. "He cannot stay here."
Julian stared her in utter disbelief.
"But what of his training? Where is he to live? His education? Our family honour?"
"That is not up to us to decide." Adia cut him off. "Don't you understand Julian? He cannot reside here. Nor can we."
The Gungan stopped short, giving her a bewildered stare.
"The Orban contacted me." The girl sniffed holding back her tears. "As they did mine, the Shadows know of the child's birth. As we speak they are planning another raid on this city. But unlike the last, this one the city won't survive. We have exactly eight days to get away."
"I don't believe this!" Julian backed up. The room around him now seemed to press in on him. He needed air, he need to get away. "We have lived here for thousands of years! I cannot believe this!"
"You're just going to have to, Julian," Adia sobbed. "Because as we speak, my father and the King are planning our exile."
Julian swallowed, feeling his legs beginning to fail. He found refuge on the bed again.
"Where are we to go?"
Adia clambered over to his side, bringing him into a hug.
"To a place far away from here," she signalled to her head. "I have the map in here. The Orban will guide me."
For a while they sat in silence. Julian stared down at the child in his arms, so tiny and innocent. It seemed inconceivable that inside that little infant was one of the universe's powerful forces.
He stroked his tiny cheek chuckling as the infant grabbed hold of Julian's finger, which was massive compared to his tiny little hand.
Julian leaned his head upon Adia's shoulder, whispering in her ear.
"Wherever he ends, I know that he will hold in highest regard, the best of the both of us."
