Parker made his way out to the temple's courtyard. The fresh spring flowers were in bloom, showing off their bright spring colors. He turned his gaze to one vase with a floral pattern painted over the gold backdrop.

The red roses in this vase were dying and fast. He sped towards the vase, staring at the roses in shock and in agony. The roses turned to dust, a mixture of browns and golds, as they evaporated into the sky. No! How could this be true?

"Parker," Aslan got his attention, "do you know what to do?"

Surely Parker was dreaming. He pinched himself. Nope, he was awake. He turned to the Great Lion as Parker's son came out from the other end of the courtyard, greeting him in repulsion and frustration. Parker looked at the two, wondering if there was anything that could be done to help them out.

"Aslan wants me to head back to my mother, your wife," Maxin said, feeling a lump grow in his throat. "It's for the best."

"Please, we can talk this over," Parker said, approaching his son with remorse.

"Stop! Don't touch me!" Maxin said, determined to get away from him.

Parker addressed him, firmly, "Son, we need to talk. I know you have conflicts. We can discuss it."

"There's nothing I have to discuss with you," Maxin said, serious.

"Please," Parker insisted, "let's talk."

Maxin nodded, following Parker to a bench. He took a seat, hardly looking at his red dragonoid father as Parker sat inches from him. Maxin didn't really have anything else to say to him. The look on Aslan's face didn't help either. There truly wasn't much of a choice in the matter.

Great. This was not what he asked for!

"You're going home, aren't you?" Parker asked Maxin, calmly. He gulped, feeling the lump in his throat grow bigger. Parker asked his son, concerned about him, "Maxin, I know you're upset, but don't let this grudge take over, overwhelm you. We can still fix this." Parker said, pleading, "Please, let us fix this."

Maxin looked at his dad, wondering if there was hope in their father-son bonding. If there was, Maxin didn't know it. His father, the dragonoid he trusted, had changed, as did he. If there was anything to mend, that was long gone. They were too different to mend any bond between them.

"I'm sorry, dad." Maxin shook his head. "There's nothing else for me to say."

"Then please, I'm asking you to help me mend this bond between us. Surely, you know I still care about you and your mother," Parker said, insisting with caring eyes.

"If you cared about us, then you would have come home sooner! Instead, you came here and did all of this!" Maxin waved his hand once at the temple. He shook his head, telling his father, "You didn't need to build an empire, dad! You have a home with my mother and me. Instead, you did this for youself, not for anyone else!" He shook his head, standing up in anger. "I don't know you anymore! I'm sorry! I'm done! I'm jumping on the first ship out of here and you can't stop me!"

"Maxin, wait! Please!" Parker cried, just as Aslan blocked his path. He looked on as his son fled the scene. He told Aslan, concerned about Maxin, "Please, you have to let me help him! Surely, we can mend this bond between me and Maxin!"

"Parker," Aslan said, calmly and reserved, "Let him go. One day soon, he will come back, but you'll both be strangers."

Parker turned to Aslan, asking, "Then why did he come here?"

"He came to find you," Aslan answered, calmly. "He did this because your wife insisted that he come. Your wife, Eliza, still has faith that you are good. It's important we bring Eliza here as soon as possible. Who knows what dangers lurk if she does not come and find you. But she will find you. Of this, I'm certain."

Parker nodded, silently. He still didn't know what Aslan's plan was, but he knew he needed to trust him.

"Thank you for helping out, at least," Parker said, curtly.

"You're welcome," Aslan said, smiling. "No matter what happens, I will guide you on this quest. But you must trust me when I say that after you seek Vitiate, you will no longer be the same dragonoid you are now."

"Right. Let's hope you're right," Parker nodded. He watched his son until Maxin disappeared into the hangar. He felt sure Maxin would find a ship and hightail out of Zafna. His only regret was that his bond with Maxin was broken.