Queen's note: I'm not crying- well, I am. I did. I cried a lot writing this and had to take a few breaks. a several times. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

Garnets

Chapter Eighty One:

Reunion

The Slayer hummed, feeling extremely proud of himself. Though this might count as his 'wish,' or gift, from Bastet it did not matter as he could sense the phantom forming before the Last Gift hit the floor.

Though it was strange to actually hear the voice fully formed. Through the bond it was almost always like listening to the emotions of the Last Gift- John realized all at once he had honestly never really heard Fredrick talk. The scarcity recordings from the Platform did not seem to count.

The Slayer had an almost irresistible urge to go over and squish the new Phantom tight like he would reassure Lily as Frederick was starting to react. Looking up at the surprised Asin from the floor.

"...dad?" Lily asked in a small, confused voice, thankfully there was a hopeful edge in her voice. Instead of her being so completely and hopelessly lost the last time he heard her ask that on the platform. He watched Valen setting her down off the extended walkway. Walking after he watched her reactions, fighting the want to curl around his adopted daughter too.

"Babygirl?" the phantom had rolled over to sit on his hands and knees. Startled and no hesitation to show his emotions as the once man launched up and forward. Leaving a faint trail of light from the still active crucible that was a part of Frederick's back.

Lily did not even make it two steps before the phantom of her dad was there. No screaming or anything loud as Frederick wrapped his daughter up in as tight of a hug as he could. Real weight had Lily gasping and shuttering before her legs gave out, the two dropping to the ground. The two adjusted before Lily hid her face and clung tighter.

There was a soft voice that was hard to hear, but after getting a little closer John heard. Watching Valen making the silent 'clear out' at Malum, who seemed to agree as he started for the hall first. Everyone here had seen and experienced their first time meeting a loved one as a phantom.

"-addadda- daddy- Imissedyousomuch-" Lily finally got out, gasping as she clung tight to the cool but solid armor of her dad's phantom. What he had been wearing before changing. The security armor, not his old military armor. "Dad-"

"I know babygirl, my babygirl." he squished his daughter tight, then shifted to be able to press his cheek against her own.

That had Lily finally coming undone and crying, like when she had been done so on the Fortress when it finally got to be too much. Finding out her dad was a crucible, then after meeting Gaia and finding out her heart (that she-) was not normal anymore. Lily felt her breath hitch, and then remembered something that made her wibble. "I'm sorry…"

"You did nothing wrong baby," Frederick tried, shifting a bit to look down at who was half of his whole world now.

"I lost your's and mom's rings…"

A half laugh blurted out of Frederick's phantom and he finally sat up from the shielding hunch around Lily. Cupping her face and making his daughter look up at him. "Lily, my babygirl, you are far, so much so, far more important to me than anything else in this world or any other."

So much so that Frederick fought off hell itself, two kinds of possession, the gorgon infection and willingly sold his soul to his Doom God of War and Death. Willingly binding himself to a crucible as long as it meant that the last of his family would be kept safe and loved. He was very aware of his failure to save Jessica, his wife, and could not bare to see his daughter lost as well.

Frederick Hawkins would do anything to keep his daughter safe. He had stayed behind on the Platform knowing he was clean at, because at the time because Lily had been unable to be transported.

"I love you more than anything in these words Lily," Frederick laughed as he pressed his head against hers. Using his thumbs to wipe away the falling tears. "I'll do it all again, darkness or demons or possessed. You are my world, babygirl."

Lily felt something break and sobbed as she gripped her dad's wrists. Wanting so much for time to spin backwards. She did not want to be an adult, did not want any of this but to be where and when she felt safest between her dad and mom. Wanting that day that seemed like so long ago to not have turned to the end of the world. She wanted to be able to go night fishing with her family as her mom talked about Becky the Lobster and hear her dad complain about the night shift complaining that they could not join them fishing off the southern dock. Lily's breath hitched as she realized that if the world had not ended they would have been able to do that cross country drive to British Columbia and seen the Pacific Northwest for the first time. Lily would be an official journeyman and trying to find out where she would want to study for her master's in her fields after her birthday.

The young woman curled up against her dad's phantom, hugging his neck as tight as she could, hearing him humming back at her. Though the familiar vibration was not there exactly…it almost felt like it. "I miss you dad."

"I love you," Frederick said back with every ounce of honest emotion he had. Wrapping Lily back up in a tight hug again. He laughed suddenly, grinning against the side of Lily's head while glancing at the two that stood not far, one massive man coming closer. "And I'm actually not ever far. I promise I'm here babygirl. I'll always protect you, even if it's through this big lug that's as stupid as I am."

A giggle slipped out of Lily against the phantom. At the same time the Slayer gave a snort and a sound of mock offense while he knelt behind the girl. Frederick hugged Lily tighter as he got a look at John for the first time. Not really remembering much from the Platform, in that haze of rage and pain and wanting to keep his flower safe. His daughter. Their daughter?

Hells, but no wonder Lily always seemed so strangely small when Frederick, as the Last Gift, got glimpses of her through the Slayer. She had always looked so tiny, because Lily was tiny in comparison.

John, the Slayer towered over even Frederick's once height of six two. He was more on par with the Argenta height, like Valen, being a head and shoulders taller than Frederick had been in life. As well as the mass it looked like. Like someone had taken the altered, older class of space marines before him and bulked them up more. The exposed biceps were seemingly bigger than Lily's head.

The near alien-like armor did not help, adding the semi illusion of more bulk. Even knelt down, John looked to be looming without meaning to. He very much had a severe resting expression, the old scars over his right cheek and lips. Another traced over the bridge of his nose and a burn patch on the left side of his jaw. The Demigod's eyes were an eerie glowing blue and watched both human and phantom with notable fondness.

Then Frederick felt the flood of unhindered emotions that came through the bond. Remembering feeling this way of communication as a Crucible. The honest affection was not just for Lily but… himself? The Last Gift, Frederick, shook his head, while he was… himself. Like this he wanted to spend as much time as Frederick could with his daughter. To see Lily alive and well, moving and maybe hear her laugh unhindered. Yet he knew not to rush, knew his daughter too, so the Phantom sat back and pulled Lily into his lap. Just hugging what was left of his world until she felt a bit better.

Whatever time he had as a phantom, Frederick wanted it all to make sure their, his, their daughter knew how much he loved her.

Frederick smiled against the top of Lily's head, "So… how many guinea pigs do you have now babygirl?"

Lily wheezed, giggled and then seemed very embarrassed as she shifted how she was sitting. From huddling under Frederick to pushing her forehead against his chest. A light, but still embarrassed laugh did follow. "Thirty two including the last litters….not including the mommas likely pregnant again."

"That's a lot," Frederick laughed himself, shaking his head but smiling. "I guess you skipped culling some huh?"

Lily nodded guiltily, "Yeah… I don't know why they're so hard. I can do fish and crabs and stuff."

"Because you grew up with them as pets first." Frederick explained, not at all disappointed, his baby had always been responsible for her pets when little and older. "But you can't let them hurt themselves with out of control breeding, yeah? You can ask for help now, even if I can't do it for you."

"Yeah." Lily sniffed and sat back a bit, though refused to let go. Holding tight to her dad's arm and chest plates.

"Still got Maple?" Frederick asked, lifting his right hand to cup it against Lily's head, feeling her lean into the touch before nodding.

"Yeah," Lily smiled, looking tired as she was just starting to struggle to breathe again. Thankfully not nearly as she used to that Frederick was used to. "I separated her before she gave birth this last time, I didn't want her to keep having litters when older."

"Lily," Valen's low voice spoke gently, "Use your mask girl. Before you can't talk."

"Good idea." Frederick agreed, having to help her with getting a hand free. Supporting as it shook a bit but Lily was able to get her mask pressed to her lower face and trigger it to dispense the medicine. Taking a few deep breaths and did feel better.

Enough that Lily sat up on her knees to wrap her arms around Frederick's phantom. Pressing her cheek against his until she was squished in a familiar hug again. Lily wanted to cry again, felt tears burning at the edges of her eyes but she was also suddenly really thirsty and tired. The young woman felt her dad taking a moment to look around them. Frederick twitched and tensed as, for the first time he saw the Titanic Wraith.

"...is there a giant space dragon really there?"

John gave that chuffing chuckle of his behind Lily, and there was a deep but amused sound from above.

"I'm not sure what a dragon is, but I am a Wraith." Bastet thankfully did not seem offended at the misidentification.

There was a long pause that Lily could see her dad trying to sort this information out. "...ghost space dragon…miss?"

"You are the ghost, my child." Bastet snorted as she shifted. Though there were no eyebrows or ridges, how she tilted her head gave the strong impression of arching a brow. Before looking around her forepaws, the Wraith picked up a chip she had broken, and was starting to do something with it. "This won't last the night, as you are a Crucible before a Phantom. Make wise use of your time."

Frederick looked at John without thinking as he hugged his, their, daughter. "Just let me stay with her? Please."

Lily twisted around and looked up at the demigod. She did not even have to even try to give a pleading expression as John nodded before signing.

Long as Valen stays with. John glanced at Valen, pretty sure he would be aloud to hold if not wield the Last Gift for a short time. As long as Valen kept to his word and task of protecting Lily. He felt the unhidden flood of relief and gratefulness over the bond.

"I like Grandpa," Lily said looking back to the Argenta man almost standing guard. Valen smiled back as he watched John shift closer to first pry Lily out of Frederick's arms. Standing up with her braced with one arm, his right grasped the armor of the startled phantom's chest armor to lift him up too. "Ack!"

"Really my King?"

Mine.

John grumbled in primordial, letting Lily slide back to her feet. Inadvertently towering over both as he kept a hand on the girl's back while ducking. Shifting his hold from the phantom's front to his back and then gave into his want. Squishing Frederick into a tight hug, John had to be mindful not to grip too tight to Lily at the same time. Stooping some to press his head against the top of the phantom's and the familiar thunder deep rumble of affection finally shook loose from a mostly healed throat. He was much more willing to show affection here, in the shielding geoid like neat of the Wraith.

Hell could not see who he loved, could not put a target on his daughter. They definitely could not do anything to a living weapon that could fight on his own right now.

Lily giggled as she pressed into John's side, looking up at her dad. "Get squished too dad."

"I'm very squished." Frederick noted, not fighting but if anything enjoying the attention. In a way he might be touch starved since…becoming a crucible.

That was a strange thought.

"Child of my son," Bastet spoke before her massive head swung around and sniffed beside the group of three now. Trying to nudge both the Slayer and the Crucible phantom aside and opened her jaws a fraction. There was something golden reflecting in between two of the big fangs, "Take this. For your sire's wintherin."

Lily was very much stuck in her dad's arms, even if John shifted away to look, but reached out to carefully take the rounded object. Thankfully it was not stuck in Bastet's fangs just resting against them, it reminded her of the soul gems of the wolves, just a bit smaller and seemed to shift shape down to fit into Lily's hands.

"What is it?" It felt… warm oddly. Lily was learning most things linked to the Wraiths were always cool.

"Once whatever is broken is set, press that into the wintherin's hide at the break." Bastet pulled back, tilting her head to Valen. "It's what I used to give Tollin in the hatching season to save hatchings… but more potent for an adult. I'm not sure what happened exactly, just make sure the wintherin does not try to eat it."

Valen perked up at that as he grinned at Lily, "I know what that is, it won't hurt you my lake lily. I'll teach you how to use it. Don't forget to thank the Wraith mother."

Lily startled, stopping as she was about to follow John. Turning back as she gripped her new present as the giant creature was pulling her head back and settling firmly in place. "Thank you miss wraith…ah, miss Bastet?"

"Grandmother is fine child." Bastet chuckled, "You definitely did not get your wonderful manors from your sire. Your father of before did I take it?"

Frederick straightened up, "No baby if mine would be without manors and the skill to drop them to defend herself."

"I like him too. It is a shame I did not get to see you in your first life here. Do be a dear though, and cause Jakked some chaos no matter your form?"

"Yes ma'am."

Lily giggled, catching up to John at the doors and pushed at his left hip. Signing up at him for a moment. The Demigod tilted his head, turned to the Wraith watching them. Humming as he touched his chin with fingertips and swung the arm down at the elbow before turning away to the Sentinels.

Bastet purred back.

She liked those humans, all three types of them. Lifting a forewing up to wiggle the claws on it in a return wave as Lily waved goodbye. Needing some help from Valen to through the barrier as the child did not fully know how to on her own. Having to put her mask back on over her lower face quickly.

Frederick hesitated, looked back and forth across the barrier. He touched it, surprised at how solid the shimmering veil was as he had never experienced one. Definitely did not remember 'seeing' one as the Last Gift. The much larger form of one of the Argenta phantoms came back over and reached through the barrier to grasp Frederick's chest armor and hauled the smaller human through with a startled yelp.

Bastet chuckled, grinning wide as she 'looked' at the other Phantom guard that had stayed inside. "Go give that treasure you've been holding onto to that brat."

"I'll be back mother." the phantom Sentinel smiled as he stepped through the barrier. Scanning around to take in the living Sentinels, pleased they were respectful of the dead. The air seemed fresher now for sure then when he had pulled the girl through, the side effect of the doors to the forge room turned nesting area. That girl, Lily, was looking over at him as she was handed back the O'ri saplings in the broken canteen. Someone had found and put the last third one inside as well.

Good, he wanted to see those saplings healthy and growing somewhere. They were already starting to get new leaves as the Slayer's heir was being gentle with them.

A chuff came from the War King, the demigod tilted his head and looked inquisitive at the second phantom coming over to himself. The Slayer turning his attention to the ghost, offering his hand, hesitating as the Phantom shook his head.

"Thank you for the offer my King." The Phantom hummed but lifted his hands as if taking something out of his armor. Shielding something like the sentinel back at the crater had done. "But I chose to stay with Mother Bastet. Someone was guarding her as she wakes. I've been holding onto this for you."

The phantom offered the thick, metal disk he had been hiding and protecting to the Slayer. Only letting go once sure the demigod had it, and with his helmet attached to the hip he could see the surprise in the Slayer as the disk was turned over in the large hands.

It was like the alloy disk he had given to Ria to take back to the Fortress. John brushed his fingers over his glyph on the front, then turned it around to find not the simplified glyph of the wintherin riders like the last time. A different sect of the old Night Sentinels, the wolf runners. The equivalent of K9 handlers but far more deeply ingrained into the Sentinels than any other military the Slayer had been a part of.

Thank you. John remembered to sign this time, lowering the disk in one hand to let Lily peek at it.

"You're welcome my King." The Phantom hummed, standing up tall to salute with his right arm over his chest, still holding his weapon from life. Turning to look at a startled Lily and the other phantom form of the crucible, smiling at the startled squeak as he gave the child a bow and stepped back with his brother. "Take care of yourself girl, stay hidden as long as you can, and keep that kind heart. I saw what you did for my brother, thank you for that kindness. He was lingering long enough."

Lily stared up at him with wide eyes, holding tight to the container the O'ri saplings were in. Her cheeks flushed as the Sentinel phantom gave another half bow before returning to the doors of the forge to stand guard. She looked up as the second guard, the one who had been standing with Zanin originally, came over to offer another silver looking disk to John. Hearing the confused sound rumble out of him. Lily peered at, though stayed against her Dad's side, seeing another stylized picture of the Slayer's Glyph and of a wolf. One disk had a wolf head, the other looked like a wolf running with a trail of wind… or maybe energy considering what happened when Lily first came down here.

The stillness was coming back to this great hall turned tomb. Just the eb and flow of warm and cool air coming and going from the wraith. Lily looked up at the painfully familiar but semi translucent form of her dad, able to see the active blue opalescent blade that was apart of his back right now. The young woman, feeling very much like a girl she looked like to the Argenta, pushed against Frederick in a quiet demand for attention. Wanting to be held again by her dad.

Frederick turned, doing just that and he hugged as tight as he dared, pressing his cheek against Lily's head. For a few moments he was clearly enjoying the closeness before he looked around. Studying the hall itself, the carefully arranged bodies, then the living Sentinels. He turned back to the Slayer that was starting to turn to show the disks to Valen. "Now what do we do?"

"We regroup with the other Sentinels." Malum offered from where he was settled sitting on the main path. The massive altered man was inspecting the thick fur overcoat. "I sent scouts out when the Lord Slayer first woke up. We should have some new information soon. And… well, we know where the wintherin is, if we can get past her mate we can heal her before the storm passes completely."

"When the rain stops the demons will come back out in the open." A sentinel said, giving a shake of his head. "Wish I knew why the summer storms make them so scared."

"Everything smells like petrichor?" Lily guessed, looking up from her spot with Frederick.

Her dad chuckled, "That would make sense, I'm starting to remember some things before. That… that thing that had been inside me? Soon as there was a petrichor smell it was easier to… take over? I think it was scared too."

"What is… petrichor?" Haco asked, coming back from picking up a heavy battle ax head. Pretty sure Captain Mila could make use of it as she was coming back from the lift again.

Lily pointed at John, "The smell of hot wet rocks and earth in the rain. What he smells like. Wanna bet the demons are scared of the smell of natural petrichor because of him?"

Valen blinked, paused and then laughed, "I think I will join you in that bet! Malum, have your men gotten into the original armory, not just the vault?"

"It takes great effort, the power was diverted away to the Vault." The current Sentinel Commander considered, then blinked as one of the living wolves wagged its tail, trotting past as it held a knocked loose wraith crystal. "...Then again I think we can get it, and the building itself, powered up now. More so if the Lady Jade can help?"

"I can," Jade nodded from where she sat, looking like the tired but satisfied state of after getting all of one's chores done early with time to spare. "I can do much more now thanks to the Mother Wraith."

The Slayer chuckled at that, putting one of the disks in his mouth to hold on to. Reaching to grab Zanin's by his back and hauling him over to shamelessly put one of the disks down the back of his armor. The warrior made a face but was resigned to this and only moved once freed to be sure he had range of movement in his arms. The disk was thankfully just in the right spot.

Thinking about it, John walked over to the even bigger Asin with a demanding huff. Asin at least was willing to turn around and kneel down, getting the same treatment as Valen continued.

"That's good, I think we all need to check our armor. And I want to get a new second skin for Lily." Valen pointed to the smallest human. "I did not get a chance to grab the one I've been working on for her before."

"That's not a lot of armor," Milla frowned as she joined them, catching the blade head that Haco tossed to her. Admiring the still good metal. "Almost nothing really."

"Do you really expect that child to handle more armor then that?"

There were a few soft snorts around, Milla turning to look at Lily and had an expression she was trying to think of something to not be rude.

Lily giggled, what muscles she had slowly gained back on the Fortress were not meant for fighting. "It's okay Milla, I know I'm a sad noodle compared to all of you."

John laughed this time, coming over to offer a hand to Lily. Eerie blue eyes shifting to Fredrick to include him in the rumble of primordial.

Affection.

Thank you for taking care of my baby-girl. Frederick signed at the Slayer, using just the human signs as Valen was leading the way to the mentioned armory.

Affection-Promise.

"My sons and daughters." Bastet's voice rumbled out from the forge room, making most straighten up. Even the Slayer paused to look back, watching but the Wraith did not move to the door. Just her voice carried back. "I hope you all know to give up any hope to retreat."

Lily looked back surprised, almost feeling the barely contained rage from the Wraith from where they were. Hugging her dad reflexively.

"This is the time to give up all hope of such things." Bastet's voice rumbled low and deep but still carried out to the hall. "There is no where to go but forward to the front line again…and fight. With tooth and claw. Fight with head and hearts. Fight with soul and purpose, blade or fist. You are my Sentinels, and you will follow my son's lead until the end of the war. Never forget that you must stand and fight to protect those that can not."

The Wraith was making something between a hiss and a growl. "Give your wounded and dead to me, I will send them back thriving or make sure their souls pass with grace. Never forget you are Night Sentinels my children. Stand strong for when your charges can not. Shield them and your brothers with your own shields and blades."

The massive head finally took up the open doorway, the once eyes of Bastet glowing under the scaring, her hide was definitely darker. There was a shift of that glow as she focused on the strongest soul. Looking right at the Slayer. "You, my Hell born son. I trust you with my other children, but free me without giving my power to feed Jakard. I will give you all of my nest city for your idea."

The Slayer smiled darkly at first, flashing his teeth in a wide, almost feral grin. Then he gave what could be called a roar, followed by the Argenta. Even Valen lifting his voice in the agreeing sound of triumph.

To say morale was restored would be an understatement.

reviews!

XFireStoneX:

Mwahaha XD hopefully this chapter makes up for it.