Trae

The sea port was a cacophony of sounds, each one adding to his growing unease. The cries of seagulls echoed overhead, their calls sharp and piercing against the backdrop of the bustling harbor. The rhythmic clanging of metal as workers loaded and unloaded cargo from ships created a steady, almost hypnotic beat. The salty tang of the sea air mixed with the scent of fish and diesel, making his nose wrinkle.

As he approached the ticket vendor, the chatter of people around him seemed to grow louder. Families saying their goodbyes, merchants haggling over prices, and the occasional bark of a dog all blended into a chaotic symphony. His own heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the danger they were in. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, his eyes darting around for any sign of Nathan or Amshel. Or more than likely to pursue, Karl and James. The mere thought making his spine shiver.

"Three tickets, please," Trae said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. The vendor, an older man with a weathered face, nodded and began processing the request.

As he waited, his mind drifted back to a conversation he'd had with his mother back in the lab.

"Where's your father?" she had asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"He told me that he will come at a later time, that I need to protect you," Trae had replied, watching her ponder his words carefully. She had quickly grabbed the duffel bag with hastened speed that bewildered him.

"Mère, such speed, were you always capable of that?" he had asked, astonished.

"…not as great as you and your father, or Haji for that matter. I was capable, but with recent events it seems I haven't been able to showcase myself well," she had responded, her tone thoughtful, then pressing her hand to her temple.

"Mère, are you alright? Does your head hurt? Feeling ill or light-headed at all?" Trae had inquired, his worry evident. She waved her hand, signifying she was fine.

"…for the first time in a rather long while, I feel quite strong," she had said, smiling radiantly. Her tired eyes, once filled with doubt and confusion, were now replaced with vigor. She had sifted through the bag and seemed to have found something of interest. "He would," she had laughed.

"Mère?" Trae had wondered what it was she found, and she had held up some train tickets.

"Let's get what we need from here and meet your father at the station, Trae. There is so much to talk about," she had said, her voice filled with determination. "Seems your father already has an idea." She held up the train tickets leaving Paris. Dated several months ago, consistently being renewed each time they came close to expiration.

The memory of her words brought a chill to his spine, grounding him in the present. He glanced over his shoulder, scanning the crowd for any familiar faces. His father was nearby, his injuries from the recent fight still evident. They had barely escaped Paris, and the week on the run had taken its toll on all of them.

The vendor handed Trae the tickets, and he quickly pocketed them, nodding his thanks. He turned to rejoin his family, the sounds of the seaport fading into the background as his focus sharpened. They had to keep moving, had to stay one step ahead. The weight of his mother's words and the reality of their situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he knew they had no choice but to continue.

"Hey, kid, you wanna buy something?" A cloaked man with a suspicious demeanor approached me, trying to open his coat to show his wares.

"No, not interested," I replied curtly, quickly evading the heavy crowd to return to where my parents waited. I adjusted the lapel of my new coat and checked the time for the ship's departure. Only for a second I could hear my name being called.

"Trae, there you are. You got the tickets then?" Father found me wandering the crowd and pulled me out of the throng.
His white suit was no longer his signature look; he had changed to a more modern style. He wore a tailored dark green blazer over a crisp white shirt, paired with charcoal gray trousers. His tie was a subtle pattern that matched mother's eyes when she used her powers as a chiropteran queen. I had followed suit in my father's fashion sense, opting for a vintage-inspired look with a beige vest over a light blue button-down shirt, and dark brown trousers. We both aimed to blend in, avoiding the appearance of mobsters. I could still hear my mother's laughter when I mentioned this fact and wondered if she'd preferred it.

"I will hold onto the tickets until the ship is ready to disembark. Shall we board early or find a place of shelter while we wait?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the underlying tension.

Father looked uneasy as he scanned the area, checking for any signs of Amshel or the others following us. Seeing nothing suspicious, he turned around and looked across the docks to find mother waiting for them.

"Let us ask what she wants to do," He suggested. His eyes softening, showing his prior wounds healing nicely under his eyes. Remnants of his battle with Diva and Amshel fading as the days go by.

Watching him head to her side with a childlike manner was different and unusual for me to see from his typically serious demeanor. He wrapped his arms lovingly around her waist, lifting her off the ground and swirling her around. She laughed, trying to keep her white sun hat on, her warm yellow dun dress fluttering in the breeze. Her brown hair and green eyes reflected bliss, a stark contrast to the tension of our situation. Others stared with wonder and enjoyment at the affectionate display. Like a timeless film.

"Solomon~!" She exclaimed, looking around with embarrassment as she made eye contact with me. "Trae! Did you get the tickets?" She asked, being placed down and brushing off her dress. She playfully hit father's arm for his antics, her smile radiant.

"Yes, Mère, I have them," I replied, feeling a surge of joy at the scene before me. Despite the danger and uncertainty, this moment of normalcy and affection was a precious respite. "But I must ask why we are heading to Okinawa when we should be considering elsewhere for Diva and the others never to find us," I said, my voice tinged with concern.

Mother looked to the open sea, watching the push and pull of the waves for a moment before answering me. Her stoic expression was something new since her awakening as a queen. Her eyes shimmered for a second before returning to normal, and she turned back to me with a smile.

"I know since separating from your headquarters the whereabouts of Haji and Saya have remained unknown. This may sound strange, but I can sense they've returned to Okinawa."

"How so?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Hmm…Haji and I have a telepathic connection. I've been trying to see if you two are able to hear me as well if I reach out, but nothing."

"I wonder what the difference is then?" I mused, curious to find out how it worked. She shrugged her shoulders and leaned into father with subtle ease.

"We have time to figure this out, but not much when I don't know their next move. I need to speak with Saya and see if we can partner with one another against Diva efficiently."

"Mon amour, what do you need from them?" Father asked, his voice gentle yet firm.

"If we are to get Diva back for all the harm she's caused and more, we need Saya and Haji to keep her away from us." Mother's gleaming smile was off-putting from her gentle demeanor, making me shiver. "I plan on using the Red Shield for what they're best at."

"I see," Father understood her intentions and waited for more before I stepped forward with my own concerns.

"Do you think the Red Shield will dance to our tune so easily? What would they say if seeing you again, bringing us along? You mentioned your parting with them wasn't the most…pleasant." I eyed father, seeing him shrug to what I meant by my words. He acted no differently.

"I understand the concern," she began, her hand slipping into mine as she sighed. "But with everything that's happened and regaining so much of what I've lost, I dare not take the chance to lose either of you again. Put your trust in me and see what this could bring for us."

"Oh Mère, I will always place my trust in you," I assured her.

She beamed as she took father's hand as well, and we walked the boardwalk for a while, exploring the scene. Buying her sweets at stalls and food, she merrily forgot her troubles as we passed the time.

But then, I sensed someone watching us from afar. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and the peace we had been enjoying was suddenly shattered. Father looked at me knowingly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the crowd. He nodded his head towards the warehouses we saw in the distance, a silent signal that we needed to be cautious.

I informed mother quietly, and she didn't miss a beat in her steps, acting the same way as we headed to the structures. The joyful atmosphere was replaced with a tense silence, each of us on high alert. The sounds of the bustling port seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heart in my ears. Every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat, and every passerby was a possible enemy.

As we approached the warehouses, the sense of being watched grew stronger. I could see father's jaw tighten, his hand subtly moving towards the concealed weapon at his side. A precaution he felt necessary to keep them veiled. Mother's grip on my hand tightened, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a newfound intensity. The carefree moments we had just shared felt like a distant memory, replaced by the harsh reality of our situation.

We slipped into the shadows of the warehouses, the cool darkness providing a temporary refuge. But the feeling of being hunted lingered, a constant reminder that our enemies were never far behind. The peace we had briefly enjoyed was gone, replaced by the relentless tension of survival.

"SOLOMON!" The warehouse door slammed open with a deafening crash, and I noticed Karl was the one stormed in, seething with rage. His eyes were wild, and his breath came in heavy, ragged gasps as if he had been running for miles. He sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring as he locked onto us, a predatory gleam in his eyes. Karl was never on my familial ties to begin with, considering he was used as an experiment by Amshel. In the early years of my youth, I felt sorry for him and tried befriending the man countless times, only to be rejected and scorned just as many times I'd asked. Father stepped out from the shadows, signaling us to stay hidden.

"Karl, so they sent you to track us down like a hound?" Father mused, his voice calm but edged with disdain. Karl stormed his way through, ready to strike him with a ferocity that made my heart skip a beat.

But then, something unexpected happened. Mother stepped forward with a speed and grace that left both father and I in shock. She raised her hand, and with an unseen force, she brought Karl to his knees in an instant.

"GAH!" As if crumbled by his own weight, he struggled to raise his head to glare at us. "T-TRAITOR!" he gnashed out, his voice filled with venom.

"Hmm," She walked towards Karl without a thought for her safety, her heels clicking lightly on the cement. Father and I started to come to her aid before she looked back at us with a knowing smile, her eyes shimmering with power. We stood frozen, unable to comprehend the sheer force she had just displayed. "Karl, was it? I do believe this is our first formal meeting." She knelt down, dangerously close, folding her dress behind her knees as she leveled with him.

"Who—are—you?!" His speech was strangled; I could tell he was trying to attack her by the way his fingers dug into the ground, yet an unseen force kept his hand planted.

"My, what terrible manners," she spoke with malice in her voice, raising her finger before flicking it down. We watched in amazement as Karl crashed headfirst into the floor as though struck by a hammer. "My name is Konella, mother to Trae and Solomon's beloved. You have been quite a rude child," she flicked her finger up, and something began to etch onto Karl's face. "I wish for you to pass a message to your queen." She leaned in close, and it took my enhanced hearing everything to listen in. "Tell her the woman she feared is back from the dead to take her place." Her eyes glowed as she finished her words, and Karl's face turned white as a ghost, seeing her as a predator.

"Geh…" Karl choked as letters began to form on his face as if burned onto his skin. She rose and brushed off her dress, taking one last look at Karl and seeing the words "you've been warned" burned into his skin.

"Now then, since this little squabble is finished, we will carry on with our outing." Cheery as if she hadn't just threatened a chevalier into submission, burned his face, or slammed him into the ground without touching him, Père and I stared in awe. "Hmm?"

"Mon amour, what did you do to Karl?" Father asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and admiration. She took his hand and mine, leading us out of the warehouse without saying anything until we were outside.

"Mère," I stopped her, wanting to know as well. She sighed and looked momentarily defeated.

"I exerted my authority onto him. Since my awakening, there have been a few things I've noticed for myself." She turned and looked as willful as a young teen playing a prank. "I'm not taking any chances of Diva and her little underlings tearing my family apart after finally finding you."

Father and I didn't argue further with her. It was truly a miracle we were together once more. Without delay, we headed to the ship to disembark to Okinawa, the tension of the encounter still lingering in the air. The peace we had briefly enjoyed was gone, replaced by the harsh reality of our situation. Every step we took was a reminder of the danger that followed us, but also of the strength we found in each other.

"Tickets," the ferryman spoke up while hand outstretched to grab hold of our tickets and punch holes in them before returning. Mère seemed intrigued about something as we boarded before she took hold of my arm in surprise.

"Trae, do you eat seafood?" Her wonder of my preference something I found unique between us, she was waiting with bated breath on my answer.

"I enjoy a meal once in a while, but it is not something I require at all times."

"Truly? Then we must find something on board and have a meal together!" Excited, her and Père walked in arms as she spoke of cuisines to try. In minutes our luggage was brought to our cabin and the keys to our quarters were given. After some more time wondering around the ship and seeing what was on board, I heard Mère stop in her tracks and searched for me once more with more fervor. "Trae, have you dated anyone!? Interested in anyone at this time now?"

"Well…" caught off guard with such a question, she was expectant of what I would say. Even Père didn't have the strength to object her. "I had a minor fling or two in my younger years, but after some time I didn't find much reason to do so as I aged."

"With your appearance I would think swarms of women would gather round and eat you up." She teased. Laughing at the manner and wondering what I would have done if she was around during my youth, I couldn't help but smile. I imagined her to be the type to assume things before questions were asked of any woman I would have brought. The thought alone made me laugh.

"You would be the kind of person to interrogate every date I bring." She seemed delighted as we laughed together.

"Of course! The way your father looks and my charm, you got the best of both genes, and I won't let just any tramp have you."

"Such language," finding the banter fun as we explored the ship, it wasn't until we finally set sail that Mère wandered off to the buffet area that I pulled Père off to the side. "When we meet with them, how do you suppose they would react to us?"
He knew our plight and didn't hesitate with his answer as I saw his eyes narrow with worry.

"Troubling, considering we were both with Diva for a long period of time. The Red Shield will not take us too kindly."

"Do you think Mère has a plan for them to place their trust in us? She seems certain this will go well." He looked out to the wharf and waited until it was nearly out of sight before facing me with his conclusion.

"She wants to believe in the bond she's shared with Haji over the years to work in her favor. I know she means well, but I would rather take her across the world where Diva will never find us and live in peace with just us three."

"I understand what you mean…"
We both watched the crowd of people frolic about and could hear her choosing several dishes out before we joined her. I wondered how much further she would change with her awakening, but as I wanted to ask Père for details, he seemed to beat me to it.

"She hasn't changed one bit, you know." His eyes softened as he pulled a small locket from his pocket, showing me an old photo of them both in their youth. "I met your mother when she was free-spirited and full of banter. Though she acts rather mature and serious now, her charm never changed after these long years apart."

"Even now?" I asked, curious.

"Yes…even now." He was watching her from afar, and I could tell how much he cherished her and what it meant to have her back in our lives. I wanted to know just what went on when they met again. How he found her and brought her back. He'd never told me.

"…when you found her, what did you feel? You never spoke of it and just came to me saying you found her at long last, and there she was in the lab." I made a point, emphasizing his recklessness. His eyes grew wide, seemingly baffled that he hadn't thought about it one bit.

"Ah…" He really didn't think of his actions, as far as I could tell from his expression, and he began to laugh at his apparent foolishness. "At the boarding school when I was stationed there to protect Diva, Karl had me attend the dance hall to survey the area and look for Saya, or at least in his description, the samurai warrior. I walked in there not knowing that I would see Konella there in full splendor."

"How did you approach her then? Surely you didn't just walk right up to her and take her with you."

"Well…" He looked bashful, and my jaw dropped in disbelief.

"You didn't—"

"Now, son, I do have some manners." Clearing his throat, he got comfortable and recalled it well. "I asked her to dance with me. As simple as that. And there she was—alive and breathtakingly beautiful." His mind struggled to reconcile the reality with the memories he had clung to for so long. The disbelief washed over him in waves, each one crashing harder than the last. "I asked myself, 'Could it truly be her?'. For all I knew, her spirit could have been brought back through another and dropped before me in temptation." His laugh sounded as though he was mocking himself. Bitter and unforgiving.

"Go on." I was entranced hearing this. He looked so full of life retelling it so and it brought us a sense of ease into our more or less dire scenario.

"As I took a tentative step forward, my gaze traveled down her figure, taking in every detail. The red dress she wore seemed to shimmer under the soft glow of the chandeliers, the fabric flowing like liquid fire around her." He paused to admire his memory before continuing. "The black corset hugged her frame perfectly, accentuating her curves and lending an air of elegance and strength. It was as if she had stepped out of a dream, more radiant and enchanting than I could have ever imagined."

His breath caught in his throat as he reached out, his fingers trembling slightly. I watched him quietly, imagining the scene unfold as he leaned against the railing and looked up to the sky and took in a deep breath.

"When my hands entwined in hers—oh Trae, the feeling of joy surged through me. So intense it nearly brought me to my knees. And all I could repeat to myself was 'It was her. It was truly her'. The bliss that filled my heart was overwhelming, a symphony of emotions that left me almost speechless."

"Wow…and her reaction seeing you again? Was it filled with unbridled joy?" Knowing her amnesia, she probably didn't have a strong reaction as he did, and I couldn't contain my curiosity hearing it from him.

Father looked at me, sadness and understanding filling his gaze. "Her eyes met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of recognition. But then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by a blank, confused stare. Oh my heart sank, the joy mingling with a deep, aching sorrow. She didn't remember me. The years we had shared, the love we had known—it was all lost to her."

"Oh père," unable to place myself in his shoes of how awful it felt to remember everything with her remembering nothing, he sighed. Taking only a moment to look in her direction as she waved at us both, enjoying the buffet and chattering amongst the people so freely.

"But you know," he started, the pain behind his eyes gone as the present has given him strength. "Even in her confusion, she was still the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. The way the red dress clung to her, how the black corset framed her delicate waist—it was all so achingly familiar and yet heartbreakingly distant. I knew I had to hold on to that moment, to cherish the fact that she was standing in front of me, alive, even if she didn't remember. And then she began to recall me, bringing her pain that I wished never to happen. But because of that I knew she could remember me. Us. I just had to sweep her away and bring her someplace for her to take me in."

We had stopped speaking as mother returned to us with a gleaming smile and asking him to dance with her. There was a small group of musicians playing on deck, and she wanted nothing more than to dance with him.

"Je prendrai toujours ta main, mon amour, mon éternal."

I will forever take your hand, my love, my eternal.