For the one hundredth time Teu smoothed out her green dress from any wrinkles. Nervous fingers worked on straightening out her son’s black vest that fit his teenage form perfectly. His hair was properly groomed with his gray eyes taking in all the sights around them. Alairia held her brother’s hand tightly as her nerves were just as on edge as their mother’s. Dae glanced down at his blonde haired sister and smiled warmly at her to give an attempt of encouragement. The small family had received a letter of invitation from the Goddess of Life to join her at her temple. Teu clutched the letter within her hands against her chest as if to remind herself that it was real. Revaliir was in an odd state of existence at the moment. Earthquakes were hitting the land while whirlpools were devastating the ships in the oceans. During all of this, a letter had arrived summoning Teu and her children to Elysia.

The letter had been vague in a sense as Teu could not understand the meaning behind it. According to the letter there was someone that would be searching for them if they could remember. It was rather odd to read, but Teu always held on to some sort of hope that someone from her past was going to return. The Void had taken much from her and the children. If anyone had been able to escape it like they had…well it was almost too much to hope for. Still, the mother and children walked the path up to the palace.

Alairia held in a small gasp of surprise at the white alabaster building that stood before them. She glanced up at her brother and mother to see their reactions. Dae’s face remained calm as it always did. His features only softened for his family. Teu was chewing on her bottom lip nervously, though when she saw her daughter looking she stopped to smile down at her. ”We finally made it. Let us be on our best behavior. We are in the home of a goddess. Make sure to not touch anything without expressed permission.” The children nodded though Dae could feel additional pressure put on his hand from his sister.

In the courtyard they came to the fountain that was in the middle. They each took their time examining it as well as the water. Teu realized that there had been no specific instructions for where to go within the temple. The healer re-read the letter again to make sure she had missed nothing. ”How about we just wait here until instructed otherwise?” Everything they were doing was just a large guess of Teu’s. She knew not what was going on or what to do exactly. All they could do was wait and hope someone would notice their arrival.

“Any moment now,” Angela hummed softly. Her realm was relatively stable outside of the cracks once in a while revealing the realm. She was tapping her foot as she sat in her throne room.

“What are you waiting for?” Poppy was there now with her silver eyes staring her mother down. “I mean I’ve never seen you so patient before.”

“…Child… You are not allowed to talk about me being patient when you are the very definition of impatience.” Angela’s green eyes flashed to Poppy who whistled as she left the room. It was a short time later when the redhead pushed herself up and made her way out to the entrance. It appeared like the small little group she was waiting on stopped short of coming inside. At least she had a bit of manners not that it matters much for this place. Her home was their home as far as she was concerned.

Pushing the large doors open Angela revealed herself to Teu with a smile. “You know it took me a long time to track you down. I didn’t know who I was looking for or if there was anyone to look for… Considering the condition of the person in question I didn’t know much as all… Luckily the earth is my game and I can play it quite well.” She approached and laced her hands in front of her.

“My name is Angela and I am the Goddess of this realm. If you would follow me after we introduce ourselves that would be wonderful. After all, it isn’t me you are here to meet.” There was a warm smile on her face as she beckoned them to follow her. Leading the small group she pinpointed where she needed to go. “Because of course, they are there.” Her speed slowed down to a brisk walk as they near the doorways of the Gardens of Venus.

Pushing it open she held out her arm for Teu and her family to go inside. Just past the entrance was Anemone and the person that Teu was there to see. “I do hope this is something you can embrace.” The world was going to hell she might as well muddy things up if it made people happy.

Anemone giggled slightly as she grabbed at his hand. "Kiba you can't mix the fruits with the leaves… Silly." She was helping him separate the two into baskets. "They go to different places."

”Alairia, make sure not to slouch,” the mother coached. In response the young teen straightened her back though her eyes rolled that only her brother could see. Dae cracked a small smile that was well hidden to not give the pair away. Before the temple opened to expose the figure of the goddess, Dae turned his head. Teu and Alairia quickly joined his gaze as they watched the red haired goddess make her way over to them. Each bowed respectfully and remained silent out of slight shock. The healer’s eyes were slightly widened with continued shock and confusion at her words. The goddess of life had been searching for them for a long time. Why was this?

”Umm…I am sorry, my lady. You have us at a disadvantage. Who is this person?” Her chest tightened at the prospect of finally finding out who was going to reenter their lives. ”As you probably already know, I am Teu Balatro. This is my daughter Alairia, and son Dae.” Both bowed again out of respect, but there was not much time available to them as Angela led them towards a garden. They worked hard to keep up with the goddess until they finally came to a doorway that stopped their progression. A lump had formed in Teu’s throat that she quickly swallowed in an effort to push away the physical manifestation of her nerves.

As the door opened her emerald eyes scanned almost frantically to catch sight of who she was to see. Breath caught in her chest as her hand covered her mouth. Tears began to form in her eyes as she saw a man crouched over two baskets working on separating fruit and leaves. His form was one that she would never forget. Muscles rippled in his arms even as he did such a menial task. Dae and Alairia glanced up at their mother as they did not recognize the man.

-“There are so many of them and this is delicate work. My fingers were not exactly made for doing this small work,”- Kiba responded with a laugh. His fingers were slightly stained red from accidentally squishing some of the berries while working on the appointed task. Ears perked at the sound of the doorway opening to allow the entrance of the small group and the goddess. The diowolf shifted on his knees to take in the forms. He lightly tapped Anemone and nodded his head towards the newcomers before standing up. The champion helped the maiden to her feet before turning fully towards Angela.

Kiba bowed respectfully and smiled at the goddess. -“Hello Angela. I hope you are well. Who is it that you are escorting today?”- There was little opportunity for him to get an answer since Angela had her mischievous face on. Before Kiba could ask what was going on, she waved a hand across his face that sent a wash of pain through him. It passed quickly, but once it did there felt as if a fog had been lifted. The next time he looked upon the woman and children there was a deep gasp that almost choked him.

Teu threw her arms about Kiba as he embraced her tightly to him in return. There was no holding back the heavy sobs that the woman released into his chest. No words could be spoken as Kiba gently pet her hair while holding her closely. -“I never thought I would see you again. I thought I had lost you all.”- The diowolf looked at the children that had grown much since he had last seen them. He smiled warmly down at them and his vision blurred further with the tears. After some time they were able to loosen their grasp.

Teu settled some more and finally spoke to the children. ”This is your grandfather, Kiba.” Nothing else was needed to be said since they were always told of him. Alairia released her brother’s hand to join the hug of her mother and grandfather. Dae moved closer and smiled up at Kiba, though he did not reach out for physical contact. Kiba chuckled as he hugged his granddaughter, then ruffled Dae’s hair. -“Thank you Angela. Sincerely. There are no words or way to repay you.”- His head turned to Anemone with a light smile. -“This is my daughter and her children. I had forgotten due to that damned Void. Though everything was lost to it. Teu, Alairia, and Dae. This is Anemone, and you have met Lady Angela. Thank the Tree you three are safe.”-

“You’ll see,” she sang it almost like she was playing a game. It wasn’t in her nature to be mean but this type of surprise was best seen and not told before hand. “Oh, what beautiful children you have.” Soon they were on their way.

Angela’s eyes fell on Kiba who was learning to do what Anemone did. Though he looked like he was struggling. “You’ll learn how to do it best for you I’m sure of it. Think of it as a challenge!” It was the only way she could help him stay motivated when working with the small fruit. When he tapped her shoulder Anemone’s purple eyes moved up to look at Teu. “Oh goodness, I’m sorry Lady Angela.” She had no idea there had been people watching her. She held onto Kiba’s arms as she got up.

“You should know,” Angela spoke as she waved her hand. It was time that he remembered their faces. Anemone was there taking hold of his arm as she comforted him.

“You shouldn’t pain him like that Lady Angela.” Anemone sounded very stern but she understood that this pain was necessary. “Easy Kiba.” She kissed his cheek and watched with caring eyes before it appeared like it was over.

Anemone let go almost immediately at the gasp and smiled sweetly as Teu latched onto him. She had told him something was missing and it looked like they had found a part of it. Anemone blushed at the words that this was his daughter and grandchildren. They had no idea who she was but they had probably figured out by the small affections the bond that she and Kiba had. “It’s good to meet you.”

Angela waved her hand about and smirked. “Anemone has no family but the temple staff… I figure a big happy family is good for her. Plus, it just about took me forever to hunt Teu down not knowing if you had anyone. Consider it a favor since you entertain my temple maiden.”

Anemone blushed once more and rubbed the back of her neck. "I feel put on the spot… Thanks, Lady Angela."

"You get used it. Try having kids when they pull this kind of stuff." Angela laughed a bit full heartedly as she waved Anemone off now.

”My calloused fingers are for swords and armor, not gardening,” he laughed again. Kiba knew that even as he complained of his inefficiency at the task he would not stop. Anemone asked for little. The diowolf would see what she asked done, though he was convinced now it was for the purpose of teasing. His bi-colored eyes were soft as he looked over at her with a smile. She a sweet and kind creature that always found little ways to be around him. With his task of being Champion for Lord Lokir he appreciated her initiative. There were little opportunities for him to get away from the Fort to visit the maiden. On this day he wanted to make sure to absorb what time they did have together the best he could.

Kiba had done his best to keep a confused look off his face upon the arrival of the newcomers and the goddess. Normally, Angela was busy with tasks to have time to visit when he arrived at the temple. The diowolf helped his companion to her feet and felt the warmth hold to his arm. He glanced quickly down at her with confusion as the feeling of concern coming off of her. There was little understanding at what was happening, but it became clear quickly.

The ability to hold his daughter once more brought such joy and warmth to the man’s heart. Eyes were squeezed tightly shut as he revealed in the feel of her against his chest. Much had been lost in the Void back in their original land. He knew definitively that Teu’s husband had been lost. His heart clenched painfully at the thought of his now deceased wife, Nami lost to that Void as well. It had been some sort of blessing to not remember all that had disappeared in the emptiness. Now, his world felt fulfilled with the young woman and her children there. A deep inhale brought in Teu’s scent to commit it to memory once more. Many things had kept them apart over the years, but somehow they were always able to come back to one another through it all. Deceit from Teu’s mother had been the major culprit, which to that day he would not forgive.

Children appeared pleased enough to have come to know family once again. They had been infant and toddler during the time of their meeting with Kiba originally. He would make sure that he would not miss out on anything else. Both had grown greatly during his absence. His head turned to look at Anemone, his lips still in a gentle smile. Arm still around Teu and other around Alairia the diowolf nodded towards the maiden of the temple. ”This is Anemone. She and I…well we are together,” he finally was able to get out. It wasn’t exactly easy to remember you had a wife, she had died, and were with someone else then to introduce your newly remembered family to. Kiba smiled at her apologetically for how crass it was put. His head shook side to side in disbelief at how even crasser Angela was. ”Entertain your temple maiden? I don’t think that is exactly the best way to phrase that.” The Champion rolled his eyes while pulling his two girls closer to him for another hug.

”Come into the garden and let us speak. Anemone and I are working on a project.” The small group moved over to the bushes, which did not take Alairia long to see the pattern to begin working on the separation. ”Well, fine,” he joked and kneeled next to her to get back to work.