The Kentron was quiet today, but not unintentionally so. The High General had made sure that they had no meetings, no events, nothing important and related to work, because they had something big to celebrate.
After months of being off work, the Keeper, the General of Heroes, was returning to the Kentron to visit, and they were bringing with them the main reason why they had been absent. General Gath had produced a kid with the High General’s little sibling, and Rethais was absolutely honoured to be chosen to be that child’s guardian. Because of that, the High General had gone all out, spending a lot of their own money, to make sure that they could bless the kid and offer it their protection. They had also invited a few important folks, namely Lysar, the Vice General Lepidas, Kaldoran, the General of Medical Affairs and, most notably the Master of Generals, who seemed weirdly angry for some reason. Rethais didn’t care. They had put on their best armour and everything. And they were not going to let anyone ruin their day.
As Gath entered the grand hall, with Relkir and Litvir by their side and baby Retvik in their arms, they didn’t expect a swarm of bubbles to be blown at them. While Gath had expected the baby to get upset, baby Retvik had gazed up in awe at all the bubbles, and the moment they realised the bubbles popped when touched, Retvik started waving their hands, trying to pop as many as possible.
“Welcome, my dearest sibling, welcome, General Gath, and hello, my darling niblings!” Rethais stood proud with their arms wide open. But they suddenly paused and turned to the side, because they had heard a sneer.
Vaksavar, the Master of Generals, quickly realised that Rethais had heard that sneer. They didn’t say anything though.
“Do you have a problem, Vaksavar?” Gath asked as they carried the baby into the room, stepping towards both the High General and Master of Generals. Vaksavar didn’t fear any mortals, but they did have concerns about Gath, as Gath was younger, taller and far, far stronger than Vaksavar was, physically, even if they were just a soldier-caste Rethan.
“N-no. I am just… surprised.”
“Surprised by what?”
“That Rethais allowed Relkir to be-”
“The Rethianos Tradition has been ended!” Relkir quickly butted in. “You can keep your silly traditions, but our family is no longer part of the Bloodline experiments. So please, be quiet and let Rethais give the next generation of the Tsoriou family their blessings and pledge themselves to be Retvik’s family guardian.”
Vaksavar blinked in surprise. “You… you named that kid after your deceased sibling?”
“We did, yes!” Relkir growled slightly. “Of course we named our second kid after someone who literally helped save the universe! Now, can you please stop being a grump, General Vaksavar, and allow the High General to bless our kid?”
With a sigh, Vaksavar backed down. Not because Relkir was right, but because Relkir had some sort of aura around them that made Vaksavar nearly as nervous about them as they were about Gath. And Vaksavar was aware of the… top secret rumours surrounding the younger Rethianos. If anything, Vaksavar was more concerned about Relkir than the literal child deity standing with them.
Satisfied that Vaksavar had backed off, Gath turned back to Rethais and smiled. “So, Rethais, my friend, my sibling-by-partnership, are you ready to become a family guardian as well?”
Rethais smiled back. “I am more than ready. But I do have one question.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Would Litvir like a family guardian as well?”
Litvir blinked in confusion, not expecting to really be part of the conversation. “What?”
“Rethais has a point, you do not have a family guardian!” Lysar explained. “We can provide one, if you wish. You are still young enough that someone can offer.”
“Um… I think that… asking me somewhat… defeats the purpose…” Litvir frowned. “Especially since I am both physically a teenager and also the deity of protecting things.”
Lysar and Rethais glanced at each other, then shrugged.
“Very well, may we start with the blessing then?”
Gath nodded. They held baby Retvik up, gently nuzzled them, then handed them to Rethais. Baby Retvik wasn’t sure who Rethais was at first, they were confused about this person who looked like their dad but bigger. They settled down though and grabbed at Rethais’s fingers, before abruptly looking around, suddenly realising how big everything around them was.
“Hello, Retvik!” Rethais whispered as they held the baby close. “You do not know who I am yet, but I am your thie, your uncle, as the wonderful person you were named after would say.”
Baby Retvik looked up at Rethais, then gurgled and turned away, looking towards the gigantic window. Realising that Retvik was distracted, Rethais decided to carry them over.
“You are a very smart baby. And a big baby. Just like Retvik and I were, apparently. You want to explore the universe already. Well, my darling little Retvik, you will be able to.”
Rethais held baby Retvik up in the air, with the window behind them so Retvik could continue looking out of it. Rethais was very much aware that the baby had no idea what they were saying, so they decided it was best to just let Retvik satisfy their curiosity and keep on talking.
“Retvik Tsoriou, I promise to protect and cherish you, to guide you as you grow, to help you obtain your goals. You may not understand now, but you will grow up into a good, kind Rethan. I promise.”
Baby Retvik noticed that Rethais had stopped talking to them, then gurgled a little. Rethais lowered Retvik down, then licked their finger. With their saliva-covered claw, they drew the shape of a 4-pointed star on baby Retvik’s head.
“I am bound by my promise. I will return you to your parents now. Together, we will help you grow.”
Baby Retvik chirped in confusion, then chirped more cheerfully as Rethais handed them back to Gath. Rethais and Gath then bowed to each other.
“Thank you, Rethais.”
“No, thank you, Gath. And thank you too, Relkir. You both honour me with your allowing me to be Retvik’s family guardian.”
All of a sudden, baby Retvik squeaked.
“Um, mama, dada, my little sibling is hungry.”
“May I feed them?” Rethais asked.
“Of course!” Relkir beamed as they fetched a jar of baby food from their satchel. “Retvik is a hungry baby, after all!”