I've missed you

Genesis gave a fairly long stretch, digging her claws into the soft soil of Lochren. She was still groggy, having been sleeping soundly next to the hulking form of Mephi before they were nudged awake by their fellow pride members. She wasn't quite standing yet, savoring the feeling of his pelt against hers for a moment before she did and eventually offering his chin a light bump with the top of her head. "Into the mists we go, my dearest." Her soft tone purred through her throat, frame nosing her half of the bags they carried before she gave a soft flick of her tail. Mephi hadn't quite stood yet, a coy smirk playing at his muzzle. "Gen, love, you seem too eager to follow this stranger... But, I trust our Alpha. And you. I just wanted to savor the view for a moment." His hulking frame stood with a shake of his pelt, having never taken his bags off so he didn't really need to get ready. "After all these years you still make me blush, Meph." Gen chuckled softly, butting against his shoulder before trotting forward and into the line that seemed to have formed to enter the wall of fog. She was excited, the colors that danced infront of her and the rush of energy in the air made her pelt prickle. If only Salem had joined them, he would have gotten a thrill out of this. She gave a fairly deep breath before she stuck her head into the swirling wall, and the sight she saw as soon as she did about made her heart stop.

What danced before her in the mist seemed to be the happiest heard of taxon she had ever seen. The whole lot of them prancing and playing like they had no care in the world. Mephi was not far behind her, stopping to admire the sight for a moment before butting his head against her rear. "You've seen taxon before love, let's keep moving." He chuckled softly, moving to step beside Genesis so they could math eachother's pawsteps. Gen still couldn't seem to believe it, gaze skimming the heard only to watch it part in a graceful panic as a lion jumped among them in an attempted pounce. All around them the glittering shapes of taxon and lions moved, more graceful than they had ever seen. But one lion in particular caught Gen's eye, her son. Minnow chased the taxon as if he had never had breathing issues, never been sick, a broad smile on his face. When his gaze landed on his mother he paused, offering a glance over his shoulder as if to tell the familiar lioness behind him that he would be just a moment. It was her daughter-in-law, Tris, beautiful and happy as ever as she bounded away with the taxon. Tears welled in Gen's eyes, paws stepping out of line and away from Mephi to meet her son in the glittering field of mist. Mephi lagged behind, stepping far enough out of the group to not be a block but remaining close enough to watch and listen for where they went. With Gen so close to what clearly appeared to be their son he couldn't just leave, though he couldn't approach either. Genesis couldn't find her words for a moment, eventually choking out a sob and lowering her head.

Minnow was the first to speak, lowering his head to gently rub it against his mother's. "Mamma, don't cry." His voice was soft, encouraging. It caused the lioness to raise her gaze, tears still spilling from her eyes. She couldn't stop them, her heart ached at the sight of the son she missed so terribly. "Oh Minnow, I'm not sad my baby, I'm so happy to see you. I missed you so much." Her voice cracked, his touch, his voice, it all seemed so real. Deep in her heart she knew it wasn't, Minnow was gone and could only live on in her memories. She couldn't stop the tears, her heart ached at the sight of the son she missed so terribly. Minnow smiled, sitting infront of Gen with a soft purr. "I know mamma, I missed you too. But look! I can run and hunt now! I can finally keep up with Tris!" Minnow seemed completely happy, a wide grin moving to his muzzle. Gen couldn't help but laugh, raising a paw to her eyes to wipe gently at the tears. "You look so good dear, so does Tris. I'm so glad you're happy. The kids miss you both terribly but they're managing. Your brother retired from Z-99 and moved to the Oasis too, he's changed his name and everything." She laughed softly, voice still cracking slightly. Minnow joined her in her laughter, a paw pressing to his chest. "That sounds like Salem, running from his problems. I see you and dad made it out of the war alive though, did he fight?" Minnow's head tipped gaze curious as it drifted to his father. The two had never really gotten along, Mephi pushed Minnow pretty hard when it came to training. Always trying to toughen him up while Gen doted on him. "He did. He fought fairly hard, came home battered and bruised but victorious... The rebellion is gone... But the Scourage has risen to power."

"The Scourage?" Minnow seemed confused, ears pricking before his mother could speak. "Yes, Arknon had a son... More brutal than even him. And Aeon is to blame for the war. He killed Arknon's family, and in turn Arknon tried to kill the planet only to end up dead himself." Gen spoke slowly, gaze flicking up as Tris moved to brush her pelt against Minnow's. Her son smiled at her, pressing his head to hers once more before standing. "I'm glad you and dad are okay, and the kids as well, but I have to go. The hunt must go on, I love you mamma." With his parting words Minnow stood, fading into the mist with Tris's tail wrapped in his. Mephi gingerly stood, guiding Genesis back to the group in silence. What he witnesses made his chest hurt, though he's never admit it. They had a grand journey to make together, and knowing their son danced in the mists made them both smile a bit.