Lily sits cross-legged on her bed now, having recovered from the initial fright. Emrys is seated on the windowsill, one leg dangling over the side like a teenager sneaking out of school. The moonlight from Minamo's orbit casts a silvery glow over both of them.
LILY
Okay. So you're my ancestor. Through Shizuku. And you're a primordial.
EMRYS
Correct.
LILY
And you're Emrys the Vanquisher. The Vanquisher. You literally have a weapon that's… the universe. As a sheath.
EMRYS
You're not wrong.
LILY
So riddle me this—why are you and Kifo both so… playful? Like… dramatic. Mischievous. Silly. You're
basically cosmic gods. Aren't you supposed to be, I don't know—stern? Wise? Boring?
Emrys raises an eyebrow and smiles knowingly.
EMRYS
Oh, Lily… do you know what happens to a being who lives for eternity and forgets how to laugh?
LILY
I dunno. They turn into… a tax auditor?
EMRYS
They become hollow. Detached. Dangerous. Power without joy breeds tyranny. Just ask Wachstum.
LILY
(snickering)
I still can't believe there's a primordial named "Wachstum." Sounds like a brand of protein powder.
EMRYS
He does look like one.
They both laugh for a moment, the tension fading.
EMRYS
But truly—Kifo and I, and even some of the others… we play because it keeps us grounded. Keeps us human. We were not always gods, Lily. We were once... people. And those parts of us still matter. In a universe this vast and heavy, mischief is rebellion. Laughter is resistance. You understand?
LILY
(murmuring)
Yeah… actually, I think I do.
She looks down, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.
LILY
So, being light-hearted is just... how you stop yourself from becoming a monster?
EMRYS
Exactly. And I suspect you'll need that lesson sooner than you think.
LILY
Wait, what does that mean?
Emrys only smirks, standing to vanish into stardust.
EMRYS
You'll see.
LILY
OH MY GOD WHY DOES EVERYONE SAY THAT?
Emrys is already gone. Lily flops backward onto her bed, groaning into her pillow.
LILY
This family is allergic to straight answers. I swear.