"Elysteria," he was just as afraid to find her as he was to find Talulah. He is the poison in their hearts that causes both pain and pleasure. When together, they explore a deeply-set joy that radiates miles around, but then he always vanishes into the clouds where he goes unheard for years. Often he has asked himself why, but he isn't quite sure. Is it that he's afraid of truly being so close, so in love, that it pushes him away just when it peaks? As a child Tiphon vowed to only love his duty and never anything - or anyone - else. He had a job, a purpose, and he couldn't allow himself to be distracted. Love was the farthest thing from his reach (adoration toward a mare or toward children) because he knew he would outlive any partner he had.
But fate had a different idea for the young soldier.
He found a home and he had children. Women eventually piqued his attention and he developed a new sense of responsibility, but it wasn't to a job - it was to them. Fatherhood became a permanent title and soon everything that Tiphon was created for withered away as his interests shifted. While he is still guardian against the darkness, he at least has a more fulfilling life even if it does frighten him at times. Why? Because it still has brought pain and worry. When Set wanted to threaten him he abducted Tiberios. Then his son was murdered. It's a memory that still haunts him and brings his blood to a boil. Seeing his body maimed on the beach offset something inside Tiphon and his sanity was quickly lost.
The last he had seen his Dalean family was freshly after his son's demise when his mental wounds were freshest. In front of them his sorrow bled from wounds he inflicted himself.
Then he ran.
So he was afraid to find Elysteria, but when he did all of his fears melted away with the warmth of her skin pressed against him. Their reunion sparked flames and electricity. Excitement poured through his veins upon feeling his love and adoration for her rise into his throat when he whispered her name. Their passion was unbridled as their worlds came together again after so long. They savored what they could and cared not what the outcome would be. They treasured the idea.
And so it's with anticipation that Tiphon crests a hill to watch her from afar just as he had with Talulah. The world laughed at him by giving him an undead child. It could've been a joke, or karma, or perhaps he has unknowingly been cursed since Tiberios' death. Whichever the case may be Tiphon's heart patters against his chest and his throat tightens in fear.
Elysteria rises to her feet to clean the child and so Tiphon begins his descent from the hill, but he pauses midway as he notices her crumple down again. His stomach twists into knots, but he finds relief when it turns out to be another child instead of an ailment. A glance falls to the ground near them as he wonders and hopes for the best, but he is gripped by concern when he doesn't see Elysteria smile. It is like seeing Talulah's face only a day prior when she gave birth. "Please," he murmurs to himself when he finally resumes his venture toward her with hushed footsteps. "Elysteria?" He loves to say her name, but there is an edge to his voice this time as he comes to her side. With his eyes closed he hesitates to open them, focusing on breathing instead. "Twins," he says while trying to trigger himself to smile. It works until he looks at them, his breath catching in his throat.
Such a cruel game life is. What sickening joke is this to give him two undead children within one spring, or at all? With his attention funneled on the twins Tiphon almost doesn't notice how tightly his jaws are clenched together. When he shifts his attention to Elysteria he sees not repulsion, but joy and pride. His brows furrow in confusion as he finds himself in deja vu. "They both have traits of my father," his cruel, murderous sire, "And yet they look like us." There is no doubt that the children are theirs.
With his heart in his throat Tiphon forces himself to smile, hiding the pain and confusion that is clouding his thoughts.
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