"M-Mom," Neraxis muttered. "It's been a while."
"Neraxis, where have you been?" Sophia asked, anger clear in her tone. "Not even a visit? A postcard maybe?"
"I couldn't. I was on important business, and I only revealed myself since it was the perfect time," Neraxis explained. "I just couldn't risk anyone finding out."
"So you were off the radar for a whole year, and for what? To stick it to the government? You think that was a good idea? What will you do if they send a secret strike team after you?" Sophia asked before grabbing him by the hand and dragging him to the living room.
Neraxis didn't object—after all, he was the one responsible for the grieving.
...Or the lack of.
"Mom, did you know?" Neraxis asked.
"We're not stupid—that's why we sent out the search parties in the first place," she replied, not turning to face him. "Dreamspire records are updated within a millisecond. If your name is still up there, then you were alive."
