The suns shine bright on you

The twin suns were sinking low in the sky, their golden light spreading over the estate. Orion was wrapped snugly in soft blankets, held gently in Valeria's arms. His mind was already attempting to analyze and understand what he was seeing, dissecting every detail.

Then, a thought came to him. "Could it be the Kepler system?" he wondered. Twin suns, moving together in binary orbits.

Orion's initial thought that he might be in the Kepler system was quickly challenged by his other observations. He recalled that the Kepler system, known for its twin suns, is located about five hundred light-years from Earth.

Traveling such a vast distance would require technology far beyond what he had encountered so far. The technology he has seen so far, while impressive, didn't suggest the level of advancement necessary for interstellar travel spanning hundreds of light-years.

His mind raced to piece together the puzzle, seeking an explanation that aligned with both the familiar elements and the contradictions he perceived.

Orion's eyes were drawn to his new parents, Cassian Reyes and the woman he'd overheard being called Valeria. Cassian carried himself with an air of authority, his every movement precise and deliberate. He exuded an almost magnetic aura, the kind that turned heads and silenced rooms.

His presence was akin to the embodiment of gravitas, a force that demanded attention and respect without a single word. Yet, when his gaze fell upon Orion, the weight he carried seemed to shift, the lines of tension on his face easing, if only slightly. His eyes softened, revealing a warmth that seemed at odds with his otherwise stoic demeanor.

From what he assumed to be Cassian's study, Orion could see them: towering, humanoid machines that moved with a grace that contradicted their immense size. They were patrolling the estate's perimeters, their sleek frames glinting in the sunlight like living sculptures crafted from metal. Their movements were mesmerizing, a harmonious blend of mechanical precision and almost human-like fluidity.

Orion found himself unable to look away, his thoughts swirling with questions and possibilities. Something about them stirred a deep yearning within him, a sense of purpose that he couldn't yet articulate. His pulse quickened, the distant figures igniting a fire in him that he didn't yet understand.

Orion's infant body betrayed none of his thoughts, but his mind raced. In his past life, technology had been his escape. Robotics, artificial intelligence, systems theory—those were the puzzles that had once given his life meaning. And now, here, in this new world, he was staring at their apex: towering humanoid machines, their movements fluid and purposeful, each a marvel of engineering.

Cassian seemed to sense Orion's fascination. He walked towards Valeria and to Orion's surprise, lifted him gently from Valeria's arms. The sudden motion made Orion's tiny hand grasp instinctively at Cassian's coat, but his eyes never left the mechas.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Cassian continued, his voice almost wistful. "They are what protects us from external threats, pirates, rival factions, even the occasional rogue AI."

Orion's small hand reached out toward the glass, his fingers splayed as if he could touch the distant figures.

Cassian chuckled, his voice softening. "Perhaps one day, you'll pilot one of them, little star."

For the first time since his rebirth, Orion felt a flicker of something he hadn't experienced in years: purpose.

Cassian cradled Orion in his arms, his movements careful, almost hesitant. He glanced down at the infant, his stern features softening. "I wonder what you'll see when you look at them someday," he murmured, his voice quieter than the hum of the machines patrolling the estate. "Will you see their beauty? Their purpose? Or the war that made them necessary?"

He exhaled, lingering for a moment as he shifted Orion slightly to better cradle him. His fingers brushed lightly against the baby's blanket, the warmth of the moment almost lulling him into silence. For just a second, the mechanical hum outside seemed distant—an echo of a life he wished Orion could escape.

Valeria stepped closer, her soft voice breaking through. "Cassian." She rested a hand on his arm, grounding him in the present. "Let him have time—time to just be."

Cassian turned slightly, the weight in his gaze returning as he met hers. "I know," he admitted quietly. "But the world won't stop for him to grow, Val." His words held a trace of regret, as if torn between the man he needed to be and the father he longed to become.

Outside, a low whirr from the patrolling mechas drew their attention briefly. Cassian's grip tightened imperceptibly around Orion as his focus shifted back. "They're what stand between us and them," he said, his tone firmer now, conviction bleeding into every word. "And one day, he'll have to understand why they matter."

Valeria's expression softened, though a flicker of sadness crossed her face. "He will grow strong," she said, her voice a soothing counter to his resolve. "But not because of this war, Cassian. In spite of it."

Cassian didn't respond immediately. Instead, he returned his focus to the child in his arms. Orion's tiny fingers twitched, brushing against the edge of his coat as if seeking something to hold on to. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." Cassian said finally, his voice heavy with resolve but softer now, almost tender. "Whatever it takes."

And in Cassian's arms, the weight of his words settled over Orion, unspoken but unmistakable—a burden he would one day inherit.

Valeria turned back to Cassian, her voice softer but resolute. "He hasn't met the family yet. He's one month old, Cassian. We can't delay that any further."

Cassian hesitated, the weight of her words stirring unease. "The family isn't… simple," he murmured, his thoughts flickering to the countless arguments over lineage, the veiled critiques at every gathering. Their disapproval had always been subtle, simmering beneath polished words and polite smiles. "You know that as well as I do."

Valeria stepped closer, her determination unwavering. "The family—despite everything—will have his back. They deserve to know him." She placed a steady hand on his shoulder, grounding him.

When the appointed hour arrived, Cassian and Valeria stepped into the hall with their infant son, Orion, cradled in Cassian's arms. The Reyes family—an intricate, sprawling network of siblings, cousins, and elders—stood in a semicircle. Their expressions reflected a spectrum of emotions: curiosity, expectation, and, in some, a guarded skepticism rooted in Cassian's controversial marriage.

8 Years ago, his union with Valeria—a former matriarchal heiress to the rivaling Ze'yran dynasty—had sent ripples through both families. For decades, the Reyes and Ze'yran had maintained a tenuous alliance, marked by cultural differences and unspoken rivalries. Publicly, the Zey'ran family had embraced the union. Privately, however, whispers of discontent lingered, and Cassian had often borne the brunt of their veiled critiques.

Yet, despite the complexities, the Reyes family had never withdrawn their respect for Cassian. His unshakable loyalty to both Valeria and the family had quietly earned their admiration over the years.

As Cassian stepped into the semicircle, he met the gaze of each familiar face. Elara, ever the analytical, regarded him with a probing look that belied a quiet respect. Torin, the family's matriarch shadow, nodded subtly, an acknowledgment of their shared history. And at the center stood Orinthia, one of the elders whose presence alone commanded reverence. Her sharp, weathered features softened as her eyes fell on Orion.

Cassian's voice, steady and resonant, broke the silence. "Today, I present to you Orion Reyes."

A murmur rippled through the gathering, but it carried less skepticism than he'd expected. Orinthia stepped forward first, her movements deliberate. "The blood of the Reyes flows strong in this one," she said, her voice imbued with solemnity and pride. "May he carry the weight of our legacy with honor and wisdom."

Valeria, standing tall beside Cassian, replied without hesitation. "He will carry both names, both legacies, forward." she said, her voice steady and resolute. 

Orinthia regarded Valeria with a keen, measured expression before nodding. Her hand extended toward Orion, her touch feather-light yet significant. Cassian watched as a faint smile crossed her lips, her sharp eyes momentarily softening. "The suns shine bright on you, child" she declared.