Chapter Text
Sersi’s head immediately started spinning at the idea that the other Eternals weren’t here or that Ikaris didn’t know who they were. She could detect the damning idea that Arishem was intent on keeping her trapped with the limited company of Ikaris and their proclaimed son. Removing all traces of the others frightened her to a lonely extent.
“Daddy! Help!”
Both Sersi and Ikaris looked over the railing in alarm upon hearing Zian’s voice. He was still on the bridge but trying to reach for something in the water. Ikaris let go of Sersi before he floated over the railing to land softly on the bridge next to their son. “What is it, Zian?”
He pointed to the water. “I dropped it. I didn’t mean to.”
Ikaris slid his arm through the gaps of the bridge's barrier to reach into the shallow pond. He dipped all the way until the water covered his elbow to pull something out. Sersi hurried down the stairs to meet them on the bridge. By the time she walked over to them, Ikaris finally fished out what Zian had dropped. She stopped in her tracks recognising the necklace bearing an important blue, hexagonal pendant. She reached up towards her chest and realized she didn’t have the piece of jewellery before coming here.
Zian stared at the dripping wet necklace with guilt. “Sorry I dropped it.”
Ikaris couldn’t fight the gentle smile that formed on his face when his son had mastered such an innocent expression. “It’s alright. Just be careful. That is a very special heirloom of our family. Your mother first gave it to me as a stone when we fell in love.” He held out the deep blue adornment that was attached to the golden chain. “I gifted it back to her as a necklace during our wedding day. Then, she gave it to you when you were born.” Ikaris held either side of the chain as he placed it over Zian’s head to settle around his neck.
The boy’s smaller hand held the pendant in his palm while concentrating on the blue hue. “It’s like my eye colour.” He pointed below his iris then to his father’s eyes. “And yours too.”
Ikaris huffed out an amused breath before running a hand through his son’s hair to smooth it out. “Your mother said the same thing when she gave it to me.” He looked up to meet Sersi’s gaze.
She was taken back to Babylon where they found that canyon, their own special place. She found that small rock as they were exploring before she transformed it into a smooth, royal blue stone. Sersi was so compelled to give it to Ikaris as a token of appreciation for his company. Little did she know it would lead to the revelation of his feelings for her and the rest of their lives together. Now, Sersi was looking at the very image of their future that turned out to become Zian. It seemed so poetic that she passed on that significant gift to their son.
Ikaris stood up after murmuring something quickly to the boy. He approached her and placed his hands on her upper arms with a soft touch. “Sersi, I’ll be back. I just have to check something. Zian can keep you company.” He gave a good-natured wink and squeezed her arms. Ikaris walked away going deeper into the garden to an outside area where he flew off.
Sersi felt a tug at her dress to turn her gaze back down to where Zian stood in front of her. He looked up at her with a smile that she returned to him. “Yes, Zian?”
His small fingers continued to toy with the pendant as if he wanted to make sure its presence was certain against his chest. “Can I show you my latest drawing?”
She nodded her head with the same warm grin that refused to drop when the child continued to be this adorable. “Of course.”
Zian reached up to take her hand and lead her through the garden. They passed by various displays of flowerbeds and even small trees where fruit was growing from. Sersi was worried once again they were about to enter another labyrinth but thankfully, a turn of the corner led them to an opening of a dome. A glass ceiling towered above a large ten-foot-high wall that was half-covered in chalk drawings. It was a mural that served as a timeline of Zian’s art over the years. Clearly, it was his favourite hobby that could take his time and concentration. He eagerly rushed over to a small basket that held more pieces of chalk. Zian took a few colours before walking over to a spot on the wall.
Sersi followed him before kneeling down behind him and sitting back on her feet. Already, she was watching the boy committing to his art while his small head covered whatever he was illustrating. “Do you enjoy drawing?” She struck up some small talk while staring at the bright blend of colours on the wall.
“Yes.” Zian paused his motion with the chalk and looked at his mother. “It’s kind of like your powers. Making something into something else. That’s what I can do with my drawings.”
Her eyes softened at his genuine declaration. Glancing up again at the vibrant etchings on the wall, Sersi provided the same admiration. “They are very beautiful, Zian.” It was so easy for her to view him simply as a child with human tendencies as demonstrated in his talent for drawing. Sersi almost forgot that Zian was a pure Eternal like her and Ikaris. “Do you have any powers yet?”
He gave a pout while shaking his head. “No.” The disappointment was distinct in his little voice. “Daddy says I’ll get them when I’m older. I hope I can fly like him. That means I can go anywhere I want.” There was a spark of hope in Zian’s eyes as he talked of the possibility of inheriting his father’s ability of flight. He carried that excited smile as he faced the wall again to finish off his illustration.
Sersi sat with a peaceful grin while he continued to work on the wall. It wasn’t lost on her that Zian seemed to hold desires of exploring places outside of their home. She had no idea how long their family must’ve been on Olympia if this was all real. Before she could wonder more about it, Zian spun around to grab her attention.
“Done!” He stepped aside to show the final product of what looked like a beach based on the composition of blue and yellow representing sand and the ocean. Zian moved closer to direct the focus to three specific markings. “That’s you,” He tapped the crude person-like figure in green chalk. “That’s Daddy,” His finger hovered over the blue figure next to it. “And that’s me.” Finally, Zian pointed himself out as a smaller drawing in yellow.
Sersi found the picture endearing looking at the three of them in their signature colours. “Is yellow your favourite colour?”
Zian held up the yellow chalk proudly. “Yep. It’s bright and warm like the sun.”
She watched as he turned to face the wall and started colouring a circle in what appeared to be the space of the sky in the image. Sersi’s eyes focused again on the three figures of their family which brought up an important question. “Zian, did you ever meet or know other Eternals like us?”
The boy paused to think before he shook his head. “No. It’s only us on Olympia.”
Having the same news confirmed by Zian after what Ikaris told her, Sersi pressed further. “Do you think it’s strange that it’s only us on this planet?”
He shrugged while keeping the chalk connected to the wall. “As long as I’m with you and Daddy, it doesn’t really matter.”
It was nice to hear that the boy’s world was truly limited to his parents and this planet. Yet, Sersi was intrigued to see the depth of Zian’s knowledge. “Do you know who Arishem is? Do you know where he is?’
The chalk abruptly snapped against the wall. Zian’s small fist was still clenched around the yellow rod. “I don’t like these questions, Mummy.”
An apologetic expression blossomed on Sersi’s face as she reached down to collect the broken half of the chalk. “I’m sorry, Zian.” She gathered the other yellow fragments before holding them out to him. “I know I’m asking a lot. I’m just missing a lot of answers around here.” The child slowly picked the chalk scraps from her hand. “I’m trying to figure out why I’m here.”
Zian clutched the yellow chalk while chewing his lip. “You’re here to be with me, Mummy.” He gave a lopsided smile. “All you had to do was find me and Daddy.”
The sweetness of the boy struck Sersi’s heart deeply. She reached up to brush some stray hairs that were flopping over his forehead. Her hand lingered to playfully pinch his cheek which pried a giggle from Zian. He was real and alive in this moment no matter how strong Sersi’s disbelief still remained. She longed to unlock the other memories that could help her know more about her son. Yet, something else demanded her investigation. “Can you stay here for a moment? I’m going to check on your Dad quickly.”
He gave a quick nod before redirecting his concentration on his drawings. Sersi winced at the thought she was going to leave the young boy all alone but she had to take advantage of being by herself to find answers. She stood up to walk back the way that they came. Sersi checked over her shoulder to look at Zian before she turned the corner.