Reaper // Soul Keeper

Tesin let her eyes trail along the ritual circles, their meaning known to her instinctually, but their details far too complex to understand. Her daughters scurried about, placing artifacts and focuses all over the clearing, arguing with each other -- as was their way. She let it wash over her, content to feel them close. She stayed that way, until the sound of purposeful footsteps announced their presence.
Carrot: "My love."
Tesin tilted her head, acknowledging him, but not offering a reply. She still hadn't forgiven him for keeping Alistair a secret -- whatever his reasons were. As for her true identity... A fragment of the "Mother", the ancient Nazeema, one of two gods that helped Rufus Geldenleaf create the universe. It was all a mess -- one that even Carrot couldn't fully explain.
Carrot: "The circle will be complete in a few days time. He still refuses to parley."
Tesin: "So we fight."
Carrot nodded solemnly. He did not wish to speak much of it, but it was clear that his decision to banish Alistair weighed heavy on him. Perhaps there was regret? He'd always dodged the question, but Tesin thought she knew the answer anyway. A decision made in rage and betrayal, which had cooled over time into longing. But there was something else there... Some role she had played, which he neither implied nor admitted, but which tickled at the edges of Tesin's memory.
Carrot: "He will come for my head, above all. But as the circle is focused upon my domain, I may no longer have the strength to fight him."
Tesin: "I'll handle it."
Her husband seemed to cringe at that, which Tesin silently enjoyed. It felt like a small payback for his secrecy. Not that she hadn't kept her own secrets... Regardless, leaving Alistair to her felt right. He would never see reason with Carrot, and likely held some ire for his sisters. Only Tesin was fresh to this conflict, even if her soul was not.
Tesin: "Do you think I can beat him?"
He didn't reply for a moment, but Tesin knew he was staring at her. At her aura and her essence, and the Scythe he could see hovering within it.
Carrot: "I know you can."
There was a shout from afar, which drew both of their attention. Feral and Melody were gesturing to a ritual focus, which wasn't properly attuning to the circle.
Feral: "Mother! We need someone with actual muscles!"
Melody looked at her lover with an arched eyebrow, self-consciously flexing her arms.
It was not an impressive display of physique.
Carrot: "Go. I will be here if you need me."
Tesin nodded, and walked over to help. It had been a long road to this point, but she'd made it. They'd all made it. And in her dreams, she knew that the Dream Team would make it too. All she had to do was stay focused...
And draw blades against her own son.