Val's brow wrinkles again as she thinks and for some reason it's hard for her to think past this moment.

"It's been a few years," she whispers as confusing images of people who both are and are not her family dance in her minds eye; a man who's face hides behind an iron mask leading a beleaguered band of Templars against a host of demons, that same man in slightly different armor and a softer, kinder voice, a man whose body runs like water and a woman who conjures invisible shapes of her will. Another man who seems to be living flame, another who is living rock and a little boy who smiles at her and holds her hand. And finally, the man in the armor again with a strong bold voice holding her in his arms.

Val doesn't even notice the tears as they fall.