The woman before him bore little resemblance to the Julia of his memories - gone was the celestial radiance that once illuminated her features. In its place dwelt something far more profound: the weight of ages etched into every line of her weathered countenance.
Malcolm stood transfixed. Though her appearance had transformed beyond recognition, something deep within his immortal soul stirred in recognition. The pull of shared blood, the echo of ancient lineage, drew him inexorably toward this venerable figure.
"Aunt Julia," he breathed, scarcely daring to embrace the truth before him. "But how...after all this time, I'd thought you -"
"Lost to the cosmic tumults befalling our storied clan?" A slight smile graced her time-worn features as she regarded her wayward nephew. "As you can pla
