One hundred years later.
For most beings in the multiverse, a century was a significant portion of their existence—a period marked by wars, dynasties, the rise and fall of civilizations. For Elias Vance, it had been the most profoundly meaningful hundred years of his infinite existence.
The pregnancy had begun normally enough, or at least as normal as anything involving Multiversal Beings could be. Kaelen had glowed with that distinctive radiance of new life, her aura suffused with the gentle warmth of creation. Elias had immediately adjusted his entire existence around her, delegating all business operations to automated systems and trusted subordinates.
"You don't have to hover," Kaelen had said in those early days, amusement coloring her voice as Elias checked her vitals for the fourteenth time that morning.
"I'm not hovering. I'm monitoring optimal conditions for fetal development."
