[** Three days later **]

The worst hectic days were over and a certain order was established. The new head of Darklings was naturally Black Death and now he was having a talk with the king, Lancelot, and Galahad as other knights were attending their duties. The temporary headquarters was made using big tent established in the garden.

Sonic was sitting on a big pillow and Galahad was on his left side and Lancelot on the other one. Black Death was hovering close to the ground, suggesting this is his way how to sit down. Sonic was now reading his report regarding the cleaning of the dead bodies.

"You sure know how to organize work," he said appreciatively.

"It's a job I have to do," there was tension in his voice.

"Why so serious?" the blue hedgehog scratched behind his ear.

"I'm well aware we are now prisoners of your kingdom. I assure you Darklings won't rebel against you, so please, don't sell them into slavery," he begged him.

Sonic looked at him surprised. "I see, there must have been communication noise or something. You were never prisoners you are... well... allies, tho I would rather say friends, but I feel you wouldn't believe me."

"An allies?"

"Yes," said this time Lancelot. "You have helped Eclipse, saved him, fought against Black Doom and even provided assistance to Mephiles. Those aren't small feats."

"I agree," added Galahad. "Without your help, there would be more victims. You stood up against the tyrant and saved innocent lives."

"Black Doom was an evil person, but you seem to at least care for your own kind enough to do even the impossible," noted the blue king. "And that makes you good in my book."

Black Death sighed and finally smile. "Thank you, I pledge my loyalty to you."

"Oh great," Sonic made sour smile. "Another super serious guy in my circle of friends," he chuckled.

[** An hour later **]

Black Death was checking in the garden when he noticed Rhygenta is picking the small fruit. He hovered closer.

"How do you feel?" he asked, helping her to fill the wagon.

"I'm fine. This white bat woman treated my wounds," he tried not to look at him, which was strange since she was blind all along. "Um... Master?" she shyly asked. "Are you... our father?"

Black Death averted his eyes. "There... is a place you should see. I'll call the rest," he simply said, informing her siblings to meet them in the garden. They soon arrived, a bit confused and nervous. Their master said nothing, only gestured them to follow him. They did so in a complete silence.

To their surprise, they headed even deeper to a part neither of them knew about. The corridor was quite a long one and when they reached the end of it, they were stunned. The cavern was huge, even bigger than the garden. On the ground were laying stones of different shapes and sizes arranged in a matrix.

"Master," started Cregal, "what is this place?"

"A graveyard," he simply answered heading to one such place. "It's a place where those who left this world are eternally sleeping." He stopped in front of a big stone. It looked rough, but there were tiny white flowers growing all around.

"Cres... tian...?" read the engraved name on it Cyzer.

"Who is it?" asked Blurk.

"Your mother... and my secret lover," he sighed, telling them an old story. "He always used to be cheerful and energetic and from all Darklings, he was the fastest too, so he was sent to the outside world at the age of ten. Usually, you would have to be fourteen to be allowed to leave the colony."

They nodded as Cregal and Cyzer were scouts since the age of ten as well.

"From his journey's he always brought me small gifts. Like flowers, nice stones or fruits, tho it usually ended up rotten or he ate it before I could see it." He smiled. "It didn't take a long time before we fell in love. For me, it was the most fulfilling time. He was the first Darkling that mattered to me more than just being part of the kin."

For a few seconds, he went silent, watching the simple tombstone. "He hid the fact he is turning into a herm in front of everyone, I was the only one he told it to. That one night... we made love," he felt his face to blush a bit. It was a long time since he remembered it. Strangely, he could see it clearly. "It was the last time I could see him since Lord Black Doom took him like any other herm before. I was able to meet him when he was just a week from the delivery. That time he told me he was expecting our children. I was shocked and happy at the same time.

But soon my happiness turned into a fear. I was the only one who knew what was Lord doing to firstborn children... My fear was getting stronger as after the final check I knew there was more than one child inside. I thought two, which would still be fine, but there were four of you." He slightly shook his head.

"As the delivery was taking hours, Crestian made his choice." He looked at them and saw a small tear in their eyes. "He has chosen you over his own life."

"So our mom..." Rhygenta asked silently.

"Was brave and strong, gentle and sweet person," said Black Death gently hugging them.

The quadruplets hugged him back.

"Can we call you dad now?" asked Blurk without thinking and that scared him. He quickly pulled away. "I'm sorry, master,.I didn't mean to...!" He didn't finish as he was pulled back into an embrace.

"You can, it's just... let's try to do it slowly."

"Okay," agreed Cregal and Cyzer in unison.

He told them more, how he convinced lord to let Rhygenta live despite her blindness and the fact she is undeveloped.