Pax Elysia Chapter 22: Reunion

The morning skies over Elysium glowed in shades of dulled amber, peaceful and filled with minty mist, the fine aroma of flowers and the happy chirps of birds. The people in the city were already at work, going about their business as hover cars streaked across the skyline or even over the paved roads along the streets.

Sha’re sat upon the balcony of her new home, her gaze sweeping the horizon, taking in the sights of wonders into her mind and heart.

Every day in this place filled her with awe, even now, days after her liberation. Here, there was no oppression, no Goa’uld, no chains of servitude, no struggle of the Abydosian desert.

The Elysians carried themselves not as gods, but as happy, normal families, wielding power that rivalled any System Lord yet using it to heal, to teach, to entertain, to build wonders that brought joy in life.

Her son slept nearby, in his cradle, humming softly while waving his pudgy hands and legs at the colourful balls that hung above his crib. A young elf named Lirn, who was blessed with the same power as the gods that ruled this realm, sat beside her child, tending to him with kindness she had never experienced even amongst her people.

Sha’re could not deny the peace she felt here—Elysium was heaven made manifest, a sanctuary carved from the void by the grace of gods and magic.

And yet her heart ached, for it remained incomplete. What was heaven without all her loved ones?

She missed Daniel.

Not a day passed that she did not think of her husband—his earnest eyes behind those square glasses, the way he would fumble with words in her tongue, the softness of his hands.

She had thought herself lost to him forever, her mind chained beneath Amunet’s dominion, her body used as a vessel and desecrated by the demons that she was bound to.

And yet now she was free.

Free, but parted from her Daniel.

It was in that moment of longing that Harry Potter found her. He came without escort, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow. His eyes, green as emerald fire, seemed always to pierce through the veil of unspoken thoughts.

“You’re thinking of him again,” Harry said softly.

Sha’re bowed her head.

“Always.”

Harry stepped closer, resting his hand upon the cradle. He looked down at the sleeping child—dark-haired, tiny fists curled, the faintest gleam of hidden power lingering in his veins. The only way he could grant Sha’re and her son asylum legally in Elysium was by making them take Merlin’s serum.

Surprisingly enough, the child was reacting positively towards the serum early on. He suspected it had to do with the Naquadah streaming in the blood of the young child. Sha’re, on the other hand, had so far not shown any significant changes. Her body appears to be undergoing the natural process of assimilating the gene addition without any side effects.

“I will bring you to your husband,” Harry said at last, turning away from the baby in the crib.

Sha’re lifted her head, hope surging through her like fire.

“Truly?”

He nodded.

“Daniel Jackson deserves to know his wife lives free of the Goa’uld, and you deserve to see him with your own eyes. But your son stays here. That is not negotiable.”

“My son!” Sha’re’s eyes widened. “But why?

Harry’s gaze hardened.

“He is more than that. The child carries the genetic memory of the Goa’uld. Within him are secrets that could doom entire worlds—knowledge of fleets, weapons, histories better left buried. In the hands of the Tau’ri, or in the grasp of the Goa’uld, he would never know peace. Here, he will. I give you my word, he will be raised free of those chains. We can help him overcome the darkness buried inside him and give him a better future.”

Sha’re clutched Harry’s arm, torn between love and fear.

“He will be safe?” Sha’re asked.

“Yes. He’ll grow to his full potential here.” Harry promised.

“Will I be allowed to see him?” Sha’re asked fearfully.

“You’re allowed to live in Elysium, Sha’re.” Harry said kindly.

Seeing his earnest look, Sha’re relaxed.

At last, she nodded.

“Then… please take me to my Daniel.”

The arrangements were made swiftly for their departure.

The desert of Abydos had not changed. Its sands stretched endlessly beneath the unforgiving sun, dotted only by scattered settlements and the ruins of the Stargate temple. To Sha’re, it was a landscape both familiar and foreign, for she had seen it once through eyes not her own, Amunet’s cruel will twisting what should have been home.

The Stargate flared to life, and Harry stepped through first, cloak rippling like a shimmering veil. Sha’re followed closely behind, a yellow cloak draped over her shoulders. The stone chamber was empty save for the shimmer of heat and the distant sound of footsteps.

They emerged into the village, where cries of alarm rang out as the people saw the figure they thought lost forever. Sha’re’s heart raced. She saw Kasuf, her father, rushing forward, his eyes wide with shock.

“My daughter!” Kasuf cried, embracing Sha’re with tears in his eyes.

“Father!” Sha’re cried as she threw her arms around him.

“How are you, my daughter? Have you delivered the child?” Kasuf asked after pulling back.

“Yes, father. It’s a boy, and he is safe.” Sha’re said earnestly. “I’m also free from the demon.”

“Oh, my daughter!” Kasuf wiped the tears gathering in his eyes happily. “Fortune has favoured us.”

As Sha’re and her father caught up and rejoiced in their freedom from the grip of Amunet, Harry remained vigilant. He could already feel a life signature closing in on their position.

And then the tent’s flaps were pulled away by the new arrival.

“Sha’re?”

She turned.

Daniel stood a few paces away, his breath caught in his throat, his hands trembling. His eyes were rimmed red as though from sleepless nights, but in them shone a fire she remembered all too well. He looked at her as though seeing the sun after endless darkness.

“Daniel,” she whispered.

He ran to her, and they collided in an embrace that shattered the weight of years. His arms wrapped around her with desperate strength, hers around him as though she might never let go again. He buried his face in her hair, and she could feel the tears streaming down his cheeks.

“You’re alive,” he choked. “You’re—you’re really here.”

“I am free,” Sha’re said, her voice trembling but clear. “The demon is gone. I’m myself again.”

Daniel pulled back just enough to look at her face, his hands cupping her cheeks as if afraid she might vanish like smoke.

“I thought I’d lost you forever. I—”

His words broke, replaced by a kiss fierce with grief and joy alike.

Harry turned away, giving them their moment. Yet even as he did, he felt other presences approaching.

O’Neill was the first to arrive, a rifle hung loosely at his side at the ready until his eyes fell upon the scene before him. Behind him came Carter, wary but hopeful, and Teal’c, whose stoic face softened at the sight of Sha’re’s liberation.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” O’Neill muttered. “Jackson, let the poor woman breathe.”

Daniel broke the kiss but kept hold of Sha’re’s hand, his other arm around her waist.

“Jack… this is real. She’s free. Harry—he freed her.”

O’Neill’s gaze slid to Harry.

“Yeah, we figured. You’ve been turning the galaxy upside down lately.”

Harry inclined his head but said nothing.

Carter stepped forward, eyes on Sha’re.

“Are you… Are you well?”

Sha’re smiled faintly, though her voice shook.

“I am whole again, thanks to him and his people.” She looked at Harry, gratitude written in her eyes.

“Sha’re… I heard you were pregnant but…” Daniel looked partly relieved and angry at the unspoken question of the absentee child in her belly.

“She delivered the child under the care of Tok’ra healers. The baby is safe in Elysium at the moment.” Harry said helpfully.

“Why do you not bring my grandson, daughter?” Kasuf asked, looking hurt.

“Because I suggested so. A child born to two hosts possessed by the Goa’uld will inherit the Goa’uld genetic memory. This poses a significant threat to the child's psychological well-being as they grow older. It’ll need help Abydos cannot provide.” Harry explained.

“A Harcesis child could be a source of valuable information on the Goa’uld,” Teal’c said coldly.

Harry noticed the SG1 was aware Sha’re’s child was an asset and it looked like they had discussed it beforehand. However, judging by the surprised look on Daniel's face, the man was not informed.

“The child is still entirely human, and there are ways to wipe the memory entirely from the child. It can have a normal life like any other child.” Harry said, ignoring what the Jaffa said.  

“Can that be done?” Daniel asked with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Yes.” Harry nodded.

Though Harry was unsure about the success of such a herculean task, he nonetheless felt confident in purging the Goa’uld influence from the child. After all, he had access to Slytherin’s treasured scrolls on purging curses hiding in the blood. It had worked seamlessly for Daphne and her family. If he could tweak the ritual to purge the Goa’uld signature on the boy, that should theoretically work.

Daniel’s relief was palpable upon getting the confirmation.

“Still, won’t it be better to use the memory in the kid against Apophis?” Jack asked tentatively.

When almost everyone looked at Jack with varying looks of revulsion or surprise, Jack clarified.

“I mean, if the memories can be extracted safely without harming the kid. Besides, the kid is as much a child of Earth and Abydos. Shouldn’t Sha’re’s child grow up with his parents in Abydos or Earth?”

Harry’s gaze sharpened as he focused on Jack O’Neill.

“The child is safe. In Elysium. The child’s guardian will be allowed to care for the child and free to live with the child.” Harry answered without taking his eyes off the colonel.

“Elysium… see, we don’t know where that is. How can Daniel travel to a place he has never been to?” Jack cheekily asked.

“Elysium is a sanctuary beyond your reach,” Harry said firmly. “The boy will not be allowed in the company of any Tau’ri, even Daniel Jackson. By guardian, I meant Sha’re, the child’s mother. As far as I know, Daniel Jackson had no part in the conceiving of the child, and as such, the child is not a son of Earth and Abydos Colonel O’Neill.”

Jack frowned.

“That’s not your decision to make.” said Jack.

Harry stepped closer, his presence a weight even in the arid desert air.

“It is precisely mine to make. The child carries Goa’uld genetic memory. Within him lies knowledge of weapons, technology, centuries of atrocities and secrets that could unbalance the galaxy. If the Tau’ri had him, would you not turn him into a tool? A weapon against the System Lords and against your own local rivals?”

O’Neill bristled, but Carter’s hesitation betrayed the truth. Daniel’s grip on Sha’re’s hand tightened, anguish etched into his face.

“He’s our son even if he is not my blood,” Daniel whispered.

Harry’s voice softened.

“And I will not let him be consumed by a war he did not choose. In Elysium, he will grow free, untouched by the shadows of Goa’uld or Tau’ri.”

The silence stretched taut.

“But wouldn’t other Goa’uld seek him out if they learn of the child’s existence?” Carter asked curiously.

“Considering we hold both Apophis and Amunet as prisoners, that is entirely unlikely.” Harry said, with a shrug of his shoulders. “Even if the System Lords somehow learns of the child and track him to Elysium, my people will turn Elysian space into the graveyard of the Goa’uld Empire.”

“So, what, we just… trust you?” Jack asked with a displeased frown.

“You don’t have to,” Harry replied with an aloof look.

He couldn't care less whether some idiot muggles trusted his word or not. The entire point of denying them access to the child was to deny any valuable piece of knowledge in the kid’s psyche to the Tau’ri of Earth. The matter of giving the child a normal childhood instead of being a lab rat came second, but it was also a priority.

“But you will find no trail to follow, no door to pry open. The child remains in Elysium.” Harry said firmly, leaving no room for debate.

For a brief moment, there was an uncomfortable silence, save for the sounds in the settlement.

“Jack, they saved us once from the Goa’uld. The least we can do is give them the benefit of the doubt.” Daniel said tentatively.

Harry raised an eyebrow with an amused smile as the SG1 huddled together to talk under their breath, but he could clearly hear them nonetheless. After much discussion, SG1 decided to leave Sha’re’s child out of whatever plans their higher-ups were cooking.

“If you don’t mind us asking, what do you intend to do with Apophis?” Carter asked curiously once they emerged from their little group huddle.

“That is not for you to know.” Harry said slowly, a bit surprised Selmak’s host hadn’t shared their plan with the Tau’ri.

‘Maybe he was ordered not to, or the Tok’ra Council was wise enough to keep Selmak away from the Tau’ri.’ Harry mused.

“I personally hope Apophis is not enjoying his time in a prison cell reading a book.” Daniel muttered.

“I assure you he is not,” Harry said with a serious look. “Let’s just say he’ll not be enjoying the days ahead and leave it at that.”

“Oh, good.” Daniel nodded, looking much happier that his wife’s tormentor would face some kind of punishment, even though it was not clear what said punishment might be.

“If you’ve taken Apophis prisoner, what happens to his empire?” Teal’c asked.

“It’ll most likely fall to rival System Lords.” Harry said.

An uneasy look was passed between Jack and Carter.

“Aren’t your people going to do anything about that?” Jack asked.

Harry stared at the man for a long moment until Jack felt uncomfortable under the stare.

“Do I look like I’m running a universal peacekeeping force?” Harry asked slowly.

“No. But the people in those worlds…”

“They will survive just as they’ve survived Apophis.” Harry said, not allowing the man to finish that sentence.

“Aren’t you the enemy of the Goa’uld? You have the power to save so many. You have those flashy guns and spaceships.”

“If flashy guns and spaceships were all that it took to bring the Goa’uld empire down, the Asgard would’ve done it ages ago.” Harry said with a dismissive wave of his hands. “Our methods are far more surgical and call for more patience. We don’t barge into Goa’uld territory with our flashy guns and spaceships, as you put it.”

“Sokar grows in strength, and even the other System Lords are afraid of him. I’ve heard from my Jaffa brethren that Sokar intends to assimilate Apophis’ worlds into his domain. If that happens, Sokar will grow powerful enough to launch a wave of terror across the galaxy.” Teal’c warned.

“The galaxy has survived many tyrants, and trust me, it’ll survive more to come.” Harry said before turning his attention to Sha’re.

He lost all interest in the SG1, who were intent on playing galaxy police, a trend they’ve picked up from their American roots. They were dressed for the part, but acted more like plain old scavengers.

It was not his place to care what they were doing so long as they didn’t cross into his domain.

“How long do you intend to stay in Abydos?” Harry asked Sha’re.

Sha’re looked at Daniel, in search of an answer.

“I cannot stay for long, my love.” Sha’re said with regret.

“I know.” Daniel said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m just relieved you are safe.”

Daniel pulled her close and kissed her again.

“Will I be allowed to see the child?” Daniel asked, his eyes begging.

Harry looked away from the earnest look on the man’s face only to see the pleading look on Sha’re’s face.

“I cannot grant you entrance into Elysium.” Harry said, and Daniel’s face fell.

“But I can have Sha’re and the child relocated to Svoriin. You already know the gate address to that planet. You alone will be granted access through the stargate, Daniel Jackson.” Harry added.

“Thank you.” Daniel immediately said with a grateful look.

“No free space passes for us?” Jack asked sarcastically with a raised eyebrow.

Harry ignored that entirely and instead nodded at the reunited couple.

“I’ll see you around Sha’re, Daniel Jackson.” Harry nodded before taking on his spirit form.

His physical body turned into sparkling white vapour and flew straight towards the stargate of Abydos. Once he arrived near the gate, he dialled the gate address to Elysium. He cast one last look around the temple before stepping through.

******

Once back in Elysium, Harry was immediately back to work on recovering the Eye of Apophis. Sokar had yet to take the bait dangled before him by Heru’ur. That gave him time to recover the Eye before Sokar started invading.

“What do you have for me, Officer Parks?” Harry asked once he found his crew.

“We have combed through Apophis’ extracted memories, and we have found the Eye’s location, sir.”

“Where?” Harry immediately asked, leaning forward in his seat with his interest piqued.

Officer Parks brought forth a data pad and flicked on its image projector. A planet’s image was projected out of the data pad.

“This is Chulak, the throne world of Apophis. Here, there are multiple temples dedicated to Apophis, but it has to be noted that this planet once belonged to Cronus.”

“I see.” Harry hummed and gestured for the man to go on with the briefing.

“The planet has two suns and a moon. Upon this planet, there are three continents, and one of the larger ones hosts a grand temple of Apophis, locally known as the Temple of Gods. Inside the temple, there is a sarcophagus where the Eye of Apophis is kept.”  

“The Temple of Gods…” Harry snorted. “Pretentious megalomaniacs.”

“Sir, it has to be noted the temple is guarded by 42 ceremonial Jaffa warriors. Also, being the throne world of Apophis, it hosts significant aerial assets and some minor Goa’ulds.”

“All the better. It looks like this calls for a ground op.” Harry rubbed his hands as he knew a couple of fellows itching to kick some Goa’uld ass and show these so-called ‘gods’ who the real boss is.