God I love this series. So Sophia has a sad backstory too, but I feel like this highlights a parallel between her and Tenka. Basically, Tenka was never protected from feeling responsible, but Sophia obviously was... And I think the end result is that Tenka has basically grown up faster.
Once upon a time "Alex" was a member of somos. He was full of anger and despair at how he was treated by the living. He felt helpless and guilty over his stepmother's death. When his brother offered him another path, Tenka took it because he felt like he owed it to his brother, not because he had any real hope for himself. (that's how I felt anyway.)
Right now, Sophia is a member if somos.... She's full of anger and despair at the world and her failures. She can't change past mistakes, and must move "forward." ..... But she hasn't gotten her second chance yet. Not like Tenka did, explicitly.
I'm really conflicted about her. I've always been on the hate Sophia team, but I halfway want simoon to offer her a way out now.... I just don't know if she'd take it. She's really hit rock bottom, but it's *not her fault.* so why should she change? Her support system did too good a job of protecting her from responsibility and the agency that accompanies it.
But Tenka was rarely protected. Everything was *his fault* (even when it wasn't). As a result, I feel like he was more self-aware, and humble to the point of self-effacing, destructively humble. But Sophia became more self-absorbed and arrogant. Because it's not her fault - - she's going to do good things with her power. It's not her fault that people get hurt along the way. That's the *world*, not her. ... And now here we are.
I didn't mean to go on a giant rant, but
@MushroomQueen got me thinking about Sophia's "support system" lol.