7 Familiar Faces

I leaned with my arms crossed against one of the pillars marking the path leading to the double doors where two armed guards stood.

I enjoyed the cold glances they gave every time I moved as if waiting for my dumbfounded attempt to intrude on the meeting being held.

My pleasure only intensified every time my name rang out in the corridor for all to hear.

It has never ceased to surprise me how often those of nobility played their silly games to govern who held more worth by simply seeing who was loudest.

Nobles were always the same when holding some fragile power that can easily be broken.

I passed the time by keeping a watchful eye over Nyxis as she stopped undressing and smiled when my presence was felt.

She tauntingly strode over to where I placed a sigil underneath one of the crystal encased lights and hung her cloak after blowing a kiss.

Smiling, my vision rippled until the corridor leading to a number of rooms and a couple engaging in the formalities of lovers could be seen.

My eyes hovered through the small pathway watching over the door across from the one given to us where Zeke and Scar slumbered.

It was a well known fact that most bands of mercenaries had enemies in high places and I wished to stay one step ahead if the need arose while entertaining my uncle.

Sighing, my vision shifted to peer through Orion's eyes as he overlooked Ironclad from a statue positioned between the alcoves atop the castle roof.

Seeing the city streets below had brought back forgotten memories of how the capital always had a majestic presence from above.

The streets were filled with flowing citizens going about their mundane lives while traveling merchants peddle their wares.

Congregated smells tickled the nostrils with a delectably sweet yet foul aroma that often lingered in the throat.

Such sights and smells made me long to return home to Siegfried, but that had to wait.

I gave into curiosity and urged Orion to flutter about from his roost so that a certain place dotted the setting sun.

Seeing through a bird's perspective as they fluttered their wings and caught air still was an alluring sight to behold even after so many times witnessing it.

My stomach still lurched at the sudden ascent only to quickly fade when the Northern Watch Town stood just below.

Even if shadowed by the sun, I knew that two kilometers away that the ruins of my family home sat overtaken by nature alongside the town built with it.

The last time I was there all that was still left were a few walls of father's study and a staircase leading to nowhere.

[(I wonder if Veronica managed to salvage anything from the wreckage as well. I'll have to ask when time permits it.)] 

"Your weapons sir," a woman's voice spoke in a respectful authoritative tone. 

I opened my eyes and found the Farkas woman from before standing in front of me dressed in a lime green dress instead of the armor she wore.

I ignored her and went back into my thoughts as she repeated with more force, "Your WEAPONS sir!"

I was about to tell the woman where she could stuff her order when Veronica pleaded, "Brother you know only the King's personal guard and those assigned under him are allowed to wield weapons in the throne room. Please, do as asked and relinquish yours."

She smiled, "You'll get them back once done."

I sent a cold gaze in her direction, "My weapons stay with me. I refuse to go into a serpent's den unarmed." 

I watched in disgust as Veronica willingly offered her blade to the other young knight from Siegfried.

I muttered, "Entrusting Lovic, our mother's blade, to a knight that pisses himself in the face of death."

The anger burning in his eyes was so strong that the back of neck began to tingle in delight at the prospect of putting his ill-advised ambition to rest.

His face grew even colder when I returned his gaze with a mocking grin.

I hoped to incite the lad into brandishing his sword and prove me wrong.

I watched gleefully as his knuckles started to whiten around Lovic's sheathe like a rat ensnared by a snake.

It was my goal to make him strike first so that it would be merely self-defense when cutting him down.

Veronica interjected before anything happened however, "Brother, I'll have you know that both Lady Ragnhild and Sir Marius are top of their class at the Knights' Academy. They have proven trustworthy to not just me, but Lieutenant Combs as well."

She gave both of them a grateful glance, "Once graduated, they will work directly under his ward. So please, play nice for me."

I saw my past self leering around the corner of a hallway behind Veronica with a sneering grin of his own.

His eyes told me it would be best to do as instructed for now and try to build up what was lost.

Again I felt the pain of my two selves fighting amongst one another and gave into my humanity as my sense of judgment became clouded by past memories once more.

Childish memories of playing with Freya and the others softened my heart this time around.

Sighing, I watched the figment of my past self laugh an inaudible chuckle before slowly fading away.

[(You're becoming a real headache faster than you realize.)]

I retrieved the two misericordes resting between the gaps of my vambraces and placed them on the silver tray Ragnhild held.

Afterwards I looked toward Veronica, "There! Happy?"

She crossed her arms and tilted her head, "Brother!?"

Growling, I opened the left part of my coat to the surprised look of Ragnhild and slowly pulled the two other blades, sheath and all, from their lashings.

The blades were a part of me ever since being forced to use them in that damnable arena making it hurt even more when placing the other hidden two.

Hoping to trick Veronica, I held up both sides open so my waist could be easily seen and spun when motioned to.

She crossed her arms and cocked her body giving her the exact image of our mother patiently waiting for one of us to come clean about something we did.

Grumbling, I muttered some harsh words that made Veronica give an accomplished grin and reached into Penumbra

"What!?" Ragnhild exclaimed as she took a step back. 

A tingly sensation came over me as my shadow began to grow until a wide sphere surrounded the given space around me.

It was somewhat of a complementary prize seeing such surprised fear in the eyes of both wannabe knights as they realized early that nothing is as it seems.

They watched unblinking as the two ears of the pommel slowly rose from the void until the entire hilt and upper part of the blade could be seen.

On the opposite side glowing eyes rose from the darkness until half of Morrigon's staff waited patiently to be pulled free.

I grabbed each weapon and placed them on the tray as my shadow returned to its original size.

[(Hmm…I wonder if it was different when I took that Pig's ear, then again, it felt a little heavier than it did in Siegfried, but not much to notice at first. Stalo, just what kind of weapon have you forged me exactly?)]

My gaze was fixated on the whole of Tartarus as its appearance had drastically changed from when Stalo had gifted it.

The first thing noticeably changed was how the spiral pattern of thorns seemed to now resemble the scales of a serpent placed in a more refined pattern of black and dull gold.

Following the scabbard to the hilt, I was surprised to discover that both of the clasps had changed to the heads of some unknown snake with two sets of eyes on top of one another.

One had its fangs hidden while the side facing me showed two sets of fangs ready to strike anyone foolish to grab hold.

The only thing that seemed the same was how the hilt itself went from pommel to cross-guard.

[(It feels as if something is staring at me through those eyes.)]

Shrugging the thought away, I leaned back against the pillar as Veronica respectfully dismissed the two wannabe knights.

I watched from the corner of my eye as Ragnhild stumbled here and there as she tried to adjust to the weight of the weapons she held.

I gave myself into the darkness of my closed eyes when their figures disappeared around the corner.

My mind soon spiraled in an infinite loop between whether or not Nyxis would like a ring to mark our engagement.

Since we've been together, the only form of jewelry I knew she owned was her mother's pendant that stayed around her neck. 

[(If anything I could go ahead and purchase one. However, If she'll wear it is a whole other question.)]

I felt Veronica standing with Mother's look on her face in front of me.

I was about to ask what was the matter when a small girl's voice yelled, "MOTHER! WELCOME HOME!"

[(MOTHER!!!!!)]

I turned in unison with Veronica and watched as a young girl in her sixth winter clad in a purple summer dress laced with white polka dots came running toward us as her black sandals clicked on the marble floor.

Her braided burgundy hair was tied into a high ponytail that trailed behind her allowing the points of her ears to freely be seen.

The girl's skin had a dull violet tint making it undeniable of her mixed heritage.

It was hard to look away from the ever growing vibrant smile the girl had as she neared us with a small brown teddy bear held tight.

I couldn't help but be reminded of how Veronica looked when we were children.

Veronica met the girl halfway and lifted her in her arms, "Lilliana my princess, I'm glad you came to find me. Were you a good girl for your father?"

"She behaved herself for the most part," a cheerful voice answered. 

My eyes soon focused on a man that looked to be the same age as Veronica and I walking gleefully toward us.

The man had short neatly trimmed brown hair that complemented the ivory tone of his skin and made cheerful sapphire eyes glow.

The coat tails of his brown long sleeved coat fluttered allowing an olive green buttoned shirt to be seen.

His lower half was bound in a soft mixture of linen and leather strips around the waist where a leather belt buckle glimmered.

It was easy to find out that the man took pride in his appearance from the way his boots shined from a recent polishing.

The man wrapped his arms around Veronica, "Everything went alright while you were gone except for that issue with Mr. Bernstein. Had to sew him together, poorly I might add. Just don't have your steady hands."

Veronica kissed the man for a long while making it clear how people feel when around Nyxis and I after a long time apart.

The man held his hand out to me after a moment's embarrassment, "It's good to see you're still well, Einor."

Ignoring his hand, "I go by Jackal, Theo. You already knew that after I dragged you out of that Streguar den." 

The man standing before me was the same Theo that ran around with Thomas and the one we caught in the forest all those years ago.

I grabbed his forearm, "It's good to see that you made a full recovery."

I never could understand what Veronica saw in him, but I had to admit he did change drastically from the little jerk he was over the years.

The last time I saw him or Freya was almost five years ago during one of my travels along the Rothewich Mountain Valleys that bordered the Great Dolry Lake to the west.

I was hired by an old farmer to eradicate a nearby Streguar nest that had been feasting on his cattle.

Streguar are giant reptilians that have the ability to turn invisible when hunting prey and fill their ravenous appetite.

I practically had to drag Theo away from the jaws of one after piercing its thick skull several times.

Theo chuckled, "I wouldn't say a full recovery."

"The bastards did take my leg after all," he patted his left leg, "I wouldn't be able to serve your sister let alone your uncle if it wasn't for the chief dwarf and his crew making a prosthesis out of some old armor." 

I nodded, "Dwarves truly are the masters when it comes to craftsmanship for most things."

I turned to find Veronica kneeling before Lilliana, "Lilliana, I would like to introduce you to someone." 

Veronica turned toward me, "This is your Uncle Einor, my twin brother."

I corrected her, "Jackal!"

Veronica stared daggers, "As family, she will know and call you by your birth name like I will continue to do so."

Sighing, I felt a small tug on my coat and found Lilliana staring up at me with her sapphire blue eyes that matched her father's.

She grabbed the part of her dress just above her knees and lifted it as she bowed with an elegant smile, "I am Lilliana Ansu Strom. It's a pleasure to meet you, Uncle."

After a few moments of considering what to do, I bowed which was something I never freely did with my right hand gently placed on my chest while my left leg was behind the other.

I returned the greeting, "I'm J--" 

Veronica cleared her throat.

With a sigh, "I'm Einor Maximus VonKnight, but please refer to me as Jackal." 

I straightened and turned my gaze to Veronica, "I will be known as Jackal no matter how much you disapprove. I--"

I stopped when Lilliana 's arms wrapped around my waist. "I don't mind calling you Uncle Jackal," she smiled up at me. 

A smile that was passed from her grandmother that often melted the coldest of hearts, "I think it suits you better than Uncle Einor anyway."

Lilliana turned to her mother who chuckled, "If that is what you wish, my Lilli."

"Everything is going smoothly for the upcoming tournament. In total there are close to two hundred participants, more than last year's fifty," a bald man in his sixties clad in a purple robe boomed as I leaned against a nearby pillar while Veronica and the others stood a few feet from the group of advisors.

He gave a small disgusted look towards Veronica when she found a place beside the Little Fox, "The court wizard and her fellow scholars have finished improving the battlefield and placed barriers along the outside so no spectator in the stands shall be harmed."

A younger advisor with cropped black hair read from his parchments, "With such a turnout, the boundaries of the three fields including part of the forest have been extended as requested by the Knight-Commander." 

"To keep in the time frame available," he stopped a few moments to gather the information, "we decided that following the opening ceremony - a battle consisting of fifty participants shall take place followed by a two hour break then another battle shall begin until a select few are standing afterwards." 

The bald man with a droning voice interrupted, "As for deciding the winners of the four initial battle royals, we decided that the last ten standing from each fray shall be placed in a bracket as we transition into a more traditional format."

[(A survival of the fittest type of tournament is interesting but difficult to watch for the audience. Wonder how they will pull it off?)] 

From my position, I watched an elegant woman clad in a red dress with curly bronze hair tied in a bun make her way to stand before Uncle.

The woman had quite an alluring atmosphere about her that made most men turn and watch her hips sway before being completely taken by the warm captivating eyes.

She made sure to lay a hand on those she passed by to further their utter ensnarement.

It was very obvious to those who know what to look for that the woman was using a charm spell of some kind to further the approval of her male counterparts like most women wielding such power.

I allowed a small laugh to escape into the open, making the two guards near me look in my direction with confused looks as to who was responsible.

The woman bowed before Uncle and proceeded to voice her concerns, "With that out of the way, we have a more pressing matter to deal with, Lady Udreth's escort back home."

There was a momentary round of agreed grunts, "I believe we should reconsider the Beastking's request." 

She turned to the Little Fox and Casteilla, "After what you told us, I don't think we should trust your life in the hands of a man who freely takes gold even if to betray the giver."

I sensed some agitation coming from Veronica and saw Freya's eyes narrow from her position next to the throne.

The boring man from before spoke again, "I don't often agree with my colleague Your Majesty, but on this I do. Even if he agrees, how are we to know he wouldn't outright kill the princess if it best suits him?"

My own agitation grew as he pressed on, "I know it is difficult since he is your nephew, but he is a killer that needs to be imprisoned or executed before he has a chance to str--"

Veronica roared with anger after hearing enough, "That is enough from YOU!" 

The room fell silent as all eyes focused on Veronica making it the perfect opportunity to stand by the bald man who didn't notice my approach.

He sputtered, "Lady Str-Strom, welcome home. We were just discuss--"

"I heard every word," Veronica's eyes burned with anger as a bluish gold aura burst to life on the heels of an unknown pressure that erupted throughout the throne room. 

Most became unable to fully stand under the aura of her anger while others instantly fell to their knees begging to be freed.

Such a force had little effect on me as I circled the advisor who belittled my name.

I analyzed all the fine jewelry he wore from a silver necklace to bejeweled rings on every finger until my eyes stopped on a silver ring with a large emerald set between two rubies.

The ring itself was engraved with weaving patterns along the outside as it twisted around the puggy index finger.

Such a ring costed quite a bit of gold but nothing was too expensive when it came to making Nyxis smile.

[(Would she rather have something like this or one that has just a single jewel?)]

"Lady Strom," the bald advisor whimpered, "your own reports tell of what transpired in Siegfried. He nearly killed both of your wards and stopped the arrest of all members of Twilight Sand."

"Silence!" a commanding voice roared before Veronica could lash out again.

A thrill went down my spine watching the king of Ironclad stand from his gilded throne and radiate authority to all before him.

The king was a man in his late fifties dressed in a black surcoat adorned with the imprint of two soaring doves facing the other on each breast while a gilded forest nestled the bottom half.

A half cape made to look like Ironclad's flag was bound to him by leather strips and served as his royal mantle.

Just like his father before him, the king had the scarred face of a warrior forged in battle.

Peppered gray shoulder length hair outlined a withered face while sorrowful eyes shined like the jewels of the ivory circlet worn.

The man was King Tiberius Alexander VonKnight and the one responsible for placing me under Alabasta's tender care.

"Veronica, it's good to see that your home," Uncle spoke in a deep rough voice as he descended the three steps.

He wrapped Veronica in a tight hug hoping to calm some of her rage, "Calm down my dear, I won't do either to him. He has suffered enough." 

I watched as he looked beyond my sister hoping to glimpse me through the crowd, "I was told that your brother was with you. Where is he?"

"He's right th--" Veronica turned and found that I had moved from behind her. 

She had a confused look when she discovered me looking at jewelry already worn, "Brother?!"

The bald man chuckled when he found everyone gazing in his direction after following their gaze, "Lady Strom, I hope you didn't hit your head while you were away. There's nobody there unless you're referring to me." 

A disgusted look began to spread across Veronica's face as the man continued, "I could be your husband and show you what a real--"

The man froze mid sentence when I placed a hand on his shoulder and slowly turned to face me.

Irritation took hold of his face when being unable to see me looking straight at him and quickly shouted at his colleagues for trying to prank him.

Such an arrogant attitude was soon replaced with one of absolute fear fringed on the shocked awes of the other advisors when the illusion faded away.

The sound of the man falling on his ass boomed like thunder in the large quiet room along with the garbled attempt of speech.

His eyes became wide with each step taken until I towered above him like a dämon.

"She wasn't the only one that heard you," I crouched to look into his eyes.

I laughed when no words escaped his quivering lips, "Not so brave when the person you speak of suddenly appears in front of you, aye?"

I lightly patted his right cheek, "Maybe I should take your tongue so no one will ever hear your vulgarity and belittlement in the future." 

Knights soon surrounded me as more reinforcements rushed through the door.

"Veronica," my gaze shifted to my sister who stood by our uncle, "you lack the will to bring out utter terror with your aura."

Each knight had a face devoid of emotion but most of their eyes wavered in fear. "Let me show you how it is done," I muttered and allowed my withheld bloodlust run rampant.

Within seconds, most fell hard to the floor unable to move from the constant pressure that enveloped the air.

There were a few who managed to overcome the full effect by mere willpower yet strained to keep their posture.

I smiled when taking a glimpse of Uncle shadowed by the crimson black colliding colors of my frenzied aura without effort.

My amusement grew even more when it appeared that Freya and Veronica were unaffected by my aura though it was heartwarming to see Lilliana in utter awe of the colors.

I sensed another shadow tucked away in hiding somewhere nearby and relished in the strength of my aura.

I recollected myself and allowed the room to become normal once more, "It's your move, Uncle. How do you wish to proceed?"

"Kill him," the bald advisor roared to the knights after taking the opportunity to crawl behind them. 

My eyes wandered from each knight as I stood my ground awaiting their decision.

I watched as the man pulled a dagger from the sheath of a nearby shuttering knight, "I'll do it myself then." 

He made his way through the circle as if nothing happened only to find that I was gone, "Where'd he go?!"

Using shadow movement, I rose from the throne's shadow cast by the large stained glass windows.

So many memories came to mind when I touched the smooth white marble laced in gold and gems that held the weight of three generations of my family.

I remembered sitting on it and pretending to be the king while my grandfather, the king at the time, played the part of my guard.

The day he made my father his successor was another memory that fluttered about.

Though lost in thought, I disappeared when a massive blade sliced through the air where my head once was.

Rising from a nearby shadow, I stood with my back toward the blade's wielder who was a chimera of a dämon.

Two hunched lupine legs ending in raptor talons helped support a broad gray body clad in tailored armor.

Tree trunk sized arms covered in prismatic green scales hefty the oversized butcher blade with ease.

Without looking at the dämon, I knew that its oval head supported by an elongated neck was gazing at me with long awaited relief.

The dämon's pearl eyes that enchanted all who beheld them told me every worry they bore.

Turning, I lifted my arm just in time as the venomous fangs of the dämon's serpent tail struck.

I couldn't help but smile at the dämon's gray serpentine face surrounded by a mane of white feathers, "I see time hasn't slowed you down, Solomon."

The dämon standing against me was Solomon who has acted as personal guard to the Amber Throne since my great grandfather held the crown.

Solomon once fought my family for years upon the command of a rogue mage who constituted a contract to destroy the Amber Crown.

It was said that numerous lives were lost over the span of a five year war that ended when the mage turned his sights on Ironclad's heart.

My great grandfather slew the mage and imprisoned Solomon in the bowels of the castle with his final breath.

On the verge of the last great war known as the Battle of Trinity, grandfather saw the military value such a dämon provided and forged a contract with him that had already been nullified when he died.

"Coming from Zachariah's child," the old dämon spoke in a deep hissing voice, "I'll take that as a compliment," 

The serpent head removed itself from my forearm, "I never did get a chance to thank you for watching over us like you did."

Solomon chuckled, "It was this one's pleasure to watch you and your sister grow."

I appeared in front of my uncle who stood without an ounce of fear and smiled. "Sheathe your weapons," he commanded. 

It was surprising to hear the sounds of swords being sheathed when I stood directly in front of their king.

My uncle spoke to me after so many years with sorrowful eyes, "Remove the hood, please. I'd like to look upon the face of my nephew."

I was hesitant to do as asked and cautiously looked to the surrounding balconies for any archers before slowly pulling the billowy hood back.

Tears slowly drizzled down his face when the light of the room cascaded over my face when the darkness of the hood became swallowed.

He immediately wrapped his arms around me and failed to keep his tears from flowing free.

My body felt numb against the shuttering body of the man who caused me so much pain as he wept like a newborn on my shoulder.

Like my body, my mind couldn't understand what to do in this situation.

I had dreamed of killing my uncle and Veronica for what they unjustly did but it appeared that my heart wasn't quite as cold as I once thought.

I patted his back and muttered in his ear, "A king does not show weakness in front of his enemy or his subjects." 

He gave a hearty chuckle before standing straight after one last pat on my shoulder and wiped his tears away.

"No…no a king doesn't," he walked past me and returned to his throne, "leave us, all of you. I wish to discuss things with my family and the Beastking's envoy alone."

"But sir--" a knight clad in full plate armor stepped forward in protest.

"Understood your Majesty," his resolve shattered with one look from Solomon's pearl eyes.

I remained motionless as those unnamed by Uncle left the throne room through the main entryway with a solemn nod of respect.

Their cold threatening eyes went unnoticed as I tried to understand what was happening to me.

Since returning to Ironclad, my mind has been enthralled by a fog where the past melds with the present hindering me from thinking clearly.

The image of my past self popping into existence during times of decision was the offspring of such a fog.

I will admit that it was good to see them again and finally meet a niece I didn't know existed, but nothing truly changed.

[(Best get this over with.)]

I turned to gaze upon Uncle who looked like a deity ready to pass judgment in the shining rays cast from the stained glass windows.

He spoke in a more relaxed less formal tone, "It's good to see you home, Einor. How have you been doing? How's Joan after all these years?"

I crossed my arms and muttered, "Like you give a damn, skip the small talk and tell me why I'm here. What is this about the Little Fox's escort?"

Uncle released a depressed sigh, "Very well then, I'll get to the point."

His face became stern, "I should start by saying that King Udreth and I have been in discussion about forging an alliance for a number of years. Tides of war are sounding in both our kingdoms with Vaniel to blame for the most part."

He took a quick glance at the Little Fox before continuing, "That being the case, the Beastking sent his daughter as an envoy t--"

"Skip to why I'm here old man," I interrupted, "I care little about the politics between kingdoms."

Narrowing my eyes, "What was that 'if he agrees' bit about?"

Solomon took a step forward, "You may be Zachariah's child and His Majesty's nephew, but I will not tolerate your tone toward your un--"

"It's alright old friend," Uncle placed a hand in front of Solomon, "he deserves the right to speak his heart." 

He let out an exhausted sigh, "There have been attempts on my life, Einor."

My eyes narrowed as he held up a hand to hold my questions, "Those responsible have full intent of claiming not only my life but the Beastking's as well. We believe that they fear an alliance would offset some sort of balance or ruin their individual goals, but we aren't sure."

"That being said," he paused for a moment and looked at the Little Fox, "we had planned to draw them out by having Lady Udreth and her entourage make the journey to Siegfried under the protection of Veronica."

The Little Fox stepped forward with a rolled parchment, "Though it is difficult to swallow, my uncle did give us some information on our possible assailants." 

She sheepishly handed the parchment over, "My uncle's written testimony placing him in league with a mysterious organization that promised him the throne once his part was done." 

Her voice soon disappeared as I began to read the confession and tried to make sense of why I was here.

The Vulpes man that I captured was Jannik Udreth who was apparently the Beastking's brother which Luca pointed out earlier.

Like me, the deprived sop held a long standing hatred toward members of his family for quite the number of years after being overlooked by the Law of Blood.

His depravity however led him down the path most nobility often took to gain power instead of finding it himself.

With that in mind, I focused on the name of the mystery allies that offered their service to achieve his goal.

Puzzled, "The Eyes of Khokbus?"

[(Khokbus: the Primordial of Death and Horned King of the Abyss, why am I not surprised his followers are responsible somehow? I wonder if the Spider knows something.)]

I handed the parchment back to the Little Fox, "Tell me Uncle, are you sure that this group is responsible for the threats upon your life?"

Solomon answered, "We managed to capture and successfully interrogate one assassin who came closest to claiming your uncle's head."

The Little Fox didn't say anything but her eyes spoke volumes. Sighing, "Is it right to assume that you believe this meddling of HER uncle is just a mild distraction for what is to come on the journey back to Breura?"

Uncle nodded with cold eyes, "Will you accept?"

"No…no I will not," I turned my back on my uncle, my sister, and the Little Fox. 

I made my way to the doors but was stopped midway by Freya and Veronica, "I have no responsibility for either kingdom. Besides, there are many capable adventurers who've been waiting for their chances."

Both women remained in my way with pleading eyes, "It's your problem not mine it's simple as that, now move."

"Einor," Uncle roared my birth name hoping to persuade me, "what if I said I'd support you?"

I couldn't hold on to my laughter, "Support me? Support? Me?"

I turned and faced Uncle, "Get off your gilded throne and think about what you just said. I haven't needed your support for the last twelve years. What makes you think I need it now?"

He sighed and turned to Solomon, "If you won't listen to reason then I'll force my hand."

"As we speak," my eyes narrowed on his back, "a group of knights are on their way to SwallowTail. I have given instructions to hold the blood mage and the mercenaries you arrived with until further notice."

He looked into my eyes and proceeded with his threat, "If you don't comply, I'll be forced t--"

My shadow erupted until enveloping the entirety of the throne room in impenetrable darkness.

"You will not lay a finger on them," I roared with Tartarus in hand and rushed my uncle who stood tall behind Solomon.

A bolt of flame erupted before me, "Brother, please calm down!"

Veronica soon blocked my path with hands wrapped in electrified crimson magic, "We don't want to shed blood."

Three large shadowy wolves pounced from the darkness at her feet and pinned her to the ground. I looked deep into her eyes, "Silence!!"

Veronica struggled to free herself from the lone wolf as she desperately pleaded for my rampage to end while the other two intercepted Casteilla and Luca from providing aid.

Both were equally matched against the wolves as they darted for openings to sink their fangs deep into exposed flesh or claw at weak points between gaps where armor wasn't reinforced.

Another wolf lunged from the shadows to stand in front of Theo who held Lilliana close to his chest.

Crimson eyes dotted the shrouded walls and howls boomed as reality descended into the Hunting Grounds where the shadowed beasts I liberated roamed free.

Such a spell quickly consumed mana by the second but the risk was worth it if it meant keeping those I care for safe.

Freya blocked the path to her father as Veronica yelled for me to stop even when fighting two more wolves.

Her sword arm quivered between striking me down or attempting to persuade me to listen as tears flooded her cheeks.

The three of us shared a bond closer to that of siblings than cousins since we were around two years apart and she was an only child.

The difference between the two of us was that I held no empathy toward my enemy as her longsword slit in half and a line of crimson ran across her chest just underneath the neck.

Her eyes were filled with terror as she fell to her knees pleading for me to stop while Uncle shouted my name.

An idea soon popped in my head looking down at Freya. I hardened my heart and looked at Uncle who was frozen by fear at the bottom step, "You blamed me for their deaths without trial or factual evidence to charge me."

His eyes grew wide with understanding of what I intended to do, "I think it's time that you feel the hatred I have felt." 

The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth after Freya punched me when I turned to give a final farewell.

Freya was definitely of the VonKnight clan and proved how stubborn we can be even at the end of our lives.

I spat the collected crimson to the side as a shadowy figure with no particular shape lifted her off the ground while binding her arms to each side.

Her struggling continued when the mass forced her to kneel before me with those piercing eyes coming to terms of the inevitable.

The past made it hard to look at her as a simple enemy and somewhat made me rethink my actions, but sacrifices sometimes had to be made.

Raising my blade, I saw Solomon struggling underneath a mass of wolves trying to reach me while Uncle fell to his knees.

"Goodbye Freya," a tear ran down my cheek as long forgotten memories tried to stop my hand. 

The sound of metal colliding filled the air along with the blue translucent glow of an all too familiar blade.

"Jackal, that is enough," Nyxis spoke with her blade interlocked with mine. 

Behind her, I saw Zeke helping Freya to her feet after the figure disappeared and into her father's embrace. "That is enough, my love," Nyxis repeated

I felt cold metal against my throat. Scarlett pleaded behind me, "Come on Boss, don't make us kill you."

Her blade dug a little deeper, "Drop your sword and let us talk. No one should die today."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zeke place a hand in front of Solomon stopping him in his tracks.

His eyes harbored no fear nor anger, "You've made your point, Old Friend. They understand what lengths you're willing to go."

"Now put away your blade," he gave a trusting smile.

I muttered, "Why?" 

I stared into the emerald eyes I've grown to admire, "Why protect those that would harm you? He sent knights to kill you if I didn't agree with his terms."

Nyxis eased the weight off her blade allowing mine to dangle freely before nodding for Scar to remove the knife.

She gently caressed Tartarus and pushed it to the side while stepping closer to me, "Knights did come after us, but not as you think. They came to warn us of your uncle's charade."

The howling of wolves and returning light marked the fading of the Hunting Grounds as I held Nyxis tightly against my chest.

"I didn't want to lose any of you to THIS family," I muttered softly into her ear.

Zeke muttered in an exhaustive breath, "I would say he passed your little test, Lord VonKnight." 

He gave a mocking smile toward Uncle before sitting down, "Damn Jackal, if we were a minute late then all hell would've been loose."

"Already out of breath my love," Scarlett joked as she sat next to Zeke and rubbed his back.

Zeke could only roll his eyes at her continued mockery, "Traversing Penumbra really took the breath from ya. I'm surprised you made it."

I found myself lost in Nyx's eyes like I often was as everything became dim and devoid of sound.

She smiled an infectious grin that often assured me that everything would be fine no matter how grim things may turn.

Sighing, I nodded in defeat to her eyes that wanted things to be made right and made the short distance to my uncle who held Freya tightly.

Their eyes were understandably filled with terror when I knelt before them and placed a hand over Freya's wound that continued to bleed.

Solomon's menacing form stood beside Uncle with his hand tight around the cleaver's hilt ready to kill me if given reason once more.

Ignoring everything around me, I closed my eyes and focused the flowing mana inside to congregate around my outstretched palm.

"Sana,'' a red glow soon filled the darkness of my eyelids.

I imagined that her flesh was torn cloth needing to be mended and my mana the needled thread to be used.

When I opened my eyes, my mana slowly became thin threads that punctured the outlines of the wound and pulled tightly together.

Faint grunts escaped through gritted teeth as black flame sealed the wound dissolving the threads back into their natural state.

Dizziness started to blur my vision yet I forced myself to finish mending the wound I made.

I gave a tired smile when the task was finished and looked at Uncle only to collapse.

[(Not now!!!)]

"Einor?!" I heard my uncle yell my name as hands lunged to protect my head from being struck against the stone steps.

The shadows around me helped keep things in perspective as I held my eyes closed hoping to stop the room from spinning while Uncle and Freya muttered above me.

Faint ripples shifted in the darkness rushed towards me and soon followed by the scent of Nyx's perfume.

She sat beside me and gently placed my head on her lad before wiping away sweat from my brow.

The dizziness slowly started to fade away after the bitter taste from one of her brews burned its way down my gullet.

Using too much mana at one given point without rest often leads to untimely deaths during prolonged battle.

Nyx chuckled as she ran her fingers through my hair, "You're reckless, you know that?"

I placed a hand on her cheek, "You know you love it."

She rolled her eyes, "Smartass."

[(I need to make things right. Not only for me, but for their sake as well.)]

When I finally opened my eyes, I found Uncle looking down at me with eyes of worry alongside Freya. I sighed, "I'll take the job, but under three conditions."

I slowly sat up, "That however can wait to be discussed. Right now, I could go for a few pints of strong ale and a soft bed."

Theo chuckled and pulled me to my feet as if nothing happened, "Gave us a little scare, ya know?"

I gave a small grin and began the walk to SwallowTail only to succumb to a bout of dizziness making the world spin.

Expecting to feel and hear the sound of the floor catching me, I was grateful when Zeke appeared next to me and helped steady my footing.

Nausea ran rampant making me feel beyond ill as the darkness of my eyelids spun in circles.

It took several seconds of feeling eyes burning into me before everything briefly returned to normal.

I nodded for Zeke to step away to allow me to walk on my own and appreciated his willingness to do so even if he was close by just in case.

"Though I do not entirely forgive you for the hell and torture I went through," I stopped halfway to the double doors, "I am willing to try for our family's legacy."

I continued forward only to be stopped once more by Freya whose face was blanketed by a curtain of hair. There were only three words I knew to say, "I'm sorry Freya."

She didn't move from the spot nor did she look up at me yet I couldn't blame her if she plotted to strike me once more.

To my surprise, she wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face in my chest allowing her tears to flow freely.

I sighed a little and gave a small smile while stroking her back in a poor attempt to comfort her.

Her voice was one of many that I heard vaguely through the veil of disorientation that screamed my name when Alabasta came to collect his newest product.

A little slice of peace warmed my heart that our bond still held even after many years apart.

[(Great, another crier in the family.)]

I don't remember much of what happened after the altercation with Uncle in the throne room except for the feel of bulging arms carrying me and the tickle of soft feathers against my nose.

It was odd finding myself in the rented room of SwallowTail without any guards stationed in the hallway or even sitting at the nearby table looking over me when I finally awoke.

I found a note Nyxis left behind on the counter next to a plate of sandwiches mentioning a delivery, and that both Scarlett and Zeke had accompanied her.

As I ate, gratitude for Uncle still being the kind hearted man I remembered made the sandwiches have a dull taste.

He decided to spare me from imprisonment or execution for the stunt I pulled and now owed him.

[(Clever bastard.)]

Though it was my turn to forgive, I will never forget the hell that was forced upon me nor those who sadly died by my hand.

The name of that organization echoed in my head alongside the symbol mentioned in Jannik's testimony.

I pulled the silver rusted pendant gifted to me on my fifth birth winter that never left my side during those hellish years.

It was of a simplistic design with a faded outline of a raven perched on a branch engraved in the center.

Ravens have always been my favorite avian since I was a little lad and found them mysterious in a way.

Sighing, I unfastened the small clasp at the top and took a moment to gaze at the disordered family picture within.

[(We were happy then, Veronica and I. Really can't help but wonder if we'd still be that way if they were alive?)]

Sighing, I formed a pair of tweezers in my fingers and gently slid one point under the velvet coating of the lid before pulling it in small sections until it came free still intact.

It was a trick Zeke had taught me during one of our truces that helped keep many documents safe during battle.

I allowed the pendant to dangle freely and unfolded the tattered parchment hidden within until the symbol I saw carved on the manor's wall before becoming unconscious.

The patiently carved lines dyed crimson of a hand harboring an all-seeing eye was forever burned in the darkest parts of my mind.

Years were spent traveling the darkest of corners for any sign of that symbol with not much luck except from rumors until now.

[(I now have the name of those puppeteering from the shadows. Now the real question, why? What drove them to have my family slaughtered like sheep and destroy our name? Was it simply that mother and father had displeased them somehow or was it something more?)]

It was very strange knowing that there are still people who know about Khokbus let alone worship him.

Nowadays, people don't have the drive nor knowledge of the old deities and what they represented to the Old World.

There are those that roam Aquera who have come across old testaments of primordials and have encountered them by some luck only to be labeled deranged.

Most books of that era are long forgotten and replaced by newer Gods created by the likes of man or monster.

If Khokbus or his herd are involved, then the only person who possibly held any answers dwells in Vusta.

I was so lost in thought that the simple knocking on the door startled me without much effort and made me spill some ale.

I placed the parchment in a leather book about monsters that I found at one of my favorite shops in a small town named Laylight.

I didn't wish for anyone to know of the drawing, especially Uncle and Veronica because they might ruin any chance at finding penance.

A small orb of shadows shifted in my hidden palm until a misericorde fully formed when I reached the door where the knocking continued in sets of three.

It was surprising to find three all too familiar faces standing in the hallway through the peephole.

[(How many ghosts from my past will I have to meet before the day is over?)]

I opened the door widely so that all three could be easily seen and greeted each one from left to right, "Ulf Kenneth Ugrum."

A man of great bulk gave a small nod in return and removed the black hood of the cowl worn underneath armor.

He wore a full set of steel plated armor with somewhat large oval pauldrons that stopped just above the elbow like a second gauntlet and decorated with a line of studs wrapped evenly around the metal.

The areas of the upper arms between metal and flesh were protected by squared rerebraces dyed in a bluish tint showing intricate engravings with ease before disappearing underneath each pauldron.

The cuirass he wore was of layered metal placed on top of one another tucked underneath a tabard with Ironclad's colors.

Underneath the hearty metal, innocent amber eyes that could woo the most pompous of noble women smiled under slicked short black hair.

I turned to the woman of the trio, "Xeth Vilgros Destrunth ." 

A woman of fair beauty smiled as she lowered the purple hood of the salamander leather robe and revealed two alluring gold eyes cut down the middle by thin black pupils.

Curved ram horns sat evenly surrounded by golden brunette waist length hair.

She wore a black jerkin decorated in silver chainmail that stopped seductively just above her navel allowing crimson skin to be seen.

A pair of cloth brown pants layered with strips of leather were tucked inside knee-high boots and held up by a braided crimson sash.

Unlike Ulf, she wielded a large staff embedded with a black gem set between the mouths of dueling serpents. 

I finally greeted the smallest of the trio, "Ruben Alphonse Cunningham." 

Always the one for flair, the man removed the woodland colored hood of his tucked cowl revealing twinkling brown eyes and short golden locks before giving a low bow.

The man's attire was made up of a light brown leather cuirass stitched with dark thread and bound over a padded black chainmail embedded surcoat.

He wore one rounded pauldron over the right shoulder where an insignia of a howling wolf showed rank.

Steel shin guards contoured over black cloth pants that disappeared within leather grieves.

It was heartwarming to find that he still carried the two serrated daggers and long bow given by my parents after a debt of labor was paid.

Ruben chuckled in his usually mocking tone, "Lord VonKnight, it's been so long since I last stole some of your grai-"

He smiled brightly, rubbing his head from where Ulf slapped it. "What he meant to say," Xeth chastised, "is that it's great to see you again, Lord VonKnight."

Ulf added, "It's an honor to see you again, my Lord." 

Ruben finished, "Not just an honor, but a prayer answered."

I rolled my eyes, "You can stop with the act. All of you already know that it's really embarrassing." 

I patted Ruben on the shoulder after closing the door shut and ensuring it was locked. "If you're here to keep an eye on me," I headed for the steps hoping to find an old acquaintance, "you better keep up."