Old friend.

"They're all there?" I asked James as we walked back to the large circular room we portaled to earlier.

"Yeah. I told them to get their people as well. Cú has a warrior with him, Morgan has a couple of witches, and Drac has a fairly old vampire with him."

"Good." I said as we reached the door and I pushed it open.

They were sitting around the table and having a conversation but immediately stopped as I walked in. They mostly looked the same from when I last saw them.

"Birger!" Cú Culainn roared my name with a thick Scottish accent. "let's spar later!"

The warrior by his side raised his eyebrows as he turned to look at me warily.

I sighed. *This is why I fucking hated this guy…* he always wants to fight me because he thinks I'm strong. Something about training his sword or some crazy shit like that.

"Hi, Birger…~" Morgan cooed at me.

*This slut still wants me…* I sighed again.

"No, Cú. Fuck off, Morgan."

The three witches that were standing behind Morgan had wide eyes as they turned to her and saw her pouting.

"Well, Birger. You have us here so ask your questions." Vlad said to me while the vampire behind him stared at me.

I sighed again. *fuck this is tiring…*

"Okay, James said something about there being multiple families?"

"Yes." Vlad responded. "He probably mentioned that it is always a couple with a newborn, yes?"

I nodded and sat down at the last chair. James stood behind me to my left and Isaiah moved to my right.

"We suspect it has something to do with the family's happiness being at it's peak. From what we've seen… the child usually dies first. Then the mother, following the father."

Isaiah growled. "Fucking bastards."

"We also just got a new report a few days ago." Morgan said. "James took care of that one. He said there was only a woman and her child on the scene."

"Yes… that would be my wife and son." I said quietly as I looked down at the table in front of me.

I felt Isaiah put his hand on my shoulder.

"I know your pain, brother…" He said gently. "We must fight through this. Together."

I grabbed the hand that was resting on my shoulder. "Together."

"Birger… Dragon's Blood!" Cú cursed. "Am sorry, Lad. Ah donna ken yer pain. Ah donna want to either."

Vlad hissed. "You saved my wife once, Birger. While I do dislike you, I would wish this on no man."

I took a deep breath and looked at each of them and nodded my thanks.

"A human, Birger?"

"Morgan! Be silent!" Vlad hissed at her.

"Don't hiss at me, Vlad!" She huffed. "What did he expect? They would live happily ever after? Human life ends quickly regardless of circumstances. Instead of taking me, he chooses some pathetic Normal."

*What? What did she say?* My ear started to ring. *Did… she just… insult my wife? My child?*

I could feel my muscles tense. I saw my vision turn red as I turned to Morgan. I stood and stepped towards her. Slowly. Like a lion stalking a gazelle. I heard people yell at me. I ignored it. I saw her eyes widen with fear as she stared into my red eye. I growled low in my throat. It was animalistic. Not at all like a werewolf's growl. it was more… Primal.

"Morgan…" I spoke between my teeth. "You have crossed the line…"

I grabbed her neck and lifted her off the chair. "I've come here as a grieving father and husband… and you dare speak of my wife in such a way?"

She tried to use her magic by tracing the air with her fingers. I reached up to crush her hand and relished in her painful screech. I tried to squeeze her neck but as soon as I clenched my hand I was torn apart from her.

"I AM DAMMED!" I yelled as someone pressed me flat against the floor. "YOU A-"

I felt something strike my temple before I blacked out.

**Isaiah's POV**

I looked at Morgan who was coughing and trying to catch her breath while her witches casted a healing spell on her hand. I got off of Birger's body and looked down at him with sadness.

"Isaiah!" Vlad yelled at me. "I thought he was human?!"

I frowned as I stared Birger. "He is…" I looked at Vlad. "He told me and Ashina that he was cursed to walk this earth forever like Cain. His left eye is the symbol of said curse."

"Did he say who cursed him?" Cú Culainn asked.

I froze. "No… he did not."

I looked back down at Birger when I heard him groan. His eye flashed red again before it died back down to a dull maroon. He stood up slowly and sat back down on the chair.

"Birger… you are not human, are you." I said it as a statement.

"No… I AM human. I wasn't always human, however."

He looked at Morgan who was shaking in fear. "You would do well to remember that, bitch. I am not and never will be Arthur. I will let it go this time. The next, however…" his eyes flashed again and I shuddered.

"I a-apologize…" Morgan stuttered in fear.

"Birger." I said. "Did you lie to me? To Ashina?!"

"No. I told the truth." He said as he looked down at his hands. "I am human, Isaiah. A disgusting copy- but human."

"A copy? What do you mean by 'copy?'"

"I don't remember."

**Birger's POV**

"You don't remember? Are you fucking kidding me?"

My eyebrows shot up. Isaiah has never cursed directly at me before. "Honestly! I had a buddy of mine erase my memories. He still does. I usually have to get them erased every millennia so I don't recess."

"But you still remeber thousands of years ago?" He said as he looked at me in surprise. "And what do you mean 'recess?'"

I sighed. "James, open a portal to Chicago."

"Address?"

"4187 Glove Drive."

A portal opened in front of us and I shoved Isaiah through before following him. "Give us five minutes."

James nodded at me and closed the portal.

"Birger… why the fuck are we in Chicago?" Isaiah growled at me and started pacing.

"To see my old friend. Oh, by the way? He is your brother-in-law as well."

He stopped pacing and stared at me.

"You piss me off sometimes."

I laughed as I looked towards the home. I looked at the upstairs window and saw a child staring at us. My eyes softened and I waved at her. A moment later another child came, this time it was a boy. They looked like him. I saw the girl shout something as I started to walk towards the front door, stepping onto the porch.

I knocked on the door and a beautiful woman with long black hair opened it. She tilted her head at me.

"Can I help you?"

"Hello, ma'am…" my eyes softened again. "Is your husband home?"

"Malum, honey? Someone's at the door for you!" She yelled into the home.

I heard a deep, accented voice respond. "Coming!"

He walked around the corner and had to duck through the doorway. His long white hair swung as he turned towards us and his eyes widened as he saw me. He still had the same appearance. The horns on his head curved downward across the sides of his face following his black skin. And I mean literally black.

"Brother? It's been a long time!" He smiled. It… felt good to see him smile after everything.

"Sup, lil bro?" I said as my voice cracked. "See? I told you, didn't I?"

His eyes gathered tears as he walked forward and hugged me. I felt him squeeze me tightly like I was his everything. I looked at the woman beside him and saw her eyes widen.

"Hey, man! Introduce me to your family!" I patted him on the back.

"Of course." He let go of me with tears still in his eyes. "Flora! Age! Come down for a moment!"

I stiffened as tears also gathered in my eyes. "Y-you… named them after…"

He nodded. "Yes, brother. I have been released of my pain. I could only name my light after the ones who carried me from the dark."

I grabbed him so I wouldn't fall to the floor. "Gods… you are so different now… it's… nice."

I wiped my tears as I let go of him and grabbed Isaiah in my other arm. "Malum, this is Isaiah. My brother-in-law."

Isaiah stared at me with wide eyes. He's never seen me so emotional before so it must have shocked him. They looked at each other before sticking their hands out and shaking.

""Daddy!"" Two voices shouted as we heard stomping from the stairs.

I let go of Malum as he scooped the two children up in his arms. They placed a kiss on each of his cheeks and he chuckled.

"Flora, Age, these are your uncles!"

"Day are yuh bruders?" The little boy asked.

"Yes, Age. These are my brothers." He smiled at me and Isaiah.

I felt myself choke on a breath and Isaiah hit my side.

"H-hello Age, F-flora…"

""Hello, Uncles!"" They shouted with a smile.

Malum chuckled again and sat them on the ground.

"Go to your mother, kids. She will tuck you in."

"You no coming?" Age asked with a sad face.

"I will come up in a bit… I want to talk with your uncles for a moment before heading up, okay?"

"Pwomise?" Age and Flora held out their pinky finger.

"Promise." Malum said with a grin as he grasped their pinkies with his own. "Now, run along."

The ran back up the stairs as their mother shouted at them not to. I heard her mutter something about not eating sweets before bed again as she followed them upstairs. Malum was watching them as I watched him.

"Birger?" Isiah asked quietly.

"Hmm?"

"Who is Flora?"

Malum sighed. "Don't."

"It's fine, Malum. I came here so he could learn about my past. I don't want to remember… but I want him to know."

His eyes widened. "Are you… where do you want me to start?"

"When I first met you. That should be enough. Put me to sleep before you do, though."

He nodded and gestures to the couch. I sat on it and he told Isaiah to sit next to me as he turned to look me in the eyes.

"Are… you sure? You weren't very nice at the beginning stages. Actually, you were a..."

I nod.

He sighed and turned to Isaiah. "Isaiah. I don't know you- but if Birger says you are his brother- than you are mine as well. I will put Birger to sleep and we will slip into his subconscious while viewing his memories."

"Uh… okay?" He said in a confused tone. "Is it… like… sorry I have no idea what's going on."

We both chuckled as we stared at Isaiah before Malum looked at him with a serious face.

"Listen. This… might be hard to understand. Birger? Have you ever shown anyone? Told anyone?"

"No… aside from you and…" I sighed. "No one else."

He nodded. "Isaiah, Birger was…"

"A fucking monster." I finished and Malum's eyes shot to me with a glare before he sighed and turned back to the confused Isaiah.

"Like I said- I will show you his memories. I won't explain until you see them because… it would be difficult."

He waved his hand over my face and I felt my head cloud as my eyes grew heavy. I grabbed his hand before I fell into oblivion.

"I… don't want… them… shut me… off…" I groggily said.

He nodded as I shut my eyes and fell back into the darkness.