Darnell Serphent

The sound of a quill scratching on the surface of a paper echoed harmoniously inside the study room. Two young boys were seen sitting behind their respective desks while working on a number of problems. Their serious faces didn't look quite their age. There was some maturity and an air of elegance in them like an adult dealing with paperwork.

The faint sunlight spilled on one of the boys with pitch-black hair and sterling silver eyes. Though both young masters looked impeccable, the eldest one was especially eye-catching.

It was as though God had blessed him with perfection and marked him as the epitome of man among men. Even when he was still just a child, everyone could already see what a gallant noble he would grow up to be in the future.

Truly a better choice of an heir than the other one, though the youngest wasn't lacking in anything either. The youngest was excellent, a cut-off above everyone but the eldest topped him off, setting the bar higher than the average requirement. Thus, the blossoming expectation from the people around them.

Valkyrie put down his quill and slowly rose from his seat. His pair of silver eyes dazzled even more brilliantly in the sunlight that seeped from the tall french window. They appeared soulful as though they would captivate anyone who stared even a second longer.

"Ah...you have finished, young master?" asked the teacher with a smile. But, there was no questioning tone in his voice and more of a statement filled with confidence.

The young Valkyrie didn't bother to reply as he set down the papers which took him only a few minutes to finish in front of the teacher. Then, he asked, "May I be excused?"

The teacher merely gave his paper a glance and saw his neat and perfect answers. "Go on," he smiled pleasingly. But, instead of going out, Valkyrie turned around to watch his younger brother, Darnell, who was still working on the problems.

Sensing the gaze, Darnell raised his brown eyes to meet those silver ones. He could clearly read his elder brother's mind, "Do you need help?"

A cheeky grin crept its way to the little boy's lips and he was going to nod when he caught the look on the teacher's face. It was a look of disdain and belittling that lasted for a brief second. It was clear as the day, the teacher favored Valkyrie over Darnell, just like everyone else.

But, Darnell knew those people wouldn't speak of their contempt upfront. After all, he was still a Serphent. And Darnell found comfort in this fact.

Nevertheless, his heart winced a little, though he didn't show it on the surface. Instead, Darnell forced a smile as natural as possible and shook his head. Afterwards, Darnell saw Valkyrie frowned slightly and hesitated. So, he urged his brother once again.

"You should go ahead and have your afternoon tea first. I'll be right behind you, brother."

Only then did Valkyrie nod his head and went to have his afternoon tea with the duchess. Dozahr remembered well how Darnell had clenched his quill in silent bitterness. How Darnell had wanted to spend time with his mother as well but in the end, went past the afternoon tea time. And the only thing he got was a scrutinizing gaze and the same comment as any other day.

"You should study harder, young master. You don't want to fall behind, do you? That would be a disgrace to the Serphent's name."

Then, another day went by, and came the day when the duke received reports on his sons. Both Valkyrie and Darnell stood on the side while the duke and duchess read the papers.

After they had finished reading, the look on their faces turned delightful when they stared at the boys. Darnell was excited at first but soon realized, their overwhelming happiness was more for his brother than him.

"As expected of my son, you have done well, Valkyrie! You really are the pride of the Serphent household," praised the duke while he gently rubbed the eldest head. Darnell saw the warm smile on his brother's usually stoic face.

'Right, even an emotionless person like my brother loves to receive compliments from our parents.' ….much less Darnell who was a lot softer than Valkyrie. He craved that love and pride but all he got from his parents was a simple compliment.

"You too, Darnell. Good job." His parents smiled at him. It couldn't be any more perfunctory as they immediately turned back to Valkyrie. No affectionate rubbing on his head nor a hug. They ended it short and concise.

Dozahr remembered well how Darnell had followed behind while his brother was carried by the duke towards the dining room. And he could only stare in envy.

Then, came the night… that night where it had all started.

Valkyrie had come to Darnell's bedroom like usual to chat before bedtime. It wasn't exactly a chat because it was more of Darnell who would share his story and Valkyrie listened. Still, he would respond every now and then, whenever Darnell posed a question.

However, that night, Darnell was unusually quiet. Valkyrie sensed his dampen mood and for the first time, he opened his mouth first.

"Don't bother caring about other people's opinion. If you listen too much, then you will only lose sight of yourself."

His uncanny silver eyes gleamed in the bask of moonlight and his dashing features were highlighted even more as he spoke, "You'll end up living for them instead of yourself."

"Darnell," Valkyrie settled his hand on his younger brother's shoulder, "You have done great."

It was supposed to be good advice and a form of encouragement but instead, Valkyrie's words that night only sounded like a mockery in Darnell's ears. It was a compliment that came at the wrong time.

Don't bother caring about other people when that was all that mattered for him as a noble born and most importantly, a Serphent?

Their household was not only a name. It was a noble symbol and also the powerhouse among magicians' families. They were one of the first chosen ones. Hence, they became the center of attention.

Every move they made was watched and judged. Everywhere he went, Darnell couldn't avoid the eyes of the public. So, should he just hide inside the manor to escape the scrutiny?

He tried so hard yet he could never escape the comparison. He often wondered, 'Is it truly bad to be in second place after my own brother?' At least, the person he lost to was someone who shared the same blood, not a stranger. So, why couldn't they share the same honor?

"Darnell…" Valkyrie called. Though his face was devoid of any expression, one could never lie through their eyes. There was warmth and gentleness spilling out of those beautiful silver eyes.

Darnell raised his head to look at him. But, the only thing he saw was Valkyrie's unclouded eyes that were clear of burden and doubt, only confidence and a slight arrogance to his bearing.

In that moment, Darnell couldn't help but scoff inwardly. 'Right, my older brother could speak of my situation so easily because he has no comparison. He never feels what I feel. He stands on top alone while I bear second place. Forever looking at his back.'

That was when he swear, he would escape his brother's shadow by hook or by crook. He would not be just the little brother of Valkyrie Serphent.

Darnell smiled and reassured, "Don't worry, brother! I'm okay."

Valkyrie sighed in relief as he patted Darnell's head gently. "That's good."

….and that was how 'Dozahr' was born.