His size alone matched Xenon's. But the violence in his eyes was far greater. Muscles looked like they were carved onto his flesh. Kryses Xerxes was a titan of a man. A being forged in a thousand battles. A single scar ran diagonally across his face, dividing into two halves. Even through the perpetual scowl on his face, he was handsome, bitterly so. His beard was large and full. Like Xenon he too had very short hair, but his own was as black as his beard. He had the eyes of a beast; violet and orange colors clashed with rage on the backdrop of a brutal sunset. A stark contrast to the serenity Casspien viewed in the eyes of his mother.

"Hello father," Casspien bowed low. "It has been some time."

He walked past his son without acknowledging him. Casspien did not react, instead turning to address the others that had halted to greet him. The three Stygians with his father, were distant cousins he had not seen for some time. And the rest were the servants tasked with carrying the stags they had hunted. Kryses Xerxes halted his march.

"Did I say you could stop?" his words carried the weight of centuries behind them.

All were jolted into action and quickly the servants made their way making sure not to lag behind their lord. Casspien followed in tow as he continued to exchange pleasantries with his cousins. Trying as much as he could to ease the tense atmosphere he had found himself in. He would steal looks at his fathers back watching for any action, he detested having to treat his father like some wild beast. But his temper was far shorter than Xenon's and that meant at any moment, all present could be in danger if he were to react.

As they arrived back at the manor, Casspien and his cousins stood to the side. He watched as several other servants brought out large tables and placed them outside. They did their duty with extreme speed and efficiency. Many of them were servants he knew from his youth and the skill in which they executed their duty had improved greatly over the years. But he could still see the same fear in their eyes they had whenever they were in his fathers presence. He looked at the stags laid out. They were large, healthy. He knew his father had caught them, for there was no visible wound on their body. Very few could compare to the precision with which Kryses Xerxes hunted with.

Lastly, a servant exited the manor carrying a sack. He approached his father and bowed, unable to stop himself from shaking. He carefully placed the sack on the table and unfurled its contents. Various kinds of knives of different lengths and cuts reflected the sun's rays back into their eyes. The blades hummed ever so gently, it had no weak points, no delamination's or any sign of fault in its design. It was as sharp as dragon horns, sharper still. The preciseness of its geometry was enough to tell that it was created by the hands of a master warsmith. Casspien could taste the bloodlust clinging on to those blades. Stygian Steel was a marvel to behold even crafted in such tiny knives like these. It was like no other kind of metal; more valuable than gold, and as weightless as a feather—it was the most sought after metal in all of Aurum. But what made these blades special was not the steel but what the handles of the blades were made of, human bone.

The bone handles were bleached white, like the blades no cracks could be seen anywhere on it. The freshness of it made Casspien think it was recently made. But he knew better—those blades had been in his family for multiple millennia. From a time when Stygians saw humans no different than the stags spread out on the table. With the wave of a hand Kryses dismissed all the servants, and they scattered like rats.

"Why are you here?" he carefully studied the knives and picked the one that called to him the most. He ran a hand across the stag's stomach, savoring the feel of its fur to his touch.

"I have come to see mother, Lady Rahela and you." Casspien kept his reply short.

"What for?" the lord of the manor did not take his eyes off the animal.

"To pay my respects. It has been some time-"

"You said that already." Kryses Interrupted him.

In the swiftest of motions he separated the stag's head from its body. Casspien barely managed to see his father do it. And seconds later, blood poured out of the open neck of the animal. It soaked the table and spilled onto the gravel road below. Kryses inserted the blade at the exposed throat of the animal, and without resistance, opened the stag from its neck to just below its stomach.

Casspien searched for the right words, "The king sends his regards."

Kryses opened the stag with his bare hands, "So is that why you are here? To play errand boy?"

"I am also here, to deliver what excuse you have for not attending his crowning ceremony or Barranagan's funeral."

His father spat at the mention of Barranagan. A slight Casspien allowed, but one he would not tolerate a second time. Kryses began cleaning the stag, first by removing its contents.

"I have no excuse, and certainly not one for Antares Xerxes."

"That is King Antares Xerxes." Casspien stepped forward. "You will address him properly or not at all."

"That boy is no king of mine." For the first time Kryses looked at Casspien sending shivers down his spine. "Certainly not a Stygian King, who would dare desecrate our ways and marry a witch of all creatures."

There it was. He had wondered how long it was going to take for his father to mention the marriage. The fact that Casspien was even allowed to see him was proof that his mother had a hand in relaying the news to him. For if he had found out from others, or worse the servants. There was little chance the Lord Regent would have been permitted to return home. Certainly unharmed. He could see the restrained cruelty in his father's eyes fighting the urge to emerge. He sought to ease it anyway he could, he did not come home to fight.

"The decision was made for the good of the realm," Casspien offered.

"Lie to me again, I will gut you like this stag." He pointed a blade at his youngest son.

Casspiens cousins flinched at the remark.

"It is the truth. As I am sure you are aware, King Antares seeks the grimoires. This marriage allows the opportunity for them to be reclaimed without bloodshed."

"Why does he seek the grimoires?"

"He strives to reclaim what has always been ours."

"Yes, but why?" his father asked him again.

Casspien lowered his gaze, it was a question that he had asked himself "I do not know."

From once he was first made aware of Antares desire, he had suppressed any and all doubt he had. Antares was the king and as much as they were the greatest of friends he was under no obligation to disclose his reasoning. The king's commands were absolute and never to be challenged. Particularly if one of those commands was the reclamation of the Nine Grimoires of Nyx. No matter the true reason why he desired them. It was the most noble of acts a Stygian King could pursue. The history behind them, the power they contained were far too great to continue to leave in the hands of humans. No matter if even God-King Gilgamesh Xerxes had a hand in giving it to them.

Kryses snickered, returning his attention to the deer. It unsettled Casspien. "I almost acknowledge the boy. To spit on the legacy of your own father takes desire and conviction very little have. You should take note."

"What do you know of legacy?" Casspien asked. "How dare you stand there and insult him, in my presence."

His father stopped his task, with one look he dismissed his cousins. Who quickly made themselves scarce. The air cooled dramatically and the stag blood that poured onto the floor froze. Even from where he stood, Casspien could feel his fathers aura. It mirrored his older brothers, in ferocity and bloodlust. The jagged edges of it cut across his exposed skin, had he not increased his own aura to match the assault, he would have been riddled in cuts all over. He stood against his father not as his son, but as his Lord Regent. There was no need to fear him anymore.

"And what do you know of legacy? What have you desired?" Kryses carried a look of disgust, "To think among all of you. It would be you who is my greatest shame."

"Legacy? Shame?" Casspien was incensed. "I am Casspien Xerxes, Lord of War, Lord Regent and Sword Saint. I have achieved more in twenty-seven years than you have in three hundred."

"All you speak has been given to you."

The words confused Casspien.

The old Stygian continued his task, moving to strip the stag of its skin, losing interest in his son. "Your name was given to you. Your title of Lord Regent was given to you. So was your title as Sword Saint. Yes, even your title of Lord of War."

"I have earned them."

Kryses bellowed an insulting laugh, "Do you think if Nykolas lived you would be made Lord Regent? Do you forget that you are only a Sword Saint because Antares rejected the title? You did not hear the bells of Mashu Hursag, Barranagan Xerxes took you there himself."

Casspien faltered in the presence of his father.

To hear the thoughts he had so carefully suppressed deep within him from a man he despised, filled him with rage. He knew if Nykolas were still here, Antares would have made him Lord Regent, as well as the reason he is a Sword Saint was because of him too. But he did not care, Antares needed him. That had always been enough for him. When Casspien's own father saw failure, both Barranagan and Antares saw something worth believing in. He would serve the royal family in any way he could to repay all that was done for him. The man in front of him was his father only in name, but beyond that he soon came to see him as an adversary. This man knew nothing of his desires or of what he wanted. Nothing.

"You have no desire Casspien." The words cut him deep, "For all the many, many faults Xenon possesses. He has always desired. Even now, I know he schemes like the merchant he is. Look at your sister, a knight. Even as I interfered, she still pursued what it is she desired. What of you boy? What of you?"

There was a long moment of silence. Kryses moved towards carving the stag, first removing its front legs. The ease and swiftness in which he carved the animal was only highlighted by the immense skill he possessed with knives. Casspien stood there as his rage simmered, slowly rising. The ground around him, forming ice shards as the seconds went on. For so long he had held his tongue, resigning to the fact that he was the dutiful son. That he would not allow the same anger to consume him as it did his brother and father. They who so carelessly did as they pleased without concern for those who may suffer their wrath. He was always the one required to be restrained. But no longer. Casspien finally understood why he returned home.

"What has your desire gotten you?" he began, "You live hidden away from sight, while your bastard son rules the city that was meant to be yours. Given to him by the man you spent your whole life claiming to be better than. Tell me, that scar on your face, does it hurt your pride more that it only took Barranagan one swing of his dagger to bring you to your knees. Or that your wife had to beg and plead for him to spare your life?"

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Kryses ripped the stag in half, sending pieces of it flying in different directions.

"Oh are you angry father?" Casspien faked concern, "You talk to me of desire? What was it like when you realised even Barranagan's son, Hyperion surpassed you? How long was it until the truth was too much for you to handle before you ran to Vanaheimr and returned with Xenon and a Nephilim consort?"

Kryses Xerxes approached his son with near maniacal rage. He did not utter a word, only stood mere inches away and looked down at him. He could not recall the last time he had ever been spoken to as his son had done so. It was not enough that Barranagan Xerxes did not die by his hand but by the hands of some no name Storm Lords. But his own son would talk to him in such a way, the ancestors continued to curse him for his failures all those centuries ago. How much more insults was he expected to swallow?

"If this is what desire looks like," Casspien looked around. "Feared by your enemies, and hated by your family. Then I hope to never want anything in my life."

His father squeezed his hand and Casspien prepared for what was to come.

"Casspien is that you?" a woman called out from within the manor. "I should have known you would be the only one to rile him up like this. Outside of my darling Xenon of course."

She walked with the confidence afforded to those born of the highest nobility. From the color of her hair to the dress she wore, she was covered in white. Her face was far softer than that of most Nephilim women. There was an ease to how she looked, a calming appearance.Were it the night, many would have thought her a ghost. But in the bright afternoon she was more akin to a faerie than anything that morbid. She carried herself with a playful attitude and her crimson eyes showed both wisdom and childishness not attributed to someone of her standing. Where his mother was far more reserved, and looked to make herself as small as possible. Rahela Reiter, Xenon's mother, demanded all attention be on her whenever she graced a room. Even if that room were outside.

"Lady Rahela," Casspien bowed slightly, taken aback by her unexpected presence, "It is good to see you again."

"Oh please call me mother, or at the very least Rari like you used to." She winked as she approached him wrapping herself around his arm.

Casspien blushed, he had always found it difficult to compose himself whenever she was around.

"Now come along, It has been ages since I have seen you. You must tell me of all the gossip going on in Akkad. And what is this about King Antares marrying a witch, that is exciting! Do you know if she is prettier than me?" As Lady Rahela kept talking she did not leave room for Casspien to interject or answer any of the dozen questions she asked him.

"Rahela, do not inter-"

"Enough," she spoke with resolute authority.

Kryses had moved to stop them, but Rahela placed a single finger on the old Stygians chest stopping him in his tracks. Her eyes carried a malice eerily similar to Xenon's in fact. For a moment Casspien was sure, he was looking into his own brother's eyes. Of the rare times he had ever seen Lady Rahela annoyed, it always sent a cold feeling through his body as though what stood in front of him was not a mortal but something more, someone terrible. At this very moment as she still wrapped herself around his arm, that old sensation had returned. He dared not move, instead he watched as his consort mother and father had a silent and vicious argument with their eyes. One he was sure would evolve to a physical confrontation.

"Whatever," Kryses knew better than to argue with Rahela when she had that look in her eyes. He returned to the table and readied a new stag to clean.

"Wonderful!" she beamed turning back to Casspien with a beautiful smile. "Now come along child."

Casspien had always wished his mother was more like Rahela. Within her he could see the power needed to stand up against a beast like his father. She did not fear him, in fact she feared no one. Not even Barranagan Xerxes himself. He had always wondered what it was that gave her confidence to stand in the face of such power. But whenever he would ask, she would always go on about how life was one big story and they were all characters in a book. Before he could even begin to grasp what it is she meant, she would have moved on to several different topics of varying importance. Her eccentricity reminded him of Antares for she always managed to put a smile on his face just like the king.

"I heard from Melina that you are only staying in Eirdu for the day, you had best be staying long enough to share a meal! And where is Antares? Does he think because he is king he is exempt from attending? I know Lady Alena did not raise him as such!" Once again Rahela rambled on dragging the young Lord Regent deeper into the manor.

"It truly is good to see you again…Mother."

Rahela stopped talking and beamed a glorious smile, which then slowly turned into a devilish grin he had only seen Xenon make, "You hear that Hemera!? Casspien called me mother! Servants bring the good wine, our son is home!"

Casspien let out a genuine laugh for the first time in ages.

"I still wait for your answer, King of the Stygians." Xenon finished the rest of his meal.

The sun had already begun to set. From the dining hall they now sat at, the orange ball of flame hovered just in the distance illuminating them both. The day had taken an unexpected turn, one Antares somewhat anticipated. For most conversations had with Xenon Xerxes tended to end with more questions than answers given. Nevertheless the young king had enjoyed the day with his cousin, even if the revelations learned from their discussions gave him much to think about. Antares had finished his meal, and now cleansed his tongue with the sweetest of Stygian wine. The soft aroma filled his nostrils as the differing flavors danced on his tongue. He wondered why his rule could not be like this—the pleasantness of conversation with his kin and luxurious meals. A servant approached alerting them all was ready for their continued journey south and both Lords of War rose from their respective chairs.

"You have been an exemplary host Xenon, I am dazzled." Antares bowed.

"What's the point of all this gold if I can't use it to impress those who visit me?" he gave a sly grin "But do not think such compliments are enough for you to leave here without an answer."

"Walk with me, cousin."

The Lord of Eirdu complied with his king. Antares mulled over all that Xenon had told him, much of it were things he had heard rumors of during his exile. But nothing he had to concern himself with. But as king that changed, now all of Iliad was his concern and in fact as the days grew longer and so to his reign, he came to understand not just Iliad but the entire northern realms were his concern too. Each day brought with it new challenges and if what Xenon spoke true, the Golden Company sought to perhaps be a much bigger threat than Queen Enrieta Zxyphor. He could not afford to fight wars on multiple fronts, not alone at least. But he hesitated in giving his cousin an answer. There were far too many paths to walk, Antares needed to narrow them, and quickly.

They reached the entrance of the castle and halted their walk. Servants were busy loading the carriages and Guinevere and Ursula were directing the soldiers, choosing who would depart with them and those who would remain. They turned to bow towards them and Antares waved warmly. As much as they had grown, Antares could never stop seeing them as the little girls he always knew they were.

"I will give you an answer when I return from the south." He concluded, "I first need to see."

Xenon folded his arms, "There is nothing for you there."

Faye appeared in his mindseye.

"Even so cousin, I must go."

"Whatever, do as you like." The unpredictable merchant accepted.

"I would be remiss if I did not ask this," the king hesitated. And for the first time in years Xenon saw vulnerability in Antares. "But not once have you asked of what happened between Nykos and I."

Xenon looked at his cousin confused, as though the answer were not obvious. "What is there to ask? If it mattered you would have told me already."

There was a moment of silence between them, as both men recalled Nykolas Xerxes.

"Besides, knowing that bastard. He died with a smile on his face, if there was any way he wished to die. It was in your hands, much less by it. He got a better end than any of us deserve. I'm jealous." The Lord of War grumbled.

The response caught Antares off guard, a myriad of memories rushed through his mind; trees, the sun, blood, Nykolas and the smile on his face as held him in his arms. He coalesced the memories together into a single tear that ran down his face.

"You always somehow manage to impress me, Xenon Xerxes. Perhaps one day I will stop underestimating you." He wiped the tear away with a smile on his face.

"Where would be the fun in that if you did?" Xenon grinned and walked on ahead.

In the distance Antares could see Casspien and Melina approaching. Their timely arrival meant that they could leave without much delay. It would be some days before they arrived in the capital city of Neith but they would make good progress. He turned to see Typhon, Kyron, Aster and Cyrus exit the castle alongside him. They exchanged some words and Typhon went on teasing Guinevere as he stepped into his carriage. He was glad that he would be making this journey with him. It had been ages since he, Typhon and Casspien all traveled together like this. The king turned to his little ward. He found it far more difficult than he imagined to part ways. His doubt had grown as the day waned.

"If you truly wish you can come along." Antares offered. "There are different ways I can test you."

Cyrus shook his head, "I'll be okay. I like Aster and Kyron, they're funny." He reassured his king with a kind smile.

Antares ruffled the boy's hair, "As you wish Lord Cyrus. Take care of yourself."

"You too. Don't embarrass me."

Antares raised an eyebrow, "I should be saying that. But I will endeavor not to."

Cyrus was not quite sure what the word 'endeavor' meant but he assumed it was something positive and nodded along. He had slowly begun to familiarize himself with his new living arrangements. He knew it would be some time before he saw Antares or anyone else from Akkad for a while. It bothered him but he did his best to put on a brave face. He knew Antares had much to think about and did not want to add to his troubles. This was a path he needed to walk for his king to acknowledge him, so he would walk it. Whatever it was that awaited him, he would succeed. Because Antares believed he would.

"Look who finally decided to show up." Xenon bellowed, "By the look on your face, I take it that speaking with that old bastard was a lovely time."

Casspien shot his older brother a wicked look. Rather than say anything he acknowledged everyone else but him. Even Cyrus, much to Antares and the boy's dismay. Who both exchanged impressed reactions. It was rare that so many of them were all like this together, so it made sense they found it difficult to depart so quickly, each one wanting to savor the moment in their own way. As the king stepped on the carriage, all who would journey with him followed suit. Antares turned back again to face Xenon one last time.

"I almost forgot to ask," the king started. "I have yet to see Lyrik anywhere?"

Xenon shrugged, "You know how he is. He's probably somewhere in the city gambling and forgot you were coming."

"I do not know why you continue to allow him to do so, given how terrible he is at it."

"His bad luck is good for business."

They both exchanged laughs, the answer more than satisfactory. He looked over at them once more. Content in knowing that after all these years his kin still carried the same spark in their eyes, in their souls. All that they had experienced, both together and separately and still they walked with their head held high. He was glad he chose to stay at the very least for a day in Eirdu. It was the right thing to do. When he crossed the border no longer would he be Antares, but King Antares. The difference between the two was much like the difference between night and day. And like the ever constant days, he would need to find a balance.

Among his family in Akkad, and those here, and truthfully those throughout Iliad. It was they he did this all for, who he desired to protect. But this was only the beginning. He would talk with Typhon and Casspien on their journey, there was still much to do. The king closed the carriage and just like that the entire convoy was on their way.

Melina quickly ran towards Xenon and kissed him on the cheek. "It was good to see you again." She mounted her horse.

"What was that for?" for once, Xenon Xerxes was flustered.

"For always being my big brother." She beamed with a playful smile.

Xenon folded his hands in disgust, turning his face away, but was unable to hide the side of his lip curling upwards. "Come along Cyprus. Your training starts tonight." The Lord of Eirdu made his way back to his palace. Ignoring his two advisors teasing him.

"It- it's Cyrus my lord." The boy tried to correct him. But either Xenon did not hear him or did not care. Cyrus was sure it was the latter.

The boy turned back one last time to watch Melina, Guinevere and Ursula ride along with the king's carriage. He hoped that whatever awaited them where they went was not scary. But he knew not to worry, for Antares could handle anything. He was their king after all, and one of the lessons his father taught him was that the king was always the strongest being of any realm. With that Cyrus stayed a little while to watch as for the first time in a century the King of the Stygians and ruler of Iliad, went south.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.