((Author note: Prologue 1-4 will give background on the MC's and flesh out his motivations clearer, but are not necessary for a pleasant viewing experience. If this does not interest you, please pick up the story at chapter 1. I would, as the author, recommend reading the Prologues for more context, however. These will be moved into the auxiliary volume after I reach 15k words.))
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Bad men meet bad ends. It is a statement almost universally accepted by all. A stuck-up, grandiose notion upheld and enforced with the help of so-called "Heroes" in this world. And Archmage Kaiser knew this well. Based solely upon the people's ideals, he knew that Time would be upon him like a wraith in the night. That death would perch upon his left shoulder and peck at closed eyes, if they had their way. But. . . what do these false preachers know about true evil? True villainy? Apparently, enough to dictate the lives of all who came before him, and all who come after. Willfully, and with abandon. Never knowing enough or even bothering to care. A truly loathsome bunch.
For him, to be killed was not 'if', but 'when'. An 'evil' man might be struck down at any point or any place. Yet, as careful as the Archmage was, he was not cautious enough to predict what exactly fate had planned for himself. Scrambling trails of fruitless countermeasures amounting to naught but a bundle of stray thoughts. Swarming, as Kaiser Grayson lay still in a pool of his own blood and guts.
Dying.
.
.
.
"Daddy, daddy! Look here, come see!"
A blond kid, with sparkling blue eyes and dimples on each cheek, smiled at Kaiser cheerfully. Tiny hands outstretched to take his. Pitched voice giggling with energy and exuberance. A bundle of happiness tugging him along on whatever fantasy or adventure he had made that particular day.
Raze Grayson. 'My son'.
Kaiser replied softly, but snagged a hint of sternness to pair.
"Now, now. Today's an important day for me, bucko. You have to promise it won't take long. Your mom can accompany you for a while in my absence. You have her sense for wonder, after all."
Hearing this, the small child turned his face away resolutely and cutely pouted, arms crossed.
"I've already shown Momma. It's only daddy that has been busy for the past few days, so I didn't want to bother. B-but you'll be training for a long time later, so I wanted to show you today! And daddy might not even be here after your training finishes either. . ."
Bristling like a prickly pear, the kid's voice quavered slightly at the end of his sentence before he upped the volume into a half-shout, then softened into a low, almost inaudible whimper. This tough act however, did not escape Kaiser's eyes. It filled him a hole laced by regret. As a senior member of Eternius Board of Ministers, the Archmage was often chocked from responsibilities both inside and outside the kingdom's grounds. A simple task could measure anywhere from two months to a year.
Communication was often forbidden as well. A fact that resulted in him neglecting the situation at home. Gods, Kaiser barely saw his own son twice in a month. He was, by definition: A deadbeat dad.
Yet his family never made him feel unwelcome. Never scorned or turned their chin up at him. Even though it hurt them greatly. Each time he came home, Kaiser always forced himself to see that tear in his wife's eye, wiped when she thought he wasn't looking. Or his child's beaming features as he hugged the poor boy, just to see it fade back into dullness as Kaiser left for another mission. Once again as he always has. The Archmage hated it. He hated himself. Hated his obligations.
Kaiser Grayson stared tenderly at the horribly acted 'cool composure' of his pride and joy.
'I've. . . been cruel to you, haven't I. Both of you. . .'
Fortunately, this would be the last. A final push towards stability. He'd be able to retire with peace after ensuring his ability to protect them forever. Kaiser will have handed in his resignation scroll this time next week at worst. The thought brought a smile upon worried lips.
"Don't worry about it, bucko. Let's go on a vacation afterwards! Just your mom, you, and me. We'll go to places you've never seen before: Castles in the sea, forests in the sky, an entire world made out of only diamonds! Traveling wherever, and whenever we want, okay?"
And as expected, the Raze's eyes lit up like fireworks.
'Really, dad?! Can we? Can we really?! I want to! All those places sound awesome!! You promise?"
I cup his elated face with my palms, chuckling.
"I promise, my dear boy."
I reach out my pinky, and his curls around it excitedly. My eyes flare golden as we chant together:
{Take this oath, great ruler of law and exchange. Bear witness this eternal promise that I, Kaiser/Raze Grayson, swears. Whoever be it that breaks this pledge will be a sad and lonely poopsie tot that will get scolded a gazillion times by my/your mom.}
"There, see?" I reaffirm as I ruffle his curly hair, dragging the curls over his face playfully. The cute little boy was too hyper to even process my doing so as he leaped on the spot, giggling like there was no tomorrow. I guffaw alongside his manic joy, lifting little Raze Grayson up and spinning as though I'm possessed as well.
Spin, spin, spin. As if the world had stopped and paused for this moment. A perfect moment.
But nothing lasts forever, and Kaiser's time was running short. The child's two swinging feet gently grazed the earth beneath him as the father asks the son. The Archmage put on a dead-pan visage.
"Out with it then, bucko. What exactly is it do you have to show me"
Upon finally hearing this, Raze's accompanying smile was nothing short of blinding.