"That is no way to begin a conversation Nigel. Wouldn't you at least ask how your dare mother is fairing after you made her a widow?" Melena questioned before turning round to face the figure that stood behind her.
Nigel ignored his mother's words and casted her a rather serious look. He wasn't here for familiarities or to get even with her or anyone. He only wanted to know why she had decided to reach out to him after five years. She must be in need of something that only he could offer her, and now she had probably called to ask him for a favor.
"What do you want?" Nigel asked his tone cold and condescending.
"There's no need for you to get all riled up Nigel. We're family and we should check up on each other. I only wanted to kn...."
"Get to the point Melena" Nigel interrupted. They both knew she hadn't called him for them to get together. It was written all over her, she needed something and she was desperate for it.
"It's about Nathan" Melena finally admitted, her eyes narrowing away from Nigel's slowly.
"What about him?" Nigel inquired. Even though he wasn't very familiar with his younger brother, he still loved him and was probably the only person he cared for in this family.
"I don't know how, but I think they found out about him. The higher ups. They're coming for him" Melena informed and Nigel's eyes widened. His heart was racing and his expression had suddenly changed.
"H..how do you know this? How can you be sure?" He questioned with a quizzical look aimed at the woman in front of him. He knew how much a liar his mother was, and how manipulative she could be. However, he couldn't help but think that what she was saying was true. She wouldn't call him after five years if something serious hadn't happened..
"They've warned me. They know all about him and they're coming to take him away from us. They said they were going to kill him for us breaking the rules" Melena explained further, this time with tears in her eyes.
Nigel paused for a bit. He was lost, this was all too much and he couldn't see any possible way out of this situation. Everyone knew the monstrosities that resided in the positions of the higher ups, and against them he stood no chance at all. He was the least amongst the grade one's, and now Melena was talking about the main leaders of the Cult itself.
He already knew the truth sorrounding Nathan and all. His father and parents had performed the ritual without the consent of the higher ups, and had drained themselves of their powers and transfered it into the boy. He didn't know how they did it, but somehow his father had gotten a hand on a copy of the ritual book and had decided to test it out.
He remembered clearly now, his father's obsession for power and dominance. His father was probably one of the reasons he had come this far in strength. The man had pushed him beyond his limits, and even when he did his absolute best it was never enough. The man was so obsessed with being invited into the highest ranking of the Guild that he had stolen a copy of the Rituals and with it had been able to create a power house like Nathan.
He was a hypocrite who wanted to use his own children as war machines. He knew there was no way he would ever attain the heights he sought, so he had resorted to using his children to achieve his goals.
Nigel knew all about his father's plans for Nathan. They had kept the boy a secret and had groomed him to the best of their ability. Nathan was still far from his full potential, but the boy was already a grade one sorcerer rank and he was only eighteen.
"What do you suggest I do then Melena? You're not expecting me to take him in are you?" Nigel questioned for clarity. He understood perfectly well where this situation was going. And even though he loved his brother, he couldn't imagine facing the other grade one's, not to talk of the higher-ups. It was just suicidal to even harbor such thoughts.
"You have to take him in please" Melena pleaded her tears now overflowing. It was obvious she had gotten too attached to her son and even the thoughts of letting him go was making her shed tears, something he never thought she was capable of.
"I can't" Nigel replied bluntly. There was just no way he was seeing them surviving what was coming. This was the price they had to pay for their selfishness and obsession for power. He couldn't even imagine that his father had planned on using Nathan to wage war against the higher up just so he could be the leader, and Nathan was just ten back then. He was convinced now that he had done the world a big favor by unaliving Nicholas Allen.
"You have to please. Take him away from here, keep him away from them as much as possible. Consider this the last favor I would ever ask of you as a mother" Melena pleaded.
Her offer was tempting, but he still couldn't accept. He loved the idea of never seeing her in his again, but that offer would be meaningless if he was going to lose his life if he accepted it.
"It seems you do not understand the gravity of the situation you're in. You're not only against the higher-ups, but the entire guild. How do you think you'll be able to win?" Nigel asked. Melena probably had lost her mind. She wasn't thinking straight and it was obvious. She must be lost in imagination to actually think they stood a chance. He hated to admit it, but there was just no way he was volunteering himself to be killed for a problem they created for themselves. This was just beyond his scope and he was deeply sorry he couldn't help.
"I understand what you're saying. He's only a k—"
"It's okay Mother" An intruding voice interrupted. The two figures turned towards the voice's direction only to see Nathan seated across the yard.
Nigel was shocked. He could tell the boy had been sitting there for a while now. He was now convinced that the boy was indeed a monster. He hadn't noticed his presence at all, and how could someone so young just sit and listen to people discussing about his death without even making an expression.
"I can take care of myself" The boy spoke confidently amidst strides towards the two awestruck figures in front of him.
"You don't understand Nathan, it's too dangerous for you out there" Melena tried to enlighten but the boy obviously wasn't listening.
"i understand you're scared brother Nigel. But you shouldn't make mother cry so much. I don't like people that make mother cry" Nathan relayed, his eyes giving a completely different vibe from how his voice sounded.
Nigel was tempted to punch the boy across the yard, but he managed to get his temper under control. He had actually been threatened and by a kid. Even though Nathan's powers might be on power with his at the moment, he still had the advantage of experience and skill, and if by chance they were to battle each other he was confident enough that he would win.
"I'll take him in" Nigel finally accepted. He couldn't deny the fact that he was impressed by the boy's actions. He was fearless, and confident in himself. He was beginning to see why his father had preferred the boy to him. Unlike his younger brother, he was more of a coward that never spoke up until he was driven to the corner.
He didn't know how he was going to do it, but he would find a way. It was a suicidal attempt, but what was life without risks? He just hoped that he wasn't making a mistake by trusting this woman once more. If by chance she was only doing this to wean Nathan, then he was going to come back and end her life before she could see it coming.