The spirit realm (heaven)
After the meeting with the supreme and the other gods, Raul made up his mind to train his son to be the best swordsman in the realm to protect him.
He was supposed to safeguard the deserters (mortal souls turned evil). Many of the deserters had fled and due to his punishment, he was assigned to capture every deserter in all three realms to keep everyone safe.
He was no longer a royal guardian and therefore he knew he had no authority if a time comes for his son to be taken away.
He went to Vallee, where he knew his son would be.
A vast green field, where the sun rays filter through the leaves and cast mottle patterns on the ground.
From a distance, a young boy with a build of a ten-year-old stood alone with a wooden sword in his hand.
Focused, determined, and ready to put his skills to the test and prove himself worthy of being called the son of Raul.
Raul came in soon after and rested his back by a tree, hidden from view, his eyes never left his son as he silently observed his every move.
The young boy swings the wooden sword with precision, practicing various techniques and footwork.
His movements were swift, steady, and graceful, a testament to his dedication and natural talent. Raul's heart swelled with pride, evident in the slight smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
Raul
(whispering to himself)
"Look at him, growing stronger every day".
As his son continued his training, his brow furrowed with concentration. He executed a complex series of strikes and parries, displaying a level of skill that surpasses his age.
Raul observing the moves of his son was amazed at how resilient his son was and noticed the potential his son possesses.
But what caught his attention was the sudden laughter drawn on his son's face, it reminded him of someone he never thought he would one day remember.
Raul
(whispering)
"Such determination and resemblance, who do you take after son? me or someone else…
Yet still you have a heart of a true guardian, that you take after me."
Raul witnessed his son's movements become more fluid, his confidence evident with each swing of the sword and he was lost in the rhythm of the training.
The wind leveled with his movements and with every strike he made, he was fully immersed in perfecting his skill.
He finally turned in the direction of his father and stopped in his track and smiled at his father.
Raul
(smile)
"Raul"
Raul the second
(Excited)
"Father"
He run as fast as he could to his father's side. Raul hugged him and ruffled his hair and smiled at him.
Raul
(Being emotional)
My son, you have no idea how proud I am of you. You amaze me every day and surprisingly today you resemble someone I thought I have forgotten.
Raul the second
(Curious)
"A friend or family, father?"
He scoffed and asked his son to take a seat by his side as they watch the sunset on the fields.
Raul
(Wondering)
"Should I say a family or friend? Hmmm possibly both"
Raul the second
(Concern)
"He must have been an important person for you to see him in me, right Father"
Raul
(Laughed softly)
"Important you say, hmm, we used to be very close when we were young but drifted apart a few years later"
Raul the second
(Curious)
"Why father? I believed you two were still friends but it seems not to be the case"
Raul
(Slightly upset)
"He was filled with hatred, envy, jealousy, and ambition that he hurt a lot of people, which made it impossible for me to ignore"
Raul the second
(Sad)
"Then I can't resemble such a person who causes harm to others, especially your father"
He smiled at his son's honest response and gently brushed his fingers in his hair.
Raul
(Revealed)
"But there is one thing only I knew about him, even though he hated me so much and wanted nothing to do with me, he still had a soft spot for me.
Meaning he cared for me in his way and so there is nothing to worry about if you grow up to resemble him besides you may look like someone else but you're still my son".
His son smiled widely and embraced his father.
Raul the second
(Softly)
"Father, may I know more about my mother? All hear about her is her being a betrayer who seduced you and stole your sword.
And she was the reason you lost your honor and title, don't you hate me whenever you see me, Father".
Raul
(Feigns, being angry)
"Nonsense, who said that to you? And what made you think I would ever hate you? You had nothing to do with it. It was she who betrayed me not you and you are my son and nothing would make me hate you.
Nothing, son, you are one thing I am proud of and I am grateful to my father for bringing you into my life"
Raul the second
(Sad)
"But he hates me too, I know you had a meeting with him because of me, and I can't blame him either"
Raul
(Teased)
"Oh so my son now keep watch of me, hmmm"
Raul the second
(Explaining)
"No father, I just heard the others saying this and that and.."
Raul noticed his father giggling and raised an eyebrow.
Raul
(Slightly annoyed)
"Father were you making fun of me"
They both smiled at each other. Raul cleared his throat and said
Raul
(Serious)
"Everything Father does is for a reason, and he doesn't hate you, in his way he wants to protect you as much as I want to protect you.
So never think that he hates you because Father, is incapable of hating anyone".
Raul the second
(Smiled sadly)
"I believe you, Father"
Raul
(Smiled)
"Remember, my son, you are not like the others, you are my son and no one can change that.
You were good with the sword but you should know strength comes not just from the sword, but from the heart, so do not waver in the face of any challenge that comes"May your spirit remain unwavering in the face of any challenge.
Kirrinoth's chambers
Karim
(Angry)
"Father, why do you support the idea of letting that demi-god live among us? It's unfair, what if he turns on us, Father, he is being trained by the best swordsman in all the realms. We can't have him live among us…"
Karim was not happy with the decision the Supreme made about Raul, he felt it was unfair and needed to be ruled out.
Seeing Raul being arrogant and unwavering in front of him and his friends made him hate him even more.
He barged into his father's chambers and questioned him.
Kirrinoth
(Slightly annoyed)
"That is enough Karim, you or I have no right to question my father's decision, he knows best and there is nothing we can do about it"
Karim lowered his head and said "Yes
father"
Kirrinoth
(Fierce)
"But you are not the only one who thinks it's wrong for a demi-god to live among us, and that is why you have to grow stronger and a fearsome demon slayer.
Remember what we do and what we stand for and that will keep you calm whenever you see him"
Karim
(Excited)
"Yes, Father I will, and from now on I will dedicate myself to becoming the strongest demon slayer in all the realms, and no demon or evil force shall escape my raging fire"….