(Chapter 5 Hatred)
Mengsk Proudmoore, a name that stirs hatred and contempt in the heart of his own son, Tempest, Mengsk, the man who stripped Tempest of his emotions, rendering him a hollow shell of his former self, a ruthless tactician, he views his children not as family but as mere pawns on his grand chessboard, each move calculated for his own gain, his cold and callous demeanor knows no bounds, as he has caused unspeakable pain to Tempest's mother, leaving scars that run deep within the family, this man, this tyrant, is the one Tempest wants to kill more than anyone else in the world, driven by a relentless desire for vengeance against the father who has caused so much suffering...
In days long forgotten, Tempest once loved his father, he genuinely believed that the man he now despises was someone whose love needed to be earned, despite being a prodigy who quickly mastered new skills, Tempest was not perfect, each mistake he made was met with his Father's harsh shouts, and even when he performed perfectly, his father would dismissively say, "Do better." Yet, the young Tempest remained undeterred, convinced that he simply needed to improve to earn his Father's love.
Everything changed on that unforgettable day when the young Tempest barged into his Father's office without permission, that day he made the biggest mistake in his life, he simply wanted to show a drawing of his family to his father, but no, he's father didn't take it to lightly.
Mengsk slapped his own son and snatched the drawing from his hands, his face twisted in anger, without a moment's hesitation, he tore the drawing into pieces, letting the fragments fall to the floor like shattered dreams, the tender moment Tempest had hoped for was crushed, replaced by a harsh lesson in his father's relentless cruelty.
The punishment didn't end there, he grabbed his son by his wrist and dragged him out of the office, while Tempest tears in his eyes kept saying "I'm sorry Father! Please! I-I won't do it again! Father!". His pleas for forgiveness were unanswered, as his Father dragged him into his room, Mengsk opened his son's closet and pushed him inside it, locking him in.
"Father! Please! I won't do it again! I swear! Please...."
The young Tempest begged his father, tears streaming down his face, as he pounded on the closet door with his fists, his desperate cries filled the small, dark space, but all he could hear in response was the cold, final click of the key turning in the lock, sealing him inside.
"I will open this tomorrow morning, think about your action, I don't remember having a son not knowing basic etiquette."
His Father replied to him... From there on, every time the young Tempest made a mistake he was locked in the small dark place that was his closet, his emotions and hopes to be loved by his Father slowly crumbling, his sanity only kept because of his sister and mother who, unlike his Father, loved him dearly.
Tempest eventually gave up trying to earn his Father's love, The bright, hopeful youth who once sought approval now wore a stoic and unreadable mask, beneath its facade lay a raging sea of emotions, dominated by a deep and unyielding hatred for his Father.
"If what you say is true, about Delusions taking something from its user, I'd rather not use it, if it cost me a limb."
Tempest answered Constantine's question about him using the Delusion or not.
"Hm, from my experience with numerous skirmishes with the Fatui, I had in the past many were... Insane, to say the least, but, there were also many Fatui I fought that were able to control the elements perfectly as if they had a Vision on their own, I think a person's mental capabilities are one of the important things to have because in my opinion a Delusion will slowly bring you into insanity."
Constantine said while he grabbed the kiseru he got from Inazuma in his pocket, curling up a small tobacco ball and putting it in its bowl then lighting it with a match, finally, he inhaled a long drag, blowing the smoke out the window.
"I see, have you never once considered harnessing the power of a Delusion?"
Tempest asked his Teacher.
"Why should I? The point of my journey was to improve my swordsmanship, not find power from different sources, be it the Gods of Celestia or the Fatui, I don't need any of them, my swords alone are enough to get rid of my problems."
Constantine replied to Tempest, then taking another drag from his kiseru.
"But enough about Delusions and Visions for now, if you really need to use your gifted Delusion, I suggest only using it when your life is truly in danger, now then, what else did the knave tell you?"
Constantine said to Tempest while closing his chest of 'trophies'.
"She told me I had the potential to become the 11th Harbinger, she also told me... If I joined the Fatui, they would support me if I wanted to get rid of my Father...And I'll be honest, the offer really sounded tempting..."
Constantine put his hand on his chin while listening to Tempest.
"Really? Well, I have no doubts about you becoming a Fatui Harbinger, perhaps you might even climb higher in the ranks, but the thought of you becoming one... Scares me a bit... I truly hope you don't become one, haha."
Constantine chuckled while scratching his neck before continuing.
"Young Master, we don't need the Fatui if you truly want to get rid of your Father, I have served you for six years now, and your rapid development in swordsmanship over the years has always surprised me, Seven hells, you even learned every technique I've known in my long journey in just two years, you are stronger, you are smarter and a better fitting leader for House Proudmoore, you and a few allies alone can take down Mengsk, without a doubt, but the question is what happens next when you become its Duke?"
Tempest contemplated for a while before answering Constantine's question.
"Firstly... I want to bring back House Proudmoore's original purpose."
Constantine's eyes widened in surprise after hearing Tempest's answer.
"You wish to serve the current Hydro Archon Focalors?"
"I do, so I can rehabilitate House Proudmoore's reputation as the most hated family in the nation, my Mother told me many stories about her, her flamboyant attitude, her display of elegance, and the bringer of Justice, I don't understand why my ancestors hated her, what's there to hate? Egeria is long gone and it still baffles me that my family still held a grudge against her for 500 years, perhaps the reason why Ra never blessed the Proudmoores with his power was because of our disloyalty to the Hydro Archon or he's just not interested in this world anymore since his supposed lover Egeria is dead."
Tempest replied to Constantine, while he looked out of the window.
"True, House Proudmoore's current reputation is a bit...Terrible yes, but, by serving the Hydro Archon once more you might able to get rid of its awful reputation, but the only problem is if you want to get rid of your Father, we have no good reason to explain to the whole nation on why you did it, they will just see you as another power-hungry man who couldn't wait for his rightful inheritance."
Constantine tells Tempest, while he finally puts down his kiseru.
"Tsk... Yes, you are right, I do know that Father is making deals with the Fatui, but that proof alone is not enough, they'll simply say it was for 'trading purposes', but, I can't wait any longer... We need to do this now, if I wait any longer my sister would already be en route to Snezhnaya... I have six months to get rid of him..."
Tempest gritted his teeth while his hand subconsciously put itself on his forehead.
"It's better to prepare now than to wait for a good reason, I will contact an old friend of mine to smuggle weapons to Stormwind, for now, think of a contingency plan Young Master, in case we don't find a good reason to start a civil war in Stormwind."
Tempest sighed and lifted his head.
"You do that, gather as many people as you can to join our cause, for now, we wait for an opportunity."
Tempest stood from his seat.
"I will try to find anything that could serve as a good reason to start a civil war, without us being sentenced to the fortress of Meropide in the end."
"Do you not wish to hear more about the Fatui, Young Master?"
Constantine said to Tempest as he prepared to leave.
"I will accept her offer if I don't find a good reason... I will get rid of that man even if I have to become a tool in the end..."
That was all Tempest said after walking out of Constantine's room.
6 Hours later...
Tempest was lying on his bed, his right hand in the air holding the Pyro Delusion.
"I can't wait no longer..."
Tempest put down the Pyro Delusion aside from his bed, he covered his eyes left arm and closed his eyes.
*Knock knock knock*
"What is it, Melissa?"
"Your Grace has requested your presence at the dining table, Young Master."
Melissa opened the door, his personal maid who has tended to Tempest for over half of his life, informed him.
"Right, I'll be there shortly."
Melissa simply nodded in response and gently closed the door.
"What does he want now..."
Tempest got up from his bed, he put the Pyro Delusion back in his pockets, he then left his room making his way to the dining room where his Father awaited.
In the dining room, his sister was not present only his Father was seated in the middle of the long table, reading a newspaper not even touching the food.
"You called for me, Father?"
Tempest asked his Father no emotion present in his voice.
"Sit."
Mengsk simply told his son to sit down as if he were a dog, Tempest sat down on a seat one chair away from him.
"You will accompany me tomorrow to the Court of Fontaine."