Chapter 9. The Inevitable Truth.

  Suddenly both Kael and Mediae heard the main door open, Kael stood up and grabbed the "The Dual Cursed Swords of Darkness" ready to tell him everything. As he walked out his room Mediae followed him, when they got into the living room Kael not only saw his father Xavier, but Katrine alongside him. It shocked him quite a bit, but he knew she had to know it anyway. She'd find out either way soon too. Kael approached the couch and sat down, leaning the swords against the couch, Mediae stood behind him. Then he turned his head to his father and Katrine and said in a low voice.

  -"You two, come and sit. We have something to discuss regarding me and the future."

  When Katrine and Xavier heard this they turned their heads to see Kael sitting on the couch and Mediae standing behind him, along with the swords leaned against the couch. They didn't know what Kael meant by saying what he had to discuss, but they quickly catched on seeing what the set up to the talk was. As they both entered the living room they sat on the couch in opposition to Kael. Kael took a deep breath and said to them.

  -"Dad, Katrine... This may sound shocking to you... But back then when we broke into mag-tech i technically died, and the person who gave me first aid to help me survive was someone you don't know. Right now she's just a soul and all of that, but she's ancient. Thousands of years old."

  As he said that he grabbed "The Dual Cursed Swords of Darkness" and stabbed them into the ground, Xavier wanted to immediately scold Kael but then he noticed the swords didn't destroy the floor, instead they went into the shadow of the table. When both of them were wondering what was happening, they suddenly noticed a pitch black wolf coming from behind the couch. The wolf had crimson tip ends of its tail and ears, and a crimson stripe running down its back. It was Tenebrae in her wolf form. She sat down next to Kael on the floor and said to both Xavier and Katrine.

  -'I shall introduce myself to you, Kael's father and young lady. My name is Tenebrae, your son is current Heir of our bloodline. Yes I'm the one that saved him a couple of days ago during the Mag-Tech break in when he got shot in the head. I'll explain everything to you with time.'

  Xavier and Katrine were visibly confused as to what Tenebreae is talking about. Heir? Our bloodline? None of it made sense at the current moment, and they hoped that the "time" for explaining that she mentioned will come sooner than later. Next one to speak up was Mediae

  -"Hello father of the Heir of Darkness, young lady. I'm Mediae. I'm Master Kael's Royal Guard and his servant. I've previously served Mistress Tenebrae when she was alive and fought alongside her. If you have anything to ask of me, I'll be more than happy to help you."

  As she finished speaking she bowed down to them, this shocked his father and Katrine even more. Kael took a deep breath to calm down, he needed now to explain everything himself again. It wouldn't be easy seeing how Tenebrae and Mediae pushed both his father's and Katrine's button's by being vague to them, even though Mediae did it subconsciously because she believed Tenebrae's word of advice. For now Kael had to explain everything himself.

  -"Yes that's right... Everything they said is true... Tenebrae got a strange fixation over you as well Kat, I don't know where this old pervert got it from. But nevertheless... I'll be more dangerous now, I've awakened as a Heir to basically save my life. You can either go with me, or against me, or not go at all. I'll respect every decision you'll make. As your lives won't be the same from today onwards."

  Both Xavier and Katrine hearing this froze, they knew he wasn't lying or trying to prank them. It all felt real even though they truly didn't want it to be reality. The first one to speak up after everything was Xavier. He wanted to go with his son even if it meant his death, after all the father's duty is to protect his children. He just couldn't ignore it, and he was also thankful to Tenebrae for reviving Kael and to Mediae for being his royal guay, whatever it meant. He couldn't ignore the fact that these two people were now responsible for his son's safety as well, after a while he finally spoke up.

  -"You're my son, and I'm your father. Whenever you'll go, even if it is to start a revolution. I'll follow you Kael, besides I have to pay off my debt to Tenebrae for helping you and thank Mediae for being your royal guard. It's just something I can't ignore.”

  Kael seeing this smiled at his father then looked over onto Katrine, she looked like she wasn't sure. Kael was ready for that, he knew even though Katrine was trying to act tough, she was extremely soft on the inside and worrisome. He thought that she wasn't sure if to go with him, since it'd probably end up not so well for anyone. But she decided to steel her resolve and finally answer him, she had feelings she did not understand. But those same feelings told her to follow Kael into whatever he got himself into, whether be in life or death, she decided to follow him.

  -"I'll follow you Kael, since you proved time and time again you're worthy of my time. And besides you saved my ass multiple times and comforted me when I was at my worst. And most importantly... я люблю тебе... Ekhm, yes I'll follow you no matter what."

  Hearing this both Tenebrae and Mediae looked to Kael if he got the message Katrine said in Ukrainian. Seeing that he didn't, Mediae decided to take action.

  -"Master, Lady Katrine said in Ukrainian as follows. Ekhm-"

  Before she could finish Kael held his hand up signalling to not translate. He didn't want to hear what she said from someone other than Katrine herself, he knew she said something important and he wanted her to say it herself to him. He waited for the time she'd be able to say it straight to his face, he got the whiff of what she was saying but he decided to not say it straight up to her and rather pretend like he didn't understand. After a while of awkward silence Tenebrae was the first one to speak up.

  -'So Kael my boy... You should start getting stronger and train more and more from now on, I don't think that it'll be an issue considering the fact that you're awakened as a Heir and got yourself a servant that'll do... Anything for you.'

  Mediae hearing her nodded her head, Kael instead of saying anything just smacked both of them over their heads. He was getting fed up with constant teasing from Tenebrae, and Mediae taking it extremely seriously. Xavier, seeing what his son has been dealing with for some time now, started wondering how he could help him. He understood his son didn't need protection nor guidance since both Tenebrae and Mediae provided those two. So he figured out that he'll give Kael something he can only give, true fatherly support. After all he could only do that much, he realised as well that Kael was probably stronger than him as well. He remembered the child that was once Kael, fragile, helping and caring. Nothing changed, only the exterior, even though he had multiple scars, missing left eye, taller and slightly muscular. He was the same small fragile child on the inside, and he only knew how to help that child. With that Xavier suddenly stood up and approached Kael. Kael got startled a bit, he thought he had done something wrong and was about to get scolded. But instead his father wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly. While whispering into his ear.

  -"Just don't get yourself killed okay...? I don't know if I can withstand another loss..."

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  Kael hearing this had a tear well up in his eye. But he decided to hold it in for now, he wanted to break down internally and hug his dad while crying. But he decided to hold it in while others were around, as his dad let him go Kael relaxed back onto the couch. Tenebrae, seeing this, decided to ask him something.

  -'Oi Kael, I have a question... Can I stay in this wolf form all the time? I've been in metaphysical form for soooo long it got me slightly stiff, although I still miss my true form. This will suffice.'

  Kael was in a good mood right now so he nodded his head approvingly. He thought that if Tenebrae could let out all the pent up energy somewhere, even if it was in wolf form, she'd give him some peace of mind. It wasn't a bad idea, but seeing as she was a literal wolf that had pitch black fur with crimson stripes running down her back, it would be strange to explain to anyone who sees her. But now another problem came into his mind, he decided to ask his dad.

  -"By the way I haven't said it before... But dad, why is Katrine here? Doesn't she like to have the keys to her house...?"

  Xavier, hearing that put on a serious face and looked away, Katrine also looked away as slightly hurt. Kael quickly understood that he struck a nerve where he shouldn't and immediately tried to back-pedal but his father interrupted.

  -"Mark went into hiding, when you got shot and spotted during the Mag-Tech break-in. The informator from the inside got captured and started being interrogated, Mark fearing for Katrine decided to run away into hiding for now so she'll be staying with us for an undisclosed period of time..."

  Kael hearing this looked down, Mark didn't run away because he's a coward. He did so to protect Katrine from any potential dangers. But the sleeping arrangement would have to be changed now, he thought about sleeping on the couch but where would Mediae sleep then? He then remembered the inflated mattress, he thought about Mediae sleeping on the couch along with Tenebrae. While he'd slept on the inflated mattress in his room with Katrine on his bed. It was somewhat of a poor plan but it was manageable, so he decided to follow through with it. He quickly explained the plan to everyone and they agreed quickly. One problem down the drain, he thought about locking the door at night so Tenebrae would think of something stupid and would tell Mediae to open the door. Kael knew it was highly probable knowing that perverted woman, for now he decided to lay back in the kitchen. He just explained everything to his father and Katrine, and instead of being scolded both of them accepted it. Suddenly his stomach growled, he remembered that he didn't have any breakfast or anything to eat at all. Mediae hearing this suddenly propped up and tapped Kael's shoulder, when he turned his head to her she said to him.

  -"Master, if you're hungry I can prepare something to eat. If Mistress Tenebrae liked my meals, you will enjoy them as well. Please allow me to."

  As she finished speaking she bowed down. It shocked Kael slightly, he never expected her to act this fast. Especially in such small matters in his eyes, but when he looked closer at her face he saw the pure devotion in her eyes. It was clear she's do everything he asked for, even if he ordered her to commit suicide, she'd do it. When he was about to answer her, his father stood up and said to Mediae.

  -"Let me help you with that young lady, I know my way around the kitchen as well."

  Hearing this Mediae bowed down and made her way to the kitchen expecting Xavier to follow. While it wasn't crystal clear, she was happy that someone would help her. Kael was once again left alone with Katrine and now Tenebrae as well. While Tenebrae was in her wolf form she couldn't do much mischief which Kael was thankful for, he wouldn't want a person like her to have a normal body. It'd end badly, then he remembered all the perverted comments she made towards him and had his face go red with embarrassment. He quickly buried his face in his hand to hide himself. He didn't want that woman to regain her original form ever, suddenly he remembered the most perverted statement she made when he was barely rescued from the grasp of death. He was so embarrassed the first time Tenebrae teased him that he wished he could go temporarily deaf just to not hear her antics. As he laid back on the couch Tenebrae suddenly jumped onto the couch as well and sat down next to him, Katrine seeing this decided to ask him.

  -"She's quite worrisome about you huh? By the way, why the hell is she fixated with me? And why did it have to be you?"

  Kael didn't know the answers to her questions. He didn't know as well where the fixation with Katrine came into Tenebrae's head. He was just as confused about it as Katrine was, he knew that even if he answered it wouldn't suffice.

  -"Honestly Katrine, I don't know... This old perverted woman once said multitude of different and strange things, like comments about my relationship with you for the most part..."

  Katrine stared blankly at Kael wondering what those comments might have been, but when she thought about them, she choked on her breath and had her face go scarlet. Tenebrae hearing all of this talk chuckled like it was the funniest thing ever, she then remembered back when she was alive... These two resembled her and him very closely... But she brushed those thoughts away for now, for now she decided to enjoy this time and not cry about the past. Although today was definitely better it was all too similar to her, all she hoped for is that Kael wouldn't end up like him. But she knew he wouldn't, even though she knew Kael was extremely selfless and inconsiderate of his safety, he wouldn't die like him. For now they all decided for Xavier and Mediae to finish making dinner, after a couple more minutes they gave everyone their plates and began to eat. But suddenly Kael noticed that Mediae didn't give herself a plate nor was she eating with them, it did make Kael slightly sad on the inside so he quickly went to the kitchen to grab another plate and load it up with dinner. When he returned he placed the plate next to him in an empty spot. And then softly said to Mediae.

  -"C'mon Mediae, eat with us. It's not like it's impolite or something, c'mon."

  His voice was soft and gentle, he genuinely thought they were doing something wrong that made Mediae not want to eat with them. Mediae hearing and seeing what Kael had done for her got slightly conflicted on the inside, in her mind eating with Kael and his family and friends was a privilege she needed to earn, not be given. She decided to eat after them, but now that Kael was insisting she had no choice but to eat with them as well. As she sat down next to Kael to eat she didn't know if she truly deserved to, but suddenly Kael nudged her with his shoulder signalling her to go ahead. With a slightly trembling hand she reached out for the fork and started eating, she didn't know if she should. In her mind she wasn't deserving of such privilege, but Kael couldn't care less what she thought was a privilege and what was not. It made him look like Tenebrae when she was alive in Mediae's eyes, that same warmth in the eyes, or in Kael's case just his right eye since his left was missing. The same gentle tone of voice and playful attitude that didn't intend to intimidate her, then she thought to herself that her previous mistress had chosen a good new master for her. She nearly shed a tear, Kael was so good to her even though she decided to devote her life to him in ways many can imagine. Suddenly she got an idea that she should let him know something.

  -"Master, I don't know if Mistress Tenebrae told you... But there were 6 members in the Royal Guard in total, but... 4 of them are dead... And the last one is missing. I thought that when the Mistress found the next Heir the last royal guard would come with me to you..."

  Kael hearing this put on a thoughtful expression, 4 dead, 1 missing and the last one is by him. Then he suddenly realised, the elves used beast-people as living fuel for mag-tech. And since it started working and magic power started appearing in the world again he got an idea what could have happened. Since now he was the heir of shadows and royal guard was his responsibility as well he thought about rebuilding it after hearing this, but the last missing probably alive member. He knew where they could probably be, based on all the information about mag-tech that Tenebrae provided him with, there was only one option left. The last member of the missing royal guard was held and probably used as fuel for mag-tech to work, since the magical power he felt from Mediae was overwhelming he thought that even one member from the guard would be enough to suffice mag-tech for a longer while. And since humans started recently implementing magical power back into the world it meant the cycle was doomed to repeat, there was no way that it wouldn't. He knew humans too well, but he couldn't do as well. His only real firepower was Mediae, but she would be overwhelmed quickly since she's alone. He's still too weak and not the rightful owner of "The Dual Cursed Swords of Darkness" yet, and Katrine and his father weren't suited for a fight. They only recently started recovering from Kael being alive, besides taking Tenebrae along was out the question. In her wolf form she was just a wolf and nothing more, she could possess Kael's body but it'd be for a short while. Suddenly Kael stood up and stated something that shocked everyone.

  -"Tenebrae, you'll train me when I'll sleep. I'll force my way into my Limbo and that's where we'll train. Mediae, you'll train me during the day and when I'm awake, we can use the front yard or nearby forest. I need to defeat the scarred warrior and gain the rightful ownership to these god forsaken sword's..."

  It shocked everyone, even Tenebrae and Mediae, who knew about his predicament. Even more shocked were Katrine and Xavier who just found out about everything that's been going behind the scenes. Tenebrae, hearing this laughed heartedly, everyone looked at her with even shock. In her eyes Kael was growing and maturing more than he should which she was happy about.

  -'I see you've grown some balls Kael... But let me tell you, you'll suffer from training with us. Mediae will exhaust you physically and potentially harm you, and I will challenge you mentally... Hope you're ready…’

  Kael hearing this got startled a bit, but put on a serious face nevertheless. If he was to lose his other eye, it'd be worth it. He wants to get stronger to not only defeat the scarred warrior, but to also do way more than he lets everyone know. For now his first priority is defeating the scarred warrior, he'll be back soon. He had barely any time to train both in Limbo and reality, he told his dad he'd take an undisclosed time off from school to train. His father understood his son's intentions and let him do it, that's the least he could do for his son. Kael decided to rest for the rest of the day and formulate a training plan with Mediae and Tenebrae.

  -"Master, we'll train in a nearby forest. Our training will consist of constant sparring and learning the practical way of dual wielding style. Since you'll be using 'The Dual Cursed Swords of Darkness' anyways in the near future, the quicker you'll train the better you'll perform."

  Kael understood it immediately, since he'd be using those swords anyways he better get used to dual wielding swords. But he was slightly scared of the sparring part, since Mediae was a warrior during the era when Tenebrae was alive and was basically fighting everyday, the sparring could escalate quickly. But he decided to not back down now, it was too late and he decided to not stay in his shadow trying to live an "ordinary" life. It was decided, Tenebrae would do technical parts, Mediae would do practical parts.