Nox Abaddon Crowthorne

I sat in the corner watching my nephew. Brother, having me watch this kid is so beneath me. Like an absolute buffoon, I told my brother I wanted an easy, laid back job for a while since there wasn’t a lot of need for my main profession at the moment. So what does he do? Night time baby-sitter for his little brat. It had very little time off. One of the few times I did have a night off, the little turd figured out how to use <Shift>. Why didn’t you tell us he was starting to form <Shift>? Because that was news to me!

The kid had a natural desire to get stronger. Without fail every night when he thought he was alone he would train something. Originally it resulted in absurd levels of growth. With him alternating between <Magic Sense>, his <Mana>, <Tempering>, and his <Arcane Eye> each was growing at a less alarming pace. It also means he is not likely to accidentally kill himself which was a worry there for a bit.

Of course my easy nights of just watching a baby develop its <Magic> changed once the punk could walk. The first three nights I was extra vigilant, making sure he didn’t escape the room. It was odd, as each night he strictly used <Magic Sense> and his <Arcane Eye>. Nothing else. On night four the little problem child launched his plan into motion.

Nil performed another <Magic Sense> scan of his room and the immediate area. We were the only two on the floor, and there was no way he would be able to detect me. Once he was satisfied that no one was nearby, he <Warped> to the door so fast and smooth I barely noticed. He is getting pretty good at his <Warp>. Another <Magic Sense> and he was off.

It was an odd alternating crawl walk. Whenever something made noise, he would instantly <Warp> to a pillar. Something I noticed Helga did when she was near him in case there was a clumsy attacker after the Crown Prince’s life. I knew there was something going on in that head. A natural born schemer. Nil would launch the occasional <Magic Sense> to make sure the area was clear.

Nil explored a good chunk around the floor. His baby frame and body definitely did slow him down, but it was funny to mess with him. I would throw a stone off in the distance, and he would instantly <Warp> and then proceed to use <Magic Sense>. I conjured a few breezes in the halls to see how he would react. There was no visible reaction. How would he react to a stranger? That might be fun to test. And with that thought, I descended upon my scheming baby nephew.

*

Nil

My exploration was going great. There was an occasional noise, but whatever caused them was outside the range of my <Magic Sense>. This castle is a lot breezier at night than the day. It's weird. Why are there so many random drafts of air? Right as I was about to head back, a shadowy figure descended.

It was wearing armor and a cloak that covered its entire body. An assassin. Oh no. Not like this. I immediately cast <Warp> back to my crib. It was a long distance, but I should be fine. I was back in my crib. Someone please help. I don’t want to die. The shadowy figure entered the room with ease. I didn’t have enough magic to <Warp> out. I barely had enough for a <Shift>.

The figure walked slowly towards me, emitting a menacing aura. I began to cry as loud as I could. Someone hear me. Mom. Dad. Please make it in time. The figure just chuckled. I noticed a cone around us. That silence <Spell>. I am doomed.

I was not going to go down so easily. I had a little bit of <Mana> left. I could cast <Shift>. There is nothing heavy I could drop on him. The figure walked closer, taking its sweet time. Focus Nil. There has to be something. That is when I noticed the figure had nothing to defend himself against me. I just knew he wasn’t expecting an attack. The best thing I had at my disposal was <Shift>. Wait, <Shift> doesn’t have to be used on inanimate objects does it? What if I tried to grab something like his heart? I thought. Well, only one way to find out.

I tried to <Shift> the figure's heart into my hand. I was guessing the anatomy of a demon wasn’t too far off. From what I could tell it wasn’t drastically different. The figure lurched awkwardly, then spat out a cloud of blood. But there was no heart in my hand. I am so dead. I thought as the figure roared in agony. I am out of <Mana>, that was my only shot. The cone around us vanished. I immediately began screaming and crying. Please hear me mom. Dad. One of you two. Please.

My mom and dad descended upon the figure in an instant, who was writhing in pain on the ground. The figure was clutching its chest, swearing like a sailor. The language was so foul it was unreal. My mom immediately picked me up as my dad burst out laughing. What? Me almost dying is funny?

“So brother, what happened here?” my dad asked, a wide grin on his face.

“Heal me. He tried to <Shift> my heart. I barely severed his <Magic> in time.” the figure gasped.

“And why is he crying Nox? You didn’t chase him did you? His <Mana> is extremely low.” my mom interrogated.

“Senna, this is not the time. Please heal me.” Nox wheezed.

“Nox Abaddon Crowthorne. Elite assassin done in by my nine month old son. It was a valiant fight as Nox struggled to sneak up on a baby and got hit by a powerful <Spell> as Nil defended himself. I can see your tombstone now. Speranza thanks you for your service, if only we could have made it in time.” my dad teased. This monster is my uncle?

“I am not dead! Can you please heal me Senna?.” Nox spat with a cloud of blood coming from his mouth.

My mom relented and healed him. My uncle sat rubbing his chest, glaring at me. That’s what you get! I thought I was going to die! She was holding me close. I held onto her tightly. Someone was shaking. Might have been me. Not saying I lost control of my baby body, but there was a slight smell.

“So why is Nil so scared Nox?” my mom pressed. Her voice was like ice.

“The kid was exploring, so I scared him a little. He used <Warp> to get back here. I followed him. At that point he really started to freak out so I put a <Silence Void> around us, and I cut my <Mana> to try and get him to calm down. That didn’t work. While I was trying to figure out how to calm him down Nil tried to use <Shift> on my heart. Luckily he is a baby and his aim was a little off.” Nox explained.

“So you terrorized my son and almost got sent to the Lords of Tenebrae by him.” my dad clarified.

“I had no idea he would freak out so bad.” Nox retorted.

“A stranger, at night, who generally has a menacing aura. And you wondered why a baby would find that scary?” my mom asked. My uncle looked like he wanted to vanish.

“I may not have thought through how he would react. The way he reacted it was like he thought his life was on the line.” my uncle replied.

Because I did think my life was on the line. You are quite a scary person! My mom was clearly judging him silently while she changed my garments. I was beginning to feel better when my mom picked me back up. Uncle Nox I am going to use the strongest weapon at my disposal. You deserve this. I thought maliciously; I hit my mom with the best baby eyes I could. I immediately followed with a little whimper and snuggled into her. I wasn’t looking up, but even I could feel the avalanche hit the room.

“Empress Senna I swear I am not lying. I have no idea why he is so scared!” Nox pleaded.

“Oh really?” my mom replied. Her voice was so cold my spine tingled.

“Honey, I am sure my idiot brother did not mean to terrify Nil.” my dad interjected, clearly trying to calm my mom down.

“So you are taking his side?” my mom asked my dad. There was a palpable discomfort in the room.

“My wife is right Nox! How dare you scare my son to such a degree!” my dad barked. And the wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, all through the town.

“What do you think is an appropriate punishment, Nox?” my mom questioned.

“I am sure Empress Senna in her infinite generosity can forgive such a small mistake.” my uncle replied foolishly.

I hit my mom with the snuggle in deeper as he finished his sentence. Not a chance Uncle Nox; I am going to lay it on extra thick. Try digging yourself out of this one. I could feel his despair. It was delicious.

“Brother, your kid is a natural schemer. He set me up. I swear what I did should have only mildly startled him!” Nox begged his brother.

“Oh yes, my nine month old son, the devious mastermind who has clearly prepped and made your destruction, has sprung forth his master plan.” my dad mocked. Mwahahahaha.

“Nox, you are looking quite sad. Please accept your punishment with grace.” my mom instructed. I could almost feel his soul leave his body.

“As punishment, when Nil comes of age, you will have to train him how to fight. It is only fair for traumatizing him so much you teach him to properly defend himself.” my dad declared.

“What?! Why do I have to teach your brat to fight! That will take years!” Uncle Nox shouted.

“It’s not like you have a lover or friends, what is the problem of waiting around a few years?” my mom retorted. I think my uncle just died.

“It’s settled then. I think you can have the rest of the night off to reflect on your actions as we will be taking Nil back to our bedroom. Senna, I will join you shortly.” my dad announced.

My mom quickly left the room with me. I could see my uncle looking defeated on the ground. I stuck my tongue out at him. Wait, do I really want this idiot teaching me to fight? Couldn’t you do a little better? I thought as my exhaustion caught up with me.

*

Nox

I could have sworn the little troublemaker stuck his tongue out at me as his mom left with him. That kid was not normal; there was a devious fire in his eyes. Brother, you are going to be in for a world of torment once he gets older. Nil did panic way more than I anticipated. I have no idea why he freaked out to such a degree. Unless his ability to detect and feel the <Magic> of others is sharper than I realized.

Still, how on earth did a baby come so close to using <Shift> on my heart? His aim was almost dead on. I felt his <Magic> at the last second and abruptly cut it off. Master assassin nearly killed by a baby. I had completely let my guard down as I tried to figure out how to calm my problematic nephew. I was taking this shame to my grave. And Senna was super pissed because it was like that hellion intentionally laid it on as thick as possible. She and I didn’t get along on our best days. Once his parents were there to protect him, it’s like his only goal was to screw me over.

“Seriously brother, you can tell me, Senna is gone. What happened?” Azzeck asked. You traitor. Siding with your wife. Granted, you were probably getting no chances at making another child for at least a year if you did.

“I only meant to startle him. He was investigating this floor of the castle. Originally, I was only throwing stones in the distance and making drafts appear on him. I wanted to see how he would react to a stranger and he absolutely lost it. It was like he was terrified he was about to die.” I explained.

“He does have a <Transcendent Knowledge> <Blessing> and has always been in tune with <Mana> quite well. He probably sensed more of your <Mana> and <Magic> than you realized.” Azzeck replied.

“Probably. I am telling you though, he was not struggling to move around the floor. That kid even waited a few days while checking for guards or people watching him before he made his move. Your son is going to be devious.” I warned.

“Cesar and Elder Repte keep telling me that. Now you are joining them too. Does he seriously have such a devious look in his eye?” Azzeck asked.

“Honestly might just be a Crowthorne family trait. That kind of glint in the eye. Now was making me have to train him to fight necessary?” I whined back.

“If I left it to Senna she might have honestly executed you. Plus, you wanted to take it slow for a while and are an excellent fighter. My main options are you and General Railos, but I think between the two of you, the better fighter is most certainly you.” Azzeck explained.

“Thanks. Now I get to train him while holding back so I don’t accidentally hurt him too much for Senna’s sake.” I groaned.

“Not exactly. Senna is aware of how Princes are typically trained and fully on board with it. She would rather him get hurt and learn now then get a costly lesson later.” Azzeck replied.

“That’s surprising. Did she have to bring up my being single? That was such a low blow. Like my chops did not need to be busted that bad.” I exclaimed.

“You scared her precious little baby. That one’s on you. Plus, you will have plenty of free time to look for someone now.” Azzeck shot back.

“Thanks for your overwhelming support. Really makes me feel loved, you know?” I snapped.

“Anytime brother.” Azzeck said calmly.