- - ♁ ☉ ☾ - - ♁ ☉ ☾ - - ♁ ☉ ☾ - -

"It's time." Raziel announced his presence as he enters Kalhil's chamber.

Aude tried not to glare at his friend's 'clean' look. 'How convenient magic is. With one flick of a finger, its as if nothing rated R happened.'

"Raziel," Kalhil stood as soon as the door opened. He gestured for his lord to sit on his chair but Raziel refused.

"I assume dear Aude has briefed you. It's time for your siblings to awake from their slumber. Lead the way." Raziel made his way to where Aude is standing, casually wrapping his arm around the child's waist. Aude did not expecting the sudden contact, flinched, awkwardly trying to make himself seem small. 

The covel lord looked down at Aude's flushed face, concentrating on the little witch's warmth, using it to stay grounded. At the moment, Raziel is doing his best not to teleport into Levant's quarters. Thanks to Aude's presence and waist, Raziel could withstand the urge.

Kalhil glanced at Aude buried on the side of his lord. A complicated feeling rose in his chest. He chose to ignore his irrelevant emotion and waved his hand, bringing the three of them in the room where his orphans rests.

The wall sconce lit up as soon as they entered the room. Nine coffins that's upright against the wall surrounds them. Raziel glanced around the room, making each of coffin open as soon as his eyes landed on its lid.

His black robe flutter as he lightly take a step forward the nearest coffin with Aude in tow. "Kal, would you blame me if I test your siblings? I've been betrayed once..." He muttered as he longingly stare at his orphans. 

"My lord, I'd never blame you. It's understandable for you to do this." Kalhil answered in a whisper-like voice making Raziel smile.

"I see..." Aude felt Raziel's grip on him loosen. As for the little witch, he is clueless on what's happening. He just blankly stood beside his friend while they are in front a sleeping stranger. Aude tilts his head, looking at each of their faces. 

"Raz, are you sure it's okay for me to be here? I mean this seems top tier classified information. I'm not sur-" The mind link was interrupted as Raziel lower his head to give a peck on the teen's squishy cheek. Surely a test of loyalty is not needed with his dear little witch, but Raziel felt like teasing the boy.

"My lord?!" Kahlil was taken aback by the sudden display of intimacy. His master, no Raziel, and the little boy? Once again a prickling feeling disturbed him.

'No. I mustn't.' Kahlil tried to reason with himself as he tries to be his composed self. On the other side of the room. A child with mixed emotions covered his left cheek, glaring at the kiss thief in front of him.

Raziel chuckled lightly unaware of the two contrasting emotions clashing from each side of the room. He proceeded to the first coffin on the leftmost corner of the room. Nine disciples? Raziel dreaded to know who will be left after his test. As he tries to steel his heart he approached his second orphan Daemyn.

Like what he did with Kahlil, he deeply kissed the sleeping Daemyn. Raziel took advantage of the situation and gave the orphan a little 'intimate touch'.  'What will be your reaction knowing I gave you the thing you wanted whilst asleep. Will you blame me?' The coven lord contemplated as he plant a 'test' inside the orphan's mind.  

Unlike what is expected of a hundred of year old stiff hibernating body. His orphans were at the caliber where they could preserve the state of their body. So, his lips feels as any other sleeping body. Soft and warm.

Aude widens his eyes. It's as if he was thinking the kissing monster was out of control. He took a few steps away from the crime scene as he witnesses Raz devour each.

"Is this some kind of new play?" He whispers as he asks the coven leader beside him.

"Hush now child. It's a test. Those who are loyal will awaken." Kahlil crossed his arm as he pleads that all of his siblings shall pass. It would be his fault if even one would not wake. It just shows his failure of an older brother.

"Those who'll continue to sleep?" Aude asked cautiously.

"Shall remain so until Raziel's last breath".

As soon as Raziel is done with the last of them. He quietly steps back as he swept a glance at his orphans. 'They seem to be struggling. Is this too much for them... No. Raziel steel your heart. It's better to receive a heartbreak early on rather than have them betray you later.'

"My lord. Raziel. Let's sit and have some tea while we wait". Raziel glanced back to his sweet first orphan, satisfied with the set up he managed to conjure in the last minute. Kahlil, the ever attentive eldest, summoned arm chairs for them to sit on. Each with a table tray set up with some pastries and tea.

He smiled, heading to sit on the middle. They waited. Each minute passes pricked at Raziel's heart. Worst case scenario none of them awaken.

The only reason is: they weren't loyal or at some point betrayed him. The test was a bit different than Kahlil's. Exploring a person's mind must be done with caution.

Forcibly prying might do some damage, so he implanted a test. Each with one scene: Raziel dying, and one must offer his life for him to live.

Raziel bit his lips as he starts regretting. 'Of course a person's life is precious. Must I go such cynical lengths?'

Suddenly a gasp echoed, giving Raziel a sense of relief, as a figure jump out of the coffin. Wheezing, he clutched his chest as his knees weaken, causing him to drop to the floor.

It was Daemyn. Kahlil immediately stood in excitement. It's his second brother.

"Dear brother!" He apparated kneeling in front of the wheezing Daemyn, his usual stoic face shows genuine happiness. The sight of his two orphans made Raziel lean forward as he anticipates the awakening of the others. 

'Please don't let it be just one.'

"Dear Aude, sit beside me." Raziel glanced at the boy who is in the middle of enjoying the pastries. The little witch quickly turned to see Raziel with a desperate look. Sensing the silent plea, he immediately stood up from his seat but hesitated as there's no space beside Raziel.

Impatiently, Raziel grab hold of his wrist, pulling the child to sit on his lap. His anxiousness subsided as he caught a whiff of Aude's scent. His nerves calmed as he wrap his arm around the teens waist. Aude gulped as Raziel nestled his body into his hold.

Daemyn raised his head to take in his surroundings. He immediately spotted the silver locks of his master. Sure, most was hidden by the figure of the unknown boy, but still, he'd recognize that anywhere. 

He raised his brows as he stares at the person kneeling beside him. "You must have a lot of question but first let's sit and replenish yourself. I advice you to wait for master's approach. I'll answer two of your questions for now. Yes, master finally woke after 500 years. Yes, what you saw just now was a test and you passed. Let's just hope our siblings do too."

*Raziel finally let Aude return to his chambers, his lips forms a thin line, as he stare at what's left of his dear orphans.

He was too disappointed to remain in that coffin room so he snapped his fingers transporting them to his office.

The coven lord gestured for the orphans to sit on the sofa that was set up by Kahlil. He complained he did not need an office attached to his chambers citing his distaste for paperwork. But turns out an office would be useful for such meetings

"Not even half left". Raziel finally addressed the teary eyed orphans. A hint of disappointment in his tone. 

"M-master. I..." Daemyn started but just looked away. All of them were ashamed of the outcome. Especially the eldest. Kalhil bit his lips worrying about the ones who are still in slumber. 

"I pride myself with 10 orphans that I raised and personally trained. Each excelled in their own areas but. . . Now? I have 4". Raziel scoffed.

The four immediately fell on their knees with their heads down. They could not bear to stay seated while their master remains standing with his arms crossed. Seeing such sight made Raziel sigh. 

'What am I getting angry at them for? I should be thankful some are loyal to me. But. I shall not give them the gift I gave to Kal. But surely I shall give them a last name. Only Kalhil has been bestowed the family name 'Cenijo'. A marquess family name I created for the official registry. Being orphans meant having one name for the rest of their lives unless their benefactor gift it to them. It's been overdue and I'm not sure if such ranking in today's nobility make sense but. . .'

"My silly orphans. Stand". Raziel raised his hand to waist level forcing them to stand, his witch essence enveloping their bodies with a silver glow.

"Daemyn, Rue, Dakota, Lyall. My second, fifth, ninth and youngest. To express my gratitude for your loyalty: I shall bestow to you the family name Cenijo". Raziel, with a flick of his wrist, conjured three glowing scrolls certifying their registry.

"Now, you are brothers by law. I apologize it took me centuries to officially give you a household name. Kal show your sibling their chambers. Let's set an official meeting once you replenish yourselves." Raziel waved his hand gesturing for their dismissal but the three approached him. Tears still in their eyes.

"Master please." Daemyn pleaded while the younger ones approached more bravely. Lyall bawled as he hugged Raziel's waist.

"Goodness Lyall, you still have the mentality of a fifteen year old. You're 515 years old need I remind you". Raziel nagged but still scooped the child into his hold. Lyall was always small compared to his age. With a height of a ten year old and a mind of a fifteen year old. Raziel couldn't help himself. He is always weak with the youngest.

He did not even finished training him as he was only his orphan for two years.

"We missed you, master!" Dakota grinned.

"Master, don't take it to heart. We're doubtful by nature after what happened. The reason why we took long while doing your test was because we thought it was a trick. But please. . . please". Rue tried to continue but bawled in the end.

"Now knowing this is all real. Please bear in mind. We wouldn't hesitate to give our life to you". Daemyn managed to finish.