Styg·i·an/ˈstijēən/

Relating to the Styx River.

- - ♁ ☉ ☾ - - ♁ ☉ ☾ - - ♁ ☉ ☾ - -

Darkness. An endless cycle of darkness.

As if air floating in an endless abyss, he tried moving, talking, or even breathing. Nothing transpired, but numbness. 

The last thing he remembered was a betrayal brought upon his own naivety. It's too late to realize the treachery of his own blood. How long has it been since then?

"What's his name?" A familiar voice echoed throughout the dark. 'K-Kalhil?  Silly child release me at once,' he tried to let his voice out but once again failed.

Suddenly a light flashed, although nothing but a speck, he is most certain it is not of his doing. Has he tapped into someone's energy? This energy is. . . accessible. Perhaps? No. This energy sure is of immense power, but still raw.

He tried to urge himself to come towards the light until he saw its source: a baby. 'This explains why such energy is accessible, it's nothing but a baby.'

He ridiculed himself to have stooped this low. Attempting to leech off a small creature? He dismissed the final ounce of humanity he had salvaged from that betrayal. If it comes to this choice. It's unavoidable. He shall be scum. It is of great need. The man who proclaimed himself as scum used his mind to channel the child's power, making an apparition of himself.

As if a vortex was pulling his consciousness, he let out a gasp as he let himself bask in the light that he was deprived of.

'Now that I'm somehow out. I could finally see what is going on'

His most loyal orphan: Kalhil Cenijo. "Kalhil, my dear. It's me Raziel Leor. . . . hmmm, it's no use?" Raziel tried attempting to communicate as he draws in closer. He frowned as he saw his orphan entertaining a woman while not feeling his presence. 

'Found your other half so soon, hmm?' Raziel Leor Nox hummed as he studies the woman's features. 'Let's see, locks of curly dirty blond hair framing her oval face, that sunken light brown orbs. . . . Looks like a decent enough lady despite her frantic expression. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not my dear Kalhil's fault.'  

Raziel's scrutinizing line of sight was immediately drawn to the little bundle that she was carrying. 'There is that child. Is it the reason of this damped atmosphere?' 

"Is this yours Kal?"

He tried to reach out and touch the baby as he is aware that no one could sense him. Stopping in his track Raziel couldn't help but stare in wonder. 'This child was staring at me,' he thought with amusement.

The child suddenly let out a giggle as if mocking. 'Oh dear... What have you found yourself my dear Kalhil? Such a powerful child.' Raziel is almost certain that this child might change the future. He's just not sure if it's for better or worse.

"It's Ciel Aude Sinclair. M. . my lord" The lady answered, making Kal's turn to chuckle. "Deva, there's no need. Just call me Kalhil" Raziel raised his brow at the air of intimate familiarity between the two.

'What year is it? His tone and the way they dress.' Now that Raziel noticed, even the surroundings. Surely this is not of his time. He tried to check for a hint glancing around the unfamiliar setting. But then, he realized. How about? "My apologies Aude, I shall channel you to speak through your mother." The baby once again eyed him, rather excited that someone was talking to him.

Raziel stepped forward to close the distance, raising his hand to touch the child. "Hmmmmm." He let out a sigh of frustration as his hand disappears through the baby's arm.

"Aude, make your mother ask the kind lad what year is it." Raziel tried speaking to a baby. Hoping it could make sense.

He smiled and giggled. "Mr. Kalhil, sorry for asking, it's been long since I fled my coven. Might I ask what day it is?" His mother asked rather naturally.

Mirroring the little witch, Raziel laughed. The little bundle of treasure.

"It's November 19 of XXXX" Kalhil answered, making him gasp in surprise. 

'500 years? I've missed centuries on this earth. . . .' Raziel wanted to scream in rage for Kalhil, for him to help him trace those traitorous beings that he once calls as siblings!

"Kalhil!" Raziel roared.

The baby stared at him again. Its innocent smile faded as Raziel tries to channel enough of the child's essence for him to become more than just an apparition. He concentrated and mustered all that he could. Feeling the surge of energy flowing into his body. 

"Ciel! My baby." Deva shrieked when the child cried as if he is being twisted into a knot. "Oh dear," Kalhil immediately pulled a scarf from his pocket to wipe the infant's nose.

Seeing blood coming out of the child; Raziel's anger subsided. The grip that he had on his essence loosen. He felt. . . guilty, almost pathetic. 'Harming an innocent one does not make me better than them,' Raziel mocked himself with a laugh. Just a while ago, he decided to be a scum. But alas, Raziel couldn't. He still has this cursed humanity. As much as he loathes his siblings, he can't bring himself to squeeze the little bundle to the last drop of his energy.

With his mind being such a mess, Raziel lose connection with the child. His surroundings became a whirl of darkness as he went back to a blank state.

'My dearest siblings. I've been asleep for centuries. Surely, in 18 years. Yes. It shall suffice for the child. He could go strong and sharpen his energy to help me, but first I shall learn my ways of this period with him. Then the time shall come for my sweet revenge.'

* * * 10 Years Later* * *

As years passed, Raziel's been accustomed lurking around with the child. Somehow, he could only be an apparition as long as he is within the little witch's radius. 

Whenever Raziel attempts to explores alone, he just goes back into darkness. He felt shackled with the limitations. So far all Raziel could learn was what Aude was learning, and a child's knowledge only goes so little about the place's secrets. The two of them are not even allowed to roam around the outer rooms.

"Aude?" Raziel, finally reaching the end of his patience, tried talking to the child for the second time in ten years. He was on a what they call 'tutorial'. They give him books to study and spells to cast. So far, this child surpasses their expectations. Not Raziel's of course. He is aware of his talent ever since Raziel laid eyes on the infant.

"I did not think you could speak, sir." Aude answered nonchalantly while scribbling in his notebook. Raziel felt naked when the child acknowledged his presence in the room. The feeling of being addressed felt new to Raziel. All this time he has been alone for ten years shadowing the child, afraid that a single squeak from him might traumatize the child for life. Raziel had deemed the child matured enough and he is right.

"Sir, what are you?" Aude asks in a singsong voice, finally looking at his direction. Raziel walked towards him with an attempt of showing a kind smile. But. . . he wasn't sure. . . 

"Aude. Tell me what is it that you see?" he asked, curious about what he had made himself into. From Raziel's point of view, he could see his arms, legs, and the attire he had on that day of his. . . . Raziel could tell that he was moving, and could control what he was seeing. But he never ever had a chance to see what his face looked like from another's point of view. Whenever there was a mirror, there was no reflection. It's like he is here, but at the same time wasn't.

"You're just a shadow. You know at first I was afraid of you but. . . you are always there watching me." Aude scrunched his little nose, unsure of what he was saying. "There's no children here beside me. So. . . I thought you could be my friend, but I was scared to approach you first" He said looking straight at Raziel.

"We could change what I look like." Raziel suggested. 

"Make me look more like a. ." "A friend?!" 

Aude gasped, giddy while standing up from his seat. Excited by the thought of finally having a 'friend'. Raziel tried to nod, but figured he couldn't see. 

"But first I have to channel you." Raziel chose to talk instead. The child looks unsure but still made his way in front of the 'shadow man'. 

"Sure" he replied happily once he is in front of his would be friend. Raziel was about to warn him that his hand would just go through him, but Aude landed on his 'wrist'.

'I could actually feel his touch,' Raziel marveled at the first taste of warmth in a long time.

"Mister you are cold," Aude commented while making a face that was about to cry. Raziel didn't mind as he was in awe of the child's talent.

"Now, clear your thoughts while I try to send you a visual image of what I look like as a child." Aude nodded while closing his eyes immediately. Raziel could feel that the two of them are connected but. . . blood dripped from his nose, making Raziel gently push the child off.

Aude opened his eyes as soon as he felt the distance of 'shadow man'. Looking as he was about to cry, he reached out to his nose, wiping the drop of blood.

'Blood. It's been a while since I've tasted such fine blood. How sweet must his be?' Rather than being disappointed Raziel has other thoughts in mind.

"I'm sorry mister. Not strong enough." Aude sobbed.

"Hush child, I shall still comply with being friends as you call it."