"Lady Elyria Velros, are you aware that your son is a killer and a monster?" A voice rang through, sharp and concise making Elyria hitch. "I'm sure that there has to be some form of misunderstanding." She voiced, her tone light yet wavering.
She had been summoned to the main capital out of the blue alongside her husband. "Caeldrith Velros, are you aware of the charges pressed on your son. Not only does he indulge in bizarre glyphs but has dared to form a relationship with the counselor's daughter?"
The man addressed as Caeldrith grit his teeth, his fists clenched as he could already see his son now. "No, high minister." He couldn't help but retort. With a bow, he could barely endure the humiliation that he went through. "You'll have to answer your sins alongside your son's."
The door behind them opened and a pair made their way into the room. Empty and dark as those who spoke remained shrouded in the shadows. "Mom, how have you been?" Jarren asked, wrapping his hands around Elyria who couldn't help but hug her son back.
"I've been well. But what is this about you killing people that I'm hearing. And also why did you change your class to shadow? I thought that we agreed that you would stick with fire?!" Caeldrith's chest heaved however before he could intervene, his eyes landed on the girl that had accompanied him.
"Miss Elyria, it's an honor to meet the mother of the man who claimed me as his." Her tone playful as she extended a hand. "Callista Vaewlyn, it's an honor to meet you." Elyria mused as she eagerly greeted her. In Reuthar, only the vassal states didn't know who Callista was. The kingdom's crystal jewel was revered throughout the state and in other kingdoms as well.
"Don't think much of it. You definitely raised a strong and charming man." Lies she spoke through her teeth. She was aware that Jarren wasn't the same bastard who had been preying on him from before but someone else entirely. "Oh, there's no need to praise me so." Elyria chuckled.
"That's enough!" The voice from before rang through, the faces of the shadows now cane to light showing the three ministers and the counselor. "Dad! Hi!" Callista smiled, waving her hand however James was far from thrilled seeing his daughter. "Caeldrith Velros and Elyria Velros, you two may take your leave."
The two didn't bother defying the orders handed as they quickly took their leave. "Don't say anything stupid." Caeldrith whispered in Jarren's ear before his figure disappeared out of he room. The monstrous pair was now left alone with the ministers of Reuthar.
"Jarren Velros and Callista Vaewlyn, do you know the crimes that you have committed and their repercussions?" James mused, his gaze cold as it locked onto Jarren's figure. "I don't know? I don't recall committing any crimes. All I did was execute the mission handed to me by the Ark Facility."
His tone feigned ignorance, making the three ministers click their tongue. "Dad, all we did was defend Horshaw from the demon and the abominations. So what wrong did we do?" The four nearly laughed themselves to death. 'What wrong did we do?' The question echoed in their minds.
"What wrong did you two do? Sure I commend efforts for dealing with the demon and the abomination but your damage to Horshaw can't be overlooked. The death of four hundred soldiers and twenty four civilians. This alone can be punished through death. And that's not considering the fact that the two of you ordered a public execution."
James finalized his thoughts hoping to get through to the pair. Jarren had his hands folded behind his back, Callista with one of her hands resting on her waist and the other callously drooping over. By their looks on their faces, it was clear that they were unfazed by their crimes.
"The execution was deserved, as for the death of the soldiers and the knights. I made a bet with Jarren. I said that if I came out on top that I would get him all to myself for the rest of the year. And I won." She beamed a smile, playful yet sadistic making the three ministers and James shudder
"Since when did you become such a deranged psychopath?" James posed, his tone now condescending akin to a father. "But dad, I've always been like this. When you taste what power is and grow weary of it, not just this world but existence itself starts to feel boring." Her ramblings laced with an edge of glee.
"You! I naturally take it that this is your fault for corrupting my daughter. Rumors are that you're a phrenomancer. You're aware what kind of consequences what such an individual can face, right?" Smug with his conclusion, Seris wished to get Jarren out of the public eye.
It wasn't just Seris but the others wanted to seclude him for a proper breakdown at what made his glyphs tick. "Of course, however what makes you so sure that I'm a phrenomancer? Not because she's fallen for me mean that I'm something I'm not." Jarren mused flatly making the three pause with shock.
"Callista, I want you to halt any form of communication with this individual. With your skills you could do great things for Reuthar, with your ability to deal with massive hordes of both demons and abominations." James ordered not as a counselor but as a father.
Callista's face contorted into discomfort. "But dad... If you actually mean it then I'll do more than just run away, I'll kill you dad." It wasn't just James but the other three ministers that were perplexed with what they had heard. "Callista Vaewlyn! I will not take this level of disrespect!"
*Thud*
James let out his aura filling the hall, the other three ministers shifted in discomfort however the two remained unfazed by his malcore. "Dad, I'm not lying. Who knows how you'll end up by the end of this conversation." Callista went on, her tone playful yet lethal.
With her face portraying a cynical smile, it was clear that she meant what she said. Unable to endure the disrespect from his daughter, he applied extra pressure on Callista with the hopes of knocking her out but the image of her falling to the floor never came to be. "Dad~" She mused playfully, now appearing behind James.
"Wait! How did you-" Toren asked as he moved away from Callista. "Don't make me do something that you'll regret. And don't think that I can't kill you." Callista's voice dropped, now chilling cold making James subconsciously wince in fear. He still couldn't believe that he was growing fearful of her own daughter.
"You-" He let out a sigh, agreeing to her demand. "Fine, I'll call down so can we go on with our conversation?" In a flash she reappeared next to Jarren, snuggling in his embrace. 'This girl?!' James could already picture the snarks coming from the other ministers.
"..." James furrowed his brows, perplexed with how to deal with the situation. It was clear that the two didn't care about morality and his own daughter was ready to kill him if need be. His face was buried with his hand, letting out a deep long sigh. "We can't let you two simply run amuck so freely. I'm sure that we can put your bloodthirsty nature to benefit the kingdom."
Toren was the first to speak, making the other two ministers nod in agreement. "Exactly but first, we have to deal with your glyphs. Some wish to link you to the works of demons but we're sure that isn't the case, a mere understanding so come clean." Seris said with his head supported by his hand.
He was the least professional out of the four. "If you wish then I'll teach you all."
*Snap*
Time came to a standstill, the pair remained unaffected. "Are you going to teach them your glyph?" Callista asked, wriggling in his arm. "No, I'll just give them what they think they want. It'll be too late before they realize what they've truly fallen into." Jarren answered as he prepared to resume time.
"When I learn to all do all that? Sure crystals is great but I want to learn more skills like time and other elements as well. Maybe twist fate to my liking like you." She rose to her toes, inching her face closer to his. "You can learn under Crimson's tutorage but that would nullify your reward."
She fell in thought, humming before letting out her answer. "I'd rather have you till the end of the year. Besides we've got eternity to learn." She chuckled, allowing Jarren snap his fingers letting time flow as it was.
"But of course, what exactly do you wish to learn?" Jarren asked, his glyph flickering in his palm.
***
'Clomere? I guess I'd like to meet someone like me.' Callista mused as the two started to take their leave, their hands locked with each other's. "Jarren!" Caeldrith shouted however seeing Callista his tone calmed down. "There's no need to worry Caeldrith, we're cleared so you don't have to worry yourself too much." She mused, her smile light before breaking away from his embrace.
"Miss Elyria, I'd like to have a small chat with you." The ladies took their leave making the father son duo finally reunite. The halls were empty, well lit with a modern edge. "What were you thinking? Do you know the problems that I had to deal with when I heard of all the crimes you did?!"
Caeldrith didn't bother being subtle about it, letting his voice rise. "Father, the matter is all cleared up so there's no need to rattle yourself so much. And besides, I've managed to secure a relationship with Callista Vaewlyn. I'm sure a smart person like you could see the potential with this." Caeldrith paused he recalled that Callista has said that the two were cleared of their crimes.
"I don't know as to how you managed to swoon her but it would seem that it paid off. However we still have to talk about your elemental! Shadow? I hope that you know what we the Velros specialize in." Jarren's hand flickered showing a glyph-work, perfectly executed showing the Velros emblem.
The glyph-work shone brightly making Caeldrith fall silent. "See father, I still keep an eye on it, it's just secondary now." His tone calm as he reverted the glyph. "..." Caeldrith couldn't find anything else he could critique his son with. His crimes were cleared, his glyph of the family signature was well mastered and he had managed to secure a strong relationship with Callista.
'Shouldn't I as a father be pleased with his achievements and yet it still irks me.' Caeldrith thought in his mind as he stared into Jarren's eyes. A calm starry night clashed with his fiery red beads. "If you have nothing else to ask then I'll be taking my leave." Jarren brushed past his father's shoulder and walked down the hall.
Caeldrith was still stunned with what had happened as he heard Jarren's echoes fill the air.
***
Jarren was met with the giggles of the two ladies, a smile forming on his face as he drew closer. "It's nice to see you two get along so well." His tone warm as he drew in for a kiss. "Chuu~" Callista embraced it however Elyria who watched the two was stunned when Jarren pressed his lips onto her's. Callista let out a cheeky chuckle.
"Jarren?!" She cried out in frustration pulling away from her son. She had forgotten about his behavior as of late with it being way too provocative and free around her. "What is it mum? Is it wrong for me to show you my love?" He innocently asked however her face of disgust didn't falter.
"I'm your mother, not your lover." She said before taking her leave. "I hope that we talk to each other soon." With her words directed at Callista, she disappeared down the halls. "Aw! You scared her off." Callista mused, a playful smile forming on her visage.
"Don't worry, we'll have all the time in the world with her." Jarren promises as the two made their way to the chopper. "I still can't believe that we'll have to be the kingdom's lap dogs. When will we go on that vacation? I don't want to be here any longer." Callista cried as the two made their way to the helipad.
"It's much sooner than you think. After all let's see how much the kingdom can stomach before it too small for our games." Jarren spoke, his words promising more than just games to come.