~ Trigger Warning:
This chapter contains themes of psychological manipulation, coercion, and loss of bodily autonomy. It includes depictions of controlling family dynamics, emotionally distressing situations, and implied inappropriate expectations within a familial relationship. There are also elements of sensory overwhelm, dissociation, and references to past physical suffering caused by misaligned training and restricted knowledge.
Reader discretion is advised.
Koba
Dessert was quiet but delicious. I devoured the award-winning chocolate and strawberry cupcakes, so I'd have one more good thing to remember about this evening. While Finn, Papa Sullivan, and I cleared the table and washed the dishes, Mama Azalea disappeared briefly. When she returned, she brought with her a garment bag and a smaller cloth pouch.
"We were going to give these to you later, but I think you need them now," she said, laying the bags on the couch, then gestured for me to come check out the gift. After drying my hands, I joined her, curious and a bit excited to find out what they got me. The clothes inside the garment bag were nothing like my usual wardrobe. No soft neutrals. No curated preppy cuts. No subtle wealthy status signaling. These clothes were darker. Sharper. Structured in an eastern silhouette that suggested movement rather than display. Layers that draped and folded like armor, pretending to be fabric. I felt something inside my chest click as if I'd found a piece of myself I didn't know was missing.
"I love it," I said honestly, running my hand over the fabric. I traced the embroidered geometric shapes. I felt my emotions settle and my mind clear from the anxiety that had been building since I knew I would have to interact with Minette tonight. Mama Azalea and Papa Sullivan smiled proudly, then nudged Finn forward. "Finn chose them. When he heard you were wanting to try new styles to see what you like, he went out and got this outfit for you. This outfit is similar to the first adult outfit he bought for Noxton." I wasn't sure if I was seeing correctly, but I was about 80% sure Finn was blushing right now.
Mama Azalea and Papa Sullivan's pride in their…friend's choice of clothes for their son was very apparent. Finn's mixed emotions of pleased, amused, and uncertainty were also apparent. My lips pulled into a grateful smile when I bowed to him the way he had shown me weeks ago. Proper angle. Proper respect. I felt honored he would choose an outfit for me similar to what he had gotten his own son. "Thank you for thinking of me," I said. "These clothes are different from what I have been… guided to choose before."
I didn't need to explain. They understood the accusation hidden in my phrasing. Both the internal and external accusations. "If you would send additional recommendations to me," I requested, "I would appreciate it. You can send them to the apartment I share with Noxton."
When Finn stepped into my personal space, he pulled me into a tight hug. I flinched slightly, but when he started to release me, I pulled him back into the hug. I felt his smile against my forehead when he relaxed back into the hug.
"You are proving that you are more than your bloodlines. You have been a good student these past few weeks," his voice quiet as he spoke. "Without your previous… restrictions in place, you are now figuring out what your cultivation journey should really look like. You are progressing so quickly that I expect we will all be surprised by how far you will ascend in the future. From now on, I would be honored if you would call me Uncle Finn," he released me from the hug but kept his hands on my shoulders as if he wanted to make sure I absorbed his next words.
"Keep proving you can and will rise above your suppressors. We got your back, young witch. You will find your Mama, Papa, and Uncle are better allies than you may have previously assumed."
Allies. Not just family. No longer feeling like I'm trying to survive in this enclave alone is the biggest welcomed change that has occurred since my world was turned upside down. "In the smaller pouch," Mama Azalea spoke up gently, "is a relaxing incense. It is strong enough to help someone go to sleep quickly." I met Mama Azalea's eyes. She did not look away. "If she is asleep, she can't charm you," she informed me, clearly well-versed in its use. "Your visit should be over quickly."
I took a moment to fully process what my innocent-looking mom had just proposed. Is she suggesting I drug my sister? When did she get this incense? Did she get this specifically for me or did she already have this on hand? While putting my sister to sleep so she can't potentially use her charms and tricks on me felt morally grey; if I'm being honest with myself, I have no problem using the incense to protect myself. I can't trust Minette's intentions for wanting me to come visit her tonight.
This was an unnecessary power flex. I'm counting the days until I don't have to answer her summons. I will use the incense, then get out of there. "When you are finished with your visit," Finn said, "have Colt message us. We'll come to your apartment to discuss the progress we have made on the matters you asked us to look into."
The investigation into my past and present. The truth behind Nyxara's accusations. The ritual our spies have heard was going to be done for Nyxara in a couple of weeks. Papa Sullivan gripped me by the back of my neck. The grip felt grounding. "We'll be waiting for your message, son."
⸻
I excused myself to go shower and change clothes. When I picked up the garment bag, it felt heavier than I anticipated. Mama Azalea stopped me before I reached the hallway leading to the elevator. "Change in your room down here," she said gently. "No need to go upstairs to your apartment." I had forgotten they had set aside a room for me here. I gave Mama Azalea a kiss on the cheek before I carried the bag into my room, shutting the door behind me.
I went into the bathroom, then turned on the shower so it could warm up while I undressed. Looking into the mirror, I saw the reflection of the curated Dillard Scion, Koba Dillard. Pressed collar. Neutral tones. Perfectly tailored lines meant to signal stability and approachability. I was wearing the Sentinel Initiate Academy uniform, but all my clothes were of the same style. A hand-picked stylist had picked out everything in my wardrobe, making this the Dillard Scion's recognized style.
I want to tear this uniform to shreds. I am so done dealing with choices I didn't make. Choices that were made for me. Like I'm a doll to dress up and pose. Nothing against the Initiate uniform, but this is only one side of me. This is not all of who I am or want to be.
I removed the uniform jacket first. Then the shirt. Layer by layer, the curated version of me was folded into a neat stack on the counter. After I finished rinsing off the day in the shower, I got out, pulled my braids up into a ponytail, then I put on my new clothes.
I felt different the moment they settled onto my body. The fabric had weight without stiffness. The overall impression was structure without restriction. The inner lining held faint threads of woven sigil-work—subtle enough not to announce itself, but present enough to hum against my skin.
The whole outfit felt protective and intentional in its purpose. The darker palette sharpened my reflection. The layered wrap jacket shifted the line of my shoulders. The cut of the trousers allowed movement instead of stagnation. I felt like I was in control of my life and actions. Like I was meant to wear these clothes.
I tied the incense pouch discreetly along the inner belt seam, concealed beneath the outer layer. Its presence gave me confidence to face Minette before I truly felt ready. When I stepped back into the main room, Mama Azalea's smile widened. Papa Sullivan's eyes gleamed with approval. Uncle Finn nodded once. "Yes. This style suits you well." He walked around me, making minor adjustments so everything was situated where it was supposed to be.
"Hopefully, I'll be calling you in thirty minutes or less," I gave Papa Sullivan a hug before hugging Mama Azalea and Uncle Finn. Papa Sullivan gave a small nod. "We will stage a rescue if we don't hear from you after an hour."
________
When I reached the elevator, Colt and the elevator were there waiting for me. Wordlessly, Colt and I entered, then began our descent. I felt confident I could handle this situation quickly and easily. It shouldn't be too hard to talk with Minette for a while. I'll listen to her ramble while the incense does its job. Soon, I'll be back to spending the rest of my evening as I originally planned—with my family.
As the elevator descended, I felt the essence in my cores and system become a bit more refined. I sensed my body tense and relax as it drew in more essence from the radiance gems on my right Glythias ring. The empowering sensation of my cultivation rising a bit closer to Veil 2 was undeniable proof that Papa Sullivan was right in having me rework my Veil tier foundation before attempting to level up. Previously, when I leveled up or ascended, I experienced excruciating pain. When I brought up the matter of the excessive pain to Mother, Father or my tutors in the past they all insisted that pain was a sign I was doing things right.
So I thought the pain I had been trained to embrace was normal until I was talking to Sawyer and Robin this week. They both mentioned how good they felt as their essence refined and grew in quantity as it pushed them towards the next level. In my confusion, I asked them if they were masochists. Now we were all confused, I explained that leveling up and ascending hasn't felt good to me since Seed tier.
They immediately clarified that my experience was not normal if I was cultivating correctly. Robin, a shifter, said I should feel empowered and more connected to my essence and the planet. Sawyer, a vampire, jumped in, saying the pain I had gone through was a sign I was forcing my essence system into a shape that did not fit who I was on a soul level.
Together, they explained that in the best-case scenario, I will stall in my cultivation until I path corrected. In the worst-case scenario, I could permanently stall and never be able to ascend another level or tier for the rest of my life.
I was horrified to find out there was also the possible improper consolidation outcome of my cultivation path narrowing. The way they explained it, I would still level up and ascend, but I would never be as powerful or stable as my peers of the same tier and level. Truthfully, I had to sit with that revelation that I could have caused my essence system irreversible damage.
All these years, Mother and Father had never told me of these possible outcomes. They filtered what the tutors could tell me, and after middle school until now, they have declared me exempt from regionally taught essencecrafting classes. Because, according to them, I did not need to learn the same things as people not as brilliant as me.
Minette was allowed to learn what others were taught but not me. I didn't find it strange then, but I found it very odd now how they controlled the narrative. Yes, I am brilliant and talented. That is a fact. But at what point did they think such crucial cultivation information wasn't necessary? At that moment, I had felt a bottomless well of rage form in my gut. This level of betrayal was unforgivable. Every time I think that they could not sink any lower, I find another betrayal to add to my list.
There is absolutely no good reason for the choices they made when they interfered so dangerously in my cultivation. I can't even fathom to what end they thought I should be crippled. What did they gain in twisting my cultivation? They gained control of me is one aspect I immediately recognized. Only with Mother, Father and Minette did I not hurt so much. Not even Nyxara could soothe the essence ache. But what was the goal in controlling me this way? I'm their son. Their Scion. Why did they need to chain me at all?
In hindsight, I can only thank the Creators I was subjected to restrictions and enchantments to the extent I was. Without their influence, I would have developed a very reasonable fear of cultivating. The pain I endured when leveling up or ascending to the next tier was immense.
After discussing the matter with Uncle Finn and Papa Sullivan, they took me to the doctor who had treated my Velintra backlash, Dr. Youngblood, to get an in-depth scan of my essence system done. The results were positive. My essence system was a bit knotted, but if I course corrected before leveling up to Veil 2, I could mitigate the damages.
Uncle Finn had a strange expression on his face when he examined the projected image of my essence system, but it was gone before I could question him about it. In my next essencecraft session with Uncle Finn, he got my consent to perform a procedure that would help loosen the knots in my system. It would also help expel any harmful essence in the process.
I'm man enough to admit, I blacked out from the pain, but afterwards I felt lighter and like I was taking a full breath for the first time in years. Steady and precise. I will construct my essence system into a tapestry of power and resilience. If I can at least reach the Veil 2 threshold before Mother and Father return, they will have less wiggle room to affect my cultivation.
I already had to start from scratch in some aspects of my essencecraft training, but Uncle Finn said I was picking up his methods like a fish to water. He assured me that by the end of Dreyrune next month, I would be unrecognizable in my essencecrafting, so I would see the fruits of my efforts soon enough.
When we reached Minette's floor, the elevator doors opened to a residential space of neon pink bleeding into cream. The cream was then drowned in gold. Every surface reflected light back on itself as if the space feared being ignored. Crystal chandeliers. Velvet seating. Decorative panels shaped like stage backdrops. It was less an apartment and more a permanent performance set. I think she is burning her Minaiya-branded scent pink lychee and black currant candles, adding a nauseating layer to this already overwhelming ordeal in the worst possible way.
She might as well have installed flashing lights that said, "Look at me. Can you see me? Look at me." Colt wordlessly handed me some pills and a bottle of water. I took them, and my senses dulled enough that the space wasn't making my head spin. Her assistant—I really wished I remembered the girl's name—greeted me once the doors closed behind us. She promptly pressed something on her phone. I heard the locking mechanism on the elevator engage. Fuck. This bitch just trapped me.
Her bright smile was alarming. "Good evening, Scion Dillard." Note to self: will need to climb the stairs to the next floor. When my wristwatch vibrated, I saw a note from Colt that included an update to my escape plan: he could either shift his finger into the elevator master key when I was ready to go or I can get exercise and climb to the next floor up. I selected the master key option for the plan.
I want to work smarter. Not harder. The assistant whispered as we walked, "She's in a foul mood. Only your special massage will calm her inner omega after you ignored her needs earlier. You know how stressful touring can be for a sensitive omega like her." I slowed down my walking pace. Even Colt's head was tilted to the side in confusion. "First Lady Minette is expecting what kind of special massage from the Scion? I haven't prepared anything for any special massages." Colt questioned with a sniff.
I was happy he asked because I was very confused about what kind of massage I had ever given Minette that could be considered special or why I would even be giving her a massage when I'm pretty sure I hired a masseuse for her. The assistant blinked at Colt, then ignored him muttering something about stupid androids. She turned her focus fully on me when she answered Colt's questions. "You are new, but the Scion already knows what I mean by special massage. Lady Minette is waiting in the spa room. Everything has been prepared, so further preparations are unnecessary."
I forced my expression to remain neutral. I knew I could not show this female how anxious this situation was making me. My body was subtly trembling while my mind was trying to make sense of the clues I had. Colt began stalling to give me time to figure out what in Asari was going on here.
"So all the tools are cleaned and ready for use?" Colt asked as he checked off things on his tablet. "The oils. Lotions. Hot stones?" The assistant visibly relaxed now that we seemed to be on the same page as her. "Yes, sir. Everything is set. I even made sure all the massage wands are charged. I have soft, sensual music playing so she will be in the right receptive mood. The Lady said she would not let the Scion go until he had given her a full-body session. That she would not accept anything less than an hour and a half for this massage." Hour and a half full-body massage session…with my sister. My stomach turned. I felt myself disconnect from my body like an untethered soul.
I watched as Colt informed the assistant that I needed to wash my hands so my hands would be perfect for massaging Minette's body. The assistant instantly approved. "She'll be pleased with your dedication to her pleasure. You can use this bathroom right here. I will go inform the Lady, then return to escort you blindfolded to the spa room. Your android assistant will have to wait for you in the foyer until you are done." I nodded, then let Colt guide me into the bathroom.