Family Pact

[Max452]

OOC: This thread is mostly centered around Daeron becoming a family member and his training, just so we can have it! lol.

Daeron stared at the wooden door that was surrounded by a stone archway. His eyes were filled with anger and determination as he agreed to come with Elijah; he had promised that he would make him special, worthy to fight in the ranks of Katriana's army, and also, the crazy bomber had promised Elijah a family that would never betray him. After all, that was all he had going for him now. He tried not to think of the pain and heartache. A flash of Sachi came to his mind. She had lied to him. Used him, even. She never loved him. Tyrant had shown him her lies; she was just using him to get what she wanted. What a fool he was...to think a monster was capable of love. Daeron snorted inwardly. He felt so much anger toward Sachiko. Even during their final arguement she was still pretending that she cared and that the things he found out were all a lie. No, he saw her with that man...that was enough to break and shatter his heart...enough for him to realize the truth. He wasn't special. He was a fool.

An image of Glory flashed next. He still hadn't fixed their relationship, but why bother? All she would have said was "I told you so." All she cared about was being right. Not about him. No one did. So now, Daeron was with Elijah because he promised him a family. Sure, the man was crazy, but there was something about his tone and words when he spoke that made Daeron believe him - weary now that he had been betrayed so many times by those that claimed to love and care about him. No, Elijah had spoken in the ancient language of his truth and offer; he even seemed sane. Once Daeron agreed, Elijah managed to get Katriana to agree to allow them to take a few months away, just so Eli could train him, and uncover more of the enemies' territories, supplies, and men. It was an undercover job that was meant to gather information. Daeron had a high suspicion that Katriana just wanted to get rid of them, but the boy didn't care, as long as Elijah held his part of the bargain.

So, now, here they were, standing in a underground tunnel, facing a wooden door. Daeron watched as Elijah knocked on the door, his mood not at all crazy, but serious. Daeron wondered what was going on.

A slit was opened at the door and two eyes stared at Elijah. The bomber lifted a lip for a grin. "I have brought Daeron. Let them know." Elijah told the eyes. The slit closed and they waited for a good 10 minutes before the door opened.

"Brother Elijah. It is good to see you. Please, they are waiting for you in the main room. They are pleased." The doorman stated as he ushered Elijah and Daeron to the room.

Daeron followed closely behind Elijah, unsure of what was going on or who they were meeting. As they entered the designated room, Daeron's eyes went wide and anger pounded into his veins. The three individuals in the room were not whom he had expected, particuarly one of them.

[Trinn]

Elaine sat at the sturdy oak table with a straight back, hands folded together atop it. She couldn't remember the last time she had sat in this room, among the family. She couldn't remember the last time she had wanted to. Why she ever agreed to such a pact, she'd never know, but she was honor bound to uphold it. Her biggest regret had always been keeping Eridor in the dark about the Family. The elders had forbidden it. A flicker of anger touched her heart. One day Eridor would know. Perhaps they would have to kill the Family because of it. Perhaps, even, they would die. But Eridor was her bond and her soul. Their pact was truer than this Family. And then there was Dublin. Her love for him quelled the anger she felt and calmed her. He was at her orphanage now, attending to the duties there while she was away. Elaine longed for the day of her return, when she could lay in his arms again.

Her thoughts trailed away when the door at last swung open, to emit Elijah and a young boy. Elaine was surprised to see recognition in his eyes, even anger. She looked to her two companions, and suddenly knew who the boy was. Daeron. Marola's lost son. Elaine didn't know whether to feel happy or sad for her adopted sister. She settled on a bittersweet smile of sympathy.

[Tismri]

Marola watched the door steadily, waiting for the anticipated arrival. Lucien had come to her personally, telling her that she needed to return "home" quickly. A new member was coming, and one she would need to meet. She wondered who it was that Lucien felt it necessary to disrupt the pattern they had established years ago.
The door opened, and two individuals entered. Marola found herself gripping the edge of the table, her head suddenly spinning as a rush of relief and absolute terror entered into her very soul. Daeron. Her son was alive; he was safe and sound, whole as far as she could tell. But...was he the new member Lucien had mentioned? The thought made her feel sick inside; she'd been worried to death over him, and now it seemed for good reason. This Family was insane, their only bonds forged together in the art of ruthless killing. Marola NEVER wanted that for any of her children, any more than she wanted them to become Riders.
However, just the fact that he was standing before her made her lose her self-control, and she immediately stood and ran to her child, embracing him in a flood of tears.
"Oh, Daeron!" she cried. "Oh, my little star! Don't you know how worried sick you made me?" She realized she hadn't called him that in years, not since he turned twelve and asked her not to--thought he was too old for silly mother nicknames, she supposed.
~~~~~
Lucien sat still as he watched the interaction between Marola and her child, their new brother. He allowed her several moments, knowing just how much the well-being of her children meant to her. Marola was nothing if not an affectionate mother. Still, they had business to attend to here.
"That is enough, Sister," he told her calmly. Marola immediately silenced her cries and stood still. It pleased Lucien to know that he still had this much loyalty from her. "You may continue your reunion with your son after our business here is concluded. Come, sit." Obviously extremely hesitant, Marola gradually released her child and moved back to her seat, her expression mostly blanked and business-like, but her eyes never leaving Daeron and always holding a slight sheen of tears.

[Max452]

Daeron was riled up with pure anger as he spotted his Mother. What was she doing her?! He glared over at Elijah, wondering if this was some ploy of some sorts. Where was his allegience if not to Katriana? He was about to unleash his sword when his mother embraced him. "Let go of me!" He muttered, feeling slightly deflated as she called him by his old nickname. For a brief second, that young innocent Daeron wanted to desperatly hold onto his mother, wanted everything to go back to the way things were...where he had once felt happy. But brief it was, as memories of his family's betrayal echoed in. He pulled away, thankful that she did so as well. "I have no Mother." He seethed out in a whisper to her as he took a step back, anger in his eyes.

"Brother Lucien, as you insisted, I brought Daeron here!" Elijah told his elder Brother as his eyes briefly went over to Marola and Elaine. "It took some persuading, but here he is." He presented Daeron, by gripping the boy by the hand and making him stand in front of him. His hands moved to his shoulders, as if keeping Daeron from bolting.

"What is the meaning of this, Elijah? You promised me a family and a place where I can become special so Katriana will accept me - what is she doing here?" Daeron hissed out, glaring at the crazed bomber before glaring at his mother.

"Hush, hush, Daeron. I didn't lie to you. Our Brother Lucien shall explain all to you. Please be polite, not many walk in here can claim leaving if they are rude." Elijah warned before turning back to look at his Brother.

[Tismri]

Marola sat in absolute shock at the word that came from Daeron's mouth. She felt something in her crumble into pieces, her world crashing down. Though those same words had echoed in nightmares since the time Cortell had been born, she was still unprepared to hear them in life. She steadied herself with a few deep breaths, and gave Lucien a very pointed glance, which he understood immediately.
Lucien then fixed his gaze on Daeron, probing him thoroughly. He was Marola's child, there was no doubt about that. From his angry tone to the set of his face, Lucien felt flashbacks to Marola's young, early days when she was no older than the boy.
"Daeron, you are being presented with a very unique opportunity. We four here represent a very special kind of Family. A Family not bonded by blood, but forged together by the shedding of it." He noticed Marola tense out of the corner of his eye, but ignored it. "We have ties of loyalty and love that transcend any relationship, and you have agreed to be a part of it.
"However, just as any child needs to learn to walk and talk, so do our new brethern need to learn the arts of our trade, which is silent assassination. You will be trained by these present, who are among the best our Family has to offer. You already know just how deadly Elijah can be when the occasion calls for it. I personally trained Marola when she was no older than yourself, and in turn, Marola trained Elaine. By the time they are through with you, you will be a killer any queen would want in her army."
Lucien decided to let all of that sink in for the boy. He decided he would allow Elijah to explain the situation between them and the Shade's army. But for now, there was another matter to be resolved. He stood and went to the entrance.
"Elijah, Elaine," he called calmly. The tension in the room was so thick, one could almost cut it with a knife. Marola and Daeron needed to resolve their issues before his training could ensue.

[Max452]

Daeron's dagger glares disappeared once his gaze was averted from his mother. Lucien's words caught Daeron's attention. His eyes went wide at the thought of everything that was offered to him, but especially on learning his mother was also apart of this...group. Daeron didn't know what to think. He wanted a family, but knowing that his Mother was apart of it almost made him change his mind - almost. Lucian's last words quite the boy's interest. They would make him worthy to be apart of the Katriana's army? That was really what he wanted...to prove to all of them that he was special. He pondered on the words spoken to him before the man spoke again, clearly making Elijah and Elaine leave. What did this man think? That he would reconcile with his mother? She was nothing to him - she didn't love him so he wouldn't love her! It was plain and simple. He would get what he needed from her and move on! He didn't need anyone! He seethed inwardly as he watched the three individuals leave, leaving him alone with his Mother.

Anger was all Daeron felt as he stared at his Mother. He wanted nothing to do with her. She never listened to him. Never let him help. It was always Cortell; he was her favorite. Daeron sometimes wondered if she even wanted him born based on how she always fawned and paid attention to everyone but him. His cold, hated eyes hid the hurt and loneliness he truly felt. All Daeron wanted was for his mother and family to love him...but they only ever saw him as a nuisance.

"When are we getting started?" Daeron asked gruffly, having no intention to associate with his Mother on a personal level.

[Tismri]

Marola sat quietly for several long moments after Daeron asked his question. She'd never noticed how angry he seemed, how frustrated. She thought back to the last she had been with him, before Glory had gone mission. He had been spending more and more time with those unruly kids in town, breaking into the tavern. He must have thought she and Marcus never noticed how he sometimes dragged in late at night, or how sick he was the next day. His rebellion had been causing her no end of grief, especially when she had to also keep an eye on the girls as well.
When had this change taken place? Was he like this the entire time, and she was just too busy to notice? She felt guilty as she thought of it. All she could remember for the longest time was lecturing him and reprimanding him for his bad behavior. Maybe it was his way of trying to get attention from her.
Well, he had her attention now. She knew she had to hear him out, and beyond that, she had to let him take out his anger or it would harden into hatred in his heart. She knew that all too well.
"We'll get started whenever you're ready," she told him gently. "But you can't learn properly when you're distracted by rage. Talk to me, son. I'm listening."

[Max452]

Daeron's rage continued to build when his Mother seemed to ignore his question. This was how it always was! She never cared to even listen to him! He wanted to burn the whole place down! He clenched his fists and then continued to glare at her when she finally spoke.
"Talk to you?" Daeron stared at his mother in indignation. "I've been trying to talk to you! For sixteen years!" He yelled at her. Now you want to listen? Since when did you ever care about me!" He screamed at her, his clenched fists paleing from his tight grasp. "WHEN DID YOU EVER LOVE ME!" He shouted, his fists glowing as he inherently called upon magic; it had happened when he was younger, when he was unable to control his temper and his mother had ran to calm him down when he had scrapped his knee chasing after Cortell. "ALL YOU CARED ABOUT IS CORTELL! IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT CORTELL!!! SINCE WHEN DID YOU EVER LOVE ME!?" His voice was booming and his eyes were threatening to spill tears as he shouted at his Mother, venting out his anger. He made a hurtful yell as he sent the fireballs flying across the room in random directions, not unsimilar since the day he had met Sachiko. Sachi...she had claimed to love him too...everyone in his life had all claimed to...and had all betrayed him. "I DON'T NEED YOU!" Daeron continued to shout through his tantrum, as his fists kept sending out flames, some beginning to charge at Marola. "I DON'T NEED ANYONE! I'M THROUGH WITH EVERYONE USING ME! I'M THROUGH! I'LL BE SPECIAL ON MY OWN!" He collasped to his knees, tears streaming freely down his face as he stopped his fireball tantrum. "I just wanted someone to love me!" He voice died down to a whispering croak, feeling all the pain and hurt he had bottled up for months coming down upon him. "Why won't you love me? Why won't she love me? What did I do wrong? What did I do wrong?" He cried as he slumped to the floor. "Why won't anyone love me?" He cried harder, consumed by his emotions.

[Tismri]

Marola sat and listened as Daeron started speaking. She felt rather sad to hear that he felt unloved. She was unsurprised to hear that he was jealous of Cortell--that much was obvious, but she didn't realize just how much.
She could see the fireballs coming long before he even thought of the spell. She quickly set up a ward to protect herself, his flames completely out of control. After a few minutes, he seemed to be done with his tantrum. She stood and embraced him, stroking his hair.
"Daeron, you are my husband's eldest child, the first of my children to be conceived in love. You are my son. How could you think I could not feel absolute love and adoration for you?" She sat back so she could look at his face. "I started calling you my little star because you were the brightest point of my life. When I first held you in my arms, you made me feel as if I could have something more in my life besides fleeing from my past. You represented my future." She sighed as she reflected again on her past.
"I don't think you would be so jealous of Cortell if you know why I pay so much attention to him. I am watching him every moment I can, because I am afraid, Daeron. I am so very afraid that somehow he will change from the kind young man I've watch him grow into and turn into the monster that both I and...his..." her voice faltered. Daeron knew who she was talking about, so she didn't finish the sentence.
"Cortell knows this, and not a day goes by that he feels the pressure from me to be perfect. He is terrified of messing up, and so he tries to be perfect for me, and at times it makes him miserable." She sighed and looked away from Daeron. She had never admitted these feelings to anyone before, not even to Marcus, but the paranoia was always there for both her and Cortell.
"I'm sorry, Daeron," she told him, her voice breaking slightly. "I've been so busy, so distracted, I never even noticed how much you were hurting. I know I'm not the best mother, but trust me when I say I love you, Daeron. I love you more than you could possible comprehend. When Cortell told me you went missing, I very nearly wanted to strangle him for not keeping a closer eye on you." Tears started to fall from her eyes as she held him tightly, and a sob hitched in her throat. "I was so afraid...so very afraid, that I would never see you again. I couldn't bear it if I lost you, my star."

[Max452]

Daeron felt his Mother's touch and flinched; his first instinct was to push her away and run away, far away. However, after everything that he had unleashed in the last few minutes, Daeron just wanted to be held, to be loved by his mother. He clung to her, one hand gripping her tunic as if afraid that she would flee from him. "Mom..." He sobbed out, holding her close as she spoke to him. All he ever wanted was to be loved by his mother. He buried his head into her embrace, remembering a time, that seemed so long ago, when he would do the same thing whenever he was scared. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry for running away..." He started to sputter out after he had comprehended everything she said. He had never known that about Cortell, never knew he was pressured to be perfect because he was afraid to end up like his Father. Daeron knew of Tyr quite well, since he had spent a whole mission with the man's spirit in the form of the Shade Tyrant. That man was a complete utter, perverted, creep, to say the least. Daeron destested him. He could never imagine Cortell like that; Cortell had always been protective of Daeron, and sadly, Daeron had just now realized it. "I'm so sorry for everything." He whimpered into Marola's tunic. "I missed you, Mom." Daeron revealed, having his emotional barriers knocked away by his Mother's love. "I wished I knew that sooner...I did some really bad things...and then, Sachiko used me...she said she loved me, why would she do that? Why do these bad things happen? And Glory! Oh, Mom, I'm sorry about Glory...she and I had a fight and now we aren't talking..and Katriana is just making her into a weapon to hurt people....Mom, I'm so sorry...I've been so stupid." Daeron told his Mother, completely ashamed of everything he had done now and half amazed that he was so willing to forgive his Mother after everything he had went through. Maybe, that was all he needed to hear...to hear his Mom saying that she loved him.

[Tismri]

Marola sat and stroked her son's hair, so thankful to have him back in her arms again, safe and sound, exactly where he belonged. She listened to his tearful words, rocking him gently as if he were a baby again.
"It's okay, Daeron, It's okay. I know about Glory. We'll find a way to get her home, okay? We all make stupid mistakes, trust me. We can fix all of this." She held him for a few more moments before she reflected on something else he said.
"Now, tell me about this Sachiko. What exactly happened?" Marola was immediately concerned. Had he found a girl he liked in Katriana's army?

[Max452]

Daeron tensed at the mention of explaining Sachiko. He pulled away from his mother, and sat there, staring at the floor, not daring to look up at his Mother. How was he suppose to tell her about Sachiko without her thinking differently about him? "Sachiko," He began using her full name; he would no longer call her Sachi...it hurt too much, "she recruited me and killed my friends. She said I was special and that Katriana would want me in her army." He whispered to his mother, still staring at the floor, ashamed. "We talked a few times after that and she seemed different around me...nicer...I mean, she's pretty brutal and Katriana uses her to recruit and kill people, but, whenever she was around me...it was different. She was nice and acted like she cared about me." He raised his eyes up to meet his Mom's. "We drew closer, and well, I fell in love with her...and I thought she felt the same.." Hurt reflected in his eyes and he glanced at his hands; he'll skip all the romantic stuff he did with Sachi...Sachiko and all the cuts and bruises he got from her too. "But then, Tyrant told me that's how Sachiko gets the men to stay in line; he said that she was really is good at lying - I've seen her act sweet to recruit people too, but...I didn't think she would go too far with it... But Tyrant said that she makes them believe that she loves them only to use them to get what she wants, and then afterwards, she tosses them. I didn't believe him, but when I got back from one of my missions, I...I saw her with someone else." He sniffled, and tried to block out the anger and hurt he felt when he saw a boy kiss Sachiko. "I...I got angry then and almost killed the boy, while I was yelling at Sachiko...she said that she loved me and it wasn't what I thought it was...but...she's really good at lying, Mom...I left her then...and...Gods, Glory was right about her...and I can't even talk to Glory anymore because of Sachiko...sometimes I feel like Katriana did that on purpose, but Katriana has a great vision about peace...but sometimes..." Daeron spoke quietly, but with mild confusion, especially about Katriana; he didn't know what to believe anymore.

[Tismri]

Marola listened as Daeron explained everything. She wasn't sure how she felt about him having a girlfriend...well, any more than she felt about Glory having a boyfriend. She wasn't ready for her children to find their own mates. The idea made her feel...old.
She shook of that feeling quickly as he continued to explain. She paused when he mentioned listening to Tyrant. She narrowed her eyes for a moment.
"Daeron Celesti, you should know better than to listen to Tyrant. All he ever says is a lie, either for his own gain or his own entertainment. All he wants is to ruin as many lies as possible." She sighed and let him continue to explain to her. Her eyebrow twitched slightly.
"Honey, did you even give the poor girl a chance to explain herself? You've always had good instincts about people, even if sometimes you use poor judgement. If you trusted her enough to fall in love with her, then I imagine she would be trustworthy. So what if you were right, Tyrant was lying, and you were set up. Now how do you think she feels? Both your hearts might be broken over a misunderstanding." She sighed again and held him close. "But, it would be best to find out for sure, so next time you see her, talk to her. Hear her out and listen to her. And think about everything you know about her already, the good and the bad, and weigh for yourself whether or not you can trust her. Okay?"
A part of Marola hated to say that, because in doing so, she was admitting that it was the Family's plan to send him back to Katriana's army. What she really wanted to do was take him home, let Marcus and the other kids know that he was safe and sound. But she could never go up against the Family's will.

[Max452]

Daeron was quiet while his Mother scolded him about not giving Sachiko a chance. "But..Mom...I saw her with that stupid boy..." He muttered, glaring at the floor. "Tyrant may be a crazy lunatic, but, I saw it with my own eyes...she doesn't love me..." His voice was quiet, solemn. Forever. I love you. Sachi's words rang into his mind and he quickly shook it off. "She just wanted to use me to fulfill her desires." He gruffed out, not believing that Sachiko actually loved him. "I really wish I could believe her..." He whispered out. He then glanced up at her. "How'd you know father loved you?" He asked, trying to gain some insight.

[Tismri]

Marola sat back and thought over Daeron's question for several moments, a slight smile crossing her face.
"I don't think it was so much my realizing that your father loved me as much as it was realizing just how much I loved him. First time I saw him...Well, let's just say he caught my eye very quickly. But, I had felt the same way so many times before that I had to hold myself back, since I didn't really know him yet. But then I was accepted into Gladia Celesti, both me and your brother, in spite of who we were. And I got to watch him, and see what sort of man he was. He was strong and kind, he cared about his people, even above his own desires.
"Gianna and I were returning after fighting against another Rider, and both Rauthr and Gladia had been injured pretty badly. Healing him really took a lot out of me, and when your father noticed, he insisted on laying out my bedroll for me and carrying me to bed. He was so strong, and gentle at the same time, I realized that I truly did love him. And when I awoke, he confessed that he felt the same way for me." She smiled at Daeron and told him, "Now, I don't know what's happened between you and this girl, or how close you two were. But if you trusted her to begin with, then why don't you give her a chance? Had she ever done anything to make you think her untrustworthy before? And what would you have done had you not spoken with Tyrant before seeing her with that other boy?"