Chapter 11 The Bond between Father and Son (1/2)

*The Eldovian Era, Year 1702*

”So, the elves have marks like mine?” asked Rassa.

”They're called life lines, they're the manifestation of the power a soul is capable of wielding,” Phillip replied, ”Every mark is unique, it tells the history of that individual, and traces their acheivements and downfalls. The Elves and the Dwarves both possess them from birth. Magicians gain them when they develop an attunment to a certain magic. But, to be honest with you my son, I've never seen a mark like yours. First of all, its black”.

Rassa looked away.

”Rassa, please. I promise I will be there for you no matter what it is,” Phillip stated.

Rassa felt tears well in his eyes, ”I didn't awaken to a power, I am no magician”.

Phillip frowned, ”What do you mean?”

Rassa turned to his father, ”I was trapped in there, so they, it, gave me a choice. Enter into a pact, or be trapped there for eternity. I didn't want to be trapped, father!”

Rassa burst into tears and Phillip pulled his son into his arms, ”It's okay, Rassa, it's okay. No one would. Can you tell me who they are?”

Rassa shook his head, ”They only said they were from the time of Chaos”.

Phillip frowned. He had never heard of such a thing, and he had been given access to the best educators in the Empire.

”Alright Rassa, it's okay,” Phillip comforted, patting his son's back softly.

Regardless of what entity Rassa had encountered, Phillip was certainly furious that they had forced his son into such a position.

Phillip spent the rest of the day comforting his son. Anna returned only a few times, choosing to leave them be, she knew that Rassa needed this, needed somebody to lean on. It pained her to know it was not her, but from the look in Phillip's eyes, it was a good thing it had not been. She dropped off some food to them around dinner time, then said she had some errands to run.

Phillip roused Rassa, who had cried himself to sleep, then offered him some food. Rassa shook his head, pushing the bowl back.

”You need to eat, Rassa,” Phillip stated.

Rassa sighed, ”It does nothing. That's why I feel worse today. Nothing I eat makes me feel full”.

Phillip paused, surprised, then remember the look on his son's face after finishing three bowls of soup the night before. He'd been confused by that look, but now he understood. His son was smart, likely he'd wanted to keep eating to see if the hunger could be satisfied, but decided it would scare his parents to keep doing so.

”Well what do you want to eat?” asked Phillip.