Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Though his power was not likely to decrease by simply enjoying life, the way his cohort, the Empyrean Ranker that lived in the middle of nowhere, did… Kalivas did not feel right when he did not move his body.

By letting not training and practicing every day, his sword, or rather his axe, would rust away. Power was well and good, but expertise could overcome it.

Perhaps there was no better example than his own son. In his first test match against Lucius, he realized that the boy had spent a large portion of his life training on how to fight. He did not rely on pure power because he lacked it for most of his existence.

To make up for that shortcoming, he mastered the sword, the spear, fists, and many other weapons. Though he did not have the Arts to supplement his lack of strength with those weapons, knowing how to use them allowed him to understand their fighting styles and react to them quicker in battle.

On top of that, Lucius\' Mana Manipulation and Pseudo-Channeling closed that gap even more. It reached the point that he could easily fight against experienced opponents a rank above him. Or even two ranks if the idiot he fought relied only on power, not skill.

While thinking about fond memories, Kalivas swung his battle ax at a massive tree, cutting through it completely in a single swing. He was admiring his handiwork when he realized someone was approaching.

Two familiar people appeared from the jungle. The first was Kalliope, the girl he treated as a niece, and the second was her father, Atil. Atil was the leader of the Gray Wolf Clan and Kalivas\'s sworn brother.

"Atil! What a surprise to see you here. You rarely make your way towards the capital! I figured you thought yourself too cozy in your leisure palace near the border you made for yourself." Kalivas called out.

Atil chuckled and walked up to him, giving him a massive embrace. The two brothers held each other momentarily before separating and putting one hand on each other\'s shoulders.

"My Kalivas, it has been years! To think you would see your son alive and breathing. When I heard the news from Kalliope, I was beside myself with joy!" Atil said, nearly wiping a tear from his eye.

Atil was one of the few people who knew Kalivas had sired a child. However, everyone who did know was informed that the child had died in childbirth. That was apparently not the truth of the matter.

He was keen to pursue the reason the truth was hidden, but without good reason, the King and Empyrean Rankers within the human nations would not let him into their borders to investigate. This would be considered a personal matter that was not their problem.

Of course, those who knew of Kalivas\' child also knew he had fathered two. One was reported to have survived and was to succeed her mother as the next Oracle.

"So, does the boy know who his mother is? He did not know who you were, after all. Also, given what Kalliope told me of him, I doubt he lived in the castle."

"I offered to tell him about her, but he insisted it wasn\'t something he was concerned with. He told me he already had a mother. A woman who raised him named Rubellia."

Atil looked at him sadly. "Did he also not care to learn you were his father?"

Kalivas thought back for a moment to the time he told Lucius. It seemed the boy was suspicious because Kalivas apparently smelled like himself to an extent. However…

"It took him a good while to treat me as a father. I think the best way to describe our relationship is student and master. Rubellia had a husband named Wayne, who raised him. That is who I believe Lucius sees as his true father." he answered.

"Oh, I see. And of…" Atil glanced at his daughter, who cocked her head curiously. "Is he aware of that final matter?"

"No, though I tried to tell him. He simply does not care."

They exchanged stories over drinks at Kalivas\' place for a few hours. Kalliope stayed by her father\'s side calmly. She was asked why she had strayed from Lucius\' side when she normally stuck to the young man like glue. According to her, he was at a meeting at the castle. The likes of which she was not invited.

"Ah, I had heard your \'protégé\' had made his way into the ranks of the King\'s Shadow, but to think it would be your son. Astounding." Atil laughed. "I was even more surprised when my eldest daughter informed me of her acceptance."

"Yes, I am proud of both of them. I consider Kalliope as much my student as I do, my dear niece." He agreed.

"Speaking of, how about we make her your daughter-in-law! Then we can truly consider ourselves brothers! But don\'t think I will lose to you as the favorite grandpa!"

Kalliope\'s ears perked up, and her eyes became excited.

"Woah, girl. Calm down." Kalivas gave her a placating gesture. "You know as well as I do that Lucius is his own person. Whether or not he accepts you is his prerogative. You know he is smitten with that Rena girl."

Kalliope\'s mood calmed slightly, but there was still a fire in her eyes. "Do not worry, Uncle, Father. I will win Lucius\' heart. I know I will not be the first wife, but I will be his strongest wife!"

Atil grinned widely. "Yes! Though your children will not be members of my clan, but Kalivas\' house I am excited to see the bloodline grow stronger."

"Atil. You know as well as I do that they cannot wed. Her children will be members of no one\'s house or clan. The king would have to personally acknowledge them, and I doubt he would do so. He only just…"

His dear friend narrowed his eyes at him. "If they would not be children of your illustrious house, I will take them into the Gray Wolf Clan myself. The clans follow ancient blood laws that predate these kingdoms and \'houses\' so they will be treated as family no matter what."

Kalliope\'s face blushed, likely due to thinking about having children with Lucius.

"Well, first, Kalliope has to get him to agree… so far, she has had no such luck, so let\'s not put the cart before the horse, yea?"

Atil thought for a moment and nodded. "Kalliope! You are to seduce Lucius and give me no less than five grandchildren. Consider this a direct order from the clan leader."

"Yes, father!"

"Good luck, son…" Kalivas muttered, barely containing a grin.