Raziel made his way out of the bustling room and into the quiet hall.
He exhaled softly as he leaned on the wall. His expressionless face revealed nothing, yet his mind was working tirelessly.
He had to prepare everything needed for his journey. He knew his family more than the robe he wore and was sure they were going to attempt an assassination on his way to Elton.
"Eliza will have to follow me." He mumbled to himself, hands tucked into his pockets.
So lost in thought, Raziel failed to notice the silver–haired man that slowly made his way towards him.
"It's good to see you made it alive from that place. You even managed to break through into the Inner realm, truly amazing!" His voice pulled Raziel back from his thoughts.
"What do you want?" Raziel asked without bothering to stare at the man before him.
"Is that how you talk to your father… son?" The man said with a frown.
Raziel finally stared up at the man, his face contorting into a frown. "Father, my ass. You've no right to call me that." He muttered, his brow twitching.
"Just go away. I don't have time to deal with you now." Raziel muttered with a tired sigh.
Ignoring his words, the man leaned on the wall beside him. "You know.. Laura would be proud if she were here."
Raziel finally stood upright, staring right at his father, their faces inches away.
"Y'know... you don't get to call her name like that." He said, face creasing into a frown.
"Yeah... and I bet you've forgotten the cause of her death." Jason replied calmly. "Look... lets leave the past behind and plan for the future."
"I thought as much. I guess it was easy for you." Raziel said, his fingers trembling slightly. "Say... I thought you never wanted to see my face after that day? Why are you here?
Without waiting for him to reply, Raziel answered his question. "Ohhh... lemme guess... I finally awakened, and you suddenly reignited that long lost love you had for me. Isn't that righr?"
"Raziel... you know you need me. Without my help, you won't be able to survive long. Not with Algar and his schemes. With me, we'll be able to rise again and regain our family standing in the clan." Jason said, placing his hand on Raziel's shoulders.
"Get your hands off me damn bastard." Raziel couldn't hold it any longer. He felt burning rage so strong he was barely holding himself back.
The thick tension between them was disrupted by the couple of footsteps that echoed across the hall.
A group of figures slowly made their way towards them.
Raziel momentarily glanced at the incoming figures before pushing Jason's hand off his shoulders.
'Things only got worse.' He thought, gritting his teeth. He recognised each and every one of them.
"Well... isn't it quite touching. A family reunion. Hope we didn't interrupt." Dean said with a smile. Beside him was another of Raziel's uncles, Kaur, who had a detached expression.
Algar stood at the front with a mocking smile etched on his face.
"What are you up to now, brother?" He muttered casually, staring at Jason for a moment before taking a glance at Raziel.
"It's no business of yours. Just walk away, and let's avoid this unnecessary bickering." Jason retorted with gritted teeth.
"C'mon, you don't have to be rude. Just because that brat managed to awaken doesn't change anything."
"You and your family are still a damn disgrace to the clan. It won't change the fact." Algar said with a smile.
The hall grew heavy with tension. Jason stood, his hulking frame exuding a terrifying aura. Algar retaliated by letting his aura spread out. Both auras clashed against each other leaving the others struggling for breath.
"Seems I need to remind you that I'm still your elder brother." Jason spoke slowly, his chilling voice echoing over the area.
Dean's expression faltered for a moment, hearing those words. "Dammit. I can't stop them if they decide to go all out. Damn Kaur won't be of any help either."
The calm, steady steps of a figure walking away momentarily broke through the tension.
All eyes were suddenly fixed on him.
"Damn brat. Who said you get to leave?" Dean said, taking a step forward.
'That's it... he'll serve as the right distraction!'
Just one step, and he appeared right before Raziel. "It seems not only did that damn father of yours failed to birth a talent but also failed in his fatherly duties."
"You're right." Raziel replied, his vice cold. "Can you get out of my face now?"
Kaur watched from behind, his expressionless face finally shifted into one of amusement, hearing Raziel's voice.
"I'll teach you a lesson damn brat!" Dean spat. His aura surged wildly as he raised his clenched fist.
Raziel stood calmly, his expression not once flinching. He didn't need to do anything. Not with his so-called father present.
"You've taken things far, Dean." Jason roared as he materialised between the two, easily stopping Dean's fist in place.
"Don't think I'll stand back and watch you lay hands on my son! Not again!" Clenching his fist, he struck forward, his blow landing on Dean's stomach.
Dean folded as he tore through the hall slamming into one of the distant boulders. The ground trembled just from the attack with pieces of debris from the obliterated boulder raining down on the hall.
The little scuffle had alerted the others in the room. Soon, people began to pile out from the room, their gazes fixed on the furious Dean struggling back to his feet.
"Damn…" he muttered under his breath, eyes burning in anger. "Damn bastard! You'll pay for this!"
"Dean!" Algar called out. "Time's not on our side. You don't wanna keep Father waiting." He said calmly, dispelling the tension that had reached a crescendo.
Just the mention of one word had brought Dean back to his senses. He straightened glaring at Jason amd then at Raziel before storming off.
Algar gave Raziel a silent stare before walking away. "C'mon Kaur, time's not on our side."
"Heh. I can't wait to delve into that body of yours." Kaur muttered as he walked past Raziel.
Letting out a grunt, Raziel calmly made his way out of the hall.
"Raziel…!"
He hadn't taken much step forward when he heard his name. 'Can't this old man just let me be!'
"... Thelia wishes to speak with you."
He finally stopped in his tracks hearing that name.
Without saying a word, he continued forward, leaving his father and the murmurs of the crowd behind.