Memories: The Seal
Frankenstein couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.
He felt he had good reason to be worried. Those family leaders… six of them, to be precise… Frankenstein didn't trust them. Ever since he'd made the contract with Raizel, they'd been coming by even more often than before. And everyone knew that Raizel didn't like unexpected company.
Why were they constantly intruding on Raizel's privacy? What were they up to? How could he find out? Whatever they were planning, he needed to put a stop to it.
Of course, there was another option... They could hide in the human world. He could take his Master far away from this place, somewhere no one would ever find them. He was certain his Master would never agree to go, though... Raizel wouldn't abandon his duty.
He looked up from the tome he was studying, hoping to soothe his nerves. Raizel was seated across from him in his favorite armchair, deeply absorbed in what appeared to be a compendium of plants and herbs... a compendium that Frankenstein had composed himself.
Frankenstein was almost embarrassed, and he didn't get embarrassed very easily. Raizel thought his work was worth reading... He wondered what his Master thought of it. But Raizel usually kept their minds separate when he was reading, so he couldn't tell.
It had been ten years since he'd formed the contract with Raizel. In that time, Frankenstein had managed to strengthen his mind and body. His blood-bond with Raizel had opened up a much deeper mental connection between them, giving his Master quick and easy access to his mind… And with that access, Raizel had helped him to stabilize his thoughts and improve his control over the cursed weapon he carried.
And with control had come... peace. At last.
Finally, Frankenstein felt like he could breathe again. He could sleep without worrying that he would be consumed by darkness as soon as he closed his eyes. He could relax and concentrate on his life's work for longer periods of time. And it was all because he'd shared his soul with a noble.
Raizel wasn't just any noble, though.
When his mind was melded with Raizel's, all their active thoughts and feelings were laid bare before each other. (Memories seemed to be a little trickier to access, but Frankenstein knew Raizel had seen some of his past, at times.) And the things Frankenstein had heard and felt from his Master's mind had only reaffirmed that he'd made the right choice in binding himself to Raizel forever.
Raizel was just so... pure. Like untouched snow. He was full to bursting with selfless compassion and concern for others. He was intelligent and curious, and yet... so naive. Everything Raizel knew he'd learned from books or from his very infrequent visits to the outside world. And he was more devoted than anyone to his duty to protect humans and nobles alike.
And yet... Raizel yearned for more.
His Master would deny it if anyone asked, of course. He would say he was content with his life the way it was, but Frankenstein had already seen it. He'd seen his Master's desire to live the way everyone else did... To see the world, to have friends, to live a normal life.
Frankenstein paused as he felt Raizel slip into his consciousness, placing a hand in his book to mark his page. He looked up into those familiar crimson eyes.
"Yes, Master?"
Raizel patted the plant compendium in his lap.
Your book is... very detailed. You have gifted hands, Frankenstein.
"Gifted hands?"
Raizel turned the book around to show him the page he was looking at. Frankenstein saw a picture he'd drawn of a poppy flower. In the past, he'd made frequent use of poppies in his research, mostly for their medicinal qualities.
This flower... I feel as though I could touch it. It seems almost real.
Frankenstein allowed himself a small prideful smile. Sketching was a skill he'd often practiced in his spare time. The results of his experiments had to be well documented, after all. Pictures were usually a necessary part of that.
But Raizel's curiosity posed an opportunity.
"I could take you to see the real thing... if you'd like," Frankenstein said quietly.
Raizel lowered his gaze back to the poppy flower, his fingers tracing the shape of its petals. He was silent for a long moment.
It's not like you to ask me something like this...
Frankenstein knew his Master would sense his worry... Even the spirits inside him were starting to get riled up, which only caused his anxiety to spike even higher.
"Master... I... I just have a bad feeling..." he said slowly, trying to ignore the spirits hissing in his mind. "If I could take you away from this place... I would give you everything you ever wanted, I promise..."
And he would, too. Anything for the noble who had saved him in more ways than one.
To his surprise, his Master actually seemed tempted. In his mind, Frankenstein saw flashes of what Raizel assumed the outside world to be like... He saw a deep blue ocean, snowy mountains, an emerald green forest...
Not... now.
"Not now?" Frankenstein repeated.
It's not the right time. Maybe... maybe one day. If you still want to go then...
"Of course... Anytime you want to go, I'll take you, Master," he promised.
He lowered his gaze back to his tome, trying to hide his disappointment. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy.
Frankenstein.
He glanced back up, forcing a smile onto his face.
"Yes, Master?"
Are you all right? The spirits seem restless.
"I'm all right, I just… I wish I could take you away from this place. It's not good for you..."
Raizel tilted his head.
You're always worried about me, Frankenstein… You don't need to worry so much.
"I know, Master… but still…"
Master's presence got stronger in his head, soothing his nerves and quieting the spirits. But that couldn't stop his train of thought. He wanted to take his Master away from anyone who might harm him... He wouldn't let those nosy family leaders lay a finger on Raizel.
They merely worry for me, as you do. No need to be anxious over that.
"Yes… and they hate that I am here with you," Frankenstein pointed out. "They still believe I will do you harm."
I know you would never do that, Frankenstein. I trust you.
That really did soothe Frankenstein's nerves, and he gave Raizel a genuine smile. His Master suddenly seemed a bit shy.
By the way...
Raizel hesitated, as if unsure of what to say.
"Yes?" Frankenstein prompted him.
Thank you… for letting me share your mind. I hope I'm not intruding on you too much…
"Heh… I think after ten years, I would have told you if it really bothered me."
No, you wouldn't.
"You're right," Frankenstein admitted. "I wouldn't. I would do anything to make you happy… and keep you safe."
That's right… He'd do anything.
He would do anything to protect the one who had saved him.
What could he do? How could he get stronger? He couldn't allow anyone to harm his Master. There had to be some way he could modify himself to become even more powerful... Powerful enough to handle those family leaders.
Calm down... Nothing is going to happen to me. No noble here is a threat to me. You know this.
"But Master..."
Please, Frankenstein... I do not wish for you to be so anxious. Nor do I wish for you to inflict further pain on yourself. It would be unnecessary.
"Master, you know I don't mind if it's for your sake."
But I do mind. Your pain bothers me.
Frankenstein did his best to stifle a sigh, looking down at the book in his lap. All he wanted to do was protect his Master... was that so wrong?
It's not wrong. But please... do not harm yourself anymore.
Frankenstein's mouth twitched as he almost smiled. Frankenstein didn't mind that Raizel could hear his thoughts now, but his thoughts weren't always as mature as they should be.
"I'm sorry. I must seem like a petulant child to you."
Raizel shook his head.
No. You reached maturity over a century ago, did you not? And you have seen more and suffered more than I can even imagine. I respect your thoughts, Frankenstein.
"Thank you, Master," Frankenstein murmured. "And... I won't experiment on myself unless it's absolutely necessary."
Raizel smiled and withdrew contact from his mind, going back to the plant compendium. Somewhat sadly, Frankenstein went back to his own reading.
Later that night, Frankenstein retreated to his lab. Despite what he'd said to Raizel, he still wasn't convinced that the behavior of those family leaders should just be overlooked. But he wasn't strong enough to deal with all of them at once, even with his improved control over the dark spear.
He supposed he could use the power he borrowed from Raizel... but that was a bit of a gamble. Raizel's power didn't mix well with his own. The only time he'd ever tried to use it, he had sensed the conflicting powers beginning to tear his body apart. That wasn't exactly an ideal scenario.
The idea came to him so suddenly, he was surprised he hadn't thought of it earlier… The Lord had offered him his blood! That would be enough to boost his strength… hopefully enough so that he could overpower a family leader.
But he'd just promised Raizel that he wouldn't experiment on himself anymore. If Master found out he'd broken his word the exact same day he'd given it... what would he think?
Frankenstein sighed. Really... it wasn't much of a choice.
His Master's safety was the most important thing. If Master was upset with him, he would beg forgiveness then. Protecting Raizel was all that mattered.
His mind made up, Frankenstein silently left the mansion. Frankenstein knew his Master thought he was sleeping, but he still carefully avoided the windows where he knew Raizel might spot him fleeing toward the woods.
Before long, he'd found his way back to the Lord's palace. He rushed down the stone hallways, praying he didn't run into any other nobles. He sensed the Lord's presence long before he reached the hall... and thankfully, he was alone.
Frankenstein knocked on the door.
"You may enter," came the response.
Frankenstein pushed the door open and rapidly made his way across the empty hall. The Lord had been looking rather bored lounging on his throne, but he perked up as soon as he saw who his guest was.
"Lord," Frankenstein said, bowing to the picturesque man on the throne.
"Frankenstein!" he said cheerfully. "What brings you here?"
"Forgive my presumption, Lord, but... I have a request."
"You seem agitated," Lord said, tilting his head.
"I am."
"Well... shall we skip the pleasantries and get right to your request, then?"
"Thank you," Frankenstein said gratefully. "If I may... ask for a vial of your blood?"
"I knew you'd change your mind!" Lord said triumphantly. "Are you going to use it for an experiment?"
Frankenstein swallowed.
"In a way… Lord, I appreciate that you didn't press me for my past, but… I need your blood to augment my power."
Lord quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Oh? Why is that? Are you not powerful enough already? I heard from Ragar that your skill in battle very nearly matches his own these days..."
"I am concerned for Raizel's safety."
"I see… and my blood will give you more power to protect Raizel, hm?" Lord asked.
"Yes," Frankenstein said hesitantly, hoping the Lord was in a forgiving mood. "In the past, when mutants were threatening human populations, I modified myself to acquire the abilities of nobles and werewolves. But to do so, I had to study the blood of nobles and werewolves… and then consume the blood myself."
"Ah… So some of the stories about you drinking blood are true?"
Frankenstein nodded stiffly. It wasn't exactly something he was proud of.
"So you drank their blood and absorbed their power… much like what we nobles do to subjugate humans," Lord said thoughtfully. "Ingenious, really… You figured out how to make the process work in reverse."
"I suppose… I did what I had to do in the past. But the blood didn't give me power over them... I just absorbed a fraction of their abilities. Which is why I had to take blood from so many. Your blood, however, would give me large portion of power."
"Well, you're not wrong. But you do realize this is a grave sin, don't you?" the Lord said conversationally. "Asking to drink the blood of the Lord, that is."
"Yes… and I wouldn't ask if I weren't genuinely concerned for what's to come."
"I know. I can feel your sincerity." He paused, rubbing his chin. "Well, I offered it to you before, and I will not withdraw my offer now… not when you are so desperate to protect Raizel."
"Wait… You believe me?"
"Of course. You don't do anything stupid when it comes to Raizel."
Lord reached into the depths of his robes, pulling out a small vial of blood.
"You'd really just... give me this?" Frankenstein asked, stepping forward to take it.
The Lord nodded, placing the vial in Frankenstein's outstretched hand.
"Yes. I saved this for you, just in case. I hope you will consider it small compensation for your suffering."
That surprised him.
"Compensation?"
"Yes. As a human, you should not have had to defend yourself from nobles. We nobles should have been watching for corruption within our ranks, but we did not. We should have protected humans from the mutants, but we did not do that, either," Lord said sadly. "Instead, we left our problems to you. If we had stepped forward, you would not have had to do this to yourself."
Frankenstein bowed his head. None of that helped him now, but it was satisfying to know that his voice had been heard. At least the Lord understood now that not even nobles were immune to corruption.
"Well... Thank you, Lord. But the ability to protect Raizel is all I need."
Lord nodded.
"I understand completely. Do drop by again soon," Lord said. "It gets boring here."
"Heh... if you insist, Lord."
Once he'd gotten what he needed, Frankenstein fled back to his basement laboratory.
His experienced hands quickly threw together the solutions he would need to drink along with the Lord's blood. No doubt this would greatly stress his body... He would need medicine to stabilize himself and dull the pain.
He tried to ignore the slight stabs of guilt in his heart as he worked... but he had to do this. Raizel might be upset, but it wasn't like this would kill him. Frankenstein quickly drank the medicine he'd made... he had to be sure that his body could tolerate the new power he was about to absorb.
Frankenstein pulled the vial out of his pocket and stared at it for a moment, wishing there had been another way. But there wasn't.
That's right… He'd do anything for his Master. If ensuring Raizel's safety meant sliding backwards into his old ways… if it meant committing sacrilege one more time… then that was a price he would gladly pay.
Finally, he was ready to consume the blood. He tipped the vial back, letting the Lord's blood begin sliding down his throat… Almost instantly, he felt the Lord's power in his flesh and bones...
"Frankenstein."
Startled, he choked, coughing the blood he hadn't swallowed into his hands.
A pair of glowing crimson eyes was watching him from across the room.
"Master… What… what are you doing down here?" he gasped.
Raizel gave him a hard look.
"It seems to me as though you are committing a great sin… Consuming the blood of the Lord."
Frankenstein gaped at him, Lord's blood still dripping from his lips. How… how had he known? No one had seen him take the blood, and he hadn't sensed Raizel in his mind...
"You promised me you would no longer experiment on yourself unless it was absolutely necessary," Raizel said. The hurt in Raizel's voice was almost enough to make him break… "And this hardly seem necessary."
"But it is," Frankenstein said, his body shaking as he slid off the table. This new strength was making him unsteady on his feet. "I told you earlier, Raizel… I would do anything to keep you happy… and safe."
"Frankenstein," Raizel said, a quiet warning. He took a single step forward.
He bit his tongue.
Raizel stared at him with those piercing red eyes… Frankenstein immediately noticed that powerful presence probing his thoughts. What his Master was looking for, he wasn't sure…
If you're looking for guilt... I won't feel guilty for this.
His Master's red eyes narrowed.
"They said you wouldn't be able to change… that you would go back to your old ways."
Frankenstein felt his mind go blank with shock. After twenty years… now Raizel wanted to bring up the past? And… who was 'they'? He had a pretty good feeling who had been telling tales about him, but…
"It seems some of the stories about you are true," Raizel said, his voice tinged with sadness. "You must have consumed the blood of many nobles to copy our abilities so thoroughly."
Frankenstein's entire body went rigid. These stories again… these same old accusations... He shook his head, trying to keep the evil spirits from waking. But it seemed like... his Master doubted him.
"They told me you killed nobles to take their blood... Is this true?"
Hearing that question from Raizel was almost enough to make him snap… Raizel may as well have stabbed him in the heart. But he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't let the evil spirits have control right now, though they were screaming to be heard.
"Master… do you believe that?" Frankenstein asked, keeping his voice as even as he could. "You said you trusted me. You… bonded yourself to me forever. Do you believe me to be a murderer?"
Frankenstein felt Raizel's resolve waver. He was uncertain what to believe…
"Master... do you believe I could ever slaughter innocents? Whether they be humans or nobles? Tell me truly... do you believe that?"
Frankenstein couldn't help the hurt that had seeped into his voice as he spoke those words. He knew Raizel would sense it, too. His Master's hard gaze began to soften just a little.
"No... I do not," he said softly.
"Master… I have not always been the best man I could be. Even now, I am far from perfect," Frankenstein said slowly. "But when we made the contract, I swore to serve and protect you. That was my promise to you. And if I have to damn my own soul to hell in order to fulfill that promise… then so be it."
Raizel closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I trust your word, Frankenstein," Raizel said eventually. "I believe… that you would do anything to help me."
Frankenstein almost relaxed when Raizel raised his hand.
"That is why… I must do this. You would do anything… and you must not. I will not allow your soul to be corrupted even further."
Instantly, a blinding pain formed in Frankenstein's mind. He fell to his knees, clutching his head. The Master's presence was overwhelming… And he knew what Raizel was going to do.
"No…!" he pleaded. "Please, Master! Don't… take this from me! Let me protect you!"
"Frankenstein, from this moment forward, I will seal your power. You will not use your power without my permission."
Frankenstein tried to fight the placement of the seal, but it was pointless. Raizel's will was much too strong. Still… there was one thing Frankenstein knew his Master would never take from him. Through his pain, Frankenstein gave Raizel a broken smile.
"I will not stop trying, Master. I will never stop trying to protect you. That is my choice."
"I know," he heard that tranquil voice say above him. "And it is my choice to save you, Frankenstein. You may hurt yourself otherwise. And I won't let you do that."
Finally, the pain was too much and Frankenstein felt his consciousness fading… He keeled over sideways, expecting to hit the cold, hard floor…
Instead, he fell into a warm embrace.
As Raizel completed the seal in Frankenstein's mind, he realized his companion was about to faint. Instinctively, he reached out to catch his servant before he hit the floor. Frankenstein's warm body went limp in his arms.
He knew Frankenstein's aura fairly well. Drinking the Lord's blood had definitely boosted his strength. It wouldn't be easy to maintain a seal on Frankenstein's powers after that… No doubt Frankenstein would be able to break the seal if he really wanted to.
Raizel frowned. This wasn't good. The seal wasn't even working to properly block out the evil spirits from Frankenstein's head… He supposed he could reinforce it, but that might impair Frankenstein's consciousness. The last thing he wanted to do was damage that brilliant mind.
Sighing to himself, Raizel wiped his companion's bloody mouth with his handkerchief.
He was beginning to wish that he'd been a little more lenient with his companion... He knew why Frankenstein had done what he'd done. And Frankenstein had obviously been hurt that his Master had doubted him, even for a moment. Raizel regretted that the most... It was going to be a while before he could get Frankenstein's tortured expression out of his head.
Frankenstein was just so... so stubborn! He couldn't even keep his word for a single day... Frankenstein was clearly too stubborn to listen to reason if it meant protecting the only thing he had left.
"How did I end up bonded to someone like you, hm…?" he mused out loud, pushing Frankenstein's hair back from his face. "What is fate trying to tell me?"
Fate, of course, didn't answer.
My Comments: Okay so I've got Rai at two thousand years old, and Frankenstein at one thousand and seventeen years old. So we'll say for my time line that Frankenstein spent roughly a hundred years doing his research and fighting mutants before meeting Rai and living alone with him for roughly another hundred years. Then, of course, he spent eight hundred and twenty years waiting for Rai to come back. So that about adds up to one thousand and seventeen years. Naturally, Rai spent eleven hundred years staring out a window before Frankenstein comes along LOL. Seriously, they couldn't give the poor guy a more interesting back story? All Rai's flashbacks don't really expand on his character, they mostly focus on providing context for those family leaders he has to kill.
You know what's weird? After Rai kills those old family leaders he was friends with, he never seems to think of them again. (No one else ever mentions them again, either.) He really doesn't have any regrets, does he? He kills them and then is like... well, whatever... I still have my hot blond eye candy, so it's fine.
(As a side note, Rai doesn't think of himself as "Rai" until the present. In the past, he's still Raizel. And whether it's in the past or the present, Frankenstein still thinks of Rai as "Raizel" since that's the name he used when they first met.)
P.S. Thanks to my first reviewer, cursed queen! hopefully you will continue to enjoy this.
