Memories: The Past

Frankenstein was pleased.

Though he was currently lying in bed suffering from many painful wounds, he couldn't help feeling pleased with himself. He had been able to aid his Master in performing his duty…

When the Lord had summoned Raizel to his palace, Frankenstein had naturally escorted his Master there. And after hearing that the Lord intended for the Noblesse to hunt down some unknown creature lurking near a human village, Frankenstein had begged his Master to allow him to fight the monster in his place.

There was no way he could simply stand by and watch his Master use up his powers when he could do something about it. Raizel had seemed hesitant, but after Frankenstein had gotten down on one knee and pleaded with him, Master had finally agreed to his request.

He was happy he'd gotten to take Raizel out into the human world, too... if only for a day. Perhaps that short visit would inspire his Master to change his mind about leaving this place... Maybe Raizel would soon allow his servant to escort him out into the human world permanently.

Frankenstein glanced out the window. The sun was setting... That meant it was tea time. Master always expected to see him around sunset. He slipped out of bed and awkwardly dressed himself. It was painful, but he managed it. He had to get moving... Raizel was probably waiting for his tea…

He was only halfway to his Master's study when he stopped dead. Raizel was walking straight toward him, a frown on his beautiful face.

"Frankenstein… what are you doing?"

"I am coming to make you your tea, Master. Naturally."

"No," Raizel said firmly. "You will go back to bed this instant."

Frankenstein nearly pouted. He was over one hundred and forty years old... and yet Raizel still made him feel like a child who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"I'm perfectly all right… I can serve your tea for you…"

Still frowning, Raizel stepped forward. He put a hand on Frankenstein's sleeve, pushing it up past his elbow.

A gaping wound filled with his own dark energy stared back at him.

"Perfectly fine? Is that so?"

"My regenerative abilities have improved, at least..." Frankenstein offered weakly. "And the wound isn't bleeding anymore…"

"And if I removed the rest of your clothing, I would find another dozen wounds exactly like this. No, you shall go back to bed until you are better."

"But, Master…"

Raizel's crimson eyes narrowed. It looked like he wouldn't be taking 'no' for an answer this time…

"Frankenstein, you will either go back to bed right now, or I will heal your wounds myself."

Frankenstein felt the blood drain from his face. He didn't want Raizel wasting that amount of energy on him.

"As you wish… I will return to my room."

"I will accompany you."

"You don't trust me?" he said before he could stop himself.

"You know I do, Frankenstein," Raizel said gently. "But you are obviously restless in your room, so I will sit with you."

Well, at least Master wasn't too angry...

"Thank you, Master."

Frankenstein turned and headed back towards his bedroom. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Raizel was probably right… he was already feeling weak from his wounds.

That weakness wasn't helping him maintain control over the spirits, either… He'd been doing his best to ignore the screaming in his head, but it was becoming increasingly difficult…

The dark spear was hungry… the spirits were angry they hadn't been allowed to consume another soul…

Hungry... He was just so hungry... If only he could could have devoured that monster's worthless soul. Then, at least, that pathetic being could have served a purpose: feeding these hungry spirits.

We could have his soul... His soul would be far better than the soul of that disgusting freak...!

"No," Frankenstein growled. "Not him. Don't even speak his name! Don't you dare...!"

He put a hand to his forehead, gritting his teeth, forcing himself to stay in control.

Moments later, a slim arm slipped around his back. At the same time, Raizel's powerful mind connected to his, pushing back the darkness in his head as easily as a human would brush aside cobwebs.

Master's gentle voice replaced the angry screams, echoing mildly in his head.

Perhaps if you had stayed in bed as I asked, you would feel better now.

Frankenstein felt his body relax. Master's voice in his mind was a welcome improvement, even if his tone was a bit reproachful.

"Heh… If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a monk, Master…"

A monk?

"Yes. I was raised by monks. They were always very firm with me as well…"

They had reached his bedroom. Raizel opened the door and led his companion inside.

Frankenstein collapsed onto the edge of the bed, more exhausted than he thought.

I imagine they had to firm with you… you are very willful sometimes.

Frankenstein chuckled as he arranged his pillows so he could sit up in bed and speak to Raizel.

"Yes. I was a disobedient child. An absolute terror around the abbey, or so I was told."

You haven't changed much in that regard, I see.

"No… I suppose not."

He lapsed into silence as his Master seated himself by his bedside. Raizel seemed content that his mind had stabilized, and his presence faded.

Frankenstein wished he would stay. Master's presence in his head was always comforting... but Raizel was apparently thinking about something.

"What… is an abbey?" Raizel asked after a moment.

"Oh… You have never been to an abbey?"

Master shook his head.

"An abbey is essentially a monastery run by a religious order of monks," he explained. "They are often isolated from the rest of the world, a completely self sufficient entity."

"You were raised in such a place?"

Raizel seemed curious… the glow in his crimson eyes gave him away. Frankenstein hadn't intended to discuss his life story today, but his Master wanted to know... and besides, every single part of him already belonged to Raizel.

"Yes. I was abandoned by my parents. The monks took me in," Frankenstein said reminiscently.

"I'm sorry," Raizel said softly.

"Oh, no," Frankenstein said swiftly. "It was all for the best, Master. The monks were some of the wisest men in the entire land. They had an enormous library of knowledge. I was very young when I discovered my thirst for knowledge, the thrill of learning something new. The monks taught me various languages, philosophy, history, literature, mathematics, alchemy, medicine… Everything they could teach me, I wanted to know."

"But you left the abbey."

"I did," Frankenstein confirmed.

"Why did you leave?" his Master wondered out loud. "You sound as though you enjoyed living there, surrounded by knowledge and learned men."

"Well…" He paused, flinching at the pain from his wounds. "I lived there until I was sixteen. At that point… Word reached the abbey about the mutant hoards devastating nearby villages."

"Ah… I see."

"Yes… The monks had taught me mercy, compassion, charity, forgiveness. But when I heard that innocents were being slaughtered, I was furious. I prayed that God would be merciful… but he was not. Only more death followed."

Frankenstein felt his mood darken. He had seen the flood of refugees seeking shelter in the abbey… He had seen the tears, the looks of utter hopelessness on their faces. He had sworn that if God would not answer their prayers… then he would. All the knowledge he had accumulated wouldn't be for nothing.

"I take it that was when you left the abbey?" Raizel asked.

He nodded. He'd been an impulsive young man...

"It was. I left… and I never saw my home again. I had sworn to myself that if God had turned his back on us, then I would be the one to answer the cries of the people. I would use the knowledge I gained and become powerful enough to stem the tide of evil that had been unleashed on us."

Frankenstein sighed. Had he imagined himself a god? Such hubris on his part… He had only ended up becoming a worse monster than the ones he'd hunted.

"I do not know if God exists. But if he does… then he has punished me dearly for my arrogance."

He bowed his head, gazing steadily at his mangled hands. The only reason he wasn't bleeding all over the bed was because his wounds were filled with darkness… A darkness that was hellbent on consuming him. There would be no heaven waiting for him at the end of his days… not that he deserved it after the things he'd done...

A pale hand slipped under his chin, lifting his head up. Frankenstein looked up into his Master's concerned gaze.

Then again… perhaps he was wrong.

Frankenstein wasn't a religious man. He respected the monks who had raised him, but he never had any intention of becoming a monk himself and living a life of worship and devotion. But looking at Raizel's beautiful face… feeling that pure soul connected to his own… Frankenstein couldn't help feeling as if he'd actually been blessed.

"Frankenstein… you know as well as I do that your intentions were pure. And you did exactly what you set out to do. You protected your people, despite the price you paid for doing so."

Yes… he had certainly been blessed. Fate had provided him with a life of devotion after all. If Raizel asked him to fall at his feet and worship him, Frankenstein would do it.

Raizel would never ask for such a thing, of course. He was far too modest.

Frankenstein gave his Master a reassuring smile.

I may not believe in God... but I believe in you, Cadis Etrama di Raizel. You are my saving grace.

"Thank you, Master. I appreciate your faith in me."


Raizel wasn't pleased.

He wasn't happy with himself for allowing Frankenstein to fight in his place. But Frankenstein just wouldn't give up on the idea… His companion had insisted that it was an honor to fight for his Master.

It wasn't because he imagined his companion to be incompetent. Frankenstein's skills in battle had most definitely improved, likely thanks to his time spent practicing with Ragar. The creature had swiftly fallen to Frankenstein's dark powers… Raizel had felt obligated to step in at the end, though. Frankenstein had accumulated many wounds, and he couldn't stand to see his companion hurting anymore.

In light of those wounds, Raizel definitely wasn't happy that Frankenstein couldn't just stay in bed and rest like he'd been asked to do. He appreciated his companion's devotion, of course… but Raizel hated to see Frankenstein pushing himself to the point of collapse. And for tea, of all things.

But… he also wasn't happy that Frankenstein still believed himself to be such a monster. When he looked at the man… he saw no such thing.

Raizel saw something else entirely.

Frankenstein shifted in his bed, looking thoughtful.

"Please, Master… if I may be so bold as to ask you something personal?"

Raizel already had great difficulty denying his companion anything… he could hardly deny Frankenstein the right to ask a simple question.

"You may."

"You have heard about my younger years… would you tell me about yours? Have you always lived in this estate?"

Raizel nodded.

"I have. The Noblesse has always lived here. The estate was built here because it is considered to be sacred ground. As you've seen, my sanctuary is buried beneath us."

"Sacred ground?"

"Yes. According to legend, the first Noblesse came into existence right here on this land… And so the sanctuary was built here, and eventually the mansion on top of it. To house the Noblesse and his family."

"Your family? You have family, Master?" Frankenstein asked.

"Not anymore."

"Oh… I apologize, I'd just assumed… since nobles live for so long, that your family would still be here."

"Do not fret," he said gently. "I knew them before they went to their eternal rest. My father spent many years teaching me what it means to be the Noblesse."

"I see… so your mother and father chose to go to their eternal rest."

Raizel blinked, a little surprised that Frankenstein had figured it out so quickly. He hadn't even gotten to that part of the story yet… but then again, Frankenstein was very intelligent.

"Yes… my father was only the second Noblesse to ever live. He had been on this earth for countless ages. The weight of his many years had become too much for him to bear… So he and my mother chose to go to their eternal rest together. He passed the duty of the Noblesse on to me."

Frankenstein's handsome face darkened.

"It sounds as if he only had a child to escape his duty."

Raizel smiled gently. He picked up Frankenstein's right hand, the hand that had the most injuries. He pressed it carefully between his palms, letting a little bit of his power leak into his companion's injuries... just enough that Frankenstein wouldn't notice.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are a bit overprotective?"

"No," Frankenstein admitted. "Even after I had rescued their homes and families… Most people were too intimidated or too afraid to approach me."

Raizel nodded to himself. That was certainly something he could relate to.

"I understand. Because I am the Noblesse, even my own brother was disinclined to visit me."

"You have a brother?"

"No. As I said… not anymore."

"Ah… I apologize. I didn't mean to pry."

Raizel patted his companion's hand.

"No… you have the right to ask me."

"Then may I ask what happened to your brother?" Frankenstein asked softly.

"It was… three hundred years after my father and mother went into eternal sleep, I believe. I had not been… as diligent as I should have been. My brother… defied me."

Frankenstein's blue eyes widened. It was obvious he couldn't imagine anyone defying his Master's will.

"Why?"

"He wished to have a world inhabited only by nobles. I do not know why… He would not tell me, no matter how many times I asked. But… he would not stop, and I could not contain him. If there had been any other way…"

Frankenstein squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Of course, Master… you don't need to explain yourself to me. You know I trust your decisions."

Raizel looked down. He had forgotten that he was holding his companion's mangled hand. It had just seemed so natural... But he rarely touched people, so he let Frankenstein's hand slip out from between his fingers.

"Master… may I ask you one more thing?" Frankenstein asked after a moment.

"I suppose… just one more."

"Have you given any more thought to my request?"

Raizel frowned.

"Which request was that?"

"We have lived here together for forty years… I thought perhaps now… You might have reconsidered coming out into the human world with me?"

He felt his face softening. Frankenstein still wanted that? He had thought it was just a fleeting fancy… but apparently not.

"I didn't think you were quite so serious about that…"

"I am," Frankenstein confirmed. "I want you to see the world, Master."

"I understand," Raizel said gently. "However, I do not think it is the right time yet… but do not worry so much. The time will come."

Frankenstein bowed his head.

"Yes, Master."

Raizel suddenly worried that perhaps he was stifling his companion. Did Frankenstein long for freedom? Did he hate being tied to this place?

"Is it truly so troublesome to you? Do you not like living here?"

His companion looked up, obviously startled.

"I do like it here, very much so," Frankenstein said earnestly. "It is very much like the abbey, in some ways… the grandeur, the expansive library, the garden… even the quiet. It's just… I only want what's best for you. I want you to be happy… and I worry you may not be safe here."

There was a sudden flutter in his heart at those words… Sometimes it still felt strange to hear how much Frankenstein worried for him.

"How could I not be safe with my loyal companion guarding me so diligently?" Raizel said softly.

"Ah… yes… well…"

"And please don't misunderstand… I am happy. Never doubt that."

Raizel smiled at the flush that was creeping over Frankenstein's face.

"Now... we normally have tea at this time of day. I shall go prepare it..."

"But, Master...!" Frankenstein protested.

"Frankenstein," Raizel said sternly. "I am perfectly capable of preparing my own tea."

"I... yes, Master."

"I will return momentarily. And please… stay here this time, won't you?"

Though it looked like it was killing him inside to let his Master prepare his own tea, Frankenstein nodded.

"I will."

Raizel swiftly left the room... before Frankenstein's pleading gaze could call him back.

As he walked down the hall to his study to fetch the teapot, he couldn't help noticing that the strange feeling in his heart was refusing to go away. He wondered what it was... He hadn't spent enough time around other people to be familiar with it.

Perhaps if he spent more of his days with Frankenstein, he would figure out what it meant.


As soon as his Master had left, Frankenstein looked back down at his palms.

Raizel had held his hand.

Master had obviously thought he wouldn't notice, but he had felt that little bit of power seeping into him, healing some of the gashes in his hands. He had thought about telling Raizel to stop, that he didn't need to waste any power on something like that...

But... Frankenstein hadn't wanted him to let go, either.

Aside from how that sensation had made his heart race... He couldn't help but wonder if this was a good sign. Raizel had already changed quite a bit since the two of them had started living together. And it had only been forty years, too. Forty years still seemed like a long time to him, but it was likely nothing more than the blink of an eye to Raizel.

Raizel was already becoming much more open, more sociable, more willing to leave the mansion for longer periods of time. He still preferred to speak directly into his companion's mind, and still spent quite a bit of time gazing out the window of his study, but as today proved... Raizel was changing, little by little.

He couldn't be impatient. The two of them were likely going to live for centuries together. He couldn't push Raizel to change his lifestyle so quickly... Besides, he'd already seen that his Master still harbored a deep desire to see the world and live like the humans he'd seen. If he just waited, surely Raizel would leave here with him one day.

Until then, he would just have to continue to guard and protect his Master. He would defend Raizel from monsters and traitorous family leaders alike. Anything that threatened his Master would be swiftly disposed of. He just had to get stronger... until nothing could stand against him, and he no longer needed his Master's help.

That way, Master would never have to use his powers again, and they could stay this way... He could stay by his Master's side forever. Bound together by blood until the end of days.

Hopefully he'd be well enough to make his Master's tea tomorrow.


My Comments: I feel like Frankenstein's history before he met Rai could be a whole story all on its own. Just from what we know about his past in the manwha, it seems like he did a whole lot of stuff before he met Rai. He must have educated himself, joined the Union, experimented on himself a whole lot, came up with the theory to make the dark spear, experimented on nobles, and then went around to a bunch of villages while destroying all the mutants and corrupted noble knights… I mean, that's a lot of stuff!

I wasn't sure I was going to include this chapter or not. I dunno, I wrote it, but then I wasn't sure it fit in anywhere, you know? But what the hell, it's in now. I was just so curious about Rai's family and Frankenstein's childhood, so I wanted some kind of explanation! I really wanted some questions about the manwha answered! What happened to Rai's father, mother, and brother? (Because that whole thing about Rai killing his own brother was very poorly explained!) How exactly does being the Noblesse work? Where was Frankenstein educated back in the dark ages? Why is he so passionate when it comes to protecting his fellow humans?

This is sort of what I meant when I said I wished there was more backstory and world building in Noblesse. There's a bunch of interesting things about Rai and Frankenstein that are hinted at but never explored very much… and I think a lot of us would have liked a better explanation. Not saying mine is perfect, but I dunno… it's something, I guess!

Last thing: Why is Rai's earring a cross? Is he religious? I get the symbolism, that the cross is a symbol of sacrifice, and Rai basically exists to be a sacrificial lamb, but that isn't an in-world explanation as to why Rai wears a cross earring. Anyway, the religious symbolism inspired me to make Frankenstein's childhood set in an abbey. And I think it made sense for the time period of a thousand years ago, too. (And yeah, this chapter includes a reference to Rai's Adventure).