Seventy two years. It had been seventy two years since the start of his nightmare. When Lilia failed to protect his son who was stolen from his crib, right next to Malleus. While everyone was relieved that the prince wasn't taken, it did raise questions. If one was skilled enough to make their way through the castle and cast a magic circle unnoticed, why take only Mazus when if their goal was to hurt the fae Malleus would be the more desirable target. While Lilia did cause a great deal of chaos in the world at the loss of his child, that would have been considered kind as it was only him and a small team of those he trusted rather than the entirety of the fae people.
It was no matter though. Not anymore. Looking up through the window, Lilia gazed upon a beautiful full moon and bathed in its light, but took no comfort. Within his soul, Lilia felt the call of the Fade. It had begun when he started to lose hope at ever finding Mazus, and every day, the call became stronger. When a fae felt themselves Fade, they loose pieces of themselves. Their magic, their mind, their body, their soul. Eventually everything of the fae would waste away until they were less than a shadow of their former selves.
Maleanor nearly lost herself to the fade when Raverne died. The only thing that kept her from that fate was Malleus. Such pressure placed upon a single egg. Pressure still felt even now as that child was the only thing to keep him from falling to the fade. Truly it was cruel of them to place the child in this position.
The sound of quick steps broke him from his melancholic thoughts. This new companion of the night had their hood drawn, their robes marking them of the Magical Research division. Many of their discoveries helped greatly during the wars against the humans.
"General Vanrouge," they said with a bow, "I am called Aelar, and there is something we have that might interest you."
Curiosity peaked, Lilia followed this fae to see what they wanted him to see. Once in the research lab, two others were standing around a mirror. The frame was made of a dark wood inlaid with mithrial in complicated rune patters that he couldn't decipher. Looking into the mirror, he noticed a sheen of magic within the glass, no, polished moon blessed silver. A very rare resource. Lazily looking to the others, he waited for an explanation on what this was about.
"We appreciate you coming to us at this time General Vanrouge. What we wished to show you is this mirror. This is our combined efforts in an attempt to locate your son."
Lilia sharply looked straight into the eyes of this fae, silently demanding answers. Could this mirror truly find his lost son.
"There are a few drawbacks as only a blood relation would be able to view the desired individual and that they must also stand before another magical mirror. If these two conditions are met then your child can be found if they live."
The last statement filled Lilia with rage. How dare he insinuate Mazus was dead. He felt it with his entire being that his child was alive, it was why his search went on for so long before he was dragged back by Queen Maleficina. It was only the fact that he needed this mirror that stayed his hand from killing this far and they damn well knew it if their expression was anything to go by.
"A great piece of magic despite its limitations. And not one easily parted with." Lilia knew this fae, Taran only parted with his creations under one of two conditions. One, you were the Royal Family. Or two, you paid a great price.
Eyes sparked with greed stared back at him, daring Lilia to disagree.
"Since many priceless resources went into the creation of this mirror, it is only fitting that this artifact leaves us for one million madol, and a favor."
Lilia stared hard into Taran's eyes. "1.5 million madol." Was his offer. He would not owe a favor to this fae if his life depended on it.
"Deal." Said Taran.
Lilia took some spare parchment and wrote out a note to the castle accountants to transfer the agreed upon sum to Taran, sealing it with a bit of his magic, then gave it to the fae. With a simple spell, he levitated the mirror and teleported to his rooms. His study had ample room for the mirror and allowed him to do his hated paperwork while also watching for his son.
Nearly three months had passed since Lilia had acquired the mirror and was beginning to think that Taran had scammed him. If this was true then the bastards last days would be far from pleasant.
Going through a report about the new trainees in the Royal Guard, Lilia notices something out of the corner of his eye. Looking up, the view in the mirror was not that of his study, but of an abandoned room. Mazus, he had found an enchanted mirror. With great excitement, he stood before his mirror and looked around the other room. He couldn't see much, but there were faint footprints in the dust. His child was right there. His heart was about to burst with everything he was feeling at that moment. The footprints startled back out of view suddenly. His son must have seen him then. Lilia watched as those precious steps came forward and stood before him. Mazus. So close yet so far. Desperately he tried to reach out but felt only the cool metal of the mirror.
As if slipping through a curtain of water, a little hand reached forward and placed right on his own. His child, he just knew that he had found his child. Lilia was so filled with joy that he would almost cry. Then Mazus removed the cloak that was hiding him from sight, and what Lilia saw shocked him down to his very core. Mazus had green eyes that were very similar to the Draconia, skin that spoke of many hours in the sun, that was not good for one of their kind, and very human ears. Somebody was trying to erase his child's fae heritage. How did this affect him, could it be reversed. Worry clawed at his heart for his child. If Mazus was turned completely human there would be no way for him to be a fae again.
Mazus was looking curiously at him and sat before the mirror. He wasn't going anywhere. Not for now. Drinking up every moment with his son, Lilia sat as well. Taking a good look at his boy, Lilia could tell that he was very small for his age. His body had barely any flesh on those bones. Whoever Mazus was with has been starving his boy. The darkness that rested within Lilia rose up with this thought, he would very much love to meet those who stole his child.
Lifting his hand from the mirror, Lilia began signing with his hands 'Child, where are you?' while watching Mazus. His expression showed a great amount of confusion. Is there no form of sign language where he is, wondered Lilia. No matter, he will find some way to communicate with Mazus. He will have his child in his arms again.
Mazus once again placed his hand on the mirror so Lilia placed his hand against his child's. He could feel his child on the other side and he was cold. That wasn't good. Fae children, unless they were born to the winter courts, usually ran hot, their magic permeating through their flesh and enveloping everything around them. It wasn't until their magic began to mature and coil within their bodies that they began to cool.
The gentle push of magic broke Lilia from his thoughts causing him to look at his child in wonder. This was Mazus' magic. He hadn't felt it for so long but it was instantly recognizable. A gentle babbling creek winding its way through an ancient forest just as the sun was setting, where shadows were at their darkest. As wonderful as it was to feel his son again, Lilia could feel the corruption trying to tear at his son. Fury raced within him once he noticed, but there was nothing he could do until Mazus was by his side again. So he sent a pulse of his magic to his son instead, so that Mazus may recognize him by his magic as well.
Watching his son as he curled up against his mirror, Lilia tried to be as close as he could and never stopped shielding him with his magic, even as he watched Mazus sleep. Lilia watched his son through the night, enjoying every moment of it. He watched as the suns light peered through the windows and gently caressed a sleeping Mazus. How he wished that he was there.
Then something woke him, causing the child to fall back. What was happening? A flash of panic showed in Mazus' eyes, then he wrapped himself back in that cloak hiding from the world. Looking away, Lilia saw another figure at the far edge of what he could see. The man practically reeked of hatred as he puttered about with that broom of his. Beside the man was a mangy cat, its yellow eyes held too much intelligence for his comfort. The cat was looking straight at his son and was stalking straight for him. Now that just wont do.
It took far more effort than Lilia would care to admit, but he was able to cast a spell of confusion surrounding the cat, and he watched satisfied as it walked back to its master. Truthfully, Lilia didn't think that would have worked if it was anything other than an animal. With a wary eye, he kept watch as they were in the presence of his son until they left. Mazus stayed hidden for a few moments longer then revealed himself once more. He looked to Lilia with a troubled expression so Lilia had to make the decision for his son.
Making a shooing motion, he had to tell his son to leave. It wasn't safe to stay at the moment. And that simple fact tore at Lilia. He never wanted his son out of his sight.
With reluctant steps, Mazus walked away while hiding himself once again in that cloak. Lilia stayed by the mirror for a while longer as he needed some rest himself. But he knew now, his son was alive but needed some help. For now, he had to figure our a way to communicate with Mazus so he could find him and bring him home.
Lilia slept only a few short hours that night. He was too excited having a lead on his son. As soon as was proper, he made his way to the Royal wing where the Draconia slept. Maleficina had her chambers right next to Malleus', loosing her daughter and having a child stolen from the same crib as her grandson made her fiercely protective of the child, far more than was normal, but was understood by all.
The door to her sitting room opened as he drew near so Lilia walked right in. He smiled at the sight of little Malleus sitting at his grandmother's desk practicing his writing as Maleficina sat reading nearby. Once Her Majesty turned her gaze to Lilia, he couldn't help the hope filled grin that split across his face.
"That mirror Taran created, it located Mazus." Lila spoke softly.
Excitement bloomed across Maleficina's face as she surged forward and embraced him. Lilia laughed and cried a few tears of relief in her powerful hold. Only here, in his adoptive mother's arms would he show any vulnerability such as tears. But he had found his son, he has proof that he is alive. Now they only had to find out where he is to bring him home where he belongs.
"You found him?" came an excited cry from Malleus, "You found Mazus!"
With great excitement, Malleus jumped from the too large chair and ran to Lilia, gripping his leg and looking up at his guardian. It was a little known fact but Malleus had told Lilia what he remembered from that night. How a magic circle appeared under Mazus and took him away. Mazus was the only friend he ever had and wanted him back.
Letting go from Maleficina, Lilia reached down and placed the prince on his hip. "In a way, yes I did find Mazus. I just don't know where he is yet."
The unimpressed look that Malleus was giving was absolutely adorable to Lilia and he greatly cherished these moments.
"You need to find him soon then." Malleus ordered cutely.
"That is what I am doing." Lilia laughed. He couldn't wait to play with both his boys.
"What is your plan?" questioned Maleficina.
"First is try to communicate with Mazus. He doesn't know our sign language and no sound passes through the mirror. So that leaves writing, but I don't know what script he uses. I will begin with common, then go from there. His manner of dress indicated a uniform of some kind, maybe a school, but I didn't recognize the crest or colors."
It was slightly troubling, but the world was vast. There must be a land that they are unaware of and that is where they could find Mazus. If this was true, then they had to proceed with extreme caution.
At Maleficina's curious look, Lilia asked her what she was thinking.
"Malleus still has a long way to go in writing common, why not take him with you tonight while you teach Mazus as well."
A bright grin split across Malleus' face at the thought, how could Lilia say no.
Spending a few hours with his little colony as he prepared for a basic common lesson calmed Lilia greatly. Worry and stress for his son gnawed at him throughout the day. When Maleficina held out a potion for him, Lilia knew better than to refuse. Last time he did a lot of lightning was involved and ended with him strapped down to a bed having the potion shoved down his throat, even if it has been centuries since then. A drowsiness potion, not as strong as a sleeping potion but it would allow him to take a good nap before returning to Mazus.
After waking, Lilia went to retrieve Malleus but he was fast asleep and it was difficult at the best of times to wake him, so Lilia returned to the mirror on his own and would deal with the resulting tantrum tomorrow. Young dragons needed all the rest they could get.
Standing before the mirror and staring through to the other side Lilia searched for Mazus. It seemed that he hadn't arrived yet. Or, and Lilia really didn't like this thought, something had happened to his son keeping him away. He had to be patient. He could still see into the other side of the mirror. The light through the windows indicated it was early evening. If Mazus was at a school, maybe he still had classes. He would wait as long as he would need to. He wasn't going to loose his son again.
A few hours had passed and Lilia was still waiting, moonlight was shining through the windows and he was beginning to really worry. Then something changed. A beam of torchlight coming from the location of the door, and those footsteps appearing from nowhere. Mazus! Lilia was so thrilled that gravity forsake him and his magic lifted him into the air. Removing that curious cloak, Mazus was wearing an expression that could only be described as surprised wonder. Lilia was going to have a lot of fun seeing all of the expressions his son will make.
Feet touching the ground again, he took in the sight of his son, and stoped cold at the sight of his wrist. It was wrapped in bloody bandages. What had happened to him. Mazus looked sheepish at where his gaze landed but Lilia was having none of it. Motioning for Mazus to come closer so he could inspect what had happened. His child carefully unwrapped the bandage, a few medicinal herbs falling out in the last few layers to reveal a badly sprained wrist. His fall that morning, when the human startled Mazus. Unless something else had happened during the day that is the most likely explanation. This was worrying to Lilia, fae don't injure that easily. Something was horribly wrong with his son.
Motioning for Mazus to hold his wrist to the mirror and waiting for him to do so, Lilia cast a healing spell through the mirror. This branch of magic was far from his specialty, but little wounds were possible. He just had to use more power so Mazus could be healed. The mirror absorbed much of the magic that tried to pas through.
Once finished, he inspected Mazus' wrist as he moved it around. Then his son smiled. And Lilia lost himself to that smile and was content at the moment to just receive that smile full of joy from his son. Yet there was much to do and the night short. Grabbing his writing supplies, Lilia set about to teach his son some basic characters. He had noticed that Mazus had nothing with him so wanted to keep the lesson as simple as possible for the night. Hopefully next time he would have some supplies with him.
Lilia started by writing 'I am called Lilia,' just to gage what could be recognized. The expression on Mazus told him all he needed to know, the common language of Twisted Wonderland was not recognized by his son. This was not good, the common language reached much of the world, many at least recognized it even if it was not understood. Hopefully he was in an unknown country, Lilia didn't know what he would do if it was what he was beginning to fear.
Then Mazus did something he did not expect. By breathing onto the mirror and creating a foggy patch, he than wrote out something, likely what he was called from the way he pointed at the word then to himself. Lilia quickly wrote down the foreign script the way he saw and its mirror image before it faded. He had no way of knowing if he was looking at his son as if through a window, or it was a reverse image. The answer came later into the night as Mazus wrote often onto the mirror of the letters Lilia was showing him and he was seeing his son as if in person, no mirror image.
Then morning came again. He had to separate from Mazus again if they didn't want a repeat of the previous night and be discovered. This would not get any easier he knew.
Gathering his few supplies, Lilia left to speak with Maleficina again about what little he had learned that night. Locating Mazus would not be easy.
Falling into his bed after meeting with Maleficina, Lilia lay awake despite needing the rest. He had been on edge ever since he saw his son again for the first time in seventy two years. Where was he, what had happened to him? He just wanted his son back, he would learn who he had become without Lilia by his side to teach him, without Malleus as a big brother, away from the Fae and believing they were human. Did Mazus desire freedom, or to be close to his colony? What did he like to eat? Lilia knew he was no cook but knew he would learn just to be able to share a meal he made with Mazus. Sleep was a long time coming and restless, plagued by fear fueled thoughts for his son.
With a few more hours until nightfall where Mazus was, Lilia took his time in getting everything ready and having a nice meal with Baul. He only recently understood Lilia's feelings regarding his son as his friend's baby girl was born a decade prior. On one quiet evening years ago, Baul remarked that he would have not have had the strength to resist the Fade as long as Lilia had is his little girl had been taken. Lilia didn't have the heart to mention that if Mazus was never found that he would Fade once Malleus was around 200 years of age and no longer in need of his protection. But that worry was no longer relevant. Baul was the only one he dared to tell about finding Mazus, he trusted no others in the palace besides Maleficina in this matter. He just needed to learn of Mazus' location then he will be home.
Malleus was quite irate with Lilia when he went to retrieve the child for not waking him the night before. He wanted to meet his friend again and it took some cajoling on Lilia's part to ready the boy for the night, thus causing them to be late to the mirror. Malleus truly had the Draconia stubbornness, hopefully he listened to the opinion of others better than his mother when he grows.
When Lilia looked to the mirror, it was to the sight of Mazus writing essays. It may be in an unrecognizable language to him but Lilia recognized homework when he saw it. Setting Malleus down he went to the dest for his parchment and quills then walked over to his boys greeting each other.
These two were just so cute together.
As Lilia sat, he gestured to his son to gather some parchment so their lesson may begin. With writing available to him, Mazus was learning common at an admirable speed. Lilia had fun teaching both boys and wondered at why he never thought about using pictures before with Malleus, he was learning so quickly with this method, not having to translate the complex fae script to common, just see the picture.
He was also learning the script Mazus used and Lilia believed he had a fair grasp on it now with its simple characters. Then Mazus tried communicating with them past the basic characters.
'My name is Harry.' Is what he wrote. A common name unfitting for any child of his. Malleus shared his name with Mazus and Lilia truly had to try hard to not coo over his boys and how cutely they were acting. He also shared his name with his child .
From there Lilia was able to learn that Mazus was in a country called Scotland, and the school he attended Hogwarts. He really wanted to know if his translation was correct as he couldn't believe that anyone would name a place of learning after pig warts. But he now had a location, he was one step closer to his son.
Then they began to learn of each other. He learned of his son's favorite class, color, food, his enjoyment of nighttime strolls and so much more. Malleus and he also shared some of their likes and hobbies as well. The only reason they stoped was due to a lack of parchment for all of them. Malleus not wanting his conversation to and asked for some more parchment. As he was explaining that they had run out for the night, a knock was heard from the mirror. Once Mazus had their attention, he just started to clap. He was clapping in a pattern. Malleus began to copy Mazus and Lilia had to smile in joy. Mazus knew of a game to play even when blocked by the limitations of the mirror. For hours they played where the other two had to copy the others beats that just got increasingly ridiculous. It was the most fun that Lilia has had in years.
Only when the two children were about to sleep where they stood did Lilia have to call it a night. On his last scrap of parchment, he wished Mazus a good sleep and watched him clean then leave. Collecting a sleepy dragon himself, Lilia slept that night with Malleus in his arms, heart and soul lighter than it has ever been in many years.
A little more than a week passed in a similar matter where Mazus would sit before the mirror and learn common with Malleus. What really shook Lilia though was when Mazus showed a few maps of where he was. Lilia didn't recognize anything and the only thing he could think of was that his child was trapped in a different World. It was terrifying in a way he couldn't explain that his child was so far out of reach. Mazus showed excitement at the knowledge that he and Malleus were from a different world, but it was the excitement of a curious child. He might have to work with Taran to find a way to cross over and retrieve Mazus.
Then something changed. Mazus walked excitedly into the room before the mirror then suddenly stopped. This put Lilia on edge and he tried to search the room to no avail with Malleus questioning what was happening at his feet. Mazus turned his back to them and was facing somebody coming from the door. An old man with a long beard and colorful clothing that made his eyes water walked from the shadows trapping Mazus. Looking into this mans eyes. The moment he saw those eyes, Lilia immediately grabbed Malleus and held him tight, those eyes reminded him too much of Henrick Istvan. This old man's greed though was well hidden by layers of cunning and fake kindness. His twisted gaze drifted from Mazus and landed upon the mirror but didn't react to his presence. Lilia's skin crawled with having those eyes look in his direction, but better him than Mazus. The problem for him now though, was that he could do nothing to protect his son from that monster. He had to fight his instincts to try and keep a level head as he watched that old man place a hand upon his son.
The look of horror upon his son's face to whatever the man said sent chills down his spine. Despair and desperation tore through him as his son was taken away before his very eyes, Lilia was sure, that this moment would haunt him for a long time. He didn't know how long he stood there with a silent Malleus in his arms, but it was only being enveloped in the great wings of Maleficina that the spell broke and he cried out in rage. Once again, he was unable to protect his son from being taken.
Every night since then, Lilia stayed near the mirror, hoping for his son to return. The day after his son was led away, the old man returned and transported the other mirror Mazus used to a different location. While a bit exciting at seeing more of this Hogwarts, Lilia felt nothing but cold fury for the dead man walking. He only needed to get a single hand around his throat.
The new chamber that the mirror was placed in reminded Lilia of a stage, if it was underground that is. He watched as the old blood bag took out a knobby stick, pointing it at the mirror, and began chanting. The curious thing was, is that Lilia could clearly hear him. So he committed the chant to memory. It was long but repeating, ensuring that Lilia wouldn't forget. He watched as the old man reached into an inner pocket and reveal a blood red stone. It was curious to Lilia as he pressed it to the mirror and was surprised when it fell through to his feet. With a satisfied look, the old man turned and left, leaving Lilia with an interesting new toy.
Subtle power radiated from the blood red stone, ensuring caution from Lilia. Once it was securely wrapped in some cloth, Lilia teleported to the research division. Taran was not in the castle he learned, thank seven, but he caught sight of Aelar.
"Been some time since our last conversation, Aelar."
"Yes it has. You don't come down here for no reason, General Vanrouge."
Releasing a dark chuckle, Lilia showed the stone to the fae.
"This intriguing rock has come into my possession and my curiosity demands I know what it is capable of."
Aelar picked up the stone from Lilia's grasp and his eyes widened in surprise.
"This…Where did you find this?" Aelar questioned hesitantly.
"It popped out of thin air and tumbled to a stop at my feet." Lilia answered casually, as if he would tell the whole truth.
He watched with a careful eye as Aelar shifted the stone in his hands to have a good look at it from every angle.
"It will take some time to understand this stone Sir. Would you mind leaving it here to discover its limits?"
"To you." Was Lilia's simple reply.
With a shallow bow, Aelar turned and left for the inner sanctum of the lab and study the stone. Lilia didn't want to part with the stone but it was needed to find out why that old man wanted to hide it in the mirror. He also had his own work to do with using that spell the old man used to see if it was possible for him to cross over. Maybe he could work with Aelar on that project.For now he had to update the Queen as she wished to know everything going on with locating Mazus.
After a fortnight had passed with nothing else happening and hitting dead ends in his own research, Lilia was called back by Aelar. He apparently had his own breakthrough with the stone.
"This stone is unlike anything we've ever come across before, and there is. Nothing like it in any records either."
Aelar stopped speaking for a moment as he retrieved a box.
"What was discovered is this stone has two primary purposes. One is that it can turn any metal into gold. The different metals though affect the quality of said gold and iron produces the highest quality."
That was slightly disturbing. A near endless resource to fill a treasury but at the price of handling a poisonous metal to the fae for the best quality.
"And the second purpose?" Lilia questioned.
"Healing."
Now that was a surprise.
"We don't know the limits of the stone yet but it has shown remarkable power in healing any wound, no matter its age. One of the volunteers had lost their hand in the wars and it has been slowly growing back by infusing the elixir with an herbal drink. We have yet to test if will still be effective with injuries to ones magic and not just physical, but preliminary testing shows promise."
This small stone has just become more than a trinket, it has become a national treasure.
"Can it be replicated?"
"We first have to discover the process and we are unwilling to risk the stone."
Truly, this stone was a great gift.
"I must inform the Queen about this, keep up the good work."
As Lilia turned to leave, Aelar called for him to wait. Curious about what else he had to say Lilia stayed.
Handing Lilia the box from earlier, Aelar said "While studying the stone, I was suddenly overcome with an intense need to create a copy and give it to you."
Indeed, when Lilia opened the box was a near perfect replica of the stone, the only difference was the false power within.
"Magic continues to surprise us, does it not." Lilia commented.
"Magic is the only thing that keeps life interesting." Aelar said as he returned to his work.
With a small huff of amusement, Lilia tucked the false stone in his pocket and left. There was in interesting conversation to be had with Maleficina.
A great storm raged outside that kept everyone indoors, there would be a lot to clean up in the coming days were Lilia's idle thoughts as he stood before the mirror again. Months of research and trials went into that strange chant of the old man. Lilia could pass just the tips of his fingers through the mirror right now but he was positive with just a bit more time he could pass through. His desk was a mess covered with paperwork that came with his position , blegh, and all his research. It was a near miracle he could locate anything on it.
Then something new caught his eye. A strangely dressed man, though better dressed than the old blood bag. He walked straight to the mirror and behind him, a ring of fire encircled the room. There was something about this man, who just stared into the mirror, that put Lilia so on edge he wished to have his Magearm at his side. When the man started talking, he was startled that he could hear the other. Granted it was as if he was listening underwater and had absolutely no idea what was being said.
With a sharp eye, Lilia watched as this man turned around and was curious at what grabbed his attention, only to freeze in horror to see his son standing just in front of the flames, a little worse for wear but otherwise currently fine. What was he doing there, and what had happened to him?
When the man began to unwrap his strange head wear, something felt truly wrong to Lilia, and he had never before wished he had been wrong at the sight of what was on the back of the man's head. A second face, a parasite. This was something that should never exist. Terror froze in his veins the moment he saw it turn to Mazus, who was in the same room as this monster, and he could't get to him. He saw the moment when fear entered his son's eyes and watched him shake in terror. He couldn't wait. He had to do something right now to try and get to his son. Lilia began chanting, palms places against the polished silver of the mirror, willing himself to pass through. His son needed him and nothing was going to get in his way. Opening his eyes that closed during the chant, he saw his son, being dragged to the mirror in conjured ropes. How dare that filthy human do that to his son.
Rage fueled him as Lilia brought back his claws and attempted to tear his way through the mirror. In his fury, he didn't notice the false stone he kept in his pocket disappear.
He watched as the dead fool lift his son from the ground to his face and took some pleasure at the sight os Mazus spitting into his eyes, thus releasing him. But that pleasure was short lived as he quickly recovered and grabbed his son again only to throw Mazus against the mirror, sending cracks through the glass. Not good. Then in an act that was sure to haunt his nightmares for the rest of eternity, Lilia watched as the human filth cry out 'Crucio', and heard the tortured screams of agony tear out of his sons throat. At the sight and sound of this, Lilia stopped trying to claw his way through and gave in to his darkness, something he hasn't done since that raid during the war. He didn't think as he forced a single hand into the mirror and call the cursed farie fire that fae of all kinds were capable of.
Dark satisfaction coursed through Lilia at the sight of the ash. But this action came at the cost of great damage to the mirror. Shifting his attention to his son, he knelt in an attempt to get as close as he possibly could to Mazus.
Then he heard it, a soft, raspy call of his name, his name that was spoken by his son, so clear as he was so close.
"Mazus." He gently called.
His child was surprised at hearing him, and although he knew that he wouldn't be understood, Lilia had to talk to his child.
"Everything will be alright Mazus. I'm coming for you. Just hold on, my beloved child."
The soft sound of a crack stopped Lilia from comforting his child. He saw terror once again enter his child's eyes and heard his desperate call of his name before the glass shattered out around him.
"MAZUS!" Lilia cried as he saw the glass slice into his child before everything faded and he could only see his own distorted reflection, staring back at him in horror.
Had he, in the attempt to save him, just kill his son?