"Axel! Go fetch some water!"
The voice came from upstairs. An eleven-year-old boy darted through the hallway, already used to such commands. He wiped his brow, grabbed a bucket, and ran out.
Moments later, Helen heard the door creak open.
"Oh... Cyphos. You didn't tell me you were coming," she said.
Cyphos stepped in, tall and cold-eyed. "Oh? I didn't know I needed an invitation to see you."
"Sorry, Milord. I just wasn't expecting you... not after all this time."
"You haven't changed, have you?" he said flatly, his gaze sharp.
The door opened again. Axel entered, holding the bucket. "Greetings, sire. Greetings, Mother," he said politely. "Where should I drop the water?" He asked.
"Drop it in the kitchen. Aren't we eating today?" Helen asked dryly.
"Sorry, Mother," Axel replied, disappearing into the next room. Who is that man? he wondered.
Helen's eyes softened as she turned back to Cyphos. "He's grown, hasn't he?" she asked with a faint smile.
"Uglier than I imagined," Cyphos said with a smirk.
Helen's expression hardened. "He's still your child."
A sharp crack broke the silence - Cyphos's hand struck her cheek.
"Don't you ever call that bastard my child," he hissed.
"Sorry, Milord," she whispered, trembling.
Axel re-entered quietly. As he tried to step outside, Cyphos caught his arm.
"Where do you think you're going? I came all the way from the inner block just for you, and you'd walk out on me?"
"Oh-sorry, sir. I didn't realize-"
"That just shows how stupid you are."
Axel froze. Helen's fury flared. "He's done you no harm, Cyphos!"
"Call me by that name again," Cyphos warned, lightning flickering around his hand, "and I'll rip your heart out."
"CYPHOS!" she screamed.
A bolt of lightning shot forward, striking her before she could move. She flew across the room, crashing into the wall with a scream.
"Arrrgh!" Helen cried, collapsing.
"That was only a taste," Cyphos said coldly. "It's your son I pity." He turned to Axel. "Would you like to see your mother die?"
Axel shook his head frantically.
"Good. Now listen - you've been enrolled in an elemental academy called Syriah. You'll attend in three weeks. Though honestly, I won't be surprised if you have no element at all."
He smirked. "By the way, congratulations on passing your first school leaving exams."
"Thank you, sir," Axel murmured, his heart still pounding.
"I suppose I'm done here," Cyphos said, glancing around. "This house stinks - stinks a lot."
He left without another word.
Axel's face grew colder, is mother was hurt. He hadn't seen such power in his whole life.
Axel knelt beside his mother. "Who is he?" he asked softly.
"That... that's your father, Axel," Helen whispered, pain twisting her voice.