Chapter Fourteen

"Mom what are you doing?" Nathaniel asked.

He let out a small growl as his mother's hands remained over his eyes.

"Shush don't peek it's a surprise." Rina whispered into her son's sensitive ears.

He could smell burning wax and his family in the living room. But he didn't understand what was going on. Rina took her hands away from his face. Before Nathaniel's eyes adjusted to the sudden bright light, everyone yelled "Happy Birthday!"

At first he was shocked only moments later his lips pulled into a grin.

'So this was why mom was in such a hurry to get me to go get measurements for my new outfits.'

"Sweetie, blow out the candles and make a wish! And remember you're not supposed to tell anyone or it won't come true."

Blowing out the candles his wish was made. 'I wish I knew who my dad was.'

There was a time he had been curious and confused when he saw all the children at the park with their mother …and father. A figure that was not in his life. The only male role models he had to look up to was his uncle Kacien who taught him how to fight and pull pranks on his great-grandfather. His great grandfather was old and a bit senile but always taught him about history.

Another tender memory of the wish came forth. Nathaniel asked his mother "Do I have a dad?"

His mother's beautiful eyes glazed over in a dazed state. There was pain in her eyes, something that he had never witnessed before. Only this question needed to be asked and his mother was filled with pain. From that day on he never asked again for fear of bringing more pain to his mother.

It didn't matter how old Nathaniel really was, he advanced much faster than any human child could in strength and intelligence. From his mother telling him stories of her past experiences to his great-grandfather who taught him everything about magic, demons and holy power's.

Even at this age Nathaniel wondered why he was so different, his mother in her own right was very strong. He never really knew the limit to her powers. Even Kacien was strong and his aura was similar to his mother's, but on a much smaller scale that he was sure of.

He knew he was different, and with that knowledge he knew that he must have inherited many of his traits from his father's side of the family. That was the only assumption his little mind could come up with. And his name was Damien, or so he thought. It was a name he heard his mother whisper in her sleep on multiple occasions.

Nathaniel snapped from his deep thoughts when his mother pulled him into a hug. His expression softened, he squeezed his beautiful orbs shut and hugged his mother back with his tiny arms and laid his head at the crook of her neck breathing in her scent. He loved her fresh scent as it always comforted him in his times of need especially when he wanted to go to sleep.

"You're one years old." Rina said, mindful of her son's sensitive ears.

When the cake was cut and everyone received a piece, Kacien was the first one to hand his presents to Nathaniel. As he unwrapped the presents carefully his uncle Kacien explained what the items were.

"It's a training outfit and a training sword made out of bamboo so it's very durable and you don't have to worry about breaking it too easily. You can practice with this until you are ready for a real sword which might not be anytime soon." his uncle firmly stated.

His great-grandfather then stepped forward handing Nathaniel a cloth wrapped present.

"Oh god I hope it's not one of his history books…" Rina whispered to her mother.

Nathaniel giggled but didn't say anything.

"Mmm…what's that I didn't quite catch that-" Rina's grandfather asked, squinting his eyes in suspicion.

"Nothing!"

Nathaniel ignored them and fixated his gaze on the present. His eyes brightened in shock and excitement, he gave a toothy grin. Rina gasped.

"Grandpa?! I can't believe you, why would you give him that, it's dangerous!"

"He's a smart boy and he can protect himself with it! Especially where he is going to go-no respect for your elders."

"So much for a practice sword…" Kacien muttered.

Rina glared at her grandfather

"It's only a small katana and where will I be going?" Nathaniel asked.

Everyone looked nervous, neglecting to answer Nathaniel's question. "Well?.."

"Sweetie, I was going to tell you later…but seeing as how someone couldn't stop themselves from from telling you." Rina said, staring at her grandfather. "Remember all the bedtime stories I told about how a young girl fell down a portal and her adventures?"

Nathaniel nodded.

"Well…" Rina hesitated to answer

"That was me Nathaniel, like in the story it all started on my 15th Birthday, I would go to the glory forest with my close friends and experience what our ancestors went through."

Rina looked at her son anticipating his reaction, surprisingly it was impassive and calm.

"So that's why you brought me all those outfits?" Nathaniel asked.

Rina nodded and pulled her present that was hiding behind her, it was the smallest one out of everything Nathaniel had received so far.

"This is from your grandmother and I." Rina explained as she handed him the small rectangular package.

Nathaniel pulled off the lid and discovered a thick white gold chain with a royal blue gem shaped in a crescent moon hanging in the center.

"This necklace does not only represent who you are but it will also protect you. I infused my miko powers with the necklace, so…if you ever are in danger in any way it will protect until I can come and get you." Rina explained.

"Thank you." Nathaniel got up and gently hugged his grandmother before hugging his mother in appreciation.

Rina unclasped the ends of the necklace and placed it around Nathaniel's neck.

"It will not break because it is laced with my priestess powers and never and I mean never take off this necklace under any circumstance understand?" Rina said before softly cupping his youthful cheek only to start running her fingers through Nathaniel's silver mane.

Nathaniel only nodded in response as his eye's slid closed, a light purr came out. Only his mother knew his secret weakness, now everyone knew witnessing their adorable interactions from a mother and her loving son.

Rina's index finger glided over Nathaniel's crescent moon. A blue aura appeared around the necklace similar to his mothers powers activating the necklace's protection spell.