A Father and His Son

(Third Person POV)

"Did you wish to see me, father?" Riktor said as he walked up to Drakken, who sat on some steps, holding a dagger in his hands, "I was with Vaella and Astorias. For some reason, Astorias didn't feel like hitting me." 

They were in the courtyard, which was empty, and Drakken had a somewhat serious look on his face. While Riktor was used to his Father being serious like this, something about him unsettled him and he couldn't explain why. 

Drakken planted the dagger on the ground, "Come." He said, not looking up, "Riktor...." 

Riktor stepped closer to Drakken, "Father.....?" He asked, "What.....is wrong?" 

Drakken looked up at him, "Riktor, I know you are desensitized when it comes to death." he said, "You have killed yourself and you have witnessed War firsthand. But you are still young, son. You are still a young boy who has much to learn about life. Your Mother told me about what you saw in the woods back home." 

Riktor looked down, "I...." 

"It is only natural." Drakken said, "To give in to carnal desires such as sex, it cannot be helped for grown adults. It happens. But.....children should not be doing that, they should not go through any of that. You see, a child is an innocent life. You may have stained your hands with blood, but you are still a child. You may wield a sword, you may wield a power unlike anything this world has ever seen, but you are still a child....and you need to be protected." 

Riktor looked at him, "I....I couldn't see in the future." He said, "I couldn't see what would happen. I.....I couldn't stop it..." 

"Situations like those.....they come unexpectedly." Drakken grabbed him by the shoulder, "Sometimes....adults....prey on children in that way." 

"They do.....?" Riktor asked

"They do." Drakken nodded, "But let me tell you something, Riktor. You are my son, my blood, an extension of me. Nobody can touch you in any way without going through repercussions. You are the Heir of House Drakkengard, and an example must be made. And it will be made. Parchments will be destroyed, I will have many die...and here on the city, I will have any adult that does that sort of thing to be burned by dragonfire. I will then use their ashes and fuse them with mortar in a new prison I will have built in the Riverlands, for the sole purpose of containing criminals of that nature, where they will go through so much pain and torment that their minds will be eternally broken. I will bring hell to the Realm in the form of a Fortress that will imprison those who cross me." 

Riktor blinked, "Father...." He started, "I...." 

"You are my son." Drakken repeated with a serious expression, "Do you understand? Do you understand what I mean when I say that? When you look at me, what do you see? Tell me....." 

Riktor looked down, "I see my Father..." He said softly, "The God of War and Death...." 

Drakken lifted his face up to see him, "Don't let anything distract you from the fact that you are my Firstborn." He said seriously, "I have lived for centuries and I have not fathered a single child before you, not a one. You will take pride in that, you are the First." 

Riktor nodded slowly, "Right....." 

"I don't intend to do this." Drakken said, "But I must leave a burden on you. One that I don't wish upon a child. But you must protect your siblings from that type of danger, the one you could have fallen for." 

"What....?" Riktor said

"Your brother, your sisters....and whatever Maegelle's unborn child will be..." Drakken said, "As the eldest, I leave you in charge of their protection. I don't ever want to find out that any of them fell prey to such grasps, Riktor. Promise me, son. Promise me that you will protect them as you were protected." 

"I...." Riktor said, "If anyone touches them....in that way....I should...do what?" 

"You show them no mercy." Drakken patted his cheeks with both hands, "You understand? Do what it takes. You are a good soul, Riktor. I can see it when I look at your eyes, the eyes you inherited from me. You are not like me, you are not cruel and sadistic.....you don't enjoy bloodshed or violence, I know it. You will grow to be strong, the strongest. I know that much, but I also know that you will not be like me, you will be better." 

"No...." Riktor said, "I cannot be better than you...." 

"You have no idea." Drakken said as he patted his head, "When you become old enough to be a Father, you would not have lived a fraction of what I have lived...and that's the truth. I have met great people, who were good souls. They were great individuals who were strong, sympathetic, and compassionate. I thought of them as weak and pathetic, but the truth is.....I knew they were my opposites." 

"Mother tells me you once fought a Hero-Knight whom you respected so much." Riktor said, "Was he that strong?" 

"He was the Hero that everyone hoped would defeat me." Drakken smirked slightly, "He was a powerful warrior who pushed me to my limits. That was so long ago, yet it feels like it was just yesterday. But in the end, he died by my hand....because he was not me. But you? You are my blood, my son....who wants to be a powerful knight.....and you will be strong because you are me, in a way."

"Are you sure I am up for it?" Riktor asked

"I don't need to have your eyes to see the future." Drakken said seriously, "I know you will be someone I can count on. But no matter what you end up becoming, Riktor, it doesn't matter. You will always be my son. But there is a harsh truth, Riktor. One that you are not ready for and I don't intend on telling you until you are ready." 

"I see...." Riktor said

"There will be a lot of change from now on, Riktor." Drakken said, "I want you to understand that I do everything for a reason. Chaos may be unpredictable.....but the fact that I have established....order....it is unlike chaos....but still, it is what needs to be done." 

"I know." Riktor said

"I look forward to the future, Riktor." Drakken said as he smiled slightly, "I cannot wait to wage wars alongside my son." 

"The truth is...I have always wanted something like this."