Revenant (V)

"What are you smiling about, you troublesome boy?" Raegon held Alexander by the shoulders, shaking him slightly.

He appeared genuinely worried, fearing the boy's antics were going to land him into big trouble. 

"Tell me, Razen. What happened to you back there?"

Alexander shrugged. "What do you mean? Nothing happened. I got to explore the city like I told you I wanted. I might have gotten into a little tangle at a diner with the scioness, but that was basically it."

Raegon frowned. "The scioness? You mean Lord Feridon's daughter?"

"Feridel Frostspire, yes."

"Wha—" Raegon appeared flabbergasted. He shook his head, trying to keep his thoughts in a single place. "That's by the way for now. The secret tunnel that connects the Districts, did you tell your father about it?"

This caused Alexander to frown, caught by the question. He had earlier wondered how Razen had managed to pass the border into Arrigary in the first place with all that tight security.

But now, through Razen's memories, he saw the truth.

Razen had discovered a map of a smuggling route Raegon had uncovered during a Circle Raid.

This route led through an underground channel beneath the Arrigary Border, directly into the Western District. Raegon had apprehended all the smugglers that were involved, but ordered his men to keep the discovery quiet. Not even telling the Lord. 

He then exploited this loophole to smuggle arms into the Northern District, aiding Revenant spies and peace disruptors working for him inside the District.

Of course, no one else knew of Raegon's actions — not even Ronan, who would never have condoned such methods. But Raegon believed in doing the objectionable actions as long as it upheld the Revenant name.

He was the Commander of the Western District's Rangers Guild, therefore protecting the District and the royal family was a pivotal duty and responsibility of his. 

With that being said, the relief in his eyes was understandable, as was the undercurrent of fear that something more sinister might have occurred to Razen. 

Something that could spell disaster for the Revenant family.

"No," Alexander replied with a smile. "Of course I didn't tell Father."

Raegon heard him, but his mind was far gone from that now. He was staring at Razen's chest, eyebrows creased. 

Something was certainly wrong. Razen felt... empty.

"Razen," Raegon slowly lifted his head up. "What happened to your—"

The room door opened once again, and the same armored Ranger stepped inside, standing beside the door in attention. "Commander."

Raegon turned around, his sharp eyes scanning the Ranger before noting the number above the Revenant Crest on his shoulder. "Number 074," he sighed. "What is the matter?"

"The Lord and the Lady have summoned the Scion," the armored Ranger replied.

Raegon looked up at his visor. "Again?" 

"They summon him in the Sanctum," the Ranger said. "It is a confidential meeting. Close relatives only."

Commander Raegon, now on his feet, looked down at his nephew. 'I was right, it must be something with his Spark Core. It feels completely empty, like it was siphoned or drained. Oldturtle must have been summoned as well. Certainly he would have some answers.'

Raegon gestured for Razen to get down from the bed. When the boy complied, he leaned in close, his voice a low whisper. 

"Now, remember. If your father asks how you got past the border, tell him you paid a transporter who was moving goods. He cannot know about the secret passage."

Alexander nodded obediently. "Okay."

"Alright." He placed his hand on Razen's back and led him forward. "Come now. Your father calls."

Alexander found himself instantly sandwiched between two powerful, tall men. He grunted internally at how frustrating it was. 

He used to be just as tall and powerful as they were. And now—

'Ugh. I am still getting used to this body, but I still can't believe that I am a child once more.'

The doors closed as he left the room. 'And it seems my night isn't over yet,' he thought with a sigh. 

As they walked up the staircase, his mind wandered back to the smuggling route Raegon had mentioned. 

Razen had pestered his uncle for days to show him where the underground channel was. Raegon had finally relented, but not before extracting a promise that the boy would return in time.

Nevertheless, Alexander still thought this was an extremely reckless action by both the scion and the commander. 

A smuggling route like that would be dangerous, no? 

What had the smugglers been moving before Raegon even discovered it? Could it have been the axium those two rough-looking men had been talking about? Or perhaps illegal heaters.

His gaze flicked to his uncle who was now beside him, hand on his shoulder. Whatever it was they were smuggling, Uncle Raegon had confiscated it so he knew exactly where they were now. 

Alexander studied his new uncle a bit more. 

Unlike the fat, indolent uncles of his former life, who had lived off the hard work of his father, the king, Raegon was more diligent and incessant, taking pride in his role as Commander.

He and Ronan might not always see eye to eye on many things, but they were united when it came to protecting and upholding the valor of the Revenant family.

Ronan was sturdy in composure, shoulders squared, his back straight despite the heaviness of his duties. His dark hair was shiny and long, and his cape moved behind him like crimson water.

Alexander was already fond of him. He could see why Raegon had kept the passage hidden. 

If Ronan ever discovered it, he'd do more than just shut it down. 

Alexander could imagine his father compensating the Frostspires for any perceived wrongdoing during that time.

'He's too moral for his own good,' Alexander mused in his thoughts, using Razen's memories as reference. 'Father could maintain the Revenants' power on sheer strength alone, but he insists on doing it the honorable way.'

Raegon, on the other hand, knew the cost of maintaining that facade. 

As Commander, he was the one forced to dirty his hands. He shielded the Lord from choices that might sully his reputation. It was a pragmatic, albeit dangerous, balance.

Being a warlord himself, Alexander admired Raegon for it. But maybe this admiration and sudden fondness was being influenced by Razen's already existing attachment to his dear uncle.

They stepped into the lifter, and Raegon pressed his palm to the console. The doors slid shut with a whisper, and the lift began its ascent.

Alexander caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirrored walls. The childlike face stared back, as though reminding him that this was who he was now.

'Razen Revenant,' he thought, turning the name over in his mind. 'Scion of Bridenfall and Heir to the Revenant throne.'

He thinned his lips. 'It seems I am bound for royalty even in my second life.'

'But where exactly are they taking me to now? This Sanctum the Ranger mentioned, it doesn't sound like an ordinary room.'

He glanced up at the men flanking him. Uncle Raegon looked down at him and gave him a short smile.

Alexander didn't trust it.

'And why is everyone acting so ominous?'

He suddenly felt his stomach twist. 'Could they know? Is it possible for them to figure out that I'm another person in the scion's body? That's absurd… right?'

The lifter stopped, and Alexander gulped silently. 'Surely this has to be normal Revenant royalty protocol.'

The doors slid open to reveal a short flight of steps leading to an enormous white and red door. 

"Come, Razen." Raegon gestured Alexander forward. "Best not to keep your father waiting."

Alexander hesitated only briefly before joining them, climbing up the few steps to stand before the big red door. 

The armored Ranger was in front, and so he placed his open palm on the scanner. With an affirmative ding, the door slid open to both sides, revealing the chamber known as the Sanctum.