"You are an earthmancer yes?" The smug wizard across the desk queried.

I had the honour to meet Lenamare the Great in person. I must say, he doesn't have the dangerous air Exador did. But appearances can be deceiving. The short man with equally short black hair and a pale complexion was concealing tremendous power.

I could sense his ego was great, it's not like he hid it. But I wondered if his power matched it.

"Indeed a humble earthmancer, my son here has talent for wizardry and I heard your school was the best." I switched tactics and decided to butter him up a little bit.

The wizard beamed with pride, compliments seemed the way to go. Men with egos tended to be easily placated. Just need to act like a fan of theirs and they are putty in your hand.

"Indeed my school is the pre-eminent institution of Wizardry." He boasted.

I turned to Ren with a smile, the young lad was quiet. Unsure of what to say in the presence of two masters of Wizardry. Of course, my skills lie in other, more illegal areas.

"I have heard nothing but good things, truly Exadors words were unfounded," I mentioned a certain wizard's name and Lenamares eyes lit up.

"Exador, you have had the misfortune of encountering him. What did he say?" He asked, his lip slightly trembling.

"Nothing true Master Lenamare, truly unsociable fellow I met in Turelane. He mentioned that your school was of poor standing, far from the truth indeed. I suspect he was jealous of your own success. But that is just my speculation." I lied through my teeth.

"I can't say I'm surprised he would try to slander me, it is all he can do. I pity the man." He shook his head, making a tsk sound. "Well enough about him, Ren I would be glad for you to join my school." He agreed with a fake smile.

It wasn't long before he was accepted, my boy's skills with magic were apparent and he became a fine addition to this school.

Standing outside the castle gates, it was time to bid him farewell. I did not tear up, I just had something in my eye.

"You can visit me anytime, I have setup work in a local town. It's simple, but acceptable." I patted him on the shoulder.

"I'm going to miss you dad." My boy said, getting emotional in my stead.

Since he was so emotional, unlike myself, I gave the boy a warm hug. It was the least I could do for him. The farewell was bitter-sweet as expected. It was time for my son to go to school, learn a trade and ascend into adulthood.

I reminisced on all the memories I had of him growing up. The carriage ride to my new home was not very long. But I had ample time to recall those times. Being a single father was not an easy thing. Especially for a man who had no clue how to raise a child.

Reading my boy stories, having the skeletons dance just to hear him laugh. I would cherish those moments for the rest of my life. The only problem is, that I planned to become immortal, that is the overall goal.

It would wound me so to watch my boy grow old and die. Perhaps I can convince him to forgo mortality, but that must be his choice.

"But what if he refuses, what will I do then?" I asked no one and received no answer.

It didn't take long for me to arrive at the town. I gave a perfunctory greeting to the town Mayor. The balding middle-aged peasant was happy to have a wizard living in his town. Despite being close to a literal wizards' school, most of them wouldn't even glance this town's way for any longer than a day or two.

Being a new resident, I settled into a cozy little house I bought from a deceased family. I absently thought of raising them, but that seemed a bit too far in my opinion.

I couldn't openly display my supreme necromantic power, so being a mild-mannered earthmancer would have to do. Besides I was hiding out and awaiting news on my rival's location.

Over time I have put the word out with the unsavoury elements of the world. Once they find him, I will pounce and crush him without mercy.

Despite my confidence in receiving news, time flew by quickly, and the seasons passed without a word. My work in the town was surprisingly fulfilling, despite being monotonous.

I had become the resident magical shopkeeper. I worked out of my house and sold enchanted devices for a steal. No, I didn't curse them, I could have, but that wouldn't work with my undercover persona, no matter how funny it would be.

My son did visit when he could, but his studies kept him busy. He introduced me to his first-order demon, Erebus. The stout little imp was quite polite for a demon.

"Greetings father of my master." The demon hissed in that raspy voice of his.

To most that would sound scary and ominous. But I have spoken to terrible ungodly undead creatures, so this was all normal to me.

"What do you think? He is pretty cool right?" My boy, once so young, now all grown up said.

I didn't answer, instead I just grinned at the absurdity of time. He was a teenager now, learning magic, and summoned his demon. Time changes everything, well not everything, gods and immortals.

"He is very impressive my boy." I praised his accomplishment.

"Yeah, Master Lenamare was very impressed I managed to summon one at such a young age." He explained, smiling.

I looked back at my boy, puzzled. That didn't sound like that smug egoist at all. "Really?" I said, incredulous.

"He added that it was almost as impressive at his own accomplishments at an even youger age." My boy added with a sly grin.

"That sounds more like him." I emphasised with a finger pointed heavenward.

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Ren shrugged. "He is not that bad really, sure he can be a bit smug and harsh. But I'm doing what you told me to, compliment him regularly and he will be predisposed to you." He nodded, likely recalling my sage words of wisdom. "Of course this has no effect on Mistress Jehenna, cold as ice that woman."

I recalled meeting her in passing, cold as ice indeed. I also suspected she and Lenamare were an item of sorts. But I'm not one to gossip.

We continued to talk for hours, from magical theory to classes and fellow students. He was doing well, happy and content. On track to becoming a well-respected wizard.

I knew he wanted to become a necromancer, but lately, I was starting to become adverse to the idea. The life of a necromancer was not something I would want for him. Always looking over your shoulder, being arrested or killed for practising a forbidden piece of magic.

We deathmongers get a bad rap, not unfounded, just annoying. So as we spoke and he eventually left to return to the school, I kept wondering what I should do.

I left my house and went into the woods. I faked an interest in herbology so I could easily explain my long trekking through the forest.

In truth, I had created a little secret laboratory underground. Earthmancy and some undead labour, work wonders for such projects. I entered through a hollowed-out tree and down some crude stairs.

Entering a sparse little hideaway filled with arcane objects of a less than legal nature, surrounding a sacrificial altar. It was just for creating undead animals and the like. Only a single human was killed upon it. The undead chap standing guard to the side.

Hiding in the corner, sword raised he lunged at me. Just as the weapon reached my forehead, it stopped mid-strike. The undead, revealing himself to be a rather intact corpse of a redheaded man in his forties. He wore leather armour and looked like a typical sellsword for hire.

His name was Albert and he was sent to kill me. Not by Drelem, I had no clue where that man was. But he wasn't my only enemy, I had a few in the criminal underground.

One of them managed to find me by accident. They sent this poor sap to kill me, I killed and raised him and then went on a little vacation to remove several criminals off the face of Astlan.

"Albert, why do you even bother?" I sighed, he was at this again.

He withdrew, sheathed his sword and released a raspy growl. "I had to check, you never know when your magic will fail and I can finally kill you."

This was a thing he was doing lately. He was a Revenant, I have been testing my skills with him. He still has his will but my powers keep him in check.

"Well everybody needs a hobby." I shook my head at the futility of it.

With an exhausted sigh, I collapsed on a nearby couch. It was pretty comfortable, I moved it in a few days ago, well Albert did, but I ordered him to.

"I know I will regret this, but what's wrong?" Albert asked begrudgingly.

"Nothing." I lied.

"Let me guess, father issues." He guessed correctly, perceptive bastard he was. "How old is your little brat now? Should be in his teens."

"Call him a brat again and I'll make you eat your rotted tongue." I threatened with all the malice my black heart could conjure.

He raised his hands, placating. I was in no mood to play right now. But then a thought struck me like lightning. I turned to the undead and asked him a question.

"Do you have a child?" I queried, unsure why I asked.

He leaned back against the wall, sighing as if he still breathed. "A daughter, haven't seen here in years." He answered, with a faint trace of bitter regret.

"Why did you leave her?" I wondered aloud.

Albert scratched his head sheepishly. "To be honest I just didn't want her to be affected by the shit that was my life. She would just have a better life without me." He explained, tilting his head to the side.

I considered his words, wondering if he was correct. Despite that, I still couldn't fathom life without my boy.

The day passed by in a blur, I completed my necromantic tasks and went home. Still no news about Drelem and so I slipped back into the monotony that was my life now.

Time passed and my boy grew up. One day he arrived at my door with a shy girl at his back. Introducing Kara, the pretty brunette with mousy hair and freckles, I was pleased and horrified that my little boy had a girlfriend.

He was growing up so fast, it was uncanny how quickly the world changed. I was polite and got to know her a bit. She was the daughter of a farmer, she lived a sheltered life in a nearby village.

The two met when her father visited the school to sell his produce. It was love at first sight according to the two love birds.

My boy was growing up, while I was standing still. I had been so consumed with my search for my rival that I was missing things. Important moments in my son's life.

Our relationship only fell further as time went on. One day he arrived by himself to inform me he was leaving Lenamare's school to live in Freehold with Kara.

"But you haven't finished your schooling?" I protested.

"I have completed the senior exam and am proficient enough in Conjury and enchantment to establish a decent trade father." He answered confidently.

"But what about Necromancy, our revenge upon Drelem. Our revenge on your mother's death!" I spoke with a little too much heat in my voice.

"Father please." He protested and I just continued.

"This is what we worked for, to get our revenge. Are you just going to throw that away for what? Some girl." I angrily retorted, regretting my words the moment I said them.

"Kara is with child." He interrupted and I was stunned.

I was frozen, stock still. Unable to parse those words for a few moments before they clicked in my mind. My boy, my baby boy was all grown up and going to be a father. I was to be a grandfather.

I absently looked down at my clenched fist, noticing the wrinkles and lines of aged skin. Time had passed and I barely noticed the coming of a new age.

"But." That was all I could say.

"We are moving to Freehold so I can raise my family. I hope ny daughter will know her grandfather." He spoke with finality as he left with bags packed.

Again time passed and I debated what I should do. Stuck in my little underground lab with Albert I finally received the message I had hoped for. It arrived through magical means and it gave me all I ever wanted.

The location of Drelem is written neatly in cursive on the magical parchment. I knew where he was, it would take time to reach him, but that wasn't important. We could hunt him down and slay him.

I ignored Albert and quickly packed a bag. Driven by a zeal for vengeance I hopped a carriage and headed to Freehold. Despite the last words I spoke with my boy, he needed to hear this.

After a time I arrived in the city, travelled the streets at night and found his modest home. Outside the wooden abode, I found myself unable to even touch the handle.

Frozen in place, clutching the message in hand, I was unable to move. Glancing through the lit window, I could partially see figures moving inside.

It was Ren, who Kara held in his embrace as they sat around the fire. Her belly swelling with new life and the chance of a child. It was his future, a chance to change everything for him.

Despite knowing that, I stood outside, ready to take a father from his child. To take him on a journey he may never return from. In that moment I couldn't muster up the courage to rip my son away on a foolish vendetta.

"I love you son." I whispered.

I uttered the most honest thing I could. Standing outside my son's house, his family within, I couldn't bear to enter. To destroy that, when I spent so long trying to repair it.

To give that lost and lonely boy a family. I knew I was a poor substitute, but I did my best and looked what it created. I thought it would be him and me against the world. But alas he had to spread his wings and flee the nest.

I was okay with that, I think every father has to be okay with that, even if it's a balled-faced lie.

I can't let go of my vengeance, but he could, he did! Drelem betrayed me and all we stood for, but he killed Ren's mother and he let go of this foolish crusade to protect his family. To be there, because they needed him.

How in all of Astlan did I raise someone so unlike me? How could my black little heart raise a child with such light, love and care?

I couldn't go in, I couldn't do it. Being a selfish bastard I left, all set to follow my enemy across the world and kill him. I would end him not just for me, but for him. I tried to convince myself of that.

I tried so hard as I walked away from my son and his beautiful family. I tried to rationalise it as protecting him, avenging his mother and the life that was stolen from him. But it just came out as me being petty and vindictive.

"When did my dreams change?" I wondered as I set about on my journey, across the world, for revenge.