Nil

It had been a month since the Void King descended. The sheer amount of damage he did was still being totaled. For sure he had disintegrated the Dawnsfield Estate, killed about forty-five Archmagi, two Grand Archmagi (one of which was Solomon), and destroyed large portions of the Institute of Mages; a lot of people who just happened to be near them died as well. His most frightful demonstration was how he nearly wiped Modinar out of existence; the world was reeling from his terrifying display. Some people were wondering if it was the wrath of a Lord from the fact Modinar was obliterated. What let you destroy that much? It was terrifying how much he annihilated in those few moments. Why? Just why did he hate me so much? Luna and Nautilus both assured me it was not my fault. But. He was determined to annihilate me and everyone close to me. Whenever I tried sleeping, I could just remember that ever shifting form that the entire world seemed to detest. His ceaseless wrath and sadistic glee as he annihilated so much haunted me. Why? Just why? Mama and Papa helped keep the others from prying too much in the time since his descent. Today I finally found the courage to tell the rest of my family. Well, all but Grandpa and Grisbane. Sorry Grandpa, but Grisbane is too much of a cindelrock. Currently, Mom, Dad, Nez, and Nox were sitting at the table. Luna and Lux were sitting next to me, along with Nautilus, Mama, and Papa. Duke Dawnsfield was also not present, which I felt a bit guilty about. We’ll eventually tell him.

“What did you want to tell us Nil?” Mom inquired. I could tell she hadn’t been sleeping well, as I imagined what I told Mama and Papa had been eating at her.

“I. I know what the Void King was referring to.” I stalled. My heart felt like it was in a vice again. What if Mom and Dad looked at me like I was a monster? The others so far took the news surprisingly well.

“Take your time Nil.” Dad told me. I could feel the three adults with me looking intensely at the others.

“I’m. I. I uh.” I stammered as I fought the urge to puke. Luna rubbed my back to encourage me.

“It is fine Nil.” Papa assured me. I took a few deep breaths as I composed myself.

“I’m a Reincarnator.” I confessed. There was a stunned silence as they processed what I said.

“I FORLING KNEW IT! NO NOX, HE’S JUST A BABY! YOU ALL THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY! I KNEW HE WAS A SCHEMING LITTLE SHIZA! ‘But Nox, he’s not conspiring against you. He wouldn’t do such a thing.’ HAH! I’M FORLING RIGHT! I HAVE BEEN VINDICATED! HE KNEW AS A BABY AND TRIED SCREWING ME OVER! I WAS RIGHT! I AM NOT CRAZY!” Nox erupted victoriously, shooting to his feet in celebration. Luna gave me a very complicated expression as Uncle Nox popped off.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered as I averted my gaze.

“HE KNEW! NIL WAS FULLY COGNIZANT THE NIGHT THAT HE NEARLY KILLED ME! HE WEAPONIZED HIS BABY CUTENESS AGAINST YOU SENNA! HAH! AND HE KEPT MESSING WITH ME! LIL BABY NIL WAS ANGEL WHO HAD NO ILL INTENT! HAH! HE DID KNOW BETTER! I WAS NOT PARANOID!” Nox continued as he stabbed his finger at Mom. Luna’s stare got more disapproving as Nautilus began chuckling.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized again, feeling utterly crimson. My parents were still processing as Uncle Nez glared at Uncle Nox.

“So, you could understand my lectures. A naturally talented individual who was able to train from birth.” Uncle Nez cooed as he glared at Uncle Nox who was now dancing.

“Behave Nox!” Mama snapped at him.

“Oh. Time and place. Fair.” Uncle Nox conceded as he sat back in his chair and took a few composing breaths.

“That’s it?” I probed, looking at my ecstatic uncle.

“Oh. I suspected something when you were a toddler. I am not surprised.” Uncle Nox said calmly.

“That of yours makes a lot more sense now.” Uncle Nez added on before the air got a bit chilly.

I looked at my parents, who were clearly processing the information with intense expressions. At least my uncles took it well. Even Uncle Nox despite some of the mischief I did towards him. My parents were still silent; I felt immensely uneasy as they kept looking at me. What could I say? I didn’t want to lose my parents. Mom. Dad. A dark pit was gradually forming in my stomach as they remained quiet. Lux was softly cackling next to me as she looked at Uncle Nox. Mama and Papa both looked at me, clearly wondering just how much I tormented my uncle. Luna’s gaze was wildly unpleasant. Look, it was funny at the time. Granted, now it was probably not as amusing with all the information. Mom and Dad kept staring as the gears in their heads were turning. Was there anything I could say? Sorry? Sorry I’m some imposter? Luna poked my cheek; her face was clearly torn between wanting to comfort and lecture me. Mom seemed to notice something else as she was piecing stuff together. Dad let out a deep, long breath before getting the resolve to ask something.

“So. How old are you? Mentally?” Dad finally asked to break the silence.

“Thirty-one.” I answered, wondering what his expression meant.

“So, an early rebellious juvenile phase.” Dad stated. His face was still difficult to read.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and Mom sooner.” I apologized. Mom’s expression got a bit more intense hearing that. Please.

“I can see the challenges in bringing up such a topic. Not entirely sure how I feel about it. A lot of things are making sense now which we originally assumed were because of a .” Dad confessed as he was still mulling over the news.

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“Why do you call us Mom and Dad? What about your old family?” Mom probed, her gaze the most intense of all.

“Because you all are the only family I ever really had. My old family was horrible and treated me more like a trophy than a person.” I informed her.

“Did you know the Void King before you reincarnated?” Mom checked while her gaze was not softening as her eyes were glowing.

“No. I have no idea who he is or why he hates me so much.” I answered. Please be taking the news as well as the others. Please. Something about her stare made my heart feel like it was being shredded.

“So, you are actually mentally about thirty.” Mom stated, before her glare got a bit worse.

“That is correct.” I said sheepishly.

“What about you, Luna?” Mom snapped as her eyes shot over to her.

“I’m also about thirty. No, my dad doesn’t know.” Luna confessed. The four of them nodded like things made sense.

“Are you also a Reincarnator?” Mom pressed as her gaze still made my skin crawl.

“No, I’m a Regressor. I returned with my memories back to my younger self.” Luna answered. Mom’s head was bobbing up and down a little as she processed the information.

“First off, you two are no longer sharing a bed ever again.” Mom began, as she seemed to make up her mind.

“Yes Mom.” I agreed, still not sure what else she was about to say.

“At least seven feet apart. Take your hand off him right now too.” Mom ordered. What?

“Excuse me?” Luna checked as she seemed confused about what my mom wanted.

“Secondly, now that I know you were mentally aware of your actions as a kid, I need to make up a few lectures.” Mom began. Uh. Oh.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized again.

“Oh no. Do you have any idea how many sleepless nights I had because of you? Would it have killed you to relax on pushing your to the limits? But no, someone had to see how far their could go over and over again. Additionally, you knew full well your uncles wanted you in that room to keep you safe. Did you stay there? Nooooooo! You kept sneaking out to the library and testing the defenses. Was that proper behavior? No, it was not. This is not a conversation, Nil! This is a lecture!” Mom lectured me, cutting me off with a hand gesture when I went to interject to defend myself.

“Furthermore, saying ‘papa is best’ as your first sentence when you clearly knew better? Unacceptable. You got your first word right, but now I know you made a concession when you knew better. And another thing, do you torment the staff because you’re bored? Do not worry, your lessons are going to match what we now know you are capable of. I originally felt a little guilty with how strict Duthane was, but that point has long since evaporated. That will be a fond, pleasant oasis from your future lessons on how to properly behave as a prince. We assumed you needed an outlet for your childish energy, but this rebellious juvenile nonsense is stopping now. Nox, sure, he deserved it. Helga is an innocent soul who does not deserve your torment when you should know better.” Mom continued, looking like she was about to hit her stride as her thoughts were becoming more coherent.

“Hey!” Dad and Uncle Nox snapped in unison.

It mattered little to my mom as she hit her stride. She made sure to go incident by incident to lecture me on how ill-behaved I was in each instance. She was demonstrating just how good her memory was as she went almost month by month over the various antics and shenanigans I had pulled. I just had to sit there and nod along as she made sure her displeasure with how I acted was known. How many books on parenting she read to make sure she was doing a good job as I caused near endless headaches for a few months stretch with how concerned by my growth they were. She went for a solid hour without stopping to catch her breath as she was lecturing me. The table was silent, staring at Mom as she continued to lecture me about how much trouble I liked to make.

“Another thing. You poisoned your grandmother! You stole countless priceless objects to use as shields before using brutally underhanded tactics to defeat her! That behavior was reprehensible! That was wildly not okay, and if you ever do something like that again, you will not be punished so lightly a second time. She might have gone a bit far, but your reaction was disproportionate. Now, you. Luna. I wondered about this odd air you two have had for a while. You keep your scheming little paws off my son!” Mom roared as she continued her lecture.

“I am not scheming!” Luna defended herself.

“Just coincidentally came back to the past and befriended Nil?” Mom asked while her eyes were blazing from the she was exerting.

“Why does everyone instantly jump to me trying to befriend Nil so I can become Empress?” Luna snapped, not understanding the logic.

“Look at me, I’m the Nil Whisperer. See how good of a friend I am!” Mom mocked her. Wait, she called me her son. I felt myself smile a bit at that.

“Ein was the one who made the Nil Whisperer joke first! I befriended Nil because I wanted to avoid the events of last time!” Luna defended herself.

“Thin ice you snuggle buddy. The only reason I was letting it slide for so long was I thought you were two terrified kids. That is improper behavior for a prince and noblewoman!” Mom lectured, pointing an accusatory finger at Luna.

“You sound like Grisbane there.” Luna shot back. You could have heard a cotton ball drop in the resulting silence. Everyone was giving Luna a wide-eyes stare like she was suicidal.

“Excuse me?” Mom inquired in a tone that made me want to crawl away.

“You heard me. I do not have scheming paws on your son! I befriended him because I wanted to change the future, and then we started dating when we were making our way back from the Ahzen Forest. Also, Nil is mentally old enough to make his own choices.” Luna snapped at her.

“We both know he is an idiot on personal matters, so that argument will hold no weight here.” Mom retorted with no hesitation.

“Fair enough. I did not plan to date your son, and he might be dense, but I like that about him. You are going to have to accept he and I will continue to date, even if the physical feedback is a bit off.” Luna replied, not backing down.

“Hey.” I whined. Both of them glared at me.

“You be quiet. We are having a civil discussion that does not concern you.” They spat in unison. But. But I was the subject?

Son, this is a situation where you nod along and look like you are paying attention. Dad informed me mentally.

I just sat there as the two continued to argue for a little bit. Mom eventually conceded that a Regressor who could train just as seriously as her son was not the worst girlfriend in the world. Mom absolutely insisted there needed to be at least an inch of distance between us for each Lord, and that we were going to behave or else. She was having none of our juvenile, hormonal nonsense (but we were physically kids?) and any whining about that would not be listened to. She then resumed lecturing me on some of my bad behavior. Mom additionally wanted to know what my issue with the shrubbery was and why I insisted on butchering so much of it. For some reason, despite how thoroughly she was lecturing me, a lot of me was oddly happy about it. It took her easily another twenty minutes before she finally got enough of the lecture out of her system to give someone else the chance to talk.

“Now that the lecture is over, how about we talk about what to do from here?” Papa suggested as Mom clearly was measuring the distance between Luna and I mentally.