Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Trash of the Count's Family is not mine. This story is merely a fanfic for entertainment purpose only.

All credits to Author Yoo Ryeo Han for making such a masterpiece.

***

TCF FANFIC

Cut Yourself On My Glass Plate is a fanfic written by SkylerSkyhigh on AO3. This is a reaction fanfic based on the author's AU work.

Credits to SkylerSkyhigh for writing such a most well written TCF fanfic.

Chapter Text

Now that peace has returned, the triplets of the Henituse Duchy had became the hot topic of the Eastern and Western Continent.

Kyle Henituse, as the eldest of the triplets and among the siblings was appointed as the heir to the Duchy. He was always seen performing his duties as heir with Basen assisting him. It was easy for him because he has the experience on his first life.

Kyle was acknowledge as one of the three  Youngest Swordmasters of the Roan Empire at the age of twenty.

The eldest red head was currently heading towards the Training Ground. As he walks down the hallway, he could already hear the clashing sounds of metal filling the air. It grew louder as he stood at the wooden door. Upon seeing the eldest red head, the knight on guarding shift opened the door for him enter.

The first thing he saw was the second born. He was leaning on the pillar obliviously watching a certain pair sparring at the center.

"It's a miracle you're down here and not lazing around somewhere." The eldest said as he stood beside the second red head.

Coal Henituse the second born of the triplets, previously known as Kim Rok Soo looked at the eldest.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? You're so busy nowadays. " Coal snorted. It was the truth, Kyle had been so busy that they can only see him during dinner. Compare to the times when the three was inseparable and had to do everything together.

Kyle smiled and chuckled.

"Why the pout dongsaeng? My schedules are now breathable. I'm not busy anymore since I have done most of my works. I can't stay busy all the time. I also want to spend my time with my family you know?"

Coal grumbled.

Kyle tousled his hair and look around the area.

The training ground was packed with knights on their training gears. A few newcomers were also present. Choi Han, Choi Jung Soo and Sui Khan were also present not away from them. And at the center having a spar was Cale and Lily.

Sparks fly around as their swords meets each other. The sound of swords clashing made the atmosphere and the people thrill and fire their enthusiasm, all eyes watch the pair.

Cale deflect the sword pointed to his face. He sidestep and twist his wrist and slash on Lily's direction. The young lady brought her greatsword upwards to block the attack. The two exchange heavy attacks. A blur of red and brown dancing on the middle.

"She's getting better." Choi Han commented making Kyle and Coal agree. Lily has became a high-grade knight level. It's an obvious outcome of her training.

A loud clang noise resounded the area and the pair bounce back to opposite sides. Sweats drip down Lily's face as she pants, adrenaline still running through her veins. Her focused on her opponent who didn't even broke a sweat nor was he panting.

Her older brother stood across form her and swang his blade downwards.

An obvious provocation, which only filled her heart with excitement.

She lunged towards her brother, her sword slashing on his chest. But before her brother could deflect her attack, a sudden bright light covered the whole area.

****

"Human! Wake up! Aren't we going to the festival? Let's go!" A black dragon known as Raon Miru shoke the red head sleeping on the bed. On and Hong also started pawing on his back, their claws prickling his skin to the point he felt ticklish.

Cale groaned and stretched before opening his eyes. He immediately flinched when he saw Ron on the side of his bed.

The old man didn't even made a sound and only smiled at him.

Vicious old man.

"Young Master, I have prepared your bath."

Cale grumbled and got up from his bed. The children jump off and run through the door.

"We will be out first, human. We'll see you outside!" The children run out and didn't even wait for Cale to speak. The red head blink in confusion and disorientation at the door, before shaking his head and went inside the bathroom.

Minutes later, Cale emerge from the bathroom and let Ron help him dress in a simple outfit.

After the war with White Star, everything had been peaceful and Cale had finally got his deserve rest. He's been lazing around and doing nothing, much to everyone's relief.

Once he was presentable enough, he started to walk outside his room. Ron opened the door, but before Cale could step outside, a bright light had engulfed them.

****

Cale was doing his paperworks as he was assisting his father. Basen was not available since the brunette was taking care of the situation outside.

Cale and everyone took three years to end the war with the White Star. Thanks to the Gods who had pitied their world and summons them to watch an Alternative Universe with their alternative selves to help them.

It was tiring and promosing. Peace has now roamed the Kingdom, even though there's still a lot of work to do, he was still thankful that his family is still here and alive. He doesn't want to happen what his supposed future experienced.

It will be traumatic for him.

Cale has finished a stack of papers in front of him before putting down his fountain pen and leaning back on his seat. He sigh and rubbed his temples, a headache started to form.

Cale was about to call a servant when he felt a familiar prickling sensation. A sudden white field his vision.

I guess I'll be meeting them sooner than expected. He mused.

****

A monstrous bat creature flew haphazardly between buildings. Its screech vibrates making the people tailing it to lose on their footing to cover their ears.

"Team Leader! The creature had flew to the direction of the east direction of the city! All the units were disabled because of the sonic wave that the Megabat was producing!"

A voice shouted on his head.

Their earpiece was long abandoned. Each members of the team had their ears ringing and bleeding. He had made the members to corner the Megabat, but it only made the monster angry.

Kim Rok Soo was now annoyed. He had enough playing and chasing with this creature. His members needed to get treated.

Kim Rok Soo's hair had gleamed scarlet red and a bloody scythe formed on his hand. The man started to levitate, a red marked formed on his forehead.

"You will regret making me use this."

And suddenly a loud piercing screech vibrates the whole city. Glasses shattered, audios and calls rings.

Thankfully, the people on the city had been given an advanced warning to plug their ears when they found out the identity of the monster. But the people still curled up and cover their ears with their hands.

Silence had engulfed after that ear piercing screech. No screech, and no sounds of flapping wings. Assistant Leader Kim Min Ah stood to feel the presence of the monster. But she heard none.

Immediately, she ran to the direction she last seen the creature flew off to.

Once she reach the place, she froze.

The creature was minced sliced. Blood splattered everywhere including to the clothes of the person who killed it. The person was their teamleader, who wasn't supposed to have an offense skill. She wasn't sure if she saw correctly, that their teamleader's hair gleamed scarlet for a moment.

She was about to call for him when a bright light blinded her vision.

Chapter Text

Rok Soo was sure he had slain the Megabat just a moment ago and now he's standing on a familiar Cinema. He put his hands on his hips and let out a heavy sigh. The last few days had been busy because of that unranked monster. Rok Soo just wanted to rest and now he found himself teleported somewhere against his will.

For the love of gods, he just wanted to rest!

"You look terrible."

Rok Soo turned his head to face TCF Cale walking towards him. He saw how TCF Cale eyed him up and down.

Rok Soo knows he looks terrible right now. He's bathing on the Megabat's blood. Bags under his eyes, his hair a mess. And exhaustion evident on his face.

"Been busy." Rok Soo shrugged.

"Well, I can see that."

As the two catch up, a certain young red head was seen walking up towards them. Clad on expensive clothing that befit his status as a noble.

"I didn't realize I'll be seeing you guys sooner." He then look around the Cinema. "I guess the others are not here yet."

Once he had reached the two, he halted as he saw Rok Soo's predicament. His nose scrunched in displeasure. The way he glared at the green glob on the raven's clothes made TCF Cale chuckle.

"You're a mess. You stink. And what the hell is that?" The young red head pointed at the green stuff, unwilling to advance any longer. If there's something he took after Beacrox, is his dislike with dirt and grime. And that green stuff clinging on the ravens clothes is beyond questionable.

"It's a blood of the monster, you brat. I've just slain a monster before getting transported here."

TBOAH Cale grimaced at his sight.

"What kind of blood is that? You know what? I don't wanna know. Why don't you shower first, Ahjussi? I know Lex-nim had put bathroom and toilets among the doors at the side."

"Ahjussi?" TCF Cale mumbled.

Rok Soo didn't comment any longer and went to the bathroom, because he does really need a shower. The others might get teleport any time soon and he refused to be seen with his appearance.

***

The cinema was filled once again and buzzing with noise. Since everyone was already acquainted, they did not need to introduce themselves and was comfortable talking with their alternative selves.

"There still much work, but we're getting there." TBOAH Alberu said as he sipped the tea in front of him.

"Well it's good your paper works were lesser than mine." TCF Alberu sighed.

Everyone was currently resting and waiting for the fox to show up. Since time had stopped on their dimension, they took it upon themselves to rest.

The cinema was still divided based on their worlds.

The TBOAH dimension.

The TCF dimension.

Rok Soo's (og Cale) world.

The Sealed God Test world (where TCF Cale was sent to another earth and help them with the Unranked monster)

But there's an extra column of seat added, and it was still empty.

Rok Soo who was freshly showered, looked at the empty seats. He narrowed his eyes before going to the VIP area.

The VIP Area was located in front of the rows of seats. It was a huge black theater sofa.

Rok Soo spotted SGT Rok Soo and TBOAH Cale having a conversation and TCF Cale dozing off besides them. The sofa had become a bed and TCF Cale was enjoying it.

"Where are the others?" Rok Soo asked pertaining to SGT Soo Hyuk, SGT Jung Soo, Choi Han and TCF Alberu. Because the last time they were here, the eight of them were seating at the VIP.

The conversation between TBOAH Cale and SGT Rok Soo halted.

"They said that they don't want to sit with us anymore." TBOAH Cale shrugged and SGT Rok Soo rolled his eyes. "It's not like that. Remember one particular episode where we watched another AU?"

"The other Alternative Universe where mom bore a triplets?"

"Yes. They are watching with us."

Rok Soo was stunned. He didn't exactly expect to see them again. He thought it was only a one time thing. Their interactions were brief because they only sit with each other for that one particular episode.

"How did you even know that? I don't see Lex-nim anywhere."

As if on cue, a white fluffy, three tailed fox appeared at the front. The iconic black inked hour glass can still be seen on its forehead. The three identical red heads were transported with him. One has long waist hair, they remember him as Kyle. The second has shoulder length hair, which was Coal. And the youngest with the short hair, Cale.

The empty seats were suddenly filled by the We're Triplets Dimension. (My AU) The look of confusion painted their faces, unaware of their surroundings.

"It has been awhile. I see that you guys had succeeded." The fox nod in appreciation at the TBOAH Dimension.

"The last time you were summoned here. You were to prevent the destruction of the TBOAH World." The people inside the Cinema had already sat on their own seats. "This time, we will be watching a very, very distant Dimension."

"Are we going to react on the Triplets AU like last time?" TCF Choi Han asked as he eyed the three red heads besides the fox.

"No. Like I said, it's a very distant Dimension." The three identical red heads went to sit on the VIP with the white fox in tow. Once they were seated, the fox sat on Kyle's lap, the eldest of the triplets.

"Well I'm not going to tell you the circumstances within this dimension. It's better to show you, isn't it? All I can tell you is, that this dimension revolves around Cale Henituse and his twin older brother."

The red heads, Rok Soo and SGT Rok Soo who are seated on the VIP, tilted their heads in confusion.

The fox mentally chuckled at the display.

"Well ladies and gentlemen. Why don't we begin?"

Snap!

Chapter Text

The Cinema dimmed and all eyes turned to the scenery played at the screen.

[Cale can't say that he and his "twin" get along very well.]

"Oh? So in this alternative universe, Cale and Rok Soo are twins?" SGT Soo Hyuk mumbled earning a nod from the fox.

[If anything he'd describe their relationship as "reluctant allies". ]

"They maybe twins at the eyes of the people. But to each other, they're practically strangers." TCF Alberu commented as the screen played a red head look alike Rok Soo and Cale, back to back to each other.

[Rok Soo is useful. That's all. He doesn't threaten Cale's family; his only desire is to live a slacker life in a peaceful world. He doesn't purposefully antagonize Cale- it's the other way around- and goes out of his way to be as lazy as possible and expend as little energy as possible. Still, Cale can't help but resent the bastard.]

"Point taken." TCF Cale said making Rok Soo rose a brow at him. "You're not offended?" The raven asked.

[He never wanted a twin. Let alone a bastard who shares the same face as White Star, claiming to be his brother by birth- and older- who has the emotional intelligence of a teaspoon of coarse sugar. Not to mention, he is a trouble magnet.]

"Ah. Nevermind." Rok Soo said as he makes himself comfortable on his seat.

"What does he mean by 'has the emotional intelligence of a teaspoon of course sugar'?" Coal asked. His eyes narrowed.

[Rok Soo is from another world, with knowledge of the original timeline due to a novel he read.

Imagine that, his life is summarized into a fantasy novel where he is a minor villain whose purpose is to be beaten up by that bastard Choi Han, and as a bridge to connect him to Ron and Beacrox. His existence is nothing more than to be trash and a tool to be used. The bitterness settles on his tongue like those lemons that Ron feeds him. ]

"I think it's really fascinating that to every universe. Rok Soo always has that novel about Choi Han's adventure as his guidelines to the other world. " WT Sui Khan rubbed his chin and looked at TCF Cale and Coal.

"At this point, I'm not even offended that I was seen as a minor villain of a mere novel. Imagine how Choi Han feels as his life was treated like an enjoyment for others. His victories, his downfalls, his insecurities and failures." Kyle frowned. Coal and WT Cale shared a look before looking at their older brother.

"Cale's animosity towards Choi Han is also justified. I mean, he did beat the man."

TBOAH Cale, Rok Soo and Kyle groaned.

[It says a lot that in the first month of Rok Soo's existence, he somehow managed to-

One, obtain an ancient power from the tree, known as the Indestructible Shield.

Two, befriend Choi Han- much to Cale's irritation.

Three, obtain two runaway Cats from the Cat Tribe. Cats that specialize in fog and poison.]

"It seems we had the same method." TCF Cale mumbled. Coal nodded making WT Cale roll his eyes.

[Cale doesn't ask. He doesn't want to know. He's busy making his own preparations. Starting with sword training and finding Ancient Powers of his own. ]

"Does he not want to make preparations with Rok Soo-nim?" TCF Choi Han tilted his head in confusion.

"Well, Choi Han. If you're someone who has the same face as the White Star. A twin brother who wasn't even supposed to exist, an otherworlder. A person who has a calculating mind that successfully achieved having an Ancient Power, a Swordmaster, and cats from the cat tribe within a month. Basically for Cale, he's a dangerous stranger who suddenly appeared out of nowhere that might threaten his family." Rok Soo elaborated making Choi Han deflate on his seat.

"But Rok Soo-nim isn't a threat." The Swordmaster mumbled.

"For you he isn't. But for someone like Cale?"

Silence filled the area.

[Now he's heading to the Capital to represent the Henituse territory. Cale insisted on coming with him, with the excuse that he doesn't trust Rok Soo to not faint halfway through the journey. Somehow the bastard has a weaker body than Cale. Now that the bastard is complaining. Any excuse to not exert any more energy than he already has.]

"That's right! Don't let the human overwork himself!" Raon exclaimed making the two cats nod in agreement.

[Of course, the real reason is to prevent Basen from getting hurt during the bombing. With Cale and Rok Soo's interference, they would be able to stop a lot of people from getting hurt.

Mainly Rok Soo. Cale does not wish to push himself into the spotlight and Rok Soo seems to be heading down that path, obliviously.]

"Pfft." WT Cale turned around, but it was obvious that the youngest was holding his laugh.

For some reason, TCF Cale and Coal feel offended.

It's not like he wants to stand out.

Coal deadpanned but he managed to pinch his little brother on the side.

"Ow! Coal-hyung!"

[Now they're resting at an inn. A stop before they continue on their journey.

Rok Soo treated everyone to a drink while he goes upstairs to "rest". Recuperating from drinking too much alcohol. His red face is proof that he looks drunk. Of course, that's just an act. The bastard has the same alcohol tolerance as Cale himself. Which to say, is very high. Anyone with any shred of observation skill can see how clear Rok Soo's eyes are despite his red face.]

"Is it the time when we rescue, Raon-nim? It's the same." TCF Choi Han mumbled. The cat siblings only patted their youngest.

Upon hearing what the Korean said, WT Cale looked at him.

"You're with him during the rescue?"

"Yes. Cale-nim is very weak. How did you guys rescued Raon-nim?"

TCF Cale could only deadpanned at TCF Choi Han's statement.

"Well, we did drink with the knights. But later on, Coal-hyung and I was replaced by clones and we snuck out to rescue Raon."

"Clones?" TBOAH and TCF Rosalyn looked intrigued.

[Cale watches him with a raised brow.

Rok Soo meets his gaze stoically.

Cale scowls and waves his hand to let him do his stuff. He leans against a chair, his posture arrogant and lazy as he calls for someone to bring him more drinks.]

"Bring backs memories." Kyle watched Cale on the screen.

[Fine, if the bastard wants to cause a ruckus, he'd play the part of the trash.

It is amusing to see everyone tense up as they served him alcohol. They are on high alert, waiting for the trash to cause trouble. Cale doesn't plan to do anything but enjoy himself, but he is still very amused at their nervous faces.]

TCF Eruhaben could only rubbed his temples. He doesn't know what's going to happen or what kind of situation is on that universe. But he could already feel a headache forming. It's either it will be troublesome or something bad will happen to the kid.

[Whatever. He can enjoy himself while Rok Soo causes trouble. Again. Besides, it's a good excuse to let loose before the bombing.

It's hours later, while everyone else has either passed out or completely drunk out of their minds, that some knights visited the bar asking about some thieves that stole something. Something very precious and important.

Cale, with his face redder than his hair, scowled at them and stumbled over, ready to play the part of the trash to chase them away.

Well, at least he knows what Rok Soo had been up to in the hours he was "asleep".

He doesn't ask. He doesn't want to know.]

"Because why should I give a f*ck on someone else's business? Let them do what they want." TBOAH Cale scoffed.

[As long as Rok Soo doesn't drag him into his idiotic plans, he'll let the bastard do whatever he wants while Cale keeps the rats off his trail.

Hey, it gives him an excuse to bolster his trash persona and spread more rumours. Also to vent his frustrations.]

"Hitting three birds with one stone? Damn." A person with blue hair and glasses commented but suddenly got elbowed on his right.

["His vocabulary is very colourful. Especially when "drunk".]

"Are we?" The people on the VIP section shook their heads by TBOAH Cale question. Well, except for SGT Rok Soo.

[Cale opens- more like slammed- the door to Rok Soo's room, his face is red from the alcohol but his eyes and mind are clear.

He sees Rok Soo resting on the bed, relaxing against the pillows, while the two cats are enjoying some meat on the table.]

"You're slacking aren't you?" Rok Soo.

"Gotta take the chance while I still have it." TCF Cale.

[Rok Soo doesn't startle and meets his gaze stoically. "Cale."

"Hey bastard," Cale leans against the doorway with an arrogant and irritated scowl on his face. "Next time you cause a mess, clean it up before you attract rats. They're disgusting. Do that again and I'll throw shit at you."

The two cats stare at him, still unsure whether to take hostility seriously or not. They haven't revealed themselves to him but he doesn't care.

"Got it," Rok Soo replies, unphased.

Cale narrows his eyes at him before he turns and leaves, slamming the door shut behind him.

Stupid bastard. He has a theory on what the bastard did, but he'll pretend to be ignorant. If it saves lives then he's fine with it. Innocent people won't die from a dragon's rampage.]

The cinema turned dark as the scene playing on the screen turned off, implying that the video is over. The cinema was lighten up and everyone was lost of words.

"It seems that Rok Soo and Cale in that dimension don't get along well." TCF Eruhaben said as he leaned on his seat. He also eyed the the red heads and ravens on the VIP section. All Cale and Rok Soo in there get along so well.

He feels his stomach churns at the interaction of Cale and Rok Soo on that dimension.

Maybe he was just used to seeing those two always getting along.

"I mean, it's understandable from Cale's perspective. " Rok Soo shrugged. If that also happens to him, it may also be his reaction and response to his 'supposed twin' brother.

"Well, we will see a lot of scenes in that dimension. We should not jump in conclusion. Let's see what will happen next." TCF Cale said as he rubbed the white fox's fur.

Chapter Text

"Let's play one more episode before we take a break for lunch." The white fox was now sitting on Kyle's lap.

"Good idea, Lex-nim."

[When Cale first came back to the past, after trying to strangle Rok Soo in a fit of rage and fear- and after being scolded for it- he wandered off to begin his plans. ]

"Well. That's..."

The people on the cinema could only gape at the screen. Speechless on the scene that was displayed.

[Nobody stopped him. They don't want to get close to the trash. Especially when he's visibly angry.]

TBOAH, TCF and WT Eruhaben frowned.

It's beyond Eruhaben to understand such actions coming from the people that were

shown on the screen.

It was obvious that the children are in distress. No matter what the kid's attitude and personality, they should've jump into action to calm things down.

The people that was shown was pretty much older than the red head. Adults that should've known better.

[It doesn't matter that he has never physically hurt anyone in his fits. Only broken furniture and items. But he is still violent and unapproachable. Just like he wanted.]

The three AU Eruhaben sighed.

[So he's left alone. Alone to start hisx9z preparations. ddxoozoz

His number one priority is to get stronger.

Cale is fit, he prides himself in his body and good looks, but that only goes so far in a real fight. His muscles are more for aesthetics than actual physical strength.]

"Way to blow our cover." TBOAH Cale pouted.

[He's weak. His plate is small and made of glass. When he was beaten by that bastard Choi Han, he was close to death because that bastard is strong while he is weak.]

"Deserve."

"Shut up, you street dog."

"Why you-!"

TBOAH Choi Han and TBOAH Cale. Despite fighting the war side by side, these two has still an animosity for each other.

[Weak and fragile. That describes Cale Henituse perfectly.

There's no time to train his body properly. While he can wield a sword- he needs to so he can fight as a soldier in war- he is still at a disadvantage.]

"Not our fault that we have a weak constitution. Ask the gods about it. At this point, it might've been a curse." TBOAH Cale huffed in annoyance.

[He'll start training, of course, better to begin and get something rather than never start at all and be stagnant. But he still needs an advantage. Knowledge is good, but it doesn't trump pure strength. If he is fighting a war, he needs power. ]

TCF Cale nod in agreement. He had experienced it already and he's pleased about Cale's decision.

[He doesn't want to be too weak to help. Helpless. Useless. He could do nothing as his father is slaughter and his mother slain. He could do nothing but hold his siblincs and cry as his home falls into pieces.]

Rok Soo's and Kyle's jaw tightened. The mental image of their past resurfaced through their minds.

[So, first things first. Mother's study.]

TCF Deruth and TBOAH Deruth's eyes gloomed at the sight shown in the screen. The familiar sight of the door of his first wife's study made him flashback.

Their hands trembled at the memories. Hopelessness and guilt took over him.

Then two identical hands touch their shoulders. It was his current wife, comforting him.

[Cale stops in front of a pair of mahogany doors. The rose on the front is like a brand, claiming this place as someone else's.

The mansion changes to accommodate its people. When mother died, most of her belongs are packed away, making her presence in his home reflect her current existence.]

Everyone watched as they saw the servants packed the things that belonged by the former Countess. They couldn't help but feel pity by the young Cale.

[When Violan moved in, her presence begins to take over the mansion. Her art on the wall. Her decor sprinkled throughout the rooms and halls. Her presence is reflected in the influence she has in her new home.]

"It's not your fault mother." TBOAH Cale begun. Even though he's watching the screen as he refused to look back on his family, who was looking at him. "It's not like those things could bring Mom back. I'm glad they stored it safely. And...-  I'm thankful to have your presence around."

"Cale."

[Yet no matter what changes, this door remains. The one piece of Cale's mother that refuses to be removed.

Nobody goes into this room. Father is too wrecked with grief to even get close.

Cale is the same. This would be the first time since she died that he would come into this room. Her room.

A deep breath helps steady him, calming the nerves that had begun to tingle his limbs. Reaching a hand out, he touches the cold handle of the door.

He pauses.

Then- click.

The door opens.

It swings open with a low creak, revealing the room to the young master.

Cale's breathing hitches at the sight of the study.]

Rok Soo sighed at the sight. It has been a long time since he had seen his mother's study.

[Bookshelves line one third of the wall, with cupboards covering the second third. There's a grand desk in the middle of the room, with comfortable chairs, and small ornaments decorating it. Behind the desk is a large painting of a vase full of red roses. Sunlight filters through the window from the gap between thick curtains, small particles of dust floating visible in the stream of light.

Despite the abandoned state, the room is clean and free of dust. Like it has been trapped in time, unchanging. It remains stagnant, the same as it was when she was still alive.

Seeing it again is making a lot of unwanted emotions bubble inside of Cale. He pushes them down.

No time to reminisce or mourn. He has something to do.]

TCF Eruhaben, WT Eruhaben and TBOAH Eruhaben sighed.

He had just came back from death and was regressed. Saw the look a like of his killer. Traumatized and mentally exhausted and the boy still hasn't mourned properly about his mother's passing.

On his current life nor the former one.

The gods are truly cruel.

"What an unlucky bastard."

[Walking over to the painting, he stares at it for a moment. The red roses are grand, blooming wide and full. As red as her hair. As red as blood.

Cale trails a hand over the rim of the painting, feeling the wood underneath his fingers. He trails along the engravings in the wood. The engravings are of winding vines of a rose stem, complete with leaves and thorns. Elegant and small, nobody would have noticed from afar. It's such a small detail that only adds to the elegant beauty of the painting.

He stops at the bottom middle of the painting, feeling the engravings under his finger. Lifting his hand, he sees the bundle of roses where his finger was touching.]

"What a fine painting."

[He stares for a moment, then pressed down on the roses until he hears a click. ]

"Oh. Of course."

[The painting moves forward slightly. Cale steps back and pulls the painting aside, opening a hidden door that the painting had been hiding.

There, inside a secret compartment, is a red leather bound book. He picks it up and brushes the dust off of it, seeing an engraving of a rose brush on the front, and the elegant scrawl of a name.

Thames.]

"Why is this being shown up very detailed?" Rok Soo frowned, TBOAH Cale was also wearing the same expression.

The white fox's ears twitch.

"You don't have to worry about that. Everything about the Thames must be kept a secret. Even if you know it now, once you leave here then you'll forget about it. Even if you wrote the information down it will automatically disappear. So it it will be useless. Only with the blood of Thames can only remember."

Rok Soo and TBOAH Cale felt relieved.

Both Deruth gulped. They had no idea about this.

[Cale grins.

Closing the painting, he leaves the study with his new prize. He leaves the room that is locked in time, unable to move on or change.

He'll come back another time. When his emotions aren't so raw. When he isn't pressed for time.

Not much is known about his mother. She is as secretive as she is beautiful. She lost her life when he was too young to know anything.

But he does know one thing.

She possessed an Ancient Power. ]

"She does!?" Bot Druth exclaimed.

[The Annual Rings of Life. An ability that allows her to see a person's time. ]

"For one to see someone else's life. From beginning to it's end. It must've been quite a sight for her." WT Eruhaben shook his head.

[Now, Cale had known that she possessed an Ancient Power. Vaguely. She mentioned it to him when he was young, but never elaborated on.

This book in his hands is something he found after his home was destroyed. He had come to her study in hopes to see jt one last time before he had to leave. The room was broken and destroyed, turned into a mess of broken furniture and burnt books.]

WT Cale winced at the sight.

[But that destruction revealed the secret compartment to him. That's when he first found the book.

Her mother's journal.]

"Mom's journal had saved us." TBOAH Cale said as he leaned back.

"That's true." TCF Cale agreed.

[By then, it was nearly entirely unreadable. The destruction of the study had torn and stained the pages. But what pieces he could read had allowed him the knowledge to gain his own power.

His own Ancient Power. Something he can unlock. A power inside of him that he can use to help make himself stronger.]

"Cale has an ancient power?!" Both Deruth fainted on the spot. Too much information about his wife, his wife's family and about Cale.

[Cale has... mixed feelings about his powers. But it is useful. Extremely useful.

With knowledge of it early on, he can put it into good use. He won't fumble like before. He will master his power and win the war. He'll stab the White Star tenfold. Revenge for what he did to Cale and his people.

Now... to begin the process of obtaining the power.

The earth based power that's as fragile as Cale himself, at first glance.

Aptly named by yours truly, The Blood Cutting Shard.]

"Blood Cutting Shard?" TBOAH Cale and WT Cale mumbled. Confusion written on their faces.

"We have different Ancient Powers?"