That night, in the grand hall of the Aedrin household, a quiet but hopeful air filled the room. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows on the sturdy stone walls. Mother Brigita sat upon her seat of honor, surrounded by her children: Rogg, Robb, Brisena, her daughter-in-law Yara, and her toddler grandson, Rex. Beside her stood a young man, tall and vigilant—Vuuxi, the King of Assassins, famed as the strongest and youngest warrior among the Doliex knight circles.
Yet in this moment, he was neither a mercenary nor a knight known for his unmatched skill. Before Mother Brigita, he was simply a son—one who bore silent devotion to the woman who had saved his life many years ago.
Mother Brigita drew a deep breath, her gaze sweeping across the faces before her. When she spoke, her voice was gentle, yet unwavering.
"Vuuxi, my son," she said with warmth and gravity, "it is time we speak as a family. You have grown into a fine man—honorable and strong. You've earned the title King of Assassins at an age most can only dream of."
All eyes turned to Vuuxi, who remained standing with quiet reverence beside her.
She continued, "Today, before my children—Rogg, Robb, Brisena, and Yara—I wish to ask you something important. Will you release yourself from the role of my servant and officially take your place as my adopted son? I want you to stand tomorrow in the rite of passage, just as they will, and take the oath of the clan—so that you may become an inseparable part of the great Aedrin lineage."
A stillness settled over the hall. Her words hung in the air like a shadow waiting for its light. Brisena and Robb exchanged glances, while Yara held Rex with a look of quiet curiosity. Rogg, ever composed, studied Vuuxi's reaction closely.
Vuuxi clenched his fists tightly. His eyes—usually sharp and calculated—now shimmered with emotion barely held at bay. At last, he spoke, his voice steady and clear.
"Mother, from the moment you pulled me out of that trash heap on the Blacksand coast… from the moment you brought me into Smokeland and sliced your own hand so I could pass through the Orbis Caelestis… I swore I would never leave your side. You gave me a name when I had none. You gave me a home and taught me how to survive. I have never seen myself as your servant, and I never will. You are my mother."
Emotion swept through the room. Brisena dabbed at the corners of her eyes, Yara smiled softly, and Rogg nodded with quiet respect.
But Mother Brigita's voice remained firm. "Vuuxi, I have never seen you as a servant. You have always been my son. But this is more than sentiment. In the Doliex tradition, ritual matters. To be part of the clan, you must release your past and take a new oath at the altar of Aeternum Vale. Only then will your name be etched into the Doliex Tree of Life as a true member of this family."
Vuuxi looked at Mother Brigita, his eyes gleaming with certainty."Mother," he said, "I took an oath eight years ago at the altar of the knights, when I won the combat tournament in Lumindale. Isn't that enough?"
Mother Brigita nodded gently. "I know you swore an oath there, and I am proud of what you've achieved. But that oath was for honor as a warrior. This is different, Vuuxi. I want you to take a family oath at the Aeternum Vale altar. That oath will bind you to the Aedrin family—alongside Rogg, Robb, and Brisena."
Rogg finally spoke up. "Mother, how is that oath ceremony performed?"
Mother Brigita offered a faint smile. "The coming-of-age rite is sacred to the Doliex people. At the altar of Aeternum Vale, you will make your vow with blood and fire, sealing your name into the Aedrin clan's tree of life. It is a bond that cannot be broken."
"So Vuuxi would truly be our brother?" Brisena asked with hopeful curiosity.
"Yes," Mother Brigita replied firmly. "If he chooses to take the oath, then he will be my son, as much as any of you."
She turned to Vuuxi, locking eyes with him. "The decision is yours, Vuuxi. I won't force you. If you wish to follow your own path, I will respect it."
Vuuxi fell silent for a moment. His usually composed face was now stirred by a storm of emotions. Memories of his childhood drifted in—of wandering the grimy shores, nameless and hopeless. Then his gaze settled on Mother Brigita, the woman who had given him everything: a name, a home, a purpose.
"I don't need time to think, Mother," Vuuxi said firmly. "I'm ready. I'll take the oath. I want to be part of the Aedrin family."
A collective sigh of relief filled the room. Brisena broke into a wide smile, Rogg patted Vuuxi on the shoulder with pride, and Yara nodded gratefully as she gently rocked little Rex in her arms.
Mother Brigita smiled warmly, tears brimming in her eyes. "You've made a wise choice, my son. From now on, you are a part of this family. We'll prepare the coming-of-age ceremony together."
That night in the Aedrin family hall, joy and emotion lingered in the air. Vuuxi's decision to accept the family oath and join the Aedrin clan was met with heartfelt celebration. Brisena's eyes still glistened, even as she laughed; Rogg's pride showed in every glance; and Yara's calm smile was filled with gratitude.
Yet one face remained contemplative—Robb. Vuuxi's longtime friend, who had stood with him since the battle against Lagosh, seemed troubled by a lingering question. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he hesitantly raised his hand.
"Mother," Robb said, his voice cautious, "may I interrupt for a moment?"
All eyes turned to him.
Mother Brigita, seated with grace and poise, looked at Robb with quiet attention. "What is it, my son? Is something troubling you?"
Robb swallowed hard, uncertain whether to go on. But then he gathered his courage."It's not that I object to Vuuxi joining our clan—I'm happy for him. But… I'd like to ask something. It might be a little sensitive."
The once warm atmosphere turned slightly tense, curiosity rising in the room.
"What would you like to ask, Robb?" Mother Brigita asked gently.
Robb took a deep breath. "If, let's say, Brisena and Vuuxi were to get married someday… would that mean they're marrying their own sibling?"
For a moment, the room went silent. Vuuxi and Brisena's faces turned crimson in shock.
"Whaaat?" Brisena gasped, eyes wide.
"Huh?" Vuuxi, normally composed, was completely blindsided.
Rogg and Yara glanced at each other—initially surprised, then smiling in understanding of Robb's real concern.
Suddenly, laughter echoed from Mother Brigita. Her warm, soothing chuckle lifted the tension."Oh, Robb, my dear son… that was quite the trap of a question," she said through her smile. "But I know your intentions are good. You just want to understand their individual rights, don't you?"
Robb nodded awkwardly. "Yes, Mother. I was just wondering how Vuuxi's status would affect… something like that."
Still red-faced, Brisena blurted out, "Why are you thinking about that, Robb? I'm still young! I haven't even thought about marriage!"
Rogg chuckled. "Your face suggests otherwise, Brisena."
"Shut up, big brother!" Brisena punched Rogg's arm in annoyance, triggering a wave of laughter.
Mother Brigita calmed the room once more with her wise and gentle tone. "My dear, I considered that a long time ago."
Brisena frowned slightly. "What do you mean, Mother?"
Mother Brigita took a deep breath. "From the beginning—whether you were roaming the halls of Whiteheaven Palace with the princes who adored you, or among the Doliex with your grace and kind heart—I always made sure someone was watching over you."
Brisena's eyes widened. "Don't tell me… it was Vuuxi?"
Mother Brigita smiled knowingly. "Indeed. Wherever you went, I had Vuuxi protect you. You may not have noticed, but he was always close by."
"I never saw him!" Brisena exclaimed, still incredulous.
Vuuxi scratched the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. "I was trained not to be seen, Brisena."
Yara giggled softly. "That's an assassin's skill, Brisena."
Brisena huffed, still pouting as her cheeks glowed.
Mother Brigita's voice took a more serious tone. "That's why Vuuxi's place in our clan will carry a special notation. Just as Yara has her designation as daughter-in-law of this family, Vuuxi will also have a unique status—one that allows him to remain by your side. Even if fate one day brings you two together in marriage, there will be no objection. The elders and clan traditions will have already acknowledged it."
A quiet hush fell over the room as everyone absorbed her words.
Brisena, still slightly pouty, turned her face away shyly. "Mother… why bring up marriage now? I'm still young…"
"Exactly," Vuuxi added quickly. "I've never even thought that far ahead…"
Rogg laughed heartily. "But your faces tell a different story!"
Yara nodded with a smile. "Sometimes, fate works in ways we never expect."
Mother Brigita soothed the room once more. "Don't worry, my children. This is simply a matter of tradition and status—nothing is being forced. You are all still free to choose your own paths."
Brisena finally let out a soft smile, though her face still burned red. "Alright, Mother. But please, no more talk about marriage tonight!"
Mother Brigita chuckled warmly. "Very well, dear. I promise."
That evening ended with laughter and a sense of peace. Vuuxi's acceptance into the Aedrin clan was no longer a question—it was now a cherished truth, embraced by every heart in the hall.