Family is Everything.

[Knawlidge]

"Sorry, Nikolai. You were right."

In recent days, Seth pyr Docro has been absent of the manor. His face does not grace the interior of its walls, ever since returning a particular honorary Rhoynish back to Blair. His room is left barren, completely empty of everything he once had. Trophies... Memoirs and memento's. The small things in life, that remind one of better days. When people hadn't changed.

Simpler times.

- - -

Letters find themselves scattered around the interior of the manor, delivered through a courier. All, are scribed with fine handwriting characteristic to the youngest son of Natasha, Seth. Some, are tailored to the individual... While a bulk of others, are much more universal. But there is one letter, written most prominent.

While those particular letters remain limited to those those who Seth desires-- There is one of public avail, simply scattered around the manor.

To my family,

First of all? I'm sorry for this. If you'd have asked me ten years ago, if this would be the outcome? I would've laughed in your face. But as time marches on, things ever change. You meet people. You become infatuated with concepts.

My wife poisoned me. And yet, I return to Asphodel on my own merit. For with the Family, there is no progress. There is nothing to move forward on, and progress becomes nil.

I do not live, for that. I did not seek immortality in the name of allowing myself to be subjugated. To be robbed. To fall under the shadow that is the Docro Family-- My family. I'll carve my own path. My own fortune, as I always have.

But this? It's all a product of one man. For where I considered myself despicable... There is one that supersedes even I. Alexei pyr Docro.

- - -

There's so much that you have done, that has led me to loathe you over the years. Acting on your own accord, pulling the strings of inner workings of the Family. You dictated it all, from the shadows. You used my brothers- And when you found out you couldn't as easily use Ilya? You deposed him and put Nikolai in charge.

You turned the title of Don, into something worth less than Devil.

But this all started long before I could even cast my first spell, when you took the life of my Mother. You killed her, and robbed me, and my brothers the opportunity to grow alongside her. To see her smiles at our accomplishments. That was you, and none other.

You even gave me her cloak. Something I've worn for years. How I strove to reobtain Orquidea, in her memory... But it will never equate to one of her smiles. Something I will never have the luxury of seeing again.

I'll ask you this.
Did you see her, when you were cut down? Did you have the opportunity to look her in the eye, in delusions of passing? No, you never would've gone to the same place as her.

Alexei, I'm coming for you. You once told me 'What's another thirteen years.' That I would be so easily replaced.

I hope you can feel that same way now. In fact, I hope it reinforces your delusions.

You have a year to make your peace with those you love most. Or don't. But know this; I'm out for your head, and your head alone. If nobody else will fix our family, I will-- And the only way to do so, is to return you to Hel.

And I will do so, with the surname Vanrouge from this day forth. So that when you look me in the eyes,

Maybe you'll see her.

Signed,
Seth Vanrouge.

A declaration is made, in the year 1859AC. One that would mark a time to be remembered.

The time where the Docro family, was truly falling apart from within.

[Chasing Daybreak]

You have a year to make your peace with those you love most. Or don't. But know this; I'm out for your head, and your head alone. If nobody else will fix our family, I will-- And the only way to do so, is to return you to Hel.

A year passes. Two. The patriarch disregarded the threat unimpressedly, and life seemingly moved on.

Sometime later the Don of the Docros makes a public challenge to Seth and Ilya to settle things once and for all. Making good on the threats the youngest didn't act on.