A huge thank you to all my readers for your constant support and encouragement. 

A special thanks to  @supergirl763  @zforzquad  @relive_alive  zainab_naseer   @_fareeha @Aatashi  @claudushka  lipshab0  @hafsahkhanam  QzaxNM   @AlwaysAWriter101   . Thank you very much for voting for my book. 

Now without any further ado, I give you the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it. 

*********************************************************

I suppose I was settled in London, still serving the descendants of the Ackerleys. I was in my second century of servitude (I had begun my job in the eighteenth century).

It was in the early 1920's, that I received the letter from the Council. The letter that changed my life...catastrophically'. Nox cocked his head to the side, taking in the hues of the midnight sky, which had enveloped Reykjavik. Taking a deep breath he continued.

'The Council had ordered me to return. No other detail was mentioned. No indication as to why I was being summoned. If only I had known then that-', Nox went on, fury and self-loathing clearly visible on his face. His palm clenched in an attempt to suppress his anger.

I knew better than to console him.

'Anyways', he continued, 'a couple of days later, as expected my substitute shadow arrived and I left for the Council headquarters. And what were the odds! As soon as I reached, there waiting for me with open hands was none other than my dear father', Nox spat, disgusted.

'My father welcomed me lovingly and that was the first time, the very first, that I had seen pure and unadulterated joy on his face. Then and there I understood that something fishy was going on, however try as I may, I just couldn't place my finger on it.

'When I questioned my father his only reply was that he was happy because he was embracing his son after such a long time'. A kaleidoscope of emotions played across his face. Although barely a moment later he schooled them and was back to the poker face, he always had on.

'My father as you know was a part of the Council. He wasn't a leader but didn't let that affect him one bit. He was appointed to the post just below. Vice-chancellor you could say. Due to this, lavish arrangements had been made for me, immediately upon my arrival.

'This lasted for a few weeks. And now I could no longer tolerate this special treatment any more. Shadows waiting on me and fulfilling my every need at my beck and call. Fed up, I sought out my father with every intention of squeezing my father's plan out of him by hook or crook.

'His reply however left me wondering and my resolve wavering'. Nox took in a hesitant breath, and I saw his Adam's apple bob up and down as he tried to swallow and push the invisible lump that was lodged in his throat.

'He said, "My dear boy, I'm truly sorry and ashamed of my behaviour towards you. I know you'll never forgive me, however today onwards, I will spend every  day of mine trying to make it up to you. And then someday, I hope that deep down you'll find it in your heart to forgive me". Of course I didn't buy a word of what he was saying. How could I possibly believe that my father who had spent every waking moment with me, trying to make a puppet out of me, was actually going out of his way today just to ask  my forgiveness and make amends? Huh?!', Nox questioned angrily.

Too say I was shocked would be an understatement. This was definitely not the person I knew.

'I knew that this was definitely another scheme or devious plan of his, but then for that one moment I was that young boy, seeking affection and some semblance of love and belongingness from his father. That was my first mistake. I hesitated. And it has cost me more than you'll ever know'. Nox paused. Perhaps debating on how to proceed.

'A couple of days later, the first incident took place. My reunion with Kerberos'. Each word was filled with venom. Nox had nothing save  hatred for Kerberos. And with good reason too.

'After my meeting with him, it was then that I understood just why my father had called me back'.

Nox turned sideways from his position on the ground so that he was now completely facing us.

'The 20th century saw the birth of the liberalists. But you already know this don't you'.

We nodded our head in agreement.

'What you don't however know is that this initiative was a venture by none other than...Kerberos and my father'.

I held my breath and Phoebe let out a gasp. Paying no regard to us Nox continued.

'Ever since I remember, my father has always been a cunning, greedy and vain man. His goals in life were fame, power and recognition. Never once has he cared for anyone but himself.

'My father reports to none other than the Coalesce themselves. He works under the shadows responsible for the vacations and leaves to be precise. See I can't tell you the details of how it all started for I myself am in the dark in those matters'.

'But anyway, I now finally had understood the reason behind my summoning. I was to be a part of the liberals and assist my father'. Nox said solemnly looking each one of us in the eye.

'Did you...did you assist-', Phoebe questioned softly, gulping.

'You having to ask such a question, shows exactly how less you know of me dear Phoebe'. Nox interjected letting out a dry laugh.

'You're the one who said people change Nox. How are we to know you didn't?' Pashan argued, backing up his wife.

These two were seriously beginning to irk me by now. Is this what happens when people live in fear?

'Only the cowards change so drastically Pashan. The lionhearted ones however never waver. You can let the pressure turn a coal into dust, however those who withstand and endure it turn into diamonds', Nox replied wisely, getting up and lazily leaning against the adjoining wall of boulders.

'Just what exactly-', Pashan began aggressively, clearly offended.

'Not wanting to sit through another fight I swiftly but in, effectively cutting him off.

'What happened after? How did you get away? Because I honestly can't picture your father listening to you'. I questioned, fully acquainted with Nox's fathers nature.

'True', Nox nodded his head in agreement.

'I have a notorious reputation in the shadow world. The elderly shadows all try to keep a safe distance from me. The only shadows whose attention I managed to capture were the rebellious shadows. The daredevils. The one's who do perform their duty-', Nox added in as an afterthought looking at our questioning looks when he said 'rebellious'

'-however with a sense of...fun and carefreeness. They aren't burdened by others' opinions and how you should turn a blind eye to the human activities as we were taught in the Phrontistery. And those were exactly the kind of shadows my dad and Kerberos were looking for. They wanted to add fuel to that rebellious streak. They wanted it to grow till they're consumed by it. And the only way through which they can do this is-'

'-is by getting you to recruit them, because you have a good rapport with them', I finished, realisation blooming. Finally I was beginning to understand just what exactly was happening.

'Exactly', Nox replied pushing himself of the rock, folding his arms under his chest and standing with his feet apart.

'Then?'

'Then what?', Nox began walking half in the water and half out, his head tilted upwards, looking at the stars that had adorned the night sky.

'I vehemently refused of course. I would play no part in this scheme and hurt the few friends that I had. My father was of course livid; however he wasn't one to give up so soon. He tried every possible way, bribing me, threatening me, arguing, and making offers. And I can proudly say that they were all in vain.

'Finally his patience snapped and to punish me, he sent me to trail the mountains'.

Phoebe gasped, her hand simultaneously rising to cover her mouth.

'Bu how could he? Is that even allowed though?'

'Apparently when you have power just about anything is', Nox replied monotonously, used to life's cruelties by now.

Nox folded his hands behind his back and completely turned towards the lagoon now.

'Although I was just relieved to leave that place and especially my father, even if it meant I would have to trail mountain'.

'Years passed without any sort of company or solace. Just abuse and taunts from my fellow shadow mates, but that was to be expected. But I took it all in my stride and toiled. And just when I had finally managed to settle in I received a call from my father. And try as I may I can never forget that day...that call', Nox hesitated his voice thick with anguish and pain.

'In these exact words he said, "Nox, my boy, how good it was to hear you're doing so well, however with deep sorrow I must say, the same cannot be said for your mother. Perhaps you'd like to come for a chat and see how we can um...possible negotiate things out eh? Who knows we might even be able to work out something that works out for the both of us, come to some sort of agreement mayhap? What say? Oh, but do hurry, you see your mother, well...can't say anything. Ciao". And just before he disconnected I heard that blood curling scream of my mothers. Her voice...filled with such anguish and misery that-', the words kept tumbling out of Nox's mouth, and every word a proof of his sufferings.

His voice finally cracked.

Miserably trying to take a deep breath to steady himself he continued.

'Even to this date, that voice, her scream...it haunts me. Even today I'm jolted awake from my sleep by my mother's cry, her howl of agony. It will forever plague me'.

And there for the first time in my life, I saw a sparkle against Nox's cheek. It sparkled brightly in contrast against Nox's obsidian complexion.

I watched it rail down, leaving a shining trail in its wake as it slowly disappeared, down and passed his chin.

Looking at my dear friend's state I now had a pressing need to know more.

Just what exactly had happened to his mother?

***************************************************

Thank you. Don't forge to vote and comment. Your feedback is appreciated. Also please vote for Awakening of Tenebrosity at the link mentioned on my profile. Thank you.