Zachariah rests on his throne, holding himself perfectly. Authority and power his aura. He knows that they have gathered in the Throne of Esdith not for play, yet he can't get his head into anything serious. Anything but his brother. His horrible brother who stole his aeternus. He watches as Niklaus stands behind his master's throne, Xavier. Unable to hold himself, he speaks.

"So tell me; if you had already deserted Esdith on your own possible course of action; why have you returned?" As soon as he begins speaking, all his brothers stop to listen. Xavier turns to look at Zachariah as his intense gaze is aimed towards him.

"I have not-." Xavier stops as Zachariah raises his hand, telling him to remain silent.

"My question was not directed at you, Mr. Valentine." Zachariah snaps. Jonathan shakes his head a few thrones away from Zachariah as his brother insists on mocking the name Xavier had taken on in the outside world. "Tell me, Niklaus." Nicholas raises his head and meets Zachariah's eyes.

Niklaus stands behind his master with his hands behind his back, observing him quietly as he watches his brother, Lord fourth trains an Elite.

"Zachariah!" Lord Tucker calls from the field at the back of Esdith. Lord Second looks up as his brother formalizes near him. Black feathers fall off of his dress shirt and vest. His long silky hair tumbling down his shoulders. "Come brother, join us." Lord Tucker says.

"Not a word more about it, Tucker." Zachariah says, his voice composed and hollow as usual. Niklaus smiles and bows his head down, trying to be discreet. Tucker looks at him and chuckles.

"Yes Niklaus, I too tend to find his lack of humor rather humorous." Niklaus pulls a straight face and bows his head down with respect at the Lord. Tucker smiles gently then disappears, reappearing in the distance where he continues his training.

"Niklaus." Niklaus raises his head to look at his master as he motions him over. He moves towards his chair and stands in front of it. He kneels at his feet and keeps his head down. The same smile grows onto his face again.

"Tell me. Why is it that you laugh?" Zachariah asks sharply. If it were anyone else, they would've cried for mercy at the tone, but not Niklaus. He raises his head to meet Zachariah's blank gaze. His grin grows and Niklaus tilts his head.

"Your brothers, the lords, take orders from you without a word. Don't you think you're overdoing your dour appearance...Zachary?" Niklaus asks. Zachariah's lips twitch and form a small smile. Niklaus laughs at this. Lord Zachariah stands up.

"Rise, Niklaus." Zachariah says, now wearing a full smile. Niklaus stands up and crosses his hands over his chest. His dark brown hair moves with the breeze, taking Zachariah's attention off of his glowing and joyous ocean blue eyes.

"Why don't you go and play with Lord Tucker and his new Elite?" Niklaus teases. Zachariah resumes his usual blank face.

"I do not play, little one." Zachariah says as a matter of fact. Niklaus takes a step back and shakes his head.

"Then it is settled! I am to make my master play!" He says as a joke. Zachariah turns around, beginning to walk inside.

"Oh but you already are, my dear Nick."

***

"Zachary." Niklaus calls quietly, following Zachariah through the halls of Esdith. Zachariah turns around to look at him. He has not called him in that manner for a long time. He turns to find his aeternus on one knee.

"What is it, Niklaus?" He demands. "You are to know better than to stop me in the hallway."

"My deepest and humblest apologizes, milord but this could not wait." He whispers, his whole body shaking. Zachariah grits his teeth in pain, suddenly feeling Niklaus's through the bond they share. Zachariah approaches him slowly and puts a hand on his head.

"Speak." He says gently, yet demanding. Niklaus raises a shaking hand and swats Zachariah's away, rejecting the comfort. Zachariah's eye brows dip and he fights himself not to lash out at the disrespect.

"Niklaus." He grits. "Rise." Niklaus fights with every fiber of his being against the command. He fights the fear and the pain. He fights his loyalty and his love. "Niklaus!" Zachariah booms. Moments later his brothers appear.

"Zachariah, what is going on?" Demands Jonathan, Lord third.

"I-I- ask you to release me!" Niklaus yells as fast as he can. His breathing turns labored and he begins to sweat with effort.

"What? This is absurd, Niklaus! Obey Zachariah and rise immediately!" Tristan yells out angrily. Zachariah motions for his brothers to stand back. Zachariah moves a few steps back and gulps.

"Do not fear, I have heard your request. Is this truly what you want?" Zachariah asks him. Niklaus can no longer move. The pain is far too overwhelming and it only intensifies as he begins to feel Zachariah's flood through their bond.

"Y-yes." He croaks.

"Then I say it gain; rise so that I may release you." Zachariah says. He stands straight and powerful, yet he feels lost and powerless.

"Brother! This is ridiculous!" His brothers object. Niklaus struggles to stand. Slowly, Zachariah begins to release some smoke into the air. The black smoke forms a wall in between them and Zachariah raises his hand in front of him. He begins to move it through the air and every movement is mirrored into the wall of smoke until there is a symbol in it. Niklaus clenches his fist, knowing what that symbol is. It's his seal. The one his Master gave him when they first became aeternus. Zachariah then opens his palm and takes a deep breath. Then he shuts his palm into a tight fist. The wall of smoke wraps around Niklaus completely as if it were attacking him and then disappears. As soon as it does, Niklaus and Zachariah both fall face first to the ground, landing for the last time beside each other.

***

Zachariah had come to Center Coast knowing his youngest brother would be there, he was ready to fight him. He had prepared himself. But he was not ready to see Niklaus. He was not ready to fight him. As soon as he sees him at Xavier's side, everything turns upside down. He follows him everywhere with his eyes, unable to focus on anything else. With mixed emotions he watches as Esdith attacks him, trying to erase him. He notices that Niklaus's movements are studied, practiced even. He was prepared to face Zachariah. Niklaus's eyes come to settle on Zachariah's hooded face and he loses focus on the battle around him. Three of Esdith's soldiers flank Niklaus and lunge at him. Even with Zachariah's hood shadowing his face, it were as if he and Niklaus were gazing into each other's eyes. Zachariah narrows his eyes, wanting to see how his former servant will fend for himself. Niklaus takes a moment to comprehend those around him and when he does, he falters, unable to attack or defend. Zachariah almost dashes to help him in fear of truly losing him when Xavier appears before him. He eliminates the minor Geminds by Nicholas then kneels by his wounded figure. Zachariah grits his teeth, seething with anger. How dare his own brother betray him personally? There is not a being who does not have knowledge of Niklaus and Zachariah's story. As they both stand up, all the white cloaked figures circle them. They are the Elites, the generals and commanders of the Army. In a single instant, they attack them. Many fall, unable to battle a Major Gemind and an ex-aeternus. Tristan clicks his tongue, folding his arms across his chest.

"I'm not sure whether to be angered by the weakness of our Elites or the weakness of our brother." He comments a few figures away from Zachariah. A few of his brothers agree. Soon enough, the Elites gain the upper hand as they corner Xavier.

"It's no surprise after all. We trained those Elites ourselves, while Xavier has been retiring of his powers for years." Jonathan says as Xavier begins to loose.

"It's true, but don't you think that if our Elites win, then Esdith will no longer show respect to Xavier?" Tucker inquires. Zachariah moves his head away from the battle to look at his brother.

"You're implying that you still do?" His voice comes out smooth and studied. Tucker shakes his head then turns back to the battle. Zachariah does too only to find an Elite in pieces by Niklaus's feet. Niklaus then disappears and reappears by Xavier's body with his arm extended in front of his face. The world slows down Xavier looks up at Niklaus's determined figure and grabs his arm. He opens his mouth and sinks his teeth into it, biting him. The Elites hesitate, not knowing what to do. Then as He moves his mouth away, he stands up and shoves his arm into Niklaus's mouth who bites a chunk off. None of the brothers make a sound, all stunned into silence.

"Did-did Xavier just take Niklaus as his aeternus?" One of them asks slowly. Zachariah grips his hood and pulls it off, exposing his face. Xavier and Niklaus both refilled with the holy power of a master and his aeternus's new bond easily fend off the Elites. The brothers all whip their heads towards an enraged Zachariah and try to stop him, but it's too late. He disappears and formalizes in front of his little brother. Without casting a single glance at his beloved Niklaus, he whips out his hand to crush Xavier with all his might. Xavier's eyes widen as Tucker, Allen, and Colton appear in between them with their arms wide open, protecting Xavier. Jonathan too comes to aid by grabbing onto Zachariah's cloak and pulling him back with all the force he can muster. Niklaus looks at his former master's furious face. He looks at the storm of smoke and chaos his rage has brought, he grabs hold onto Zachariah's extended arm, battle looks at the fear displayed on the faces of the brothers as they protect Xavier. Xavier...his new master. His new master who only a month ago was blurring the lines between being his friend and tiny kid brother. He watches as Tucker grabs hold onto Zachariah's extended arm, battling against it. Xavier takes a step back, shocked.

"Zachariah! What is the matter with you?! He is our brother!" Tucker yells out angrily. Zachariah snarls at him then turns his gaze to Niklaus. Without noticing, he crumples to his knees. Zachariah's gaze then goes to his arm where Xavier's bite mark is. His aeternus mark grows by the second. Black swirls and lines are emerging from it, strengthening his and Xavier's bond.

"Tell me, Niklaus." Nicholas raises his head and meets Zachariah's patronizing eyes. Niklaus lowers his eyes respectfully.

"I have returned to serve my master, milord." He says with his head bowed. Niklaus keeps a straight face. His whole act so carefully studied that Zachariah cringes. "Also, if I may say, it's Nicholas now, milord." He adds. Colton and Tucker both roll their eyes while Zachariah runs his hand through his hair, flustered.

"You are in Esdith where you were spared and given life, even more. Your name is Niklaus here and that is what I will call you." Something cracks in Niklaus's eyes as he keeps them trained on the ceramic of the ground. He shuts them then declines to one knee.

"Do as you see fit, milord." He says, making Zachariah wonder of his true intentions.