For days, Xavier and Niklaus haven't been seen together. And for days, Niklaus has been on edge, wearing the poker face he inherited from Zachariah. In the centuries Niklaus has served him, Zachariah picked up on the fact that only when Niklaus is on edge does he appear far too composed. It concerns him. But he's not his Master. His Master isn't paying him attention though. Zachariah shuts his eyes in frustration.

Away from Lord Second's chambers, in the dungeons, is Niklaus. Chains bound to his wrists and strung to the ceiling, his hair a sweaty mess clasped to his head. His bare torso a red bleeding mess. His eyes shut and his teeth gritted. In the wide hall sit the Elites. Taking a fair break in the mid of the night. Their uniforms off and the stench alcohol filling the hall. Angel does not sit with them, he stands directly in front of Niklaus, his white uniform covered in his blood.

"Why do you not fight back? We've been at this for days and as deep as my hatred runs for you, I want to understand your lack of fight. Lord Second has not cast me one proper glance this entire year! All because of your return." Angel yells out. Niklaus lets out a small chuckle.

"I have not fed in days." Niklaus states with a small smile.

"Even if-."

"And... and I agree with everything you've all said to me. Everything you've done. It is true. I am not chaste to be back here. I am used property. Even then, I am overpowering my master because of my history. I was able to say 'no'. Besides, if I cannot fight my way out of this, then I don't deserve to get out of it." Niklaus whispers, barely audible. He raises his head wearily, his eyesight foggy and tries to look at Angel. Angel approaches Niklaus with a few of his white feathers in hand. He takes one in hand and jut as he tries to dig it into Niklaus's skin, his legs fail him and he collapses. Niklaus lets out a hearty laugh.

"O'Angel. You think I don't know your secret? Zachariah of Esdith was my Lord!! I know him more than anybody ever will! He will wait until you go mad without his blood only then will he give you a drop to keep you alive." Niklaus spits angrily. Angel's vision turns bright red and on impulse, he begins to scream. Niklaus raises his head to the ceiling and smiles like a madman. The rest of the Elites run up to them and circle Niklaus.

Zachariah looks towards the sound of his doors opening. He finds an elite kneeling. She is Mirror. The elite of introspection and memories, mainly used by Lord Second.

"Milord, I tremendously apologize for coming uninvited at such a late hour. However, there is a pressing matter I assume you should see to. Lord Twelfth was nowhere in sight and so the only other person who would do well to end this ridiculous matter would be you, milord." Zachariah stands up, his heavy robe swaying with him. He's never heard mirror speak like this. He motions for her to go on.

"It is Niklaus milord. The Elites have been ridiculing him for a while now. I assume the lords have all known that he is not mostly welcome back, but the Elites have gone mad. I implore you to pardon me when I say they need to be heavily reprimanded. Lead by Angel, they take him to the dungeons every night and have a drinking party there. Even though I have not been there myself, I am guessing the drinking party is not for him." Zachariah runs a hand through his hair.

"There is one fault in your story. Niklaus is very powerful. Elites cannot approach him so easily. Let alone for more than one night." Zachariah says, casting her a threatening look.

"Milord, he has not fed. His bond with Lord Twelfth is faltering, I'm sure you bear knowledge of this." She says. Zachariah nods at her, giving her permission to rise.

"Call upon my brothers. Tell them to wait in the throne room." Zachariah says, pulling up his hood as he pushes past Mirror and strides towards the dungeons.

Niklaus, practically drained of all his blood hangs limply from his chains. He's not aware of anything anymore. Gone through being ripped apart by Beast. Having mind games inflicted on him by Joker. Piercing silence and blades that burn by Silence and Madness. He's done through and through.

"Esdith was perfect before you showed up! You came back and everybody's attention is mixed up! Just leave!" One of the Elites shouts at Niklaus's limp body.

Zachariah seethes with burning rage as he hears the words yelled at Niklaus. He disappears, leaving tufts of feathers behind then reappears by the Elite with his hand wrapped around his throat.

"Perfect? What do you know of perfection you animal? Niklaus put these very bricks together! You stand on his work!" Zachariah yells at them. Their eyes wide and their bodies now shivering with fear. "Beast." He addresses the Elite in his grasp. "Allen did not teach you to speak, he tamed you into a blind animal at his disposal. Be no more than that." He grits out. Zachariah puts everything he has into not looking at Niklaus, knowing that if he does, he will kill each and every one of them. He throws Beast against a wall then looks at them all with barely composed wrath.

"To the Thrones of Esdith immediately. Your Lords are waiting for you there." He says to them and they all begin to run out, leaving behind a barely conscious Angel. Zachariah stomps towards him and slams his foot onto his chest.

"Stand up you coward!" Zachariah yells out loudly. Angel tries to open his eyes, barely understanding his surroundings. Zachariah grabs at his hair and slams him against a wall. He then takes his own wrist and makes a vicious bite, making his wrist bleed. He shoves it into Angel's mouth, black ichor- like blood dripping down his chin. Slowly, his consciousness returns and Zachariah jerks his wrist away. He puts a hand at Angel's throat and then pierces his chest with the other. A scream loud enough too wake Niklaus from his blood loss erupts from his mouth. Zachariah wraps his hand around Angel's heart, ready to rip it out.

"What in God's name do you think you are doing, Elliot?!" Tears stream down Angel's face as Zachariah uses his human name, completely stripping him of his Elite respect. Just as Zachariah was about to pull his heart out only to shove it down his throat, Niklaus moans in pain, stealing Zachariah's attention from Angel yet again. Zachariah removes his hand from Angel's chest, letting him fall to the ground and looks at Niklaus.

"Niklaus." He breathes. Niklaus looks up and soon as he sees Zachariah, he shuts his eyes and turns his head away.

"Klaus! Help!" Zachariah stands with his hands crossed over his chest as Tucker ties up the teenagers to poles then rips their hearts out. Every time he does so, he takes the heart around for the townsmen and women to watch, letting them know the consequence of trying to steal from the mysterious brothers. They have been here for about a week and decided it was the perfect place to build their dream home. A castle. A group of boys came running in on them suddenly and tried to steal money and food that belongs to their Elites. Of course they were caught. From eldest to youngest, the brothers made a public show of ripping their hearts out. Now only two remain. The youngest sits on his knees crying and yelling, occasionally throwing up as his friends call for his help. As Tucker throws the remaining heart at the child's feet, he only becomes noisier. Zachariah, having had enough of the boy, picks him up by the rag of clothes he wears.

"Silence is a virtue." He informs him with disgust. He remains a crying and screaming mess. "When in doubt, when in fear, just turn your head and shut your eyes!" He yells at him.

"This is wrong!" He screams.

"It does not matter of it is wrong or right." Zachariah tightens his grip on his shirt as the boy does not turn his head, nor shut his eyes.

"I said turn your head and shut your eyes, boy." The little boy, still crying does not obey. "Why do you still look at my face?"

"I don't doubt you or fear you." He whimpers. Zachariah struck with shock, drops him. The boy does not stand up, but looks up at Zachariah. The boy looks at the large man with long black hair and thick heavy cloak. His hand bears a large ring, making the boy think that he may be a rich Lord.

"Who are you boy?" Zachariah asks as Tucker approaches them. He reaches out for the boy, but Zachariah stops him by displaying a handkerchief in front of him, telling him to wipe his hands and that his job is over. Tucker raises an eyebrow, but takes it anyways, wiping his bloody hands clean.

"I am an orphan Sir. We were hungry and we didn't have anywhere to go. I'm so sorry Sir."

"You're a beggar of the town?" Tucker asks.

"No Sir, I-I- we are from the outskirts of Rusvaria." He mutters.

"Do you have a name?" Tucker asks him.

"My name is Niklaus Sir." He whispers. "But my friends call me Klaus."

"How old are you? nine? ten?"

"I'm fourteen." He whispers. Zachariah observes him for a while then turns around and looks at the large space where they are to build their castle.

"In exchange for sparing your life, you will help us build our home. Attempt to steal again and I will have your limbs torn apart first, before your heart." Zachariah says stiffly then walks away. Tucker smiles at his older brother then plops down on the grass by the boy. Niklaus looks at the blood on his hands, his friend's blood and begins to cry softly.

"He's taken a liking in you, my brother that is. Say, how come you didn't look away? Surely you're afraid of my brother. Niklaus's eyebrows dip.

"I fear not his power nor his strength." He mumbles.

"Then what do you fear? Surely, you weren't completely fearless as brother dearest held you from your rags, the only thing separating you from death." Tucker asks him, intrigued. Niklaus does not answer, for he himself does not quite understand what he did. He was afraid, petrified even, just not in the way Zachariah had implied.

"We're not monsters, you know." Tucker says with a gentle smile. Niklaus looks at him with agony filing his eyes, still completely weary of the fact that he just killed his friends.

"Why are you telling me that?" He whispers. Tucker looks up at the sunny sky and takes a deep breath.

"Simply because I get a feeling you will be with us for a long time, young Klaus."

Zachariah lays Niklaus down on his own bed. He looks at the wounds that heal far too slowly even for a human and curses his lousy brother for not feeding his aeternus. Despite his eyes being shut, Zachariah knows he's awake. Slowly, he watches as Niklaus turns his head away yet again. And because Zachariah fears what that could mean, he shuts his eyes. He turns his head away. Composing himself, he stands up and leaves, heading towards the Thrones of Esdith. He enters the room through the large golden double doors. Welcomed by the wide circle of twelve thrones, he heads straight for his throne by Josiah. Jonathan, Tucker, Allen, Colton, and Tristan all sit in their thrones wearing grim and angry expressions. Xavier's Throne remains empty. At their feet are their kneeling Elites. Each one by his or her Sire. Rose at Tucker's feet as he sits with his legs crossed and head resting on his elbow, looking down at his Elite. Allen has two figures kneeling at his feet. Both Beast and Joker kneel as Allen grins madly at them. Silence and Madness at Colton's feet. Suddenly, every Lord bearing a kneeling figure at their feet stands up. Whimpers and moans are heard throughout the hall. Josiah, Zachariah and Jonathan all watch with a content look. Tucker acts first. Wordlessly, he extends his arm out to Rose, as if to help her stand. She looks up, eyes full of fear. Then slowly she lays her small hand in Tucker's. Ever so gracefully lifting her to her feet with him. He takes her hand and slowly circles her so that he has her right hand pinned behind her back. He then gently covers her mouth with his free hand. Zachariah watches as Tucker rests his chin on Rose's head. He takes a deep breath then his brother's eyes become fully black as he releases black smoke into Rose's body.

"For you to feel the pain and not conjure any of your illusions Rose, you will bleed, just not where you can see it." Tucker says softly.

All of a sudden, blood explodes from her nose. Blood flows down her eyes, ears, and from under Tucker's hand. Her legs begin to falter, making Tucker lean in to her ears where he whispers an order to remain standing. Meanwhile, Allen stands up full of excitement. Wearing a shirt folded up to his elbow, his brothers watch as he removes the metal whip he has always coiled around his arm. Once it's free, he raises his hand in the air and looks at his Elites.

"Beast, your punishment is for me to whip you like an animal, but in your human form. Appreciate it to the fullest." He says to a large shirtless boy whose back bears many scars. He then looks at a girl with short black hair. "Joker. Laugh, my dear." He whispers then sends it flying at them. The rest of the brothers go around with their punishments until the Elites collapse at their feet, they then return to their thrones. A girl, an Elite named Beauty, the healing Elite runs into the Throne room and to Lord Second's directly.

"I did as you said, milord. He's capable of walking and he won't die just yet." She whispers to him. Zachariah nods at her and she runs back out. Moments later, Geminds cloaked in red enter the hall, holding a mess in their hands. His body soaked in blood, even his white hair is a mess of black and red blood. They stop in the middle of the circle of thrones then release Angel. He immediately collapses to his knees.

"You either kneel in submission or you stand. Your weakness repulses me." Tristan points out. Angel tries to kneel properly, but it does not look right.

"What do you think we'll do with you, Angel?" Jonathan asks as he taps his fingers against the armrest of his throne.

"I deserve the worst of punishments milords." He speaks hoarsely.

"Enlighten us." Colton pushes, playing with his large ring.

"Death." Angel says clearly.

"Death is far too kind, Elliot." Zachariah spits. Tucker chuckles then looks at Zachariah.

"Brother, calm yourself. He is not Elliot, he is Angel. He has wronged greatly but we do need him. As our Elite." Tucker says then stands up and approaches Angel. He puts a gentle hand on his hair, comforting him.

"I think-." He begins as he grabs onto Angel's hair, pulling him upwards, telling him to stand. Even when he does so, the comfort that existed mere seconds ago is now twisted into some sort of pain. Tucker's personal punishment. "I think we can begin by an apology." He says sweetly. The double doors open again and Niklaus walks in. He stops in the middle of the circle and faces Josiah where he kneels.

"Rise." All the Lords say together, showing the Elites how deserving of honor he is. Niklaus stands up.

"You called me, Lord Fourth." Tucker nods with a smile.

"Elites of Esdith, Rise." He calls sternly, releasing Angel and standing by his throne. The exhausted Elites manage to get onto their feet.

"Kneel to Niklaus of Esdith." He says loudly and clearly. Niklaus watches as they form a line in front of him then submit to one knee. He looks up and around at the Lords. He smiles softly.

"That is where an aeternus and Elites rank. Elites are servants of Esdith, while aeternuses, they are Esdith." Zachariah says. One by one, the Elites are given permission to leave, all but Angel.

"And you, Angel, you stay that way until your knees shatter." Jonathan says as the Lords begin to shuffle out of the hall, leaving him behind, alone, and in pain.

***

Xavier finds Niklaus and grabs his hand, pulling him into an empty hallway. Before Niklaus can kneel or say anything, Xavier shoves his arm into his mouth. Niklaus shuts his eyes in relief as he grabs onto Xavier's arm.

"Forgive me." Xavier whispers weakly, resting his head on a wall. "I beg of you."

***

Just as Zachariah was about to enter his chambers, he spots Niklaus standing idle at the end of the hallway. Without a word, he drops to one knee.

"Why are you back, Niklaus?" Niklaus stands up wearily.

"To earn your forgiveness, milord." He says clearly.

"You are no longer mine to forgive." Zachariah says simply.

"Even if not by your side, when I serve; it's for you, Zachary." Zachariah opens the door to his chambers, ready to go in.

"Niklaus, it is not I who you should be trying to please, nor is it I who can care for you. It is him." Niklaus winces at the mention of Xavier, his apology ringing in his ears.

"Forgive me for disagreeing my lord, but-." Niklaus says desperately.

"Young one, that is not what you should worry about me forgiving you for." Zachariah says and just like that, he disappears.