Axton silently pondered the events that had lead him to this moment. About six and a half months ago, he was an orphan. A nobody who was taken in by, arguably, the most dangerous man in the Empire at the age of four. Six and a half months ago he helped Daud shove a blade into the Empress and taken her child, a contract from a corrupted man named Hiram Burrows, the Royal Spymaster. 

Now, he had found that he was not only the son of the Royal Protector, but of that very Empress he helped murder. That the girl he had taken was his little sister, Emily, and heiress to her mother's throne. And now, he and his father where returning to the Hound Pit's Pub, with the man who had hired him and his other family those six and a half months ago to kill an Empress. Back to the place where his life had truly started. The place he met both his fathers. And the place where he'd have to leave one. It was a hard decision for Axton, but one that he had made none-the-less.

When this is all over, he will return to the Whalers.

He sat on the boat, staring down at the mask in his hands, staring at his reflection in the glasses. This was who he is, this was his identity. He was a Whaler, and with them was where he belonged. He was an assassin, always has been, always will be. He couldn't see himself waltzing about with nobles, in a suite and drinking the finest Tyvian reds. Pretending to care about what they had to say about their wealth and success. Even as a Royal Protector, no, especially as a Royal Protector, he'd need to get all high up there. And that was just not Axton's thing.

"Yeah, hard to believe isn't it? You'll love it at Dunwall Tower." Corvo started. "The view is excellent, and the staff are nice. The chefs make the finest cuisines from all over the Isles, and..." He started to falter as he saw Axton stare down at his hands. 

"What's the matter Axton?" He asked, Samuel turned and saw as Corvo took off his mask and sat next to his son. 

He looked up at his father, the look in his eyes said it all. Corvo retracted, as if Axton was in fire and had burnt him. 

"You're returning to the Whalers, aren't you?"

He returned his gaze to his hands and remained silent. But the action spoke volumes.

Corvo shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "After all this time? Us searching for one another your just going to... to leave? That's it? What about Emily? What happened to me teaching you how to use the sword properly when this is all over? I... I really want you with me son. I... I want to get to know you better. Without all... all this!" His voice was rising with anger. Not at Axton, no, at life itself.

"What can I do?" Axton whispered. He met his father's eyes and, for the first time since he met Axton, he saw fear in his eyes. Corvo's eyes softened, his body relaxing as he listened to his son's words.

"I've been training to kill covertly for fifteen years. Training and doing that is. Assassination is all I know. It's what I'm good at. I can't see myself in a position in Dunwall Tower. I am no Royal... anything! Well... a Royal Pain but I doubt that there is a position for that." 

Samuel snorted, but tried to play it off as choking. He turned to them and said. "My apologies," and returned to steering.

"I can always train you to be Royal Protector, she'll need one when... when I'm gone. Because I won't be here forever." Corvo said.

"I thought of that. But again, I'll need to learn a whole bunch of stuff, get used to tones of things and... I don't think I can..."

"You can. I did." Corvo said, placing a gentle arm around his son. "And you aren't just any random assassin, Axton. Whether you like it or not, whether the people know it of not. You are royalty, Axton. You deserved a better life, not the life of a unnamed cutthroat, nor a street urchin. You deserved better..."

"What's the point if all I am going to feel is trapped? Out here, I feel so... so... free." Axton said, but a part of him didn't think that freedom was the right word. He wasn't entirely free, he still worked under a single man, Daud. But he didn't mind that at all. Daud was a good master...

"Please, think about it before deciding officially. Think long and hard. For me? And Emily?" He asked. Axton met Corvo's eyes again.

"For you and Emily? Sure."

~☆~

They where silent the rest of the ride, until the Hound Pit's came into view. Throughout that time, Samuel's face started to turn more and more grave, as though he sensed a storm about to hit. A storm that could bring casualties, but didn't know how to get the word out to everyone in time.

"Big changes." He finally started to say. "Makes me uneasy, to tell the truth. The small fry like me always gets the worst of it." he paused for a little then continued.

"But maybe it's going to be different now. The Lord Regent is gone. The Abbey has a new High Overseer. I'm guessing our work is almost done. The others are in the bar, no doubt waiting to raise a glass in your names. Me, I think I'll just linger out here, if you don't mind. Reflect on things while we have a moment" He then added in a voice full of melancholy. "Congratulations you two."

Axton too wasn't quite in the partying spirit either. When they got off the boat, he turned to Corvo and stopped him. "I think I too would like to be alone. I... I have some things to think about. Decisions to make. And... like Samuel, things to reflect on. Maybe later... we could... train with swords?"

Corvo smiled at Axton. "Yeah, maybe. Depends on how we are feeling. Right?"

"Yeah, I'll be on Emily's tower. Not in, on."

Corvo chuckled, then nodded. "Alright, I'll come and get you if I am up to it."

"And bring food."

"Oh Void yes, can't forget that or else you might kill someone!"

"Oh stop!"

They laughed, then fell silent. Corvo then took a few steps closer and wrapped his arms around his son. "I love you Axton."

"I love you too... dad." 

They stayed like that for a few minutes, then pulled apart and stared at each other for a few minutes. Then Axton disappeared, reappearing on top of Emily's tower. His figure sat down, legs over the edge as he gazed off into the distance. Corvo turned to the pub and sighed. He rubbed the back of his neck and started forward. Before he could even reach out to grab the door handle, it swung open to reveal Emily. 

"Corvo! Everyone said you and Axton did something good tonight... where is Axton?"

"He's..." He turned back towards Emily's tower. "He's reflecting on things. And wondering what he'll do next."

"Well, that's obvious. He's coming back to the tower, with us!" She said enthusiastically. "He can be the Royal... um... Assassin! The Royal Assassin!"

"Psh, Emily, there is no such thing." Corvo said with a chuckle.

"I am going to be Empress, I can make it a thing!" She replied, then grabbed Corvo's arm and started tugging him inside. "Come on we where waiting for you!"

"Okay! Okay!" He said chuckling as he let her lead him inside. Everyone turned and started clapping.

"Damn me, he's done it! Word is spreading all over the city! The tyranny is over and... where's your son?" Lord Pendleton asked. A small look of panic marched across his face while Admiral Havelock glanced down at the glass in his left hand. 

"He's reflecting." Corvo replied with melancholy.

Emily made her way to the booths on the other side and sat down. Corvo sighed. "He doesn't know where he belongs, he plans to return to the Whalers. But I'm sure he'll change his mind. if not for me, than for her."

"Hey! Can I take him some food? Please?" Emily asked.

"No Emily. That's a servant's job, not one fit for an Empress. Lydia, mind taking the other man of the hour some food for thought? And his drink?" Admiral asked. The maid laughed and shook her head. "No way, send Cecelia."

"Wha-what?" Cecelia asked with surprise. Lydia whispered to Pendleton, Havelock, and Corvo, "She fancies him."

She then straightened and said. "Take Axton some food and his drink. He's probably going to miss the party and the poor boy must be hungry."

"Not yet, but maybe very soon." Corvo grumbled.

"And take him his drink. Best whiskey on the house!" The Admiral said as Lydia prepared a trey. Corvo wanted to mention that Axton doesn't drink whiskey but decided against it. After all, if he where thirsty, he'd simply dump it out in the sink in Corvo's room and fill it with water instead.

When she finished, Havelock sat the drink on it and Lydia then handed the trey to Cecelia.

"I'll be back." She said as she walked away with the trey in hand.

"Hopefully not too soon. If you know what I mean." Lydia mumbled, bumping Corvo with her hip and winking. He blushed and moved a little away from her. "You really are pushing them aren't you?" He asked.

"Of course! Wont they be so cute together? I think so, and they'd make wonderful babies too-"

"By tomorrow we will be crowning a new Empress!" Pendleton interrupted before Corvo's face could get any more red, handing him his drink as he continued. "Empress Emily Kaldwin! Then after that, we'll clear your and put everything we've got into rebuilding the city."

"I wish there were more of a city to rule. Most of Dunwall is rats and corpses." 

"The Admiral's right, I'm afraid. Corvo, you did your job while the rest of us sat on our asses. Our work starts tomorrow."

"Tonight," The Admiral started. "Rest easy. Tomorrow we crown an Empress."

"To Corvo and Axton!" He continued, raising his glass. "The men who served to change the course of history!"

"To Emily Kaldwin!" Pendleton continued. "And the new dawn rising for Dunwall and the Empire!" And they all drank. 

~☆~

Corvo stayed around for a while afterwards, eating and receiving thanks and praises from the Loyalists. He spoke to Emily for a bit, then Callista. He was about to attempt to speak to Lydia again when a sudden ping of pain raced through his head causing him to stop in his tracks. He felt like the Hound Pits was on a boat, but then again, he had about six drinks. But he didn't even feel buzzed. 

Perhaps it's just a late reaction... He thought as he grabbed his head. Strangely, as fast as it came, it vanished. Corvo just shook his head, or perhaps it was just my imagination.

He continued walking, unaware of the way Havelock, Martin, and Pendleton watched him closely. Then, he felt it again, stronger and more sudden, he stumbled and braced his hand on a trey, only to have it slip to the floor with a loud clatter. Smash!

"Whoa! I think I might have had a little too much to drink!" He said, laughing maniacally. He felt like his head was being torn in half, an early hangover perhaps.

"Obviously. Now I do hope Cecelia comes back soon else I'll have to clean the mess up." She replied jokingly.

"I think I should get to bed. suddenly I... I don't feel so good," 

"Do you need help getting back to your chambers Mr. Attano?" Lydia asked as he stumbled again, she grabbed him and held him up. A look of concern on her face.

"I'll be fine, don't worry. Poor Axton, I promised him a spar. Thank you." And with that said he stumbled his way up the stairs. The Pain began pulsating, each time coming back worse than the last. He tasted blood in his mouth and he felt a pang of fear march through him. Do I have the plague? Did I just infect the others? Emily? Axton? No, it can't be, if I'm already bleeding, then I should have been ill first. But I felt fine. He crossed the threshold into his room when it suddenly hit it's worst. 

Then that's when it dawned on him.

By the Void! They've poisoned me! Oh no, Axton!

But he he couldn't use his power, he couldn't reach for the mark that was his source of communicating with his son, he couldn't even stand. His whole body felt like pins and needles and everything burnt. He fell to the floor, certain that death would take him. 

~☆~

Axton sat alone, watching the sun rise and pondering his life. He really did want to stay with his father and sister, yet, the Whalers... the life of a Whaler was his life. The only life for him. He would probably run around drunk singing. "Yo, ho, yo, ho The Whaler's Life for Me!"

If he ever got drunk that is. He sighed and sank further into himself.

"Axton?" A woman called, pulling the Whaler out of his thoughts. He turned and glanced over the edge. There was Cecelia, carrying a trey of food, glancing around as she looked for the assassin. He felt his heart start to race. He never understood why that happens, especially only around her...

He blinked behind her and laced his fingers behind his back. 

"Axton? Where- AH!" She turned and jumped, the contents of the trey flying as she did so. Axton simply Stopped time, grabbed her gently around the waist so time can unfreez, and helped her grab the food and the drink before catastrophe could unfold. When time resumed, she stared at him with wide eyes.

"You..." She cleared her throat and stared at him with a mixed look. "You really are marked by the Outsider... aren't you?"

He felt a sudden pang in his gut and his cheeks turning red. He glanced away. "Yeah. Is that a problem?"

"Oh, no, no. Sorry if I offended. I... I'm not afraid... anymore at least. Of... of you that is and... and the marked. It's a nice... can I see it?"

He nodded, and started to pull off his left glove. Cecelia walked into Emily's room, set down the trey to the closest table at the door and hurried out again. He took it off just as she returned and revealed the black mark. She gingerly touched it, her contact sending a strange tingly feeling up his arm. 

"It looks burnt... did it hurt?" She asked, gently tracing the mark with her finger.

"A little, like a bug bite after realizing you had it. Itching and burning. But it was quick." 

She glanced back up at him, there wasn't fear in the way she looked at him. He always knew that look. Nor judgment. He knew that one too. 

It was a look he couldn't quite explain, but he liked it. 

"What are you planning on doing after all this?" He blurted. She just shrugged. 

"I have no idea. Maybe I could ask the Admiral if I could have this place? Or maybe be a manager or a hostess? Whatever happens, I don't want to leave it. I've... I've grown accustomed to it..."

"Well, if you need any hired muscle, I wouldn't mind helping out." He blurted again. What are you saying Axton? What's the matter with you!? His mind screamed. 

She smiled. "That's sweet of you, but you belong with your family." 

"But... I don't think I can survive with them. Nobles and... and politics and parties and... I'll go crazy!"

Cecelia grabbed his hand, his marked hand, and held it firmly with both.

"Axton, you have been through many trials to get to them. To your family. You're really going to let them go? Just like that?" She asked. He turned to her, his voice small. 

"I... I'm not ready.. I... Cecelia... I'm scared."

He never felt so vulnerable to a person, besides Corvo obviously. But Cecelia just had this warmth about her. A light to his darkness. A warmth to his cold. He felt that she could be his saving grace. But why?

"Well, maybe instead I can get a spot in the Dunwall Tower staff. I practiced my curtsy. see?" 

She made a proper curtsy, which caused Axton to smile. "Wow, I'd have expected you to be a princess. Forgive me your majesty." He replied, making a dramatic motion with his hand as he made an exaggerated bow. Cecelia laughed, the sound like bells in the morning breeze. Pleasant, and beautiful. 

They stood in silence for a while, staring into each other's eyes. 

"Axton... I... never mind-"

She turned and began to walk away. without thinking, Axton used his pull to yank her back to him, and into his arms. She gasped at the unexpected action and glanced up at him. She suddenly realized just how much taller he was than her, how much more muscular he was than he looked. Their hearts where beating many miles per second. their breath mingling in the space between their locked eyes. He bent down, closer and closer to her face, their lips almost touching-

Smash!

They jumped, the moment over. Cecelia sighed in frustration and Axton's face showed annoyance. They pulled away and smiled sheepishly towards one another.

"I..." She reached her hand up to push a strand of her hair away, but Axton beat her to it, tucking the strand behind her ear and gently grabbing her chin with his fingers, caressing her chin with his thumb. "I... should probably go see to that..."

"Come see me... tonight? By the abandoned apartment building behind the Pub?" He asked hurriedly. She smiled at him, brighter than the sun itself, and more beautifully than the stars in the night sky.

"I'd love to."

She then pulled away, his hand reaching out as of to try to linger on her skin as much as possible. She gave him one last smile before turning away and making her way down to the party. He grinned stupidly, he felt like his heart was going to soar out of his chest. 

He turned his back and went into Emily's room and stared at the food she had assembled. he pulled up a chair and picked at the grapes first, then started eating some of the sausage. He then grabbed the drink and swirled it slightly, then sniffed and reared his head back.

"WOW!" He exclaimed. "Now that's what I call strong whiskey."

He was about to just dump it, throw it away and grab some water...

Well... a small sip wouldn't hurt... would it? After all, it's a celebration!

So, he put the glass to his lips and took a small sip. The bitter, smokey wooden taste netered his taste buds... but there was something else that caused Axton to halt the swallowing process and frown. He swished the drink around his mouth, trying to get a better taste of it. A small... hint of a sweetness, a sickly sweetness like...

His eyes widened and he immediately spit the drink out, dropping the glass in the process. He glanced around wildly until he found a beer cup that was half full with water beside Callista's bed. He took the glass and filled his mouth, swishing the remaining contents of the whiskey  and spitting it out onto the plants outside. He then downed the rest of the water and dropped that glass too. He slammed his hands onto the table, gasping and pondering.

He remembered when Daud first started slipping poison into Axton's food. He grew very ill many times. At first, he didn't understand why and it was always at random. But eventually, he knew why. Daud was teaching him caution, and how to tell if your food or drink had been poisoned and to differentiate the types of poisons.

And just now, the Loyalists had just tried to poison him. With a rare mix of Hemlock and Nightshade, transported from Tyvia.

If they tried to poison me, then that means... oh no! DAD!