-A Month Ago-

To see a human and tiefling even near each other is uncommon as is. But to see them talking as friends? Practically unthinkable. Talion and Nalia were practically inseparable. Ever since they first met at the orphanage all those years ago, they’ve hit it off. They could always be found away from everyone else, ranting on about any random topic that would pop up in their minds.

Seven long years have passed. Seven years of Chaos waiting, watching his son from a distance. Watching his son grow older by the day. One day, Chaos knew Talion would be ready. His powers were developing as well. Not just any magic, however, though he and Nalia already knew some basic spells. Not only was Talion gifted at accidentally casting destructive magic, but had a talent for erasing objects. Not in the sense of setting it on fire or turning it to ash, but the complete erasing of an object as if it never existed. Sometimes it was a chair, a twig, or even a leaf. Big or small, however, to be able to eradicate matter so that even its smallest particles no longer existed, accidentally or not, was no simple spell. It took a god to do such things. A god such as Chaos. That’s how He knew Talion was His blood, in an odd sort of way. Not his striking resemblance to Him, but by his expertise on destroying things. Talion’s innate skills at erasing anything he touched.

Chaos was always there, always cleaning up the mess. He didn’t mind. In fact, He felt proud that his child was growing more skilled as time went on. And on one fateful day, just a week before Talion’s eighteenth birthday, he and Nalia finally decided to run away. It was about time, they thought. No one would want a tiefling in their family, and no elf would want a human as their son. So late one night, they packed everything they could carry. With nothing but the moonlight guiding them, they ran away, never to look back.

They traveled the night road for what seemed like an eternity. Talion’s father had been keeping a close eye out from a distance. To be so close yet so far away… It was one of the few things in this universe that hurt Him the most. All He needed to do was wait. Wait just a little while longer.

It wasn’t until daybreak when Talion and Nalia had crossed the border to Trinal, and it had been even longer before they reached the town of Hackfield. The town was tiny, barely enough to fit one small inn, two taverns, a shop or two, and a couple of homes. He’d watched them from afar. Listened intently as they talked and talked. Talion was laughing at something Nalia said. Something happy, something carefree and bright. There wasn’t anything dark and brooding about her. They were a perfect match. If there was anyone in this world who had Talion’s back, He would be glad it was her.

They had talked about their plans on using what small amount of gold they had left to catch a ride further into Trinal. As far as they could, at least. That's where Chaos first intercepted them. It only took a little “persuasion” to convince one of the coach drivers to take the day off, and a little less skill to disguise himself as a coach driver. When Talion and Nalia finally arrived, he offered them both a ride. For free.