Patience was merely a non-existent term to a man like Zelfos. Clearly, he doesn't conceive the practice of it nor would he even bother displaying the slightest ounce. But this day was one of those rare ones. He had been patient for the whole time waiting for his son Tristen to arrive home and from reasons he couldn't recognize by himself, his quick edginess was somewhat, held back while he took the wait. 

He stood from his chair as he took a quick glance outside the wondrous view of the night sky. Feet were brought to a march while puffing streams of smoke from his wooden pipe. Zelfos continued to do it as he reached the window, leaning one elbow on the wooden rail. A puff of smoke was then followed and then his thoughts stuck heavily to Tristen. What could have been taking the boy so long? For certain, it wasn't the best time for his son to arrive at the current hour. He'd least expected him to be home in the late afternoon as he would daily. Truth to be told, it wasn't actually the first time that Tristen would arrive late at night. He had worse days but no matter how much honesty he could muster up for an explanation, Zelfos wouldn't often be at his favor. Tristen had given up trying to convince his father's beliefs. Trying to withstand his harsh voice being raised against him was the best method he could use. 

Exhaling yet another wisp of smoke, Zelfos remained gazing at the dark sky until he lost his thoughts on Tristen. A loud creak of the door suddenly interrupted him, luring his sights away from the night. A pair of low-cut boots clattered the ground, taking a step forward before shutting the door gently. Tristen had no desire of greeting his father but of course, even if he wouldn't be receiving any warm welcomes, he would still maintain his polite disposition which he often wore wherever he goes. Tristen breathed a heavy sigh, wanting to indicate hints that he was in a weary condition and in no means, ready for a scolding. 

"Go to the table and eat your dinner or at least, if you haven't taken one yet." Surprisingly, what was followed was a dear concern of his father which Tristen obviously didn't expect. But something told him that Zelfos actually wanted something in return. 

Tristen reached for his pouch which then clinked objects the moment he shook it on his clutches. He then handed the pouch directly to his father without taking a glimpse of his face. "Here," Zelfos immediately grabbed the pouch, his expression hid the notion of greed that Tristen hated so much. "I know you wanted that in exchange of your concern. So I hope you won't be raising your voice today, I am extremely tired." No response was then followed. For once Tristen felt good delivering his sharpness against his greedy father but sometimes, he would consider on being cautious as he disliked arguments rising. 

Tristen took his coat off and hung it beside a wall. He marched past the table and directed himself towards his bed. "I assume you already ate your dinner." Zelfos said. Tristen liked to falsely admit that he did but he decided not to respond. The vile cold had gotten him, nearly draining his humanity away. He took his boots off as he sat on his bed, then he laid himself down, drifting his thoughts away from everything. 

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[i]IT COMES![/i]

Tristen didn't want to wake up nor did he want to be awoken. But his father shook him out of bed violently that he had to force himself out of his comfort. The shriek though, was something that mostly bothered him rather than the presence of his father. Tristen rubbed his eyes only to see an uneasy look on his father's expression. At first he thought it was of no worry even after hearing a shriek uttered by a familiar voice. But after it was repeated, Tristen concluded that something was about. 

After wearing his low-cut boots, he rushed hurriedly at the window, seeing the sight of old Nadeen out in the open night. However, it wasn't her sight that needed to be attended completely. Tristen's eyes widened as he took a peculiar visage of the eerie blackness that crept like a violent storm. Men and women shouted afterwards, some running to take cover inside their houses believing that they could somehow escape the grasps of the unknown. Tristen was bewildered of old Nadeen's presence, concerned that she shouldn't be out there standing in the midst of an uprising chaos. 

Tristen ran to the door but his father intervened him, standing right beside him before cracking the door open. Zelfos shook his head with his eyes contradicting to Tristen's attempt. "I need to, father. Old Nadeen is still out there." Dashing away, Tristen stepped out of the house, veering his head to whichever path he could traverse to take old Nadeen. 

By the time he caught his pace, someone had already stepped forward and took the old blind lady. It was Vasily. Tristen breathed a relieved sigh but he didn't want to return yet. He followed their tracks even in the midst of people straying away from the confusion. Tristen ran and continued to do so until he kept himself up with them. Finally, he arrived at the old lady's cottage. Spotting Vasily, Tristen sprinted towards him, kicking heaps of snow along the way. "Vasily!" He shouted. As Tristen halted, he bent his body slightly to breathe out some exhausted breaths. "Is....she alright?" Tristen looked at the old lady and as his breaths finally settled, he took another glimpse of the creeping darkness that is about to take an invasion. "This isn't good"