Nikolaus never quite knew who his mother was, she left when he's still a young boy. Never getting any answer, Nikolaus blames his father as the reason his mother left them. His father’s obsession with his researches always sends him on a long expedition. From several trials to months. That's when his father decided it is better to move from Rharne to Ne'haer since Nikolaus's grandparents live in Ne'haer. Uprooting Nikolaus from the place of his birth and everything familiar to him. Nikolaus was raised mostly by his grandparents, who owns a restaurant and a farm. Being at that rebellious stage in life, without his parents around and his grandparents who are busy taking care of the business, he became more susceptible to the bad influence from his peer group. From petty crimes to working for Dimitri Blanchard the local crime boss, he wanted to be somebody.
Until that one rainy night, when his father came home.
“Nikolaus, guard this with your life. I’m sorry.” His father said to Nikolaus while shoving his journal.
“No, HEY! what’s the meaning of this? Where are you going?!” Nikolaus grabbed his father’s arms. His father shoved him away. Before walking out the door for the last time, he stopped and looked at Nikolaus with tear-filled eyes. Without uttering anything, he disappears into the night. Nikolaus tried to run after him, but he was just gone. He went back inside. Saw the journal and threw it toward the fireplace, it missed and hit the nearby wall before falling to the ground. A piece of paper fell out. Nikolaus went over and picked it up. It was a letter from his father. After that night, Nikolaus work harder than ever to prove himself. He rose through the ranks in Dimitri's organization. Eventually working under one of Dimitri's underboss, Viktor Blanchard. Viktor handles the majority of the drug trading sector. Nikolaus is often seen overseeing production at the warehouse.
Rebirth Cycle, Arc 718
Early evening of the 15th Trial
So this is what they mean when your whole life flashes before you. Nikolaus thought to himself, his body facing the sea, almost as if beckoning him to just let it all go and be embraced by the calm and peacefulness of what awaits him. The cold Cylus air didn’t seem to feel as cold as the piece of steel at his head. Nikolaus tried to keep his eyes open but the wound was too painful for him to be able to keep his eyes open. He closed his eyes waiting for the inevitable.
"
WAIT!"
He was lifted and turned around facing the source of the familiar voice, his knees give way and he fell flat to the cold wooden pier of Bayward, with his face facing to his right side, he could see the blurred vision of his coworkers.
Dimitri Blanchard stood in front of Nikolaus. “
Why my son?” A half-burnt cigar fell inches from Nikolaus’s face.
His vision becomes blurry, the last thing he saw was the body of one of his coworkers, Alex, fell lifeless beside him, with a crossbow bolt lodged in his disfigured face.
“Family never turn on each other! You hear me Nikolaus! You don’t fucking rat on your family, bastard! I don’t even know what she sees in you.” Victor Blanchard shouted at Nikolaus, he was about to stomp on Nikolaus’s head when his father stopped him.
“How will you explain to your sister that you killed the love of her life based on rumors?” Dimitri said while holding Viktor’s shoulder.
“
But he’s a…….” Viktor said in protest before being cut off by Dimitri.
Dimitri walked over to the other tied up people.
“Who are you working for? Where is the journal?” Dimitri shouted.
The sound of another body hitting the wooden pier. The cycle continues for another two or three times then it goes silent. Nikolaus could feel that his body is being lifted.
“
So it’s true that the journal exists and we are not just chasing fairytales?” Viktor asked his father.
“
A journal filled with the ramblings of a mad scientist. Filled with formulas on producing prime quality drugs. Which would make the other groups to acknowledge us……….” Dimitri replied
“……….
thus putting us on top of the food chain.” Viktor finishes his father’s remarks.
“Nikolaus, for the last time. Who are you working for? The Blood Crones? The Amielle’s? Who! And where is that bloody journal?” Dimitri shouted
Dimitri took the crossbow and Nikolaus could once again feel the cold steel pressed against his forehead.
“
I hope what they gave you is worth the price of betraying your family,” Dimitri said with a sorrowed look in his face.
“
I..I…N..n..no, wait I know…..,” Nikolaus said using his last remaining strength. Before he could continue one of Dimitri's subordinate came running carrying a leather-covered journal.
Dimitri made his way to the subordinate. They talked for a while. After what seems like an eternity Dimitri came back to Nikolaus. He motioned the man holding Nikolaus to let him go.
“
You’re letting him go?” Viktor said in protest.
Dimitri showed Viktor the journal. Viktor nodded. Dimitri made his way to Nikolaus and hugged him.
“Why don’t you say something?”
“You should have known me better
geezer,” Nikolaus said in quite a loud voice. Leaning in closer to the crime boss he whispered “
Old Mickey sends his regards," Nikolaus said while giving a quick glance at the journal that Dimitri is holding. Dimitri understood. "
There’s still weeds within the family. Talk to Viktor..” Dimitri nodded in agreement. He knew who Old Mickey the forger was.
Early morning of the 16th Trial
Nikolaus rummage through the wine cellar back at his grandparent's restaurant.
Damn! They really search this place top to bottom. Nikolaus thought to himself while sliding his hands across the stone wall. He removed the fake stone from the wall. He grabbed his father’s journal and a letter from Viktor. Exiting the building he bumped into his grandfather’s sous chef.
“What the fuck happened here? Why do you always have to fuck things up boy?” the sous chef shouted at Nikolaus while running inside the restaurant.
“HEY! Where do you think you going brat?” The sous chef ran after Nikolaus and grabbed his shoulder, turned him around, and held him by his collar.
“WHY? This is your grandfather’s legacy! You’re just like your father, useless, always messing up!”
CLACK
The sous chef fell backward, blood flowing from his nose. Nikolaus stood there with his hands slightly massaging his forehead.
Late afternoon of the 16th Trial
“……….well I guess this is goodbye then.” Nikolaus pats the two tombstones. He stood up, replaced the flower, and place a bottle of whiskey on the tombstone.
The only thing the three of us have in common. Nikolaus looked at the bottle of whiskey, remembering the time his grandfather and father taught him to drink.
All the roads lead back home. Nikolaus thought to himself as he burns the piece of letter given by Viktor which contains only the words, Rharne’s Shadow Quarter. Then he made his way to the harbor where he had purchased passage to Rharne.
Thoughts I
Spoken in Nysin I Spoken in Common I
Spoken in Ith'ession
