Hadrian was in ball hosted by the king himself,the guy was in good sprits.But something caught his eye it was General Kirigan and Baghra,he saw Baghra looking at Kirigan with sadness and guilt,while same can be said for Kirigan.
This made Hadrian curiousity peak since both had the same facial structure and when he was back in little palace he was suspicious about the relationship between Kirigan and Baghra,it took a test to find out that both are mother and son.This made Hadrian more curious after slight Legilimency probe Hadrian even though he hated that skill because of his bad experience with it some users.But he was shocked to find out that Kirigan was the Black Heretic and Baghra was his mother.
Hadrian also felt some sort of Dark magic around Kirigan,it was like strong compulsion charm.He had tried multiple times to dispel it,but it would return back.So Hadrian decided he needed to know more about the Black Heretic from the person himself and if Kirigan turned to be hostile he would restrain and wipe his memories of this meeting.
As born Kirigan and Baghra entered the room,both were confused and slightly sad seeing the other.
Kirigan decided to ask"Hadrian why did you call me and Lady Baghra here?"
Hadrian having cast enough secrecy charms around the room,he nodded studying his older brother in blood,he decided to go right to the topic and said"I know you are the Black Heretic and Baghra is your mother."
Both Baghra and Kirigan were shocked that their secret was out,both were ready for a fight as Hadrian raising his hand said"I am not here to fight, nor am I here to sell you out."
Kirigan still on guard asked"What do you want?"he wanted to believe in Hadrian,whom he saw as a little brother.As he felt a whisper in his mind"Kill him he will betray you like all other."
But Kirigan pushed it away,the next thing Hadrian said changed his entire fate.Hadrian looking at them replied"I want to know the real truth about the Black Heretic and the Shadow fold.I want to here you half of the story.To make sure I don't reveal your secret we will write a binding contract."
Baghra was confused asked"Contract"
Hadrian smiled and explained"A binding contract as the name suggests is a magically-enforced agreement."
Kirigan looks at Hadrian in disbelief and said"Magic?"
Hadrian smiled taking glass from nearby table he transfigured it in to miniature dragon that looked around then seeing Kirigan rears up angrily , lets and emits a tiny ball of fire.
Hadrian with grin said"Let's just say my people went beyond just manipulative matter or elements.They created different branches that could be considered magic itself.Also these magical contracts will make sure no matter what the secret will never escape from my mouth."
Kirigan was surprised hearing this he wanted to deny it,but the truth was infront of him this miniature Dragon actually breathed fire and this is was not Merzost after both of them have used it before and felt it.
Hadrian added"If you sign,I will reveal some of my past too."
Kirigan looked at his mother who sighed and said"Atleast you will not have beer this burden alone anymore.It's best to have some allies."
All three signed the contract after reading it throughly,Hadrian was smart enough to see Kirigan had slight anger and disgust towards the royal family.
Baghra taking deep breath started explaining"My father was Ilya Morozova the Bone smith,so you could say my bloodline was powerful and special,which made me the first shadow summoner."
This did shock Hadrian who heard a lot about the legendary Grisha as he looked at Kirigan and thought"No wonder he is so strong."
Baghra continued"Because of this my father never cared for her, and her mother preferred her sister.So after their death,I moved away and with time I realized the fact,I don't age.But seeing like anyone else I fell in love,his name was Ronin,he was Grisha too a Heartrender he was powerful to the point he could manipulate people with just his words."
Hadrian felt a chill this guy gave him the feeling of Dumbledore and Voldemort.Both of them are master at manipulation one was lost because his hubris that only he knew the answers and the other was arrogant,and his mind was warped because of the Hocrux.
Baghra voice broke him out of his thoughts"But unlike me he was mortal and starting to age,thus began his obsession with immortality and my power began.When Alexandr was born it became more serious as he looked through my father's research and found the answer merzost forbidden magic created by my father Ilya Morozova."
Hadrian knew Merzost has the power of creation, of life over death; a corruption of "the making at the heart of the world."
As Baghra continued"Ronin was genius and used it in such a way that he would transfer his consciousness into Alexander,thus gaining an enternal body,but I couldn't let him do that.So I used the cut to kill him,but what I didn't know at that time was he survived and he was able to link himself to Kirigan.Ronin didn't have a physical body during that time,he was something like wraith he was able to corrupt Kirigan by whispering things in the backs of his minds.I was able to teach my son enough to ignore it,but an incident happened where he lost the love of his life and so in his most fragile state my husband won and thus the Shadow Fold was created."
Kirigan looking at his mother,who just nodded as he explained"Like the books said I was an advisor to the king,but with time my power and influence over Grisha scared him, so he wanted me dead,he send a whole group of Kings soldiers to find me at that time.I was in my home with my wife Luda, who was a Grisha Healer.They surrounded my home and demand that I should turn myself over.I did as instructed and gave myself up peacefully.However, the King's men had no intentions of bringing me in and shot me with arrows.Fortunately, Luda remained hidden inside,she was healing me However, one of the soldiers managed to capture Luda and kill her.I was so enraged by her death, that I used the Cut, killing nearly a dozen of the King's men.I then rode on horseback to the sanctuary with Luda's body, hoping to heal her, but I was too late."
Hadrian hummed and thought"Since Kirigan made the king fear him,so in turn King sought to make the Grisha fear him."
Baghra seeing his son tearing up added"Since both of us don't age,I urged him to flee west to Kerch and wait for the King to die. Then he could return under a new identity and make peace with the new King."
Kirigan remembering his stupidity with scowl spoke up"I was stupid and arrogant at that time refused to run while Grisha were in trouble.I sought to train the fellow Grisha that followed me how to fight, but with so few of them actually knowing for to fight,my judgement was clouded by whispers and in that moment I decided to make a new army as Morozova did by forging new life to amplify their power using merzost.it was foolish and an absolute disaster."
Kirigan was filled with guilt seeing this Baghra pats him in the shoulder to calm him down as she took over"My son tried creating his own army with merzost.But he didn't think about the people who lived there, what such power would do to them.He lost control and turned them into the twisted, evil things that attacked you.The Volcra were women. Children."
Hadrian looked at both Baghra and Kirigan and asked"There is something more."as he knew the dark compulsion was not Merzost.It was something else entirely.
Hadrian was taking everything felt this link between Kirigan and his father was too similar to the Hocrux,so he said"I know a method to cleanse Kirigan from any influence of his father."
This shocked both Kirigan and Baghra both have searched for methods,but never came across any.Kirigan tried anything related to the saints,he couldn't find it.But when he found Hadrian the Sun summoner he felt the so called whispers had reduced a lot.So he feeling he had nothing to lose Kirigan asked"What is the price?"
Hadrian smiled and said"This is nothing like Merzost nothing will be sacrificed."Kirigan and Baghra felt their some hope.
[A/N:Also what about bring Kirigan's wife Luda back to life,she would atleast keep Kirigan grounded.]