There is a back story for these two. Anna, Mikhail's aunt, had lost four children before they were born and once the family knew she again was with child Mikhail took to the libraries within Bram to seek out a way for this to be prevented from happening to this new child. In his youth Mikhail had been a studious child, fast to find new subjects to study; languages, military tactics as well as obscure magic that remained buried within the maze of books and tomes. In these he happened upon one possibility- The Oracle. A dangerous undertaking, the Oracle required payment of a personal nature for her answers to questions those brave and strong enough to pass through the Valley of Souls to seek them. The trip was dangerous enough, and one that the young one decided to undertake alone. Once the Oracle had given her required payment to the young Mikhail he almost balked. It seemed almost too much. Almost. In return for his aunt's new babe's life, Mikhail gave a portion of his soul to the witch. A small bit, but to Mikhail the price was a heavy one to give. It was done- with a catch. The babe shall life, but since its destiny had been to perish prior to birth he will not receive his One. The One is the basis of their sanity, without their other half the magic rips through their mind as they age, tearing apart reality and logic until nothing is left but a dangerous, raging beast within them. The babe will live, but he will live a short and agonizing existence prior to the Hunter of the bloodlines finds him. Once that happens- Death comes. Perhaps a little later than originally planned, but he will be taken. Desperate on his return to find an alternate ending for his soon to be birthed cousin, Mikhail bore the brunt of his father's rage in his leaving without warning as well as the lack of Mikhail informing of the why behind his trip without complaint. His solitude afterward gave him time to once more visit the scrolls and tomes. It was shortly before Nicolae was born that he stumbled upon a possibility. Again, it bore a heavy price but to be sure of his cousin's continued existence sans the fate the Oracle predicted Mikhail found the required components to the spell without hesitation. In the end, the spell worked. Nicolae lived, and without having to endure the agonizing pain and insanity that he had been destined to. The crux of this happening bound Nicolae's soul to Mikhail's- The Eldest would become the Youngest's One. The webs woven are never easy to unwind, or even follow. Mikhail brought a very distinct talent in knotting them further. (The background is representative of their Elemental bloodlines- Mikhail is Water, Nicolae is Fire. Though each has another facet into each bloodline, I did not included them into this piece.)