Diminished.
Dark clouds roared with thunder and the brightest of lightning, Alquin wanted to show them the error of their ways, to get rid of their audacity to even lay a finger on Tristan, though he didn’t care about the fae, there was something much more important in him being alive, therefore he had to help him.
As the dark clouds gathered in fury Alquin realized his summoning wasn’t working, he was using arcane demon magic, there was no need to cast the spell all he needed was mana and the pentagram of runes etched on the ground, he wondered what was going on with his power, he began drawing his own power and cast lightning on the demons.
Most of the onlookers were gone, it was just him, Tristan and the rebels, screams echoed in the empty market as lightning tore them apart. “4th circle: Dark void.” He mumbled and the darkness appeared in a spiral swallowing more and more into its abyss until only a few were left. “You wanted your pound of flesh, there.” Alquin sneered but the rebels had other ideas, they banded together and created a large circle with black smoke being released from beneath it and trapped the king inside.
“Die!” The rebels yelled as black chains burst through the ground and impaled Alquin and Tristan, the fae screamed as his body was being tortured by the chains, the pain was unbearable, and any movement he made resulted in more pain and rise in heat, above them a large fireball was released by several demons as well, the rebels knew they couldn’t win by simply fighting so they decided to band together and fight.
The fireball was hurled onto the two mystics, when it got close Tristan made a sphere similar to the fireball emerge. “Fae Script:Jupiter’s Hail.” He mumbled and the sphere grew to rival the fire ball, Alquin was now irritated by the rebels, he made no sound of pain, as his body was being heated, he was just angry, so he rose from the ground he was being held to by black chains, he flicked his fingers and the chains shattered.
Above him, an explosion occurred and the shockwave destroyed the nearby market buildings. “Shadow spears.” One man yelled as spears appeared from the darkness, he launched them but they never reached their target, Alquin had raised his hand and they vanished, everything was deathly silent now, the demon king waved his hand and all the remaining rebels moved to him, the free will they had was gone.
Alquin walked toward them in strong, commanding strides as power flickered around him. “Pathetic.” He mumbled as his hand punched through a rebels ribcage and he pulled out his heart. “You think you could challenge me and win, you don’t know who I am, but now witness, I am your king.” Tristan had been shaken to his core, he felt the darkness that emanated from Alquin, the bloodthirsty beast he was, he could feel the little trace of love in his heart, but it was so faint and barely there, he could feel a lot but most of it terrified him.
He wondered if this was the demon he had grown to love before or was it all an act, Alquin used the sharp tips of his wings to slice heads off shoulders, leaving his pitch black wings all bloody. The last man, the one who led the rebels stood in front of Alquin, he stared at the king as if seeing the true meaning of demonic darkness. “For—for—iv—.” He tried but his apology was not heeded as Alquin ripped open his throat crushed it, blood sprayed everywhere even the kings’s face but he didn’t care.
“Let’s go.” The demon king ordered Tristan who instantly obeyed and held his head low, he wasn’t going to cross the demon, he didn’t want to die that horribly, he knew you killed clean and quickly but Alaquin had done the opposite, he had done it slowly, painfully and bloody. He wanted to get away from the demon, but how could he, where would he even go, the only option was the demon king.
Alquin walked back covered in blood, he wanted them to see, this was the price of those who dared rebel against his rule, death, and nothing else. As he walked past the doors of his home he remembered how Villa defended himself perfectly and threw him past the door, the vampire was certainly getting stronger, he walked further in, his thoughts were now concentrated on finding two people.
“To the throne room, immediately!” His voice boomed all over the castle, it wasn’t for the servants to hear but his family and the advisors. They all scrambled to find themselves heading for the throne room no one wanted the king to rampage in his anger, he already had and it was enough.
***
“Hey sweetheart.” Marcos hugged his son in a tight embrace, somehow their exchange was now foreign, something was different about his son, he could feel it. “Are you here to take me back because I don’t want to.” Those were the first words Lake had spoken when he realized he was in his father’s embrace, it baffled him but he decided to not mind the comment. “I’m not taking you anywhere Lake, it’s safe here, no one can hurt you here, you’re happy right?” Marcos comforted and the boy nodded.
His maturity had also surprised him but he knew at some point it would come. “I’m just happy to see you growing up, although I’m missing some moments of your life, I’m just glad you’re happy and safe.” Marcos confessed with tears burning his eyes. “I’m okay dad, dad is taking care of me.” Lake replied finding it hard to call Mier anything but father or dad, it wasn’t because the boy was under a spell, but with all the time he’s been with Mier, no word could better suit calling him.
“I know, and I’m happy he is.” Marcos replied as the two conversed more and more until Lake had to go bath. “It’s time for your bath little guy, you’re not escaping it.” Ajax exclaimed standing by the door to Lake’s room. “Okay, uncle Ajax.” He responded with a bright smile. “I love you, and I will visit when I can very soon.” Marcos expressed hugging his child. “Love you too dad.” Lake replied hugging back.
When Lake moved from the hug, he got off the bed and headed to his bathroom, Marcos turned to face Ajax. “Thank you for taking care of him and helping Mier.” The demon exclaimed and Ajax chuckled knowing it wasn’t necessary, he would easily follow Mier to the ends of the Aliverian sea if need be. “It’s a pleasure taking care of him, my mate adores him, and he’s the bravest little kid I know.” The fae replied honestly.
“Do you have any kids?” Marcos asked with raw emotion for Ajax. “I haven’t told him yet that he’ll be a dad, I was hoping it would be a surprise.” Ajax replied with a chuckle, as he felt the glamour Mier put on him to hide his pregnancy from everyone who might want to hurt him, it was for the best with all that was going on. “I’m sure he’ll love to know, and be happy as well.” Marcos responded with a glint of happiness in his eyes, he and Ajax were somehow kindred souls.
“I see you two bonded.” Mier stated standing by the door. “Yeah, we finally got rid of our walls.” Ajax replied. “Uncle Ajax where are you?!” Lake yelled and Ajax stood up to go to Lake who was being a baby yet again. “I have to deal with him, it was nice meeting you Marcos.” Ajax stated as he laid a hand on Marcos, afterward he walked to the bathroom Lake was yelling in. “So you got pregnant with Villa’s child and I got pregnant with Saytor’s, you know when he finds out he will kill us both.” Marcos mumbled with a smile.
“He can try to kill us, I personally am not giving him that chance, but he needs to be stopped before what he plans for the five is completed, he raised hell creatures the night after you came here, and you know those aren’t easily killed and I’m sure he’s going to attack the fae.” Mier explained and Marcos held on to his stomach tightly. “I’m sure he will, I indeed married a power hungry demon, I should’ve known.” Marcos sobbed in Mier’s arms. “It’s not your fault evil was wrapped in a 6’5 beautiful, tempting body.” The witch chortled making the demon chuckle.
“Yeah, I just can’t help feel accountable for all of this.” Marcos confessed how he truly felt as he sat on the bed, he truly felt guilty for the monster Alquin was. “And now you can rectify that mistake, when you go back you’ll have to find a way to warm the elders, and warn any of those not loyal to him, I’m sure Malia has already helped you, you’ll just need to work in the shadows.” Mier expressed and Marcos scoffed. “Spoken like a true wrath witch, you people are the ones who made even the demons afraid of the dark.” He chortled and Mier slapped his arm.
“Hey!” Marcos laughed. “It’s true and you know it!” He added as they both burst out laughing. “Fine, but seriously, it’s going to be tough, but when he finds out promise me you’ll run, and that you’ll embrace your power.” Mier held tightly to Marcos’s arm as he spoke sternly. “I know Mier and I promise we will run.” Marcos conceded, he knew the witch was right, he had always been right since he met him, he had to embrace his abilities to defend himself.
Saytor walked into the room with a grim face. “What’s wrong?” Mier asked as Villa walked in. “Lera and his mate are in the vampire kingdom safely along with some elders who decided to flee in time, we’ve secured the kingdom and now we’re working on the next phase of the plan.” The vampire uttered with a smile which turned into a scowl as he raised his hand. “This just happened in the demon kingdom.” He asserted and from the crimson smoke, the battle between Alquin and the rebels was shown.
“That’s how he’s always been, but now he’s damn near evil.” Saytor spat and Mier kept a neutral face, whilst Marcos was in utter shock. “They were just foolish rebels why kill them so brutally.” He argued but no answer came. “Nobody knows but with Lera gone and their home broken, it’s best you go back not to cause further suspicion, the spell I cast will make it seem as you’re still connected to him but you know you aren’t, he can’t draw any power from you.” The witch stated and the two demons nodded.
“I wish we had more time to talk, but I will visit soon, take care of yourself and the baby, Lake is yours as well, I entrust him to you as always, I will see you soon.” Marcos hugged the witch before standing up to be by Saytor’s side. “We need to go, Alquin is looking for us.” Villa kissed his mate affectionately. “Okay go, we’ll be fine here.” His witch kissed him again as a portal opened for all three of them. “I love you.” Mier heard Villa say. “I love you too.” He replied as the portal vanished.
“Ajax I want steak for dinner!” Mier yelled from Lake’s room. “Got it!” The fae yelled back as he and Lake were in the middle of drowning themselves in a jar of chocolate chip cookies and strawberry milk.
****
Saytor, Villa, and Marcos appeared in Villa’s bedroom, before anyone could say a word the door burst open. “Good you got my message, hurry he’s on a warpath.” Malia panted heavily as she spoke, the four of them immediately walked out and headed for the throne room, Saytor had his stone expression on, Villa and Marcos also had their terrified and weak to be in the king’s presence look as well. Alquin had to believe they were in his control.
The throne room doors opened and immediately the four bowed. “Your majesty forgive us.” Villa was the one who spoke meekly first, Alquin scoffed and eyed the matriarch suspiciously. “Marcos where had you gone?” He questioned with a growl. “To see our son my king.” He replied looking at the floor, the response made the lights in the room flicker, Alquin was angered by the witch and his son, but he had a plan for them. “Why didn’t you bring them back.” He spat and Marcos did not reply.
“Villa where were you?” He hissed. “In the forest my lord, I needed blood.” He replied and the king scoffed again. “I told you to feed from me but you refuse!” The demon yelled but Villa held his ground, feeding from another dominant made him want to gag, it also meant the king wanted to bed him like some cheap whore, he would never allow it to happen. “Soon you’ll want me.” Alquin whispered in Villa’s ear before moving away.
“Malia and Saytor, where have you been as rebels attacked Tristan?” He demanded and the two held no expression. “Looking for Lera my lord, he’s run off with a demon.” Saytor replied with no expression and Alquin immediately turned his attention to the two. “That’s why I felt diminished.” He whispered to himself. “He found his mate.” Malia asserted and that earned a growl from Alquin. “I’m his mate, he’s carrying my child!” The demon king spat but Malia walked forward with documents in hand she had received just then.
“The child wasn’t yours my lord, it belonged to his mate, I believe that’s why he left.” She expressed showing the documents which turned to ash in Alquin’s palm. “Find him, scour the entire kingdom if you must, I want both their head on pikes.” He growled with dangerous rage and the castle shook, Jon walked in immediately and turned to the king soothing him, Marcos rolled his eyes and the rest tried not to vomit.
“Dismissed.” The four shuffled out of the room and into the secret room. “You have to go, get Mier out of there and Lake along with Ajax too, if the demon hunt begins they will be found.” Saytor instructed and Villa vanished. “Goddess help us all.” Marcos mumbled as he heard the army horn.
+++
Ajax and Everin are mates, but also uncle and nephew for those of you who’ve been asking me that question.
LMJ
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