1.~Welcome to The Underworld~
Their vision was fogged by the mist. The woods were growing cold with each passing day. The icy grasses crunched underneath their feet as two brother ran bare feet on the freezing soil. There was no possibility of taking a walk that day, but here they were running to reach somewhere safe.
Nothing was clear around them. The thick and dark woods wore a veil of mist, betraying their own leader in the process. The utter silence around them screamed the agony of their arrival. Not a single leave danced when they arrived, telling tales of who they were, where they were from and what they were capable of.
But what an irony, the predators were the prey this time. The most ruthless predators were running away to save their life.
The needle like grasses pricked on their bare feet. Blood patches trailed behind them like lost puppies. The cold wind slapped their faces, mocking them of their misery. Tear like water droplets dropped down on the already moist ground, adding one more level to their trouble. The only thing which didn’t dare to go against them was the cold.
For Light creatures, the cold was their best friend and heat was their enemy. The temperature around them was always below fifteen degree Celsius. They were born and bought up in this kind of weather. Well, except one and they were Vampires.
Prince Xavier Vasiliev, the crowned prince of the Blood Red Kingdom; also known as the most ruthless and barbaric prince to ever exist in the history Vampire Kingdom was respected and feared altogether. The vampires were the Creatures of Dark but the circumstances changed their way of living. Their friends became their enemy and their enemies turned into their family.
His dark hair swayed backward and the wind decided to dance through them. The moisture from the trees ran down his body, covering him in water droplet. His senses were on alert as his legs skimmed down the moist floor covered with moss and grass.
If only he would have listened to his not so reckless brothers, the situations would have been different. He might have been sitting in the meeting hall, discussing the same boring agendas right now. But no, he decided to listen to his very much reckless brother. Austin Volkov.
He looked to his right to see a huge black fur coated werewolf, running alongside him. The injury on its stomach was arguing against its healing process, determined on not bowing to healing.
Prince Austin Volkov was the crowned prince of Moonlight Kingdom. He was the eldest of five brothers, but the youngest when it came to silliness. The big bad wolf was the most reckless and irresponsible one when it came to adventures or a hunt. But that doesn’t mean that everyone had the audacity to go against him.
Xavier couldn’t understand how Amber can love a grown up child like him. He wouldn’t deny the fact that Austin is well built and attractive in the eyes of females and few males but behaviour also matters.
But whatever he says about him, Austin is a one lucky man. One of the every main reason why no one dares to stand up against him is because of Amber. Princess Amber Petrov-Volkov, mate of Austin Volkov is the top most powerful Light Witch in the whole Mystic Fall.
Xavier envies his brothers for it. His longing for his mate to stay beside him was making him lose himself. But unfortunately it will never happen. Soon after his kind was turned into the Lightlings from the Darklings, he was cursed. His mate bond was broken because of the curse and he lost his mate, the only person who was made for him.
His thoughts came to a halt when a painful blow shot through his limbs. He never felt this feeble in his lifetime. His inner beast was few steps away from going into deep slumber. He was met with utter silence when he called out to Draco, his beast. His connection with him was frail but he could feel him struggling to stay awake.
A loud howl pulled a string in his heart. He turned his head once again to look at Austin to see him in deep distress. Those filthy demons injected both of them with Sinar. It can make any creature weak and numb within an hour.
Watching Austin like that was ripping him apart. He and the other four brothers shared a deep connection through which they can feel their emotions and mind link each other. It may not work if one of them reaches to the darkling’s territory. They called it a brotherhood bond. Since all the five brothers are not blood related and are from different species they have no idea when and how it formed.
He heard some rustling one mile away from them and he was sure it was a demon. They wouldn’t dare to use their wings in Lightling’s territory because that will raise suspicion among Xavier’s kind. Demons were not supposed to be roaming freely in their territory but they were. It meant only one thing; someone from their own territory had a hand in it. They must have known they will be passing from there.
Xavier could tell he was far away from civilization. He knew this place very well because last time when he came here, he was captured and tortured by the same demons. But last time he wanted to be arrest, so he could reach the Underworld and take what belonged to him but unfortunately he didn’t get the opportunity to have looked at the heavenly sight. Maybe this time he will get it.
They were heading toward one of their hideout, wishing that demons will not find them there because they were not in the condition to fight. But when did Xavier get what he wanted.
After finding the place they both went inside and sat on the dirty floor, leaning on the wall. Austin shifted from his wolf and went to one of the locker and opened. He wore a trouser and sat beside Xavier.
“We shouldn’t have come here.”, Xavier’s intelligent brother said rubbing his temple.
“Oh, I didn’t notice it.”, Xavier said sarcastically and then glared at him. “You should have thought that before.”
“Aye! I would recommend you to not use that tone with your elder brother. Learn some manners from others. I am soon going to be the King of Warewolves and you know my mate is the most Dangerous Light Witch ever born I her kingdom. I’ll ask my Amber to do some kind of abracadabra stuff on you, then you will learn to respect elders.”, Austin said earning an eye roll form his brother.
“Oh, trust me you are going to be in deep trouble with her than me. I would take pleasure in watching you suffer.”, He said, trying to maintain his anger but lord, his brother’s expression were making him laugh. They might not be blood related but he was the best brother Xavier could ever ask for. Not just him but Harris from Feya Kingdom, Brian from Evanorae Kingdom and Romero from Elven Kingdom are all bonded by brotherhood bond.
“My Amber loves-”, before Austin could say anything else, he was cut off by a loud bang. They both looked at each other and knew what was going to happen. At first they will have a little talk session and then some action and then they will faint to wake up in Underworld. They both laughed while thinking the same thing.
With another loud bang the door flew open. They looked at the door tiredly to meet with red eyed creatures, smirking at them. Austin wondered if they can ever keep a straight face or any other expression because whenever he encounters a demon they always have that creepy smirk on their faces. He will check it when he’ll reach there.
“Look what we’ve found here. The soon to be the King of Vampire and Ware wolves are hiding from common demons. I pity your people for having such a weak Kings. I really do.”, the demon said and Xavier thought that now they will have a little talk.
“How are you in our territory?!”, Xavier’s beloved brother asked in anger and then they say they Xavier loses his cool before they do.
“Oh did my royal highness ask me a question? Let me think hmm... Not going to answer because I only follow the orders of royals, not to some werewolf.”, the demon said emphasizing the word royal with a wider smirk.
Werewolves are not royals, only Lycan were but unfortunately their specie was slaughtered by a Calliope. Not all of their kind killed the Lycans but only one of them and that one was enough to bring the hell on Mystic Fall. Calliopes were the Creatures of Dark and were Siren’s superior. She wiped the entire existence of Lycan but after many years, her kind also went extinct.
Lycan’s extinction took troll on entire werewolf community. A werewolf usually gets angry whenever somebody mentions their superior and that is what the demon was trying to do.
Before Austin could start something Xavier spoke, “Of course, you were born to follow orders, Cizaro Black. I pity you.” He knew the Blacks family very well. They were always after the Underworld’s throne.
“Even I pity your family. You have such a wonderful sister but so sad – ”, He wasn’t even able to finish his sentence when Xavier punched him.
He kept on punching Cizaro nonstop. How dare he talk about his little sister?! He knew very well that it was his family’s plan to torture his innocent and sweet sister. Those demons were always jealous of Vampire when his kind were Darkling. They wanted the throne for themselves and the only thing which was stopping them were Vampires. Vampires used to rule the Creatures of Darkness, so they went on and targeted Grace. After that day they have never seen her talk.
He could feel every demon was busy in separating him from Cizaro but were failing miserable. Austin had already passed out on floor and he knew next will be him.
It was as if a surge of energy came and with the same speed it went back. He felt hollow. His emotions were taking a toll on him. He felt broken while remembering how he wasn’t able to save his sister from these monsters. His energy was slipping away like sand from his fist and with the last blow his eyes closed, engulfing him in utter darkness and silence.
...
After a long silence his eyes fluttered open. He felt as if someone was hammering his head continuously. His limbs felt heavy and he couldn’t move around. His vision was blurry and he couldn’t keep them open for too long. He let out a grunt of pain and shuffled a little bit. This Sinar’s effect was more than the one they gave him last time.
His thoughts diverted to Austin immediately. He wanted to know where and how his brother was. But soon enough he heard shuffling and growls near him. Relief flooded through him when he scented Austin.
He still couldn’t see properly but his hearing was fine. He could hear the rushing of water from near. There were only two possibilities, one that it was raining and they were on the top most floors, and two, that they were on the bottom most floors which was next to the river bank. He recalled the map of dungeon and remembered that there was a river next to it and he sighed.
He forcefully opened his eyes to see that everything was spinning around him. He shook his head furiously and tried to adjust his sight. He looked around and saw himself in the familiar room. Last time they kept him here. This cell was at the bottom and was near the bank. The water around them kept the room cold and made it easier for the Lightlings to survive. The room was covered in darkness with only one candle to illuminate the room; it is not like they needed it.
He turned his head to Austin who was tied up with silver chain. They know he couldn’t fight against silver. None of the warewolves can, only the royal can. Only a Lycan can but they are no more.
He looked at himself and growled at his condition. He needed blood to obtain some energy but who will be that stupid enough to give him. Just one gulp of blood was enough for him to show the others what he can do. Just on gulp.
“Hey brother, you are finally awake. Why is it that, this Sinar thing worked on you for longer period of time than me? I thought you will not wake up for next few days. You know I was so worried to see my baby brother like that.”, Austin said breaking the silence.
“Don’t baby me and about your question, I think that is because I haven’t drank blood for a long time.”, Xavier said looking at Austin’s burned wrist and ankle with concern.
“I can feel Amber’s distress through the bond. How did you escaped last time?”, Austin asked looking at Xavier.
“Somebody helped me but he said that it will be that last time he will help. He clearly mentioned that if I have a death wish than I can come back and he will do the deeds himself.”, Xavier said thinking about it.
He knew how Austin was feeling right now. Not just these silver chains but his mate bond was also hurting him. Mated couples can’t stay without each other for too long. His mate bond was making him go insane and could also kill him. He could tell by looking at Amber’s personality that she must have destroyed a lot by now but who could blame her. The more power you are, the more powerful the bond is and if the bond is strong than be ready to feel severe pain.
His head snapped toward the cell door when he heard some scuffing of feet and tapping of boots. They both stared at the door in anticipation to see the royal highness and his son.
Xavier looked at the elderly looking man. He carried the same dark aura around him, which used to scare him when he was a kid. He didn’t know what to think of that man anymore. He was the man who tormented his sister and for that he should hate him but he couldn’t. Demon King’s mate died a long time ago and after that he was never the same. But Xavier knows that there was something more than that.
He still can’t believe that he is not the same man anymore. The man he used to admire the most, the man who taught him how to use a sword. He even used to call him father but look at him now.
His eyes moved to look at his childhood friend, Prince Xander Chernov. They both used to play together, they learned fighting together but now it feels like as if he is staring at a stranger. He looked the same height as his and was well built. Xavier knows that Xander is the only sane one left in Underworld including her but Xander can’t do anything because his sister’s life is at stake. Xavier has only seen his sister once but he will give up his life for her without thinking twice. When Grace was kidnapped, Xander went against his own father and saved Grace. He is still grateful of him and respects him for that. He just hopes that they could be friends once again.
Xander himself was not happy by keeping them captive. Over the centuries his father has turned into a cruel monster that only cares about power. Watching his one and only friend in this state was boiling his beast and his father knew it very well. How can he not feel like this when he was the one whom he grew up with? They used to play together and were inseparable but now the things have changed drastically.
After Xavier’s sister was kidnapped, they accused demons for it and at the end, it was true. She was tortured by his kind and specifically his father and his second in command. He never understood why he always felt so protective of her. But when he saw her in the dungeon, beaten and broken his heart was ripped out. He was just seventeen at that time.
Xander understands their rage. The feeling of betrayal which he has felt many times now helped him understand their point of view. Xavier was ready to kill his father on the same instance. Xander will do the same thing if someone dares to lay a finger on his sister. Even though the Demon King has not shown his daughter’s existence to the world, still it doesn’t mean that she is wholly safe and sound. Only few people know about her that includes his father, Blacks and Xavier’s family. They can’t take a risk of showing her. She is just a little Human.
If he wasn’t familiar with Xavier’s scent than he wouldn’t have recognised him. He was somewhere around the same height as his and his presence screamed lethal. Last time he saw him was when Xavier was around one hundred and twenty something but now he was one thousand and twenty four. He was all skin and bone at that time but now he couldn’t say the same.
Xavier might not agree with him but Xander knows that he was here on his own will. Demon Prince rolled his eyes when he thought what Xavier was here for. There was only one thing going on his head, ‘After these many years, you still can’t get over it.’ It was quite hilarious to see someone like Vampire Prince to obsessed over it that he won’t even care for his own well being.
“Welcome to the Underworld, what a pleasure to meet you both.”, Demon King said with a smirk, earning nothing but silence in return.
“Seems like someone is not happy to see me, but don’t worry. I believe the almighty prince must be pleased to meet his best friend.”, He was again greeted with silence. Xavier knew what he was trying to do. He just wanted some disrespectful words from him so he can start his torture. It was not like if anything was stopping him from torturing.
“Well, who cares if you are pleased or not but I am. The deadliest Werewolf and the most ruthless and barbaric vampire are caged here by me.“, Xander’s father said with a proud smirk on his face.
Xander could tell that Xavier was trying really hard to control his actions. His beast kills without mercy but right now any kind of wrong move will get both of them killed, early. He should be like Austin but Xavier is Xavier. Austin looked bored and was day dreaming, not giving a single mind to the Demon King’s word. They both were just opposite.
Xander looked at his father who had no remorse in his eyes. He bought Xander with him just to torture his own son internally. He knows that he still cares about him and he wanted to make him pay for it.
“Well I was expecting some kind of entertainment from both of you but I am highly disappointed.”, the King said in displeasure.
“Whatever, at least I am not hiding my weakness unlike you. Oh, with that I remember something. How is your daughter? Is she still available for me?”, Xavier said and a corner of his mouth lifted with triumph. He knew that he has annoyed the big bad King and was aware what was coming for him but he didn’t mind it. He knew that she was their weakness because she was just a human with immortality.
Xander immediately thought of something and rushed to Xavier and grab hold of his throat. This action was just to save his best friend from getting killed at the moment and assure his dear father. Austin still had a stunned look on his face because he just learned about his sister.
“You dared to talk about my sister like that once again and I will rip you in pieces.“, He threatened him lowly. He knew that Xavier just said those words to rile up his father. Xavier never cared about the consequences. It was always Xander’s work to protect his best friend from getting killed. He still can’t believe that Xavier was older than him.
“Take him and show him what happens to someone when they talk about my daughter.“, King roared with fury. Nobody talks like that about his daughter. There was no doubt he was looking forward to punish them but now his anger was on the tenth floor. King might be cruel to everyone but in front of Violet, he tried to stay as calm and collected as possible. He treats her like glass doll.
With his those words, he turned back and walked out of the room in haste. The commanders followed his order and dragged him out of the room with shaky hands.
King’s blood was boiling and all he wanted to do was to give him the worst death and soon he will. Xavier knows about his daughter. He knows that she is their weakness. He was just happy that they haven’t targeted his daughter like he did to Grace.
For once he didn’t even recognised Xavier. Just by feeling his presence he could tell that he was much more dangerous than he could ever be. He can’t believe that he is the same boy he uses to teach long time ago. Even after being held in chain he looked like as if he owns the world.
Every single person was present to see the ruthless prince getting punished. The place was not far away from the castle so those who couldn’t make it would watch from the castle. There was a different kind of brightness on the people’s face. They all looked excited to watch the show. King just hoped that his daughter was here to watch Xavier getting punished but that was impossible.
Violet was too sweet and sensitive to watch something like that. She is the kind of girl who will faint on the sight of blood. She never defies him but in this matter she always does. Her human genes make it even harder for her to witness something like this. He never understood from where she got those genes. He is a demon and his mate was a siren so it was kind of abnormal. Even though she doesn’t have any supernatural strength but still she can enchant anyone with her beauty.
Guards tied Xavier’s hands with cable on a pillar, which supported his heavy body. The effect of Sinar was still there and the King smirked at that. He especially went to the Dark Witches and asked them to make it much stronger. Cizaro himself was going to whip him. Not many know this but Cizaro will take over the throne after he gets married to Violet. For Demon King, Xander was nothing compared to Cizaro. When in reality Xander was as much as lethal as was Xavier. While Xavier uses his strength to his advantage, Xavier used his brain to kill.
All eyes were trained on both of them. Within a second, a leather whip with metal spikes connected to Xavier’s bare back and drew out good amount of blood. In few minutes his skin left his back and got stuck on the whip. Slap after slap, punches after punches continued for like hours without any mercy. When Cizaro stopped after few hours, the display place was drench in red. Thick blood dripped down the platform and landed on the land. Now others had some proof that the Vampires do have blood.
It was as if everyone was looking at the ocean of blood. Audience lost their excitement a long time ago which was now replaced with terror. The King didn’t understand why they were frightened but the next words from Xavier froze him.
“Is this what you call a punishing, huh? I am bored. You can’t even inflict pain in me.”, Xavier smirked.
With that the realisation hit him hard. He was too busy in watching his blood that he didn’t noticed other things. Only the slaps of leather against his body were heard but no scream or grunt of pain was heard. How is it possible that one can go through it as if it was the most normal thing? It seemed like the whip was made up of cotton instead of pure leather and metal. Everyone looked horrified and stunned at the same time.
Xavier’s smirk was long lost and was replaced by nothing. He looked blank and dead. There was not a single emotion on his handsome face and of course there was no feeling. This kind of beating was a play time for him. No one knows that after his sister was found he used to punish himself for not being able to protect her like he should have.
Who were demons to break down his walls and inflict pain?
After this session, no one got anything out of it except Xavier. His beast was now wide awake in him. Draco was conscious, laughing and mocking others for their stupidity. No one messes with him because he is the most ruthless and barbaric prince to ever exist on Mystic Fall.
I hope that this one is better than the one before.
