As Above, So Below

Lucian's POV 

As the hand dragged Azariel out of the portal, I jumped out, too. The hand belonged to Baran, the mutant rogue whose heart I had torn out. 

He had risen despite the fact that his heart laid at a corner on the grassy floor. He was holding onto Azariel's neck with the intent to choke him.

I took a look at his dead subordinates, they didn't rise up. This meant that he was the only one that was fully evolved. Somehow, I expected that something like this would happen. 

Azariel released himself from his grip and flung him aside. With an increased speed, he lunged at Azariel again. This time his attacks were more brutal. Azariel dodged with ease, but wasn't able to throw an attack.

I noticed something, he didn't make an attempt to attack me despite the fact he had eye contact from time to time. I looked at my blood stained hands, and Azariel cleaned one's. Could it be….

There was only one way to find out. I walked towards the direction where they fought and stood in between them.

The mutant didn't attack me but looked at me in confusion.

“Master, I thought you wanted me to kill me.”

Master?

Azariel and I looked at each other simultaneously. I had a grasp of what was going on now so I decided to play along and use it to my advantage.

“No Baran, don't kill him. He is my friend and subordinate, and you’ll be his assistant from now on. I want you to aid him and listen to his words.” I looked at the mutant directly.

“Yes lord Lucian, your wish is my command.” He went down on one kneel.

“Lucian, what's going on?” Azariel asked as he darted his eyes from the mutant to me.

“The walls have ears. We wouldn't let our little discovery spread now, would we?” My lips curled.

“I apologise for my aggressive earlier lord Azariel. I promise to take responsibility for my actions.” The mutant faced Azariel bowing.

Earlier, I had thought that the mutant, Baran, was putting on an act but I observed that he wasn't. He didn't me because I touched his heart, and had his blood on my hands so automatically he became a servant to me.

That was the secret, any one who manages to touch their hearts, would immediately become their master and they would heed to their instructions. I guessed the mastermind was so sure that no one would find out about this. The reason Baran rose from the dead was because I had killed him by removing his heart.

“Tell me Baran, who was your former lord?”

“Even I do not know his name. But what I do know about him is that he walks in the shadows. Elder Nikolai is the one who passes the orders to us.” He answered.

“Hm, I see. Now I want you to work in the shadows for me. I want you to report Nikolai’s every move.” 

“As you wish my lord.” Baran bowed.

Azariel gave me the, “I was right.” look.

“I'm sure you know what to do from here, Baran. We have some urgent duties.”

“Yes, lord Lucian.” 

Baran watched as Azariel and I stepped into the portal before he vanished.

“Now Lucian, tell me what is going on.” Azariel raised a brow.

“Long story cut short, touch the heart of a mutant and it becomes your servant.” I smirked.

“You killed him by clawing out his heart…” Azariel nodded in realization, “My theory about Nikolai was right, he was indeed working with rogues.”

“The shadow lord the mutant talked about, I guess he should be an alpha and probably a member of the council.” He stroked his jaw.

He was right. I’d have to take a trip to the council soon. But for now, I had to close up this portal and go home to see my “dear” wife. She was in good hands, as long as Ivan was around.

Within a few seconds, the portal dropped us in icy terrain. 

“I can feel a strong aura, it seems the beasts here hasn't been fully eradicated. Could that be the reason why Nikolai is delaying the closure? He definitely has something to gain.” Azariel muttered.

“There are no beasts. It is humans.”

“Huh? Humans? How the hell did they get in here?”

“Don't forget that there are human sorcerers, they help too.” I uttered.

As we walked in farther, we found nothing but I could clearly feel the aura that humans were here. The place was empty, with a snowy wind blowing. There were snow mountains, and icicles that built up underneath them.

“It's the ground, I can feel something.” Azariel shifted backwards.

All of a sudden, the ground started vibrating vigorously then it came to a halt. For the next few minutes, there was silence.

The vibrations started again and lasted for a few seconds then it stopped. This went on and on and it was clear that something was beneath the ground.

I walked towards a spot where a small hole was building then the vibrations began. I noticed it was more concentrated on that spot.

Everywhere went silence before another round of vibrations began, more intense than the other ones. I placed my palm on the small hole and as I expected, the vibrations on that spot were twice the other parts

“Azariel.” I called, “Blast open this spot.”

Azariel walked towards where I stood, and saw the small hole. I watched as he brought down lightning directed towards the hole. At first, it seemed like nothing happened until the hole started getting wider.

He increased the lightning, more powerful as his eyes glazed white. This time, a massive hole was created and a sound of chain rattling filled the place as a large, icy box rose up…