“Good. You will rest for two full weeks and heal properly. Only then will I allow you to take my children into war with the humans. I get that you’re all angry. I too am brimming with rage and there’s nothing I wish more than to see those humans dead but we all have to wait. We have to be patient and strike when they least expect it. We have to be at our best so we can avenge the lives they took from us. Understand?”Prince Kayziel nodded instantly.She turned to Young Zedekiel and although he didn’t want to agree, he could not go against her. Especially after his uncle had agreed. “Yes, Mother.”Zedekiel, who was watching, closed his eyes and sighed for he knew what came next and he wished he had listened to his Mother. His stubbornness and impatience had cost them the lives of more Elves and had nearly cost that of his Mother and siblings as well.********After listening to Prince Kayziel's side of the story, Young Zedekiel was walking back to his room when a guard frantically appr
He ran and hugged Young Zedekiel tight from behind. “I’m sorry okay? Please talk to me. Tell me what I did wrong and I promise never to it again. I love you Zedekiel. I can’t live without you.”“Lies!” Young Zedekiel snarled, yanking Ron’s arms away from his body. He turned around, his eyes blazing with fury. “Lies lies lies! All you humans know are lies, deceit and betrayal. You do not love. You can never love. All of you are too selfish for that!”Ron stared at Zedekiel, unable to understand what he was talking about. “What are you saying?” he asked. “What do you mean?”“You know exactly what I mean.” Young Zedekiel replied. “Stop acting like you’re innocent. You humans are all the same.”“No we’re not.” Ron argued. “I don’t know what you’re talking about but we’re not. I have done none of what you mentioned. I love you wholeheartedly, Zedekiel. I have been waiting here for weeks, at this same spot where we both first met. I have been waiting for you like you asked me to but not onc
"I'm not deceiving you," he insisted, locking eyes with Zedekiel, “I swear it. My true identity is Raldore Nightshade, a witch—the youngest child of Malik and Yara Nightshade, leaders of the esteemed Nightshade Coven."Young Zedekiel's shock was palpable, his features frozen in disbelief as Ron's words washed over him like a tidal wave. He shook his head, taking a few steps backwards. “No. No you’re lying. You cannot be a witch. You smell different. You smell human.”“That’s because my magic is extremely weak.” Ron explained. “I am the weakest Nightshade to ever exist. Look, this is the only thing that I can do.”He crouched down on the grass, closed his eyes and muttered some words. Slowly a small plant germinated from the ground and gradually grew a single red juicy looking apple on its branch. But Ron already knew that the apples he grew were not tasty at all. He plucked the fruit, stood up and held it out to Zedekiel. “See, I’m a witch.”To say Young Zedekiel was shocked was an un
“This should be the last time we meet.” Young Zedekiel said. “Normally I would kill you for being a witch and lying to me but since we have been together, I will spare your life. Never make the mistake of coming before me in the future because I will kill you.”With that, Young Zedekiel turned and continued on his way, leaving Ron kneeling there, completely and utterly heartbroken.**********Zedekiel wanted to stay and see what Ron would do but something told him to follow his younger self and so he did. He followed even as his younger self sprinted away from the garden, his movements a blur of speed, almost as if he were a shadow racing across the earth. The wind whipped around him, tousling his silver hair. His dark robes billowing behind him like the wings of a dark angel.He dashed past the castle, his supernatural speed carrying him effortlessly, propelling him forward with a sense of urgency that mirrored the turmoil within his heart.Finally, he arrived at the labyrinth, a pla
He had tried to go beyond the garden but he found that he couldn't. He was bound to his younger self and could only go where his younger self went or the places he had been to before. Which meant that if Ron didn't go back to the garden, he wouldn't be able to see him again. He just hoped that Ron would not give up on his stupid self and come back or is stupid self would stop being so stupid and go find Ron.Prince Kayziel had gone to his younger self in the middle of the night and convinced him to join them in their journey to Ashenmore so they could start their revenge. At first, Young Zedekiel didn’t want to go for he had already agreed to wait as his mother had instructed but Prince Kayziel managed to convince him by reminding him of the things the humans had done to his father and brother. He then told him that if they waited too long, the humans might fully prepare themselves for what was to come and they would lose the element of surprise.Hearing this, Young Zedekiel put on hi
He sighed, placing on a hand on Zedekiel's cheek, stroking the cold skin gently. "You know, I wanted to spare your life but when I saw the way you took hold of everything in the castle, I just couldn’t. You're still so young, yet you were already ruling the Kingdom like a proper King. When your Father died, I thought the entire Kingdom would be in a state of disarray and I would return and take charge like a grand hero but I was surprised to find that everything was under control. Even when I commanded the Officials to do something, they would say that they had to run it through you first so I knew that I had to get rid of you.""If you desired the throne, you could have just said so." Young Zedekiel gritted. "I haven't even been crowned King yet. I could have willingly abdicated in your favour.""Yes, you could have." Prince Kayziel nodded. "But would you have let me marry your Mother?"Young Zedekiel fell silent but the answer was evident in the intense glare that emanated from his
Frustrated, Prince Kayziel grabbed one of them. "You're just a bunch of cowards! The boy is not even a 100 years old! If you do not fight-" he directly slit the throat of the soldier he grabbed. "You die!"Upon witnessing the scene, the soldiers pivoted their attention to Zedekiel, brandishing their swords. Knowing Prince Kayziel's prowess as a fighter far exceeded Zedekiel's, they speculated that confronting the boy might afford them a chance of survival, albeit slim. However, facing Prince Kayziel spelled certain death for all. Besides, Zedekiel was injured and had lost a significant amount of blood. Putting him down should not be difficult. And so, they collectively surged toward him.Young Zedekiel strived. He fought with all his might, killing some soldiers while fatally injuring some. He fought like a mad man, swinging his sword with reckless abandon yet maintaining an unparalleled level of precision at the same time for he drew blood with each swing. The vale was quickly litter
Prince Kayziel briefly lost consciousness from the overwhelming force exerted by Zedekiel. By the time he was conscious, Zedekiel already had his sword raised above his heart.“This is the end, uncle.” Zedekiel declared with disdain and proceeded to stab him but Prince Kayziel quickly stopped the sword with his bare hands. He hissed in pain for the sharp edges cut his palm but he didn’t care for saving his own life was far more important.“What the fuck are you waiting for?!!!!” He screamed at the soldiers who were injured but alive. “Kill him!!!! Kill him now!!!! Fucking kill him!!!”The soldiers rushed over, swords in hand and began to repeatedly stab Zedekiel. Still, he remained standing, using the rest of his strength to try and impale his uncle’s heart.Prince Kayziel was already freaking out. He didn’t want to die and more importantly, he didn’t want to die by his nephew’s hand who was not yet a full-fledged Elf. It was completely degrading.“Is this all you idiots can do?!” He
Hugh chuckled, his lips curving into a proud grin. “I told you the spell would work, Your Majesty. They see what they most fear, and their minds fill in the rest. Now we know the identities of those conspiring against us."“To think I trusted that physician,” Kayziel mused, his tone turning icy. “Find him, Hugh. Bring him to me alive.”Hugh gave a short bow. “And the others, Your Majesty?”Kayziel waved a hand dismissively. “I don’t care. Kill them all. I have no use for traitors.”“As you wish,” Hugh said. He turned to the undead at his side. “Begin the hunt. Bring the physician. No other survivors.”********Cordin began to search the library as fast as he could, his hands trembling as he ran them over shelves. Time was slipping away, and every second felt like a hammer pounding against his chest. Porsha's life was on the line and so was Prince Ron’s. He couldn't afford to mess up.At that moment, his fingers brushed against something cold and smooth at the very back of the shelf. R
Cordin let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You need me to do something for you? If you think I’ll ever help you do anything, then you’re stupid. If you want to kill me, just do it now. I won’t help you do anything.”“Oh, really?” 'Prince Ron' grinned. "We'll see about that.""Hugh!" he called out, sharply. "Get in here!"The doors creaked open immediately and Hugh entered, together with two undead guards that flanked him. Between them, a bloodied and struggling Porsha was dragged forward, her face pale from pain.Cordin felt like a bucket of ice had been poured unto him, freezing him to the bones. "Porsha!" He cried as he scrambled to his feet and rushed toward her.Before he could reach her, more undead guards shuffled in, dragging others behind them. Welyn, the Royal Physician, Official 4, and Leo. Each of them bruised, bloodied, and utterly defeated.Cordin froze mid-step, his breath hitching.“No.” he whispered, shaking his head as tears streamed down his face. How could this have
They all gazed at him, stunned. How could a servant possibly have access to the King's private library? Prince Ron, they could believe but Cordin???"Wait, you said your name is Cordin, right?" Welyn said, looking at him thoughtfully.Cordin nodded, smiling. "Yes." They better remember it too. If he managed to get he transmission mirror and contact His Majesty, they must speak his name so that he will be rewarded. First thing he would ask for was to leave Prince Ron and be the Head of Servants!"Aha! I knew I've heard that name before." Welyn said. "You're the gossip Elf! Hasn't Prince Ludiciel punished you for eavesdropping on his conversations before?"Official 4 gasped. "That's true! I remember now! So you're the gossip Elf!"Cordin's smile disappeared instantly and his brows twitched in annoyance. Why were they suddenly bringing out his dirty underwear? That too in front of the lovely Porsha? They were going to ruin her image of him!The royal physician clicked his tongue disappro
"Hello," he said to the royal physician, his husband and Official 4. "My name is Cordin. This is Porsha and Leo." He gestured at the humans.Official 4's eyes went to them and his brows shot up in surprise. "Humans? Underground?"Cordin nodded. "I brought them inside. I am Prince Ron’s personal servant. Porsha is one his servants from Ashenmore and Leo is his bodyguard.""I recognise the big man." The royal physician said. "I'm truly sorry about what has happened to the Prince. We're going to try everything we can to get him back to normal."Leo sighed and nodded. "Thank you. But it was also due to my negligence. I wonder if Prince Ron will have it in his heart to forgive me.""Of course he will." Porsha assured, patting him on the shoulder. "The worst thing he will do is send you to the stables or make you guard that garden again."Everyone chuckled, recalling Prince Ron’s favourite ways of punishing people.Leo groaned slightly but he wasn't mad about it. If he got sent to the stabl
Official 4 shook his head in disappointment. "You know what, cousin, you're the most two faced Elf I've seen. You were the one who suggested to His Majesty to marry the human Prince. You gave all sorts of reasons and advantages of the marriage and now that they are married, you want to kill him? If you've always hated the human Prince, why suggest that to our King? Why allow them to fall in love and bond?" He then gasped as it dawned on him. "Unless... you only said all that to win against me that day. Your hatred for the humans never diminished. You just wanted to be the one to win His Majesty's favour.""And I wish I didn't." Official 3 gritted out, not bothering to deny it. He had never liked humans. He also didn't like the human Prince. He just suggested all that to beat Official 4 that day. "Now look where that has gotten us. Living underneath the Kingdom in order to hide from that tyrant and eating nothing but scraps for three months. We can barely get clean water. He makes our
Zedekiel nodded, his voice softening further. "He means everything to me Talon. Absolutely everything. I love him with all my heart. Everything about him makes me feel giddy. His laugh, his touch, the way he looks at me... Talon, if don't get him back, I'll-""Hey, don't fucking say that." Talon quickly cut him off. " Don't even think it.""I can't help it." Zedekiel replied. "Once again, I've been shown how incompetent I am. I cannot even protect the one I love. I let my guard down and allowed him to be possessed by only the Gods know what. I failed him Talon and it kills me to think about what he's going through right now. That is, if he's even still there.""Hey, I'm sure he is." Talon reassured him, patting him gently on the shoulder. "From the way you described him, he sounds like a fighter. He may be a human in this life but don't forget that he comes from a long line of Witches. You mentioned yourself that there are things he has done that you cannot explain. Like breaking your
"Shut the fuck up Zedekiel!" Talon shouted as he parried each stirke with his claws. "I'm only going easy on you because you're injured! Recover first and see how I'll beat you to a fucking pulp!""Oh really?" Zedekiel chuckled as Talon used his claws to deflect the sword again and again but Zedekiel decided to take things more seriously. He increased his strength and speed, making his strikes too sharp and too swift, forcing Talon to focus purely on defense. He gave him no chance to attack at all."Hey what the fuck!" Talon shouted, gritting his teeth as he tried to find an opening but Zedekiel didn't give him even a second to breathe. "You fucking Elfman! Fight properly you fuc-"With a final powerful swing, Zedekiel slashed Talon across his chest then punched him square on the jaw, sending him crashing to the ground with a resounding BOOM. Dust and debris flew around them, and when it settled, Zedekiel stood over Talon, his sword held just inches from Talon’s throat.“You lose,” he
Kayziel shook his head. "None whatsoever. The spell you used to suppress him worked. He hasn't budged an inch since that day so I wonder why the physician said I'm dying."Hugh sighed. "Initially, the soul transfer was supposed to weaken the human Prince and make him sleep for eternity but he ended up not only staying awake but also trying to force his way out. Could this be the reason you're dying?"Kayziel remained silent, not knowing what to say. He felt angry and frustrated. He had spent centuries as a spirit trapped underground and now that he has gotten a body, he was told that he was dying.What sort of life was this? He balled his fists and gritted his teeth. It was all due to that damned nephew of his. If only Zedekiel hadn't destroyed his body, he wouldn't be facing such problems today.Damn it. He wished he had just killed Zedekiel before making that stupid deal with Prince Ron."Do not worry, Your Majesty." Hugh said, trying to cheer Kayziel up. "I will find a stronger spe
The babies nodded.Prince Ron stared at his babies, his mouth slightly open as he tried to absorb their words. 'F-Four?' He stuttered, beginning to panic. 'You’re kidding right?'But his babies looked absolutely serious. The definitely would not joke about the existence of their siblings.'No way… there’s four of you.' Prince Ron muttered, still trying to comprehend the news. 'I mean... do you even know what that means? That's a whole squad! Four blankets, four little outfits, four... four times the crying!'He stared at them, half-exasperated, half-amused, trying to let it all sink. 'How am I supposed to keep track of four little people? I mean, I can barely keep myself in line, and now I’m supposed to be responsible for a whole mini-army? What if I accidentally mix you up?' He gasped, looking at them in horror. 'What if you all look identical and I end up calling you the wrong names?'The babies watched him, little smiles on their faces, and something softened in Prince Ron’s chest.