Chapter:4
Athesmos has not been a happy man since the night he saw Xrysos. What infuriates him to no end was the way and manner he held that boy in his arms, the look in his eyes seeing that the boy was hurt and perhaps dying.
How he wished the boy had died that day.
Athesmos left the man and his lover when he realized just how broken and how much Xrysos loved the boy in his arms.
He felt betrayed.
He had lost it all.
But being who he is, he will never give up, not after Xrysos came destroying his Castle, killing almost all his men, and for what? All because Xrysos thought he was responsible for the missing boy.
Truth be told. Athesmos is more than glad that the boy had gone missing, although he hates seeing Xrysos suffer yet it brings great satisfaction to his soul knowing that Xrysos was alone and lonely yet again.
This is his curse.
To be lonely.
To never find love or be loved.
And since Athesmos could never have any of those things, he would make sure Xrysos stays miserable and does not find happiness either.
Xrysos had promised him.
He was the only one he ever submitted himself to.
How could he after all that they have shared amongst each other let him suffer this horrible fate alone?
***********
"My Lord, you don't look well."
Athesmos stared at the man riding alongside him and smiled weakly.
"I'm fine Vin." He answered him softly.
Vin hasn't been killed, lucky for him and to the amusement of Athesmos.
Although Athesmos has a great liking for the man and is the gossip, Vin still held most of Athesmos's secrets to heart and would not say a word to any. Athesmos admires the man greatly for that.
"I can smell the horrid stench of burnt flesh and bones." Vin's expressions held nothing but despair.
"That is the smell of death Vin and this you know too well." Athesmos laughed, his face doesn't seem the least better than the other man.
"I wonder why this place is always like this." There was a miasma of despair over the entire place and Vin would not stop talking as his eyes wandered about their surroundings. The tick black smokes that filled the sky were all around them. The air mingled with smoke and the disgusting stench was too difficult to inhale.
"Better hold your breath," Athesmos told him as they approached the entrance huge Gates.
Vin immediately stopped breathing and stared ahead as they neared the Gates.
"What Gives!" A low dark voice asked.
Vin searched for the owner of the voice but found none.
He has been here once with his Master and yet he would never get used to this dreaded place. He also knows that before Athesmos takes on a journey to this place he must be desperate.
Having just less than fifty men isn't what men like his Master Athesmos need.
Lord Xrysos had killed all his men and the rest of them had been forced to flee if they needed to stay alive since the crazed King would not stop at anything until he finds his lover.
It was clear to everyone that the king has gone mad.
"Lord Athesmos, I seek Gaad."
Vin stared at his Master in shock, having not seen anyone yet, which still scares him greatly.
"Who are you speaking with?" He whispered to his Master but Athesmos ignored his question and stared on as if seeing something he could not see.
"Darkness!" The unseen voice echoed once again, sending shivers down Vin's spine.
"Blood and Death," Athesoms responded as he brought out his sword and stroked Deon on the neck, the man's head fell into the smoke-filled earth and soon his headless body followed.
Vin's toes curled up in his boats and his eyes watered as he saw Athesoms stroke the other man they had ridden with all along. At a point there he thought Athesmos would kill him.
"Enter!" The voice echoed and the Huge Black Gates pulled apart, Athesmos and Vin jumped down from their horses as they walked into the Gates on foot.
Just as the Gates were about to shut, Vin caught sight of two dark figures pulling the horses away.
"You can breathe now." Athesmos chuckled at the huge breath that left the other man's mouth.
"I thought that was never going to end." Vin laughed nervously as he walked behind his master. "You just killed Deon like that," his eyes widened in fear. "He rode with us for three days!" Vin's voice cracked as he realized that Athesmos could do away with him any time without a care in the world.
"That was his purpose Vin," Athesmos stopped walking to stare back at the terrified man. "For what other purpose do you possibly think I asked him to join us in the first place?" He stared at the twenty-three-year-old man and smiled.
Vin remembered it had happened the first time they had been here. Athesmos had killed another one of his men that came with them before the Gates opened and they entered. He was about to respond when a huge Castle appeared a few feet ahead. His mouth fell open in shock.
The second time he's been here and yet he will never get used to this fucking place.
"Come on!" Athesmos pulled him as they walked towards the door. The moment they reached it, it opened on its own. Both men entered the Castle and stood to take in the beautiful place decorated with all kinds of gems and precious stones.
The outside may seem horrible but the inside was a place of wonder and a sight for sore eyes.
"You might want to close your mouth now Vin."
Vin's mouth fell shut and his face shone with embarrassment, he quickly went to his knees as realization sets at the moment he saw who had spoken to him.
"Always so obedient." Gaad smiled warmly and stared longingly at the boy.
"When you are done flirting with my Slave tell me so that we can discuss important matters." Athesmos laughed.
"What's the hurry old friend, you have only just arrived, and need I say you came at the right time although I am not pleased with you." Gaad took his sliver-colored eyes away from Vin and have them rested on Athesmos instead.
"I know, I did you wrong, I apologize." Athesmos felt bad.
***********
Years before he was able to conquer the corny Lord that held his cousin captive, he had come to Gaad and begged his help in other to succeed on his quest. Gaad had offered him powers and gave him men that would not be destroyed by swords.
He defeated that great city and took his cousin who is now an enemy of him.
If only he had known it will all end up this way. He would have left the boy there to die.
"There is no use for regrets now old friend," Gaad spoke softly. "You did what you did for your own selfish interests." Gaad smiled when he saw Athesmos shake his head with a smile plastered on his face.
"Aren't we all," Athesmos told him.
"The boy did serve you a great deal, look how mightily you conquered and grew during those years."
"I know, but what use is all that now that I am back to square one?"
"You shall have your moment again," Gaad assured him.
Vin chanced a glance at the Dark Lord's throne and his mouth fell open once again. The man has been filled with nothing but Darkness and evil yet holds this charm and beauty that made him look less harmless. Anyone can easily be fooled by just looking at that angelic face, but he knew better.
There was nothing angelic about that face or the man that wore the face.
As far he was concerned Lord Gaad wore different faces at different times and for different reasons.
"Do you wish to speak openly Vin?" Gaad asked and Vin cursed loudly for being so stupid.
He has completely forgotten whose presence he kneeled.
The man knows your thoughts and he sees through you.
"I-I'm sorry." Vin apologized, his eyes wet with tears.
"Youths, they never learn." Gaad stared back at his friend. "What brings you to my Castle?"
"There is nothing much to tell you as it is for as long as I am seated right before you, you already knew." Athesmos smiled when he saw Gaad nods his head.
Satisfied with Athesmos replies.
"It was indeed sad what Xrysos did to you, and yet you are still weak for the man," Gaad stared at Athesmos but he would not look up to him. "When will you let go of the past Athesmos?" Gaad pitted the man.
"I tried, it is just so hard to not remember." Athesmos sounded like a weakling.
"This is not a man that will conquer the Gates." Gaad's silver eyes changed in color as they turned red. "This is the man that will be killed by the man he so foolishly still loves."
This shocked Athesmos and he stared into Gaad's burning eyes with his mouth wide open. "He will kill me?!" He asked, the shock evident in his voice.
"He is in love with that boy, his soul bleeds for the young lad and he will Kill even you if it comes to that, and it will!"
"No!" Athesmos yelled.
"Easy friend, I have a solution to this madness in your heart," Gaad gently came down from his throne and stood before Athesmos. "Give me your left hand." Athesmos immediately outstretched his left hand towards him and as soon as it touches the burning ones of Gaad, a heart-wracking yowl escaped his mouth, his eyes darkened, his face pale and turning white, his head throbbing painfully and his eyes teared up instantly.
By the time Gaad let go of his hand, Lord Athesmos was on his knees and trembling so much that his entire body shook.
Gaad moved to his throne and sat, his feet made no sounds as he moved to see as they never touched the earth.
**********
Vin made to go to his Master but was stopped when Gaad shot a death glare his way.
"Let him be!" He spoke and Vin watched the man's eyes return to their sparkly silver once again.
"Dear Cousin!"
Vin averted his gaze from Gaad and fixed them towards the voice that had just spoken but froze when he recognized who it was.
"Atlas my beautiful sister!" Gaad was hugging the woman by the time Vin took his eyes away from the Queen.
He will never understand how that man moves so quickly and silently.
"You haven't visited me in ages!" Gaad smiled at the beautiful Queen as he made her sit before returning to his throne.
"I bring the important matter before you-" Atlas's eyes caught sight of the man that has only just regained his body back and was now standing on his feet. "Ahh, the enemy of my enemy." She smiled at Athesmos and the man laughed.
"Not very pleased to you to Queen Atlas." Athesmos chuckled at the woman's facial expression.
"Now, now children this is not the time for child's play," Gaad laughed. "Why is this matter important?" Gaad asked Atlas having just read her intentions for coming to him.
"I just want to be certain he's dead!" Atlas spoke honestly.
"With the Wish Maker it is really hard to even for me to tell Atlas, you know this," Gaad frowned. "The man you assigned to kill the boy came back with the news that he killed him, why worry now?"
"I just have this feeling that won't go away!" Atlas's eyes were wet.
Athesmos was no fool, he knew whom they speak off and he was more than shocked to learn that it was Atlas who had kidnapped the King's Lover and had him killed.
"I lost my men and empire because of you?" He asked Atlas.
At first, the woman stared at him with confusion, then her eyes softened and she smiled. "Then we are on the same boat because I lost my empire because of this same boy. He ruined my marriage and my life as Queen Of The Golden Gates, the richest in all the lands even Gaad was jealous of the wealth and power that the Gates held. Yet I lost it all and for what? A boy!" Atlas's anger was clear in her tone.
"I have filled your heart and memory with nothing but anger and hatred towards Xrysos, now you can rest assured that you will no longer have any feelings whatsoever towards the man. You can take your revenge and kill him." Gaad informed Athesmos and he felt it in his heart that he held no emotions to the thoughts of killing the man and so he knew he will never again. "My sister will give you men and you both will fight to victory but remember before you can succeed the Gates you must Kill Gouria first."
Gaad stood up and vanished from their presence.
"I have a plan," Athesmos told the Queen as they exist the Castle.
"It better be Good," Atlas told him.
Chapter: 5.*****The beautiful boy gently stepped out of the baths. His skin dripping with water as droplets made his skin glow as if it were diamonds. He walked towards the bed in hopes to pick up the towel that had mysteriously managed to leave the bathroom and was now lying on the bed instead.Once Anas reached the huge bed, he sat down and took the towel. He crossed one leg over the other and was about to clean the water from his wet leg when he heard him."Don't." The towel fell from his grasp and his eyes sought the voice. A beautiful smile fell off his lips the moment his lover came out from behind the curtains. "So that's what happened to my towel." The smile soon disappeared when he realized that the older man was completely nude.This is it.His insides knotted as excitement builds from within him, almost driving the younger boy to tears.His Roman.******It took his oldest brother Dominic two months to convince their father to at least let him be in the same cell room
Chapter: 6.*****Gouria had been with the King since the morning he visited the man. He could not find it in his heart to leave Xrysos, especially in the condition he found the man. Xrysos never drank, but now he drinks and drinks until he has completely lost his senses. He would just sit there on his throne, eyes peering into oblivion and mind wandering. ***********The King saw the beautiful man standing before him with an expression that held nothing but pity towards him. Xrysos stood up to go welcome the younger man.Gouria fell into his embrace the moment Xrysos reached him. Xrysos crushed the man in his strong chest and held him tightly, so protectively as if the man would vanish into thin air."Beautiful Ria," Xrysos breathed into the man's shiny hair. Then very gently he raised Gouria's face and they stared into each other's eyes. Dark blue eyes burn into Gouria's special ones. "You remind me so much of him Ria," the king whispered and Gouria fought a battle to stand pro
Chapter: 7.****The previous night had been one Anas would never forget. His lover had taken his innocence and left him wanting and so very needy all nights long that each time Roman reached his release, Anas would let him rest for a while before he woke the man up again and had him between his thighs giving him with passion what he desperately craved.Anas just could not understand how he had lived so many years without having to feel what he felt right now.Roman made love to his brother with pure lusty abandon, thrusting into him ever so gently and the boy moaning his pleasure was a drive for him to give his young lover what he craves.Just as they both reached their orgasm together, one growled loudly, and the other made sweet little moaning sounds which escaped the beautiful red lips.Roman sealed their lips in a deep kiss, his spent member still buried inside the warmness of his young lover."Brothers look! Our innocent little Anas isn't so innocent anymore!" Linus yelled in hi
Chapter:8Gouria woke up to find one of the maids in front of him. He gave a glance towards Anderios's way to see if he had woken up, but was glad when he saw his soulmate still sound asleep like a baby. A smile invaded his face as he turned towards the maid who still stood in the room. He stared into her eyes questioningly, wondering since when did maids start waking him up very early in the morning. "What is so important that you could not wait until I was awake?" He whispered and the woman shook her head in a not-so-understandable manner.She had heard him but pretended as if she hadn't."What?" She whispered back to him, knowing Gouria would not speak so loud as he didn’t want to wake Sir Anderios up. Gouria groaned angrily as he got out of bed and roughly dragged the lady out of his room.Once they were both out and farther away from Anderios, he burned his angry eyes into the woman's and yelled."What?!""I am so sorry Sir Gouria but Mia had gone into the woods behind the ba
Chapter 9.*****"I heard you have been asking questions!" Damon stood before his master, his heart beating an unsteady rhythm. Indeed he has been asking questions. Questions about the man from his dreams. Ever since he learned his name, he just could not bring himself to not ask. Both he and Erin knew nothing of this man and he was desperate to know. These kinds of dreams do not just happen. Something was behind it and he wanted to know what. So they made a plan to ask their fellow slaves but as expected none of them knew this man or have heard of him. Well, either they do not know or they were terrified to speak. So with bold steps, they decided to ask the many men they pleasured. During this period, Damon came to understand that most of the men they pleasured knew whom he seeks but refused to tell him.Yet he did not stop.He will not stop until he has gotten his answers."Yes Master, I have," Damon answered with his head bowed."Do you know this man whom you seek? Have you me
Chapter 10.***********The throne room was silent, everyone seated held just one thought in mind. The day had started off well, as everyone went about their daily activities until the news stroke them unexpectedly.Everyone made their way into the golden room to meet Lord Xrysos as he paced the floor.Anderios walked towards the King and held the man in his embrace for a while before he too went to join the others.Silent befell them again.Even Linus lost his voice.**********Gouria gripped strongly at the woman's shaky yet sweaty hand. Her breathing hoarse as it flowed out of her opened mouth, tears streaming down her eyes like a fountain as she struggles to keep still even though every movement she made felt extremely painful.Gouria almost regretted being here with the woman as his soulmate had warned, but he knew she needed him and he has to be here with her.It was the pain in her eyes that tears him apart as he watched.It seems to be taking longer as the woman suffered in h
Chapter 11.*******It has been three months since the Queen heard the sour news of her once-beloved husband's newborn son.The sudden news when it reached her marred her expressions so much that it could spitfire, and now she seeks the death of Xrysos more so now than she ever did before, the only difference been. She will kill him and his entire household. She raised another's child as hers only for Xrysos to impregnate some whore and have a son with her.The irate Queen sat atop her throne boiling with so much anger and hate."He would not be the true son of his father if he did not follow in his grandfather's footsteps!" Atlas's eyes met those of Gaad and she let out an incandescent strong breath as she sat up and then walked over to Gaad."You came at the right time." Her voice was void of emotions."Indeed," Gaad hugged her. "These things should not bother you as long as you have me by your side." Atlas pulled out of their hug and stared into Gaad's silver eyes. "How I hate X
Chapter 12.********Last three months they had all woken up to a warning bell that shook all within the great walls. Atlas and Athesmos have indeed brought the war to the Gates. Big mistake as Xrysos and all his fine warriors had battled and pushed them out and farther away from the city. The battle had been so bloody that they had all fought for days without rest.Men had died and more been sent until the enemies retreated out of cowardliness. They could not withstand the mighty Gates. Whoever convinced them that they would have indeed misled them all.Today they were celebrating their victory in conquering their enemies. Once again the Great Gates has won.“I bet next time they dared to attack us, they will think twice about it!” Aron yelled, obviously drunk.Dylan nods his head and throws his hand around Aron’s shoulder. “You are so very right my friend.” He smiled into the other's face.Xrysos drank with the rest of his men, all cheering loudly and making drunken jokes.It wa