In the depths of the dungeon, a lone torch flickered, casting eerie shadows on the cold stone walls. The oppressive darkness was a stark contrast to the bright, warm world above. In a tiny, cramped cell, a frail man coughed quietly, wrapped in a tattered blanket, resting on a stained mattress that served as a grim reminder of his dire state.
Abruptly, the door creaked open, and the king of the Equinox Kingdom walked in, radiating authority as he filled the space with his intimidating presence. He commanded respect, striking fear even in the bravest souls. As he drew closer to the cell, his eyes fell on the prisoner with clear distaste, his expression twisted in disgust.
With a disdainful sneer, the king tossed meager food rations onto the cold, hard floor of the cell. "Honestly, I really don't understand why I haven't ended your suffering already. You're just an annoyance to me."
The prisoner's response was laced with defiance, laughter ringing out sharply against the king's anger. "You still haven't found them, and you're counting on me to break down and tell you where they are. I've said it many times—I have no idea where they are."
The king's eyes narrowed, and his voice was firm. "This time, I'm onto something. I believe your daughter was in the immortal realm, but she slipped through my grasp once again. Soon, I'll invade the mortal realm and finish what I started."
The prisoner spoke with a mix of caution and insight. "You know, brother, I've never said this to you before, but you won't be able to defeat my daughter. I can feel it—her powers have been awakened, and so have her brother's. They'll rise against you, just as you did with me."
The air between the two was thick with tension, their comments hanging as a clear challenge. It seemed the king's fixation on his niece and nephew came from a deeper place within him, while the prisoner's words hinted at a complicated family situation and the potential for an uprising.
Suddenly, the king's annoyance boiled over, and he spoke with fervor. "I've had enough! You took my rightful inheritance and claimed the powers that were mine, and now you're just spouting nonsense." His hostility towards his twin brother was unmistakable.
"Don't think for a second that I'll let you go free. We may share blood, but you're a traitor, and traitors get what they deserve." Just as he turned to leave, the prisoner's voice stopped him.
"I can only imagine how the people of Equinox would react if they learned that you're just a fraud, not the king they wanted." The prisoner's laughter echoed through the dungeon, causing the king to slam the door behind him, the noise reverberating in the dimly lit corridors.
Once the king stepped out of the dungeon, his most trusted advisor awaited him, bowing with a serious expression. "Your Majesty, we've tracked down those sent to find your niece, but they've managed to escape again. One of them is seriously injured."
A scowl crossed the king's face. "What are those sorcerers doing? They need to finish this before the targets slip into the mortal realm." His voice dripped with frustration and urgency.
Narrowing his eyes, the king's mind raced for a solution. "Where's Valen? That boy is driving me crazy. I need him to go into the mortal realm and take out the trackers before they can warn the girl and capture her."
The advisor maintained a neutral face, though a hint of concern shone through in his eyes. "I'll summon him immediately, Your Majesty." The king felt his patience wearing thin, with the weight of the situation becoming more pressing by the second.
As the king walked down the corridor towards his queen's quarters, the sound of his footsteps echoed. Upon entering, he discovered her in conversation with a male guest from the Sorcerer's Kingdom.
A flicker of anger ignited in his eyes, yet he kept his expression steady. "My queen, why didn't you notify me about your guest, and why has he been allowed to meet with you here?" His voice was controlled, but the irritation was clear.
The queen replied smoothly, her tone steady. "I sent the guards to find you, but they couldn't locate you in the throne room or your chambers." Having known the king's schedule well, she anticipated his earlier visit to the dungeon.
Her fabrication rolled off her tongue effortlessly, a strategic decision to divert her husband's annoyance.
There was a complicated dynamic between the king and queen, marked by power struggles and hidden intents.
The queen seemed motivated by a desire for independence, while the king's actions indicated a craving for control. The presence of the guest from the Sorcerer's Kingdom added a layer of intrigue, raising questions about the kingdom's diplomatic ties.
The king's gaze sharpened as he scrutinized the stranger. "And who might you be, to presume to enter my queen's chambers?"
The visitor, who introduced himself as Alexandra, rose gracefully, bowing in respect. "I am just a mage from the Sorcerer's Kingdom, Your Majesty."
The king's face remained serious, his voice unwavering. "What business do you have with my queen?"
The king's commanding tone reflected his authority. Though Alexandra remained composed, a flicker of caution appeared in his eyes as he responded.
The power struggle between the king and the mage was evident, with the king clearly in control. The queen's quietness in this situation suggested she was observing the unfolding events closely.
The king's interest was piqued, his gaze intent as he absorbed the information. "I'm here to share what I've uncovered about that girl," Alexandra said, pausing for the king's nod of acknowledgment.
"Please continue; I'm listening," the king urged.
Alexandra proceeded, "The girl had been living in the Shifters' Kingdom, with the Werewolves' Tribe, until Duke Cain Maverick instigated a conflict with them."
The king turned to his queen, his unspoken question clear. "Isn't the Werewolves' Tribe where your sister Sandra married into?"
The queen nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "But I wasn't aware she was providing shelter for the mortal girl."
Returning his focus to Alexandra, the king asked, "So where do you think she might be now?"
Alexandra's expression shifted to frustration. "I don't know, Your Majesty. I couldn't delve deeper because that blasted Prince of the Dark Kingdom was always around in the Shifters' Kingdom. I suspect he was investigating the Duke."
The mention of the Dark Kingdom's prince elicited a flash of irritation in the king's eyes, adding more complexity to the already tense situation.
Two weeks before their wedding, Clover found herself with Titus once again, choosing their wedding rings. Afterward, she intended to visit the bridal boutique for one last fitting of her wedding dress.
Although she was unsure about which ring to choose, Titus confidently selected a platinum band with gold accents, sporting a large clear diamond at its center, surrounded by smaller rubies. It was undeniably beautiful, but Clover felt uneasy about the price, worried it might make her seem focused on his wealth.
"Do you not like it?" Titus asked.
"I do like it, but it's just really expensive," she answered, hoping to dispel any notion that she was materialistic.
"Then we'll get it! A gorgeous ring for my beautiful future queen," he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
Titus then went to the counter to pay for their rings, and afterward, they headed out for lunch together.
"Aren't you hungry? I'm starving—I could eat a whole cow!" he said, causing Clover to laugh.
They entered a charming restaurant that Clover frequented with her cousin and friends. The owner came out personally to take their orders and even offered a discount as a welcome back gift for Clover.
"Are you close to the owner here?" Titus asked, feeling proud of how well Clover connected with people. He thought it might help her adjust better to life in the Dark Kingdom.
"Yeah, I come here for lunch quite a bit, and sometimes for dinner or breakfast on special days, so she knows me as a regular," Clover explained.
"Maybe you should invite her to our wedding, so she can say goodbye. But since goodbyes aren't forever, it could also show her that you're doing well. I think she really cares about you," Titus suggested, surprising Clover. She hadn't expected him to have such a compassionate side. After all, demons are often seen as ruthless, and having a dragon only seemed to add to that reputation.
Their lunch arrived, and soon the sound of cutlery clinking against the stoneware plates filled the air as they both savored their meal. Prince Titus shared stories about the Dark Kingdom, and Clover found herself pondering how a dragon, a vampire, and a lycan could become such close friends.
They were so different and often seen as natural enemies, yet here they were, enjoying each other's company and embodying a sense of joy and carefree camaraderie, much like her, Maribelle, and Isildur.
As lunch wrapped up, Clover excused herself to visit the restroom. Once inside, she took care of her business and was washing her hands when a bright blue light suddenly filled the room, temporarily blinding her. As her eyes adjusted, she saw a young girl and a young man who looked about her brother's age, though he appeared to be injured.
"Raphael," the girl called out to the guy she was with, while Clover stood frozen, her heart racing, ready to unleash her powers if they attempted to abduct her like the last time.
"There she is. We made it; we found the Princess first," the girl said again, flashing a friendly smile at Clover.
Setting aside her fears, Clover finally managed to ask, "Who are you?" Her surprise at their familiarity was evident in her voice.
"Oh, sorry! I'm Michelle, and this is my friend Raphael. We came looking for you," the girl introduced herself and her companion to Clover, trying to be polite. She even bowed, which made Clover laugh; the girl was quite amusing.
Still smiling, Clover asked, "What do you need from me?"
"Our empress sent us to find you on behalf of Queen Seraphyn, your aunt," the girl replied while trying to use what little energy she had left to help Raphael heal.
Clover's heart raced as she realized she had family in the immortal realm. She wanted to ask more questions, but time was crucial—the man could collapse at any moment.
"Just hold on, I'll get someone who can help your friend," Clover said, speeding away.
She spotted Titus still at their table, grabbed his hand without explanation, and urged him to follow her to the restroom. Titus stepped in first and asked, "Hey, what's going on?"
"Please help that man; he looks like he's in so much pain," Clover pleaded with her fiancé. "It seems like they were sent to find me by one of my relatives from the immortal realm."
"Do you really think they're telling the truth?" Titus asked, but as he studied them, he began to understand that Clover was indeed speaking honestly. The Light Kingdom's emblem on their clothing was unmistakable.
These two were from the Light Kingdom, the Dark Kingdom's greatest rival and the most powerful kingdom around. What perplexed him, though, was that Clover had a magical connection to the Equinox Kingdom instead of the Light Kingdom.
"I can't heal him, but I can extract the venom from his system, and you can take it from there," he explained.
"How would I even do that? I've never healed anyone before! But that girl—Michelle, right?" She glanced at the girl to confirm she remembered correctly, and the girl nodded. "She has healing powers."
"She won't be able to heal him, let alone protect herself from whoever hurt her friend. But you share the same energy as me and her, with the abilities of the Equinox Kingdom. Don't worry; I'll guide you through it, or Michelle will. Just take a breath and relax," Titus reassured her.
Titus searched through his pockets, asking Michelle for a small knife and a plastic tube. "I need to get the venom out," he said, his gaze focused on Raphael's injury.
With careful movements, Titus removed the bandages and gently placed the tube into the wound. Raphael grimaced in pain as the tube went in, but he clenched his jaw and stayed strong. Titus worked steadily, starting to draw out the venom, which trickled from the tube and soaked into the bandages. The venom was a deep, nearly black liquid, thick and syrupy in texture.
As the dark liquid stopped flowing, Titus smiled with approval. "Clear red blood – that's a positive sign," he remarked, glancing at Clover. "Now it's your turn. Give it a try and heal him."
Clover's hands shook as she tried to harness her healing energy. Yet, despite her attempts, nothing seemed to happen. Just then, Titus's warning reached her, "Don't push yourself. Concentrate on your nephilim aspect rather than your demoness side. Demons can only heal their own, but nephilims have a wider scope."
With renewed resolve, Clover took a deep breath and centered herself on the light within. Gradually, a soft glow began to radiate from her hands.
Titus watched in amazement as Clover's healing powers came to life. The white light transformed into a deep blue, and Raphael's shoulder healed perfectly. The fever that had been plaguing him disappeared in an instant. What really impressed Titus was how effortlessly Clover wielded her power—she barely seemed to exert herself and actually appeared more revitalized.
"All done," Clover said, her voice calm. "We're ready to go."
Titus's eyes glinted with mischief. "Not through the door. We should teleport and find a place to hide these two. We've been here too long. If we leave the usual way, people will start to talk." He winked at Clover, who turned beet red.
"What's on your mind, my future queen?" Titus joked, laughing at her flustered reaction.
In a quick gesture, Titus made sure the restroom was free of any signs of their presence before pulling Clover, Michelle, and Raphael into a tight embrace. "Hold on tight," he murmured, and with a sudden surge of energy, they disappeared without a trace.
The teleportation was seamless, though Michelle's eyes widened slightly as she sensed her magic being stirred. Raphael, still a bit unsteady, leaned against her for support.
As they arrived in a new place, Clover glanced around, taking in the strange environment. "Where are we?" she quietly asked Titus.
Titus smiled, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Somewhere safe. For now."
Titus bought the house two months ago and used his abilities to create an unbreakable protective barrier around it. This would provide a refuge for the nephilims while Raphael healed.
"There's food in the kitchen," Titus told Michelle and Raphael. 'The house is safe, but if anyone tries to get through the shield, I'll know right away. Just take it easy and focus on recovering. I'll be back in two days, before the wedding,' he added, looking over at Clover.
With that, Titus and Clover disappeared, allowing the nephilims to finally relax. As they left, Michelle breathed a sigh of relief, and Raphael's eyes gently shut, his face showing clear signs of fatigue.