A smile tugged at Seraveth's lips as she examined Yunok.
"What a handsome young man." She said.
"And what a lovely mansion you have." Yunok replied.
Seraveth chuckled softly. "Quite the flatterer."
She turned to a man behind Yunok.
"So, Duke. Does he know about the plan?" She asked.
Yunok replied.
"Yes. Yes, I do. And I'm all in for it."
Seraveth smiled. "Oh my."
She stood and walked toward Yunok who still remained bowed. Then, ran her hand along his face, then to his shoulder as she went around him.
She crouched in front of him.
"I plan to kill your Father, and I will also use you as a pawn to accomplish that—"
She held his throat.
Her claws shot out.
Digging lightly into Yunok's neck.
"And you're fine with that?"
Yunok didn't flinch.
"I'm only fine with it..." He said. "If you help me get what I want."
"Oh?" She smiled. "And what's that?"
"The girl I love so much was taken from me by another man. My father intervened in her favour. And I don't like that."
Seraveth chuckled.
"I'm tasty,"
She turned.
"Duke, bring one for me to drink."
Duke nodded
Then left for a door on the side of the room.
He went in, and shortly came out with a child in his grip.
Duke brought out a knife,
Then carefully slit the wrist of the child.
Blood poured out into a cup, as the child wimps in pain.
"It takes too long that way." Seraveth complained.
"Yes, madame. But we can't waste resources. The Vanguards have been mobilised and they are stationed at almost all villages now." He explained.
"Arrghh."
She turned to Yunok.
"So, Yunok."
She walked back to her throne.
"Who's, this guy, that took your lovel from you?" She asked.
"I don't know either. He just randomly appeared beside her." He replied. "And it was after her recent expedition. Since then, they've been inseparable."
"And the girl?"
"Eimira Aevorah." He muttered. "The most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on."
"Aevorah?"
Seraveth brows raised.
She leaned in.
"If I may ask... Who's her father?"
Yunok blinked.
"Oh uhh, Mar'gareth Aevorah."
Seraveth's eyes widened.
She gritted her teeth hard.
Her expression changed, and her claws dug into the arms of the chair.
"T-That bastard—" She muttered. "He isn't dead yet?"
A cup was gently placed on a table beside Seraveth.
"Calm down, Madame." Duke said. "Remember the last time you had a seizure."
He brought the cup to her and assisted her in taking a sip.
"It took you days for you to get back to your senses." He added.
Seraveth exhaled.
"Way to expose my weakness to a new face." She murmured.
"Don't worry about that." Duke turned. "Our Yunok here also has a weakness of his."
Yunok looked up.
Seraveth collected the cup.
She smirked. "Hmm. Continue."
Duke spoke. "Yunok here, is the only child of Zyron that wasn't born with a blessing, despite being of Royal blood."
Seraveth's laughter rang out.
"No way. But from what I've heard, you're a captain." She muttered. "How'd that happen?"
"Well, he might not have been blessed. But he was gifted with strong physical attributes, greater than any of his comrades." Duke answered.
Then he walked to the child, who was now weak from losing blood.
Duke grabbed the jug he had placed to collect the blood, then plastered the child's arm.
"After years of training, in order to win Miss Eimira's heart. He reached his full physical potential." He explained. "And is now on par with a divine envoy Holder."
Duke took another cup and filled it up.
He offered it to Yunok.
"So, Yunok. How true is that?" Seraveth asked.
Yunok collected the cup, and stared at its content.
"Uhm... Very true." He replied, disgust written on his face.
"So. If I were to attack you now."
Seraveth smiled.
"You'd kill me?"
Yunok's gaze never left the cup.
"I wouldn't say that." He muttered.
"So, what would you say?" Seraveth pressed.
"That I would be able to defend myself. Then you'd kill me." Yunok answered.
"Drink." Seraveth ordered, a grin tugging at her lips.
"Excuse me?" Yunok blinked.
"It's the only way you can gain my trust and favour." She said. "Now drink."
Yunok slowly brought the cup to his mouth.
Just as he was about to drink it.
His ears perked upwards.
Then—
Crash!
Shanng!
Sparks flew, as a metal arachnid leg clashed against Yunok's sword.
Yunok, reached into his side and threw daggers at the human and spider hybrid monstrosity that had just attacked him..
"Urggh" Yunok grunted.
"Ahhhhh!"
Yunok managed to push the monster back a bit, and in that moment.
He vanished.
Reappearing at the back of the monster.
Ready to strike.
"Die!"
The monster revealed its face to be a human girl.
"Stop!"
Seraveth's voice rang.
Her eyes glowed blood red.
Everything froze.
Even time.
Yunok remained suspended in the air.
"Did I forget to mention." Duke spoke. "Prince Yunok also possesses heightened senses, making him more effective in both attack and defense."
"He is strong." Seraveth spoke. "But—"
"Still weak."
She blinked, and her eyes returned to its normal state
So did everything else.
Yunok managed to land on his feet.
And the monster girl morphed into her original human form.
She fell on her knees.
"I didn't expect him to react that well.." She covered her eyes. "I was in full stealth."
"What are you?" Yunok asked.
"First off. I'm human—"
Yunok scoffed. "Yeah sure."
"I am!" The girl snapped.
"Bullshit." Yunok snapped back.
"Good, you both are now friends." Seraveth said.
"What? I never agreed to be friends with this creep."
Seraveth's voice echoed.
"Did you just talk back?"
Her voice, like a high pitched screech that would make anyone's ear bleed.
Yunok went on his knees.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Seraveth inhaled deeply.
"Good."
She stood.
"While you're in my mansion. Know your place."
She began to take her leave.
"Do well for me, and you shall be rewarded with your heart's desires." She said. "Zeth, show him around the mansion and watch him."
"Yes, mother." Zeth replied.
She stopped just before she left the room.
"Yunok.."
She turned.
"Prepare to leave your status as prince. Tonight you will begin the process that would make you the new King of Terraka."
She smiled.
"You are strong. But I'm sure you'd love to be stronger."
Yunok bowed. "Y-Yes.."
"Good."
She carried the child from earlier in her arms. Stroking his head softly.
"Until then. Be on your best behaviour."
The door clicked shut.
"Tsk." Yunok stood. "I've never been looked down upon like that."
"Shhh..."
Zeth shushed him.
"She has ears all over the house." Zeth whispered.
"Of course she does." Yunok muttered.
"So do you want to leave now, or?"
"Let's go."
Yunok started leaving.
"I want to see if this place is worth trusting."
"Hey, wait up."
Zeth ran after him.
----
Yunok and Zeth walked along the mansion pathways, gravel crunching softly beneath their feet.
The place stretched endlessly. Brown stone walls. Trimmed hedges.
Too perfect, for a place filled with monstrosities.
The giant tree border of the Dark forest in the background.
Too close to the mansion.
Yunok glanced around.
"A mansion this large... sitting in Terraka still remains untouched." He let out a low breath. "Hard to believe it hasn't been brought to the ground by the Vanguards."
Zeth didn't slow. "They did try, once."
Yunok's eyes narrowed. "Then why is this place still standing?"
"Well, that's because Father came to terms with them." She replied calmly.
"Father?" Yunok brows furrowed. "What's with this mother and father shit?"
Zeth giggled.
"Madame Seraveth and Devorakh have always wanted children but couldn't due to their lack of— Human properties?"
"What?"Yunok smiled. "They don't have the parts for it."
Zeth chuckled softly. "No, not that."
Her voice lowered.
"They don't exactly have Mar, which is the soul of every being." She said.
"How's that possible? Even Veils all have Mar." Yunok replied.
"I don't know too—"
"You don't know, or you just don't want to tell me." Yunok cut in.
Zeth remained silent.
Yunok placed his hand on his sword. Attempting to try and intimidate Zeth.
But Zeth stopped him.
"If I were you." She said, "I wouldn't pull that out."
"So,are you giving me orders now? Just like your "mother"?"
Zeth spoke calmly.
"I'm just protecting yo—"
"Why would I need a monster with no humanity to protect me?"
Yunok's words came out sharp.
Sharp enough to make Zeth stop walking.
Her voice lowered.
"T-There are things here, far stronger than me and most definitely stronger than you." She whispered. "They will kill you without holding back."
She continued.
"And It's worse if it's the numbered children."
Yunok relaxed his grip on his sword.
"Hmm.."
Zeth resumed walking.
Yunok tagged along, slightly behind.
They resumed walking. Though, they didn't speak to each other for a while.
"So you said, this "Father" came to terms with someone, was the person a Vanguard?" He asked, breaking the silence.
A small nod.
"Which?"
Zeth's lip curved slightly.
"That's a secret, hehe."
"Tsk."
Yunok studied Zeth as they walked.
The way she carried herself.
Her presence.
Yunok exhaled.
"What exactly are you?"
Zeth stopped.
She turned to Yunok.
Pulling down the neck of her cloth.
Black veins appeared from under her skin, all leading to her green bulge in the middle of her chest.
A heart.
"I am the second chance at life to a Void Ruler."
Yunok looked at her. His jaws opened slightly.
In confusion and awe.
The bulge and veins disappeared, as Zeth closed up.
"Have you ever heard of cursed runes?" She asked.
Yunok nodded.
"It's like the opposite of Blessings, but… it's meant to be bad."
Zeth giggled. "Not quite."
They resumed walking.
"Cursed runes are the souls of every Veil from the Dark Forest, who have been killed."
She continued.
"They do not come from the Dragons, or the Dark Forest itself"
Her voice lowered slightly.
"They are forged or transformed..."
"By who?" Yunok asked, puzzled.
"I-I don't know." She said, "Mother never told us the full story."
"She reads you bed time stories?"
Zeth burst out in laughter.
She laughed for a moment.
"What?" She wiped the tears off her eyes. "I can't even imagine mother telling bed time stories."
"So what do you mean by story then?" Yunok asked.
"Just her memories of the old world." Zeth answered.
Yunok's head tilted slightly.
"Old world?" Yunok thought, and seemed to have come to a vague realization.
"Wait is she—"
"Oh look."
Zeth pointed to a fence.
Yunok turned to look.
A monster from the dark forest was trying to get in.
Zeth stepped forward.
Morphing into her spider form.
Her human legs lifted off the ground as her spider legs appeared.
"We face this issue basically almost everyday." She said, "They are annoying to deal with."
Zeth webs shot forward, wrapping around the monster, before she yanked hard.
The monster screeched as it was dragged across the floor.
The creature resembled a massive hairy worm. Human-like arms and legs protruded from its body at unnatural angles. Two jaws split its face apart, while a writhing proboscis stretched from its mouth.
"Eurk." Her face twisted. "Ugly..."
She drove two legs into the monster, splitting it in two.
The body disintegrated and a small green stone fell.
Zeth morphed back.
"Perfect timing" she said, "don't you think?"
Zeth walked over and picked up the stone.
"Yeah, I guess." Yunok replied.
Zeth brought the stone and showed it to Yunok.
"This is how it looks, but a void ruler's bigger and more powerful than this."
Yunok swallowed.
"So this is what will be going into me?" He asked.
She smiled. "If you agree. Yes."
Yunok crossed his arms. "So, no side effects."
Zeth laughed.
"Well, uhh..."
She tossed the stone over the fence.
"Say it." Yunok said.
"Ok, so..." She cleared her throat. "The cursed runes make you stronger. Faster. And gives you powers Bearers and Holders dream of having."
"But in return—"
"They take something from you."
"And what's that?" Yunok asked.
Zeth didn't respond.
She started walking.
"Don't just walk away—"
Yunok went after her.
He asked again.
"What do they take away from you? I need to know."
She exhaled.
"They take..."
She stopped, and turned before poking his chest.
"...half of what makes you human."
Yunok's eyes narrowed. "Well that isn't a big deal, is it?"
Zeth scoffed.
"You came here, to get stronger so you could get the girl that was stolen from you. But you won't even have the love for her anymore."
Her voice lowered.
"Or for anyone anymore."
"That's impossible." Yunok laughed. "I love Eimira with all of my heart."
Zeth tilted her head.
"Oh really." She said, "If you loved her so much, you'd be willing to let her go to be happy."
She stared him down.
"But here you are. Willing to do anything to have her. Even betraying your own Father and nation."
"I thought you said the cursed runes make you lose half of your humanity." Yunok spoke, his voice low.
"So wha—"
"So why the fuck do you care about my personal life?" Yunok yelled.
"Tsk." She turned. "You're unbelievable."
Yunok stopped her.
"Wait..."
"What!"
"I-I'm sorry I yelled at you." He hesitated. "It's just a very sensitive topic."
Zeth didn't respond.
"So, can you please tell me more about the cursed runes?" He asked. "I assure you, I have more reasons than what you think."
"Hmph!" She folded her arms. "Fine."
"Thanks."
"So, what else do I need to know before I make a decision?"
Zeth smirked. "There's a high chance that you die a very miserable and agonic death."
Her words came out sharp.
Yunok's jaw dropped slightly. "W-what?"
"Cursed runes contain the souls of void rulers or strong Veils." She said, "So whoever takes a certain rune takes the shape, abilities and behaviours of the void ruler." Zeth explained.
"Sacrificing half of yourself to accommodate a new Mar." She added.
"But you— what did you sacrifice?" Yunok asked.
She chuckled dryly. "I lost the part of me that… hates. I don't want to get into the details, haha."
She waved her hands nervously.
Yunok sighed.
"So, it's fifty fifty..."
Zeth giggled slightly. "Yeah, kinda. Most times a person's Mar doesn't agree to give up half of itself, and that's what causes the complications."
"If you were younger, it'd have been better," She added. "Or a Blessing."
"And why's that?" Yunok asked, puzzled.
"Children have much higher success than adolescents, because their body is still young."
She continued. "It gives the Mar of the void ruler the power to take more than that half, and settle into the young and developing body."
Yunok chuckled. "Sounds like good news.."
"No it's not..." Zeth snapped.
"The chances of success are higher but the lethality of death is..."
She grabbed Yunok's arm.
"Come with me."
They arrived at a hill.
Yunok instantly clutched his nose tight.
But even that wasn't enough.
They walked towards the edge, the air became dense and thick. Yunok had no choice but to let go of his nose. The smell of rot is better than the taste of it.
"Go on.." she said, "Look down."
Yunok turned to her, unsure of what to do.
Not wanting to lose more pride, he slowly walked over to the edge of the hill.
His eyes widened.
He stepped back so fast, that he tripped on himself.
"That is where you'd end up— if your transformation goes wrong."
"Oh dragon of Ter—."
Yunok retched.
----
They got back to the premise of the mansion.
Yunok took a seat on the ground.
"They... were mostly children." He muttered.
"The children that went messing—"
Zeth shushed him. Grabbing him by the collar.
"Do not speak of any of this to anyone... Even, Mother. " She shook him. "Do not let her know that I showed you."
"W-w-why. What's going to happen?" He asked.
"Mother's a perfectionist." She exhaled. "She doesn't like people seeing her failures."
"O-O-Ok..."
Yunok took few deep breaths
Trying to regain his calm composure.
It took a moment, but he finally did.
"You've shown me those that don't make it." He said. "What about those that do?"
Zeth exhaled, letting go of his collar.
"They are what we call the numbered children. A little over a hundred children... Thirty survived."
She continued. "One went rogue, and killed so much that mother asked for the others to return to the mansion."
"Rogue, which one did?"
"She was the fourteenth child to achieve success." Zeth said, "Her and her brother were taken from a settlement that was occupied by travellers in the Dark forest."
"She was an adolescent that succeeded in accepting the Mar of the cursed rune successfully. Only because she had a blessing."
"She had a blessing?",
"Yes, both her and her brother." She answered. "Fourteen did something no one ever could."
"What?"
"When she first got the Mar of the cursed rune, Nightbringer. She was a ruthless killer that obeyed mother's wishes."
"But if all changed.. when she brought home a Leonthore pup."
"Leonthore? What's that?"
"A Large breed of feline found in the Dark forest."
"Oh..."
Zeth continued.
"She loved this Leonthore so much that she began to... care for it. Which was the half taken by the void ruler."
Zeth took a seat beside Yunok on the ground, then continued.
"Slowly but surely, Her mar fought against the mar of the cursed rune and..."
She paused slightly.
"Won."
"She regained her humanity but at the cost of her eyes."
Yunok's brows furrowed."Her eyes?"
"Yeah, Nightbringer submitted to her, but wished to remain in her." She answered.
"So fourteen offered it, her eyes, and relied on her Leonthore for sight mostly. Only using her eyes whenever she wishes to fight with Nightbringer."
"And what about her brother?" Yunok asked, resting against the wall.
Zeth chuckled. "He spiralled deeper into darkness, and became someone that isn't controlled by anyone, even mother."
"He responds to basic orders, but he doesn't like being told what to do..." She added.
"And what's his name?"
"He is the Fifteenth successful child, The Bishop."
Yunok laughed slightly. "That's a very weird alias for someone who kills."
Zeth laughed. "I know right."
"We only call him that because he goes on his knees with a prayer posture to summon his void ruler. Asmovagh"
"Asmovagh..."
"A ruthless ruler that does nothing but consumes. The more it consumes... The stronger it gets."
"This is... Crazy." Yunok said.
"So after hearing all of this," Zeth faced him. "Do you still wish to continue?"
Yunok remained silent for a while.
Then—
"Yes... Yes I do."
Zeth sighed, as if expecting a different answer.
She chuckled.
It sounded like disappointment..
"What a waste of a handsome face." She murmured.
Yunok replied with a smile. "You still remained beautiful after yours, so it shouldn't be too bad..."
She smiled.
"C'mon."
She stood.
"Let's go."
Yunok took a deep breath.
Zeth stretched out her hand.
"I'm sure you'll pull through. You are strong."
Her lips curved upwards. "But if you do die, I'll dig you a grave, hehe."
Yunok chuckled.
"Whatever."
He took her hand.
****
Yunok and Zeth arrived in Seraveth's chamber.
She sat on her throne. Legs crossed. Reading a large book.
"He's made a decision, mother." Zeth said.
Seraveth looked up.
Then closed the book.
"You decided quickly." She said, "It usually takes days for people to consider. You must be really desperate."
"No." Yunok shook his head. "I just don't think there's a point in delaying the inevitable."
Seraveth chuckled. "My, my."
"Zeth, you can take your leave."
"Yes, mother."
Zeth left, shutting the door behind her.
Now it was just Yunok.
And—
Seraveth.
She stared at him intently.
"You realise there's no going back from this, right?" She asked.
"Yes I do." Yunok sighed. "Why do you care about my decision?"
"Because you are a very important pawn." She replied. "One that allows me to be able to take over Terraka."
She leaned in.
"This is an opportunity that never comes so easily."
She smiled seductively.
"A handsome young prince, delivering himself to help me kill his father and take over the nation."
Yunok's eyes went cold.
"Let's make things clear." He said. "I'm only helping you because you are helping me."
He smiled.
"You can't call me a pawn, if we both benefit."
Silence.
Seraveth smirked. "Hmm. Your tongue is sharp."
She vanished.
Yunok looked around.
Not a single trace of Seraveth.
She appeared at his left.
"Maybe I should..."
Yunok turned.
She vanished again.
Then—
She appeared behind Yunok, holding his head up in a way that forces him to open his mouth. Then she pulled out his tongue.
"...Cut it!"
Behind her.
Arachnid legs began to rise, each having a sharp point out the end.
"I-I'm sorry... P-please." Yunok said, his words muffled.
Seraveth laughed.
"Good boy."
She let his face go.
"Come with me."
She entered the room on the side.
Yunok followed.
The moment he got a glance of the room. He froze. Eyes widened.
Many children in cages.
Some dead. Some, barely alive.
They all greeted Seraveth as she walked in. Calling her mother like some bunch of mind controlled slaves.
"What the—" his jaw dropped.
"After seeing my failures. You shouldn't be too surprised."
Yunok's heart skipped.
"Y-You knew?"
"I have eyes and ears everhwhere." She replied. "Maybe I should punish that girl."
"Maybe an eye would do—"
"No!"
Yunok interrupted.
"I asked her to show me..."
"Hmm. In that case. I guess I'll let it slide."
She smiled. "Just to please my pawn of course."
Seraveth stopped at a shelf.
Three jars containing cursed runes lined.
"Now."
She turned to Yunok.
"Pick your Void Ruler."