Chapter 1
It was a cold and dark evening. In a nearby forest, not far from the village, a woman can be seen running through the woods, cradling a baby that is sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms.
This woman is being haunted by the shadows of darkness for breaking the oath of light. She was a blessed child yet love corrupted her system.
They warned her, yet she did not listen. But would it have changed a thing if she did? The world despised her, and she reciprocated that feeling. Since when did the world become this petty? She followed everyone's command and bearings without a word. Obediently served her purpose as the holy vessel. Yet in exchange, the gods abandoned her, leaving her for a curse of eternal suffering that would only stop on the day she gives birth to a child of both the dark and light.
Stumbling, she arrived at the most secure place that she could think of. The Hellion's Manor. Kissing her son goodbye, she gently tucked the sleeping child into a crib before placing him underneath the bushes. Hoping that someone from the old manor might notice the sleeping child.
"I hope that when the day our paths cross once again, you'll be able to show me a smile that intimates freedom."
"May we meet again, my beloved Zaid." The wolves howled as the woman left, indicating that a child was born on the day of the eclipse.
A lone figure of a man stood there watching the scene unfold in front of him. He waits for the woman to leave before taking a few steps forward and snatching the bundle into his arms. He made sure to lock the gates before entering the villa to inform the master about the incident and explain the child in his arms.
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Year. 28037. BMC 3 years later...
A child at least three years of age sat on a stool across from his uncle, not caring about the continuous glances the man gave him. As he continues picking his nose.
Not having any of it, the man slammed his fists on the table and started scolding the child for his improper behavior.
"Allister, please refrain from picking your nose in front of anyone. "
Heaving a sigh, he continued, "I'm sure you'll embarrass yourself if you continue that kind of habit. And please finish your studies before disturbing me while I'm doing my work. Now of you go."
Escorting the child to the doors, he called for his Butler, Louis to take the child back to its room. So, he can now continue doing his work without any more nuisance.
The three-year-old boy will not leave him alone. It had been following him wherever he went for the past few days just so the child could pick his nose in front of him and see his reaction.
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Year. 28043. BMC 6 years later...
A child no older than nine years old entered his office after knocking twice. If not for his masculine features, anyone who sees him would have mistaken him for a young maiden. The boy's face appears soft but had cold eyes that projected a glint of fierceness in them that made others hesitate before approaching him.
The child has also begun to develop his Adam's apple, which is becoming more visible with each swallow.
Cutting the silence, the child spoke.
"If I may make a request, Uncle."
He then continued, giving his uncle a confident look, "Could you please let me use the west wing library? I'm currently having difficulty finding books that appeal to my tastes. I believe I've read every book on the east wing library's shelves."
The man agreed without hesitation. He knew that the child would have to face reality one way or another. The child must also deal with the path that his biological parents have paved for him. He only hoped that the child he had once watched grow day by day would be strong enough to face the obstacles in his path.
He can now see the child's resemblance to his friends simply by looking at the child in front of him. At the same time, he wouldn't deny that the child's personality was influenced by him.
He can only shake his head and smile at himself as he watches the child walks away.
Year. 28050. BMC Present year...
He came to a halt after running in circles before turning around and glaring angrily at their butler. This caused the elderly man to flinch slightly.
He had just turned 18 a few days before this... Before this shit show started happening. The entire household refused to leave him alone, which irritates him. It even frightens him because he can still feel their lingering gaze as he sleeps.
"I'm not sure what your deal is, but you guys are all suffocating me!" he says, glaring at them before continuing "It's getting pretty annoying, so please leave me the fuck alone!" He said, clicking his tongue before walking away.
He knows that they're just carrying out his uncle's orders, but he's had enough. He just wished he wouldn't get involved in any important matters concerning his uncle.
Marching towards the big doors of his uncle's study, he was about to barge in when their butler intervened.
"I'm sorry, young master, but you can't go inside right now." Their butler said this while resting its hands on his chest, preventing him from moving forward.
Zadian hissed angrily, yanking the butler's hands away from him.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop following me around?" "I'd like to hear an exact explanation for this behavior from you, Louis. And I need to hear that explanation from my uncle." He gave the old man one last look before slamming the big doors open.
Not expecting the scene that greeted him, he bowed to both elders in front of him. "Please accept my apologies for, um.. interfering with your lovely reunion." He then cleared his throat and was about to leave when her aunt approached and lead him to one of the seats.
They all sat there, staring at each other. Hoping that someone will strike up a conversation to break the awkward silence. After a few minutes of intense staring, Zadian's aunt began fanning herself as if the temperature in the room was rising. She then smiled briefly at the youth before speaking.
"I'm delighted to see my nephew after being away for months." "And... the good news is that I'll be staying here for good! " She added, clasping both of her hands. Expecting a violent reaction from her nephew, she then cast a subtle glance at her husband, hoping that he would be able to grasp the situation.
It was an unexpected announcement, but Zadian wasn't surprised. He was aware that it was to be expected. He deduced from their servants' strange behavior that his uncle was up to something without even telling him.
He cleared his throat for the third time to get their attention as he waited for the right moment to address the issue.
"Please excuse my bluntness, but could you please explain what's going on?" "Over the last few days, our staff has been following me everywhere I've gone. Would you mind explaining why?"
Blood schooled his expression as he awoke from their couple reverie and faced his nephew. He'd been rehearsing his lines for days. With a brilliant child like his nephew, the child must have had his suspicions the day he gave the order to his butler.
"It's simple, I gave the order for safety reasons," he replied, his eyes squinting, and his lips pursed into a thin line. He hoped that the child would not pursue the issue further to avoid further complications. After all, they've come this far, so why give up now?
His nephew's once-calm expression turned into a frown as question after question began to pile up inside his head. He needs to know what's going on before he snaps.
"What part of staying at home for the rest of your life necessitates a horde of security!" He continued, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Since I was a child, I've been locked in this house. And the blinds... The blinds would all close as the sun rose."
"What exactly am I? Is it some sort of night creature?" He snorted in disgust and looked at his uncle, only to be met with the old man's stiff posture and unmoving gaze.
This is what Blood is attempting to avoid. He knew the day would come when his nephew would start asking about his parents' origins and such, but he didn't expect it to be this soon.
He was about to open his mouth and say something when his office doors slammed open with a loud bang. His butler was staring at him with an unreadable expression.
"Master, the town... it's now burning into ashes," their butler announced, fear evident in his voice.
Three pairs of eyes blinked in unison as they heard the unexpected news.
Blood couldn't help but facepalm as he cursed loudly, his other hand raking his jet-black hair, while Azel's face turned pale, her mouth agape, as the sound of glass shattering could be heard in the background.
Blood looked at his wife, unconcerned about his nephew's perplexed expression, and declared, "The curse, it's beginning."
To be continued...