WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE
The first meeting of Alexander Kirkland and Darius was not the best. In fact, it was not even in the slightest bit pleasant.
If he would be asked to put it in a word, he would easily call it chaotic without even hesitating.
The first time they met, Darius went to the Kirkland mansion to steal a serum that can make whoever drinks it into an immortal. Needless to say, it was Ravana's greatest desire. It was her best chance of returning to her former glory, her golden ticket in obtaining power.
It was a night of spring when it happened, Darius snuck into the mansion and stabbed Alexander in the chest. But because of the power of the serum, Alexander survived.
After that night, Darius devised a plan with Alexander. A plan that will free him of Ravana's shackles and free Alexander of his pursuer.
They used the blonde as a decoy, while the servants on the mansion including Rachelle – Alexander's lover, when inside the forest.
Darius glanced at Alexander, he shivered just by thinking about that night…
Ravana arrived after she found out that Darius had finally found Alexander, her impatience getting the best of her.
In the middle of the dark forest, she cast a spell to call forth her puppet.
A giant wood monster with sharp fangs and massive claws.
"Go, Darius, ~" Ravana ordered him to go ahead.
The young man walked along with the monster, both heading to the mansion.
Alexander stood in the drawing-room along with Rachelle and everyone in the mansion. On the table, there lay a magical map showing the forest. With every tree, rock, and bushes carefully drawn in the parchment. While in the middle of the map is the Kirkland mansion.
"The intruders are on the west side of the mansion" Alexander pointed a finger at the two red dots on the map. As he spoke he turned to Rachelle, his eyes telling her everything that she needed to know. And with a synchronized nod, the plan commenced.
From the tree line, the monster emerged- its moss-covered body standing at least three meters high. Its sharp claws showing images of impending death to those who see it. Huge wooden feet, walking ever so slowly, crushing the luscious grass in the process.
Behind the monster is the witch's slave- Darius. His purple eyes gleamed in each step he took, after this night. Freedom will come, he thought.
Before the monster could approach the mansion any further, Alexander went out to face the enemy head-on, with a silver blade in hand. The sword wasn't in any way special; it was just another double edge sword, reinforced with magic to make it sturdier than it once was. However, even with reinforcement magic. The sword was nothing but a walking stick, compared to the subterranean sword.
Darius attacked first, the subterranean sword swinging towards Alexander.
The black metal flashed before Alexander's emerald.
Acting out of his instinct, Alexander pulled out his sword from the scabbard. The sound of metal hitting metal, echoed in the open field. A small spark emanates from the two swords as they collided.
Just barely, Alexander managed to block the attack. The blade of his sword is flat against his opponent's. His free hand's palm pressed in the other end of his blade, providing support. As both of them apply more pressure on their weapons.
Darius pushed Alexander away, creating distance between them.
Before Alexander could even compose himself, the subterranean sword came flying in. The sharp edge directed towards him. But just like before he managed to block the attack.
The strength of his opponent sends waves of pressure in his arm- enough to make it feel like it's about to fall off of his shoulder.
The sound of clashing sword continued, Alexander barely keeping up in each attack. Sweat dripped down in the sides of his face, making it all the way to his chin before finally falling down the ground.
He gritted his teeth, the situation is a lot more difficult than he predicted.
Completely occupied with the purple-eyed man, Alexander completely forgot about the monster looming behind him.
The sound of the monster caught his attention, causing Alexander to turn away from Darius.
Quickly he turned back to Darius, but all he saw is his fist coming straight towards his face. Hitting him in his jaw.
The impact caused him to stumble back a few steps.
Anger boiled in Alexander, his hand holding the hilt of his sword a tad bit tighter.
His emerald eyes gained a different light.
He will not let this end in the enemy's favor, even if he ended up destroying his own body.
He will fight 'till the end.
Alexander decided to stop being on the defensive and strike, swinging his sword toward Darius. The sound of the metallic weapons colliding with each other, echoing in their ears.
"Why not just give up?" his opponent suggested, his words annoying the blonde even further.
Alexander swing his sword harder, the impact causing his arm to tremble in each strike, "easy for you to say, when you're not the one who's going to lose something important" he replied bitterly.
Unfortunately, his opponent was just blocking each attack quite easily, as if it was nothing more than a mere child's play.
Darius swung his sword with more arm strength, his brute force sending the blonde off his balance. A faint gleam appeared in his purple orbs.
Before Alexander could even realize it, his sword fell to the ground. He clicked his tongue, annoyed by the fact that he was now disarmed. Yet his determination to fight remained strong.
Maybe it was the fact that he couldn't die or the fact that Rachelle is now safe in the forest. But at this moment, Alexander no longer fears any consequence.
In a blink of an eye, the subterranean sword was back in its scabbard. While its wielder is now just a few inches away from Alexander, roughly grabbing his shoulders Darius pulled Alexander closer, kneeing the blonde in the stomach.
Alexander doubled over as pain spread in his abdomen. Both of his hands grabbed Darius' forearms, trying his best to rip his hold off of his shoulder.
Darius kneed Alexander for a second time, before throwing him to the ground, his back lying flat on the cold grass-covered soil.
Shakily, Alexander stood up. But as soon as he finally stabilized his footing, Darius punch him. Making Alexander stumble a little, his body aching from each beating.
But he knew better than to give up.
Taking hold of Darius' collar, he roughly pulled him closer. Headbutting the ravenette as hard as he could. The purple-eyed man was taken by surprise, dazed he spaced out a little. Long enough for Alexander to attack once more. He punched Darius straight in the nose, making it bleed.
"Why this!" Darius hissed between his gritted teeth.
With almost inhuman speed, Darius grabbed Alexander by the hair. Yanking his silky blonde hair, "You filthy bastard," he growled.
Alexander bit his tongue, refusing to let himself succumb to the pain.
Thrown to the ground, the blonde fell face first. At that moment his body felt so heavy like he was covered in cement. While the blonde lay on the ground, his face partially buried on the earth. He could taste the nasty flavor of the soil beneath him, accompanied by the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
Darius sighed, the man walking over to Alexander. Raising his right foot, he stepped on Alexander's head- keeping it on the ground. "Just give us the serum and we will most likely be off," he told Alexander.
"Think about it, if you just surrendered earlier- none of this has to happen. We will be out of your hair before you even realize" he added.
Another heavy sigh left his lips, "But you just have to be stubborn don't you? What are you trying to do? Act like a hero?"
"Well unfortunately for you, heroes only die in the end."
"Now… tell me. Where is the serum?" Darius asked, bending down a little to ensure that the blonde could hear him. Half-lidded eyes filled with boredom as he stared at Alexander's motionless body.
Alas, the blonde remained silent, he will not surrender the serum. NEVER.
On the other side of the battlefield, the witch watched with content. Seeing that her whim of a servant finally grew some backbone. Like a proud mother, she thought of the better service Darius could provide in the future. Maybe her little gifts did their purpose well.
"Enough" she finally interfered. The monster she's controlling making its way towards them.
Stepping away, Darius removed his foot from Alexander's head. As the monster extended its enormous claw, and with ease, she lifted the blonde. Using the thumb and forefinger of the monster's hand, the witched held Alexander by the head. Lifting him in the air, his feet dangling freely.
All the while, the blonde could feel his body ache, his consciousness slipping in and out. His orbs are half-lidded and dull, his lips chapped and curved into a deep frown.
"Tell me Alexander dear, where is the serum?" she spoke in a honey-laced voice, so sweet it was sickening.
The blonde opened his mouth, gapping like a fish out of the water. His breathing was heavy and ragged.
"Well?" the witch asked again, her patience running thin.
"Fpff" Alexander could only mumble inaudible sounds.
"What?" the witch asked clearly irritated.
"I said… FUCK YOU!" he shouted, eyes burning with hatred.
His stubbornness infuriated the witch, out of anger she tighten her hold in Alexander's head.
The pressure was almost crushing his head, the pain was unbearable yet the blonde just bit his tongue. Fighting the urge to scream.
"Where is it?!" the witch demanded.
But Alexander held his ground, gritting his teeth he tried his best to swallow the excruciating pain.
"Don't test my patience boy!" veins popped from the witch's temple due to her anger.
Without noticing, Alexander's blood dripped down in the sides of his head. As the monster's huge claw dug in his skin.
The blood traveled to the wood, and in that miraculous moment. The witch felt an odd sensation, a revitalizing feeling. Like a cold breeze during the hot summer days, or the first sip of coffee in the middle of a brutal winter storm.
She was unaware of the reason, yet she knew that this feeling is pure ecstasy.
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply enjoying the feeling.
Curiously, she dug the claw a little deeper- causing Alexander more pain. Finally, she understood that the more blood touches her monster, the more she felt the satisfying sensation.
"Oh right, you already have the serum in your system. You drank one of them," she mumbled, a smile like poison appearing on her lips.
"Then if I consumed you instead, I will gain the power of the serum. Just like how I did with the other creatures I consumed before," she added.
Alexander's emerald eyes widened, he never thought that this witch would be this desperate to obtain immortality.
The blonde struggled, his hands taking a hold of the monster's claw. Hoping to release himself.
The monster opened its huge mouth, a rotten smell hitting Alexander's face. The blonde cringed as he stared at the monster's mouth. Sharp teeth made from rotting wood covered with moss and moist with water. A dark seemingly endless hole filled with tiny white worms.
It was so disgusting he felt his stomach turn.
Before the monster could swallow him whole, a flaming arrow went flying right into the monster's right eye. Quickly followed by another one- this time hitting the left eye of the monster.
In a fraction of a second, the fire spread into the monster's eyes, taking away its ability to see. Another arrow whistled into the air, hitting the claw that's holding Alexander. With a tiny explosion, the claw was disfigured. While Alexander fell to the ground.
Not wasting more time, Alexander crawled away from the monster. His blood trailed behind him, as he did.
On the other hand, the monster- still unable to see. Used it intact hand to search for Alexander on the ground. Making the blonde speed up his movements, desperate to move away from the monster's reach.
Taken by surprise, Darius turned to look at the person who shot the arrow.
Near the tree line, is where he is- a young man with black locks and piercing brown eyes. In his hand, he holds a wooden bow, while a quiver filled with arrows hangs in his back.
It was a familiar-looking young man that goes by the name...
Brennan Wunderle.