As Blaire was scooped away, Dan struggles on the ground below badly wounded from an attack he thought wasn't going to hurt as much as he intended it to. Slowly understanding how truly dangerous this place can be when one isn't truly prepared for the danger that awaits them.
He pulled himself by clenching his claws into a nearby tree, with a hand holding around his waist leaking some ectoplasm most of the wounds that had been made. Xander emerged stomping towards Dan and grabbed him by his collar, pulling the idiot until they were inches away.
"What were you thinking going after them like that?! You could've been killed!" Xander growled aggressively shoving Dan backwards releasing him from his grasps, pulling back any urge he had to punch him at that very moment. "Grr! And thanks to you they have Blaire, and how knows what they'll be fucking doing to her" he continued to scold Dan for his bold mistake, but why was he the only one trying to get her back? Where was Xander during the chase?
"Oh shut up! What about you, huh? Why didn't you help me? It would've surely helped a lot if if I wasn't the only one that was trying to save her just now! What a great brother you're turning out to be" Dan argued back having a rather fair point which only angered Xander even more. Without Blaire their to control them, the two big men were free to fight without worrying about stressing her out.
The two got in chest to chest growling like savage animals as their eyes glowed, baring their sharp flesh shredding fangs. Danny who waddled over with a hand around his waist seeing this felt the immediate tension between the huge males.
"Can you guys not! And where is Blaire?" Danny questioned glancing around got her, but to no avail stepping up for the peace they had shared for so long on this journey, but now everything was just a huge mess.
"That's the problem, she's gone" Xander responded and glanced at the boy seeing his eyes widen with shock. Dan groaned and started to stretch his neck until finally getting it to crack, freeing him from a painful stiff neck later on.
"Again?!" Danny exclaimed visibly exhausted as Xander brushed his own hand away in the boy's direction, and walked off pushing Dan out of his way offending him greatly.
"I know you hate me, but what the actual fuck is your problem?!" Dan hissed darting his eyes directly at the man stopping Xander directly in his tracks, he glanced over his shoulder silently staring Dan down uninterested in fighting him, even through deep down he wanted to claw out his throat.
"..." Xander didn't even mutter a single word, but his eyes spoke a lot. He was frustrated, impatient and was losing control over watching two boys, especially one that remainder him of a cold hearted killer who almost killed his wife and daughter, but that was in the past. Xander turned away and continued on walking not caring if these two decided to follow, as it would mean more fire power whenever they enter the forbidden land.
Danny used Dan's shoulders and back as a napping pillow knowing the big guy didn't exactly needed sleep, but Xander too chose to remain awake most of their journey on foot. Sleep waking was also an option, when all senses within the body are heightened significantly high to avoid deadly situations.
"Are we there yet? 'Cause my legs are at the verge of falling off!" Danny yelled slouched over following behind Dan who huffed annoyed on hearing the teens constant whining.
However, Xander slowly down until coming to a halt in front of a parting showing dark purple grass while trees behind this mysterious border looked dead, missing most of their leaves while some grew lucky and adapted to the dark environment, that casted a permanent shadow across the land. The cloud were a very dark shade of grey looking like it at any moment they could give in and let out a dangerously horrific storm. The other two stopped beside him confused for a moment glancing around at the scary land that stood before them.
"What is this place? And why is it so shrouded in darkness?" Dan pointed out noticing how dangerous it could be to enter in without any knowledge of what could be waiting for them on the other side.
"This my friends is The Forbidden Shadow Death Valley. Where death always follows no matter what path you may take, everything that thrives here is a threat. So don't trust anyone you come across, it's just a lie" Xander said with a little smirk as if he was glad to be back. After all his father apparently owns these lands, but there is only one male capable of such power.
Deeper into the land Blaire's captures finally arrived at their location, a huge old creepy castle. Two huge, strong looking dark blue mixed skinned ghost guards stood tall at the huge front doors of this castle, they noticed the two and gave each other a glance as the human was pushed forcefully forward revealing their prisoner.
"We believe this strongly powerful female is suitable for the lord, only a brief confrontation with him will only prove if he agrees to our gift for a possible suitable carrier for his future offspring" Brielle seriously announced to these guards as one groaned somewhat annoyed when meeting these two, but the other only remained silent and professional unsure of what to say.
"The lord doesn't wish for such things, but if you want to become his next meal, then be my guest" the annoyed guard responded having enough of this bull and allowed them inside. The other guard gave him a wide eye confused on why he had let them inside, let alone with an obvious human.
"Why did you let them inside? Didn't the lord specifically say no visitors? Also they have a weak looking human with them, despite their oddly stunning appearance" he asked still seeing the annoyance in their face as they exhaled and turned their hair to look at them.
"Isn't it obvious? These freaks always come by with things that would 'please the lord', but nothing works in their favour, and now they have a human woman. I wonder how this one will go" they replied curious on how their boss would react if a human were to be standing within his land. Violence only went through their mind, and possibly some yelling as well, but they're sadly outside on duty.
Inside the castle Blaire still with her mouth gagged was being dragged by the crow's shadow rope, that had remained tied tightly on the upper part of her body deeper within this mysterious castle. Guards who were walking around seeing them only exhaled with sympathy for the human, as if knowing what was in for the poor thing especially with these two being the ones bringing her in for their leader.
"How do you think he's going to think of this one?" The crow guy nervously asked keeping their prisoner in his feathery arm grasps, while Brielle silently stormed behind them with her pole poking into Blaire's back from time to time, ensuring that they knew there was no way of escaping.
"Hopefully for one a he won't kill them this time. We need a suitable female to bare the next generation, and maybe just maybe it might end better than the last one" Brielle responded as he glanced over his shoulder seeing how neutrally serious she looked, but deep down they both were crapping themselves of what he was possibly going to say and do.
They appeared before another set of huge doors with more guards standing in front of it, familiar faces came into view as silence instantly hit stopping them for inspection.
"We are here to see the Lord. I have a gift he might like and could satisfy him for a while" Brielle selfishly said pushing Blaire forward with her red pole before these men who glared down at her with their cold green eyes. It was clear she was not meant to be here.
"I? We got this human together?" The crow thought to himself confused on how she could just selfishly take their hard work for granted. Silence continued on as the guard's stares went back to look at these two idiots, maintaining their silence.
"Come on! I'm Brielle the best hunter in the entire land, and he's Hunter.. A crow that hunts. You guys know us" she continues on as her friend rolled his eyes along with the guards who already had enough of this monkey.
"He isn't in the mood right now.. no one is allowed inside" one of the guards finally spoke announcing the saddening news about this Lord Brielle was so eager to see. She huffed and stomped her foot against the ground establishing that she wasn't going to move, nor leave until they see him. The other guard leaned in and started a private discussion between the two.
"They really doesn't plan to leave, do they? It's their death either way, so why not" he suggested knowing they won't be accountable if these three get killed by their boss once inside, the other guard nodded intrigued coming to a solid conclusion, pulling themselves apart returning back to their original positions.
"Alright. We may let you inside, but do not expect us to let you out. Use your pet to escape, as we aren't some free protection shield for you weirdos to use whenever you see fit. We only protect and fight for our leader, not you" they gave them access and opened the doors enough for three to enter inside, instantly shutting the doors behind them without any intentions of reopening again.
The room they had entered was humongous, pitch dark and edgy none of them were able to see a single thing, only tiny lights from little cracks from closed curtain windows slipped through, but it didn't do them any favours as they remained stood there not trusting themselves to stand forward and froze immediately in place.
"The last time I remember, this place was lit up with blue and purple flames. We should've taken the guard's warning and leave" Hunter quietly spoke maintaining his rope around their captive as Brielle fell silent shivering in the endless darkness that surrounded them.
"Who's there?!" A deep voice called out causing them to jump unexpectedly as a flash of purple flame appeared for a moment in the distance before it faded.
"Hunter and Brielle.. Again. We have something, well someone for you" Brielle nervously announced pushing Blaire forward, allowing Hunter to release his hand as the rope remained around her preventing a possible get away to occur. A low growl echoed through the room followed by a huff before blue and purple flames lit up the room revealing a huge, empty and freshly poshly decorated ballroom with marble flooring, and it was coloured in royal blues and yellows. A rather dashing sight, perfect for a party of any sort. And stood in the middle of this ballroom was no one other than Alaric, as he appeared to be dressed poshly like some sort of king with the dark royal blue cape that elegantly came off from his shoulders while his back remained faced towards them.
"Let me guess, you brought me another toy?" Alaric didn't sound very amused like he already knew what they had brung to him, but when he did turn around it was unexpected to see a human tied up and gagged standing before him. He was somewhat shocked and walked over carefully analysing Blaire with his eyes while she remained frozen in place, scared of his tall dragon looking man in fear of becoming his next meal. "Interesting.. I haven't expected to see a human in my realm yet. May I ask how you caught the poor thing?" he asked lifting up Blaire's chin with his sharp index fingers' claw allowing them to make eye contact for a moment as the size difference was huge, she was up to his waist due to being insufferably stuck in this human looking disguise for all these years.
"She was seen with your son and two unknown ghost we haven't seen before. The big one on the other hand clearly has some bond with the human, but her energy is so unusual that it scares your own flesh and blood. We thought she would've be perfect to carry your future generations, sir" Hunter explained making it sound more of a team effort than a solo game for one of them, as he hummed a little intrigued by the thought of it, but there was something odd about Blaire that made him heavily uninterested in it.
"No. You are one stunning looking human, but there is something about you that's triggering me to not do anything remotely close to having a romantic relationship with you. I am unsure of what it is, so class yourself lucky little lady. Now how about we get you out of these horrible restraints shall we" Alaric kindly declined as he began to undo Hunter's shadow rope causing it to instantly vanish once the veil around it was broken. She was ungagged finally able to properly move around without being shoved or thrown around like some chew toy.
"Why? We always go to far lengths to find you suitable females to carry on your legacy, and you deny every single one of them. This human should be some acception at least?" Brielle questioned him with some attitude as his eyes glanced up at the monkey realising her mistake, forcing Hunter to back away and flew off not having any part of what Alaric had in mind for her. He stormed towards Brielle who cowardly backed up with her eyes widened, shaking with fear while Blaire watched from behind of what could've happened if she were to ever open her mouth like that. "W-wait! I didn't mean to sound disrespectful your greatness. Please forgive me!" Brielle instantly got down on the floor begging for his forgiveness as he rolled his eyes with a groan and turned away no longer interested in doing what he had originally intended to do. His eyes then aimed at Blaire who jolted and headed back over like what had happened didn't occur, he knew she was slightly intimidated by his size, but his respect for the human was unusually high.
"I know you're intimidated by me little one, but rest assure that I have no intentions to harm you in any way. Now if I should ask, what is your name? And can we dance while we chat?" he was kind and gentle when offering his hand patiently waiting for her response like a gentleman. She took the opportunity to avoid a awkward situation and danced with him slowly as a conversation eventually started to follow.
"To make things short, I am not a human. I was born within this realm, but with a curse to hide my true identity and powers. Xander my brother promised to take me to a powerful ghost who could help awaken some of my powers, and release the pain my core is giving me since I am pregnant with my partner's child. I hope I haven't confused you in any way" Blaire confessed as confusion came on Alaric's face when hearing a familiar name escape her mouth so willingly, causing their dancing to come to a halt making Blaire feel a little anxious on how he'd take it.
"You mention Xander, correct?" he asked wanting to make sure he had heard it right as she silently nodded making him start to think things over, and started to pace around to find a reason behind this, but nothing came up. "Xander is my son, my only remaining one at the moment, but that's impossible. Unless.. Is your mother Dione by any chance?" Alaric was slowly piecing things together as she gave him another nod which only added on to his confusion related to the queen's demise, but how was the child born when only one was announced?
"I was mostly kept in the dark thanks to my mother's partner. He wasn't exactly fatherly material and wanted me dead ever since my blackout, accidentally killing my mother from a rage I have no recollection about" Blaire added making it more a little more clearer on what her relation would be with Xander a half sibling, but there was something else he had to check to clear up his suspicions once everything has been properly stabilised.
"I can help with the problems you're having, so may I?" Alaric suggested needing to see her core before anything can be done, so she brought both of her opened hands together and began to concentrate until a highly unstable core started to emerge from its host and within the centre of her hands. It appeared to have been more cracked than the time Dan had checked, pausing mid spin and shook every time it stopped seeing the worry instantly paint on Alaric's face recognising the colours of royal blue, yellow and now red within the cracks of her core. "You poor thing! How could anyone do such a horrible thing? I must fix this immediately before any permanent damage can be done" he worriedly hovered his hands in a similar position over Blaire's core covering it with his beastly hands and began to do whatever he can to fix this, time was taken to ensure proper healing reversing the cracks until it was fixed. All together it took an hour for him to stabilise her core properly with his powers, and once done she was finally able to put it back in her chest where it belonged.
"I feel different, refreshed and stronger. Thank you" Blaire was thankful for his assistance as he only brushed it off not wanting to have anything else in return only hoping she gets the justice she deserves.
"No need to thank me. I am only doing what a father should for his daughter" Alaric response confused her when seeing that soft smile come onto his face, it was far more friendly and fatherly than before, it was like seeing a completely different side of him. What exactly did he see within her core? Memories? Or is it the missing piece he needed for inner peace?
"What?" she asked seeing her confusion he glanced around noticing they were now completely alone, free to talk about anything they desired to.
"I know it's confusing, but let me explain. Your mother and I had a fling a few years after Xander was born behind her husband's back while she was secretly pregnant with his son, Kai. However, little did he know she had a rare mutation. A double uterus that allowed me to make you, my one and only first born daughter. She hid your identity I believe to protect you, but as it turns out it did quite the opposite. And the only way you can truly reveal yourself and break the curse, I don't know how to break it as your mother was a strong powerful sorceress who knew herself well around magic. Only she is capable of breaking something she casted, it's cruel I know, but also very true" Alaric confessed on secretly having an affair with Dione during the early unexpected pregnancy with Kai, but also carrying another man's child for 9 months after finally sensing why Blaire's energy and presence was so familiar, and comforting compared to the others. "And you're pregnant? I love the thought of being a grandpaw, but I must see who this father-to-be is. Has he been treating you well?" the fatherly instincts finally kick in questioning things about someone he hasn't even met or approved of having them around, let alone start a family with his only daughter.
"You sound just like Xander, and I don't care what you think of Dan. It isn't always about the looks, and I think you know that pretty well" Blaire responded looking him up and down silencing him for now, as her words were mean, but also true. He may be look scary, mean and cold to some, deep down he's just a daddy's girl who loves to ensure his daughter finds the right man in her life.
What will he think when he finally gets to meet the lucky man? Will his thoughts be similar to Xander's? Or quite the opposite?