Alexander leaned back into his office chair, his calculating gaze never leaving Vaos. The flicker of curiosity in his eyes showed the layers behind his usual charm, something measured, perhaps even dangerous.
"I imagine you're curious why I'm asking about your attribute," he said. A faint smile on his lips as he continued, "Let's say, for the sake of conversation, that I have a proposition—a unique offer that could serve both our interests. It might even help you find the answers you seek." His voice was smooth, but there was a dark edge beneath it, a tone that was malicious. Around them, the distant noise and shuffling steps of officers searching the building could be heard.
Vaos narrowed his eyes, "I think I see where this conversation is headed. There's no point in pretending otherwise—I'm sure you've already pieced it together with the help of the Forbidden you've been working with. You must know that I'm a Forbidden. Isn't that right?"
Alexander's smile deepened, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Straight to the point, are we? I expected nothing less," he replied. "Yes, I suppose you've figured out my association with the Forbidden by now, though that shouldn't come as a shock to someone who can sense traces of Forbidden energy lingering on me." He leaned forward slightly.
"Then my other assumptions must be correct," Vaos said. "You're not only working with the Forbidden and Edward, but also getting their assistance to make that portal."
"You know," Alexander noted, "I thought you'd be pleased about the portal's construction. But it seems I misjudged. You almost seem... opposed to the idea of it being completed."
"Alexander," Vaos said, his voice was sharp, "there's a reason I turned my back on the Forbidden and chose to live as a human."
He paused for a moment, his gaze locked on Alexander. "Once we find the portal, I will be the one to destroy it, piece by piece, no matter what it takes. And not just the portal, I'll destroy the very cores of each Forbidden here. I'm prepared to sacrifice whatever it takes to make sure they never get the chance to rise again."
Alexander leaned forward slightly, his voice smooth but his tone filled with curiosity. "And what might be the reason behind your betrayal of the Forbidden, Vaos?" he asked, his tone calm.
As Vaos listened to Alexander's question, his mind went back to the past, back to the moment when everything changed. He focused, trying to block out the memories that resurfaced.
He thought of the man, a kind, understanding soul—who had first shown him and his fellow Forbidden compassion. That man had opened his doors to them without hesitation, offering kindness when they were strangers in a strange land. He had welcomed them into his home, even they revealed what they truly were. It was during this time that Vaos witnessed the human growing a bond with the Forbidden woman who had traveled alongside him. That woman, with her fiery spirit and gentle heart, had become his wife, and together, they had a child. That child was Eve, her innocence, her love for her parents, had been a light in a dark world.
But that light was extinguished far too soon.
Vaos' thoughts darkened as he remembered the day the Forbidden tracked them down. The unforgiving day they slaughtered Eve's parents was something he could never forget. They were far too powerful , and in that moment, Vaos had been nothing but a bystander—helpless, powerless to stop the carnage. He had been too weak to stop them, but that moment had sparked a flicker of humanity in him.
He managed to escape with Eve and Eliza, they had been left with nothing but the shattered memories of their parents, memories that would haunt them for the rest of their life.
"I betrayed them because of what they did," Vaos said, his voice now starting to show emotion. "Because of what I was too weak to stop. I watched as they destroyed everything—lives, families, hope. And I could do nothing. I could never undo the wrongs I allowed to happen." He clenched his fists, the anger and regret still raw within him. "But I can stop them now. I can make sure the portal never gets used, and then no one else suffers the same fate."
His gaze shifted back to Alexander, his resolve begining to show. "That's why I betrayed them. And that's why I'll never let them succeed."
"What a truly sad and tragic tale, Vaos," Alexander said, his tone clearly of mock sympathy. "But I'm afraid that was the wrong answer. You see, the Forbidden were prepared to welcome you, they were ready to pardon you. To give you a chance to return to them as if nothing had ever happened. But you clearly made your decision long ago," Alexander sighed deeply.
Vaos' instincts heighten as the presence of Void energy surged around him. Before he could react, a unrelenting grip grabbed his face, lifting him off his feet. The sheer power of the hold made it impossible for him to break free.
"Time for you to join that woman..." Forbidden Wrath body materialized, his figure cloaked in the Void energy. Without another word, he used his spatial retreat, the world around them warping in an instant. Vaos found himself ripped from the ground, torn through space, his vision swirling as the environment distorted and shifted. The last thing he saw was Alexander's smug expression fading into the distance.
"It was nice meeting you, Vaos, one of the ten heroes of the Void war..." Edward muttered, his voice calm, almost casual.
Brian, The White Crusader, and a unit of officers had meticulously searched the upper floors of the building, leaving no corner unchecked. The quiet hum of the building's ventilation system was the only noise accompanying their steps as they moved from room to room. Their efforts had yielded nothing of interest—no hidden portals, no signs of suspicious activity. It was as if the building had been cleared out long before their arrival.
"Nothing so far," Brian muttered, glancing at The White Crusader who nodded in agreement.
"Let's keep moving," The White Crusader replied.
They continued their descent, slowly making their way down the building floor by floor. The officers, though diligent, could feel the weight of the investigation bearing down on them. Every room they passed seemed emptier than the last, and with each floor they descended.
Still, Brian remained focused. If the portal wasn't here, they would have to keep searching until they were certain. The main floor, though, was starting to look like their final destination. The last few floors had been empty, and now, standing on the edge of the main floor, Brian couldn't help but wonder if their search had been too thorough—if they had overlooked something crucial.
Brian looked around the main floor and noticed the break room. She stepped into the break room, her eyes scanning the area. Her boots clicked lightly against the tile as she walked, the noise of distant activity from the rest of the building barely noticeable here. The room was more spacious than she'd expected, with tables and chairs scattered across the floor. But it was the stack of boxes against the far wall that caught her attention.
The boxes were piled high, almost carelessly, as if someone had shoved them there in a hurry. They appeared to be filled with office papers, files and old documents, a mundane sight in an office building. But something felt off. The boxes were arranged too intentionally, their placement too perfect. As Brian's gaze narrowed, she realized that hidden beneath them was the faint outline of an elevator entrance.
Without hesitation, she unsheathed her scimitar, and she cut through the pile of boxes, sending papers flying in every direction. The sound of cardboard tearing and scattering echoed in the room, and the hidden elevator shaft was finally revealed.
She stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on the elevator panel. She had no intention of letting this discovery slip by unnoticed. It was clear now, the building was hiding something beneath its surface, and she was about to uncover it.
Brian and The White Crusader exchanged a glance before Brian pressed the button on the elevator's outline. Shortly after, the steel doors slid open.
"Looks like this might be it, White Crusader," Brian said, her voice steady but she had a quiet anticipation. She stepped forward, scanning the now open elevator, her grip tightening around her weapon as if sensing the unknown dangers lurking within the depths.
The White Crusader nodded, his posture strong as ever. "Indeed, the portal might lay in the depths of where this elevator takes us." He took the lead, stepping into the elevator.
Brian didn't hesitate and she stepped into the elevator behind him. The doors slid shut behind them with a low, echoing clang, sealing them in the descending lift. As the elevator began to move downward, every second felt like it stretched longer than it should.
Their journey into the unknown depths of the building had begun...