Chapter 10: Nikko's past lover
**Arcadia**
Ariel's wings shimmered faintly in the dim light of Arcadia's hall. She sat slumped against the carved wooden chair, her golden hair tangled and her gown stained from frantic movements earlier. Despite her disheveled state, her eyes burned with desperation.
"Raphael," she whispered, her voice trembling as he stepped into the room, his celestial armor glowing faintly.
"We'll find her," Raphael said firmly. "You need rest."
"I don't need rest!" Ariel snapped, her voice breaking. "I need Angelina back. Who knows what that monster is doing to her right now?"
Raphael hesitated, his gaze softening. "Trust me. I'll bring her home."
Moments later, he strode to the stables, his determined expression masking the unease in his heart. As he mounted his steed, a familiar voice called out.
"Wait!" Sera appeared, her eyes pleading. "Let me come with you. I can help!"
"No," Raphael said, shaking his head. "This isn't a journey for you, Sera."
"I'm not as fragile as you think!" she protested.
"This isn't about fragility—it's about focus. I can't risk your safety, too."
Sera's shoulders slumped as Raphael urged his horse forward, leaving her standing amidst the swirling dust.
She sighed, looking up at the sky. "I hope you're okay where ever you are Linnie." She couldn't just sit still and do nothing.
**Oblivara*
The cold stone walls of the room seemed to close in on Angelina. She bit her lip hard, willing herself not to cry as Nikko loomed closer, his dark eyes gleaming with twisted amusement.
"Do you know why you're here, little pet?" he drawled, crouching in front of her.
She refused to answer, staring defiantly into his eyes even as her body trembled.
"You'll break," Nikko said softly, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. She flinched.
Suddenly, a knock on the door shattered the tense silence.
"What is it?!" Nikko barked, spinning toward the door.
"Master, h-he's back!" a voice stammered from the other side.
Nikko frowned. "He who?"
"L-Lothaire!"
Nikko's gaze darkened, Lothaire was really back?! Did he even deserve to live?
Angelina's heart leapt at the name, though confusion mingled with hope. Nikko's gaze darkened, his lips curling in a sneer.
"Well, this should be fun," he muttered, striding out of the room and leaving Angelina behind with her thoughts spinning.
He had finally come for her when she had lost all hope.
---
The throne room doors burst open, and Lothaire entered like a storm, his aura crackling with power. His piercing eyes scanned the room, settling on Nikko, who lounged against the shadows with an infuriatingly smug expression.
"So, the rumors are true," Nikko said, stepping into the light. "You're alive and you've found yourself a mate. How unfortunate."
"Release her," Lothaire growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"Is that how you greet an old friend?" Nikko mocked. "No 'hello,' no 'how have you been?' I'm hurt."
"You'll be more than hurt if you don't let her go," Lothaire shot back, his fists clenching.
Nikko smirked. "Do you really think you're in a position to make demands? You stole the love of my life, and now you want to take her, too?"
"She was never yours!" Lothaire's voice echoed through the chamber.
The air around them shifted, charged with tension. Nikko's eyes glittered with malice as he stepped closer. "Oh, but she was under my touch, Lothaire. Your precious mate melted for me. Her moans echoed—"
The words were cut off as Lothaire lunged forward, his fist connecting with Nikko's jaw. Nikko pushed him away, trying to catch his breath.
Did Angelina really beg Nikko to touch her? Did she really melt under him? He'd tried touching her before,and she resisted with all her strength,so how dare she give herself to Nikko.
"I thought the wizards and angels had done a good job sealing you in that cave,but it seems I'll have to do their unfinished work." Nikko attempted to attack Lothaire with his power,but an invisible force blocked the attack.
"Know your limits!" Logan arrived. "Oh,if it isn't Logan,the devil's lapdog" Nikko sneered. "What are you doing here?" Lothaire asked.
Nikko used this distraction to launch an attack,but Lothaire was quick to dodge. He grabbed Nikko by the collar and slammed against the stone ground, sending shards of rocks flying everywhere.
---
Logan moved like a shadow through the winding halls of Nikko's fortress. Each guard that crossed his path fell swiftly, his blade striking with precision. His focus remained unshaken—find Angelina and get her out.
He finally reached Nikko's chambers, where he found Angelina and another woman tied to a bedpost. Relief washed over him as he rushed to their side.
"Angelina," he whispered, his voice urgent yet gentle.
Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, hope sparkled in them. "Logan?"
"This is your saviour?" Mariana asked.
"Yes. I'm getting you out of here," he said, beginning to untie the ropes.
Just then, a deafening crash echoed through the room as a wall caved in. Lothaire had thrown Nikko with such force that he broke through the stone, landing in a heap amidst the rubble.
Angelina screamed as the chaos unfolded before her eyes. She'd never seen Lothaire this angry before,seeing him like this felt... unreal.
---
Lothaire stalked toward Nikko, his fists clenched, his breathing heavy with rage. Nikko, coughing up blood, managed a weak laugh.
"You'll destroy everything you touch, Lothaire," Nikko spat, his words dripping with venom. "Isn't that what they say about you?"
Lothaire's eyes glowed with fury. "And you think you're any better?!" He landed another punch, the sound of bone cracking echoing through the room.
Meanwhile, Logan fought off the soldiers swarming the chamber, his movements swift and precise. He kept one eye on Lothaire, his concern growing as the demon lord's anger went out of control.
"Stop!" Angelina's voice broke through the chaos. "Lothaire, please stop!"
Lothaire froze, his head snapping toward her. For a moment, his fury seemed to dissipate, replaced by something softer—something vulnerable.
But Nikko wasn't done. Summoning the last of his strength, he unleashed a torrent of fire magic, aiming for Lothaire and Angelina.
Logan intercepted the attack, redirecting it, but the fire spread rapidly, consuming the room.
"We need to leave. Now!" Logan shouted, cutting through the remaining soldiers and rushing to Angelina's side.
Lothaire grabbed Angelina, his eyes narrowing as he tried to open a portal. Nothing happened.
"Shit!" he cursed under his breath. Mona's warning echoed in his mind. The effects of the bond potion were happening faster than expected.
Nikko's laughter rang out amidst the flames. "Running away already? Pathetic."
Lothaire's gaze darkened. "You've signed your death warrant, Nikko."
Lothaire reached for Nikko's neck, strangling with all force.
"Why?" she whispered. She didn't like the way Lothaire dealt with this situation.
He didn't answer, his gaze fixed on the horizon, his jaw clenched.
"Lothaire!" Angelina's voice pierced through the chaos, trembling with fear but steady enough to reach him.
His fist paused mid-air, inches from Nikko's bloodied face. Slowly, he turned to her, his chest heaving. His glowing eyes flickered, their intensity dimming for a moment as they locked onto hers.
"Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet the anger simmered beneath it. "Why are you stopping me? After everything he's done?"
Angelina's lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart raced as she struggled to meet his gaze, her wrists aching from the ropes that bound her.
"Was it because of him?" Lothaire's voice dropped lower, almost venomous. "Did he touch you? Did you let him?"
"What?" Angelina's breath hitched, confusion and pain flashing in her eyes. "No! I—"
"Don't lie to me!" he roared, the room shaking with the force of his anger. "Why else would you call out to save him?!"
Angelina flinched but refused to look away. "I wasn't saving him, Lothaire. I was saving you! You're not this—this monster!"
Her words struck him like a blow. For a moment, the raging storm within him seemed to falter.
Nikko coughed, blood staining his lips as he chuckled weakly. "So noble," he sneered, sitting up slightly. "But do you think he's any better than me, little angel?"
Before Lothaire could respond, Nikko raised his hand, summoning a blazing wave of fire that surged toward them.
"Angelina!" Lothaire moved instinctively, shielding her with his body.