Chapter 11
Into the Fire
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"Cater!"
Alric's scream jolted Cater awake. He shot upright, his heart racing as his eyes scanned the room. The prince stood on the other side of the bed, glaring at him with wide, incredulous eyes.
"Cater! What are you doing in my room?" Alric demanded, his voice sharp with confusion and embarrassment.
Cater stretched lazily, smirking as he leaned back against the bedpost. "You asked me to stay, remember? Begged me, actually—'Oh, Cater, please don't leave,'" he teased, imitating Alric's voice with exaggerated drama.
Alric's face turned crimson as he grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Cater. "Get out!"
Cater ducked just in time, laughing as he stood and straightened his shirt. "You're welcome, Your Highness," he said with mock formality before heading toward the door.
As he stepped into the hallway, he nearly collided with Jane, who stumbled back, glaring up at him.
"Hey!" she snapped, steadying herself. "I've been looking for you all night. Don't tell me you…" She trailed off, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Cater rolled his eyes and cut her off. "Don't start. I was just keeping an eye on the prince. That's all."
Jane raised an eyebrow but seemed to let it go. Her expression shifted to something more serious as she folded her arms. "Cater, have you heard the news? Something's happening in town—something bad."
Cater frowned. "What kind of bad?"
Jane glanced around the hallway, lowering her voice. "A demon, I think. Five people were found dead yesterday. Half of their bodies were… missing. Eaten, maybe. It was gruesome."
Before Cater could respond, the door to Alric's room opened behind him. The prince stepped out, looking polished and composed, though a faint flush still lingered on his cheeks.
"You're still here?" Alric asked, raising an eyebrow as his gaze flicked between Cater and Jane. His smirk returned. "What is this? A secret meeting with your girlfriend?"
Both Cater and Jane stiffened, stepping apart instinctively.
"No, Your Highness," Cater said quickly, his tone calm. "She's just a friend."
Alric's smirk widened, but he didn't press further. Instead, he gestured for Cater to follow. "Come with me. Something's happening outside."
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The three of them stepped into the courtyard, where a crowd of people had gathered, their murmurs carrying an air of dread. Alric pushed through the crowd, with Cater and Jane close behind him.
When they reached the center of the commotion, the source of the panic became horrifyingly clear.
Five bodies lay sprawled on the cobblestones, their limbs twisted unnaturally. Blood pooled beneath them, staining the stones dark red. Their faces were frozen in expressions of pure terror, their unseeing eyes wide and lifeless.
Alric froze, his stomach churning at the sight. "What… what could have done this?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Moments later, King Authur arrived, his expression dark and stormy. His commanding voice cut through the murmurs. "What happened here?"
The crowd fell silent, all eyes turning toward the king.
Alric stepped forward, his face pale but determined. "Father, do you think this was… one of them?"
King Authur's jaw tightened as his gaze swept over the bodies. "What else could it be?" he growled. "Some vile creature sent to terrorize us."
He turned to his guards, his voice sharp and commanding. "Search every corner of this kingdom. I want the head of whatever did this brought to me by sundown. Do not fail me."
The guards saluted and marched off, their armor gleaming in the sunlight.
Cater stood silently, his fists clenched at his sides. The brutality was too familiar, too deliberate. His stomach twisted with anger and dread.
As the king stormed off, Alric remained rooted in place, staring at the blood-soaked cobblestones. His voice was soft, filled with bitterness. "My father was right," he murmured. "I've tried to believe there could be peace between humans and creatures, but look at this. They keep proving him right."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his shoulders heavy with defeat.
Cater stayed behind, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. He knew exactly who was responsible.
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Cater moved swiftly, leaving the castle grounds and heading toward the edge of the forest. His thoughts were a whirlwind of anger and determination.
"Cater! Wait!"
Jane's voice called out behind him, and he stopped, turning to see her running to catch up.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her tone a mixture of worry and frustration. "Does Alric know you're leaving? What should I say when he asks where you've gone?"
Cater shook his head, his expression grim. "This has to end, Jane. I need to stop it before more people die."
Jane grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her. "Stop what? We don't even know what kind of creature did this!"
"I do," Cater said firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
Jane's eyes widened as the truth dawned on her. "No. You can't mean… your father?"
Cater nodded, his jaw tight.
"You're insane," Jane said, horror flickering in her eyes. "You can't go back there, Cater. If you do, he'll kill you!"
"He won't," Cater replied, his voice cold and determined. "I'm his son. The Dark Lord doesn't kill his heir."
Jane's grip tightened on his arm, her voice trembling. "You don't know that for sure. Cater, please. There has to be another way."
Cater placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression softening. "I have to do this, Jane. If I don't, Alric and everyone else in this kingdom will suffer."
Tears glistened in Jane's eyes, but she nodded reluctantly. "Just… promise me you'll come back."
Cater managed a faint smile. "I'll do my best."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Jane standing alone.
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The air grew hotter and heavier as Cater descended into the underworld. Flames licked at his boots, casting long shadows across the jagged stone walls. His sword pulsed faintly in his hand, its blue glow barely visible in the oppressive darkness.
As he approached the gates to his father's domain, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Well, well," a voice purred.
A demon stepped forward, her massive wings folding against her back. Her glowing red eyes glinted with amusement. "Prince Cater. What an unexpected surprise. Last I heard, your father disowned you. Have you come to beg for forgiveness?"
Cater's grip on his sword tightened as he stepped forward. "I'm here to see him, Vara. Move."
Vara smirked, spreading her wings wide to block his path. "Bold words for someone who no longer belongs here. Do you think you can just waltz back into the underworld like nothing happened?"
"Move," Cater growled, his voice low and menacing.
Vara's smile faded, her eyes narrowing. She stepped closer, her claws clicking against the stone floor. "Or what? You'll fight me?"
Cater's fangs extended, and his sword ignited with bright flames. "Don't test me, Vara."
The tension crackled between them like fire, the air growing thick with heat. Cater's resolve was unshaken. He had one goal: to confront his father and put an end to the chaos before it consumed everything he cared about.
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