Chapter 12
A Son's Defiance
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Cater gripped his flaming sword tightly, his crimson eyes burning with fury as he stood before Vara, the demon guardian of the gate to the underworld. Her massive wings spread wide, casting long, menacing shadows over the jagged stone walls.
A mocking smile curved her lips as she stared him down. "Do you really think your hybrid powers will scare me?" Vara sneered, her voice sharp and filled with disdain. "I am the guardian of this gate. Only I decide who enters and leaves. And you, Cater, are not welcome."
Cater's knuckles tightened around his sword, the flames licking hungrily at the air. His anger simmered just beneath the surface, ready to erupt.
"Then I'll walk through the gate myself," Cater growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Without warning, he surged forward, flames trailing behind his blade as he slashed toward her. But Vara was faster. With a powerful sweep of her wings, she shot into the air, dodging his attack and landing gracefully behind him.
Before Cater could turn, Vara was on him, grabbing him by the shoulders and slamming him into the ground with enough force to crack the stone beneath them.
"You've made a mistake challenging me, boy," Vara hissed, leaning closer as Cater groaned, pain shooting through his ribs.
Her hand glowed with ethereal light as she summoned a spear of energy. With a flick of her wrist, she hurled it toward him. Cater rolled out of the way just in time, the spear slamming into the ground where he'd been and splitting the earth wide open.
"How dare you fight the gatekeeper of the underworld.?" Vara sneered as she advanced, her dark eyes blazing. "Do you really think your little rebellion matters? You'll always be one of us, no matter how hard you try to deny it."
Cater staggered to his feet, his eyes darkening further, his fangs fully extended. Flames erupted along his blade once more as he steadied himself.
"You're nothing to me, Vara," Cater spat, his voice venomous. "The moment I chose to protect the humans, I stopped being part of this world."
Vara's laughter rang out, cruel and mocking. "You gave up your claim to the underworld the day you became a servant to a human! You've disgraced your father, your bloodline, and everything you were meant to be. You're not a warrior—you're a traitor."
Her tone shifted, becoming colder. "And traitors deserve to die."
In a blur of motion, Vara lunged, her claws aimed at Cater's throat. With inhuman speed, cater sidestepped her strike and grabbed her by the wings. With a furious roar, he slammed her into the jagged stone wall—once, twice—until cracks spiderwebbed across its surface.
"Do you think your centuries of experience make you stronger than me?" Cater snarled, flames igniting around him as he swung his blade toward her.
Vara blocked his strike with another spear of glowing light, forcing Cater back with a surge of power. "They make me smarter," she spat. "Your's makes you reckless."
With a guttural growl, she spun, her claws slashing through the air. Cater dodged the first swipe but stumbled into the second. Vara seized the opening, slamming him into the wall and pinning him there.
Her claws wrapped around his neck, digging into his skin as she leaned close. "You're nothing but a disappointment," she hissed. "You think love makes you strong? Love is weakness. And it will destroy you."
Cater gasped for air, his vision blurring. But even as she tightened her grip, a smirk tugged at his lips.
"What's so funny?" Vara demanded, her crimson eyes narrowing.
"You should worry less about me," Cater rasped, his voice strained, "and more about what's behind you."
Vara froze, her gaze flickering with hesitation. As she turned her head, Cater acted. With a roar, he tore her wings from her back, black ichor spraying into the air as her blood-curdling scream filled the cavern.
Vara crumpled to the ground, writhing in agony. Cater loomed over her, his sword blazing as he stared down at her with cold, unyielding eyes.
"You think being a guardian gives you the right to challenge me?" he growled. "Don't forget—I am the Dark Lord's son. And I don't lose."
He turned and strode past her without another glance, his steps steady and purposeful as he approached the massive iron gate. The doors groaned as they swung open at his touch, revealing the fiery depths of the underworld.
Demons who stood guard scattered at the sight of him, their whispers filling the air.
"Did he defeat Vara?"
"No one opens the gate but her…"
"Does this mean he's still the heir?"
Cater ignored them, his focus set on the throne room ahead.
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The throne room was vast and oppressive, the heat pressing down on Cater like a physical weight. Shadows danced along the walls, flickering in the light of the massive flames that burned in pits around the room.
Cater stepped forward, his sword still in hand, its flames dimmed but still alive. His father sat on the towering throne, his massive frame shrouded in darkness. The Dark Lord's back was turned, his presence as suffocating as Cater remembered.
"Father," Cater said, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest.
The Dark Lord turned slowly, his glowing red eyes locking onto his son. Cater sheathed his sword and dropped to one knee, bowing his head.
"Father," he began, "I beg of you—stop—"
Before he could finish, the Dark Lord rose to his full height, his shadow engulfing Cater. In a flash, he seized Cater by the neck, lifting him effortlessly into the air.
"The son I know," the Dark Lord growled, his voice like thunder, "was meant to take my place and make the humans suffer. But you? You are a disgrace."
He hurled Cater to the floor with a force that rattled the entire chamber. Cater coughed, pain radiating through his body as he struggled to his feet.
"Father, I'm sorry I've disappointed you," Cater said, his voice raw but unwavering. "But Prince Alric is not like his father. He—"
"Silence!" The Dark Lord's voice boomed, echoing off the walls. "You are no son of mine. You are no part of the underworld. If you cannot kill them, then I will do it myself."
He pointed toward the gate, his expression twisted with fury. "Leave. I will not look upon a failure any longer."
Cater staggered to his feet, his anger rising. His red eyes burned brighter as he stared at his father, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
"I won't let you hurt Alric, Father."
The Dark Lord froze, his expression shifting to one of dangerous curiosity. "What did you say?"
Cater stepped closer, his resolve unshaken. "I won't let you hurt Alric. I'm sorry I'm not the son you wanted. But one day, you'll see why I made this choice. I won't let you destroy him."
The Dark Lord's laughter was cold and cutting. "And why is that, Cater? Because of a prophecy?"
Cater's gaze didn't waver. "No," he said softly, his voice firm and unyielding. "Because I love him."
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