Chapter 19
The Battle for Love and Truth
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"What?" Vera whispered in shock, her glowing red eyes fixed on Cater, who now stood tall, his sword of flame burning with an intensity that made the room feel alive with power. His presence was different—darker, more commanding—as though he had finally embraced who he truly was.
"You've crossed the line, Vera," Cater said coldly, his voice echoing with authority. "Now it's my turn to send you back to the shadows where you belong."
Vera's expression twisted with fury. "You think you can stop me?" she snarled, her claws elongating as crackling lightning danced across her body. "I'm the gatekeeper of the underworld! I've lived for centuries! You may be the Dark Lord's son, but you're a traitor to your kind. You've sided with humans—pathetic, weak humans! You're nothing but a disgrace!"
Cater's eyes hardened, glowing like molten embers. He didn't flinch at her words.
Before he could respond, Vera lunged at him, her speed a blur. But in an instant, the entire room shifted. The walls, the floor, the light—all of it vanished, replaced by an endless, suffocating darkness.
Vera stumbled mid-attack, her momentum faltering as she spun in place. "What is this?!" she hissed, her voice rising in frustration.
Cater's voice echoed through the shadows, calm yet unyielding. "Did you really think you could challenge me?" His figure appeared before her, shrouded in darkness, his fiery sword burning brighter than ever. His aura dominated the space, oppressive and absolute.
"This is my world," Cater said, spreading his arms as the shadows seemed to pulse with his will. "You may be the gatekeeper of the underworld, but don't forget who I am. I've lived in darkness my entire life. I am the darkness."
Vera sneered, tightening her grip on her weapon. "You might be the Dark Lord's son, but you're a betrayer. And all betrayers die in the end. So don't worry—I'll be the one to end you."
She charged forward, lightning crackling across her blade as she swung with all her might. But just as her strike was about to land, Cater disappeared, reappearing behind her in the blink of an eye. Before she could react, he grabbed her by the neck and slammed her into the ground.
"You've been a disobedient keeper," Cater said, his voice calm but lethal. "I thought taking your wings would teach you humility, but I was wrong. You'll never change."
Vera growled, struggling against his grip, but Cater didn't let up. Instead, he threw her effortlessly into a wall of shadow that formed at his command.
"You can't hide forever!" she spat, lightning flaring as she prepared another attack. "I'll destroy you and everything you care about!"
Cater stepped into the faint light of his blade, his face cold, unreadable. "You're forgetting something, Vera," he said as he raised his sword. "I'm stronger than you."
With a swift, decisive strike, he plunged the flaming blade into her stomach. Vera gasped, her red eyes wide with shock.
"Do you really think this will stop me?" she sneered, though her voice trembled.
Cater smirked. "Not this sword," he said, his tone low and cutting. "But the Sword of Death will."
Her eyes widened in horror as she noticed the blade shift, its flames turning pitch black as it drained her energy.
"No…" Vera whispered, stumbling back. Her lightning dimmed, her once-powerful presence flickering like a dying flame.
"You're a fool, Cater," she rasped, her voice barely audible. "Why fight for humans? Why betray your kind for them?"
Cater stepped closer, his gaze steady, unrelenting. He gripped her hair, pulling her face inches from his.
"Because the man I love is human," he said, his voice unwavering. "And neither you, nor my father, nor anyone else will harm him. Not while I'm alive."
Vera's body began to harden, turning to stone as the sword's curse consumed her. She let out a final, defiant scream.
"I'll return, Cater," she spat, hatred dripping from her words. "And when I do, I'll make sure you're the first to die!"
Cater remained silent, his expression unreadable as she crumbled to the ground, frozen in stone.
"When you return," he said quietly, "I'll be ready."
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When Cater returned to the human world, the room was eerily silent. Alric stood frozen, staring at him in disbelief.
"Cater," Alric whispered, his voice barely audible.
Cater turned to him, his expression softening. He took slow steps toward the prince, stopping just a few feet away. "I'm sorry I lied to you, Prince Alric," Cater said, bowing his head. "I'll leave now. I won't trouble you or Avalor again."
He turned to leave, but Alric grabbed his wrist, stopping him in his tracks.
"You're not going anywhere," Alric said firmly. "Not without an explanation."
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The two of them sat in a quiet room. Jane had joined them moments earlier, ensuring the castle was secure.
"I've erased the memories of the guards," Jane said, her voice tired but calm. "No one will remember what happened. Your father won't notice anything is amiss when he returns."
She sat down, glancing at the two men. The tension between them was different.
Finally, Alric spoke, breaking the silence. "What are you?" he asked, his voice tight with frustration. "All this time, you've been pretending to be something you're not. Were you sent here to spy on me? Are you part of the evil that's been attacking my kingdom?"
Cater stood, but Alric rose as well, drawing his sword and pointing it at him. "You were my friend," Alric said, his voice shaking. "And all this time, you've been lying to me. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't strike you down right now."
Cater stared at the blade, then reached out and touched it. In an instant, the sword turned to ash, crumbling in Alric's hand.
Alric's eyes widened as Cater stepped closer, their faces mere inches apart. Before Alric could react, Cater leaned in and kissed him, the gesture lingering for a moment before he pulled back.
"Because I love you, Alric," Cater said softly, his voice steady. "I know it's insane. I know it doesn't make sense. But it's the truth. When you kissed me and woke me up, I felt it—this connection between us. I've loved you for longer than I care to admit. I don't care what you think of me now, or what decision you make. But I needed you to know."
Alric stood in stunned silence, his heart racing as he processed Cater's words.
Jane, watching from the corner, smiled faintly. "Well," she muttered under her breath, "this just got interesting."
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