Chapter 28: The Scar

From the king's chamber, all the wise men, or should we say, vampires, have gathered on the meeting table. They have grave expressions which show how serious the matter why they've been called.

"My lord, I've gathered reports about the princes' trainings in different grounds. But some hasn't awaken their powers yet." The head butler reported.

King Alucard clenched his fist, "This isn't enough! I need to raise a child who would kill that wench for me! Tell me how to train all those brats in their full potential." He demanded.

They suggested, "Your highness, why not train them under the strongest teacher? In that way, the princes will become the strongest too."

"No!" The king slammed his fist on the table and the sound echoed around the room which made them flinched.

"I shall be the strongest and no one else! All I want for those brats is to kill that wench Astrid!" He roared.

And there was silence that envelopes the chamber. They were all trembling. The displeased expression of the king means the end of them. And with that, they all trembled in fear. If no one else would give a better answer that he seeks, there'll be no tomorrow for them.

"Y-your majesty... if you may..." One of them dared to raise his trembling hand.

"What is it?"

He gulped and took a deep breath, "I was just thinking, your majesty... Why do you have to train all the princes where you can just select the strongest among them?"

"What do you mean?" The king leaned forward who seems interested.

"We lack time and suitable vampires to train them, they are so many. Why don't we arrange a battle wherein they could release their full potentials? In that way, your highness, you can see for yourself who is the strongest among them to carry your wish."

Silence has come for a moment. The idea made the king smirked.

"I'll take that." He stood up from his seat.

He called on the head butler, "Gather all the princes. It's time to test their worth."

The boy gasped as he shot his eyes wide open. The scene of his brothers being killed in front of him has been haunting him for days. The scene kept on repeating as if reminding him not to forget. Sometimes, his brothers' bloody corpses talk to him, blaming him for what had happened.

And that sent chills to his spine every time he recalls it.

"Zoren, are you alright?" His mother rushed beside him soon as he woke up.

She wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead as she saw him tremble.

"Another nightmare?"

The boy nodded and she pulled him for a hug, rubbing his back gently to calm him down.

"Don't worry, I'm here. Nothing's gonna hurt you, it's just a dream." She softly whispered, enough to wash all his fears away.

Oh, what would he do without the most precious vampire in his life?

"Thank you." He said with a smile on his face.

Just as when he was about to pull away, he saw some small dots on her fingers.

"Mother, where did you get these?" He frowned.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just got pricked by needles. How clumsy of me!" She laughed awkwardly.

He just shrugged the matter for now.

Since his mother loves to sew, it has became her hobby. And accidents like that are inevitable to happen.

Just then, they heard a knock from the door. From it, a servant entered with some knights.

"The king wants to see the boy and his mother." He announced.

And with that, they were forced to prepare to present themselves before the king.

"How have you been, my child?" King Alucard asked soon as they arrived.

Zoren bowed his head, "I've been well, father."

"That's good to hear." He stood from his throne and walked towards them.

"As my heir to the throne, I am sending you to a training camp. Where you'll become stronger and release your full potential as the crown prince."

"But my king," the consort spoke, "Our child is just four years of age! He might not survive a different environment."

"Silence!" The king glared at the consort, "I'll be sending him because he is my son, and I believe in him."

Then, he glanced at the boy, "You can do it, right son?"

His sharp golden eyes met his, as if telling him that he'll never take 'No' as an answer.

The boy gulped, "Of course, father."

"Good. You'll be leaving tomorrow at sunset. So you'd better prepare your things." He turned his back at them.

When they left the king's presence, the consort suddenly hugged the boy. She was trembling, as if she was afraid of something.

"It's alright, Zoren... It would be alright..." She whispered with a shaking voice like she's holding herself not to cry.

He doesn't understand much. He can't grasp everything that has happened. But there's one thing clear in his mind: He has to do his best in order to make the king proud and to return to his mother's arms safe and sound.

And the next day came like a flash of lightning. How he wished this day would never come but it won't happen. That's the reality.

"I've packed everything you need in there." His mother said and gave the bag to him, "Be careful, okay? Return safely to me." She tried to smile even she has become pale which is close to her gray hair.

'She must've been worried that much and didn't get enough sleep.' He thought.

"I'll do my best, mother. So wait for me." He smiled brightly before hugging her tight.

And with that, he rode the carriage with his other brothers as they were sent to the training camp. They were taken outside the castle walls, somewhere far away from their town.

The trees are taller and thicker than what they have in the garden. The skies are darker than theirs in town. The silence is deafening. All they can hear are the whispers of the owls as they hoot and the crackling sounds of the small insects all around. These are the things he observed before they arrived at their destination.

They were all sent into one spacious room.

"This is where all of you would be sleeping. Tomorrow, the training shall start." Said the head butler.

"You expect us to sleep in this untidy place?!" Complained one of the princes. And some of them agreed with him.

"If you cannot, then should I escort you back, your majesty? It would be a great shame when the king finds out about it." There's a threat in his voice that made the other princes stay quiet and just accept the place for now.

As for Zoren, he doesn't have any complaints at all.

'This is nothing. I just have to endure it all to get back to mother as soon as possible.' He thought, which serves as his motivation.

The next day, they were forced to wake up early in the morning. While it's still cold outside due to the fog, they were asked to do warm-ups every single day. After that, they would be handling swords and shields and spar with their brothers.

"Ugh!" Zoren groaned as he fell on the ground from the impact when his brother swung his sword.

"Tch! How weak!" He grinned as he mocked him with his eyes.

This routine goes on and continues within two weeks. It feels like his limbs have swollen due to the strength he exerts whenever he spars with his brothers.

The head butler came and cleared his throat as if making an announcement. Everyone's necks craned on him followed by a moment of silence.

"Tomorrow would be the beginning of the real test. Anyone who fails will be removed as a candidate for the throne as per instructed by the king."

After that, the children murmured about the matter. And as for Zoren, as someone being despised by most, doesn't have a single soul to talk to. Well, not for today.

"Uhm..." He heard a voice from his side.

When he turned to his right, he saw the girl with a fuchsia pink hair.

"You--!" It was his half-sister, the said to be the first born of the witch.

"I-I... wanted to thank you for so long. Thank you for saving me!" She bowed her head.

Zoren was reminded of the time he stopped his brothers for hurting her. It was also the beginning of his nightmares.

"No need to thank me... I didn't do anything." He mumbled.

'And because of me... our brothers died... so don't thank me!' He thought with a painful expression.

"That's not true!" The girl exclaimed, "B-because you defended me, no one ever dared to harm me anymore! If you didn't come that time, they might be still bullying me... For me, you're my hero. Thank you!" She smiled.

Her words left a warm feeling in his heart. This is the first time someone thanked him aside from his mother.

With that, a smile slowly drawn on his lips.

"Thank you... uhm.." He paused, realizing he didn't even know his sister's name.

"Isabella. You can call me Bella, brother."

"Bella, what are you doing here? Did you know this is a training camp?"

The girl nodded, "I know... But they said if I didn't go... I won't be able to see my mom anymore." She gloomily said.

It was a well-known news that the witch was sent in a far away tower and there, she was sealed away. Ever since then, no one is allowed to go to that place or the curse of the witch will haunt you down.

And ever since the day the witch tried to harm him, Bella was forbidden to see her own mother. A pang of guilt strikes him. It was his fault once again that another was hurt because of him. He has to become stronger to fix his mess. That's the only option he has.

The next day came and everyone gathered outside. They were given a freedom to choose their armors and weapons before the test begins. And because they were treated cruelly and unfairly, no armor was left for Zoren and Bella. All that's left was a small shield, a sword, a helmet, and a dagger.

Zoren took the helmet and placed it on Bella's head.

"You'll need that the most." He said.

As much as she dislikes being a burden to anyone, she accepted the helmet regardless. It would be rude to reject it anyways.

"Then, you take the sword." She said.

"I can only lift this one." She added and took the dagger.

"Alright then." Zoren agreed and took the small shield as well.

When everyone is prepared, they were sent to a big arena where they were overwhelmed by the crowd all around.

The king, seated on his throne, is watching at the center above the stage.

"What's happening here?" Asked one of the princes.

"Allow me to explain, young lords." The head butler came.

"The final test will determine your strength of survival in this battle. Each of you would fight his own sibling to death."

Their expressions change upon hearing the last word.

"What do you mean? We're going to kill one another?" Asked the other prince.

"You are correct, dear prince. It is as I said. If you fail to kill your enemy, you'll be remove as a candidate to the throne and you won't be able to come back to the castle."

His last words also mean death. That's when they all realized that if they disobey or fail the test, death is the only ending that awaits them.

"I believe I have made myself clear. I shall take my leave then. The best of luck, my lords." The head butler bowed his head before he left.

And there was a grave and dead silence that surrounds them until the final test begins.

'I don't want to kill anyone! There must be some other way!' Zoren thought as he can't stop his hands from shaking.

The first turn landed on him. The first battle in which his life is on the line.

He slowly walked towards the stage, facing his opponent, his half-brother. If this was the sparring they used to have every dawn, it wouldn't be a problem at all. But the look on his brothers eyes tell him that it's either to kill or be killed.

Soon as the horn is being blown, his brother charged towards him and swung his sword. Zoren defended himself as their swords clashed.

"B-brother... we don't have to do this... There must be some other way." He said.

His brother scoffed, "Save your jokes on me. I know what you're planning."

He swings his sword with all his might that Zoren almost fell out of balance.

His brother continued to strike him that he can hardly keep up defending himself with that small body of his.

"You're planning to distract me with your nice and ideal words so that you can win. What a dirty trick!" He swings his sword upwards that sent Zoren's sword flying and fell out of his reach.

"You're a cheater, just like your mother!" He kicked him in the stomach that made him kneel on his knees.

His brother pointed his sword at him, aiming for his neck.

He grinned, "Any last words?"

Zoren coughed, "Take it back..."

"Huh?"

"Take back... what you said... against my mother..."

His brother scoffed, "Why should I? It was a fact. Didn't you know? Your mother stole that high position of hers so that he can get closer to the king. She killed one of the consorts and took her place. She's a loser-cheater, just like you!"

Those words sent his blood rushing on his head. It was the first time he felt so hot and irritated. The feeling of something was about to explode in his chest.

So this is anger.

"I said... take it back!" Zoren glared at him that sent chills to his brother's spine.

It was something intimidating enough to make anyone take a step backwards. The wind suddenly began to blow. In panic that he might do something more, his brother raised his sword and was about to cut his head.

"Die, you monster!"

All of a sudden, the winds blow stronger and stronger as it came rushing towards the stage. When the audience open their eyes, they saw the boy's body parts scattered all around as his blood splattered on the ground.

And the one standing is no other than Zoren, gazing at his brother's corpse with eyes burning in rage.

It was his first kill. It wasn't merely an accident so he has no excuse to tell. And upon that time he realized something, there's no way out on this but to kill. They're all struggling to live. All of them has someone waiting for them. But he can't just give up.

'Mother... to fulfill my promise, I shall become selfish, okay?' He thought as if talking to his mother.

The days of their living hell continued. Each time he wins a bloody battle, he would go out and vomit. The smell of blood, the sight of his brother's flesh made his stomach turned around and feel nauseous.

'Keep it together, Zoren... You're almost there... You have to... survive...' He said to himself.

The battle goes on and it ended until the five of them survived.

Zoren looked around to see their faces. One was Claudius, the fifth born. He was the one who ordered his other brothers to be killed right in front of his eyes. The others are the twins, if he remembered correctly, their names are Lavi and Levi. He doesn't know much about them since he wasn't allowed to go out that much.

And the other one...

"Brother!" A familiar voice called.

"Bella?"

The girl came running and hugged him tight.

"I'm glad you're alright." He gently caressed her head.

She was crying and trembling, everything must have been traumatic for her. Same goes for him.

The head butler came and cleared his throat, "I congratulate all of you. You have passed the final test and are worthy candidates as heir to the throne."

And with that, they were sent back to the palace.

Upon arrival, all of them were welcomed by their mothers. Except for Zoren and Bella. It was understandable on Bella's case. But for Zoren, he was wondering why his mother didn't go out to see him.

'She must be resting in her room. I'm going to surprise her.' He said to himself and came rushing towards the consort's room.

It was awfully quiet. Usually, there are maids all around this area. But why can't he spot a single one? Noticing these things doesn't stop the boy from seeing her.

"Mother! I'm back!" Upon opening the door, he saw her body lying on bed as if she was asleep.

But what's strange is that he didn't see any sign of movement from breathing. Let alone the white cloth on her face.

"What's... the meaning of this..?" He trembled as he slowly unfurled the cloth.

She looked so skinny, so pale and white. Just like how a corpse should look like.

He shook his head, "No... mother... It's me! Open your eyes!"

He climbed the bed and leaned on her chest to listen to her heartbeat. But he heard nothing. Tears started to fall from his eyes as he held her shoulders.

"Mother, please wake up! It's me, Zoren! I'm back!" He shook her but got no response at all.

That's when he learned to accept that the very vampire who waits for him, the sole reason he survived the camp, has been dead.

'If only I refused to go to take care of you, this wouldn't happen...' He cried as he held her cold hand.

Just then, despite his mourning, he noticed the small dots on her fingers getting darker. Not only that, the veins in her hands, neck, and feet became dark violet and were visible enough to be seen. This reminds him of the very thing that caused these dark dots. He rushed towards his mother's things and found all the sewing needles she used. Something is off with them. And he badly needed answers.

Then, the wind suddenly came gushing around him. After passing through him, the color of the needles change due to the reaction done by the wind. It turned dark violet just like the dark dots.

"Poison!" He mumbled and glanced at her mother.

That's when he felt that heat once again.

Then he rushed towards the king's chamber in rage.

"I want to see father!" He demanded when the knights blocked his way.

"Let him in." The king said when he heard the ruckus outside, "What brings you here, my boy? You did well in surviving the camp last night."

The boy ignored the king's compliment.

"Father, mother has been murdered!" His voice echoed inside the room.

"So you've seen her corpse. I told them not to burry her for now so that you'll be able to bid your goodbye be--"

"So you knew all along? She's been dead for days and you didn't do anything?!"

"What do you expect me to do? It's clearly a suicide."

"Don't take me for a fool!" Zoren exclaimed at the top of his lungs. This is the first time someone raised his voice to the king.

"Mother would never kill herself using the hobby she dearly loved. Someone applied poison to her needles to kill her slowly and painfully! Is that something to be called a suicide?!"

The king turned around and looked at him with his sharp cold eyes.

"So what if it's a murder? What are you going to do about it, huh?!"

"I'll investigate and find out who killed her. I'll make them p--!"

Zoren didn't get to finish his sentence when the king grabbed his little neck.

"Such big words for a small child like you! Don't ever think because you've survived the camp doesn't mean you can do anything! You're still a mere child, so powerless!" Zoren struggled but his grip is way too strong for him to fight back.

"In this world, there are only two kinds of beings: the strong and the weak. Your mother died because she's weak enough to endure that poison. She died because she's not worthy to take care of someone like you, born of a noble blood from the Alucards. You shouldn't throw that away. You are called for a higher purpose. So if I were you, I'll become stronger so you won't end up just like her." King Alucard threw him on the floor and the boy coughed vigorously.

That's when he realized that even his powers have awakened, he still can't defeat him in his current state.

The anger inside him burned even more that he destroyed every mirror he sees inside his room. He doesn't want to see the curse inflicted on his head. The hair color that he hated so much. So much that consumed him to a blazing rage.

"I'll make him pay..." He mumbled as blood drips from his hands.

He took one shard and looked at his reflection for the last time.

"There's only one thing I agree with you, old man..." He clenched the shard on his small hand, slowly breaking it.

"You said I've been called for a higher purpose... and that is, to kill you!"

The shard was torn into pieces as his hand bled too much. He gazed at the moon as he declared his promise to destroy King Alucard with his own hands.