chapter 7

Lucifer PoV:

Midnight blue deepens over a broad and starless sky. Thunder shakes the ground threatening anyone to come out of their shelter. Alas, that is what happens when the tyrant rules over this mystical land. The slightest mistake and you’ll perish before you know it.

‘Are you sure you can do this alone, boy? Because once you go in, there’s no turning back!’ the tyrant roared, warning him of the consequences ahead.

I let out an unsatisfied sigh while kneeling on the ground. It was cold, hard, and rough like it is every day. The punishments and torture are at the next level. It ensures that the weak do not survive in this castle.

It was pitch black all around and all you can ever witness here is the unruly darkness. The only source of light is the moonlight that escapes through the heavily sealed windows enclosed in blood-red curtains. I do not know how it is in the outside world as the only places I go are training and my room. The room is ripped off any light for keeping me in the shadows. Because he is afraid that I’ll get rid of him if I stay in the light. Oh, don't even get me started on my training. The amount of homework they give me and trying to brainwash me with these lectures. They think I am weak and numb, but I have been reformed and reborn since my mother's death. I promised her I will be stronger.

Oftentimes you hear the screaming and pleading from other servants across the castle. I would feel threatened, but I know that the tyrant is nothing without his servant boy. And if his servant boy shows any weakness the tyrant won’t hesitate to kill him. so simple it is, the circle of life.

I do every mission and task he orders without question why; some may even consider me his dog. Well, they are not wrong, I am a dog, just missing a tail.

Although I wore dark robes, so dark as midnight, and continued serving this wretched tyrant, it is for a reason. It is to find my light. It is something I inherited from my mother. Light represents hope and joy, something I was neglected of. Light makes colors and colors represent love, which I find beautiful. But since her death, I’ve been locked in this room with no escape. They have been keeping me away and trying to make me forget my true goal, to find the light. The only entertainment is talking to my shadows cast by the dull moonlight and the shadows cast when the day arrives.

There goes a saying for this: ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can di that.’ Ever since, I’ve been searching for that light, for my salvation.

I’ve been searching for that hope.

‘Yes, me lord, I’m sure I can, I’ve taken up and solved missions that were far difficult than this’ I lied as I secretly pleaded with him to buy it.

‘You don’t understand, finding the lost princess is no child’s play, one must be cautious and prepared. This is a big responsibility my boy, you think you can handle that woman alone?’

‘Yes, my lord, I’ve even tracked down her location and her place of learning. She will soon unlock her true power’

I replied with my hand clutching my chest trying not to look at his face. He may be my father, but he certainly never behaved like one. Those gruesome tasks and missions of his gave me nothing but bitterness and pain, but for him, on the contrary, something he yearns from everyone on this land: praise.

‘Very well then, try to stay in the shadow and keep a low profile. Be cautious and precise and DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REVEAL ANYTHING TO THE GIRL.’he warned.

I gulped and stood up straight. Bowed slightly and put my arm on my chest for seriousness. ‘As you wish, my lord’.

It will shock you on how power can change people. Only a few survived the madness. No wonder he is such a tyrant. It’s just as the ancients described: ‘the more the power, the more the abuse.’

Even now as he uttered those words they were not of concern, but of fear, he might lose his only good fighter in this kingdom.

But now, I would not have agreed to this even if I didn’t have a choice, no, that would be like stepping into a dragon’s nest. This time, it’s for a cause. A simple cost to find my light.

From the moment they showed me her photo my eyes had never seen anything brighter. Her face, oh, they shone like the crystals in mines, uncut and pure. Her skin, like she has been bathed in the spirit waters in malholla and her heart-warming smile. My heart pounded every moment I saw it. Even in this dark room in the darkest hour, she shines bright like the sun. No, better than the sun, like a huge star.

Even uttering her name ripens a blossom into fruit. I kept repeating her name to make me fall asleep last night. It sounded like a melody in my ears.

I forgot time passing as I imagined my days with her. My face lit up with joy. I could finally have a friend who is not a shadow or perhaps even more than a friend, but let’s not get hasty here.

But the thought of using her as a tool or weapon frightens me. This feeling in my heart is so pleasant it terrifies me. If I want her to be my friend, I must protect her from the tyrant.

If not, she could fall into the wrong hands and lose her path. She will be forced and manipulated, but I will not let that happen as long as I live. That is why I agreed to this, I will protect my dear Lilith at all costs.

Ever since her image has been stitched in my mind I could not stop thinking about it. It is frightening as well as dazzling. Oh, my dear Lilith, fear not, for Lucifer the III will protect you with his life as this world is yet rid of chivalry and order.