The Death

Chapter 11

Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

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Alric's scream jolted Cater awake. He shot upright, his heart pounding as he scanned the room, only to find the prince glaring at him from across the bed.

"Cater! What are you doing in my room?" Alric demanded, his voice sharp and tinged with confusion.

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 flushed a deep red, and he grabbed a pillow, hurling it at Cater. "Get out!"

Cater ducked just in time, laughing as he stood and brushed off his shirt. "You're welcome, Your Highness," he said, his tone light but teasing, 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…" Her eyes narrowed 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 let it drop. She folded her arms, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Cater, have you heard the news? Something's happening in town—something bad."

Cater's brow furrowed. "What kind of bad?"

Jane glanced around the hallway before 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 ready for the day, his usual confidence masking any embarrassment from earlier.

"You're still here?" Alric asked, his gaze flicking 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 voice calm. "She's just a friend."

Alric raised an eyebrow but didn't push 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 large crowd had gathered, murmuring in anxious whispers. The air was thick with unease as Alric pushed through the crowd, Cater and Jane close behind him.

When they reached the center, the source of the commotion became horrifyingly clear.

Five bodies lay sprawled on the cobblestones, their limbs twisted at unnatural angles. Blood pooled around them, staining the stones crimson. Their faces were frozen in expressions of pure terror, their eyes wide and unseeing.

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 face a mask of fury. His commanding voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd. "What happened here?"

The whispers silenced instantly as the crowd turned to the king.

Alric stepped forward, still pale. "Father, do you think this was… one of them?"

King Authur's jaw tightened as his gaze swept over the carnage. "What else could it be?" he spat. "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. The brutality was too familiar, too calculated. His stomach twisted with anger and dread.

As the king stormed off, Alric remained rooted in place, staring at the bloodied 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 left the castle grounds, his steps swift and determined. He headed toward the edge of the forest, the weight of his decision pressing down on him.

"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 if he looks for you? What should I say?"

Cater shook his head, his resolve unwavering. "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 steady.

Jane's eyes widened as realization dawned. "No. You can't mean…"

"I'm going to my father," Cater interrupted, his tone final.

Jane stared at him, horror flickering in her eyes. "You're insane. You can't go back there, Cater. If you do, he'll kill you!"

"He won't," Cater said, his eyes darkening with determination. "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 for a moment. "I have to do this, Jane. If I don't, Alric and everyone else in this kingdom will suffer."

Jane's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded reluctantly. "Just… promise me you'll come back."

Cater offered 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 heavier and hotter as Cater descended into the underworld. Flames licked at his heels, casting eerie shadows across the jagged stone walls. His sword gleamed faintly in his hand, its blade pulsing with a dim blue light as if responding to the darkness around him.

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 closer. "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 threatening.

Vara's eyes narrowed, and she stepped forward, her claws clicking against the stone floor. "Or what? You'll fight me?"

Cater's fangs extended, and his sword ignited with flames. "Don't test me, Vara."

The two stared each other down, the tension crackling like fire. Cater's resolve was unshaken. He had one goal: confront his father and end the chaos before it consumed everything he cared about.

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