Visiting Father

Chapter 12Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

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Cater gripped his flaming sword tightly, his red eyes glowing with fury as he faced Vara, the demon guardian of the gate to the underworld. Her massive wings spread wide. A mocking smile played on her lips as she watched him.

"Do you really think your hybrid powers will scare me?" Vara sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Don't forget—I am the guardian of this gate. Only I decide who enters and leaves, and you, Cater, are not welcome."

The more she spoke, the tighter Cater's grip became, his anger simmering just below the surface.

"Then I'll walk through the gate myself," Cater growled, his voice low and dangerous.

In a burst of speed, Cater charged toward her, his sword raised high. But Vara was faster. With a powerful sweep of her wings, she launched into the air, catching him off guard. She dove, grabbing him mid-charge and slamming him into the ground with bone-crushing force.

Cater groaned in pain but quickly rolled to his feet. He barely had time to react as Vara hurled a glowing spear of light at him. With a sharp twist, he dodged, the spear striking the ground behind him and splitting it in two.

"How dare you even think of fighting the next Dark Lord?" Cater snarled as she descended, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Do you know what will happen if you defy me?"

Cater's eyes darkened further, his fangs fully extending. Flames erupted along the length of his sword as he stepped forward. "You're nothing to me, Vara," he spat. "The moment I chose to follow the prophecy and protect the humans, I stopped being part of your world."

Vara's mocking laughter echoed through the air. "You gave up your claim to the underworld the day you chose to be a servant to a human! You've become a disgrace to your father, to your bloodline, to everything you were meant to be!"

Her voice dropped into a venomous tone. "I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd have to kill the son of the Dark Lord."

Before she could continue, Cater surged forward with inhuman speed. He grabbed her by the wings and slammed her into the jagged stone wall—once, twice—until the wall cracked from the force. Flames licked the edges of his blade as he swung it down toward her, but Vara blocked the strike with another glowing spear of light.

"How clever," she hissed, forcing Cater back. "But don't forget—I've lived for centuries. You think your youth makes you strong? It only makes you reckless."

With a guttural growl, she lunged at him, her claws aiming for his throat. Cater dodged, but Vara's speed caught him off guard. She spun in mid-air, slamming him into the wall. Her claws wrapped around his neck, digging into his skin as her strength pinned him in place.

"You're a fool, Cater," she hissed, her face inches from his. "Do you think your little act of rebellion makes you special? You're nothing but a disappointment."

Cater gasped for air, his vision blurring as her grip tightened. But even as he choked, a smirk tugged at his lips.

"What's so funny?" Vara snapped.

"You should worry less about me," Cater rasped, his voice strained, "and more about what's behind you."

Vara's eyes widened in confusion. She turned her head slightly—just enough for Cater to seize the moment. With a roar, he tore her wings from her back, black ichor spraying as Vara let out a blood-curdling scream. She collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

Cater stood over her, his sword glowing with flames, his gaze cold and unyielding. "You think being a guardian gives you the right to fight me? Don't forget—I am the Dark Lord's son. And I don't fail."

He turned and walked past her without another glance, his steps unhurried as he approached the gate. The massive iron doors groaned as they opened at his touch, the heat of the underworld searing his skin.

The demons who stood guard scattered, 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.

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The throne room was vast, the oppressive heat pressing down like a weight. Shadows danced on the walls, flickering from the flames that burned in the pits surrounding the throne.

Cater stepped forward, his sword still in hand, its flames dimmed but steady. His father sat on the throne, his massive frame cloaked in darkness. The Dark Lord's back was to him, his presence as menacing as Cater remembered.

"Father," Cater said, his voice steady despite the tension that gripped 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 looming over Cater. In a flash, he grabbed Cater by the neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

"The son I know," the Dark Lord growled, "was meant to take my place and make the humans suffer. But you? You are a disgrace."

He threw Cater to the floor, his strength sending tremors through the ground. Cater coughed, pushing himself up slowly as he looked up at his father.

"Father, I'm sorry I disappointed you," Cater said, his voice earnest but firm. "But Prince Alric is not like his father. He—"

"Silence!" The Dark Lord's voice thundered, his tone colder than the void. "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. "Now leave. I will not look upon a disgrace any longer."

Cater rose to his feet, his anger simmering. His red eyes glowed 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, turning to face him fully. "What did you say?"

Cater stepped forward, 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 stand by and let you destroy him."

The Dark Lord laughed coldly, his voice like ice. "And why is that, Cater? Because of a prophecy?"

"No," Cater said softly, meeting his father's gaze. "Because I love him."

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