chapter 5 The prophecy
WARNING: (THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE).
The dungeon room has a stench of blood on the walls and floor, with a very bad smell. There were different torturing tools on the wall and tables, and the room was dimly lit by the two touches on the wall.
" Do your worst, I have nothing to say to you disgusting demon" the tortured man muttered as he was barely holding on to his life, he was standing with each of his hands chained to the wall.
He was only wearing pants with no shirt on, his upper body to his face was filled with both old and new wounds of whip, nail like wounds, and different torturing tools. His body was covered in blood. His long black hair was sticking to his face and body, his beards had grown so much and looked unkempt.
" Hmmm , that's how I like it," he said teasingly as he swirled the cup of his wine around his mouth.
" Ethan, why don't you tell him the good news?" a smirk formed on his face, as he looked at the man who was torturing the man.
The man called Ethan had a devilish smile on his face" sure, do you want to hear the good news? I am very sure you are going to like it" his voice became more terrifying as he finished his words while he traced his finger on the man's wounds, a painful groan escaped from the tortured man lips.
Ethan has long blonde hair that went past his chest, but he had tied the front hair up while letting the remaining hair down, he had striking sharp features, a body that looked so ethereal, he wore white suit, a look that made him pass as an angel. His grey eyes stared menacingly at the man.
The tortured man was now gasping for air, his face was contorted with fear. He thought to himself " did they find them, no that is not possible " he frantically shakes his head in disbelief.
Ethan brought out a ponytail that was cut from a little girl's hair " we found your family, and thought you might need some evidence " he said as if to soothe his pain, the tortured man's pain was now evident on his face. " But don't worry, they are still alive, we are not that evil you know" he jokingly said.
" Please do not harm them, please I beg of you" he begged as tears rolled down his cheeks. The man sitting on the chair stood up and walked closer to the tortured man , he grabbed his face " are you ready to talk now?" He asked, tinting his head slightly to one side.
" Yes I will tell you, but you have to promise me to let them go" he tried to strike a bargain. A look of displeased contours the man's face," alright , spill it" he commanded, giving the man a chance to tell him the secret he has longed to acquire.
" The prophecy says that a child will be born and the destiny of the great ruler of the demons will fall on her shoulders, she will cause his dead heart to beat again, all creatures shall rise against them, will they survive or….be destroyed? your first encounter will be the beginning of your end, great lord Alexander," the tortured man said laughing maniacally at the end.
The two men stared at each other, before the blink of an eye, Alexander's hand was already inside the man's chest squeezing his heart, "ahhhhhhhh" the man wailed, " that is not what I asked you, is it?" Alexander asked menacingly with a hiss.
" Where is the so-called child now?" Ethan demanded. " the child was born in the village Ancries" the man wailed, " The village was already destroyed " Alexander said nonchalantly.
"The child was sent to moon crescent, she is there, spare my fam…" before the man could finish his sentence his heart was squeezed and he was burned inside out, with nothing remaining but his ashes.
" We haven't found your family yet" Alexander said as he blew the ashes on his hand away. Ethan brought a handkerchief for him.
" what are we going to do Alex, crescent moon is strong enough to go to battle against us" Ethan asked as the situation has become a little bit tricky.
Alexander dabbed at his palms with a clinical calm. "Not if we're...guests," he said, a slow, deadly smile creeping across his face.
"Prophecy child, wherever you are, I'll make sure to extinguish any light in your heart. No one can change my fate-certainly not you." He gestured for Ethan to follow. "Prepare to depart, and ensure we have appropriate gifts for the Crescent Moon Alpha King. We'll show them our... hospitality."
With one final glance at the smoldering ashes on the dungeon floor, they left the chamber, the door slamming behind them.
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Far from the dark lands of Guldoria, Calista traveled in a cramped carriage that rumbled along a moonlit road toward the Alpha King's palace. Seated opposite her was Aurora—her dearest (and most mischievous) friend—who glanced anxiously at the passing fields.
Both girls wore tailored suits in a bid to disguise themselves as young noblemen, complete with top hats and even fake mustaches. In another context, they might have laughed at the absurdity of their costumes, but tonight, Calista's heart pounded too fiercely to find much humor in their situation.
Aurora fiddled with the lapel of her jacket, breaking the tense silence first. "Are you nervous?"
Calista managed a weary smile. "Why wouldn't I be? If Father sees me at this ball, it's the dungeon—or worse."
With a small sigh, Aurora leaned forward, lowering her voice. "I'm worried, too. But we've come too far to turn back now, right? At least we won't be recognized." She attempted an encouraging look, though a hint of uncertainty flashed in her eyes.
Aurora's lips turned into a mischievous grin. "Stop overthinking it. You look handsome—well, as handsome as we can manage." She paused, casting a glance out the small carriage window. "Besides, maybe we'll just slip in and out before midnight. No one'll even realize we were there."
Folding her arms, Calista stared at the flickering lanterns lining the distant palace gates. All she could think about was her father, Beta Mateo of Crescent Moon, and her sister Emily, who was doubtless preparing to dazzle the entire court. If either of them recognized Calista, there would be no mercy.
"Let's stick to the plan, Aurora," Calista said, voice tight with resolve. "We're going to see what the big deal is about this banquet, and then we leave. No wandering off for a grand tour of the palace, no flirting with random lords. Agreed?"
Aurora attempted to look serious, placing a hand over her chest. "Agreed. Cross my heart," she said solemnly. But the sparkle in her eyes betrayed a lingering excitement that worried Calista. Aurora had never been one to resist temptation or curiosity.
The wheels of the carriage hit a patch of rough road, jostling them both. Calista fought a surge of nerves. Sneaking out of the house under her parents' and siblings' noses was a significant risk—yet part of her felt a strange thrill at the act of rebellion. Life in the Crescent Moon Pack had grown stifling, especially with Emily constantly overshadowing her. Maybe, she thought, glimpsing the world of the Alpha King would offer a taste of the freedom she craved.
"We're almost there," Aurora whispered, peering through the carriage window. In the distance, towering spires and golden lights beckoned them. The palace rose against the dark sky like a gleaming monolith, promising grandeur and danger in equal measure.