PROLOGUE:

A clicking sound reverberated through the quiet halls lit by flickering torches on the wall. The air was thick with the scent of smoke, brownstone and rich cologne. 

 The nerve wrecking sound continued to sound and it came closer towards a room with open doors. The room had at least twenty creatures with their knees on the floor and their heads bowed as they all awaited his presence. 

 At the room centre sat a Black throne at the top of the dais, the surface adorned with intricate carvings of twisted nightmarish creatures. The room seemed to absorb light around it. This was the Throne room. 

 The clicking sound which was the sound of shoes hitting the dark polished stone on the pathway continued to advance forward. A presence of malevolence and dark power filled the air.

 Each creature present in the room continued to hold their breaths and bow their heads as the presence approached, taking all its time. 

 It advanced forward, passing by every creature and walked towards the black throne and sat upon it. 

 The creature has a crown atop its head. The crown was made of diamonds and intricate carvings. The crown surface was adjourned with jagged, thorn-like protrusions that appeared to shift and writhe like living serpents. 

 A dark crimson gemstone glowed with an energy at the crown centre pulsing with evil power that promised to corrupt all those who dared to wear it. Only one creature was able to wear this evil without corruption. 

 The Demon King. 

 Sitting on the throne, the red slithering eyes of the demon king wandered around trying to find those to condemn and those with a spirit of defiance. 

 "You may rise." The booming voice of the king rang in the air. 

 All the creatures in the room with their heads bowed got up and stood. These creatures were elders in the city of Erebus, coming from different kingdoms to pay respect to their king. 

 "Zarek." The king said. 

 A man with a perfectly tailored suit and dark aura shifted from the darkness in the room and walked towards the throne. He handed the king the object in his hand and walked back to his position without saying a word. 

 The room was quiet and eerie as they all waited for the demon king to call upon them. 

 The king observed the parchment given to him before looking up.

 "Novae, why is there still defiance amongst your people?" 

 A woman with long fangs and an out worldly beauty went to her knees. "My Lord, my town is closest to Khaosville and the outskirts of the city. We have little protection, my Lord. The people of Khaosville has continued to instill more chaos in my town. Words about a new demon have spread like wildfire and have given the people courage that has been unheard of, My Lord."

 Anger radiated of the king as he stared intently at the woman before him. 

 Sensing his anger, she immediately spoke up, "My Lord, if I can get more protection and guards at my borders, I would be able to capture those responsible and maintain the peace of our great city."

 "A new Demon?" The king asked with his eyes narrowed.

 "My Lord, news of a new king has been spreading. Words of your incompetence due to a witch curse have continued to go around and the people are in doubt. Only you seem not to be aware of this my Lord." She said with a hidden smirk as she continued to keep her head bowed.

 "If anyone would be kind enough to Enlighten me on this 'incompetence' and why am I the last one here to hear of this?" The king said. Confusion spread around his face as he looked at his subjects with a menacing gaze.

 A scrawny man with tall legs, long ears and thin bat like wings stepped forward. He fell on his knees and bowed his head before speaking. 

 "My Lord, our crops continue to die. Famine has filled every corner of our towns and the heat in the city is beyond scorching. There has been no sunlight in the past 5 centuries and our children keep having stunted growth. The people are desperate for a savior, my lord and they blame it on the House of Valtor curse. There is only more regression, famine and death amongst our people."

 The king relaxed on his throne and gave a brief nod. He was well aware of all these but knew there was little he could do. Maybe a new demon didn't sound bad.

 He was more than happy to entertain the idea of a new demon that could challenge him and win, claiming his Kingdom. It would be best for the people but nevertheless, he didn't let how he felt show. 

 The people were stupid. The curse was not upon his house but also upon the land. Only a death wishing demon would be foolish enough to defy him and even if they won, the curse was going to consume and kill him. Even a newborn demon knew this. 

 "Novae, more protection and guards would arrive in your city in the next four nights. Find the spreader of these rumors and treat them as the traitors they are."

 The king stood up before continuing. "Be rest assured that I am aware of these concerns and I am working towards this." His voice boomed echoing in the room.

 "I have provided more-" His voice stopped abruptly. 

 The demon king halted his speech as he looked around. His subjects also paused as they also looked around trying to find the cause of his silence. 

 Then she heard it again. The menacing sound of a bell and the screams of a woman filled his ears. 

 A strange smell filled his nostrils. A smell he had not smelt in centuries.

 Flowers. 

 The smell of flowers continued to consume him. "What is that?" His angry voice sounded. 

 His subjects continued to look at him with confusion. Unknowingly to him, they could neither smell or hear this sound. 

 Before the king could react again, the sound of bells and screams filled his ear causing his face to distort with pain. A burning sensation filled his chest. 

 The sound of a bell ringing three times in his head meant only one thing. 

 His Bride. She was here and calling for him.