Chapter 0.2. Arcane Awakening - Part 2

"Give me that!"

Enraged at the insult, the Jailer grabbed the whip from the soldier and repeatedly beat up Etheron. 

Whoosh! 

Chuck. 

Shuuksh.

The sound of the whip hitting Etheron's bloodied skin resounded along with the ignored screams of Vaelros and Azrahel for the Supreme Jailer to stop.

"Aaargh!! Ackhhh!!" 

Etheron repeatedly spewed blood but the jailer couldn't care less. 

His wounds dripped with blood as they beat him up, but the Supreme Jailer was drunk on the pleasure of showing who's stronger and in control here.

And the Black Sun's soldiers here did not really care about the weak. 

Because in this world, only the strong had the right to survive.

This was what they believed in.

Azrahel gritted his teeth as he felt the suffering of his twin.

In this world, only their father Vaelros and a few people truly cared for them.

Yes, just them.

Meanwhile, these soldiers and their people only saw them as nothing less than animals.

It's like they were pests that needed to be crushed.

It was clear in everyone's eyes here.

"STOP!!! That's enough!!! Stop! He's going to die!" 

Seeing Etheron's suffering, Vaelros screamed as he mustered all his strength to free himself from his restraints, but to no avail.

"???"

Everyone glanced at Vaelros.

A sense of relief washed over him when the whipping stopped.

However, the soldiers and the Supreme Jailer grinned at Vaelros with maniacal eyes.

He realized it was exactly what they wanted.

They wanted Etheron dead.

Vaelros' blood turned cold.

He discarded all his pride and pleaded, "No, please…Don't! I beg of you! Please don't kill him! He's just a kid. Let them be and take me wherever you want."

"Hahaha."

Their laughter roared.

They visibly liked hearing Vaelros beg. But, all his pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Watch, Vaelros," the Supreme Jailer commanded.

Shing.

With eyes set on doing something despicable, the Supreme Jailer took his meter-long sword called Forsaken Blade.

Sensing the imminent danger, Vaelros and Azrahel desperately tried to free themselves to go to Etheron as they both screamed, "STOP!! DON'T!!!"

Slash! 

Etheron's body was slashed from the left shoulder to his right leg. 

And, as if it was not enough, the Supreme Jailer slit his mouth as well.

"ETHERON!!!!" Azrahel shrieked and fell to his knees.

Azrahel gripped on his chest, feeling immense pain and immeasurable sense of loss as he felt his twin's pain.

"NOOO!!!! Damn you all!!!" Vaelros' roar resounded. 

Fury and grief overwhelmed him and his voice broke as he said, "He's just a kid… Why??! How could you?! Why?!!"

Vaelros felt like a part of his soul just died at the sight of his son's body bathing in blood.

Though he was injured and bleeding, Etheron was moving about and whole earlier. 

But now, Vaelros just witnessed Etheron stop moving.

"No… Etheron…" Vaelros froze.

'I'm such a useless father… I was not able to protect him,' he thought as he was petrified in grief.

"D-Dad!" Azrahel screamed and his voice woke up Vaelros from a trance.

"Azrahel!" Vaelros gasped when he realized he still had Azrahel.

He must protect him!

The Supreme Jailer was walking towards Azrahel.

Vaelros realized what they planned next.

"NO!!" Vaelros screamed. 

"See? What can you people do?" The Supreme Jailer chuckled at their helplessness.

"Nnggh!"

Vaelros tried to break free from his bounds. But, to no avail.

"Stay away from me! Don't come any closer!" Azrahel cried as the Supreme Jailer approached him with the sword he used on Etheron still dripping with blood.

"Your time is up kid," the soldier in charge of Azrahel said and gave way for the Supreme Jailer.

"You're a good boy, but your father and brother are rotten maggots trying to climb their way up. They ought to know their place," the Supreme Jailer said as he shook his head in mockery.

Filled with dread as the soldiers held him in place, Vaelros kneeled on all fours with his head lowered close to the ground.

Vaelros could tell the Supreme Jailer was someone who flaunted his power. Thus, trying to appease the jailer by humbling himself might help.

Vaelros would do everything to save his remaining son!

"Please… Please, I beg you! Please, I'll do anything you say. Please… Let him live!" Vaelros begged.

"Wahaha! Hahaha!"

The Supreme Jailer laughed happily at Vaelros actions.

"So, the once mighty Vaelros Dreadstelth of the Livingrings knew how to humble himself! Yes, I will spare him!" the Supreme Jailer said.

Vaelros found hope as they agreed to his plea. But the next instant…

Shing! 

Chuck. 

Screech.

The sound of the sword trying to cut into Azrahel's thin neckline was heard clashing with the thick armored necklace Vaelros had given him.

"Arghhh!" 

Azrahel screamed as he tried to distance himself but was punched in the gut and fell to the ground.

The Supreme Jailer grinned as Azrahel lay on the ground, vulnerable to be cut.

"STOP!!! You bastards!!!!" 

Vaelros roared in desperation, using all his strength left, he tried to run to Azrahel, but the soldiers pulled him back using the chains they had bound him with.

Ensuring Vaelros could do nothing but watch helplessly, the Supreme Jailer swung Forsaken Blade and swiftly thrust it ten times into Azrahel's body.

"His body is much weaker than his twin. Only his eyes seem to be alive now. But not for long," said the Supreme Jailer and grinned.

At this moment, Etheron with his last spark of life, still felt the pain and agony as he saw his twin brother stabbed many more times.

Tears escaped Etheron's eyes as he tried to scream, but he could no longer talk after they slit his mouth.

Still, he was able to make some sounds and was heard.

"Oh! You're still alive, boy?!" 

The Supreme Jailer and the soldiers noticed Etheron again.

"You really don't know when to give up, huh? You should have just stayed silent. Or was the pain too much? You wanted the last blow? Fine, I'll grant it." 

The Supreme Jailer chuckled as he looked down at the barely alive Etheron.