Marcus’ POV
“One of the messengers is on his way to deliver the letter to the prince,” said Raphael, my right-hand man.
I nodded. “That’s good then. Just make sure that the letter reaches the prince and that only he will be able to read it. It should not be read by anyone else in the kingdom, especially his cunning father. Because I will also need his power for my child.”
His power was not far behind the princess’, you see. So, it would be better if I could acquire it as well, so that he could serve a purpose before he dies again.
“You can rely on them. They already know what they need to do,” he replied, about to leave when something suddenly occurred to me.
“By the way, where is Dave? I haven’t seen him for a while now. He disappeared without even saying goodbye,” I asked, looking at him intently.
He lowered his head again. “I apologize, but I haven’t seen him since we arrived here.”
I sighed. That child was always a headache. Sometimes I couldn’t help but suspect his actions.
I haven’t heard any objections from him regarding my plans. But I know he doesn’t fully agree with them too, which worries me greatly. Because even though he’s my child, I don’t know what I would do to him if he were to betray me.
“You can go now.”
After he left, I stood up from my seat and carefully gazed at the sky. The strong wind and rain had just stopped, and I knew that Kyle was the one responsible for it.
I raised my fist. If it weren’t for that prophecy, I wouldn’t have lost the woman I loved the most. She should have chosen me instead of that man!
We should have had a complete and happy family by now. But none of this happened because of that prince.
He shouldn’t have been reborn again. That’s why it’s time for me to bring him back to where he came from. Along with the new lineage he belongs to.
And I will make sure that this time, they will be completely eradicated.
***
Kyle Ethan’s POV
I breathed a sigh of relief as I finally managed to control my emotions and power. The heavy downpour that had lasted for hours finally stopped.
What happened earlier should never happen again. I could clearly see the fear on Miley’s eyes and face during those moments. It made me somewhat regain my senses.
But I didn’t expect that even though I suppressed my anger, it would still dissipate in another way.
That’s why I needed to apologize to them. I didn’t want their opinion of me changed because of what happened.
I stood up from my slump on the floor and headed towards the door. I really needed to go and find out if they had gathered any new information about where Marcus might have taken Nicole. Because I knew time was also against us, that’s why we needed to act quickly.
But I furrowed my brow when I felt the familiar presence of my personal protector from outside the door. I quickly opened it, and there before me was Uncle Jacob with his raised fist, about to knock.
“What are you doing here? Do you have any leads on Nicole’s whereabouts?” I asked him coldly.
He looked down, then shook his head. “Prince Kyle, I just came here to give this. I saw it while we were having our rounds outside the portal.”
I stared at the paper he handed me. My eyebrows furrowing in confusion as I read my name written on top of it.
“Didn’t you even see who it came from?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, I just saw it fall from one of the trees while I was walking. When I looked up, I couldn’t see anyone above. I apologize, Your Highness.”
I lightly tapped his right shoulder. “Alright. I’ll take care of this.”
He smiled and nodded at me. “I’ll leave now. Just call me if you encounter any problems.”
I gave him a grateful smile. Uncle Jacob is almost like a father to me. He’s often with me, especially when I visit other countries. He rarely gets to spend time with his own family because of me.
“Thank you very much.”
As soon as he left, I quickly opened the paper and began reading it.
If you still want to catch your beloved woman alive, go to the abandoned building in the middle of the forest west of where you are, alone. Because if I see anyone else with you, it might be her lifeless body that will greet you.
All the calm I had built within myself vanished in an instant. The anger I felt was so intense that I realized the paper I was holding had turned to ashes.
“Fuck you, Marcus! You cowardly shit!”
I swiftly made my way to the window of my room and jumped when I sensed Miley and Kira approaching. I easily left the palace and the portal behind without any difficulty.
I knew it was dangerous to go there alone. But for Nicole’s safety, no one should know about me leaving. I wasn’t called the Pureblood Prince for nothing.
“Just hold on a little while, Nicole. I’m on my way now.”
***
Nicole Jane’s POV
I just stared out of the window, watching as the weather gradually improved. It only made me feel more frustrated, knowing that I was the reason for his current state. Yet, I couldn’t do anything to ease his feelings.
He’s so powerful. He reached a point where even the king and queen couldn’t do anything to calm him down. Since we just recently acquired these additional powers, we haven’t been able to control them properly yet.
“What a drama.”
I felt a shiver run down my spine as his hot breath grazed my neck.
“What are you doing?” I asked softly, sensing him fiddling with the handcuffs that bound my hands. Even though I couldn’t see him, I knew he was behind me now.
He remained silent. I was about to ask him again when I felt a slight loosening of the handcuffs around my hands.
My eyes widened in surprise. “You—”
“Don’t assume anything. I just want this fight to be fair,” he said in a bored tone.
I slowly started to smile. I knew it. He wasn’t like his father. I understand now that he’s just acting cold so that I wouldn’t think he would actually help me out.
“Thank—”
“Don’t thank me yet. I just did my part. It’s up to you to decide what to do next.”
I nodded in response.
“By the way, to answer your first question a while ago...” He paused, and I waited for him to continue.
“My name is Dave Croven,” he said in a low voice.
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing. Based on his voice, he sounded embarrassed, but I couldn’t understand why.
I was about to turn and look at him when I suddenly felt a strong gust of wind coming from behind me. Along with it, the door swung open abruptly, and the man I despised walked in. I automatically scowled as his face came into view.
“Oh, what’s with the sad face? Don’t worry. Your beloved prince is on his way to save you,” he said, grinning.
I glared at him. “What do you mean?” I asked calmly, although the truth was I was incredibly nervous.
He shrugged. “Just be ready. Because he will be arriving in just a few minutes, and this time, you’ll be the one witnessing his slow demise. Exciting, isn’t it?”
My heart rate suddenly quickened at what I heard. But I was taken aback when he approached me and untied my feet. After finishing, he pulled me up and dragged me out.
“You’ll never win this fight, Marcus,” I said firmly, my gaze scanning the surroundings.
He shook his head. “Let’s see, Nicole. We’ll know the answer to that later.”
He paused and looked at me intently. “Don’t even attempt to escape because you can’t do anything. You’ll only exhaust yourself.”
I rolled my eyes at him, choosing to remain silent as I discreetly tried to feel the loosening of the handcuffs around my hands. I silently prayed that he wouldn’t notice it.
Because this time, I won’t allow anyone else to die.
***
Third Person’s POV
KYLE quickly reached the designated location mentioned in the letter sent by Marcus, where numerous enemies awaited him.
Unknown to him, not too far away, other royalties, protectors, and palace guards are keeping an eye on him. They’re all watching over him and observing the actions he will take.
They were all aware of the situation even before Kyle’s protector, Jacob, handed him the letter. The king, having read it, knew that his son needed to know the contents, even if he couldn’t stop him from potentially taking action.
Thus, he swiftly prepared everything necessary for the upcoming battle, ensuring that Kyle would have the support he needed. Afterward, they let him depart, opting to secretly follow him without his knowledge.
“Shouldn’t we attack now, Your Highness?” Steve, Miley’s protector, asked respectfully.
The princess shook her head slightly, her gaze still fixed on her brother. “Not yet. I know that Kyle can handle this on his own. We’ll only intervene when he needs us already.”
“But, Miley—” Vince, her cousin, was about to protest, but she quickly interrupted him.
“Just trust Kyle. I know that he wants to do this on his own. But that doesn’t mean that we’ll just let him, too. We’ll go there if he already needs us,” she said authoritatively.
The others had no choice but to nod and wait for the princess’ signal. After all, she held a higher position of authority than them.
MEANWHILE, Kyle was about to enter the abandoned building when suddenly, a group of fledglings blocked his path.
He was surrounded by them, but it seemed like it meant nothing to him, as he stood calmly in the middle.
“Weaklings,” he muttered, shaking his head in disappointment.
The fledglings’ eyes turned crimson as their fangs emerged from their mouths. They were about to attack Kyle when he closed his eyes, seemingly concentrating.
In a snap, he suddenly felt the heat envelop the entire area. As he opened his eyes, he could only smirk upon seeing the circular fire that was consuming the fledglings who couldn’t even get close to him.
“Better luck next time,” he taunted them before leaping high and proceeding inside.
However, as he tried to distance himself, another group of enemies blocked his way. He was a bit shocked to see that they were the rogues, and he could smell their bloodlust emanating from them.
He didn’t want to waste his power on them anymore. Even though he was strong, he knew that there were limitations. He needed to reserve his strength for his true enemy in order to save Nicole.
They all lunged at him simultaneously, but he swiftly evaded each attack before beheading or tearing out the hearts of his opponents. Soon, the surroundings were filled with ashes. Once he was sure that none of them remained, he continued walking.
Then, he stopped in front of a door that suddenly opened. There stood the girl he had loved for so long. Happiness was evident on her face upon seeing him, but he could also sense her anxiety.
“Nicole.”
But just like earlier, more enemies emerged in front of him. This time, there were so many that he could hardly count them all.
OUTSIDE, everyone turned their attention to Reiri as she suddenly screamed. Her siblings and Miley quickly rushed to her side.
“Rei! Tell me! What do you see?” Miley grabbed her shoulders anxiously.
Reiri had her eyes closed, but she nodded slowly.
“He already saw Nicole. But there are countless enemies surrounding him now. He can defeat them, but he will eventually run out of strength when he faces Marcus.”
Upon hearing this, Miley stood up, and her eyes turned red. This was the first time she would engage in such a battle. But she would do everything in her power to defeat the enemies.
She had even pleaded with their parents to allow her to her join them this time, and she wouldn’t waste this opportunity to test her own abilities.
“Let’s go then.”
***
Nicole Jane’s POV
When the door opened before me, our gazes met perfectly with the man I love.
I held my breath. It felt like the world momentarily stopped spinning, leaving just the two of us here. I desperately wanted to go to him and embrace him.
But I restrained myself, even though I could do it now. I need to protect him and think of possible ways to help him right now.
“Nicole,” he whispered, making me want to cry.
“Enough of those longing stares. Here’s the deal. If you defeat me, of course, you’ll be free to leave. But if not, then I regret to inform that both of you will have to go back where you came from.” Marcus laughed maniacally.
“The only catch is that you have to go through them first.” He gestured to his followers who suddenly appeared around us.
“All of you kill him!” he shouted loudly at them.
“You never learn your lesson.” Kyle’s eyes turned red as his fangs emerged.
The enemies began to charge, and I couldn’t stay still in my position. I knew he could defeat everyone here, but he would also weaken. He can’t do this alone. There are too many of them!
When only Marcus and I were left in our positions, I noticed him scanning the surroundings as if searching for something. I seized that opportunity and took a deep breath before finally removing the handcuffs from me.
He happened to turn towards my direction. Surprise was evident on his face because of what I did. As far as I know, these handcuffs cannot be removed easily and by just anyone.
“How did you—” I didn’t let him finish his sentence and immediately punched him hard, causing him to fly to the other side of the building. His back hit the wall, creating a large crack.
I glanced briefly at Kyle, who was single-handedly fighting countless rogues and fledglings. He also looked at me, and I could see the concern on his face.
I smiled to assure him that I was okay. As much as I wanted to help him, I need to make sure that I will defeat Marcus first.
With that thought in mind, I dashed towards his direction. I tightly grabbed his neck and slowly lifted him up.
“Die now.” I gritted my teeth.
I saw how his skin gradually changed color due to the poison I was releasing and transferring to him. This is my original ability.
But I suddenly let go of him when I noticed that it was actually Kyle whom I was strangling.
“Kyle,” I exclaimed with concern. I was about to approach him when his appearance suddenly changed again.
I gasped.
Damn it, Nicole! You’ve been deceived again!
“You may be strong. But you’re also stupid!” he said with a grin, even though he was struggling to speak.
I was about to attack him when suddenly I heard a scream. We both turned to look where it came from.
“Kyle! Nics!”
I saw Miley along with the palace protectors and guards starting to engage in battle.
I can’t help but smile. They’re just in time.
Everything would have been fine, but when I looked back at Marcus’ position, he was no longer there.
“Shit!” I scanned the surroundings, but he was gone. The coward had escaped. Croven’s are really a bunch of cowards.
I continued searching when I saw Miley using her hypnotism to make someone join our side. Hiro and Reiri, on the other hand, were fighting with their backs against each other, effortlessly knocking down anyone who attacked them with their strength and speed.
Meanwhile, Vince seemed to be merely playing around with his enemies, as if it were an effortless task for him. He would raise his hand, and if he didn’t send them hurtling against the wall he would slam it into each other. My eyes searched for Kira, but all I could see was a swift movement of air, and in the blink of an eye, the hearts of those closest to him were already gone, making me believe he was the one responsible. He and his amazing instant teleportation ability.
Then my eyes landed on Kyle. He was too engrossed with the enemies in front of him that he didn’t even notice someone approaching him from behind.
I grew more anxious when I saw that he had a vampire weapon aimed at him.
“No!” I shouted. In an instant, I swiftly approached him and closed my eyes as I blocked myself.
But I felt nothing. Slowly, I opened my eyes.
I blinked. I scanned the surroundings, and it seemed like even they were shocked by what happened.
Who wouldn’t be? All of our enemies suddenly froze, like statues frozen in their respective positions!
“Wow. You can stop the time, Nics!” Miley exclaimed in amazement.
I did not answer, and my mouth just went agape. Still clueless of what I just did.
Wait. If I’m not mistaken, this is the ability of my deceased father.
Everyone took advantage of the opportunity and attacked each surrounding enemy one by one until they turned to ashes.
I couldn’t speak anymore when suddenly my body weakened. Kyle quickly attended to me as I suddenly collapsed.
“Fuck! Nicole!”
With my blurred vision, I simply smiled at him. Until my eyes focused on a familiar figure looming above and behind a pillar, looking down at us.
Then the realization hit me. He wasn’t here earlier when everyone was fighting. Why didn’t I notice that right away? Now I know the reason why Marcus seemed to be searching for someone earlier.
“Dave,” I whispered, then everything went blank.