After ending Nadia's life, King Zarius teleported back to his palace, the grandeur of the dark, gothic architecture a stark contrast to the desolate landscape of the deeper depths of Hell. He entered the sanctum, where Lloyd was still playing with Cyra, oblivious to the tragedy that had just unfolded. King Zarius' expression remained impassive, his eyes cold and calculating, as he approached his son.
"Lloyd, leave us," He commanded, his voice firm but devoid of emotion.
Lloyd hesitated, his eyes fixed on Cyra, who was cooing and giggling in her crib. He glanced at his father, then back at Cyra, before reluctantly teleporting out of the sanctum. But he suddenly stopped and turned back to his father, his eyes wide with concern.
"Father, where's mother?" Lloyd asked, his voice laced with a child's innocence.
King Zarius' expression didn't waver. "Your mother will return soon enough, Lloyd. Do not worry."
Lloyd's face fell, his eyes clouding over with sadness. "Oh... alright," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, before teleporting out of the room.
Lloyd's heart felt heavy, his mother's absence a palpable void. She always told him stories of Heaven's wonders, of its radiant beauty and joyful melodies. He loved those stories, and her absence left a gaping hole in his life. Seeking solace, Lloyd teleported to the palace library, a vast, dimly lit chamber filled with ancient tomes bound in black leather and adorned with intricate silver filigree. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and dust, and the flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the walls.
Rows upon rows of shelves stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, laden with books of dark magic, forbidden knowledge, and ancient histories. Lloyd wandered the aisles, his fingers trailing over the spines of the books, searching for a tale to transport him to a happier place. He settled on a tome bound in a strange, glowing material, adorned with symbols of light and hope. As he opened the book, the words on the pages shimmered, and the room seemed to brighten, ever so slightly, as if the stories within held a power to counter the darkness that had consumed his life.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
King Zarius' gaze lingered on Cyra, her innocent face a stark contrast to the darkness brewing within him. He had eliminated Nadia for a reason - to erase any potential obstacles in his plan to mold Cyra into the perfect weapon. Nadia's presence would have meant constant meddling, her weak morals and ethics a hindrance to the rigorous training he had in store for the young Nephalem.
He sneered at the thought of Nadia's inevitable protests: "Zarius, please, she's just a child!" or "Zarius, you're hurting her!" Her naivety would have undermined his authority, and those pointless conversations would have slowed his progress. With Nadia out of the way, King Zarius could now focus on corrupting Cyra's mind, poisoning her against her right side and kind.
He wanted Cyra to grow up with a twisted perception of Heaven, to see it as a realm of weakness and hypocrisy. Without Nadia's influence, he could manipulate Cyra's beliefs, nurturing a deep-seated hatred for her mother's kingdom and her own heritage. The thought sent a thrill through King Zarius' veins - he would shape Cyra into the ultimate instrument of destruction, and no one would stand in his way.
As he gazed at Cyra, a cold, calculating smile spread across his face. The little Nephalem's fate was sealed; she would become the key to unlocking a new era of darkness, and King Zarius would be the one to unlock it.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
As the hours passed, Lloyd's anticipation turned to concern. He paced back and forth outside the palace, scanning the horizon for any sign of his mother's return. But the sky remained empty, and the only sound was the distant hum of demonic activity. Lloyd's worry grew, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
Despite his growing unease, Lloyd decided to wait a little longer, hoping against hope that his mother would appear at any moment. But as the minutes ticked by, his anxiety only intensified. He felt dejected, his usual enthusiasm and energy draining away with each passing moment.
Finally, Lloyd couldn't bear the uncertainty anymore. He thought for a moment, then made a decision. He would check on Cyra, make sure she was safe and happy. Maybe, just maybe, his mother was with her, and he could get some answers. With a deep breath, Lloyd teleported to Cyra's sanctum, his heart heavy with concern.
As Lloyd materialized in Cyra's sanctum, he was greeted by the soft glow of luminescent orbs and the gentle hum of protective charms. The room was tranquil, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him. His eyes adjusted to the soft light, and he saw Cyra lying in her crib, playing with her small tail. Lloyd's face softened, his worry momentarily forgotten in the face of his sister's innocence.
He leaned over the crib, his voice barely above a whisper. "Cyra...?" The baby's eyes locked onto his, and she giggled, recognizing her brother's voice. Lloyd smiled, his heart swelling with affection. For a moment, he forgot about his missing mother and the fear that had been growing inside him. All that mattered was this little being, dependent on him for care and protection.
But as he looked deeper into Cyra's eyes, the weight of his mother's absence came crashing back down on him. His smile faltered, and his eyes dropped, as if the reality of the situation was too much to bear.
"Cyra." Lloyd called out again but this time, softly. The baby's eyes locked onto his, and she giggled, recognizing her brother's voice.
"How are you doing, little one?" Lloyd asked, not expecting a response, but still hoping for some sign of understanding. Cyra cooed and made soft baby noises, which Lloyd took as a kind of answer.
Lloyd's face fell, and he looked down, his voice laced with sadness. "I couldn't find Mother anywhere... I know she has to go back to Heaven sometimes, but she always comes back to take care of me... and now, you." Cyra continued to make baby noises, unaware of the worry creeping into Lloyd's heart.
"I know it's too early to make assumptions, but-" Lloyd's words were cut off by Cyra's whimpers, which quickly escalated into a full-blown cry. Lloyd's face contorted in distress, and he begged, "Cyra, please don't cry! I'll make it okay, I promise!" He tried making silly faces, crossing his eyes, and sticking out his tongue, but nothing seemed to work.
Just as Lloyd was about to give up, he exclaimed, "Uhh... I know!" and teleported to his quarters, determined to find something to comfort his distraught sister.
Lloyd teleported to his quarters, a cozy, dimly lit space filled with various trinkets and treasures he had collected over the years. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with books, strange artifacts, and peculiar devices. A large, ornate mirror hung on one wall, reflecting the room's cluttered charm. Lloyd's eyes scanned the room, his mind racing with where he might have placed the item he sought.
He checked his dresser drawers, rummaging through piles of clothes and forgotten trinkets. He searched his bookshelves, scanning the spines of ancient tomes and leather-bound volumes. He even checked his closet, pushing aside rows of dark, formal attire. Lloyd groaned a few times in exasperation, his frustration growing with each passing moment.
But then, his eyes lit up with remembrance. "I know!" he exclaimed yet again, dashing to a small, hidden compartment in his closet. Inside, he found a beautifully crafted box adorned with intricate carvings of devilish creatures. He opened the box, revealing a stunning doll with porcelain-like skin, delicate horns, and a tiny tail.
Lloyd teleported back to Cyra's sanctum, the doll in hand. Cyra's whimpers had grown louder, but as soon as she saw the doll, she stopped crying. Her eyes fixed on the doll, and she made adorable baby noises, trying to reach out and grab it. Lloyd smiled, "Like it? Her name's Amara." He placed the doll beside her, and Cyra cuddled and played with it, seemingly comparing the doll's horns and tail to her own.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
A servant's interruption broke the spell of Lloyd's joyful moment with Cyra. He nodded respectfully as the servant bowed and backed away, his eyes fixed on Lloyd with a neutral expression. Lloyd turned to Cyra, who was still engrossed in playtime with Amara, and waved goodbye. To his delight, Cyra stretched her tiny hand forward, as if waving back at him. Lloyd's grin widened, and he felt a surge of affection for his little sister.
But as he turned to teleport, his expression sobered, replaced by a mix of apprehension and curiosity. What did his father want to discuss? He hadn't summoned Lloyd to the Throne Room in a while, and the sudden request sparked a sense of trepidation.
With a final glance at Cyra, Lloyd teleported to the Throne Room, his arrival announced by the soft whoosh of air displacing itself. The room's dark, gothic architecture and crimson candles casting long shadows across the floor. The air was thick with an eerie silence, punctuated only by the soft crackle of candles and the distant hum of demonic energy. Lloyd's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and he saw his father, King Zarius, sitting on his throne, his piercing red eyes fixed intently on him.
"Hello, son," King Zarius said, his voice dripping with mock concern. "I suppose you're wondering where your mother is?"
Lloyd nodded, feeling a pang of sadness. "Y-yes, Father."
King Zarius' smirk grew wider. "Ah, Nadia. She won't be coming back anytime soon."
Lloyd's eyes widened in shock. "W-where is she?"
King Zarius' expression turned grim. "She has important issues to deal with in Heaven. And even if she wanted to stay here, she couldn't. It would affect her greatly... as an Angel."
Lloyd's confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"
King Zarius raised an eyebrow. "Don't you read, Lloyd? What happens to Angels if they stay in Hell too long?"
Lloyd gulped, his mind racing. He knew this... "They... they slowly turn into Devils."
King Zarius grinned, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "And would your mother want that?"
Lloyd shrank back, his voice barely above a whisper. "N-no."
King Zarius clicked his tongue in annoyance. "You've grown too attached to Nadia, Lloyd. She's barely been gone a day, and you're already so shaken. I'm disappointed."
Lloyd flinched, his eyes dropping in shame. "I-I'm sorry, Father."
King Zarius nodded, his expression cold. "You may leave, Lloyd."
Lloyd nodded, lost for words, and teleported to his room to process the weight of his father's words.
»»—————- ♔ —————-««
Lloyd: "What do you mean mother won't come back?"66Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZWmxzJhOr
King Zarius: "Well, she's busy reorganizing Heaven's filing system. You know how Angels love their paperwork."
Lloyd: "But why can't she visit?"
King Zarius: "Visitation rights? Ha! She's lucky I let her keep her wings. Now, stop whining and go practice your demonic laughter."
[A/N]: Thanks for reading! ^^
66Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVyh6oju0g
