[chapter 3] + Captured +

I struggled to walk as Atheis pulled the chains. Moments later, we were at the entrance to the dungeons where the guards stood. As soon as they heard footsteps, they were on-guard as if by complete and total instinct.

“Lower your weapons” Atheis ordered. “I am acting upon the order of my father, for the exile of my very own older brother, Leviathan Sonniellon. I am your head and your master and obey my orders. Step Aside” He demanded. He sure can pull of a show and it seemed very effective. The guards quickly made way for us as we passed.

We walked in silence along the paths of the kingdom and through the woods which led to the kingdom’s gate. I didn’t know where to go from that point onwards nor what to tell Atheis. He was a few feet before me, walking with poise as he usually does. On the other hand, I am struggling to put one foot ahead of each other since every muscle in my body ached and all source of energy is gone. What would happen if I collapse here and now? Will Atheis kill me? I glanced at him. No, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

The surroundings were dark. The woods were silent. Another eerie silence wrapped around the both of us. I was scared. Scared for Atheis. What if my father knew about this? What will become of him? I wanted to reach out to him, talk to him for one last time; but everything was too late now.

Soon we were at the the borders of the kingdom where the huge gate stood. Atheis slowly came closer and gently unlocked the cuffs. With one last pat on the shoulder and a forced smile, he bid me farewell once again.

“Atheis… this is not right. What if father knew about this?” I asked him, still a bit hesitant to leave. “I will tell him that I killed you, remember? He wouldn’t mind. He disowned you. Darcel disowned you…” He replied, but stopped midway as he raised his hand to where his eyes were and gently rubbed it. “n-no one in this kingdom w-would mind if you were killed by me.”

He told me all this but I knew he was hurting inside. I can hear it from his voice and see it in his eyes. How can I leave having this as my last memory? Atheis was my brother, 2 years younger than me. He was young to be in this position yet he still faithfully does his job as the guardian. But here he is now, all façade breaking down.

Silence wrapped up us for a while. I didn’t want to leave. I’d rather stay and be tortured like this than to leave my younger brother behind. But just standing there was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Soon, we heard voices. Angry voices. We heard loud stomping footsteps. It was a group of a people and they were angry. It didn’t take long for me to realize who they were. It was Darcel and his security team along with our father who rode this tamed monstrous creature.

I panicked. I was here, in the verge of escaping and I am with my brother. I looked at him who seemed to be frozen in that spot, a fearful expression crossing along his face. We had to act quickly. I could not escape anymore. It was too late. At the same time, I couldn’t let my brother get caught.

“Quick…” I told him as I grabbed him by the shoulder to get his attention. I tried to look calm but he saw my expression. “…grab me by the wrist, Atheis”. I instructed. He was puzzled.

“why will I do that?” he asked. “go ahead, Leviathan! escape! now!” he told me as he panicked.

I knew he was worried. I was too. “Look, Atheis just do as I say. Grab my wrists. Now! We don’t have much time. I can’t escape. They already saw us. Don’t you see it? it’s father and Darcel”. He did as I said afterwards. He grabbed my wrists and upon doing that, I knelt down and whispered to him. “Just play along with me on this one. Promise me you won’t do anything that would upset the both of them”

It didn’t take long for Darcel and father to reach us. I knew they were here since the mood was already heavy. I didn’t know what Atheis’ expression was now but I am hoping that father and Darcel wouldn’t be able to know his real plan.

“What’s going here??” I heard Darcel say. He was mad. It was obvious.

“Atheis, my son, what are you doing here with that filthy being?” Father asked. I felt Atheis’ grip tighten. It was heartwarming to know that someone does care about me somehow.

I waited for Atheis to answer but moments of silence passed by and I didn’t hear him speak. I was afraid that Darcel or father might think of something suspicious. This could get Atheis in trouble.

It was talking long now yet Atheis still remained frozen in his spot. I knew how Darcel can be impatient. From my peripheral view, I saw him approaching us. Atheis was in trouble now. I cannot let this happen. I have to think fast. He was approaching fast and I can feel Atheis’ hands shaking.

Before Darcel can even lay his filthy hands on my brother, I stood up in a struggling manner. I knew this can take me to my death. I knew that by doing this, something bad would soon happen. At the very least, it would be me. Not Atheis.

“I… I was trying to escape” I said as soon as I gained my balance. I felt Atheis’ grip tighten once again but at the very least, he was still clinging on to it and his expression was mad. This helped this whole role play to be deceiving. “I was trying to escape and Atheis caught me while he was on his night rounds”. Then, I pretended to struggle from Atheis’ grip. “Let me go! Let me get out of here!” I continued to struggle for a little while and soon I forced myself to break free from my brother’s grip and fall intentionally on the floor. I hoped it was deceiving enough to make Darcel or father believe it.

My father stepped down from the monstrous being and clapped his hands. “Very good, my son Atheis. You are the kind of child any father could be proud of. You and Darcel are truly my children whose blood is pure of our kind” he said. I mentally sighed in relief. Everything worked. My brother was not in trouble now.

Soon I felt my father’s presence behind me. He forcefully pulled me up as he clutched his hand on my hair and now I can see Darcel approaching, my father’s whip on his hands. “You are really the filthiest of all creatures here” father said as Darcel gave me a whip. The pain stings my whole body in an instant. I have enough pains, thank you very much. Then my father forced me to look at the creature he was riding on moments ago. “Do you see that? it’s a monster, tamed to follow my command” he told me. I wasn’t stupid enough to not know this. But what he said afterwards what something I did not expect. “You will receive a kind of punishment that thing went through”.

I struggled to not react. I was shocked. For once, I was scared with what will soon go my way. I had a feeling I would die soon. Could this really be my fate now?

I felt my father laughing in victory. I heard Darcel laughing in joy. Everyone seemed to rejoice about this whole thing. Well, not really everyone. I tried to look at Atheis. He was worried. He was once again in the verge of crying. I tried to smile. I tried to tell him I will be alright although those words did not deceive him, nor me for that matter.