Chapter 12: Shadowed bond
The sky hung heavy with the weight of aftermath. The forest, once singing with rustling leaves and chirping creatures, was now hushed. It wasn't just the blood moon that silenced it. It was the understanding that something ancient had stirred, and that it wasn't done.
Cain sat on a fallen log, elbows on his knees, head bowed. His silver hair was damp with sweat and stained with ash. Across from him, Lucien was tending to Ayden's arm, which was torn and bloodied from the battle. The wound wasn't fatal, but it was raw.
Rei stood a few paces away, watching the trees like she expected someone—or something—to come charging through them. She hadn't said much since their father appeared and disappeared like smoke. Her mind was somewhere else, locked in a memory she didn't want to share.
"We have to find him," Cain finally said, his voice low.
Ayden groaned. "We just sealed a literal hellspawn. Give us five minutes to not think about our crazy demon dad."
"He's not just a crazy demon dad," Lucien muttered, dabbing at Ayden's arm with a ripped sleeve. "He's the key to everything. We thought we were trying to stop him. What if we were just part of his game?"
"That's exactly what it is," Rei said, turning around. Her expression was grim. "Your father isn't just some devil playing with power. He's the former King of the Forgotten. He was banished from the Seven Circles of Avernus because he believed in the power of mortal blood."
Cain raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"It means you weren't born as an accident. You were designed."