Fractures of Eternity

A ringing sensation was left in our ears as we refused to stay down for long. We knew we had to keep moving at all costs, as Gerta and Luna were barely visible to us anymore, while Thea helped me up. Much like I had asked her, the old woman ran with the little Luma no matter what. After helping me up, the black wolf took off, and I followed her for a couple of seconds before stopping. There was no way Thea would know if I cast a spell or if it was the warlock.

Is this fine? Will they make it? Of course, they will. They’re all strong enough to survive this, so I’ll give them something else to chase instead. Rem… This is all I can do for your baby girls; you’d better be there to get them.

Cutting my hand with the knife, I gazed up towards the ceiling.

No one will question if it collapses, right? After all, there was an explosion, and the entire structure is unstable.

“Cadere!” I muttered, trying to use my witchcraft magic.

Even though I didn’t need to cast spells, it was one way to concentrate on what I wanted to happen. I had to keep myself from tapping into my divine powers. Luckily, it was a breeze, as a dim light shone before it came down. Though as the ceiling gave in, I could swear I saw Thea running back toward me. Sadly, I didn’t have the time to wonder if she saw me or not when I turned away and, without stopping, I smeared my blood on the wall before bolting toward the opposite hall.

Loki… You won’t leave me here, will you?No, you’ll come for me. I just know it! So I just need to survive for a bit longer without losing it!

I only ran for a minute or two before stopping as the hair from the back of my neck stood on end. I wasn’t alone anymore when a chuckle came from behind me as I hesitantly turned to face the big bad wolf. His deep blue eyes were glowing in the darkness before he showed himself.

“Aw… why didn’t you keep running? I love the thrill of the chase.” Oliver snickered.

Though annoyance was present in his eyes, he didn’t appreciate the smoke I had set loose.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to disappoint you, mutt.” I mocked him, hesitant to remove my eyes from him.

If you’re here, that means your brother isn’t far behind.

“Where are the others?” he asked, cocking his head.

“Probably ahead of me, why don’t you go and find out?” I smirked.

Good… It doesn’t seem like you’re aware that the ceiling has collapsed.

Thankfully, the structure was unstable enough for it to be believable, which probably wasn’t the only one that went down.

Buy seconds, minutes… they all count now, Vivian.

I gazed down at the bracelet my father gave me for emergencies. As soon as the wolf took a step towards me, he winced, reaching for his neck. From there, he pulled a dart.

“Shit.” He mumbled, falling onto his knees as I stood there blindsided.

From behind him, Thea rushed out of the darkness and grabbed onto my hand.

Eh?! Why?!

Shock filled me as we bolted out of there. She could have either run past the cave-in or dug her way through it, as it seemed her collar was slightly damaged, too.

Did that happen in the explosion?!

It didn’t matter, though; the stupid young wolf had placed herself in danger again.

“What are you doing?!” I questioned her intentions.

Though I had no choice but to follow her, her grip on me was firmer than I could pull away from.

“Saving you! I, no, we didn’t ask you to sacrifice yourself for us like that!” Thea scolded, not stopping for a second.

Argh! What a stupid girl! Why is everyone I meet from this family one of a kind?!

Even though she saw me kill, she still thought I was worth saving. Though perhaps her judgment was muddled in fear, and by this point, we had no idea if Gerta had been captured too or escaped. However, we couldn’t even collect our thoughts when a thrall came from one hall. Thea picked me up in her arms before kicking the vampire into the wall.

This time, she didn’t hold back as our assailant splattered into the wall.

“Get out of my way!” She growled, her eyes glowed red as I held onto her tightly.

From in front of us, a blue shine appeared before something hit her, all too fast for my mortal eyes to capture. I flung onto the floor as Thea rolled on it too, hitting the wall beside us. Luckily, she seemed conscious, yet out of breath.

“Oh, Sweety, you’ll pay for that unpleasant feeling you gave me.” Oliver stood in front of the young girl, who coughed for air, as a familiar darkness radiated from the brow wolf.

His eyes shimmered bright blue, leaving me unsure how to deal with what faced us. Somehow, this wolf had the means of a shadow demon, reminding me of my father whenever he lost control of his emotions. Lilith was also the same, ensuring there was more to these two than I wished to admit, yet it wasn’t long until it hit me fully what stood before us.

Oh, fuck! No… we’re dealing with a homunculus?! How the heck did Jin manage that?! And with a Lycan out of all things!

Though with that revelation, a way to stop them became possible. Homunculi were immortal as long as their core was attached, a complex process that my mother struggled to complete, which meant…

So… How was Oliver made?!

Unfortunately, there was no time to think since Thea was about to be swallowed up by that wolf, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. There was no time to determine where his core was located. Grabbing onto the knife, I pushed myself off the floor and rushed toward him. Before I knew it, I found myself in his grip, as his hand was tightly coiled against my neck. I never had a chance against a Lycan—something I already knew before I launched at him, but I couldn’t have allowed him to hurt Thea.

I clasped onto his arm to ease the tension in my skin, but it was no use.

“Oh, love, you’re a feisty fighter. Well, for a human.” Oliver smirked, leaving the little wolf beside us alone, while her breathing was erratic.

It probably meant she had a couple of broken ribs. It brought me comfort to know the collar couldn’t inhibit her healing.

“W-What are y-you?” I struggled to breathe as he held me in such a way that my lungs struggled to find air.

“Oh, you don’t need to know, little spark. However, I’ll enjoy you after Jin takes you for himself. Maybe he’ll share you with me for a little while.” Oliver snickered, taking the knife away before letting me go.

Freed from his grip left me coughing for air, too, as he turned on an earpiece.

“Jin, I got two of them, and one of them is the jewel you want. The other two are probably running around the maze.” The wolf informed whoever was on the other side.

After a few nods of the head, he spoke again.

“Uh, okay. I’ll bring them. You have my location, right?” He asked as a portal opened up behind him.

Grabbing onto Thea, he threw her into the darkness before cleaning his hands and turning towards me.

Crap…

My breathing became unsteady as he grabbed me by my hair and dragged me in, and the blackness only lasted for a second before I found myself in a well-lit room—one that had a ritualistic stone in the middle.

“Tsk, tsk. Aren’t you a handful, Vivian? I can tell why the prince is so infatuated with you.” Jin walked over to me, as I scowled at him.

Though next to us, Oliver kicked Thea before sitting on her back, which pinned her down on the spot as her bones were probably screaming for him to get off.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t go after the other two?” The wolf asked, gazing up at his brother. “I’m pretty sure I can find them.”

Unable to help it, I winced as scratches and cuts on me stung, and the pressure the wolf had exerted on my neck had caused bruising, leaving it sore.

“Eh, she won’t make it past the vampire thralls lurking in these halls, and for good measure, I’ll send a shadow demon after them, too. If it comes after us, you’ll have to take care of it.” The warlock shrugged, grabbing me by my hair.

With it, he dragged me up before letting it go, as he clasped my hips with one of his hands. From there, he played with three blue orbs with his free one, reminding me of the ones my father had.

Hah… So they did steal some from you, Papa. That’s one mystery down, with two more to go.

Thea struggled in the Lycan’s grip. “No! Don’t hurt them!” she begged them.

Little did she know that enticed the men more, as the warlock threw a few orbs into a portal before closing it.

“Eh, they’re dead already, and so will you soon enough,” Jin snickered, losing his grip on me a bit.

In an instant, I slammed the back of my head on the warlock’s face, prompting him to fully release me, allowing me to take a few steps away from him. There I was met by a massive crowd of humans and vampires, all of whom had their eyes glowing green.

What the actual— Are all of these thralls? Impossible, not even Papa can do this, and his core is made with the God of Chaos’s soul!

“Mother fucking bitch broke my nose! Fuck!” Jin snarled from behind me.

With so many bodies around me, I knew I couldn’t use my magic without the gods finding me through the rift. To do so would doom me and the entire world we lived in, which meant there were no moves available to me anymore, but to endure what was coming. The spike they were going to use on Thea was on the side, too, prompting my gaze to find the young girl.

Ah… I… I need to ensure they focus on me while help arrives. Sorry, Papa... Even if I’m damaged, I’ll still be myself, right? I just can’t bring myself to doom this world where people I love live. I simply can’t…

“Enough playing around, let’s finish this, brother.” Oliver sighed.

Jin snapped his nose back into place before grabbing me by my hair again.

“Yes, let’s do this. It seems she finally figured out they are doomed.” He huffed, dragging me to the altar in the middle of the room before throwing me against it.

“Vivian! No!” Thea screamed.

“Just stay where you are!” I declared, prompting Jin to grab onto my chin and yank my head towards him, where he placed his lips near my ear.

“I’ll snuff out that spark in you now.” The warlock smirked.

A soft smile formed on my lips as I yearned for my lover, who filled my mind even at the point another man threatened to hold me.

“Oh, that won’t be fun for you. I’m as dry as a mother fucking desert for you bug!” I huffed, finding his touch revolting.

Sadly, what I said was a simple buff, since even if I didn’t want it, my body would respond to the warlock after being stimulated. This was something that I couldn’t control. Though with Loki, whenever we were going to fuck, in anticipation, my underwear would be a mess before he even touched me—something that was missing with this man.

In response, Jin shoved me against the stone. “Oh, I highly doubt that. Vincula et ligabunt.”

In an instant, chains erupted from the floor, binding my arms to the side, as my breathing was becoming erratic.

Chains bind you. You dare… No… Endure it, Vivian, for this world you have to endure everything!

“I swear, I’ll fucking kill you if you touch me!” I snarled, as the only people I ever wanted to leave their mark on me were Eli and Loki.

The moment his hand touched my bum, I felt a flare of emotions come to me, as I felt myself on the verge of melting; everything I was holding together was close to snapping.

If this continues, our world… Your world… No!

Instinctively, I bit down on my lip.

Elias… I… will tolerate everything to keep you alive in this life.

“Are you going to send the signal?” Oliver asked, gazing at Thea, who growled at him before turning towards them, yet with the collar on her neck, even though it was damaged, she couldn’t overpower the Lycan on her.

Jin signaled for one of the human thralls that surrounded us to bring a green knife, which oozed the same energy his followers did.

Oh… A cursed item? Really?! Argh!

It hadn’t crossed my mind that he would have one of those, but it explained how he had this many thralls under his command.

“Nah, fuck that. I think I’ll fuck her once without it just because I want to teach this bitch a lesson.” Jin answered, undoing his belt.

The noise it made was one I felt repulsed by.

If… There are too many freaking ifs binding me, and I am powerless!Endure…

Tears swelled in my eyes as frustration flourished.

Hey… Will you want me after this? Or… will I be dirty for someone as pure as you? I mean, I already am corrupt, but… I don’t think I can handle your rejection!

My chest felt heavier than ever before. Even if Loki and Eli wouldn’t want me after this, I would have to stay until they were safe.

“No matter what you do to me. Nothing will ever sway my heart. I won’t become your thrall even if you use that knife on me, and nothing will stop me from loving the prince you hate so much!” I screamed as Jin sliced into my arm, triggering throbs to rush through me.

“Vivian!” Thea called out to me, noticing my body’s green hue.

“And now you’re mine,” Jin smirked, pulling my face up to his.

I felt like I was seeing double as pure agony rippled through my entire being, and the more I fought his control, the more pain it released into me.

“Open your mouth for me, sweets,” Jin commanded.

No! I don’t want to!

My body trembled, struggling to follow his command, yet as he wanted, I slowly parted my lips for him. However, before he could kiss me, an explosion sounded in the distance, prompting Oliver to gaze towards the doorway. The warlock’s command faded from me the moment he took his eyes off me, and the rest of the thralls stood by, waiting for a command from him.

“What the fuck was that? The Shadow beast is already here?” The male wolf questioned, as Jin turned away from me, leaving the dagger he had used to slice me on the stone, when another blast came.

A blue hue shone from the end of the hall as a giant black cat with radiant blue eyes poked its head at the entrance to the room we found ourselves in.

“How dare you take my nieces?” A silver wolf with a bright red, vibrant gaze growled, walking in next to the familiar next to him.

“Uncle Aiden!” Thea called out, causing Oliver to move away from her when the ceiling gave way, as ungodly amounts of red aura shone on top of us.

The warlock had undone the binding spell the moment we had been interrupted, as I grabbed onto the cursed weapon. Noticing my sluggish movements, Jin shifted toward me, yet in that instance, the blade went into his hand as he caught my blow. A portal opened behind him as Thea took the chance to throw herself at us, too. I didn’t know how this would end, but it seemed my gamble had paid off somewhat.

Well, until we fell into the darkness, he opened.