Chapter 304: Under Marius’s Bondage
He felt controlled, both in mind and body, and there was no stopping it. Maybe, if he hadn’t ignored the signs from the beginning, he wouldn’t be torn between his loyalty to Ivan and his desire for freedom. Unfortunately, it was too late to regret his actions, cause the deed has already been done, but, if Ivan ever comes to hate him for what he did, he would still stay, and make sure his cousin was unharmed– it was his duty to ensure he returned back safely to the kingdom, and he was going to fulfill it.
"I’m sorry Samantha." He whispered softly with deep regrets, still recalling the things he had said, and how she pleaded for him to take her away from there. He had told her that he was the one who helped Marius bring her there, when in truth, he knew absolutely nothing about it. He was forcibly compelled against his will to say those things to her, he never wanted to say it but he couldn’t stop himself either, as he was bound to the artifact embodied inside his chest. She was right in front of him, helpless and disoriented, but he was powerless to save her from there... rather, he was sent to break her.
"What have I done?" Running his fingers into his hair, his crimson eyes were almost teary with everything he had committed. The blast that took place would have been his salvation– a way for him to disappear from the world but... Ivan just had to push him out of the way. He had confronted Ivan about it cause he couldn’t restrain himself, he found it stupid for him to act that way cause it only made his burden heavier than the chains he bore around him.
"I’m no family," he shook his head, "I’m a monster."
"You’ve committed enough treachery to start feeling regretful." Came the malicious voice of Marius, and from his peripheral vision, he could see the inflamed cloak brush past one of the trees. He didn’t need to look in order to decipher the one who had decided to torment him in broad daylight, and his teeth clenched in fury, struck by his audacity to show his face even at a time like this.
"What do you want?" Alistair was presently sitting on the leaf-covered floor, his back leaning against the bark of the tree. He lifted his crimson gaze to meet the obsidian ones of Marius, whilst the Demon flashed him an innocent smile that was hardly noticeable. However, behind his harmless facade was a malevolent intention that Alistair could warily perceive.
"Do not treat my crystal with hate," Marius coolly began, another vibrant crystal materializing in his palm. "It chose you for a significant reason, and that reason is the desire you secretly sought. There’s no use fighting it when it has already bonded with your soul, unless... you’re prepared to lose your life in my capable hands." He tilted his head slightly, reminding Alistair of what he gained to lose either way.
"I know what you did," Alistair scoffed in pure disdain before averting his gaze, "is this the reason you secretly toyed with my Mother’s emotion? To get a chance to control me and turn me into some freakish minion of yours? I don’t know exactly what it is you have done to me, but instead of depending on your so-called crystal, why don’t you face me one-on-one you manipulative bastard!!"
With all his rage flashing before his eyes, Alistair had stood up from the ground with full speed. His dangerous scythe immediately materialized in his grip, and he wasted no time attacking Marius who stood still, unflinching. Before his scythe could come in contact with Marius’s neck, the Demon suddenly vanished into thin air, and Alistair’s blade cut through the dark mist that had been left behind.