Chapter 201 - Three-tailed Lamb
Chapter 201 – Three-tailed Lamb
If there was one thing the wolf and the child of evil had in common, that was, they were filled with darkness. Darkness could extinguish the light and the light could devour the darkness.
But what if it was dark versus dark?
It sounded ridiculous. They were both in color, so would there be a difference?
Its shade.
All other deep colors often got hollowed out by pitch black. Until they become one. In other words, there was only one darkness that must exist; the werewolves or the vampires. Then, once the time was ripe, it would seek the lamb for her light to shatter it.
Others believed the lamb was simply a creature who was close to the gods. But actually, the real meaning of the lamb was death.
Those who accepted life and death… the lamb would bring them the swift release. Those who couldn't accept death and flee from it get chased by the wolf. And those who were uncertain would get corrupted by the child of evil.
In simple words, accepting the lamb also meant accepting death. Fleeing from death meant getting chased by the wolf. And simply walking on the surface of the world with no thoughts about it meant inviting the child of evil into their heart where he would make himself at home.
The second I felt Niall's power across the small kingdom of Althea, I knew for a fact it was an abolition. He brought forth a glimpse of hell; the place where vampires came from. The wasteland underneath.
Their playground.
Our… playground.
"You came?"
"I did… woof." I smiled, eyelashes fluttering. Now, this was the child of evil on the flesh, no doubt. Only in his presence could I feel this turmoil within, prickling under my skin.
"Rinnie!" I turned my head in Alice's direction upon her call. She looked at me, wide-eyed. Even Silas seemed surprised at the sudden turn of events.
'It seems Hugo is the only one who knows,' I thought, sporting a reassuring smile before shifting my attention to Niall.
"The fourth prince… no doubt he is that person," I spoke, glancing at the debris falling onto Azazel, who was dragging himself to sit up. "He never changed… but what surprises me is that you had all the time in the world to absorb him. Why did you just plan to do that tonight?"
"Azazel had always been fun to play with." Niall shrugged nonchalantly. "It'll be too boring if the vampires and werewolves wage another war without the lamb. I need to kill time."
A weak laugh slipped past my lips. I didn't question his answer, for I expected such petty reasoning. Villains were only terrifying when they do things for fun. Niall was someone who didn't have too much reason. Although deep down, I wished he also changed, just like Daniel.
Obviously, he didn't change. He still sought what he wanted: destruction and vengeance against those who abducted them to the mortal world. He still wanted to be a god. I laughed at the thought.
"Niall, was it?" I tilted my head, staring at him curiously. "Your father, the emperor, had always wanted me. You sent Ashton to babysit me. But I wonder… why did you wait? Was it still fun to chase after me, even when I had chosen my ally?"
The corners of his lips stretched, slipping his hand inside his coat. "To be frank? It's better." My expression grew colder upon seeing the broken wolf's mask he took out of his clothes. He held it in between his fore and middle finger, simpering.
"Want it?" he played in front of him teasingly, covering half of his face. "It's only half, though. I retrieved this three years ago in Everfell. The other half… I wonder where did Azazel hide it?"
I glanced at Azazel as he crawled out of the debris, seeing him freeze at the crown prince's remarks. That second, I instantly knew that was the fourth prince's reason for Althea. This was what he meant by sabotaging Niall's plan. He didn't want this man to get a hold of my possession.
How nice.
"You…" called Azazel through his gritted teeth, panting for air with sharp eyes on me.
"I don't need it," I said even before he could say anything, setting my eyes back at the man taunting me. "Alice, Silas, Hugo is fighting some vampires whom this man used as a stand-in. Please go to him and make sure he will be alright."
"Rinnie, what are you talking about? We can't leave you here. Not with this man!" Alice raised a question, obviously baffled at what was unfolding before her eyes. "Hugo will be alright on his own."
The screams and cries from the distance were still chorusing on the silent melody of the night. And yet, we, at the borders of Althea, remained unfazed by the countless lifeless bodies lying in their own pool of blood.
They were mostly vampires; I could tell by the pungent scent of their blood. It was an awful sight and scent.
"I know Hugo will be alright on his own," I replied whilst keeping my eyes on Niall, narrowing them as I noticed the faint shroud emanating from his back. "But it's still better to leave us alone here."
This time, I turned my head to Alice and smiled. "It'll be ugly and nasty. I don't want my sister to see me play in the mud."
"Hahaha!" Niall burst out in laughter as he clapped, but I ignored him. Instead, I kept my eyes on Alice's incomprehensible expression, nodded encouragingly at her.
"Also, this dark shroud only affects those who hadn't thought about death or were afraid of it. It will suck your soul, leaving your mortal bodies dry until it turns to ash." I peeled my eyes away from her as I explained the situation, focusing on what was important.
Using my toes, I drew swirls on the ground before biting my thumb until it bled. I squeezed it, letting drops of blood land on the small circle I drew.
Niall smirked as he glanced at it and then raised his eyes back at me. I heard Alice call for my name under her breath, feeling their strange gazes at my actions. But I ignored them as I squatted down, only to smear the drawings with my palm.
"Alice… take Azazel with you and desert this place…" I instructed, keeping the majority of my attention at Niall.
"Rinnie…"
"Now," came out a quiet yet stern voice. I heard her gulp, humming after several seconds of hesitating.
"Silas… help Azazel." She ordered. "We'll regroup with others. You too, Azazel's aid. We'll –"
Alice's voice abruptly stopped when Niall laughed and disappeared from his standpoint. Her breath hitched as soon as Niall reappeared in front of her faster than the sound.
"Why… does a woman takes charge in here?" came out a dark voice, claws reaching for her throat. His sharp fingernails barely grazed her throat as Niall was suddenly dragged back, sent flying to the gigantic fortress not far away.
BOoogsh
"Alice!" Silas yelled, snapping Alice back to her trance. Her shaking hands veered in my direction, making Silas halt as he also set his eyes to me. They looked at me wide-eyed.
No. They were looking at the three long tails floating behind me. The tail that wrapped around Niall's ankle and threw him away.
"Go." I smiled sweetly, looking away as white fur grew on the jaw and arms. "I told you, it'll be ugly… not me, though. It'll be ugly if Hugo comes. Stop him from seeing that man at all costs…. Niall is my prey."