My Prisoner

Father and Son

After the meeting, Malachi returned to his chamber and decided to summon Aetherion. Upon hearing the call, Aetherion rushed to the chamber, finding his father seated at the table. Malachi gestured for him to take a seat in front of him. This was the second time Malachi had met Aetherion, and he treated him differently from his brother, Zephyrion.

As Aetherion settled into the chair, the air hung heavy with silence, broken only by his words piercing through like needles. "How have you been, father?" His address struck an emotional chord in Malachi. Though as a king, he was expected to be emotionless and follow in the footsteps of previous demon kings, he was overjoyed to hear his son call him "father." Zephyrion, as the first prince and successor, was taught to address Malachi as "Your Highness." Upon hearing Aetherion's words, Malachi replied, "This may be the first we meet as father and son, so I hope you don't mind that I took your precious time." There was sadness in his voice.

"It would never be a waste to be able to talk to my father," Aetherion replied, his voice filled with excitement and a smile gracing his lips. This made Malachi smile in response. "So, can you tell me stories about you and your mother?" Aetherion then began sharing stories of how they shared meals together, explored and met the local demons of the nearby city. While Aetherion spoke about their life, Malachi smiled, noticing how much Aetherion resembled Seraphina.

After Aetherion finished his stories, Malachi had a broad smile on his face and told Aetherion, "Today is the day you turn ten, which means you will go to the Chamber of Blood as a noble. This is a task you were entrusted with even before your birth. But if you wish, you can run away from these responsibilities and continue living a normal life." To Malachi's surprise, Aetherion's face, filled with happiness, transformed into an indescribable expression.

"I appreciate the offer to run away. I am as nervous as I've heard rumors circulating about the chamber. But I won't run away. Just like my brother, I want to gain strength to protect those who are important to me, just like how you, the king, protect our people," Aetherion replied, showing his resolve to his father. This made Malachi laugh, thinking that Aetherion, having his mother's appearance, had also inherited her tender nature.

"So, you wish to gain power to protect those you love?" Malachi asked. "Yes, but also, I want to protect those who are in need of protection, whether they be demons or humans. The weak deserve to be protected by those who have strength," Aetherion replied, showing his unwavering determination towards his father.

"Then let me ask you!" Malachi's voice changed, using intimidation. "If you want to protect the weak, then getting the throne is the easiest way to protect everyone! Do you wish to fight your brother for the throne!?" As he spoke, he unleashed his intimidating aura, but Aetherion stood his ground, not flinching in the slightest, and replied, "It would be disrespectful to steal the responsibilities that my brother was given, even before he was born. However, if I find him unworthy of ruling this land and the demons living here, I would gladly take the throne, may it be by force in the future." Malachi then dissipated his aura and embraced Aetherion, patting his back. "You've grown into a fine man before I knew it. How exciting!"

Malachi asked Aetherion what he wanted to do after successfully emerging from the Chamber. Aetherion replied with a smile on his lips, "To find something that I will truly desire."

Malachi nodded, his eyes filled with pride and anticipation. He understood that Aetherion's journey didn't end with the completion of his noble task. There was a vast world waiting to be explored, and Aetherion's own aspirations and dreams were yet to be discovered.

"As you venture beyond the confines of the Chamber, may your path be illuminated by the fire of your own passions," Malachi spoke, his voice filled with a mix of fatherly love and royal wisdom. "Seek the depths of your heart, my son, and let your desires guide you towards a purpose that resonates with your soul."

Aetherion's smile widened, his eyes shining with determination. He knew that this was just the beginning of his personal odyssey, where he would uncover his true calling and forge his own destiny. With the unwavering support of his father and the lessons learned within the Chamber of Blood, he was prepared to face the challenges ahead.

"I will, father," Aetherion replied, his voice brimming with gratitude. "Thank you for believing in me and granting me the freedom to discover my own path. I promise to make you proud."

Malachi's heart swelled with a mixture of love, hope, and a touch of melancholy. He watched as Aetherion, his son, walked towards the threshold of his own journey, ready to leave his mark on the world.

As Aetherion embarked on his quest to find what truly stirred his soul, Malachi knew that their bond, forged through love, understanding, and shared aspirations, would remain unbreakable. He was confident that Aetherion's pursuit of his desires would bring about great joy and fulfillment, not just for his son, but for the entire demon realm.

As Aetherion will turn 10th today, his older brother Zephyrion had already reached the age of 12 and successfully passed the rigorous Blood Chamber ritual. Rumors began to circulate about Zephyrion's extraordinary strength, capable of surpassing even the current demon king. His prowess had elevated him to the level of an Archdemon, a formidable status in the demon realm. It was speculated that within five more years, he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the four mighty demon lords who held great power within their domains. With determination burning in Aetherion's eyes and an unclear goal in his mind, he prepared himself to enter the Chamber of Blood. He knew that within its dark and foreboding depths lay the trials and tests that would push him to his limits and grant him the strength he sought.