Sinister Bonds

Chapter # 5

“God! This girl just doesn't listen.” Adrian sighed deeply. “Is it true, Papa?” Zaria asked tentatively. “We all met Zaar, he is a great guy. Why would we reject him based upon something insignificant?” She asked, not apprehending why her parents would do this. 

“Zaria, it’s not what she thinks.” Adrian said calmly. “Then?” She asked as Alyan stood up without talking further and left after Amber. “Zaria, there’s something important we need to tell you kids.” Adrian began to say.

“What is it, Papa?”

“Not now. I will tell you all together. Let’s wait for Amber’s fury to calm down.” She listened and nodded, passing him a faint smile. “I am sure there must be a reason for it. Don’t worry, I am with you, Papa.” She assured him. 

Meanwhile, Amber went to the lake near their home where she always goes whenever she is sad. Alyan came after her and saw her crying. Emitting a long breath, he threw a red apple in her direction, she caught it and looked up at him. “Here you go. I know it’s your favorite.”

“Leave me alone.” She mumbled, hugging her knees and looking at the lake. Alyan sat beside her and said, “Do you truly think Papa would reject him all because of a grudge? Don’t be absurd, Amber.”

“I am not lying. I heard it myself.” She argued, wiping her tears. “I know but what if you heard him wrong or not the whole talk? Because Papa is saying that’s not it.” He told her softly. Alyan loves his sisters more than anything, they are his treasure.

Amber bit her lips, hiding her face in her knees. “And if he is truly doing this because of his stupid hate then I would help you in every way, okay?” He patted her back, passing her a genuine smile, patting her back. She sniffed, wiping her tears and looking at him with a faint nod. “Good.” He said, ruffling her hair, irking her and left with a faint chuckle. 

After a few moments, Adrian got up and went to see Amber who was sitting there furiously with a growl lingering over her face. Chuckling at her, Adrian stood behind her, “Are you that angry?” He asked.

“Yes!”

“Even though I did nothing of this sort still.” He said, sitting beside her. “You intend to find a reason to part us, don’t you?” She hissed but Adrian started at her face with an unfathomable expression, wanting to tell her the reason but couldn’t. 

“You don’t trust my judgement?” He asked. “It’s reasonless.” She retorted. Adrian laughed a little and got up, offering her his hand, “Come with me.”

“Where?” 

“To the capital.” Adrian offered, she scoffed but took his hand and got up as they both left for capital. “Why are we here?” 

“To know about the origin of Zaar.” He said. She gasped, “What do you mean?” 

“Do you know his Father’s name? Do you know where he used to live? Do you know what he does? Do you know the exact reason he left Capital knowing all the rich lives here and he chose poverty? Do you know anything?” Adrian asked sternly. She opened her mouth to reply but no answer came out because Adrian was right she knew nothing about him, a little portion he told her, she believed it.

By her lack of response, Adrian hummed and moved back. “Then come with me.” With a sour face Amber walked after him not arguing anymore. He took her to the Ella Mansion, they entered and met Edward’s wife Preeti and their daughter Insia. 

“Hey Amber, how are you?” Insia asked politely. Brought up in the noble family. Insia was the most graceful among all of them with long silky black hairs and blue eyes. She led a tough life but not harsh like Adrian and Edward. “I am fine. You?” She asked. “Better.”

“Where’s Edward and Sean?” He asked. Sean, heir of Ella family, having the burden carried onto his shoulder. “Oh, they are training on the grounds.” 

“I see. Amber you stay with Insia, I will go and see them.” Adrian said and left. Amber nodded and being good friends with Insia, they began to talk as she told him about Zaar.

“Wow, your life is so carefree, Amber.” Insia said. “Papa strictly told me that If I want to fall in love the guy must be a light user or else it’s a big no.” 

“I wonder why our fathers have such a problem with class.” Amber sighed as they continued to talk.

“Edward.” Adrian called where Edward and Sean were training. “Oh, Brother.” He smiled and went to him. “How are you?” 

“Great. Training, eh?” He asked, “Hello Uncle.” Sean said, having the same looks as his Father.

“Hey young man, how’s your training going?” Adrian asked. “Fine.” 

“Sean, you go and rest. Come with me Brother.” Edward said, he cleaned up and both brothers sat to have a talk. “So.. what brings you here?” Edward asked, taking a seat.

“I am stuck in a very difficult situation, Edward.” Adrian sighed, explaining to him what happened. “I can’t let it happen.”

“You should have told them from the start.” Edward shrugged. “You know I can’t. It was decided I will lead a normal life and hide everything, that’s why it was never announced to the public what cults did that day.” Adrian said. “I know, Brother but what can we do now?”

“I don’t know, I just need a reason- even a fake but a solid one to end their relationship.” 

“And you want me to find out about him and get the so-called fake information.” Edward asked. “Yes.”

“Hell no! What do you think of me?”

“Hey, can’t you do this for your brother?” Adrian asked, faking sadness. “Don’t blackmail me emotionally.” Edward muttered. “Please Edward, you are the only one who could help me.” Adrian said. They both had a staring competition for a few seconds and Edward sighed, putting his hands up in defeat, “Okay, okay.”

“Thanks!” Adrian beamed. They stayed for a while and left. 

As they were coming back, Amber said, “Can we visit Grandma’s Grave, Papa?” She asked. “Sure.” Adrian smiled. His mother died when Amber was ten years old, Amber loved Vanessa a lot, her death took a negative toll on her.

They went to visit her grave before coming back. “Papa?”

“Hmm?”

“Why is there no grave for Grandpa?” She asked. “Because he died in a fierce battle and no one knows where his body is.” Adrian. Till today, his father’s body has been hidden because he doesn’t want anyone experimenting on his body. 

“Amber.” Adrian called her with a deep breath. “There’s something I need to tell you kids at home.” He said mentally preparing himself.

“What is it, Papa?”

“Let’s go home.” 

***

Since the base for Crimson Devils was too big, it has been divided into two parts where in one portion, Crimson Devils live and on the other, Blood Moon lives and not wanting to have any troubles between them, the couple decided to buy a house and live there. 

Xander was looking out of the window, remembering the day where things took a turn on the path of solace and initiated a start better for the lives ahead.

“Remove my name from everything.” Adrian said. “What?” Xander asked in perplexity, “Eradicate the fact that I have ever been a cult leader.” Adrian sighed. “Wha- What?” Xander asked, baffled by his sudden announcement.

“First, I need to live a normal life second, I have soulworker with me and if a single hint was given to anyone, it would bring destruction. I will keep the soulworker.” 

“How do you expect me to remove your name from the Azure Lustre’s reports? You are the one who created it, Adrian!” Xander scolded. “I know but we have to hide all facts and figures that I ever had any connection with cults, it’s for the safety, if people came to know about soulworker it would be dangerous. That’s why I need to cut off my connection.” Adrian explained his plan to keep the soulworker safe. 

“If Adrian wouldn’t have connections with cults then no one would suspect. No one knows about the existence of the Adaddon, the problem of sacred magic has been solved. We will make up a fake story that Adrian hated Scared Magic so he ran away, he met me and we lived happily after it.” Raven explained. 

“And how do you explain your friendship with the cults?”

“I used to be the heir of Ella, that lone reason is not enough?” Adrian smirked. “If you say so. Maybe that’s for the better.” Xander shrugged. 

“That’s what needs to be done… to keep soulworker safe we need to hide our identity.” Adrian hummed as everyone agreed to bury what happened in the past and move forward.

“And one more thing, Xander.” Adrian began to say the thing on his mind for a long time, “What is it?” Taking a deep breath Adrian spoke up which Xander agreed without thinking twice,

“If we ever die protecting soulworker, don’t tell our kids about us. I don’t want them to carry the weight of my deed on their shoulders.”

As Xander was lost in his thoughts, Lylia hugged him from behind, “What are you thinking?” She asked, “You have been staring for too long.” His smile grew wider, wrapping his arms around her shoulder and pulling her close, “It’s too quiet for the past two decades.” He said. “Hmm.. So?”

“This peace scares me sometimes.” He confessed. “Why?”

“I am afraid it’s here one moment and what if it wouldn’t be in the next. " He said with his eyes fixed on the Moon. "This will remain forever, don't vex." She chuckled. pinching his cheeks.

"How's your quest going?" He asked. "Hmm. Fine. I have told Bella to get me some information." She hummed. "Where's Irsa and Juliana?" He asked. "Oh, they are staying at a friend's place. We have the whole house to ourselves." She chuckled. He laughed and pulled away.

"You should stop these childish acts even Raven gained a bit of maturity." He said taking a seat. "And your habit of pissing Adrian too." He added. "I can't get rid of it." She shrugged, leaning back.

"Besides, I don't want to waste a single moment. All of us are so old now, who knows we might die in the next moment. That's why I want to live every moment." She grinned. He stared at her in fascination and sighed, "As you wish." He hummed, lowering his head and looking out of the window again, staring into the devoid in charm which indicated the start too obvious,

"Besides, the time when the new generation will replace us is getting nearer."