Hellbound Heart



Alex had lost Azy right after they both materialized at the front of a cave. The boy's demonic magic had suddenly pulsed so strongly that Alex could only let go of his hand. He had considered wrapping his arms around the boy and keeping him there forcefully. No matter how strong Azy was, there was never a time Alex even thought that he would find trouble holding the boy down. Because the problem with Azy was that though his magic was extremely powerful, his body was still as frail and only just as good as a half vampire boy's body. Well, it was understandable since he did not have any training on how to control his magic to protect himself. He had never learnt how to use and balance his power at all due to his situation. 

That was why in the end, Alex could not bring himself to even use as much physical force to restrain him! The boy's wrist could literally break if he was not careful! What more to wrap him in a tight hold within his arms. Though he knew Azy would eventually heal, there was really no guarantee on how it could affect him physically or emotionally. He could not risk aggravating a boy whose extent of power was still very much unknown and uncontrollable. Azy was as volatile as a nuclear reactor that might have its core melt at the drop of a hat.

So that was why he was now racing after the boy inside a cave, going in further as fast as he could. This was the only thing he could do other than forcefully restraining the young boy. Thankfully for Alex, the remnants of Azy's power were strong enough for him to even see miasma-like darkness trailing after him. Even though the boy himself was no longer visible, at least his trail would lead the way for Alex to track him down.

Alex did not have the inhuman sense of smell all vampires had, but he knew that he must be getting close to reaching Azy, judging from the thickness of the smoke-like magic in the boy's trails. Letting out a heavy sigh, Alex hoped that Azy would stay still for a while so he could catch up. But following that thought…

An earthquake's movement shook the cave, causing Alex's eyes to widen a little. 

He had a sudden bad feeling. In fact, he could not believe the amount of power emanating from within this cave. Where would such immense power be pouring out from? It was something… 

As if a realization had dawned on him, Alex's already damned fast pace sped up even faster. His heartbeat was racing hard within him as his mind processed a certain idea or possibility that had appeared in his mind. Could it be…?

This power… he could never mistake it! Even as his mind whirled with so many thoughts, his movement was not slowed from the distraction. In fact, his pace quickened even more.

Thrill and excitement surged deep within Alex as the corner of his lips tugged up. "You better not disappoint me…" he smirked as his dark eyes gleamed brightly in the dim lighting of the cave. "Because if you do, I swear I'm going to beat your ass up, Zeke!" And a bright laughter burst out from Alex as his eyes twinkled in anticipation of what would greet him in a few moments.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Alex finally caught up to Azy. The boy stood motionless, his small frame barely visible in the dim light of the ancient door made of steel. And then, as Alex drew closer, he saw the dark wisps of smoke that swirled around the child like malevolent tentacles.

Careful not to startle Azy, Alex forced himself to slow down, taking each step with deliberate care. He paused right behind the boy, his eyes fixed on the ancient door of steel that stood before them, its surface marked with strange, otherworldly runes.

Alex froze in place too as he looked ahead and saw the very man he was expecting to see at this moment. 

His smirk widened and he was about to call out the damned guy out of excitement when something unexpected happened. 

Azy spoke. 

He said the word "Dad?"! 

The boy used to speak when he was much younger until he was five. But after that one day five years ago, he suddenly lost his speech and never spoke even a single word since.

Stunned, Alex glanced down at the boy and then he looked back at Zeke. How come Azy's speech was back? Was it because his father was now back?

Zeke actually had his back facing them, so Alex or Azy were yet to see his face. Nevertheless, the both of them did not need to see Zeke's face to know it was indeed him. 

Everything in the entire cavern in that moment seemed to halt to a standstill. Alex could see the unusual tense set of Zeke's back the instant he heard Azy's voice. Yes, it was unusual for anyone to be able to see even the slightest tenseness in Zeke's shoulders. Simply because the man was known to never get tensed in any situation at all. 

But here he was. Looking like he could not even make himself turn around. 

When Zeke left, Alicia was only just pregnant with Azy. So the two had never met. Alex's smirk turned into a smile as he realized that this was going to be the very first time the father and son would meet. 

The questions that had been swirling in his mind - How had Zeke returned? Would he stay with them now? - all faded away in the face of the moment unfolding before him, forgotten. His excitement to jump on the man and pester and interrogate and nag him was also shoved back because right now, at this moment, all Alex wanted to do was give the father and son the space they so needed and deserve.