The Tyrant's Pet

<strong>Abel.  </strong>

That name had always brought fear to anyone who heard it. Others couldn't even speak that name out. But for Aries, that was the only word that would come out of her lips whenever she was in danger. Because she knew, deep in her heart, he would come. No matter where she was or how far he was, Abel would be there for her.

<strong>SLASH!</strong>

When the man swung his sword down to slay Aries, his dark spear only slashed the air as a figure suddenly appeared, taking her away. But before the man could recover from the turn of events, multiple people came from all directions with their weapons.

<strong>CLASH!</strong>

The dark spear trembled as the man bent down slightly, blocking the multiple weapons that came to kill him. With one swift push, the dark shroud scatter in the air like road dust, pushing back the people who attacked him at once.

"My, my." The man straightened his back, looking around at the people who launched an attack against him. "What a strange bunch."

There, was Conan, Roman, Climaco, Marsella, and Maximus with their weapons. It was strange for all of them to attack the man all at once since they were also enemies. However, it was clear they had their reasons that they stopped their own battles to come and take on this man.

Meanwhile, Abel held Aries in his arms at the corner of the banquet hall. He slowly gazed down at her, eyes bloodshot, a horn sticking out of his head. Yet, despite wearing the face of the devil, genuine worry dominated his eyes.

"Darling." His voice was deeper, caressing her cheek with his bloodstained hand. "You look pale."

Aries weakly lifted her eyes and smiled subtly. "You came."

"I always do, darling."

"I know." She nodded mildly. "You always do." -- he never failed her.

His jaw tightened, biting his tongue to speak what he knew she would disagree. Aries was aware of Abel's opinion about her dangerous plan, but he still listened to her because he trust her. He wanted to trust her, but seeing her in such a pitiful state angered him. Anger meant for him.

"How I wish I do not love you this second," murmured Abel, standing on his feet, carrying her to the corner. "If only I don't. I don't have to listen to you."

Aries chuckled as he sat her down on the floor. She reached for his hand as he was squatting down beside her.

"You speak so cruelly, my love," she said, squeezing his hand mildly. "Don't be like that."

He let out a sharp breath, placing her hand back on her lap. "You can't blame me."

"Trust me."

"I trust you." Abel raised his head and looked into her eyes. "That's why we're here."

That was right. Despite his obvious disagreement, Abel compromised because Aries didn't want to be protected. She didn't want to be in the dark. She wanted total trust from him and to be seen just as capable as his people.

"Thank you." -- oh, how painful these words were for him, but he had no choice.

As Abel made sure Aries was comfortable and in a safe place, the people in the middle of the banquet assessed each other. If one didn't know better, one would think all those who attacked the man were on the same side.

Well, right now, they were.

It was obvious.

They only had one opponent right now, and that was that man wielding a dark spear.

"Oh!" the man snapped his eyes and smiled, setting his attention to someone very familiar to him. "It's you."

Marsella didn't smile back, rolling her eyes when Maximus glanced at her. "What is that judgemental look?"

"You know him?" Conan frowned, standing farthest from Maximus and Marsella. They were in the middle of the fight when they felt that man's aura in the banquet hall. Conan was also surprised when Marsella and Maximus rushed in the same direction.

"Well..." Marsella scratched her temple, only for the man to answer for her.

"Of course! She's the one who helped me in the past!" said the man happily. "We went through a lot of experiments, too. She was the one who took my first kiss and night. I'd say she was terrible."

"I don't want to hear those details." Conan snapped but didn't attack, knowing being rash could lead to his death. They had orders to follow and must stick to them.

"Oh, then do you want to hear how I got this spear?" the man spun the dark spear with ease. "She gave it to me, and I can slay people easily. The downside is that she didn't tell me by killing. This weapon can gain its own consciousness. Although obviously, it doesn't speak, Maleficent always tries to overpower and control me."

His smile stretched broader. "In other words, that woman and I have many things to settle."

The air in the great hall gradually turned heavy with all of them observing the man from head to toe. For all of them to be this cautious, they were deeply aware he was someone they couldn't just underestimate. But before anything else could happen, the man raised his brows upon sensing the dangerous aura behind them.

"Isaiah, have you found this man?" asked Abel as a thick, dark aura surrounded him, eyes fixed on the man.

"Yes." Isaiah's voice came through Abel's head, but the latter noticed Isaiah's grim tone.

"I see." Abel didn't ask further questions, rocking his head, keeping his eyes on the man who wields Maleficent. The man smiled subtly, not a bit intimidated by the man who was said to be the strongest Grimsbanne: Wrath.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." The man placed a hand across his chest, bowing slightly. "My name is Fabian."

"A Barrett descent," Abel smirked, revealing his long fangs. "No wonder a human like you can wield such a dangerous toy."

"And this toy surely got an interest..." the man, Fabian, trailed off as he disappeared from his vantage point, only to reappear before Abel. "... in you."

CLNG!