Chapter Twenty One – Alaric.
Chapter Twenty One – Alaric.
For a moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, he turned to face his son, his expression unreadable.
"Every demon’s soulmate is called a carrier," he finally explained. “They are the only ones strong enough to bear a demon child into this world—without dying in the process.”
Alaric’s jaw tightened.
His fingers curled into a fist.
“A demon like Kaidon has a soulmate?” Alaric asked, his voice low.
The King didn’t answer immediately. He turned to look out the window, staring into the glowing morning light with an unreadable expression.
“Yes.” he said at last. “And it’s a rare kind of bond.”
He kept his back to Alaric as he continued, voice steady.
“Humans can carry demon children too… but they die during every birth process. Only carriers survive.”
Alaric’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his face stiffening.
The King’s gaze softened just slightly.
“Your mother wasn’t a carrier.” he said. “But I needed the bloodline to continue. I didn’t find a carrier—but I loved your mother.” His voice grew a little heavier. “Unlike Kaidon, cursed with pure demon fury, you and I… we are still gifted with power.”
Alaric said nothing. His face hardened even more, the shadows deepening under his eyes.
The King placed a hand on his son’s shoulder.
“Listen, Alaric,” he said firmly. “There’s no need to worry. Kaidon won’t find a carrier. There hasn’t been one in over forty years. It’s impossible."
He gave a small, humorless chuckle.
“The demon curse will probably kill him before anything else does. There’s nothing for you to stress over.”
But Alaric didn’t relax. His fists were clenched at his sides.
“I have power running in my veins too,” he said coldly. “I can take down Kaidon.”
The King chuckled again, shaking his head.
“Kaidon is no easy target, son. Even I know that.”
He began walking again, the sound of his boots echoing down the stone hall. Alaric followed, his mind racing.
“Just like you have inherited this power, there are others out there..” the King said, voice lowering. “Some are hiding… and most of them are dead. No carriers to continue their bloodlines. That same fate will meet Kaidon eventually. His line will end. You don't need to dirty your hands.”
Alaric’s eyes darkened further.
“Then what about me?” he demanded. “How do I continue our bloodline?”
The King glanced at him sideways, a smirk curling on his lips.
“As I said—you don’t need a carrier,” he said. “A human can give you an heir.”
“But carriers are our soulmates,” Alaric said through gritted teeth.
The King’s smirk deepened.
“You don’t need a soulmate, Alaric. You need an heir. That’s all.”
He stopped walking and faced him squarely.
“And let me warn you—carriers are dangerous.” His voice grew sharper.
“Their scent alone can drive a demon—or any man with cursed blood—mad. Their obsession is unmatched. First comes their sweet, irresistible smell, then their seductive bodies, and then—their eyes.” He leaned in closer. “You get trapped, Alaric. Addicted.”
He straightened.
“And when a carrier rejects a cursed demon’s love…” The King’s expression darkened. “…the pain is so deep it can drive a man to suicide."
With that, the King turned on his heel and walked away, his cloak billowing behind him.
Alaric stood frozen in the hallway, his heart pounding hard in his chest, the echo of his fa
ther’s words burning into his mind.
His eyes gleamed, cold and dark.
Back at Kaidon’s Castle (Brimhaven)
Taliya sat motionless in the bathing pool, her gaze lost in the ripples of the rose-scented water. Lenora stood a respectful distance away, silent as ever.
"How do I get out of this cursed world?" Taliya wondered bitterly.
"And more importantly… why did that black hole even appear?" Her mind raced, desperate for answers.
"Was it all just some freak accident? Or is there something bigger going on?"
She sighed and dipped her hands into the water, washing her skin absentmindedly.
"And Kaidon... why does he keep calling me his soulmate? What the hell does that even mean to be his soulmate that made him repeatedly saying it?" Frustration welled up inside her.
"Who can I even ask? Elara, Javen... they’re not here. I'm stuck."
Her eyes widened slightly as an idea sparked.
"Maybe... maybe I could talk to Rylan." she whispered to herself.
But just as the thought formed, the heavy door to the bathing chamber slammed open.
Taliya gasped and spun around, heart thudding — only to see Kaidon standing there, his tall, intimidating figure casting a shadow across the room.
Deja vu hit her hard, but this time, Lenora was still present.
"W-what are you doing here?" she stammered, clutching the edge of the pool.
Kaidon’s dark eyes flicked briefly toward Lenora.
"Leave." he commanded, his voice low and sharp.
Without hesitation, Lenora bowed and quickly exited, leaving Taliya alone with him.
Kaidon stepped into the water, moving toward her with slow, predatory grace.
Taliya instinctively backed away.
But before she could react further, Kaidon reached out, gripping her waist and pulling her against him.
"Stay away from Rylan." he growled, his voice rough with anger.
"What?" she frowned, confused — but Kaidon only tightened his hold, burying his face against her shoulder.