Observing the bracelet around the chained elf's wrist in the middle of the room, Siwon tilted his head to get a better look. It glowed with the faintest light, indicating the spell was working while Eunhyuk let out a faint groan, obviously feeling his magic seeping out of his body. Heechul was sat close, also watching the elf with keen interest. Unlike Heechul, Siwon didn't have a problem with the elfin race. Why he was here was merely because of his personal vendetta against his own people. He wanted power to achieve his goals and he needed the trapped dark elf for that. Heechul grumbled something behind him. Siwon turned to see the dragon checking his com device. "It seems Kai has the support of some clan leaders, however which ones is what I am trying to figure out. You can help with that can't you?" As always Heechul sounded angry, angry at his own child for being better than him in all aspects. To the point of declaring war against his own son. "I still can't believe Minseok had deceived me for years. Junmyeon too. I had so much hope for him you know. " He shook his head as though sad. "They're all gonna burn in my hell." Heechul had his wife, her brother and his eldest son put in the dungeons a moment after he found the elfin king in his wife's chambers. They would be executed in a few days. How someone had the stomach to do that to his own family was something Siwon would never understand. Because in his case all he had been doing was for his family. "You'll wake up one morning and find that everyone has turn against you." Eunhyuk said, his voice weak. "Kai shall bring an end to you Heechul. The child you created. And you know why? Because he's better than you in every possible way. The people love him and would follow him to death willingly, while in your case they're only following you out of fear. Watch your back, you might not know when someone will stab you." He let out a weak laugh, at the sight of Heechul. That was a sour point for the dragon king. Heechul visibly cringed, shooting to his feet like a thunder bolt, but Siwon was quick to stop him before he could reach the elf. "He's trying to get under your skin. Don't let him." Siwon whispered, tightening his grip a little. "And you sorcerer, I pity you for being his lapdog." Eunhyuk had his eyes on Siwon. "You would've had a better ally in Kai. The one true dragon King. Unfortunately now you've made a powerful enemy out of him instead." He shook his head as though dejected by Siwon's impending demise. "Shut him up." Heechul ground out, shaking off Siwon's hand as he went back to his seat, letting out huff of breaths. Black scales covering his hand, a sign he angry and want nothing more than to slash Eunhyuk's throat with his claws, at same time trying to control himself. Siwon glanced at the elf. "Please speak no more." He hoped the male understand it was a bad idea to rile Heechul up. The elfin king was right though. Kai would have been the best ally to choose. He was powerful, and had the people's support even without doing a damn thing. However it was his lack of greed that would be a hindrance. Siwon had nothing to offer the young general. That was the problem with golden dragons, they were too pure. Siwon shook his head, he was content with the way things were. Truth was: everything was going according to his plans so far. From the moment he met Heechul, to the things that led up to this moment. What he had been after for decades was the Dark bracelet, that had been lost for centuries until it resurfaced four decades ago.  He had known– had seen it in his visions. In other to get his hands on it, he needed Heechul. A dragon with extreme greed that would put his ancestors to shame. He couldn't be able to strike a deal without giving anything in return. Give Heechul what he wanted– Lyfe and all the treasures it offered. Siwon in return would use the dragon to get what he wanted. It was a fair deal.  He made the plans without giving himself away and Heechul always followed through like a pawn, just like In Nero. Siwon knew Kai would come for Sehun, thus he delayed to reach his fortress, a place Kai wouldn't get in no matter the amount of magic he had. He needed Sehun to take the bracelet, as well as, all the dramas that would happen without reaching the king's ears. As far as the king was concerned, Siwon had never left his fortress for decades, like it was supposed to be.  He had been under house arrest for almost a century. However it was finally time to take back what's his. And just like he predicted, Sehun had taken the bracelet with him. He was the only one capable of activating it as a royal dark soul. Not just any elfin royal like he had led Heechul to believe. Now that the bracelet had been activated, and back in his hands, his goal was just a few paces away. Siwon didn't really care what Heechul was going to with the elfin king.  He was just waiting for an opening to take the bracelet begin his move. His motive was to bound the trapped dark soul– that has the ability to control the dead and open the veil between the world of the living and the dead–  to himself, and use him to end the Nero royal family that were responsible for his family's death. A pain he had buried deep within, flared up, Siwon had to bite his lip in other to distract it elsewhere. He missed his son, so freaking much that it was difficult to carry on sometimes. Decades ago, Siwon was the rightful heir to the throne, like his father had decreed. Though he was the oldest amongst the three princes– born form different mothers–their father had been conflicted about whom was fit to sit on the throne. Thus he declared that whomever amongst the three princes bore a male child first shall Inherit the throne.  A few years after, Siwon's wife gave birth to a baby boy and Siwon was crowned the heir and high sorcerer. Those were the happiest days of his life. It was only when Siwon's son was twelve did the second prince finally had a son too, after three daughters. Thus he became second in line for the throne. However unknown to Siwon, a sinister plan was brewing. On his son's eighteenth birthday, an accident occured, that took his son, wife and father.  His younger brother– the second in line– that was born from a woman of great influence, had the elders behind him, took the throne. Siwon was branded the culprit behind the king's murder– that according to their imagination implicated his family. He was stripped of his title, and banished to an old fortress that belonged to his late mother. Up to this day he didn't know why he wasn't executed, nevertheless he was grateful to be alive. With the bracelet he would right things. Get his revenge. Take back the throne, and demand the dark soul to call back his son's soul from the afterlife. Knowing what to expect, he had preserved his son's body for the past decades. Being bond to Siwon, the dark soul would have no choice but to do as he wanted, Siwon would have the power of his army of souls. After getting his work done, Siwon planned to free the dark soul. Having such powerful entity at his beck and call would be good for his power growth, but Siwon didn't want that. He just wanted his family back and a place to call a real home. Besides he knew Heechul might discard him after he got what he wanted, that was his precautions. Well the feeling was mutual. Siwon would do that first. He longer needed him, just as much he as didn't want Heechul to have the dark soul under his control. With the dark soul Heechul would be able to conquer planets without the need to use his own living soldiers and that was exactly what he wanted to do. The good thing was, Siwon was the only one that knew the incantations and process to bound the trapped dark soul to another and he would do that first before Heechul even realize what was happening. I don't need you anymore.  That was a big fat lie, he had been telling himself, desperately wanting it to be so. Because there was a tiny bit– scratch that, he got a huge problem. Siwon didn't know how or when it began, all he knew he woke up one day a decade ago and found himself falling in love with Heechul of all people. He had never been attracted to the same , more so, someone like Heechul that didn't know the meaning of love. Since the realization, Siwon had been in constant war with his heart. He had come thus far, after decades, he shouldn't allow anything to get in his way. There was only a bleak future for him with someone like Heechul. Heechul was doomed from the start, his fate had been decided. There was no changing that, and falling in love with the dragon would only implicate Siwon. ! Siwon cursed under his breath. Something he rarely did to due his royal upbringing. All the things he had done was to resurrect his son, and take back what was rightfully his. Having a relationship with Heechul was never part of his plans. And he hoped to keep it that way. Letting let out a sigh, he scrubbed at his face. His plans were finally in motion and he would rip his idiotic heart out if that was what it would take to reach his goal. Hang on son, it won't be long. "Why are sighing?" Heechul brought him out of his thoughts. Looking at the dragon had his heart speeding on its own accord. Mentally slapping himself, Siwon waved a hand, with a shake of his head. "Nothing important –" he paused when he realized Heechul's skin was glowing as magical force enter his body. It was elfin magic. He realized. "You finally achieved it. Congratulations my Lord." It was only for a short while, Heechul's body wasn't built to have elfin magic. It was a waste to take away Eunhyuk's magic when he wouldn't be able to use it they way wanted. The main reason Heechul wanted the bracelet was for this, to be able to use elfin magic as he wished. And to have the trapped dark soul under his control was because of Sehun and Kai. He might not admit it, but Siwon knew Heechul fear those two, hence why he was trying his hardest to be a step ahead of them. Siwon doubted the dragon even sleep properly these days. "Yes. Now that things are as they should, it's finally time to fulfill my own part of the bargain. I am ready to marry your daughter. It should be quick though, so that we'll continue with the plan. I cannot lag now that I have the bracelet, the sooner I bond with old dark soul the better."  I wish you would want me instead. The idiotic part of his mind said. I am sorry I can't fulfill that part  Well that would be a huge problem. Siwon didn't have a daughter. It was puppet he created solely to deceive Heechul. And he had destroyed it to create another one for Heechul a few days ago, the same one that delivered the dark bracelet. Controlling two puppet wasn't an easy task. He would have to find an excuse to stall for as long as he could. If Heechul insisted, Siwon would have to use magic to alter his appearance and be the woman Heechul wanted to marry. No Choi Siwon get a hold of yourself. That was a bad idea. If things didn't work out and he become exposed and Heechul was cruel enough to end him for his deception. That thought did nothing to dispell the feelings raging inside him.  I am truly in trouble. So screwed.  "I am honored." He bowed, managing a forced smile. Not wanting the the subject to drag on any further, he said."I advise you leave a little of his magic. He will be worth more with it." He pointed at the elf, that lifted his head to look at him. There was a tiny bit of gratitude in Eunhyuk's eyes. I don't deserve that. He looked away. Siwon knew an elf without their ability to connect to nature was like a dragon with it's wings cut off, or a mage without the flow of magic in their veins. It was something he could relate to. It would be cruelty to the core. To take away all of Eunhyuk's magic was a fate worst than death. Siwon was no good man, however he could sympathize to some point. He was also aware, Heechul intended to auctioned off Eunhyuk to the highest bidder after he was done with him in a few days. The dragon liked money, and anything that would bring in more was something he loved to hear. Which was exactly why Siwon used such tactics. Heechul gazed at him, with a slight smile that had Siwon's heart hammering against his chest. Siwon feared the dragon would pick the increase in his heartbeat, thus he used magic to hide it like he usually did. "You think so?" The dragon asked, he eyes were practically shining. Greedy bastard. "Yes my Lord." He lowered his head unable to keep looking at Heechul in the eye. "Then I will let him retain some of his magic." Heechul nodded.
***
"No" Sehun's whole body trembled in disbelief. "It can't be possible." He was glad Kai was holding him or he wouldn't be able to keep himself upright.  Jongdae looked into Sehun's eyes as he said "I know it's seem unbelievable. But trust me, your highness the King is alive." "It doesn't make sense." Sehun shook his head. "It make sense If you think about it carefully like I did. Our magic comes from the tree of life and the tree is tied to the ruling monarch. if the king is truly dead, we would have lost our magic. But we didn't. The dragons had to collar us to stop the flow of magic in us." His explanations made sense, still Sehun couldn't see reason at the moment.  "What if it's because Sehun is the true heir, and the tree is tied to him instead?" Zitao asked. Yeah that could also be the case. Jongdae shook his head. "I had the same thought at first, but as an elf I have a link with the tree of life and I checked to make sure. It has more than one magical signatures that are different from one another.  So even though the tree is tied to prince Sehun as the next king with more vital energy than the previous one, it is also tied to his majesty Eunhyuk in some way. Which explains why i strongly believe he's alive and–" "Why are you doing this to me?" Sehun shouted, voice laced with heavy emotions, that even a child could tell how shaken he was.  Startled, the other elf scrambled out bed and fall on his knees in front of Sehun."I swear on Sadok. I speak the truth." Jongdae said, looking up with beseeching eyes. "Please believe me." All Sehun could do was continued to shake his head, tears running down his face, heart reaching an unnatural beating speed as though it was about give out.  "No, you're asking me to believe my father has been alive for all those years? You're asking me to stop mourning him? That he had been kept against his will, kept away from his son and his duty for twenty six ing years?"Sharp pain stabbed his heart. His chest felt like it was too small to hold his heart in it.  No one spoke for a long time, Sehun was panting hard, staring at the elf kneeling before him. "Sehun he's telling the truth." Kai's soft voice rang in his ears. Sehun's body went stiff, and he swore he felt something dropped down his belly from his chest. He slowly twisted in Kai's arms to face him, breath catching in his throat when he saw the look on Kai's face. Trust my words, was what was written on Kai's face. I would never lie to you, was what his eyes were telling Sehun. "What are taking about?" He whispered the words. He wanted to believe it so bad, but was afraid to let hope bloom inside him, least it was crushed, and that would break him to his core. Kai cupped Sehun's face with both hands, their gazes locked."Eunhyuk is alive. I first met him when i was a child, and befriended him." He said. "Since then, I've been secretly going to see him. He is kept in the hall of Lyfe." He paused, biting his lips, as If deliberating whether or not to say the next words, however he still added. "And your human sire is alive as well.  He is safe with my men in Lyfe."  It was a miracle how he was able to listen as Kai told him about his parents and all that happened, leading to this moment. The people he thought he had lost had been alive all along.  Sehun bit the inside of his cheek. Pain was the only thing keeping him from breaking down. If he gave into the urge, he’d be hysterical in a matter of seconds. He felt as if he was underwater, everything zoning in and out in a strange away. Positive and negative emotions mixed up together. Hope, anger, elation, sadness and so much more raging inside him like an unquenchable fire. Was he dreaming? He knew he wasn't, it felt startlingly real. Did that mean his quest for revenge had been for naught? His purpose? "My parents are alive?" He mumbled when he finally found the strength to speak. His voice sounded unlike him, even to his own ears. He knuckled his eyes, the ever-present tears blurring his vision. "Yes Sehun they are." He shook his head, abruptly jerking away from Kai, almost stumbling over the still kneeling Jongdae. Kai reached out to steady him but Sehun took another step a back.  Sehun wanted to think, to understand, and with Kai so close, he wouldn't be able to. "You knew since the moment we met and never said a thing?" His voice low, ragged and raw, broken. He stabbed his