4 Chapter 4: Captive
Chapter 4: Captive
Ace sighed, the heavy tone escaped through those pale lips he possessed. He took a closer look at his current situation. It wasn't favorable, however it wasn't ominous. The chambermaids Nestor had assigned, Elina and Adelina had stripped Ace's bloodstained clothes and was pushed into the huge bath. Ace had protested, insisted he was capable of taking a bath himself. The chambermaids had left Ace no words of protests. Ace stared at the coloured and lavender-scented bath waters he was pushed into. Every part of him was washed and cleaned. The steam from the baths had blurred the reflective glass and mirrors. Ace could barely make out the shadow of himself reflected in the mirrors.
Ace was fussed around as he was dressed in fresh pastel blue kimono which had been laid out on the beds in his quarters. It had golden rims which bore the insignia of the Crowley Family. After coming out from the steaming bath, Ace was dressed in kimono, his soft, silky hair freed from the knots and combed, the traditional ornate hair accessory of the Crowley family was fixed onto the sides of his hair. Ace had noted that the ornament had the insignia of the Crowley Family imprinted on it. Bearing the insignia of the Crowley Family, Ace realized the dire situation he was forced into. When the chambermaids were done, they had bowed, retreating from Ace's quarters, leaving Ace in front of the dressing mirror.
Ace had frowned. He reached for the scars with the tips of his delicate fingers behind his neck, was brought into view through the loose collars of the kimono fabric. His choker was taken away. Ace realized his partner had planned to publicize the existence of his claimed partner. The scars Nestor had made were the solid evidence of who Ace belonged to. Nestor had sauntered into the elegant-crafted chambers with a big smirk pasted on his face.
"Do you like it?" Nestor hovered over Ace's shoulders, wrapping his arms firmly around Ace's waist. His touch was soft and gentle, as if their love was never apart for the past seven years. He closed his eyes, making sure that the man he loved before his eyes wasn't just another pipe dream, one of his many pie in the sky. Ace was his everything. Everything was for the sake of his love.
"Which is it?" Ace had huffed. Ace still was not prepared to forgive Nestor everything he had done anytime soon yet. Everything that he had spent sweat and blood building his own place was returned to dust with a single touch of the notorious emperor of the underworld. His efforts of seven years after Nestor's disappearance had vanished into nothing. Just like the fortune tellers and seers had predicted, Ace was a bringer of disaster a and misfortune. He would never be loved by humans.
"Everything. Tell me everything, Ace." His alluring voice whispering into his ear had sent shivers down his spine. His gentle palms had caressed Ace's hair, his hair accessory, and travelled to the scars Ace had bore the ownership behind his neck. Without the choker he used to wear, his neck was lay barren, the marks were displayed for public eyes. His choker which was a present from Nestor during the days of their innocent love was taken away. Ace had often felt insecure without it. Nestor had smiled. It was a sign that Ace was not prepared to let go of their love for the past seven years. And now, he would never allow Ace to let it go. He'll make their love dive even deeper, embraced so hard Ace would never be able to let it go. Making Ace becoming addicted for the love he harbored for, embracing the darkness where only the pair existed. Till the end of the world. May death do us apart.
The marks that signified Silas Ace Silver belonged to the vampire emperor, the Young Master of the Crowley Family.
Ace had scoffed. "The pot is calling the kettle back. You made me a captive of your home, chained my legs, and now you want to treat me like a guest? You're contradicting yourself, Nestor."
Nestor merely smiled. Regardless of Ace's smart-witted choice of words, Ace was back in his arms. After all, his gift blessed by the heavens to mature and entrust to the next generation, his ability to move forward was tainted by his own hands. Tainting him with the poison of his own colours, making him into a resident of the darkness. Bound by the chains of darkness, the white wings of the heavens was ripped off, the possessive love entranced by the devils, embraced into the depths of the hidden realm. Ace could never step foot into the sunlight, ever again.
The satisfying appearance of Ace, it felt like a painting ripper from its pages. Ace was mesmerizing. Nestor knew his carefully chosen choice of clothes donned on Ace's delicate figure had fitted his partner's figure firmly. Nestor had always known that Ace had the appearance which had mesmerized and tranced thousands of people. That extraordinary ability, Nestor realized Ace was bound to become the mate of the underworld. Nestor had remembered the day of their first meeting seven years ago. He had felt, ah, this man is the man I have been seeking. My mate. And today, Ace had become the omega mate of the vampire emperor.
Nestor smiled, swept Ace into his arms as he exited the chambers. Ace wrapped his arms around Nestor, hung for a dear life. Ace was startled. Startled at everything that was set into motion, since Nestor's threatening reappearance. Seven years was a long time. Was it really that simple to close that gap of seven years? Their love for each other was real. Once bitten twice shy, was he prepared for what was ahead of them? It wasn't guaranteed betrayal will not happen a second time. Behind the doors, was the pathway which linked to the royal palace. It was Nestor's castle, the heart of the lands reigned under the Crowley Family's iron control. Ace wondered what could have happened to his two best friends who he had left behind in the mundane world. Considering that August had Jeremiah by his side, he felt that his friends would be fine. Firstly, he should be more careful about what was going to happen to him after this.
He had a dreadful future ahead of him.
"Let me down, bastard." Ace had cursed. He would take it lying down being carried like a princess everywhere. It was embarrassing enough for Ace to walk around the castle, without once being praised, admired and was seen through filtered lenses of fondness, declared as the wife of the underworld king. Ace knew the type of work Nestor was involved in the mundane world. After all, he was a crime investigator of the metropolitan elite forces. And just like his late elder brother, Ace was also extremely talented I'm his work, earning a nickname of his own.
Nestor gave Ace a grin. "Nope." Was his only reply. Nestor quickened his pace, the great doors leading to the Throne Room came into view. Ace glares begrudgingly at the door. The door adorned the intricate and delicate design. Ace could see with a glance, the craftsman had poured his sweat and blood into carving the doors, along with patience and skills of a talented craftsman. Nestor opened the great doors. It was a sight Ace was never expecting. Rows of bookshelves filled with heavy-bounded books and parchments of scrolls were neatly lined. It was a library. The underworld's source of knowledge.
Ace glances at Nestor. He was 100% certain the door of that intricate design led to the Throne Room. The room which had came into view was foreign to his eyes. Not a single furniture had even one ounce of similarity. "What is this?" He had questioned his mate, puzzled at the sight displayed before his clear teal irises. Ace knew, it was an archive of information. A library. The experience of being in one during his time in the mundane world was retrieved from the schemata of his mind. Ace was perplexed at the objective of Nestor's reason hr had brought Ace into the library. He was granted permission access to all information of the hidden realm. Was he that trustworthy to be granted access? It felt like Nestor wasn't worried for Ace's prudent behaviours at all. There were no signs of hesitation in Nestor's unwavering irises. The library was Ace's haven. It was one of the reasons Nestor had brought Ace to the place where all information and knowledge were stored. It was Ace's personal hobby.
And Nestor knew it by heart.
"Ace." His gentle voice had startled the mesmerized Ace. Ace was taken in by the vast amount of books and scrolls stored on the hundreds of shelves he could barely count. The room not only it was spacious, the amount of information was colossal. "I'm sure you will find this place useful. You will be granted permission to use this library as you wish."
Ace had stared at Nestor in disbelief. "Is this the guy who kidnapped me, bonded me and robbed me of my humanity?"
Nestor sighed. "It'll be a story for another time. Too many things have happened between us. I often wondered if we were cursed or blessed in the first place." Ace nodded in agreement. And for once, they had their first agreement in seven years. Ace sighed as he guided around the palatial mansion, his hands in Nestor's tight grip. Being introduced to every feature of the palace, the culture, food, residents, communities and customs of the hidden realm. Ace then realized how naive he was in the hidden realm. His eyes were sparkling at vast difference. Nestor smiled. Step by step. Soon, he'll make Ace become attached to the world he belongs to. Making him unable to leave his side.
In the hidden realm, he was alone. It was Nestor who had protected him from harm. A mere human possessed no such power that was capable of defying the residents of the hidden realm. There were no gates to the mundane world. It comes once every seven years, and it requires certain conditions for the magical gate to appear to naked eye. Nestor, the emperor, was the sole master who could grant permission of residents crossing into the mundane world and vice versa. He would never allow Ace to vanish from his side. Ever.
Ace would remain in the hidden realm.
Nestor had settled Ace comfortably in a seat near the grand windows. "I'll return to pick you up by dust. Don't ever think of escaping." Nestor had warned. Ace's two chambermaids were ordered to be by Ace's side at all times. Ace was not allowed to wander around alone, without supervision. After all, Nestor was still the emperor of the lands they reside in. A king has a king's duties. Ace's feet were still chained, bound tightly by the metal cuffed chains which had clanked loudly on the cemented floors with each step he took. Two chambermaids, Adelina and Elina were assigned to take care of Ace everywhere he went. Ace was extremely dissatisfied. It was as if freedom was taken away from him. A prisoner in an unfamiliar world, threatening at the very core of his being. Capacitating him to submission, the toxic which had slowly, but surely embracing him into the darkness.
"Listen to instructions, Ace." Nestor had warned. "I wouldn't mind taking away your consciousness and locking you in the dungeons. You'll become a doll, brainwashed, and will crave for my touch just for me. I will be the only one you will think about, and nothing else matters."
Ace gritted his teeth. It was clear which was a wise decision. Ace wasn't stupid. He wasn't a confidential elite investigator for nothing. "Bastard…" Ace had cursed within the gaps of his gritted teeth. He wasn't given a choice. Ace complied with Nestor's orders, obeyed the requests of his chambermaids. Nestor bent to Ace's height, planted a small kiss on his lips.
"I'll be back, my love." And just like that, Nestor had left, leaving Ace breathing hard and mesmerized on the lingering touch which was burnt with desire. Ace was still clueless, Nestor had already saw the answer within Ace's irises.
You will come to embrace your true self, Ace. Become complete with yourself.
Superintendent Charles sighed. It was over twenty years ago when he had met the four children for the first time. He felt it was just yesterday when the students from Ace's class had just entered high school. Yes, the old man remembered that they were once inseparable best friends. August, Jeremiah, Ace and, of course, Nestor were once classmates. Charles wondered if everything had begun back then. Ace was an oddball among his peers. The superintendent sighed, poring over Ace's profile. His employment within the force was kept confidential, his existence, capabilities and skills was a national secret. His existence alone was kept top-secret confidentiality. It was so many years ago since Charles had discovered Ace's extraordinary raw inquesta talents at such a young age. Charles scouted Ace to work for the force. Ace was an orphan who had lost both of his parents due to the accident prior their first meeting.
It was a mysterious miracle.
Charles was extremely inquinstive of Ace's origins. As the superintendent of the metropolitan and elite forces, he was granted access to all confidential resources. Ace was the youngest son of famous drug researchers. His parents were researchers at the research institute named Tzmeric Institute. The research institute was controlled by the biggest organization in the drug market, the couple were ordered to conduct research based on their whims. When Ace was just 3 years old, the institute had exploded, leaving the suddenly orphaned sons alone in the mundane world. Ace had an elder brother, who worked hard in their parents' place, became Ace guardian. Protecting against their greedy relatives, Ace's elder brother had declared he would raise Ace on his own, their help was not needed. His elder brother and Ace had a twenty year gap, thus, had became Ace's guardian. Ace's elder brother was an excellent lawyer who fight for justice and equal rights. Ace's elder brother had superb skills, was nicknamed the 'Court Magician'. At the age of thirteen, Ace's elder brother was at the hands of fate and destiny. Ace's elder brother had died protecting Ace from danger.
The brother he adored had left the little defenseless Ace alone. And once again, he was alone in the world of betrayal and darkness.
Charles sighed as he closed Ace's file. Charles felt it wouldn't be surprised if Ace happen to be heavens' incarnate. He prayed that the spirits and devils would never harmed and defiled the innocent boy who only knew how to work. But he was wrong. Ace had a hard time trapped in the hidden realm. A captive within the devil's hands. Charles was surrounded by books, newspapers and articles. They were focused on mythical topics. Charles had been researching on the magical gates that lead to the hidden realm. There were no clues left at the scene where the rogue vampires and vanished, along with their emperor, Ace's unconscious body in his arms. The scene had haunted Ace's the people of the forces. It reminded them how powerless they were, their inability to protect Ace, their greatest detective.
They had lamented and grieved for the loss, the humans and the society never blinked not batted an eyelid on their loss. Their indifferent behaviours had triggered the switch, especially August was especially pissed. "Why no one cared about Ace? Ace saved them!" His crocodile tears had leaked down his shiny cheeks. He cuddled against Jeremiah's embrace. They were disappointed. Disappointed in the humans that Ace believed in. Ace had loved humans. It was why Ace was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the future of humanity.
Charles had submitted a withdrawal at the school Ace had been attending. The students, teachers and staff had been appalled when the Superintendent of the metropolitan forces had personally walked into the school office and requested a withdrawal for Ace. They wondered who Ace really was. It had piqued their interest. With the little information they have, they had concluded that Ace must have connections with the police forces. It had drawn the attention of students passing by the hallways. Charles's deep, baritone voice had stunned the clerks at the administration offices of the institution. On that day, Ace's admission was withdrawn from the institute. The mysterious young man named Silas Ace Silver no longer existed in the world they reside in.
Charles sighed. The mundane world had to learn to let go of something they had sacrificed for the better of their future. The lamentation will never bring back what they has lost. It was extremely lamentable. Their loss was too big of a sacrifice. Ace was now a captive of the darkness, an aquiescent to the darkness which he had been incapacitated. Regarded as traitor and threat of humanity, the naive ignorance of the man who had saved the thousands of lives. Charles felt it was the weakness of humans which had caused them the 'death' of the man named Silas Ace Silver.
Silas Ace Silver who chose to embrace the darkness in exchange of saving humanity. Complying with the terms of the visitors of the netherlands, a body cursed to walk to darkness by the grand emperor who reigned over the magical lands of mythologies. Vampires which was said to be a blessings of longevity and eternity. Every fibre of his being was penetrated with the toxic bore by the fangs of vampire clans, to walk alongside the emperor of vampires, the heir of Crowley Family. Ace was his to own.
A captive of the darkness.
