Dear Journal,
Upon starting this new journey, I was driven by blood thirst, anger and revenge. Now, day by day, I've come to realize that this is much larger than any human desire I submit to and I must do away with the triviality of mortal emotions.

                                               - 𝓔. 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓮
                (1605)

Once Baltazaar had ran Emma from his private cabinet, he placed the chest in the corner from which she took it. The contents inside were centuries worth of historical knowledge, secrets, memoirs and records on what Europe was like before the assimilation of the four great kingdoms.

He had countless scrolls, books and even artifacts that outlived many great kings. In fact, each item contained information older than the very castle he would soon rule over.

Baltazaar had a wide array of knowledge on most, if not all the creatures that use to or still roamed the earth due to his ancestor's records.

This, however, was not limited to him as all male monarchs were taught and given these things in order to prevent the fall of the great kingdoms.

It was believed that the women would rule with their hearts and not their fists and as such, they were kept in the dark to a great extent.

Faes, werewolves, elves, centaurs... vast information on all of them were right at his finger tips except one creature, the vampire. He was so fascinated with Eli because the knowledge on his kind was not only vague but scarce.

Often described to be hideous demons who feasted on the blood of the living, unable to walk in the sunlight. Elias however, did not match this description, which meant he was probably something different, something mutated, something dangerous, something Baltazaar hoped to have in his possession and ultimately, be in control of.

Then, there was the case of Odelina.

Every monarch in each Kingdom was taught the story of the four great Kingdom's creation and Odelina was always at the forefront of the legend.

She had aided the kingdom's existence and in the same breath, its destruction. She was taught to be dangerous and powerful, which is why she was sentenced to death and buried in an unmarked grave centuries ago. But now there was labrish of her return and though the people of the great kingdoms do not remember her, the crown did and they were all terrified.

Baltazaar was not at all shocked. Infact, he was expecting it. He was not as gullible and lackadaisical as his predecessors as once they had enlisted the information on to him at the young age of 12, he took it seriously and began to prepare.

As half fae, he trained hard and honed his powers and wits in preparation for disaster. His goal, however, was to disband the other 3 kingdoms. He wanted to make Selvalley, Pretvar and Gandalwell yield to Asphal as he would become supreme ruler over all the kingdoms, commanding armies, both human and supernatural so he could ultimately and eventually spread his parasitic roots to other countries and eventually, the world.

The witch with whomst he had formed an allegiance with, Grizelda the maker was his consort. She had found him at the age of 8, which was coincidentally the normal age for faes to start displaying their magical powers. He was spewing sparks from his hands in a forest in Asphal and she had taken him under her wing from ever since. She watched him grow up and morph into the man that he is today. He trusted her with his life for she had never failed him.

A rowdy knock sounded at the door, snapping Baltazaar out of his thoughts.

"Enter!" he shouted.

"Baltazaar, I bring bad news! A town in Asphal is under attack. A few of my soldiers were eliminated in battle" his father said with urgence, storming inside the room.

"What?! By whom?" Baltazaar asked worriedly, his eyebrows twisted in concern. Though he had been born in Gandalwell, Asphal was his home. The residents were his people and he couldn't have Asphal at the helm of power if it was destroyed.

"Forces from Selvalley, I presume. There are no reports of any supernatural creatures but their army has began pillaging the town of Willowry. I do not have enough men left to combat them" King Koren told him.

"This is bad" Baltazaar said biting his lips. "Alright, I'll get Zelda. I will try for Elias as well. I'll have to fetch Emma to coerce him even further into playing a part. Do not worry father, I will make it right" he told Koren.

His father nodded at him, believing the words of his only prized possession.  He may not have been blood, but Koren still thought of him as his son.

Together they left the cabinet, storming through the halls towards the stairs.

"Father, send word to Asphal that help will arrive soon. Tell my Queen Consort what is happening and have her make arrangements for departure as soon as possible. She is in debt to me, so she will get it done. I will fetch Emma" he told Koren.

The men separated as they went on to perform their designated tasks.

It only took a moment of knocking rowdily for Emma to answer.

"What is it?" She asked annoyed.

"Asphal is danger. I need Elias to help rectify the issue and as such, I need you to aid in his compliance" Baltazaar urged her.

"I can not, I do not think he wants to see me at the moment" she said lowly.

"I do not care! Just make it happen. Where is he?" He asked angrily.

"I saw him through my window, sauntering off to the woods. He will discover your secret!" she told him.

"The woods? Oh for fucks sake! Dress yourself. You're leaving with them soon" Baltazaar said before turning to leave her.

He then exited the keep, calling for his knights. Together, all of them accompanied him towards the woods.

Arriving at the clearing, he stumbled on Zelda pointing a dagger at Eli. Their disheveled attire left him to believe they had just fought.

"Eli?" Baltazaar asked unbelievingly as he walked into the clearing, a handful of guards behind him.

Zelda quickly sheathed her dagger as he approached them. 

"You too have already met I see" Baltazaar said nervously.

"So it seems" Elias answered. "Would you like to tell me why there is a werewolf being held against his will in that shack over there? or why there is a witch watching over him?" Elias questioned.

"I will explain everything I promise, but first, I have a favor to ask of you...of both of you" he said looking between Elias and Zelda.

They both watched him with their eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Asphal is in danger. I need your help" Baltazaar said gravely.

"What has happened?" Zelda asked urgently, her attention now on Baltazaar.

"Selvalley is attacking. There are no reports of supernatural creatures but that does not mean they will not make an appearance. I need you both to travel to Asphal and drive them back" Baltazaar begged.

"You need me?" Elias asked. "I do not have any ties to Asphal. You have been hospitable to me here yes, but it is not my place to fight humans. They are meals, not battles" he said looking at Zelda.

She cocked her head to the side, squinting as she caught his threat.

"In Asphal, There are detailed records of Odelina and her origins. Perhaps that would interest you then" Baltazaar said, trying to convince him.

"Is that so?" Elias asked, his eyebrows raised at Baltazaar.

"Fine, I will go. But all of this needs an explanation. And I do not want it from you, I want it from her" Elias said looking at Zelda.

"Fine. Zelda, tell him what he wants to hear but do it in the caravan. I have already made arrangements for your departure with King Koren today" Baltazaar told them both.

"What about Damien? A full moon is tonight. Who will be here to watch over him?" Zelda asked worriedly.

"Power up the enchantment. This is more urgent. If anything happens, I will subdue him" Baltazaar told her.

"You will?" Zelda asked unsure.

Baltazaar nodded in return at her. Elias watched as she did the same to him. It was as if they had some sort of unspoken agreement.

"Alright Baz" she agreed.

Elias watched as the prince stiffened at the pen name she had called him.

"I mean Baltazaar" she corrected, nervously glancing at Elias.

"Let us go" Baltazaar said,  his voice strained.

Zelda stayed behind, attempting to enchant Damien's shack even further.

As they walked from the main courtyard into the outer, Elias was pleasantly surprised that the destroyed portcullis was fixed. Infact, the entire area looked as if no attack had happened at all. He marveled at the power the situation radiated. The ability to bounce back so effortlessly from strife. It reminded him of his quick, self-healing ability. Is this what it meant to be in charge? To be rich? To have connections?

Two horse drawn caravans were ready and waiting by the front gates along with two separate coachman's to lead the horses. Elias noticed Emma speaking with King Koren as they stood beside one of the caravans. In addition to looking elegant in her gray gown and tiara, she also looked as she was preparing to travel.  She stared at him as he walked over to the door of the other caravan.

"What is Emma doing here?" Elias asked Baltazaar.

"She is the future Queen of Gandalwell and she will also be a ruler of Asphal. It is her duty to oversee her people" he said.

"Why can't you do it?" Elias questioned.

"You see what has happened here right? The queen consort cannot do it alone. Europe is a patriarchal continent. I am needed here" Baltazaar told him.

"It will be dangerous for her" Elias tried to reason.

"Not with you there" Baltazaar said, nodding as he held the vampire's gaze.

Elias heard Emma excuse herself from the King, making her way over to him. Baltazaar left his side as he walked away to speak to with father.

"I must apologize. I shou-" Emma started but was stopped by Elias.

"No need" he said abruptly. "Keep your sorrow for someone who cares" he spat, opening the caravan door and shutting it behind him once he entered.

He soon heard a conversation outside between Zelda and Baltazaar. He did not even have to move closer to listen.

"Your powers are still unstable. You have to be careful" Zelda told him.

"I understand Zelda but your spell will work. I know you would never leave if you were not sure I would be safe" Baltazaar responded.

"You are right. Okay Baz just please be safe. I will be back soon" she replied.

Soon after, Zelda joined him inside the caravan. They sat opposing each other on the seats inside the vehicle. The interior was decorated by fine cloth suited for the comfort of the rich and privileged.

Shortly after, they departed the castle of Gandalwell.

"How long is the ride to Asphal?" Elias questioned.

"Half a day with minor stops" she responded, twiddling her hands in her lap.

Elias began to properly observe her as they travelled. She looked to be a few years older than he had been when he was killed. She was nothing like Odelina. There was nothing eery or deadly about her in that sense. Infact, she looked like a normal young woman.

Elias knew, however, she was far from that, with her hair as grey as storm clouds and her eyes fierce but as blue as the ether. She radiated the extraordinary despite her innocent, girlish looks and right now, Elias could feel the worry emanating from her aura.

"Will you tell me what is happening?" He asked her.

"A war is coming. I'm just doing my part to make sure we win" she said simply.

"Who is we?" Elias asked, his eyebrows raised.

She was quiet as they both stared at each other. The caravan shook violently as the horses galloped along the dirt track.

"I am not your enemy, Eli" Zelda said simply.

"That remains to be seen" Elias retorted.

"I do not care if choose to disbelieve me. You are just like Odelina through and through aren't you?" She said amusedly.

"I wouldn't know" Elias replied, opening the small window of the caravan and gazing outside.

"Tell me something" Elias said after a moment, looking over to her once more. "What is your relationship to Baltazaar?"

Zelda stiffened at the question. It was obvious that it made her nervous.

"I am his ally" she said simply, looking away from him.

"I see" Elias nodded, returning his gaze back to the outdoors.

That statement was all Elias needed to hear in order for him to move forward with his stratagem. A friend of Baltazaar's, was no friend of his. He could not trust anyone, not even Emma, for he could never be sure where her loyalties lied. It finally sunk in to him, that he was a loner on his quest to both retribution and the throne.

Zelda and Elias did not speak much for the rest of the ride. Something told Elias that she would not be too forthcoming because of her obvious loyalty to Baltazaar but he had a plan on how to find out. In addition to learning about Odelina, the senses that had told him to divert off track to where he had found Emma, alerted him to go to Asphal. There was something there waiting for him to discover and he was itching to find it.

With only short breaks to give the horses water, they arrived at morning the next day. Upon entering the town of Willowry in Asphal, they were all in shock at the devastation of the area. Elias could hear the coachman let out a well deserved gasp at the state of the town.

There were barely any buildings left as the only remnants of the houses were either blazing with fire. Thick, obsidian black smoke emitted from them, blowing away in the morning breeze causing the air to become stifling.

Broken down stone structures laid wastefully on the ground as rubble, wooden carts and stands were smashed to pieces. Their items, whether trinkets or fruits splattered onto the concrete messily making the streets appear even more chaotic.

The most horrendous thing though, were the mangled corpses and severed body parts lying everywhere in the streets. There was no sign of life in the town as the residents' blood painted the streets red giving the already gruesome carnage of the Willowry an even sinister appearance.

The carravan ride became even more bumpy as the wheels of their transport rolled over them.

The air not only smelled of smoke but death. It was a grisly scene to behold.

"It is even worse than I had imagined" he heard Zelda say as she peaked through the window as well.

As they rode through the debris, the castle of Asphal could be seen in the distance.

Elias could sense movement outside of the caravan. In addition to that, thundering foot steps could be heard in the distance like an animal stampede. The uncoming enemy did not smell like a werewolf or a human for that matter. It was a new, foreign odor that screamed danger in his mind. It smelled exactly like a pack of bulls.

"Do you hear that?" He asked Zelda as his head snapped over to her.

"What?" She questioned back.

The stampede noise became louder, sounding as if it was coming from up ahead.

"STOP THE CARAVAN!" He shouted loudly for the coachman to hear.

"Eli.. what is it?" Zelda asked, her face twisted in a frown.

He ignored her as he exited the caravan. The coachman shouted to the other one to halt since Elias's caravan was behind theirs.

Walking ahead of the caravans, he heard Emma speak as he went ahead of the horses.

"What is it, Eli?" Emma asked as she tried to exit the vehicle.

"Stay inside Emma!" Elias shouted at her.

The sound was deathly close now. He could hear the scurrying footsteps behind the half burnt buildings and smell the rancid miasma of their breath.

"Zelda get ready" he said to her as she came stand beside him.

Elias braced himself as the creatures broke through the remaining buildings, finally revealing themselves.

"What in the world?" He heard one of the Emma's coachman say from behind him.

"What is happen..." Koren froze, sticking his head outside the caravan as he caught sight of the beasts.

The creatures had the body of a man but the head and tail of a bull. They were tall and muscular, their hooves and arms bulged with superhuman muscles. Their long, pointed horns were deathly sharp, threatening to pierce the bodies of anyone it deemed an enemy, and right now, Elias and his entourage appeared to be just that.

Their were four of them in total. The one at the forefront roared loudly and the others followed suit shortly after. Their breaths smelled of rotting flesh as if they had been eating the dead.

"What are they?" Elias asked in horror.

"M-minotaurs" Zelda stammered. "I did not know they existed in these parts" she said after.

"Give me a fucking break!" Elias said angrily as he removed his jacket.

One of the minotaurs huffed, steam emitting forcefully from its nostrils. They all pawed the ground with their hooves as they got ready to charge.

"They are coming" Elias told Zelda as he dropped his jacket to the ground.

Just as he said this, the minotaurs began to charge.

"Stay inside Emma!" Elias shouted.

"Take one" he said to Zelda before rushing forward to meet them.

As he sped off to meet the one leading the cattle of four, he quickly slid behind it to jump on its back and forcibly remove its horns with his monstrous strength. The beast roared in agony, falling to its knees as Elias jumped from its mount, thrusting one of the horns violently into the heart of the minotaur behind it.

The creature bellowed in anguish before falling limply to the ground. Another charged past him, heading towards the caravan causing Elias to become distracted.

This mistake led to the fourth minotaur impaling Elias in the chest with its horns. He groaned in agony at its assault but the beast proceeded to rip off his left arm before he could react, his blood steaming as it spewed onto the ground.

"Noooo!" He heard Emma scream.

He used his right elbow to break the horns of the minotaur, using his strength to hit down on the bony appendage. He then kicked the monster across the street, sending it flying into a smoking building, his arm still clutched in its hand. He tried to keep himself steady as he ignored the pain of his wounds.

Meanwhile, Zelda easily immobilized the other minotaur with a spell, making the monster kneel before her. Elias had little time to process this as the agony of his missing limb threatened to cripple him.

He had felt pain when the werewolf had scratched him but losing his arm felt as if he was covered in pure, molten silver.

"Elias!" Zelda shouted as she threw King Koren's sword over to him, he caught it with his remaining hand.

The holes in his chest began to heal but to his surprise, the bleeding from his severed arm had suddenly stopped. Tucking away his shock, he charged the remaining minotaurs, the first being the one Zelda had paralyzed.

He swung the sword forcefully, severing the minotaur's head before speeding over to the other while it struggled to stand.

With one clean swipe, he beheaded the distracted beast and kicking its body back on the ground.

The minotaur Elias had dehorned finally managed to stagger back to its feet and retreat as his companions were all slain.

Elias was about to give chase but Zelda stopped him.

"Leave it. Let it report back to its owner so they will not dare to attempt this again" she said.

Elias glanced at his wound, there was no blood present neither was there a mark to show that his hand had been severed. Elias only felt a slight tingling beneath his skin where his arm once hung.

"Wow" Zelda said as Elias sped over to her. She stared in bewilderment at his wound, touching the empty spot with her hand. "Y-you can regenerate?" she stammered, her eyes sparkling with fearful curiosity.

Elias frowned at her question, unsure of the answer himself. The pain had subsided fully but the loss of blood had left him famished.

"Elias!" Emma said finally leaving the caravan as she ran over to him, enveloping him into a hug. He dropped the sword in his right hand, almost hugging her back but refraining from the action at the last minute.

"I thought... I... I was so scared" she cried to him.

He stared at her, his face emotionless as he watched tears fall from her eyes. He then withdrew himself from her grasp, causing her to frown.

He walked away from her, heading towards the minotaur that still had his arm in his hand.

Elias bent down to pick it up as he observed his dismembered appendage. Had it been his right arm, with his enchanted ring on his finger, he would have been dead from the sunlight of the morning.

He watched as his arm shriveled up before him, returning to the dead and decayed state that could only be seen in a mirror.

"Merchant of death" he whispered to himself. "That is what I am"

He threw the hand into the burning fire of a destroyed home, then headed back to his caravan.

"We must hurry out of this wasteland" he told Emma and King Koren entering the vehicle.

As he sat on the seat, all he could think about was consuming blood. Zelda soon sat down across from him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"You had the power to kill them but instead you allowed me to do it" Elias said as he continued to look outside the small window.

"I will not ask why, but you do owe me a favor" he said after.

"Anything you wish" she said simply, watching him for the rest of the ride towards the castle.

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Sorry for the typos! I'm tired 😩
Will fix later. Hope you enjoyed it❤️