Sword of Vengeance (Bjorn and Zyro #2)[COMPLETED]

22: Bastard Son

The group arrived at Godfrey's headquarters, the tension palpable in the air as they stepped through the imposing gates of the fortress. The building was vast and dark, a fitting sanctuary for the first vampire. Bjorn, Spike, Conrad, Zyro, and Violet, still recovering from their journey, moved through the dimly lit halls with a sense of unease.

Godfrey awaited them in the center chamber, standing tall, regal, and as ominous as ever. The moment they approached, Bjorn held out the Ashwood Stake, its ancient wood gleaming under the dim lights. Godfrey's eyes scanned the weapon, a look of dark satisfaction crossing his face.

"This... this is the key to ending Vanong," Godfrey said, his voice filled with quiet reverence. "With this, we will be able to destroy him once and for all."

As Godfrey examined the stake, Zyro's gaze drifted toward his hand. Something caught his attention—a ring on Godfrey's finger. It looked oddly familiar. His breath hitched, eyes widening as recognition dawned.

"Where did you get that ring?" Zyro asked, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence.

Godfrey paused, his eyes shifting to Zyro. A strange expression crossed his face, somewhere between amusement and something far deeper. He twirled the ring with his thumb before answering, "This ring? It belonged to someone... very dear to me."

Zyro's jaw clenched. "That's my mother's ring."

The room fell silent as the weight of Zyro's words settled over them. The group exchanged confused glances, trying to comprehend the revelation. Zyro stepped forward, his expression full of disbelief and rising anger.

"My mother..." Zyro continued, voice trembling slightly, "you knew her?"

Godfrey's lips curled into a slow, almost sorrowful smile. "I didn't just know her, Zyro. I loved her. Deeply. And she loved me."

Zyro's eyes blazed with fury. "That's a lie! My mother would never—"

"It's the truth," Godfrey interrupted calmly. "I knew her long before you were born. She was everything to me. We were separated by the councils, by the rules that governed us. Her family was a bad blood. But we had a bond... something no one could break."

Bad blood vampires are vicious and cunning vampires that rebelled against the council, because of their treatment with werewolves, others rebelled for their own personal gain.

Zyro shook his head, overwhelmed by the revelation. "So what? You abandoned her! And you think that justifies your actions?"

Godfrey's expression darkened, his voice lowering as he spoke. "Zyro, I didn't abandon her. I was forced to leave her. But I've always kept watch over her. And over you."

Zyro's face twisted in disbelief, but before he could respond, Godfrey continued. "You, Zyro... you are my son."

A stunned silence fell over the room. The others stared, frozen by the revelation. Bjorn looked at Zyro, his friend's turmoil evident in his eyes. Conrad and Spike exchanged incredulous glances, while Violet stood motionless, her face a mask of surprise.

"What?!" Spike raised his voice.

Zyro stumbled back, shaking his head. "No. No, that can't be true. You're lying!"

"I wish I were," Godfrey said, his voice filled with a strange mix of pride and regret. "But it's the truth. You have my blood, Zyro. You've always been stronger, more resilient than the others. Now you know why."

Zyro's fists clenched, his mind reeling. His world had just been shattered, and he didn't know how to process it. "So what now? You expect me to just forgive you for everything? For abandoning us? For all the chaos you've caused?"

Godfrey's eyes darkened. "I never asked for forgiveness, Zyro. I only wanted you to know the truth. To understand that everything I've done has been for you. For your future."

Zyro let out a bitter laugh. "My future? My future was ruined the moment I became part of this madness!"

The heated exchange continued, the tension between father and son crackling like electricity in the air. But before either of them could continue, a loud crash echoed through the headquarters. The walls trembled, and the air became thick with a sense of impending doom.

Zyro exited the room with raging emotions, Bjorn followed him outside the hallway. Zyro halted halfway through and punched his fist through the wall. He looked at Zyro, whose face was still tight with unresolved anger. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

He watched as Zyro paced back and forth, his mind clearly racing with the recent revelations. The tension hung in the air, thick and heavy, and Bjorn knew they needed to address it.

"Zyro," he began, his voice steady yet gentle. "If you need to talk."

Zyro halted, turning to face him. "Talk? After everything that just happened? You want to talk about feelings now?"

"I know it's not the best time," Bjorn replied, crossing his arms. "But we can't just ignore what happened between you and Godfrey. You're carrying a lot right now, and I get it. I really do."

Zyro clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. "What's there to get? My father—this monster—showed up out of nowhere and claimed to love my mother. And I'm supposed to just accept that? How am I supposed to feel about that?"

Bjorn stepped closer, trying to bridge the distance that had grown between them. "I don't expect you to accept it right away. Hell, I wouldn't want to either."

Zyro paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he searched Bjorn's face. "You really think you can understand what I'm going through? You didn't grow up with a father who left your mother, who was forced to run from a life you didn't choose. You don't know what it's like to have your whole world flipped upside down like this."

"No, I don't," Bjorn admitted, his voice softening. "But I do know what it's like to lose someone. To feel like you've been abandoned, even when they're right there in front of you. I've felt that loss too. And I hate it for you. I wish I could make it better."

Zyro let out a bitter laugh. "You think words can fix this? You think I can just shake off this weight and move on? This is my life we're talking about!"

"I'm not saying it's easy," Bjorn replied, his tone earnest. "But you don't have to face it alone. I've been fighting beside you through all of this. You're my partner, Zyro. I need you to let me in."

Zyro's expression shifted, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through the hard facade he had been maintaining. "I just... I don't know how to deal with this. I've always thought I had to be strong, to handle everything myself. I've built these walls around me for a reason."

"I get that," Bjorn said, stepping closer still. "But strength doesn't mean you have to do everything alone. It takes strength to ask for help. To lean on others when you need it. I wish I'd known that sooner."

Zyro's shoulders sagged slightly, the tension easing just a bit. "I'm tired of pretending I have it all figured out. I don't want to be like my father. I don't want to abandon anyone."

"You won't be," Bjorn assured him, placing a hand on Zyro's shoulder. "You're nothing like him. You have a chance to break the cycle. To be someone better. We all have our demons to face. Together, we can tackle them."

Zyro looked down at the floor, contemplating Bjorn's words. "What if I can't? What if I let you down? What if I fall back into my old ways?"

"Then we'll help you back up," Bjorn replied, a small smile creeping onto his face. "You think I'd let you go that easily? I'm not giving up on you, Zyro. Not now, not ever."

Zyro raised his gaze, meeting Bjorn's steady eyes. For a moment, the weight of his anger and resentment began to lift, replaced by a flicker of hope. "Thanks, Bjorn. I just... I don't know how to navigate this. But it helps to know you're here."

Bjorn's smile widened. "That's a start. We'll figure this out together too. We're badass detectives, right?"

Zyro chuckled softly, the heaviness in his heart lightening. "As long as it doesn't involve dancing, I'm in."

Bjorn laughed, the tension breaking as their camaraderie resumed. "Deal."