𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝☆

𝑿𝑿𝑰. "𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍"☆

"Justin Damion Blackwood." The king laughed cruelly. "Did you think we wouldn't know your little adventure plan to save the world? Now, tell me. Where are your minions? Is my son with you as well?"

Justin silently prayed that Jace and Cole would've escaped somehow. While frantically looking for Cassie, he had managed to get caught himself. 

"I'm here too, father." Jace sarcastically exclaimed. Justin cursed under his breath, while Jace gave him a look that said I-wouldn't-leave-you-in-middle-of-this.

"Tell me, what would you do to me? Tie with those chains..like you did with Justin? Electrocute me? Or kill me?" He emerged with a look of determination and confidence. 

"Why son?" The king frustratedly said, "I did all of this for you, for us. Why'd you try to ruin this and team up with that low-life? But it's okay, son. I'm sure I could teach you a lesson. But first, I'd have to let you face the consequences of betraying me, so you realize how pathetic you are!"

A bunch of robots seized the boys and threw them into a cell.

"Fucking watch out! I'm the Prince of Nefaria!" Jace screamed at a guard who pushed him to wall, making space to accommodate Justin.

"Why'd you do that?" Justin mumbled under his breath, looking at Jace.

"Thought you'd need some assistance," he winked.

"This isn't funny." 

"This isn't. It's not funny how you thought the only way you could reach Cassie was to get yourself caught." Jace sarcastically commented. "Besides, they wouldn't kill me. I'm sure of that."

Justin clenched his jaw in anger at the lack of seriousness in Jace's tone. 

"Are you hurt?" Justin asked, examining Jace. 

"You care?"

"Ofcourse not."

"Justin, you can't risk your life like this." Jace sighed, exhaustion threading his voice as he pressed a hand to his throbbing side, wincing at the sharp jolt of pain.

"I can..I have to."

"They'll kill you." Jace bluntly added, his voice colder now, an edge of fear slicing through his frustration

"Exactly. That would buy us time! Now that we're here, they'd focus on getting us away..mostly me. It would distract them from doing anything harmful to Janice or Cassie! They won't kill you, we'll use that to our advantage."

 "It's not suicide mission Justin! Are you out of your mind?"

"Jace is right, son." A voice interrupted.

Justin froze, his heart slamming against his ribcage as panic surged through him. The sound of the familiar voice sent a chill down his spine, and he felt his breath quicken, each inhale tasting more desperate than the last. A rush of adrenaline flooded his system, blurring his vision and amplifying the tumultuous noise in his head. This had gone too far—farther than he ever imagined.

He could hear Damion—his deceased father. 

Jace's eyes widened in alarm, he instinctively took a step closer to Justin.

"Did you hear it Jace?" Justin whispered.

"T-the voice..I-yes." He stuttered back.

"Dad?" Justin's voice trembled, barely a whisper as shock paralyzed him.

Justin's breath hitched, panic rising and clawing at his throat, tighter with each step his father took toward him. The warmth and comfort he once felt in his presence felt changed now, tainted by confusion and dread. How was this even possible? A part of him yearned to step forward, to embrace the father he'd lost, while another part instinctively recoiled.