Blood Passage

Deluana's Den

Chapter three (A Century Earlier)

DEVLON

I awoke to the throbbing ache of my head, bleeding out on to what looked to be a white marble floor.

I gasped in horror, having not seen my own blood in centuries.

The pungent smell engulfed the room as I quickly took in my surroundings to see where I was.

The all too familiar castle halls spread out before me, memories quickly surfacing to the forefront. One's that I had tried to stay away from like the plague.

I was in the center, as five corridor's branched out from were I lay.

My horrified look quickly dissapeared to be replaced with a growing fury.

I rose to my feet as I dusted off my long black robes and fitted black attire noticing the scuff marks on my gold lapels. I scoffed knowing she would be displeased by my appearance.

I forced myself to suppress my violent thoughts towards her, knowing she could eavesdrop on them if she wished.

I walked down the hall I knew to hold my mother.

As I grew closer I could hear the faint whisper of a grand piano being played, as a melancholy tune drifted over my ears.

I turned the corner noticing her chamber doors were already wide open.

I remembered how they used to always be bolted shut, making me wary to the sudden change.

I hesitantly approached the door.

I walked into the room immediately expecting pain or for the floor to swallow me up where I stood.

Nothing would surprise me.

But I was, as I was met with my mother's back as she continued to play a grand piano staged in the center of the room.

The room looked magnificent accentuated with gold and white marble. It was something of beauty, which is why I knew immediately it was a lie.

"Deluana." I growled, growing tired of her illusions.

The tune quickly morphed into a succession of jumbled notes no longer holding any melody just a distorted cluster of chaotic keys.

The light scenery of the room altered and I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the change as it became bleary and dark.

A deep musk filed my lungs almost making me choke with the sudden attack on my senses.

I took in the room clearly noticing the gloomy atmosphere as chains hung from the ceilings.

A black ooze seemed to drip off them and onto the floor.

It was a room designed for the darkest of creatures, for one filed with no resemblance of humanity left in them.

"My dear boy, how I've missed you so."

I turned to the sound of her voice and stopped as I looked into the glowing yellow eyes of the demon herself, Deluana.

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"I see you've completely given your soul to the dark Lord. Can't say I'm surprised mother dearest, why have you summoned me?"

I was met with a hideous smile filled with pointy metallic teeth covered in the same substance that seemed to drip from the walls.

"My boy, since when have you spoke to your mother with so much disdain. You know you are my favorite out of all my children dear boy, come..."

She outstretched her bony and bruised hand in my direction a new foul stench followed it out in my direction.

"I'll have to decline mother, I came because you called for me. Something I was hoping you never did again. I don't wish to stay any longer than needed so if we're done here, I'll take my leave."

All pleasantries quickly vanished from her face at the sound of my threat. The room suddenly seemed to take on a fury itself, all directed at me.

"You dare speak to your mother like that? May I remind you of who gave you everything you now have. I gave you everything and in return you owe me your life... never forget it boy." She sneered.

I was becoming furious at her newfound delusions.

"I owe you nothing, Deluana. You are lucky you are still allowed to live. If you weren't my mother you'd have been killed a long time ago." I spoke with the same malice she directed at me.

I was no longer the weak child she once used and manipulated.

I was a king.

I was her king and my rule was law.

"That will be enough of your antics Deluana and if you look to disturb my rule again I assure you it will be your demise. You are nothing more than my mother now, never forget that." I growled

A sinister smile crept on her animal-like face.

"That is where you are wrong, you are my puppet and you will do what I ask of you like the good little pet you are. You don't forget it Devre." She hummed, using the nickname she called me whenever she tried to sweet talk me into doing her bidding.

Well not this time, vile woman.

"Goodbye Deluana, I will not see you again."

I quickly turned back to the direction from which I came.

I continued to hear her shrill laughter as I went, "until next time sweetheart."