Apocalypse ✦ Nomin

35

⊱ ───── { Jeno } ───── ⊰

"I'm pleased with what you've done, my son," the well dressed man grins from ear to ear as he sits atop his throne, "But I must say...I am disappointed you let the boy go free."

"Boy? What boy?" Jeno asks as his heart rate quickens.

"You know exactly who I'm referring to. Do not lie to me," his father warns as he manages to maintain a smile, "I could have stopped him from leaving and forced you to watch him die...but you've done so well. I decided to let fate take its course."

"Wh-What do you mean?" Jeno inquires as sickness slowly rises in his throat.

"You know...had you sacrificed his soul to me, I could have made him be anything you wanted. I could have even let you help take control of him. A little puppet just for you," his father mentions, "But instead you chose to set him free. I will never understand why you choose to protect that boy. Haven't you learned by now that your efforts are futile?"

"Father, please...I'll do whatever you want, just...please...let him live. Don't make me destroy him," Jeno begs as his breaths shorten.

"I'm afraid that's not a choice for me to make," the man states with a smug smirk, "Now...about your current form..."

"I-I choose to stay as I am," Jeno speaks as his mind lingers on his father's prior words about Jaemin's survival through this apocalypse, "If Jaemin is spared and he lives through this, I will do as you wish."

"Tsk tsk tsk...haven't you learned not to make deals with me?" his father inquires as he runs a hand through his long hair, pushing it back, "I don't make deals to grant wishes, I make them to benefit from an exchange at the begging man's expense. Besides, it's not as if I actually wish for that boy to live through this. I will get what I want without that filthy little angel to get in the way."

"But, father-"

"This conversation has ended. I suggest you return to your duties and finish what you started," he silences Jeno's argument, "And begin preparing to invade the ivory kingdom. The sooner we destroy it, the sooner we win."

Jeno purses his lips as his father speaks. He listens and waits to be released, but something in the way he is acting as if Jeno was just a pawn in his elaborate chess game boils his blood. Jeno always knew his father was using him, but the bitter taste it leaves in his mouth in this moment reminds him of this fact.

"And if I refuse?" Jeno grunts as he glares intensely at the man.

Jeno blinks and finds that his father goes from sitting in his chair to standing mere inches in front of him. Jeno jumps backwards in fear, not having expected him to do such a thing.

"I don't accept refusal," his father states with a dark gaze as he grabs ahold of Jeno's face in his hands.

"Let me go!" Jeno cries as he claws at the strong hands gripping his head.

But his efforts are in vain.

He looks into his father's pitch black eyes, slowly falling victim as they call to him, beckoning him to let go of his struggle and surrender. As much as Jeno tries to fight it, he can't. His own eyes turn into black voids as he lets go. His father smiles warmly at him and released his grip.

"Good boy. Now, get the Ares sword and help destroy Earth while I prepare the army to invade Heaven," he states authoritatively.

"Yes, father."