Chapter 18 - Who's Xerxes?

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- Helia Palace; Roxana's Room, Evening-

Luxana's heart raced with a mix of various complicated emotions. She had always known that the palace was a place of deceit and manipulation, but the King's actions had shattered all those fatherly illusions he played yesterday, which she had silently clung to hoping for her to finally be embraced by someone, who might one day actually acknowledge her. Why did I ever think I could trust him? How Deplorable...she wondered bitterly, her fingers tracing to the pocket she had kept her fire dagger in. The memory of the fire dagger piercing the knight's flesh sent a shiver down her spine. I'm no better than them, she realized, self-loathing seeping into her thoughts.

Luxana curled tighter into herself, trying to find some semblance of comfort, but it eluded her. The silence of the room was deafening, a stark contrast to the chaos that raged within her. I am trapped, she thought, trapped in this palace, in this life, with no escape. What do I even want anymore? The question hung heavy in the air, unanswered. She felt like a marionette with cut strings, flailing helplessly, devoid of purpose. I am nothing, she thought, the realization settling like a stone in her stomach.

The darkness seeped into her soul, squeezing her heart until her breath came in shallow gasps. I wish I could fade away, she thought. Yet the truth remained—she was still here, alive, and the weight of that existence bore down on her. How did it come to this? The question echoed in her mind.

Just then, the silence shattered with a sudden *FOOSH*. Luxana jumped, her heart leaping into her throat. Huh? Is that.......the dragon I embedded in my necklace? she thought, rising to her feet, only to be awestruck by the figure before her.

"'HAH! It’s been 2000 years since I stood on two legs!' the man exclaimed, his voice booming.

Before her stood a tall man with shoulder-length blue hair and deep, oceanic eyes. His skin was pale, almost translucent, giving him an ethereal quality. He wore a long, dark cloak and a silver pendant with ancient symbols. Despite appearing in his twenties, a timelessness about him sent a shiver down her spine."

“I’m Veles. The Dragon you met in the Enchanted Caverns.”

As expected, Luxana thought, letting out a sigh of approval as she looked down, her calm demeanor unshaken.

Veles being pissed, brushed his hair back with a fluid motion, his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. “Am I so unbearable, for you to let out a sigh with absolutely no expression on your face?” he replied, his tone teasing yet challenging.

“Oh...deep apologies,” she said, one arm crossed in front defensively, her gaze dropping to the ornate carpet beneath her feet, avoiding his piercing stare. A faint flush crept up her cheeks as she felt the heat of embarrassment.

Veles stepped closer, his movements fluid and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. He gently tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. The warmth of his fingers sent an unexpected jolt through her. What does he think he’s doing? she wondered, feeling a mix of confusion and discomfort. “Hmm... as expected of the Dominion blood, it’s still warm after so many years. No wonder the beauty is still intact.”

Luxana's breath hitching in her throat. Before she could react, a sudden *WOOF!* interrupted the moment.

A Lycanthrope burst into the room, a tall, slender young man with wild, untamed features. His long, dark hair fell in disheveled waves around his face, framing intense, piercing eyes that radiated danger and power. He wore a tattered shirt and jeans, as if he had just sprinted through the woods. The air crackled with energy as he stood there, muscles coiled like a spring, ready to pounce. Without warning, his body contorted, bones cracking and muscles rippling as thick fur sprouted all over him.

Luxana gasped, stepping back in caution. Just then, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulders, a sensation that both startled and calmed her.

“Don’t worry... we’re here now...” a soothing voice whispered, wrapping around her like a warm blanket.

Her eyes widened as she turned to see a young witch. She was striking, with long, flowing brown hair that cascaded down her back, framing delicate, sharp features. Her piercing emerald eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her fair skin glowed with an ethereal quality. There was a quiet confidence about her that commanded attention.

Luxana shoved herself away, the Lycanthrope rushed to the witch's side, leaving Veles unharmed.

Who—who're they? she thought, her expression was now full of curiosity and amusement.

They exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them, before they sighed in unison, their expressions a mix of relief and determination.

*POOF*

“Greetings, Your Highness,” they said in unison, their voices harmonizing in an eerie yet comforting way.

No way... don’t tell me... they're... Luxana’s thoughts trailled off. But her amusment still remained ignited.

“Good to see you again, Princess,” Mylo shot, a playful smirk dancing on his lips, his posture relaxed yet ready for action.

“We got worried about you since Lady Furia returned, trembling without you. So we set out to come get you!” Myla added, her voice laced with concern, her eyes scanning Luxana’s face for signs of distress.

“But to think, the so-called ‘Dragon of the Dragon Flames’ was this idiot,” Mylo exclaimed, making a disgusted face as he gestured toward Veles, his tone lightening the tension in the room.

So they know him, Luxana thought, her curiosity piqued as she helped Veles to his feet.

“Oh My, shall I take that as a compliment, Mr.Grandpa wolf?” Veles shot back, brushing himself off with a nonchalant air, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Luxana let out a deep sigh, the weight of her situation crashing down on her like a tidal wave. I wonder if they're even thinking of explaining to me what's going on here, she pondered, her expression remaining inscrutable.

Veles stepped forward, his movements fluid and graceful, like a dancer on a stage. "Ah, yes, the million-dollar question," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What's going on, you ask?" He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Veles stepped forward, his movements fluid and graceful, like a dancer on a stage. "Ah, yes, the million-dollar question," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What's going on, you ask?" He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Mylo rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "This idiot here," he jerked his thumb in Veles' direction, "is the legendary Dragon of the Dragon Flames, who betrayed his race and came down to the human world. The one and only, in the flesh." He smiled widely, clearly enjoying the moment.

Myla elbowed him in the ribs, earning a yelp from Mylo. "What Mylo means to say is that Veles is a being of immense power and strength, revered by our clans for centuries."

Luxana's brow furrowed in confusion, titling her head. Their clans? What do they mean? She pondered.

Veles chuckled, his laughter rich and deep. "Ah, yes, the Lycanthrope and the Witch. Two of the most powerful and ancient bloodlines in existence," he declared, gesturing to Mylo and Myla with a flourish of his hand, his confidence bordering on arrogance.

Luxana narrowed her piercing eyes at him. Wait...is this guy reading my mind or what?

"Ahahaha, I'm connected to you, Lumi! I can feel and see through your heart and thoughts!" he exclaimed with a grin, his tone teasing and playful.

Lumi? Luxana thought, her expression still cold as ice.

"Lumi for Luminescence!" he declared, his enthusiasm unwavering.

Myla and Mylo exchanged looks of disgust while Luxana shot Veles a withering stare, rolling her eyes dramatically. They were all visibly annoyed by his flirtatious antics.

"Princess, we're not just your average run-of-the-mill companions," Mylo exclaimed, puffing out his chest as he strode toward Luxana. "We're the descendants of legendary warriors and sorcerers!"

Veles stepped closer, his eyes burning with intensity as he raised his hand in front of Mylo, halting him in his tracks. He turned his head back to Luxana. "We're here to save you from the darkness that lurks within these palace walls, Lumi. From the very people you call family," he said, his voice dripping with seriousness.

Luxana felt a sudden suspicion about him. Moving away from Veles, she reached for Myla, who stood on the other side. Mylo followed suit, and Myla smiled warmly as she grasped Luxana's hands, offering comfort and support. Luxana's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of relief and appreciation in her gaze as she acknowledged their presence.

Narrowing her eyes towards Veles, Luxana hesitantly asked, "I'd like to know about you, Veles."

Veles beamed, his eyes glinting with delight. "Ohh My! Is Lumi finally opening up to me, wanting to know me? Aww, how—"

"As a Dragon," Luxana interrupted, her tone brooking no argument.

Veles stood frozen, dumbfounded, his mouth agape.

"I want to know you as a Dragon. You're definitely not the one I met in the Caverns," Luxana added, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"AHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Our Lumi is so smart!" he exclaimed, a sly look and a huge grin plastered on his face.

Luxana looked at him with narrowed eyes, unimpressed.

"I am the Dragon of the Dragon Flames. But!" he said, raising his index finger dramatically. "I'm just not limited to Dragon etiquette when I'm in this form! So I am ME when I'm in my human form!" He flashed another huge grin, clearly enjoying the banter.

"Why are you blue? Isn't red, orange, or yellow the color that symbolizes flames?" Luxana asked, her face still expressionlessly cold.

Veles grinned, his confidence unshaken. "Don't you know—"

"Oh! The hottest part of the Flame," Luxana interrupted, her voice laced with sarcasm. "But how sad, really doesn't suit you at all."

Mylo and Myla burst into laughter at his outburst, and even Luxana couldn't suppress a small giggle.

"YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE, DIDN'T YOU?" Veles shouted, his anger flaring, his cheeks tinged with indignation.

"My apologies. But..." Luxana strode toward Veles, her left index finger touching his chin lightly as she bent down slightly, inspecting him as if he were an odd specimen. "I don't like people like you," she said with a sly smile, rising back up. "Then, would you please change yourself while you're at it?"

Veles boiled with indignation, letting out a huff and crossing his arms, turning his head away in a dramatic display of petulance.

But suddenly, Veles' eyes widened in alarm. "Hurry! Hide!" he exclaimed, diving into Luxana's necklace with a speed that left no room for argument. Myla and Mylo quickly ducked behind the bed, covering their mouths to stifle any sound.

The echo of footsteps reverberated through the dimly lit corridor, growing louder with each passing second. Luxana turned her head toward the door, her heart racing in anticipation. Suddenly, the door swung open with a resounding *SLAM*, and the King entered, his expression as cold as the stone walls surrounding them.

"Your... Majesty," Luxana stammered, her gaze dropping to the floor, the weight of his presence pressing down on her.

The King narrowed his eyes, shutting the door behind him with a deliberate force. He strode toward Luxana, his movements predatory. Grabbing her arm with a grip that felt like iron, he yanked her closer, their faces nearly touching. "Luxana, have you been well? And how're you powers? Do you feel any pain?"

Luxana met her father’s gaze, her heart pounding, but her voice remained steady. "Your Majesty, what......are you talking about?" Her eyes narrowed defiantly.

"Oh My! Is the Princess so numb?" he replied, a maniacal gleam flickering in his eyes, accompanied by a sinister grin that sent chills down her spine.

Father...this is...not my father, Luxana thought, her eyes widening in shock. She instinctively shoved herself away from him, a wave of dread washing over her. "Who... are you?" she demanded, her cold stare piercing through the veil of his facade.

The King erupted into laughter, a sound that echoed menacingly off the stone walls.

"AHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAAA! Just how come! How are you so different from the other Dominions?" He stepped closer, lifting her chin with a finger, his face twisted in mock admiration. "What a fool your father is, letting such a beautiful woman be alone. I pity you, Princess."

*SLAP*

The sound of Luxana’s hand striking his face rang out, sharp and defiant. The King’s head snapped to the side, and he placed a hand on his cheek, rising straight with a maniacal gaze and that same sinister grin. "Xerxes. My name's Xerxes," he said with a mocking bow. "I am honored to have met you, Princess."

Xerxes? Who's Xerxes? Luxana wondered, confusion swirling in her mind. Just then, a sudden voice filled her thoughts, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Xerxes. He's your ancestor." It was Veles, the voice both familiar and unsettling. Luxana's heart raced. Veles, what does he want? "He doesn’t know I’m in your necklace. He can only see that you’ve made a pact with me. Just don’t let him touch your necklace."

"You see, we’re the same. We are the ones abandoned by our own mothers, mistreated by our fathers, and made fools of by our step-family," Xerxes said, his expression unyielding.

"You want to team up?" Luxana's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into her mind.

"Yes," he admitted, his face devoid of emotion.

"But... you’re in my fath—"

"I just borrowed his body. I’m just a soul who can occupy anyone's body, as long as they’ve used black magic."

Luxana's eyes widened, shock coursing through her veins. Black magic? Father's a victim of black magic? What does that mean?

"I will reveal myself in my true form on the day of your banquet. So please, prepare yourself. So then, I shall return this body to your dear father," he said, a sinister smile curling his lips.

"Hey, I never agreed to team up with you!" Luxana shouted, but before she could voice another thought, he vanished into thin air, leaving her alone with her racing heart.

Before she could process the whirlwind of emotions, a loud commotion erupted outside her room. Luxana rushed out, only to find maids scurrying in every direction, their faces pale with fear. Grabbing one by the arm, she demanded, "What’s going on?"

"His Majesty! He has a severe seizure with a high fever!" the maid cried, her voice trembling as she tore away from Luxana's grip.

Luxana's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind racing. The reality of the situation crashed over her like a wave. The King was in danger, and the darkness that had just revealed itself was only beginning to unfold.

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To be Continued...