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Prince of Envy
Chapter 7: A New Beginning

Chapter 7: A New Beginning

๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ!

Albion continued sprinting down the narrow alleyway, pushing himself to the limit. Yet, he was fully aware that he couldn't maintain his current pace indefinitely, and it was only a matter of time before the spirit caught up to him.

There was no point in trying to call for help, as he knew no one would be nearby to assist. His only goal was to hopefully make it out of the alleyway.

Just a few strides behind, the fierce barbarian whirled around suddenly and unleashed a forceful kick aimed at the spirit's jaw. Regrettably, her attack passed right through it, granting the spirit an opportunity to seize her other leg, and bring her crashing to the ground.

โ€œNo! Damn it, fโ€”โ€ Her words were abruptly cut short as the spirit sank its teeth into her leg.

She desperately struggled against the spirit's hold, but found herself trapped in an illusory battle she could not win.

Albion tried to drown out her cries and expressed his regret.

โ€œI'm sorry. I hope it's swift.โ€

Reaching the end of the alley, his complexion paled.

The entrance he and the others had originally used was now blocked off with tape covered in barbed wire and complex symbols. The rhythmic thud of the spirit's advance only deepened his sense of despair.

His eyes darted around feverishly, seeking any possible escape. He saw two diverging paths on his right and left, presenting an agonizing choice.

The wrong one would lead to a fate worse than death.

๐˜–๐˜ฃ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ท๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ.

Albion hesitated and cast a final short glance at the spirit. Just as he was about to make a decision, footsteps came from the left, and a familiar face came into view.

Caligos appeared panting heavily and clutching his bat stained with fresh blood. Urgently, he cried out, โ€œCome on! Follow me!โ€

With that said, Caligos suddenly grabbed Albion's wrist and urged him forward. This move caused the spirit to miss its lunge and collide with the barrier, prompting a cry of rage and pain.

Caligos glanced back, flashing his habitual smile. โ€œWe need to put as much distance between us and that thing as possible,โ€ he explained as they ran. โ€œA newly formed spirit can't travel too far from its corpus, so as long as we leave its territory, we should be safe.โ€

โ€œHow do you know that?โ€ Albion asked.

โ€œI may have definitely made it up, but it sounds right. And if I'm wrong, we're screwed, so let's hope my theory holds.โ€

โ€œOh my god, we're going to die.โ€

His brother chuckled in amusement, but since Albion had no better plan, he decided to follow Caligos' lead.

He was aware that the absence of any damned, the ominous bell, and the strange barricade likely meant a spirit warden had already alerted the Prince. However, hearing the spirit quite easily catching up to them did not fill him with much hope.

The prospect of encountering a Grim Reaper was intriguing on the other hand. They were a mysterious force loyal only to the Prince.

๐˜ž๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ! ๐˜๐˜ฐ๐˜ค๐˜ถ๐˜ด, ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ค๐˜ถ๐˜ด!

His mind returned to the present.

๐˜๐˜ถ๐˜ฉ? ๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜บ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ'๐˜ต ๐˜ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ณ ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜บ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ?

Albion turned and noticed the spirit adopting a familiar stance, the same one used to attack the degenerate. Suddenly, it lunged forward in a blur of motion, kicking up dust. He barely had time to react.

โ€œCal, watch out! It's coming!โ€

Albion cursed, quickly spotting a gap on the side. Without hesitation, he pushed his brother inside, causing them both to stumble and fall to the ground.

Behind him, a sudden gust of wind followed moments later. He let out a sigh of relief, only to realize the spot he had chosen was a total dead-end. Except for a trash can, three high walls that couldn't be climbed, and a puddle, there was nowhere to run or hide.

๐˜•๐˜ฐ, ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ, ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ! ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜บ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต, ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ'๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜จ? ๐˜‰๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ง๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต...

Albion couldn't accept it.

Caligos was already up, staring at him with a sad but comforting expression. He then swung his bat a few more times before getting into a stance and waiting. Seeing Albion's confusion, he smirked.

โ€œWell, if we're going to be sent to Oblivion, we might as well go out on our own terms, right? I don't think I can do much though.โ€

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โ€œYou're really joking at a time like this? Cal, if it kills us, we'll be erased from existence!โ€

Albion knew that it was impossible to stay dead for long in the Inbetween. However, things like spirits, terrors, and other powerful magical beings could do something far worse, Oblivion. This wasn't simply death; it meant the end of one's very soul.

It was the ultimate death, complete nonexistence!

๐˜š๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ, ๐˜ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ'๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฌ ๐˜ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ฑ... Albion reached into his right pocket, rummaging for his knife when he felt something odd.

Hastily retrieving it, he pulled out a single dull gold coin, the one the degenerate had given him earlier. A ridiculous plan began to form in his mind, but Albion opted to try it, as anything seemed better than facing Oblivion.

Approaching his brother with the coin in hand, he flashed his own reassuring smile.

โ€œI have a plan that could potentially work, but it's admittedly stupid.โ€

โ€œWe're doomed anyway, spill it.โ€

โ€œI'll toss this coin, and you'll give it your best swing to send it far away. That's out chance to run, hopefully outpacing the spirit and praying that we live. If you have something to say, now's the time.โ€

โ€œIs that it?โ€

Caligos stared at him blankly for a moment before letting out a roaring laugh.

โ€œShort, simple ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ reckless? I'm in!โ€

The two brothers got into position, side by side, and waited. Then, it appeared, slowly inching closer to them, letting out a hateful growl.

Albion waited until the spirit got a little closer. He finally turned to his brother and whispered, โ€œ3... 2... 1... Noโ€”โ€

At that moment, a figure landed on the spirit, easily incapacitating it before he could finish counting. He saw the spirit thrash madly but it was unable to free itself.

The boy in front of them had short, styled blonde hair that resembled gold. His handsome face, unaffected even by his cold ruby eyes, bore the look of a model. He wore mostly black clothing, including a t-shirt, a slim open blazer, gloves, and boots, with grey pants. The only colourful thing he wore was a blue crystal sword earring.

After a few minutes, the boyโ€™s voice broke the silence.

โ€œHow long are you two going to stand there? I'll handle it, so scram. I don't want you to get in my way.โ€

Albion opened his mouth to deliver a equally rude retort, but then thought it over and remained silent. Caligos nodded, maturely ignoring the boy's harsh words.

โ€œWe will. And thank you.โ€

The two made their way around him and left the dark alleyway.

***

A bit of time later, they made it back home safely.

In a hurried sequence, Albion threw off the bag, flopped gracelessly onto the couch and let out a muffled groan as he lay there.

โ€œWho does that guy think he is? He looks around our age but acts so high and mighty! Just because he's a Grim Reaper doesn't mean he has to be rude.โ€

Caligos shook his head in amusement.

โ€œYou would be too if you were in his position,โ€ he chuckled, then turned serious and focused on the bag beside Albion. โ€œAnyways, did you get it before that thing showed up?โ€

Albion nodded and said, โ€œYeah, but the two henchmen died though.โ€

โ€œThat's fine. The old wolf won't care that much. Besides, as long as you're safe, that's all that really matters to me.โ€

โ€œThanks for arriving on time,โ€ Albion truly appreciated his brother's concern and smiled widely.

After recalling all the things he had recently experienced, Albion said in a quiet voice, โ€œI've been thinking, if this thing is really a Vestige, should we really give it to Gerard? A geezer like him shouldn't have that kind of power and the spirit!โ€

โ€œI don't know. Hearing what that strange girl told you and seeing the spirit makes me question what else exists out there. Terrors, vampires, cambions... okay, cambions are definitely fake, but you know what I'm saying. Us civilians are mostly kept in the dark about such things. It makes my head hurt.โ€

Although Albion wanted to help comfort his brother, he had no idea how. After shaking his head, Caligos sent him to quickly change.

As he was washing his hands, the lights suddenly cut off, plunging not only him but the entire warehouse into complete darkness. That's when he heard a noise coming from the living room, guessing that someone had broken in.

He almost subconsciously called for his brother but realized it would alert the intruders as well.

After a couple of minutes of fear, he calmed down, remembering that his knives were still in his pocket. He had also determined that there was only one voice, meaning there was only one person but found it hard to confirm.

However, Albion's only option was to courageously open the bathroom door and walk out into the darkness. As he entered the living room, he heard some laughter and confirmed that there was only one person.

All of a sudden, the lights turned on, and there was his brother clapping happily.

Caligos smiled and said, โ€œHappy twentieth birthday, little bro!โ€

๐˜‰๐˜ช๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜บ? ๐˜™๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต, ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ ๐˜บ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ณ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜๐˜ฏ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ... ๐˜ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ต ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ต. ๐˜'๐˜ฎ ๐˜ต๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜บ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ถ๐˜ฉ?

After a few moments, a mischievous grin appeared on his face. He looked around and saw that the room was unchanged except for a solitary white box resting on the couch.

โ€œI hope the gift you got me makes up for the lack of decorations; not even a balloon in sight.โ€

Caligos smiled and reached into his pocket.

โ€œHere, you spoiled brat.โ€

Albion received a small ball of cloth from his brother. He eagerly opened it and saw a single piece of jewelry, an ornate white gold amulet with a ruby in the center.

โ€œCal, this is amazing. Thank you.โ€

โ€œWant to know the best part? It's made from my ichor, so you'll always have a part of me with you.โ€

โ€œGross, but my previous statement still stands.โ€

He hurriedly put on the amulet and admired it as it looked expensive.

After a few minutes, he suddenly remembered something and said hurriedly, โ€œWait, we have the same birthday but I forgot, so what about your present? This feels unfair...โ€

โ€œThat's fine; mine was 23 seconds ago, and I actually got my gift. I haven't told you yet, but I applied and managed to be chosen as an actual apprentice on a leviathan hunter ship. Although, it won't be for a while, at least a month.โ€

Albion was stunned for a few seconds before he cheered and hugged his brother.

โ€œYou're incredible, congratulations!โ€

The two shared a joyful hug before Caligos gently pushed Albion away and pointed to the small round box on the couch. Seating himself, Caligos motioned for Albion to join him on the opposite side.

โ€œIt's a mystery cake I picked up,โ€ his brother explained calmly.

๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ธ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ๐˜ด ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ... Albion thought but simply nodded.

Caligos opened the box revealing a small brown cake with seventeen short candles. He lit them, and together they blew them out. Then, they each took a large slice before taking a bite...only to immediately spit it out.

โ€œ...โ€

โ€œ...โ€

The two stared at each other for a brief moment before they burst into mad laughter. Caligos was the first to calm down, wiping away his tears.

โ€œCooked mice?โ€

Albion smiled, ignoring the taste of burnt dirt and leftovers in his mouth.

โ€œYeah, I'd prefer that a lot, please.โ€

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