The hut stood alone at the edge of a withered forest, its roof half-collapsed and its walls sagging with rot. The wooden boards were blackened by age and dampness, creaking whenever the cold wind brushed past. A sour smell of mold and rust lingered in the air, mixed with the faint stench of blood that refused to fade. The only light seeped through broken shutters, casting jagged beams into the gloom, where shadows crawled like living things.
Beneath the hut, hidden behind a crooked trapdoor, stretched a vast basement carved into the earth. Its stone walls were damp and streaked with dark moss, the air heavy and suffocating. Iron chains dangled from hooks, clinking softly as though whispering secrets of past victims. A single torch burned low, throwing flickering light over crude maps, bloodstained weapons, and vials of strange black liquid arranged on a warped table. Every corner breathed menace, and the silence carried an unspoken promise: no soul entered here without losing something of themselves. A man was walking through the passage carefully. The long darkness was not enough to make him fear . After awhile the narrow passage opened up in vast underground place . Many others dressed like him was standing there quietly. As he entered there and bowed down , everyone looked at him . In the middle a figure was standing. His face or body was almost unnoticeable. The air was thick with tension.
" Any news? " The creepy whispering voice was enough to break the courage of everyone. The man was looking at the ground and without lifting his head he said,
"Paul died. We didn't find any trace of him . All 5 humans we captured were nowhere to find . The crown prince must be the one behind this."
" How did he get caught? "
" Not sure master .... Paul was there for more than 3 days .. I told him not to push his limits this much but he didn't listen.. he told he wouldn't return without collecting 10 sacrifices. I guess he was trying to prove his loya.."
" Hahahahaha... Loyalty!? Huh! Can you see the result of that Loyalty? Not only we lost 5 sacrifices , we almost got caught. It was our good fortune that the crown prince killed him rather than capturing... Otherwise we would be doomed."
" But master we lost a capable.."
"Capable? I don't want dumb people here who doesn't know how to move forward. You know how difficult it is to capture the sacrifices... Now as that imprudent bastard died on that world.. we can't go there atleast for 3 months... We are already running low in power and for further rituals we don't have enough sacrifices."
The whole hall was silent. Everyone was looking at the figure who didn't even moved a inch since the man entered.
" I don't have much time left. We need to collect enough power to fight those sacred ones . Our kind must rule the both worlds. MUST RULE! " The figure started coughing.
" Kael " a man from the standing people came forward " Yes Master. "
" I must take some rest . The damage can't be reversed so take care of the matters from now on . I give you temporary authority. "
" As you wish master. "
The figure moved on the side with an aid and left the hall . Kael looked at everyone and said , " Paul's mistake was a great damage to us . I will investigate about this matter further but everyone else have to stay on alert . We can't displease our great master anymore. Those filthy vampires and werewolves must die . We all win hunt them down and rule over both worlds. Oes , stand up."
A person from the standing crowd asked ," So what is our work now, Kael ? Master seems weak..."
" Temporarily we will target the children or alone residents. Any kind will be fine.Guys , divide into 2 groups and go in your hideouts at Torf and Seron. May Hell follows where he walks!"
" MAY HELL FOLLOWS WHERE HE WALKS!!"
Everyone here went towards there works.
" Oes , we need more weapons. Work on that."
" Kyle.... Do you also think .. Paul... "
" Paul might be your brother Oes but what he did, was definitely wrong. You know that how much we need to stay alert and work to help master to regain his power so we can call the dark lord. "
" But.."
" No but. Leave your sentiments . May hello follows where he walks. "
Oes looked at Kael . Rage was gathering up inside of him but he stayed quiet. " May hell follows where he walks."
...
" Waah.. The dinner was delicious 😋. I have never eaten those soft cakes before. "
" I guess the dinner was in your liking. "
" Ofc , the cake melts down as they enters in mouth. They are not too sweet. Also the corn salad and fried rich were awesome. I like the gravy of that chicken dish . You are lucky to those types of food daily. " Tessa was speaking with joy while wali back into her chamber. Jasper was following her .
" But , you should said those things in front of your parents. You literally me look like a walking joke. 😒... I mean I was excited and afraid so I misspoke your surname. "
" *PFFFT* .... Yeah ... True ... Maybe ... But what about that idithorn? "
Tessa's eyes widened. She stopped walking and looked back at Jasper with a shocked face.
" Must be thinking how I know, right? I can read thoughts."
" You should have told me that earlier😑🥲. Can you read every thought? That's impolite . You shouldn't read a lady's thought like that . "
Jasper smiled and smirked. " Fine , I won't read them . Your chamber is here. "
Tessa didn't realise when she arrived there . Whenever she talks with Jasper somehow time flies quickly. But knowing Jasper knew that she called him idithorn, made her feel embarassed.
" Thank you for escorting me , your highness. "
" Call me Jasper... Just like you used to do before coming here. "
" But I can't call a crown prince by his name like that when we don't have any relationship. People will thought I don't know manners. Although I don't care about what people thinks about me , but I don't want to tarnish the reputation of you and your parents. "
" Fine, then call me Jasper when we are alone. I guess that would be fine , right?"
" Fine by me. "
" Goodnight, rest well Ms .Malv..."
" I already told you to call me by name . So call me Tessa when we are alone too. Sounds like a perfect deal hehe."
" You are right. So rest well Tessa. "
Jasper was about to go but suddenly he stopped and turned towards Tessa.
" I forgot to give you this." He pulled out a small dagger 🗡️ from his pocket. " Keep it. "
Tessa took the dagger and looked at it thoroughly.The dagger gleamed like a forbidden jewel, its blade forged from obsidian-dark steel that shimmered with faint crimson veins whenever it caught the light. Its hilt was wrapped in deep midnight leather, soft yet unyielding, perfectly molding to the wielder's grip. Intricate silver engravings curled across the guard in patterns resembling intertwining roses and thorns, delicate but deadly. At the pommel sat a blood-red gem, polished to perfection, pulsing faintly as if it carried a heartbeat of its own. Elegant yet lethal, the dagger looked less like a weapon and more like a piece of art crafted for royalty—or ruin.
" What's this for? " Tessa asked.
" For emergency use. This dagger has a little bit of my sacred power. I can feel whenever it is used. If you can strike properly, you can kill hunters who doesn't have dark magic. In the other case , of the hunter does have dark magic used in him , you can atleast injure him and do self defence until I arrive. "
" Oh... Ok... " Tessa grabbed the dagger tightly. Jasper understood Tessa's reaction and reassured her ," don't worry.. I will protect you . It's for the 1 out of 10 emergency purpose. I will try my best so you don't have to use it even once. "
Tessa looked at Jasper. His eyes were still the same beautiful, dark and shining like galaxy , innocent but fierce and comforting. She didn't thought of anything but somehow a fear was crawling around her heart , but Jasper's words just worked like a ointment in wound. She smiled and replied, " I believe you. Thanks . "
" I will arrange a teacher for you tomorrow. It's late . Go to bed. I'm going."
" Good night, your highness... I mean Jasper. Have a good rest ." She waved at him and saw him being vanished at the turning of the walking way. She closed her door and lay down on the bed. Holding the dagger tightly, she felt that Jasper is right there with her . She got a relief, a warmth which she was trying to find on lonely, empty nights. She didn't know the exact feeling she was experiencing but she knew that it was a positive one .
" Let's work hard here Tessa. You got it ! I will do everything to help him . My saviour Jasper Blackthorn, I will help you for sure to repay the debt I have ." She closed her eyes and get lost into deep sleep.