LOCATION: THE UNDERWORLD
Heat radiated off the clay walls, there were barely any sources of ventilation and demon slaves walked about with their heads bowed once they noticed the presence of their King.
"Where is he!" Zed's voice thundered through the halls shaking loose dust from the jagged ceiling. He kicked a stone in his path and strode further down the halls.
"My lord, what vexes you?" Gwen— a demon lady asked, reaching for his arm as if to calm him down but Zed shoved her aside without so much as a glance.
Audrey stepped forward instead, her voice soft but cautious. "What troubles you, my lord?" She had long black hair that cascaded down her back. She was a demon witch, the same as Gwen.
"Where is he?" Zed growled, his amber eyes flaring. "His scent lingers in my chambers."
"Who?" Audrey pressed, but Zed ignored her. The air grew hotter as his anger swelled as if the underworld itself was trembling at his voice.
"Pharian!" Zed roared.
"Pharian!" he shouted again, his claws half-drawn, the sound of his voice echoing through the walls.
"Zed!" a voice called cheerfully, opposite of Zed's tone and Pharian stepped from the darkness, a sly smile on his face. "Come to see me, older brother?"
Zed turned to him and landed a brutal slap. His claws raked across Pharian's cheek, blood spilling instantly, leaving three obvious marks.
Pharian staggered, then laughed, blood dripping down his chin. "Your new lady is pretty," he mocked, eyes glinting.
Zed launched at him again but this time Pharian caught his arm, shoving him back with surprising strength.
"I've warned you to stay out of my business, you never listen!" Zed snarled
"And you never cared!" Pharian shot back.
His voice cracking a little. He had basically grown up alone. He never knew his mother, his father was too obsessed with power and the throne that he never looked his way. When he found out he had an older brother, he had clung to that hope, desperately hoping that Zed would be the one to see him, to stand beside him. But Zed never did. All he received was indifference, he simply didn't care about him.
"I needed you to become a man," Zed growled. "The world will never care for you. You had to learn to stand alone."
Pharian's laughter was bitter. "Is this the man you are talking about, who had nothing but blades and arrows for toys? Not showing me anyform of love, only cruelty." Pharian snapped back and swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Yes!" Zed shouted in return. "Because the world does not care for you!"
Pharian's eyes glimmered and he smiled, his smile a broken one. "No, brother. All you proved is that you don't care."
With a snarl, Zed attack Pharian and he fought back, but Zed was stronger, he caught his arm and twisted it hard until the sickening snap of bone echoed through the hall.
Pharian cried out, fangs elongating, his body trembling under the agony. But Zed's grip was unrelenting. He was too strong.
"Why were you in my room?" Zed demanded, his voice low.
"To see what you were up to," Pharian sighed, his broken arm limp in Zed's grip.
"I warned you, never meddle in my affairs." Zed's hissed, tightening the hold.
"How can I not? You are my brother!" Pharian groaned.
"I told you," Zed's voice was ice, "I have no family."
Those words cut deeper than the claws. Pharian stopped struggling, leaving his broken arm hanging limp.
Zed shoved him away before leaving knowing he would heal. Pharian crumpled against the wall, clutching his shattered arm, his breaths sharp and ragged.