Path of the Extra

Chapter 142: Horrors of Hell [10]

”Seeing is believing, but truly, I am glad to see you alive, my prince,” Malcolm said, his voice steady as Azriel walked beside him, with Yelena keeping a silent presence by his side.

This time, Cole trailed behind them, his eyes fixed sharply on Malcolmʼs back, his Soul Echo simmering beneath the surface.

Malcolm, unable to attend the Christmas banquet due to being in the void realm, now saw Azriel for the first time since the princeʼs supposed death. For months, he had relied on whispers and news from Earth to piece together the fate of the Crimson Prince. Asking the king directly had never been an option.

Azrielʼs mouth twitched into a small smile.

”Itʼs been over four years, Grandmaster Malcolm. How is your son?”

Malcolm inclined his head slightly as they continued their unhurried pace through the dark passageway, each step echoing.

”Heʼs well, my prince. Currently, he should be in America, handling some negotiations, if Iʼm not mistaken.”

Azriel nodded, though the subject of politics held little interest for him. Malcolm, perhaps sensing this, did not linger on it.

”Finding you here was unexpected,” Malcolm continued.

”His Majesty ordered us to map out every inch of this underground network before seeking an exit and reporting to SICVC. I hadnʼt thought Iʼd come across you as well, not until Her Highness mentioned it.”

Both Azriel and Yelena exchanged looks of surprise.

”My sister has been found?” Azrielʼs voice was sharper now, tinged with urgency.

Malcolmʼs expression softened.

”Yes, we located her after she defeated an Eclipse Wraith. She was with a blond boy—I believe his name was Cadet...”

”Lumine!”

Yelenaʼs voice burst out before she could stop herself, a wave of relief washing over her features. Malcolm raised an eyebrow at her reaction before giving a slight nod.

”Yes, that was the name. This new generation… theyʼre formidable. Itʼs almost unsettling,” he muttered, the final words meant more for himself than anyone else. Azriel caught them and allowed a subtle smile to touch his lips before it faded into a more serious expression.

”Have you seen someone with silver hair and red eyes?” Azriel asked, the tension in his voice palpable. Malcolm frowned, glancing at Yelena, who now looked equally concerned. He shook his head slowly, making Azrielʼs face darken further.

”Weʼve searched nearly everywhere,” Malcolm continued, ”and apart from Cadet Lumine, Her Highness, Master Amaya, and the soldiers, we havenʼt found anyone fitting that description.”

ʼDamn it… where are you, Nol?ʼ

Azrielʼs mind raced, not out of concern for Nolʼs strength—he knew the boy was capable—but for his reckless curiosity. Nolʼs insatiable thirst for knowledge would have him courting danger, flipping a coin to decide whether to back off or edge closer, and Azriel feared that coin often landed on the latter.

Silence settled over them as they walked deeper into the maze-like network, ignoring Coleʼs presence entirely. After what felt like an eternity, they reached a more expansive chamber, branching paths extending out like veins in the dark stone.

”My prince!”

The voice of Amaya cut through the still air. Azriel turned to see her, Jasmine, and Lumine approaching swiftly, their faces bright with recognition.

”So, itʼs true…”

”The prince is here,” someone whispered.

”And alive…”

Azriel ignored the scattered murmurs and focused on the group approaching. Lumine, propelled by worry, was suddenly standing in front of Yelena, too close.

”Are you alright? Were you hurt? Do you need a health potion?”

The questions tumbled out of him like a waterfall. A faint flush rose to Yelenaʼs cheeks as she pressed her hands against his chest, gently pushing him back, aware of the eyes on them.

”Ah, young love…” one of the soldiers muttered.

”Poetic, even here,” added another.

Realizing the situation, Lumineʼs face turned red as he coughed awkwardly.

”S-sorry. Iʼm just glad youʼre safe.”

”Me too,” Yelena managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Amaya and Jasmine stepped forward, shifting the focus back to Azriel. Jasmineʼs eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing him.

”Before you start worrying, Iʼm fine. Not a scratch. Honestly, Iʼm envious. Why do you get to fight while I donʼt?”

Amayaʼs gentle laugh broke the tension.

”Déjà vu,” she said, earning an exasperated look from Jasmine.

”Please, donʼt start sounding like Father,” Jasmine replied, chuckling. The soldiers in their crimson uniforms visibly relaxed, some laughing as well, nodding in agreement. They didnʼt need another battle-maniac king to keep them on their toes.

Azrielʼs gaze swept over Jasmine, relieved to see her unharmed. The mention of the Eclipse Wraith gnawed at him, but he focused on the present, exchanging a look with Lumine.

”Iʼm glad to see youʼre still breathing, Lumine.”

A wry smile touched Lumineʼs lips.

”It might have been different if it werenʼt for Her Highness.”

Azrielʼs smile widened, but his eyes turned colder.

ʼSo they were together, alone, in a maze… together.ʼ

”Azriel?”

Jasmineʼs voice pulled him from his dark thoughts. He forced a softer smile.

”Itʼs nothing. Just worried about Nol.”

Jasmineʼs expression mirrored his concern.

”So, heʼs still missing…”

”My prince, we can organize a search if you wish,” Malcolm offered, sensing the weight of the name.

Whoever Nol was, he seemed important enough to cause worry.

Azriel shook his head, surprising them all.

”No need. Heʼll show up when heʼs ready. Knowing him, heʼs probably off somewhere… enjoying himself.”

The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances, but Azriel paid them no mind.

ʼIf he were in real danger, heʼd use [White Haven] to contact me,ʼ

he reassured himself.

”Rest assured, that boy is already where he needs to be,” came a voice, cold and commanding. The group turned as one, eyes landing on the imposing figure in the center of the room.

”Y-Your Majesty!”

Almost everyone dropped into a bow or a salute, some falling to their knees, including Malcolm. Lumine and Yelenaʼs faces paled as they felt the weight of Joaquinʼs presence.

Only Jasmine and Azriel stood unbowed, eyes locked on the king. In an instant, Joaquin was before them, his expression softening as he looked at Jasmine.

”Are you hurt, my daughter?” His voice, gentle and layered with concern, made Jasmine nod silently.

”Iʼm fine, Father,” she said, though she frowned when he didnʼt immediately acknowledge Azriel.

Then Joaquin turned to his son, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

”You look like hell.”

The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances. Had they missed something between father and son?

Azrielʼs lips twitched.

”Is it a requirement that every saint I meet insults me?”

Joaquin chuckled darkly, before the smirk broke into a rare, warm smile. His hand landed heavily on Azrielʼs shoulder.

”Itʼs good to see you alive… and intact.”

Malcolm took a breath, daring to speak.

”My king, now that weʼve found both the prince and princess, should we proceed to SICVC?”

Joaquinʼs eyes shifted, sharp and unreadable.

”No. Iʼve changed my mind. Weʼre going to the Sunken Islands.”

Malcolmʼs jaw dropped, echoing the stunned silence of the other soldiers.

”But, Your Majesty… we agreed it was too dangerous.”

Joaquinʼs eyes turned cold.

”Danger? As long as Iʼm here, what could possibly threaten us?”

Murmurs spread.

”The kingʼs right…”

”If he canʼt protect us, who can?”

”Better here than that half-built void capital…”

As silence settled again, Joaquinʼs gaze found Cole, lingering in the shadows. The roomʼs temperature dropped.

”Itʼs been a while,” Joaquin said, his voice low and biting.

Cole stiffened, sweat breaking out on his brow.

”It has, Your Majesty.”

Azriel leaned toward Jasmine and whispered,

”Care to tell me why this feels so personal?”

Jasmineʼs face darkened as she kept her eyes on Cole.

”A year ago, at a party, he tried to force himself on me while drunk. Lady Mira intervened before he even touched me, but when Father found out, things between the government and us deteriorated even more.”

Red lightning crackled briefly around Azriel, vanishing before most could notice. Those who did felt a shiver run down their spines at the sight of his expression—a chilling echo of Joaquinʼs own fury.

Jasmine squeezed his shoulder lightly.

”Thereʼs no need. He didnʼt touch me, and Mira made sure he regretted trying.”