Berserk, or what Conan called it when Abel was entering a state of being conscious but at the same time, not. It was a state where Abel's cursed blood take charge, killing anyone on sight. Conan didn't know how Abel broke the chains that bound him to the coven, but even when he knew Abel wanted to put a stop to this coven once and for all, he had to stop Abel.
Letting Abel do what he pleased was even worse than the coven.
"Your Majesty!" Conan shouted through his gritted teeth. His eyes were bloodshot, watching Abel cock his head back. Abel was licking the blood on his fingers, eyes falling on Conan from the distance. The side of his lips stretched wickedly.
"Conan…" Conan's breath hitched, a bit taken aback by how Abel recognized him. When he blinked, his heart stopped for a second. His eyes shook, gazing up at the devil standing before him.
Abel.
Abel tilted his head from one side to the other. His dark sclera grew darker as the black veins augmented, covering half of Abel's face. His eyes were shining bright like fire, scrutinizing Conan in front of him.
"Conan, have I ever told you… your blood had always been so enticing?" came out a rasped voice, raising both his hands. His bloody hands were palm-length away from Conan's cheeks, staring at Conan's pale face. "Didn't you adore me, my dearest vassal?"
Conan's body shuddered, not in fear, but in panic. He kept his gaze on Abel's eyes, witnessing how those demonic eyes clouded with nothing but bloodlust. This wasn't his emperor anymore.
"Why… don't you live within me? In that case, we'll be together… forever." Abel's eyelids drooped dangerously, mouth falling open.
In a snap of a finger, Abel stretched his hand to grab Conan's neck.
Clang!
Abel's brows rose, cocking his head to the side. His eyes bore genuine wonder, gazing at the sheath Conan raised to block his hand. He blinked twice, raising his eyes back to Conan.
"Your Majesty," called Conan through his gritted teeth. "Lady Aries will be very disappointed if you don't get a grip."
"Aries…" Abel whispered, tilting his head to the other side. "Right… you gave me your word she wouldn't come here. And yet, she was just here."
Conan's eyes went huge. "What?"
"She had seen everything." Abel frowned, wrapping his fingers around the sheath. "I saw the look in her eyes, dearest. Want me to tell you what I saw?"
He batted his eyes ever so slowly while the sheath cracked in his grip. "A devil. That's what I saw… in her eyes."
CRACK!
Abel opened his fist and allowed the pieces of the scabbard to fall. Meanwhile, Conan was quick to jump back to a safe distance, holding his sword to the side. Conan's eyes heat up, grinding his teeth. He didn't have the leisure to negotiate or argue with Abel right now.
The witches along with the two high priestesses continued to chant, retraining Abel as much as possible. The other members of the night council looked at each other cautiously before setting their eyes on Conan. Conan was one of Abel's loyal followers, but also, this man, despite opposing the night council and the coven, valued Abel's life more than anything.
If this continued, the peace Abel had tried to secure for a long time would go straight to the gutter. Conan wouldn't allow that, because a massacre was the easiest part. What would happen right after if they allowed Abel to wreak havoc was far more horrifying than anyone could imagine.
Conan drew a deep breath, releasing it through his mouth. He fixed his posture, back straight, holding his sword forward.
"You promised…" he muttered, keeping his eyes on the demon standing before him. "… you wouldn't force me to use this cursed blood sustaining my life."
Abel smiled. "I am not forcing you."
"You weren't… if I just submit. However, I…" Conan's eyes softened, swallowing the frustrating tension building up in his throat. "… I cannot do that, Your Majesty. I cannot punish you with my death."
When the last syllable slipped out of Conan's lips, he cast the night council a look. "Tonight's coven… will resume." He then looked back at Abel, noticing the blood on Abel's hands turn black, producing a dark shroud that was akin to smoke.
"His Majesty… will die." Conan's heart clenched while his grip around his sword trembled. "Protect the witches. I'll force him back to the magic circle."
Conan's eyes glinted with determination. Although he instructed everyone in a quiet voice, they heard him loud and clear. With that being said, vampires walk forth as shields to protect the witches. After all, Conan was the most capable vampire in the empire, aside from Abel.
If there was one person who could at least stop Abel's blows without dying, that would be Conan; Abel's original sword and right-hand man.
Abel laughed in amusement, sensing everyone's enthusiasm. He spread his arms wide open, the chains around his wrist echoing.
"Welcome to the coven, Conan," he intoned happily, sensing the growing aura Conan had to conceal for centuries. "I never had fun for the longest time!"
"Me too… your — no, Abel." Conan's eyes shone brightly as his fangs grew longer, inhaling the pungent scent of blood and death. His emotions slowly heightened, hearing things he didn't want to hear: Abel's silent scream.
"It's been a while."
*****
Outside the great hall…
"Open the door!" Aries kept pounding her fist against the door, but even when her knuckles bled, it wouldn't budge. "Please… someone…"
Aries bit her bottom lip until the tang of iron filled her mouth. She slowly slid down against the door, but still pounded her fist weakly. Tears had flooded her face, scratching the door when she was left with no choice. She should've felt relieved, knowing Abel would be fine without those chains.
However, she couldn't even breathe, let alone heave a sigh of relief.
"Open up," she whispered, raising her eyes at the door that looked like just a thick wall that was impossible to break. "Please… help me. They're all going to die."
Aries ground her teeth, still hadn't realized where this fear in her heart was coming from. As she tried to pound on the door again, she suddenly heard the faint sound of the flute. She gazed at the window, her lips trembling. The music sounded louder and louder in her ear, making her heart race.
"No," she whispered, looking back at the door. "Someone is waiting for you to kill each other."
Aries then mustered every bit of her energy to pound the door open. "Abel!!"
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