Chapter 25: Pending danger

Dante, however, had never intended for half the village to be destroyed. Star knew the monster had only been sent to draw out his demonic parts, but what he didn’t know was what Dante intended to do once those demonic powers surfaced.

He would arrive at precisely the right moment, as though it were nothing more than a fortunate coincidence, slay the Skarthrax, destroy the demon A.K.A Star, and save the day. After all, what better way to taint Star’s name and drag his father’s name through the mud at the same time? That had been the deal he made with the Grey Sisters.

But now, things had taken a completely different turn.

Star had sworn to stay one step ahead of him, and so far, he had managed to do exactly that.

Although Dante’s plan had somehow come dangerously close to succeeding. Somehow though.

Because... Star had nearly lost himself to the demon within when he absorbed Athrax. The darkness had been overwhelming, far more than he had anticipated, but the golden ring had prevailed and dragged him back before the demon could completely consume him.

Meanwhile, Sarah looked up, it was clear that Dante giving up his beast still bothered her.

"Giving up something that powerful just for a throne," Sarah said, her voice pulling Star from his thoughts. "That’s... that’s just stupid."

Zuru raised a brow at her. "Excuse me, young lady. It isn’t just a throne. It’s the throne that leads the entire Seven Kingdoms." He paused, as though suddenly remembering there was more to royalty than a fancy chair. "I mean, think about it. All that power, respect, women..." His voice dropped into a greedy growl. "...The gold. Ah, I might have done the same if I were him, actually."

Star stared at him in disappointment, slowly shaking his head as though he had just discovered that his friend was far more shameless than he had previously estimated.

Sarah, however, had no such patience. She slapped a palm across her face. "Yeah. Maybe we should start leaving."

"Great idea."

Star nodded as he stood up, and slowly, the four of them began walking towards the village exit. As they moved, Star exhaled and glanced around the ruins once more.

"I just wonder what your next move is, Uncle," he murmured.

...

Inside McCoy’s mansion stood Prince Dante.

He was dressed in the silver armor of the Nethros Kingdom, with a distinguished red cloak draped over his shoulders. He stood staring out through the window, both hands folded behind his back.

Behind him stood McCoy, along with five of his men. Yet the mansion was silent. No one said a thing.

The silence remained until one of the royal guards entered the room. He immediately bowed deeply before speaking.

"My Lord."

Dante didn’t even turn. "What is it this time?"

"I’m afraid the beasts have been slain."

An angry vein bulged at McCoy’s temple as he spun towards the guard, his eyes widening with fury.

"And the boy?" he growled through clenched teeth.

The guard visibly shivered before answering.

"I’m afraid the boy still remains in his usual form."

He barely finished speaking before Dante sent the table in front of him flying.

CRAAAAASH!

It slammed against the wall, splintering on impact.

He went ahead and grabbed an expensive lamp that belonged to McCoy and smashed that against the wall too.

McCoy visibly winced at the destruction of his property, but he swallowed his complaint.

It wasn’t every day an angry royal stood inside your house, and McCoy had enough survival instinct to know when to mourn his furniture later.

"How is this possible?" King Dante barked furiously.

The guard lowered his head. "I don’t know, my lord. But it seems the boy has found a way to control the demon inside him."

A fleeting silence swept through the room, one filled with an uncomfortable sense of terror.

King Dante’s eyes first drifted towards the guard, studying him with an uneasy scrutiny. Then, slowly, he walked up to him and grabbed him by the cheek, squeezing it tightly.

"What has it been? Barely two days, and now the boy is controlling Vehitoshi."

His fingers tightened.

"VEHITOSHI! We are talking about fucking Vehitoshi!"

He forcefully flung the guard’s cheek to one side before turning away. He dragged a hand frustratedly through his hair.

"Go. Gather the men. We are moving in."

The guard bowed deeply before turning and hurrying out of the room.

McCoy watched him leave. A faint smile slowly crept across his face.

"You can’t really be thinking of going after him, can you?" he asked, trying his best to sound as though he were merely concerned for the boy.

Dante slowly turned towards him. His expression practically said, ’Oh. You’re still in this room?’

His gaze travelled from McCoy’s head down to his toes before returning to his face.

"Why?" Dante asked coldly. "You suddenly afraid I might kill him?" He took a step forward. "Perhaps you’re with the Red Queen, who betrayed me without even a second thought."

McCoy simply shook his head. "You know that’s a lie," he answered confidently. "Besides, I’m only looking out for you."

He folded his arms. "If the boy truly is as dangerous as you’ve been bickering about, then maybe a royal king like you..." A small smile tugged at his lips. "...shouldn’t be going after him."

He tilted his head. "I mean, aren’t you royals just a little too fragile?"

The words struck Dante like a bullet straight through the head.

Something snapped.

In the next instant, Dante vanished from where he stood.

McCoy barely had time to react before Dante appeared directly in front of him.

The next thing McCoy knew, his feet were dangling above the floor.

Dante’s fingers were wrapped tightly around his neck.

McCoy’s eyes widened as his body jerked helplessly in the air. Veins bulged across his face as he struggled for breath, his hands instinctively clawing at Dante’s fist while his legs kicked violently.

There was no mercy in Dante’s eyes. No emotion. No amusement.

Only cold... murderous intent.

His eyes had reddened as he stared directly into McCoy’s face.

"Mortal like you..." Dante’s voice was low and dangerous. "How dare you speak to your king in such a manner?" He tightened his grip. "You should be afraid of what I’ll do to you."

The struggle was obvious in McCoy’s eyes, yet somehow, he still managed to laugh.

He stared directly into Dante’s eyes. "I think you know I’m hard to..." He struggled to breathe before forcing the words out. "...hard to give in to fear."

The firmness in his gaze never disappeared.

Dante stared at him. He still needed him. As much as he wanted to punish him, as much as he wanted to bring fear into those defiant eyes, he couldn’t... not yet.

With a sharp motion, Dante flung him aside.

McCoy dropped, and his guards immediately rushed forward to catch him before he hit the floor.

He coughed violently, one hand clutching his throat as the guards helped him regain his footing.

Dante gave him one final, ugly glance before turning towards the exit.

"Mark tonight," he said coldly. "For it is the night you’ll see what true power really is."

With that, he disappeared through the exit.

McCoy’s guards helped him straighten himself before adjusting his sleeves. He rubbed his bruised neck once more, then looked towards his men.

"Well, gather the rest of the men." His breathing was still heavy. "Nothing is happening to that kid, not on my watch."

He gla

nced towards the direction Dante had disappeared and a slow smile spread across his face.

"Ooh... Dear King."

His eyes narrowed.

"This is war!"