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The Ancient Maze

Alvin's P.O.V

I couldn't maintain my anger as I walked through the vast ancient arcs. I could hear the echo of my steps. It was a constant reminder of what was about to come as if it was mocking me. Wasn't this what I wanted? And right ahead there was a mixture of white and golden sets of double staircases, one on the left, one on the right. The railing of the staircase was engraved with angelic drawing.

Leon turned to be more dangerous than I anticipated. Was I ashamed of my doings? No, not in a hundred years. The old filth who I once called father, stole everything from me. Before any of this started, I was supposed to be the King, but that old pig got greedy and stole what belonged to me.

A light knock disturbed me, followed by my advisor and servant.

"My Lord," said Malcolm, bowing. "Am afraid that I'm carrying a bad news. Princess Alena was injured, we don't know if she is alive, some of our men saw her fall. Alena was attacked, he added with fear clear in his eyes.

"Who dared to attack my beloved?" I roared in anger."She wasn't supposed to be harmed! Are you mad I need her! Did you forget we are locked here in this hell hole until her highness allows us to leave," He said in sarcasm."She can go to hell for all I care, Malcolm, but that little bitch controls the maze. Did you think for a minute that I loved her? She is the sole reason which kept me away from the throne. If she opens the maze for us, we will kill that little wanton."

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Leon P.O.V

As I retreated from Alena's quarters, a blemished cloud strained the sun from glowing within the castle of the Forbidden Kingdom. Nothing had gone as planned Alvin played me for a fool. The gold and the citadel deeds meant nothing to me, but it was just the start. It appears that everyone thinks I'm weak, even my own father. And I have no intention to be remembered like this... I will not be remembered as the son of the dragon even if that caused me my life. Does anyone know how painful it is to live in the shadow of someone else, not to be able to shine and maintain you destiny? That's how I felt all my life.

I had to leave and alone, no one must know what I was about to do, is it foolish? Yes, it is, but I'm exhausted. I'm so tired of everything and it needs to come to an end and I will finish it altogether soon. If my father was just feared by his name, I'll be much worse than Leonidas. Hell is about to break loose and I'll lead the whole Ancient Maze to hell.

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Ardal was waiting for me outside the wooden door that had been set directly into the secret gardens. The cold winter in Ardal's eyes left him exhausted and as hard as it.

"Princess Alena?" He asked, fearing the worst.

"She's been awake," I Replied, telling Ardal everything he needed to know.

Ardal signed in relief then nodded and unlocked the door. I followed him through the huge frame. The shadowy Gardens were dark a single torch was held by Ardal lit the way until we reached a distant cave. A surprise was an understatement for what I felt this moment. I lived here for years and never knew about this place, but Ardal kept walking as if there wasn't something wrong. After we entered the cave, it took a minute for my eyes to adjust.

A man sat with his back to the cave wall. His fine fur coat was missing, and his expensive silk shirt was ripped. His arms and body were covered in blood and bruises a keep cut ran down his face.

Even though the man was in pain and fear was clear in his eyes, yet Malcolm managed to struggle to his feet to face me. "I was waiting for you. Actually, I was wondering when you'll grace me with your presence. Have you come to finish what those savages started?"

"Who knows how I think?" I said not removing my eyes away from him, "But first I need some answers."

Malcolm stared dryly at me as I spoke, hate was clear in his eyes. "And I would like to have some answers for my own if you would allow me, your highness. Did princess Alena survive?"

"If she wasn't still breathing we wouldn't be having this meeting right now, Malcolm," I said as I moved closer to Ardal. "Now it's my turn to ask. Why would Alvin want's to kill Alena? Isn't she his bride? She is innocent, I though he loved her."

"After being with you all this time, Leon we doubt that she's innocent. My King never loved that woman, she was just the easiest way to the throne and she turned to be useless to us."

Malcolm mocking comeback didn't last long as I closed the distance between us, seized him by the throat and slammed him against the wall. Malcolm tried to escape me, but he failed. I was much more powerful than him.

"Now Let's try this again," I said, smiling weakly, releasing my grip lightly so Malcolm could speak. "Why did your useless King tried to kill Princess Alena?"

Malcolm, eyes darkened before he spoke, "I never got the chance to ask my King. Your men got to me before I could understand anything. But wait a minute, how can you know that it was one of Alvin's men who tried to kill her? Couldn't it be one of your men?" He taunted.

I tightened my grip again, "That's not what I wanted to hear. It was clear that someone knew about this meeting. I can tell that someone arrived way earlier and took cover before anyone could spot him."

Malcolm frowned, his cool facade dropped. "Ahavah."

"Ahavah as-"

"My sister," Said Winter in a cold voice. "The same sister, I buried long ago."

I folded my arms over my chest, I wasn't able to hide my mocking smirk. "So it turns out that you're nothing but a puppet in Alvin's arms. He is willing to sacrifice you for his own safety. Do you see the kind of man you decided to side with?"

"As if the previous King and Queen were any better. All they cared about was their riches and gold and the others can go to hell for all they care." He tried to argue, but it was clear that he wasn't convinced at all.

"It's kind of hard to believe the words, leaving your mouth, I can tell that you weren't convinced at all. Why Malcolm? was it because you wanted to become the first advisor and the King didn't see you fit for the job?" I taunted back.

"Where? Where did you hear that?" He asked, challenging me.

"Then tell me, if you knew this was to happen and Alvin would sell you cheap why not ally with the right people? Why didn't you sided with the Princess and played Alvin? You could've proven your loyalty and nailed that precious position that you always wanted." I argued back. "But I guess that's too late now."

"That's is all pointless now," Said Malcolm in a dry voice. "But let me confirm something, Alvin doesn't care about the Princess all he wants is her death."

Time seemed to freeze as I heard Malcolm words, all I could feel was as a sharp swirl pulling me back into my early memories, watching Alena turned toward me after I called her name, her hair blowing in the breeze. Her eyes were shining with hope, I feared she lost forever.  I closed my hand around his throat. There was nothing to loose, I had to do this. This was the only way to keep them safe.

However, I heard a roaring noise around me yet it was so far away, but it saved Malcolm just in time. "Leon, no."

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