Hellbound Heart



Zeke, Azy, Sebastian and Elle materialized right in front of the Black Forest. 

The feeling of teleportation was such an indescribable experience for Elle. It was something she could not even begin to describe. Having moved from one place to another place just in the blink of an eye, within a single breath was just amazing! It was simply… magic! 

"Let's hurry… please." Azy's voice echoed. The look of impatience and desperateness were still etched on his face as he stared at his father. Elle and Sebastian wanted to think that this was just Azy being too excited but the boy had been acting like there was a grave emergency which made them have the uneasy feeling that something might be wrong. That Alicia was… did something happen to her?

Elle snapped her head to look at Sebastian with a worried expression but Seb seemed to be as clueless as she was. 

Zeke's sudden surge of motion sent ripples through the air, like a stone being cast into a tranquil pond. Though he uttered not a single word, his very essence spoke volumes - something within him had shifted, deep and profound, since their entry into the fabled Black Forest. Even the creatures of the woods seemed to sense the transformation, as birds darted away frantically from their perches in the trees.

The father and son had fallen into a companionable quiet, the sort of hush that settled between two people who knew each other well and for a long time. It was a silence that felt almost tangible, a palpable presence that seemed to envelop them like a familiar embrace. There was no need for words, no awkwardness in the lack of conversation between the two. They simply existed together in that moment, each lost in their own thoughts but still deeply connected. It was as if the very essence of silence had become a part of them, woven into the fabric of their relationship until it was as natural as breathing. 

Once they reached the house, they all halted in their steps. 

Sebastian slowly put Elle down before they both watched over the father and son, standing there in front of the door. 

Azy's hand was trembling a little as he reached out for the door handle. 

Seeing the boy's predicament, Zeke reached out and placed his large palm over his son's. Azy looked up at the comforting and stable presence beside him and he began to bite down on his lower lip so hard to stop them from trembling. His large expressive eyes shone with unshed tears as he valiantly held them back.

Zeke crouched before Azy, bringing himself to eye level with his son. 

However, before Zeke could speak, Azy burst out once again. "I'm sorry… dad." He said in a broken voice, his head down as all the tears he had been holding back could no longer be held back and they fell to the ground in large, heavy droplets. "I couldn't protect mom. I've… made her… suffer… so much instead." 

Zeke froze for a moment before he pulled him close and held him in his embrace. 

"No." he spoke after another pause. "You didn't do anything wrong. You have nothing to apologize for, son." 

Cupping his son's face with his large hands, he made Azy look up at him. "It's not your fault, do you understand?" Zeke reiterated with a gentle but firm tone, making it clear to Azy that he should not be blaming himself.

Azy wiped his tears again but he did not nod nor say 'yes' to his father. Instead, he grabbed Zeke's hand and finally pushed the door open. 

He led his father inside and Sebastian and Elle followed after them, maintaining a distance from the father and son. 

When they reached Alicia's room, Azy let go of his father's hand. The boy wiped his tears again and took a few deep calming breaths. It was obvious he was trying to look as presentable or as fine as he could before entering the room of his mother. It broke the hearts of the other adults looking on to see how grown up and thoughtful a young boy of Azy's age had to behave in this situation. Yet it also filled them with pride on seeing how well he was trying to handle it on his own. He had grown up so well despite the pain and suffering he had to endure in the few years of his young life.

And then he pushed the door slightly open.

Azy was so careful and quiet as he gently pushed the door a little wider. And just as he was about to step inside, Abi appeared. 

Her eyes immediately widened at the sight of Zeke. She had felt someone powerful coming their way since a long while ago, and she had really thought this could only be Zeke, judging from the dark power emanating in the air. She had initially thought it might be Azy or Sebastian, but the kind of calm in the air was something Abi could only associate with Zeke. 

Still, it shocked her to see the man now standing before her in the flesh. Seeing is truly believing.

Abi did not speak and simply stepped aside, making way for them to enter after giving Zeke a look of understanding. 

Azy looked over his shoulder and gazed up at his father. The boy was giving way to him, wanting his father to be the first person to see his mother. 

But Zeke did not move. 

He only stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed at the open door as if transfixed by some unseen force beyond. His body tensed, his muscles coiled tight like a wound up spring as he stared at the tranquil scene before him - the billowing white curtains being teased by the gentle wind coming in from the opened windows and the slightly swaying branches outside. His face was an enigma, betraying nothing of the emotions that churned within him. But his fingers twitched with a restless energy, clenching and unclenching as if in search of something to hold onto. After what felt like an eternity, he finally took a hesitant step forward, his movements slow and deliberate as he crossed the threshold into the room.

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A/N: thanks for the patience guys. 1 more chapter will be out in 2 hours.