Hellbound Heart



This chapter is dedicated to @Lilli_Fiona and @MonsterUnderTheBed! Thanks so much for the supergifts!!!

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Alicia caressed Zeke's face tenderly, "I have already faced death before, so I understand that my chances of survival this time might… I know this isn't going to be easy at all. I had felt before I pass out that… that my situation is going to be hopeless. But you found a solution. You found a solution that no one else could find. So please... don't be sorry."

The door creaked open, drawing their attention. Their eyes turned to see their son, Azy, standing there. Just the sight of her beloved son filled Alicia's heart with both overwhelming love and bitter ache. She couldn't believe she was going to leave him… this precious child of hers. But a temporary separation was better than leaving him forever, right? "Azy, my dear," she called out to him, her arms outstretched in an open embrace.

Without hesitation, Azy ran into her waiting arms, uttering a single word, "Mom," with a sense of utter relief. His small body shuddered as he finally released the fear that had been lingering within him since the moment he felt that his mother's life was fading away.

As Zeke observed the scene before him, a soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips. These two—Alicia and their son—were the very air he breathed now, the essence of his world and his life. The mere thought of separating them shattered everything within him.

When Alicia looked at him, she gestured for him to join their embrace. There they formed their first hug as a complete family. Zeke's arms enveloped them both, and an indescribable feeling coursed through him. No words could capture the depth of his emotions in that moment.

In that moment, Zeke vowed silently that he would do anything, everything, to ensure that they could be together like this again one day. He would make any sacrifice, even challenging the gods themselves if necessary. This time, he would not allow anything to go wrong. It was time for him to choose his very own world. Yes, Alicia and Azy were his world now, and he would prioritize them above all else from here on.

As their embrace loosened, Azy spoke, his words filled with a deep longing. "Mom, Dad... I can't explain it, but I would love for us to hug like this again someday."

Alicia's eyes shimmered with tears, moved by their son's heartfelt desire. Zeke reached out and pressed his forehead against Azy's, a silent promise passing between them. "I promise," he vowed, his voice steady and resolute.

Azy smiled confidently, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks, Dad. And as I promised, I will be waiting here for you and Mom's return."

And so, they held onto that promise, cherishing the moments they had together and looking forward to the day when they would embrace again.

…

As the three of them remained locked in their heartfelt embrace, Zeke's attention was briefly diverted by something that was occurring outside the house. He instinctively chose to ignore it, wanting to remain in the precious moment with his wife and son. However, Azy broke the silence.

"Uhm, Mom, Dad," Azy began, his voice hesitant. "I actually came here because... that powerful man, Uncle Gav, asked me to tell you both to come out first. He said there's an urgent matter you both need to settle."

Zeke meet Alicia's gaze and when she nodded at him the tree of them rose.

As the trio stepped out of the house, Alicia's eyes that were filled with renewed vitality and strength was the most noticeable. The pallor that had plagued her complexion moments ago had been replaced by a healthy glow, and her steps were steady and determined. Beside her, Zeke stood tall and resolute, while Azy had never looked so contented.

The trio, now a picture-perfect image of a united family, commanded attention as they walked towards their companions.

When Alicia spot Elle as soon as they were out of the house, Alicia hurried over to her, taking hold of her hands before silently embracing her.

"Thank you so much," Alicia whispered, her voice filled with heartfelt gratitude and emotion.

Elle returned the embrace, her eyes brimming with warmth and relief. "You're welcome," she replied softly. "I'm just glad I could help, Alicia. Seeing you awake and well is all the thanks I need."

As Elle and Alicia hugged, Zeke approached Gav. Gav was covering the upper half of his face again with his hand as if he suddenly had a terrible headache.

Zeke stepped closer, deliberately blocking Gav's line of sight to ensure he wouldn't catch a glimpse of Alicia.

"I know you already feel it, Zeke," Gav stated, peeking at him between his parted fingers. His words hanging heavily in the air. "Honestly, the summon has already been remarkable, considering the length of time both of us have stayed in this realm."

The revelation left everyone in shock. They couldn't believe that the time for their departure had already arrived. Alicia had just awakened, and it seemed unfair to be faced with such a limited amount of time. Couldn't they have a little bit more time together?

Elle stepped forward, facing Gav. "You said I have the power to prolong your stay since I'm the one who summoned you." She spoke. Wanting to hear from Gav that she could still do that. Refusing to believe that this was really it.

Gav glanced at her. "Yes, you are right. However, I honestly don't believe you are capable of that now after performing the healing ritual. No matter the ability you possess, you can't possibly perform two rituals of that level just within a short period of time. Well, you can, if you don't care about what would happen to you next."

As the weight of their impending departure settled upon the group, a voice echoed, capturing everyone's attention. "I believe I can help with that… extending your stay for a bit more, I mean."

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a/n: Thanks so much for your patience as always. <3

Also, I would like to announce that I've dropped a new story here on WN titled 'Deadly Nightshade'. I have no plan to ever contract it because I wanted to be able to print it have a physical copy of it one day. This is a story I've made for a comic which is now under production but I decided to turn the script to a novel version. The update will be slow since I'm only writing it when I'm having writer's block while writing my ongoing books. But I still hope you guys will check it out and let me know if it's good.

Here is the blurb by the way.

Once a queen, now an assassin. Burned and cursed, she rose from the ashes of her fallen kingdom to exact revenge on those who betrayed her. No one was spared, not even the allies who had turned their backs on her in her time of need. But her quest for vengeance isn't over yet. With just one target left—the powerful High King of the Winter Court—she faces her most dangerous adversary yet. He is handsome, charismatic, and cunning, and she finds herself drawn to him despite her burning hatred. Will she be able to resist his seductive charms and complete her mission, or will her blackened heart be conquered by the very man she seeks to destroy?