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PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST NOVELS || LATEST MOVIES || LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
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HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 321 Banter
After a long time of the father and son just embracing each other, Azy finally stopped crying. His face was still a little damp with tears and there were the occasional hiccups from the heavy sobs that had wreaked his body earlier. He was also still sniffling intermittently, but he looked so determined to stop himself now.
The boy stepped back and wiped away his tears with his sleeves. And as soon as he finally met his father's eyes, his gaze changed into one that was blazing with determination.
Suddenly, he grabbed onto Zeke's arm.
"I… Mom… you need to go see mom." He said, his eyes pleading and at the same time unwavering. It was an endearing mix of him begging yet ordering at the same time.
As Zeke's eyes dilated at the boy's words, Azy's magic began to move again, as if something had aggravated the sleeping shadows within him. "I need to bring you to her now!"
"Hold up, little one." Gav's voice echoed, causing everyone to look at him with the exception of Zeke who did not bother to turn around. His eyes were constantly fixed on his son, still drinking in his features that were so alike himself with wonderment. "Even though he's your father, you can't just take him away like that."
"And who is this… not so stranger among us here?" Alex butted in, tilting his head at Gav. "If you're planning to stop Azy from taking his dad away, I'm sorry but I guess, my only choice is to ask you to just let them be. Don't worry, I'm absolutely free to entertain you while we wait for their return."
"Hmm…" Gav eyed Alex from head to toe. "I see that this world not only has interesting individuals like Zeke and his brother, but there is someone like you too. However, I have to politely decline your interesting offer."
Alex raised a brow. "Mind telling me why is that so? Don't tell me you're afraid you won't be able to keep up." Though his voice was still as polite as ever, the taunting and teasing in his words were unmistakable.
A slow smile graced Gav's lips after hearing Alex's words.
He opened his lips to speak when Zeke suddenly rose. "You won't need to do anything with him, Alex." He quickly gave his order and then holding Azy's hand, turned around and faced the men. "Gav doesn't need any entertainment anyway."
Alex raised a brow again, but this time at Zeke. "Is it just me or are you trying to protect this pretty fella here?"
Zeke sighed and continued. "Nor does he need my protection."
"Then what do you want us to do to him?" Sebastian piped in, his voice firm and a little dangerous. "I don't care if he's the future King of Underworld, I'm not going to just stand still if he tries to stop you from seeing Alicia."
Gav chuckled. "Easy there, 'lil bro… it seems like you're literally the polar opposite of your calm brother."
"We don't have time to deal with the likes of you right now." Sebastian hissed back in retaliation, feeling aggravated. He could not help it because Zeke had already said he was still going back. They did not know if the gate would suddenly open again and swallow him back. So they truly did not have any time to waste in having all this chit chat to reason things out with this man, whoever he is! "Azy, just take your father to your mom. Go with them, Iza. I'll deal with this guy."
"Well, I don't mind joining the brawl. It's been a while since I've done any sort of warm up that's worth my while. I'm afraid my bones have already gone rusty by now." Alex also spoke, pushing himself off from the wall and tilted his head from left to right, causing cracking noises to come from his neck.
"Oh well, since it seems these two are being so welcoming of me, I guess I might as well grant them their wishes." Gav replied and he too uncrossed his arms that were over his chest and lifted his hand, running his fingers through his hair as he smiled. "I don't want to be rude when I'm the guest here after all, right boys?"
As the atmosphere suddenly began to tense up once again, Zeke shut his eyes closed for a moment and when he opened them, his calm voice came out in a menacing and no-nonsense tone. "Stop it, every one of you. And don't make me repeat myself again."
"They're the ones who keep asking for it, not me." Gav whirled around and shot a pitiful look at Zeke, indicating that he was being wronged here.
"Enough playing around. You're going to come with me, Gav." Zeke turned to Alex and Sebastian and added, "So there is no need for you two to watch over or entertain anyone."
"Now this is indeed a better choice," Alex commented before chuckling, his mischievous nature finding the entire scenario earlier highly amusing. "But are you sure it's okay for him to hang around us outside? Even I could tell that he's hiding something incredibly dangerous."
"I'm not purposely trying to hide anything. But I'm impressed with your observation." A lopsided grin flashed across Gav's face, appreciation for Alex's insight glinting in his eyes.
"Don't butt in, kid. I am not sure what kind of creature you are, but I am certain I should be thousands of years older than you."
"Thousands… that's impressive. It seems you've lived long enough to still be here." Gav could not help but quip at Alex's comment.
Alex smirked. "And I'm certain I'm still going to outlive you."
"Let's go." Zeke's voice echoed and it was then that Alex and Gav realized that Sebastian and Izabelle were already right next to Azy and Zeke. "You two can banter here then. Since the both of you seem to love taking jabs at each other. I will leave you to enjoy yourselves right here." Zeke added as he looked at Alex and Gav over his shoulder before the four of them disappeared in the next breath, leaving Alex and Gav looking on at the now empty spot.
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HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 322 I’m Sorry
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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HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 323 Alicia
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Zeke froze once again upon seeing her. His Alicia.
She was on the bed, sleeping so peacefully. So still and calm. If he had not identified the very light up and down movements of her chest, it would seem as though she was already…
With a slow and deliberate movement, he began to approach her. Each step was measured, his gaze never leaving her face as if he were afraid that if he looked away, she might disappear from his sight completely.
Once he stood by the bedside, he stared down at her. Her once-silvery hair was now stark white, and even her thick lashes had lost all their color. Her lips, once rosy and full, were now pale and wan. He swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion as he sat down slowly beside her, never taking his eyes off her face. He reached out a trembling hand and gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face, his fingertips lingering against her skin. The touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if he were afraid that any extra force he exerted might break and shatter her to pieces.
And then he simply sat there, his eyes fixed on hers until he took Alicia's slim and pale hand in his own. With all the care and gentleness in the world, he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against her skin.
And then he dropped his head and buried his face in her hand. His large hands cupped behind hers, supporting her hand and the weight of his own head.
The sight of him just sitting there without saying a word made everyone watching feel a painful tug in their hearts. They all know how strong and powerful a being like Zeke was. But now watching this great and mighty man bent over in quietness and subdued by the frail looking woman on the bed, caused an upheaval in the emotions of those onlookers. Abi quietly stepped out while Sebastian also moved aside and leaned against the wall instead. They just could not continue looking on without being more affected by the scene.
Elle bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling. Because for some reason, the sight of Ezekiel doing that instead of waking Alicia up sent a devastating message to them all. That Alicia was indeed in grave danger right now and that… Zeke was not trying to wake her up because he knew she was never waking up again.
Elle tried to shake that thought and feeling so hard. Refusing to accept it. That it would not come to be a fact. Because Alicia was alive!
After what felt like an eternity, Azy walked towards his parents.
The boy had a look of something impossibly fierce and strong emotion in his gaze as he stood before his father.
"I…" he started, pulling Zeke's attention to him. "I believe I am not only sucking Mom's power but her life essence too. Every time I… every time my power bursts out of control, she weakens. And this time, I feel so powerful, too powerful that I could barely contain that power in me without your help. In return, mom turned out this way."
The boy's eyes watered even as he tried his hardest to stay calm. "I'm afraid… dad… that the next time that this happens… she'll… she will…" Azy's voice broke and he could not continue.
Zeke's hand landed on the boy's head.
"I will never let that happen, Azriel." Zeke said. "Never."
The boy's eyes slowly widened. Hope gleamed in his large eyes as he looked up at his father. He allowed that expectation to flare within his chest.
"You mean… there's a way to stop this from continuing… You can help mom return to her usual self, too, right, dad?"
Zeke nodded at his son and then turned to look at his wife. "Though, you might not like… the method."
Azy straightened. "I don't care about the method, dad. I trust you. And as long as mom is able to be saved, I am fine with anything. Even if the only way is for me to go with you and leave mom and never to see her again, I'll do it! I will do anything for her!"
Zeke was surprised at his son's declaration. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You're indeed my one and only son." He uttered, looking proud. "But I'm not going to let you come with me. That's something I would never allow to happen, Azy. And I am sure your mother would agree with me on that." As he said that, his thumb rubbed a few soothing circles into Alicia's hand that was still grasped in his own.
Azy looked at his father with questions brimming from his eyes but he knew better than to ask anymore. Zeke turned his gaze back to Alicia once again.
When Azy too stared at his mother and saw the changes in her, he clenched his fists as his jaws tightened. His mother seemed to have deteriorated more in such a very short time.
As if Zeke understood what the boy was feeling just by one look at him, he spoke up. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Azy nodded this time, looking at his father like he was the only one he could put all his trust on. He had no other belief right now than his father. Growing up, his mother, aunt Abi, uncle Alex, and many others have continuously regaled him with the tales of how mighty and awesome his father is. So now, he would place all his trust and hopes in this man who he called 'dad'.
At that moment, a sudden commotion from outside the house made Azy look out the window. Zeke simply glanced when Azy rushed towards the window.
"I'll go take a look, dad. Please stay with mom." The boy said and before Zeke could speak, he disappeared before him.
Zeke could not help the smile that tugged across his lips.
When his gaze fell back to Alicia, that proud smile slowly faded.
"You've raised him so well…" he said, his voice trailing off as he reached out to pick up strands of Alicia's long hair. He brought them to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against the silky strands. "As expected of you…" he added, his voice catching a little as he spoke her name. "Alicia."
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HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 324 Version
Since the very moment Zeke heard his son's voice calling him 'dad', he had been overcome by emotions. Emotions he did not know he actually had within him. He had always known he was generally a person who would hardly be affected by emotions, no matter how strong. And the only time he was completely moved was when it had anything to do with his other half, his beloved, Alicia. But only now he realized just how a simple action of having his own flesh and blood call him 'dad' could evoke such strong feelings within him.
The situation in the Underworld had worsened to a degree that Zeke no longer had the time to even think about the family he had been fighting for. He had not had the time to feel or to think or even remember. Though he was honestly thankful, he had been a little scared. Scared that he would go numb and would no longer feel anything once he returned to his family.
Having no time at all to think about his loved ones was a huge help for him to focus on nothing but his goal. It had also helped him not to drown from any downside of missing his beloved too much. But he had felt a little uneasy at the same time, that he would actually forget how to feel emotions and act like a human again once he got back to his family.
But thank goodness… Apparently he was worried for nothing. Because it took just one word for his seemingly lost and numb emotions to rise back to life. 'Dad'… that word had echoed again and again in his head. That young and innocent voice seemed to have breathed life to the barren desert of his inner person. It was like that arid land that was his frozen emotions, had thawed and been watered by the refreshing and life-giving shower that was his son's pure and sincere love for him as son to father.
And when he turned and saw him, his son, the miniature version of himself, he could do nothing but stand there and stare at him. Until now, he was still amazed at how similar Azriel was to him. As much as his mind knew that the boy was his and that genetics would have contributed to having similar traits passed on to him. But still, knowing and actually seeing it in the flesh were two different things.
He remembered that Alicia had told him their son looks exactly like him. What she said was true, but Zeke could also see some subtle features of his beloved wife in their son, which is not surprising at all. After all, Azy had half of his chromosomes contributed by his mother.
His heartbeats had been so loud within him as he approached the boy. And when he held him for the first time, everything within him trembled.
It had honestly worried him at first. That moment when he finally met his son. He had not been there when he was born and when he grew up. They never saw each other even once. However, it did not stop him from feeling as though a piece of puzzle that he never knew was missing in the first place, finally clicked into place as he held the boy within his embrace. It was like a piece of himself was being returned to where it belonged and that completeness was so wholesome and fulfilling.
Zeke had wondered how his son would react once they finally met face to face. He had thought about how he, himself, would react.
There was one time, years ago where he had simulated all possible scenarios of their first meeting. He had thought of what he would first say to him, that he should show him a gentle fatherly smile first and foremost.
But none of those happened as what he had envisioned within his mind. He was dumbstruck that Alex had to intervene to wake him up from his trance. This had never happened to him.
He was not even sure what kind of face he had made when their gazes first met. He really hoped he did not wear his completely emotionless face at that moment. That was so uncool of him if it had been the case. Never had he ever been fazed by whatever the situation that he was being thrown in in the past, but just one encounter with his young son, was enough to throw him off his game.
And to top it off… his son cried.
The pain he felt was so sharp and deep. One unlike that he had never experienced is the many hundreds of years that he had been alive. Yet all he could do was to hold him. He did not know what else he could do but to only hold him tighter.
When his son had begged him to go see his mother while trying his best to calm down, Zeke felt his heart stop beating.
The desperate look in his son's eyes immediately gripped his entire being with fear. But thankfully, he managed to calm himself.
But now that he was here, looking down at her like this, Zeke's body began to tremble hard as he sat there, holding onto her hand.
It was happening again. This all too familiar state she was in. He had sworn years ago that he would never let Alicia waste away like what had happened to her before she died the first time around. Even though he knew back then that it was not her end even if she died, watching her wasting away, weakening day by day, was still a torture to him. He had just stood there watching, torturing himself even more by letting another man take care of her.
Now it was happening again, and it was worse this time. Because he was not even there anymore to even watch over her from a distance.
He had not anticipated this. And that Alicia would weaken to this degree.
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HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 325 I’m Here
Zeke had worried about this when she was accidentally sent to the Underworld. But Zeke was certain that Alicia would be fine. But what he never anticipated was the fact that Azy's demonic magic had awakened so early and that his power was now too strong for a young and untrained body of a child to handle. And that inadvertently affected Alicia negatively.
Zeke himself had awakened his demonic power when he was around seventeen. He was already a skilled trained fighter then. To think that his son had awakened his power at the age of five was just…
His jaws clenched as his body finally stopped trembling.
He stared down at his wife and reached out to touch her pale face with still shaky fingers.
"You did something, didn't you Alicia?" he asked in a whisper, even though his eyes were saying that he was already certain she did. "You've been using your body to receive all the physical blows that our son's body is supposed to suffer."
Zeke felt a painful lump growing in his throat as he realized Alicia had been suffering for five years. Holding on for her life for five years until there was almost nothing left in her but the faint beating of her heart and her shallow breaths.
He ran his free hand through his thick dark hair and clenched so hard. Even as some of the roots of his hair got ripped out, the pain was nothing compared to the pain in his heart and the suffering that Alicia had to endure.
And then he cursed. It was a hoarse and painful sound filled with emotions.
"I hate this…" he muttered under his breath. His grey eyes gleamed with unshed painful tears as he lowered his head until his forehead touched over her chest. "I hate that I always can't do anything while you suffer. Why can't I stop this from happening to you? Why is it that I can stop anything in this universe but I can't stop your suffering? Why?"
As his quiet rage began to stir the tamed and calm darkness in him, Alicia made a faint sound that had Zeke instantly pulling away to look at her face.
Her eyes were still closed but her pale lips were moving.
She was… calling his name inaudibly.
"Alicia…" he uttered her name in response as he pressed her palm on his cheek. The cool frailness of her hand was another stark reminder of how she had withered so much. "I'm here, my love..." he added in a hoarse voice and her lips tugged up into a smile so faint yet looked so happy as his fingers twitched a little against his skin.
…
Lucas finally caught up after following Sebastian. It took him a long while to catch up because Sebastian had used his demonic power to change his location. But thanks to the tracker he had on Sebastian, he was able to find his whereabouts. It was actually Zeke who put a tracker on Sebastian back when the prince was still in the dungeon, just in case he would escape. No one actually knew about this tracker's existence except Lucas and Zeke until now.
But when Lucas arrived in the Underground cemetery, Sebastian was no longer in the cavern anymore. He was about to turn around after he saw that his location suddenly changed, when he heard a familiar voice from within the cavern that could only belong to Alexander.
So Lucas decided to keep going as he also needed to tell Alex about something important when he was welcomed by two males. One he knew and the other was a stranger, though the other one certainly looked and felt familiar for some reason.
"Oh, it's good that you're here, Lucas." Alexander broke the silence. "I'm leaving those to you to settle." Alex told the man, gesturing to the pile of unconscious bodies at one corner. "I think it's better for you to deliver those fellas back to the Black Forest. We still need them for some questioning."
Lucas glanced over at the pile of bodies before returning his attention back to Alex.
"Where is –"
"There's no time to explain for now, Lucas." Alex cut him off. "Because we need to catch up with Zeke this instant."
Lucas' eyes widened at what he had heard. What? What did he just hear? Z-zeke? His Highness Zeke?!
Before Lucas could even open his lips to clarify if he heard Alexander right, Alex was already facing the other male, talking to him. "Now let's go. You better use your teleportation magic for us to catch up with them."
"If you say so." The other man replied with a shrug and Alex quickly leaned on that man's shoulder, as if Alex did not trust the man enough to not disappear without him.
"Zeke actually asked me to babysit you for a while so behave, okay?" Alex grinned at him playfully when the man glanced at his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not certain what you are talking about but I do need to catch up with him this instant." The other male replied with a blank face and then the two of them were swallowed by black smoke that surrounded them swiftly, before disappearing and leaving Lucas standing there.
A soft sigh escaped Lucas' lips before he looked around the entire place. He could still sense Sebastian's magic and finally… Zeke's presence.
The realization that Zeke was truly back now had the man's eyes glinting in the darkness. Excitement and something more filled his gaze. "He's definitely in the Black Forest right now, right?"
Lucas was certain because Alicia was in the Black Forest! Azy was there as well, so of course, Zeke would go there as soon as he was back!
"Alright! I better get there as soon as possible too!" tilting his head left and right, he cracked his neck menacingly, and then he approached the pile of bodies he was tasked to move.
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