Chapter 401: A Face From the Past

[Music recommendation: Ivan Torrent - In Absentia]

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Both turned toward the impact, their eyes widening in shock as a thick black vine covered in sharp thorns slithered through the dirt before lifting itself into the air.

It hissed viciously, and Aliana exclaimed, "What the hell is that?!"

"Netherbloom," Gavriel murmured, genuine shock flickering across his face before his irises turned blood red. It’s from the underworld."

"What?" Aliana gasped, her chest heaving.

"Stay behind me!" Gavriel pulled her back and thrust his hand forward, launching a blast of fire that collided with the Netherbloom as it lunged toward them again.

The collision shook the earth as the black vine screeched like a dying beast.

Realising it was far too dangerous for Aliana, Gavriel turned toward her. "I am taking you away from-"

The words died in his throat, and he froze.

His eyes widened in sheer horror, and his heart dropped to his stomach upon seeing that Aliana was no longer there. He looked down at what he thought was her hand in his grasp, only to find a thick stalk of Netherbloom instead.

A vein throbbed on his forehead as he charred the vine in his hand to ash.

He spun around, searching frantically through the heavy fog. "Ana!"

"Aliana!" he roared into the mist, but no answer came.

"Give her back! Give her back now!" he growled, raw fury surging through his veins as dark, suffocating power spilled out of him, blackening the ground beneath his feet.

Suddenly, multiple vines of Netherbloom shot out from the fog, tightly binding each of his limbs to lock him in place as they began to hum with a purple glow.

Then, the unseen woman’s voice echoed once more through the mist. "Calm down. She will be returned to your side soon. I told you that I needed her."

"I will fucking kill you!" Gavriel’s lethal roar tore through the air, shaking the very ground beneath him as his composure shattered completely and his eyes blazed a terrifying, demonic blood red.

Dangerous fire began to spread across the ground around him as he prepared to blast the entire clearing.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Gavriel. You’ll only end up harming her with your own powers. Besides, have you forgotten that netherblooms feed on the power of whoever they latch onto?"

The threat was enough to snuff his flames instantly.

Yet his volatile dark aura continued to spill outward like black acid, melting the vines that touched him, even as dozens more surged from the earth to bind his wrists and chest. Sharp thorns pierced his flesh, painting his skin with dark blood.

He clenched his jaw, not from the physical pain, but from the unbearable struggle to restrain his rage for Aliana’s sake.

Yet his fury continued to rise, causing his pupils to narrow into slits as the whites of his eyes turned pitch-black as Bellarios finally woke from his long slumber for the first time since the night of the full moon.

"Blood... she took her... I will spill her blood," Bellarios growled through Gavriel.

"She will not be harmed. I give you my word, Bellarios," the woman replied calmly.

"Why the fuck should I trust anything you say!" the beast snarled, using Gavriel’s throat.

"Why?" The woman’s voice echoed through the mist. "Do you not wonder how I know your name, Bellarios?"

Both Gavriel and Bellarios froze instantly.

In the Underworld, no one, and he meant absolutely no one, was supposed to know the Devil’s beast’s name.

The only person who could recognise the beast’s name was his destined mate. Apart from her, Gavriel himself had revealed Bellarios’s name to only one other person in his entire existence.

His eyes widened in shock as he whispered in disbelief, "It can’t be..."

.....

Meanwhile, inside a dark cave illuminated by glowing blue crystals and filled with the scent of damp mud and rain, Aliana took small, nervous steps through the shadows, calling out frantically, "Gav! Gavriel, where are you?!"

She was terrified and had no idea how she had ended up here.

One moment she was gripping Gavriel’s hand tightly as he pulled her behind him when the Netherbloom attacked. The next moment, the mist grew so thick that she could no longer see him. She had called out to him, but her voice seemed unable to reach him. When the fog finally thinned, she was shocked to find herself standing inside this strange, mystical cave.

What the hell was going on?!

Anxiety gnawed at her without her husband by her side.

Still, she refused to lose hope.

Assuming there had to be an exit somewhere, she kept moving forward, calling out his name. "Gavriel!"

Suddenly, she sensed a presence behind her.

Spinning around, her eyes locked onto the same hooded figure clad in black standing before her.

Aliana’s eyes widened as she gasped, "You..."

The woman offered a gentle smile before speaking softly. "Aliana... my child, you are finally here."

As the woman took a step toward her, Aliana immediately retreated, her voice filled with sharp demand. "Who are you? What did you do to bring me here? Where is my husband?!"

The questions tumbled out one after another as Aliana eyed the stranger with deep suspicion. This woman had somehow managed to separate her from Gavriel.

It was completely unacceptable.

She knew Gavriel must be worried sick, and she dreaded what his fury might unleash if she did not get back to him soon.

The woman stilled and replied gently, "Do not fear me, my child. I will do you no harm."

"That is quite a stretch coming from a woman who not only attacked us, but also separated me from my husband!" Although Aliana was scared, fury began to coil in her veins. Feeling her powers responding to her anger, she lifted her hand as shadowy wisps began to seep out of her skin. "Tell me your purpose in doing all of this, or it will not end well for you."

A soft, bell-like chuckle escaped the woman’s lips. The elegant sound was surprisingly soothing to Aliana’s ears, yet she refused to lower her guard and continued to glare at her.

The woman composed herself and replied softly, "Forgive me for losing my composure, but hearing you threaten me like that brought back fond memories. Memories of a fierce demoness of the underworld."

Aliana went still, her eyes widening. "You’re talking about my soul, aren’t you?"

The woman smiled warmly. "I am."

Aliana’s hands trembled at the overwhelming sensation of stepping closer to the truth, but she quickly narrowed her eyes. "And why should I believe you? You could be spinning a lie. You have not even shared your name or revealed your identity."

"Oh," the woman murmured, rendered speechless for a second before clearing her throat. "I suppose you are right."

She raised both hands to grasp the edge of her hood before slowly drawing it back, leaving Aliana’s jaw to drop as she caught sight of the woman’s face.