Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

Chapter 1

Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

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"Cater! Cater!"

Jane's voice rang through the stormy courtyard as she rushed toward him. She blocked his path just as he reached the front door, her face a mix of anger and desperation.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice sharp as her eyes darted to the sword at his side.

"I'm going to save Alric," Cater said firmly, his hand tightening on the hilt as he tried to push past her.

Jane shoved him back, standing her ground. "Are you out of your mind? Let him die, Cater. Let all of them die! That's what we've been hoping for, isn't it? After everything his family has done to us—after everything they've taken from us—you still want to save him? Why?"

Cater paused, his expression softening as he looked at her. Thunder rumbled overhead, and the rain began to fall in heavy drops.

"Jane," he said calmly, "I know how much you hate them. I know what they've done. But if I don't go now, everyone in that party will die—innocent people included. I can't let that happen. And neither can you."

Jane's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling as she shot back, "The only one who's going to regret this is you, Cater. I've been by your side, pretending to be human, hiding who I am—all because of some stupid prophecy. And what's it brought us? Pain. Loss. Nothing else." She took a step back, shaking her head. "I can't do this anymore. I'm done."

As she turned to leave, Cater's voice stopped her cold.

"I know you loved him."

Jane froze in place, her shoulders stiffening. Slowly, she turned back to him. "What did you just say?"

Cater stepped closer, his voice soft but steady. "I know you loved him. Eric. I saw how happy he made you. I saw the way you looked at him. And I know it broke you when King Authur took his life. I know what he meant to you."

Jane's breath hitched, and her fists clenched as tears spilled freely down her face. "Yes," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I loved him. He was my everything. We were supposed to get married, Cater. We had plans. A future. And then they took him from me. He's gone, and nothing I do will bring him back."

Her words ended in a sob, and she covered her face, her body shaking as she cried.

Cater stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she collapsed into him. "I'm sorry, Jane," he said softly. "Eric didn't deserve what happened. None of us did."

Jane pulled back, wiping her tears as she glared at him. "So why? Why do you want to save them? Why do you care about those people?"

"Because if we let them die, we're no better than King Authur," Cater replied. "I know you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth. We can't let our anger and hatred destroy us. We're better than this, Jane. And I can't do it without you." He hesitated, his voice softening. "You're the only one I trust."

Jane stared at him, her breathing unsteady as she searched his face. After what felt like an eternity, she let out a shaky breath and nodded.

"Tell me what to do."

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Cater moved cautiously through the courtyard, his sword drawn as he approached the front door. The rain had stopped, leaving the air heavy and still. Around him, guards lay slumped against the walls, their weapons scattered at their feet.

"She did it," he murmured. Jane's spell had worked, putting everyone into a deep sleep.

He was about to sheath his sword when a sharp jolt of electricity struck him from behind. Pain shot through his body as he hit the ground with a gasp, his vision blurring for a moment.

Gritting his teeth, Cater forced himself to his feet, his hand clutching his sword. He turned to face his attacker, his eyes narrowing as a tall figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Well, well, well," the man drawled, his voice smooth and mocking. "If it isn't Cater, the loyal little servant of Prince Alric. Tell me, Cater, does the prince even know how far you'll go for him? Or does he still think you're just a harmless servant boy?"

"Zuko," Cater spat, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "You're supposed to be locked in the Underworld. How did you get out?"

Zuko chuckled, stepping closer. Electricity crackled at his fingertips, and his eyes glowed faintly in the darkness. "The Underworld couldn't hold me forever. I'm the most powerful being alive, Cater. Not even death can keep me trapped."

He stopped a few feet away, tilting his head as he studied Cater. "But the real question is… why are you risking your life for these humans? They're not your kind. Join me, Cater. Together, we can destroy them all. Take the power that's rightfully ours."

Cater stepped forward, his jaw tightening as he locked eyes with Zuko. "Over my dead body."

Zuko's smile twisted into a sneer, and the air grew heavy with dark energy. The wind howled through the courtyard, and lightning crackled in the storm clouds above.

"Then I'll kill you first," Zuko growled, his voice low and filled with menace. "And when I'm done, I'll finish what I started and destroy them all."

Cater raised his sword, the blade gleaming as he steadied himself. "I don't want to fight you, Zuko," he said, his voice calm but firm. "End this now, and I won't have to send you back to the Underworld."

Zuko laughed, the sound echoing like thunder. "You won't get the chance."

With a roar, Zuko charged, electricity crackling around him as he raised his hand to strike. Cater held his ground, his sword ready, waiting for the perfect moment to move.