The Useless Prince Is A Gangster

In the Underground Tomb

Rin's pink eyes burned with defiance, her heart racing despite her fearless act. Draven was standing in front of her. He yanked the rough cloth from her mouth and Rin gasped for air, her chest heaving as she glared at him.

"So, you're the creep who ambushed me and Leonhardt with that ugly mask?" she snapped boldly.

Draven's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Of course I am," he mocked.

Rin forced a bitter grin. "Figured the guy behind the mask would be a nightmare. But, wow, you're way worse than I pictured."

Draven's smirk faded as his face darkened. He crouched and grabbed her chin to meet his fiery gaze. "You've got his mouth," he growled. "That insufferable arrogance. Just like Leonhardt." His tone grew cold, each word filled with pain and anger.

"He took my Viola from me. So I'm going to make him watch as I take what he cherishes most."

Rin's eyes narrowed, her heart jumping but her voice steady. "You're gonna kill me, then?" she asked with a daring tone which hid the fear twisting inside her.

Draven's evil grin came back and his eyes gleaming with cruel joy. "Kill you? No, no. That's too simple." He leaned closer. "You're going to be the one to kill him. With your own hands."

Rin's breath stopped, her eyes widening as confusion and horror hit her. His words hinted at a plan far worse than she'd imagined. Draven stood, brushing his cloak.

"Bring them," he ordered, turning and walking toward the chamber's exit.

A cult soldier approached Rin. The chains holding her to the pillar loosened for a moment, and hope sparked in her chest. She tensed, ready to run, but the chains suddenly recoil and twist around her, wrapping tight around her arms and legs like a snake, binding her limbs together instead of to the stone pillar.

She started cursing them as she protested, but the cultist hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of meat, her muffled screams echoing off the ancient walls. Another cultist followed with Velmira's unconscious body, carrying her like precious cargo.

They walked through the tomb's narrow halls. Rin's eyes darted around, noting every turn and light, despite the gag making it hard to breathe. The halls opened into a huge chamber that was lit by lanterns.

Rin and Velmira were dropped onto the cold floor with a painful *thud*. Rin grunted with pain from her side as she scrambled to her knees and scanned the room.

The light shoes wore murals and some statues, but the center of the room was dominated by something much more modern yet terrifying.

A massive circular ring of metal, etched with glowing sigils, stood upright. Tubes of mana stone powder pulsed along its frame, feeding energy into the structure. Cultists moved about it, adjusting levers and pouring more powder into crystalline containers.

A female cultist who silenced Rin earlier has approached Draven and bowed. "The teleportation array is nearly complete, my lord," she said respectfully. "We'll be ready in a moment."

Draven's gaze locked on the teleportation ring and a slow, victorious smile spreading across his face.

"Excellent," he said with excitement.

He turned to a group of cultists struggling to drag a massive stone coffin toward the machine, its surface carved with strange symbols. "Is the grave tomb secured?"

The cultists, sweating from the effort, nodded together. "Yes, my lord," one panted. "It's ready to move."

Draven walked to the coffin, his hand resting on its cold, rune-covered surface, his face softening into something almost worshipful.

"Silent Goddess," he murmured, his amber eyes shining with fanatical devotion.

"We've found you at last."

Draven's eyes widened with sudden panic, and he turned sharply to his cultists. "Where's God's Killer? Did you find it?"

The cultists looked at each other nervously, and a thin man with a shaky voice finally spoke. "My lord, we… we searched the whole tomb. There's no sign of it."

Draven's face twisted with anger and shouted that echoed off the stone walls. "Incompetent fools! Ashen will have our heads if we don't deliver the God's Killer!"

A calm, almost playful voice came from behind. "Looking for this, my lord?" Draven turned to see the female cultist holding a finely made knife, its white-gold sheath glowing in the dim lantern light.

His eyes lit up, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as he stepped toward her. "You've outdone yourself," he said with relief. "Lord Ashen will reward you handsomely for this."

The cultist tilted her head, stepping back and twirling the knife mockingly. "Oh, it's my parents gift for me," she said. "Who says I care about your creepy lord's pat on the head?"

Draven's grin disappeared and his amber eyes narrowed. "Have you lost your mind?" he snarled. "I could cut you down where you stand."

She laughed boldly. "Funny thing is, I thought you already killed me." She removed her mask, revealing a familiar face with silver hair. Rin's pink eyes widened in shock and the cultists froze, stunned. It was Erin who's still alive and smirking with confidence.

"Thada!" she mocked as she gave a dramatic little bow.

Draven stumbled back as his face went pale. "Impossible," he stammered in disbelief. "I killed you. I saw you die."

Erin's grin grew and her voilet eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, you killed something, alright. My clone. Nice try, though."

Draven's shock turned to rage. "Kill her!" he roared, pointing at Erin. "Now!"

The cultists snapped out of their shock, dropping their tasks and rushing at Erin with swords, staves, and glowing spears. Draven stepped back, watching his soldiers charge, but Erin's smile stayed, her stance calm as she spun the dagger in her hand.

"I'm not the protagonist!" she said playfully.

"I'm just the opening act."

Suddenly the ground shook and a low rumble grew into a loud roar. The cultists froze and looked around in confusion.

Erin muttered under her breath, "But I am his daughter, so I guess that counts for something."

With a loud *crack* the ceiling collapsed, sending rocks crashing down and most of the cultists were crushed under the falling stones, their bodies buried instantly.

Only a few scrambled away, coughing in the dust.

Rin, still tied and gagged, pulled against her chains. Draven staggered back, shielding his face from the debris.

On top of the rubble pile, two figures stood, lit by faint sunlight streaming through the huge hole above. Leo and Lucian, their red hair catching the light, stood side by side.

Lucian teased. "You weren't kidding, brother. There's really a tomb down here?"

Leo, standing beside him, brushed some dust off his shoulder. His crimson eyes scanned the room, then landed on Rin and Velmira.

"We'll tour it later," he muttered flatly. "Let's grab the girls first."