NOVEL NEXT Chapter 249: Afa!?
The cage felt like a cold trap, the rusted bars digging into my hands as I stared at Alaric, the massive demon sprawled on his throne-like chair just outside.
"My name is Demon Alaric," he said, his voice booming, shaking the cage floor. "And I have to kill you right here, right now." His claws gripped the armrests, splintering the wood with a faint *crack*.
"Ohh," I said, giving a flat shrug, leaning back against the bars like I wasn't fazed. Inside, my heart was racing—my black aura was gone, leaving me empty, and Lyra was huddled behind me, still shaky from waking up in this mess.
"Yes… Zero…" Alaric growled, leaning forward, his red eyes narrowing as he said my name like it was a curse, his steam-filled breath hissing out.
I crossed my arms, tilting my head with a smirk. "Well, sure, I'll die if you kill me now," I said, keeping my tone light, cocky. "But I'd like to know a few things first. Like, who the hell are you? What's going on in this creepy-ass place? And, if it's not too much trouble, how do I get my powers back? You know, so we can have a real fight, and you can get a real win where you actually prove you're stronger than me." I shrugged again, spreading my hands. "You getting my point, Mr. Alaric?"
He stared at me for a sec, his claws tapping the armrests, then let out a low, rumbling laugh. "Ehehehe…" He leaned back, resting his massive hands on his cheeks, his long black nails glinting as he propped his elbows on the chair. "You surely are amusing," he said, his voice dripping with mockery, but there was a flicker of interest in his red eyes, like he was sizing me up.
"I know, right?" I shot back, grinning wide to keep him off balance. "I'm a real charmer. Now spill—what's the deal?"
"Very well, Zero…" he growled, his teeth flashing as he shifted in his seat, the chair creaking under his weight. "You want answers? You'll get them—before I crush you."
Before I could fire back, a soft whisper came from behind. "Hey… Austin," Lyra said, her voice low and nervous as she tugged at my jacket, her blonde hair brushing my shoulder. "What's happening?"
I leaned back, turning my head to whisper in her ear, keeping my eyes on Alaric. "He's gonna tell me why he's got us locked up, maybe how to get my powers back. Then I'm gonna kick his ass, and we're getting out of here," I said, keeping it confident to ease her worry.
"Ohh, I see, I see," she said, nodding quick like a kid agreeing with a grown-up, her red dress crinkling as she shifted closer. But then her face got serious, her eyes wide with worry behind her missing mask. "But… you'll be able to beat him, right?" she asked, her voice dropping softer, her hands gripping my arm.
I puffed out my chest, flexing my chin up with a grin. "Yes, obviously," I said, loud enough for Alaric to hear. "I'm the strongest damn being in this universe. No demon's gonna stop me."
"Oh my god," she said, her voice a mix of awe and excitement as she hugged me tighter, her arms wrapping around my waist. "I can't believe I've been fucking with Zero." She looked up at me, her eyes wide behind her missing mask, a grin breaking through her nerves. "You're like… a legend!"
I chuckled, running my hand over her head, her hair smooth under my fingers. "Hehe, it's nothing, sweetheart," I said, keeping my tone light to ease her. "You're the special one here."
She tilted her head, her voice dropping to a sultry purr as her fingers traced slow circles on my chest. "Hey…" she said, leaning closer, her breath warm against my neck. "When can we… you know… have some fun again?" Her eyes flicked up, playful but needy, her nails grazing my shirt.
"Soon, baby," I said, grabbing her hand gently, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Once I'm done with this guy." I nodded toward Alaric, my smirk hiding the fact that my black aura was still gone, leaving me empty and stuck in this damn cage.
Alaric sat there, watching us like we were ants in a jar, his claws tapping the armrests with a faint *scrape*. We were talking like he wasn't even there, like his hulking demon ass didn't matter, and it was clearly getting under his skin.
"You humans…" he growled, his voice rumbling deep, shaking the cage floor. "Do you even know whose presence you're in, huh!?"
I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Tch…" I said, turning to face him, my arm still around Lyra. "Why you gotta interrupt our romantic moment, man? What, you jealous 'cause you got no girl to cuddle up with?" I grinned, mocking him hard, leaning into the jab to keep him off balance.
Lyra giggled, catching my vibe and jumping in. "Yeah, seriously," she said, tossing her hair back, her tone sharp and teasing. "You're so creepy-looking, I bet no woman would even glance your way." She stuck out her tongue, pressing closer to me, her hand squeezing my arm like we were in on the joke together.
Alaric's eyes flared brighter, his lips curling into a sneer. "Ehehehe… no woman would look at me, you say?" he chuckled, the sound low and nasty, like he was about to prove us wrong. He raised one clawed hand and *snap*—his fingers clicked sharp, echoing in the cage. The neon lights flickered, and footsteps sounded—*step, step*—coming from behind his throne.
My jaw dropped as a woman stepped into the light, standing right beside Alaric. It was Afa—her black hair loose and wild, her open shirt showing off her curves, a tight black mini skirt hugging her hips, black stockings running up her legs. She stood there, calm and confident, her eyes glinting under the neon, a faint smirk playing on her lips like she belonged at his side.
"Afa!?" I blurted, my voice cracking as I stared, my grip tightening on Lyra's hand. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Lyra's head snapped toward her, her mouth falling open. "Wait, you know her?" she asked, her voice sharp with surprise, her nails digging into my arm. "Who is she, Austin?"