The Demon king's Last oath

The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the estate's gardens in hues of amber and gold. Caius walked along the edge of the grounds, his small frame moving deliberately as he followed the faint pull he had felt for days.

It wasn't physical, this pull—it was something deeper, like a thread tied to his very soul. Ever since the night in the garden, the feeling had grown stronger, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

He stopped at the edge of the forest, where the trees loomed tall and dark, their shadows stretching across the grass.

"It's out there," Caius thought, his blue eyes narrowing. "Something… or someone. A fragment of my past."

Behind him, the faint sound of footsteps broke his concentration.

"Caius!"

He turned to see Julian jogging toward him, his golden curls bouncing in the evening light.

"What are you doing out here?" Julian asked, his tone light but curious.

"Thinking," Caius replied simply.

Julian tilted his head, his usual cheerful grin softening. "You're always so serious. What's on your mind?"

Caius hesitated. Julian's openness was disarming, a far cry from Lucian's sharp suspicion or their father's quiet scrutiny. For a moment, Caius considered telling him the truth—or at least part of it.

But then he shook his head. "Nothing you need to worry about."

Julian frowned, stepping closer. "You always say that. But, Caius… we're brothers. If something's bothering you, you can tell me."

Caius looked at him, his piercing blue eyes searching Julian's face. There was no malice there, no ulterior motive. Just genuine concern.

"I know," Caius said softly. "But not yet."

Julian sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Fine. Just… don't go running off into the forest, okay? Father would kill me if something happened to you."

Caius gave a faint smile. "I'll be careful."

Julian seemed satisfied with that, patting Caius on the shoulder before heading back toward the estate.

Caius watched him go, his expression thoughtful. "Julian… you're too kind for your own good."

Once Julian was out of sight, Caius turned back to the forest. His resolve hardened.

The forest was alive with sound—the rustle of leaves, the chirping of crickets, the distant hoot of an owl. Caius moved quietly, his steps light as he followed the unseen thread pulling him deeper into the woods.

The farther he went, the colder the air grew. Shadows seemed to gather around him, their edges sharp and unnatural. But Caius didn't waver. If anything, the familiarity of the darkness steadied him.

After what felt like hours, he reached a clearing. At its center stood an ancient stone altar, weathered by time and covered in moss. Faint runes glowed along its edges, pulsing with a dark energy that made the hair on Caius's neck stand on end.

He stepped closer, his heart pounding. The pull was strongest here, a vibration that resonated through his very bones.

"What is this place?"

The moment his hand touched the altar, the runes flared to life, and a voice echoed through the clearing.

"Caius…"

He froze, his eyes widening. The voice was deep and echoing, laced with power and familiarity. It wasn't a voice he had heard in this life, but in his past, it had been a constant companion.

"Do you remember me?" the voice asked.

Caius's hand trembled. "Who are you?"

The air around him shifted, growing heavier. A shadowy figure materialized above the altar, its form shifting and amorphous. Two glowing red eyes stared down at Caius, filled with both malice and reverence.

"I am what remains of your general," the figure said. "A fragment of the legion you once commanded."

Caius's breath caught. His memories stirred, fragments of a time long past rushing to the surface: a vast army of shadowy creatures, their loyalty unwavering; a war that consumed everything in its path.

"I thought you were all gone," Caius said quietly.

"We are scattered," the figure replied. "But we are bound to you, even now. The oath you swore… it binds us all."

Caius's jaw tightened. "The oath was to bring peace, to end the destruction. If you're here to drag me back into that life, you're wasting your time."

The figure tilted its head, the shadows around it writhing. "Peace? You swore to protect this world, and yet it crumbles. The Shadowborn are not the only threat, my king. A greater force stirs, one that even your sacrifice could not silence."

Caius's heart sank. "What do you mean?"

The figure leaned closer, its voice dropping to a whisper. "The void left by your death… it did not remain empty. A new power rises, one that seeks to undo everything you fought for."

Caius's fists clenched. "Then I'll stop it. But I'll do it as I am now. I am no longer the Demon King."

The figure chuckled, a hollow, chilling sound. "You cannot deny what you are. The shadows cling to you, my king. They will never let you go."

Before Caius could respond, the figure dissolved, its form scattering like smoke. The runes on the altar dimmed, and the clearing fell silent once more.

Caius returned to the estate before dawn, slipping through the halls unnoticed. His thoughts were a storm of questions and doubts, but one thing was clear: his past wasn't as dead as he had hoped.

As he entered his room, he found Lucian waiting for him, sitting in the chair by the window.

"Out for a stroll?" Lucian asked, his tone dripping with suspicion.

Caius didn't answer. He closed the door quietly, his blue eyes meeting Lucian's.

"You've been sneaking out a lot lately," Lucian continued. "Care to explain?"

Caius remained calm, his face betraying nothing. "No."

Lucian's jaw tightened. "You're hiding something, Caius. And I'll find out what it is."

"Good luck," Caius said simply, moving past him to the bed.

Lucian stood, his frustration evident. "You think you're so clever, don't you? But whatever you're hiding, it's going to come out eventually. And when it does…"

Caius turned to him, his blue eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "Be careful what you wish for, Lucian."

For a moment, Lucian froze, his breath catching. Then he scowled and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

As the room fell silent, Caius sat on the edge of his bed, his thoughts returning to the shadowy figure and its ominous warning.

"A new power rises…"

He clenched his fists. "If I'm to stop it, I'll need to uncover the truth of my past. No matter the cost."