『Disclaimer』

• The story and its characters and entities are fictional. Any likeness to an actual person, either living or dead, is purely coincidental.

...〔𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬〕...

• I don't do proofread (maybe sometimes)

• English ain't my native language.

• Few or many wrong grammars may encounter with some of the chapters.

• This is a work of fiction based on my imagination (I'd like to write a novel, unfortunately.. My intellect and writing skills have their capacity. It may not be possible for me to complete this novel.)

• Also the writer's block a beast when it eats my idea up...

• And lastly, ⏳ slow updates (I have an online class... °^°)

...⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠⚠️...

• Read at your own risk!

• Contains inappropriate for Li'l kiddos and– (+¹³) (You don't want to die from cringe and cliché plot, right? And also having a nightmare with the boogie monster eating a booger (✧≖ ͜ʖ≖))

...▌│█║▌║▌║ ⚆ _ ⚆ I ⚆ _ ⚆ ║▌║▌║█│...

Three thousand years ago in the land of Iercuná, it was the most famous land in the hearth where people aren't greedy like the in the Eischen. They helped and gather each resource to protect their lands against evil, the infamous Asudem, the serpent who feed the human desires in exchange for their soul. But peace did not last on their lands after the outbreak of war, the demons began to assemble and attack them.

This is a war between mankind and the demons who were once human. The chief of Iercuna, Eischen, and Arcadia have decided to evacuate and leave their entire treasure because they cannot protect their people with their power. They'll just perish away and turn into a ghoul.

In fact, the witch, Asudem, is not responsible for the chaos which currently reigns on their lands. It was a curse which was lifted by a man who is blinded by greed, who desired something greater, a commoner who could not covet—The throne and the downfall of the king, King Deiotones Ekhré Labrador, along with the others.

Ducetius envied his twin, the crown prince, Deiotones, when they were young and that envy become more and more severe to the point that he wants to kill his brother.

...«Ducetius»...

Gifted with talents and looks, Ducetius is completely the opposite of him. Based on the rumors that spread in the Eischen, his mother made a contract with the witches but didn't abide by the contract and for that, Ducetius was cursed from the fruit that was conceived from evil.

According to the prophecy, "Your son will be the beginning of the fall of your kingdom! You must kill him and offer him to the infamous witch for you to repent of your sin!" It was said by the fortune teller. At first, the Queen didn't believe it, she knew that a breach of the contract she made years ago have a consequence. She thought her son can't be the root of evil based on the prophecy, but as she ignores the facts, strange things began to occur to her son, Ducetius. A tattoo or an odd black mark started to appear on his body, like a snake ready to devour him. When night falls, a strange sound always comes into his room and the following day, broken glass, vases, scratches always appear from time to time. In those days, she knew precisely that the prophecy was real.

Thus, she discusses it with the King and decided to strip their son of his title and completely banish him away from them, making him wander around the ruins that led him to Asudem, who holds "The Forbidden Fruit" which will satisfy his innermost desire.

"Well... well.. well~ If it isn't the son of Queen Yvette~," Asudem said while fiddling with the serpent that's in her neck. "W-why.. did you save.. me?" The cursed man said, coughing feebly.

"Why, you ask~? It's because I have use of you, humans are still useful even if they're fragile... and blinded by their rapacity, so I'm here to help you~" she said smirking, lifting his chin. "I have no need of your help from a villain like you! I can manage and have it my way!” He exclaimed as he slapped Asudem's hand, finding his way out of the ruins, but it felt like an eternity since he can't find the exit.

He stopped his tracks when Asudem spoke that caught his attention. "Are you certain I cannot do anything for you? Your ambitions, I knew them all, Ducetius, I can read each step you take."

"Then tell me how I'm supposed to trust you?" He winced when the curse began to sting him. "I'm responsible for the curse that was implanted in you."

"H-how dare you!! I suffered all these years because of you!" He growled as he tried to attack her, but a barrier and a spell were holding him back.

"Blame your greedy parents', they want more treasury to surpass the Iercuná Kingdom! I just gave them what they wanted. Didn't expect you'll be the precious little thing she was willing to give up years ago."

After Ducetius heard what Asudem say, the wall that's been keeping him up fell apart. The perfect image he created of his loving parents was just a fragment of his mind. All the hard work he tried to gain his parents' affection was all for naught. He felt his blood boiling with anger, it infuriates him that the ones he thought would protect him were the ones who betrayed him. He remembered the last words his parents' told him, "Don't worry, we'll bring you to her to disperse your curse. Trust me, Ducetius."

"B-but they wouldn't do that to me... They care about me! If they didn't, they wouldn't send me to a witch to get rid of my curse!"

"You little fool, wake up and see what resides in these ruins. This is the land of the dead," She said and snapped her fingers that made the undead begin to rise from their deep slumber.

"They sold you to me~ do you know why?" Ducetius was unable to answer her and his mind was empty, he did not know what to think about his current situation. Asudem approach him and whispered something in his ear, "To protect–" she paused for a second and continued, "–themselves~"

"I'm sure you know by now what I meant. They wouldn't care about you even if you die right now."

Anyone who would feel sympathy for the little boy who's kneeling in front of the witch, might as well shed some bloody tears for him but wouldn't bother to save him. Ducetius looked up to her and mumble something, "Will you help me get up with my own feet?"

His response made Asudem amuse, lifting him with her arms, she replied, "Of course, I will take care of you and help you to handle your curse. To be honest~ it wasn't a curse, you're unable to withhold the power I gave you. With a bonus~, I'll lend you a hand for you to pay them back sevenfold with your debts~"

"So from now on your name will never be Ducetius, but instead—Erebus, my child~"