EP.185|Working With The Darkside

Araden looked around, all he could remember was going to sleep, now he was in a rose field. The smell of mint chocolate chips tickled across his nose, landing a huge smile on the demon’s lips.
 
“I can smell you Nadia~” Araden cooed, hearing a giggle behind him confirmed his suspicion. Honey deued colored arms wrapped around him in a loving fashion.
 
Nadia’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs.
 
He loved the beautiful freckles that traced down her skin, almost like a roadmap that showed her history.
 
“You’re beautiful,” Araden practically purred. “Oh I know.” Nadia flipped her hair. “Boastful aren’t we?” Araden slightly chuckled.
 
“Overlord aren’t we?” Nadia stuck out her tongue. Araden gasped, acting shocked “how dare you call me an overlord! I’m an evil overlord!”
 
Nadia giggled, wrapping her arms around him in a loving fashion “awe, my little evil overlord.”
 
“I’m taller than you!” Araden scolded, only making Nadia giggle more “only by 3 inches.”
 
Nadia smirked, sprouting beautiful butterfly wings, flying up so she could be higher than Araden.
 
“Nuh uh,” Araden sprouted bat wings, flying to Nadia’s height, “you can't use those wings to get higher.”
 
“Oh? Is that jealousy I hear?” Nadia smirked, “someone mad that I have better wings?”
 
“Please, I’d take my bat wings over those butterfly things anyday!” Araden laughed. Nadia fluttered her wings, Araden smiled. “You think they’re beautiful?” Nadia smiled, Araden didn't notice he was looking into her purple eyes.
 
“Damn eyes…” Araden growled. “You know you love my eyes.” Nadia kissed his cheek, “and you love my hair, and my personality, and the cute way I pronounce vause.”
 
“Will you stop it!” Araden blushed, Nadia smiled and kissed his lips, lowering him down. Araden smirked, this was his dream.
 
Araden backed her against a tree, Nadia gasped as Araden looked her up and down, “gods and goddesses, you’re just...amazing!”
 
Nadia smiled, wrapping her legs around his waist, “I don't know how much time the goddesses gave my tonight, but I want to spend every second of them with you.”
 
Araden shot up, pounding his fist into the wall “dammit! Again! Why do you always cut it off when I need it most!” Araden growled.
 
“Uh, because of what ya did,” Athena shot back, appearing in Araden’s room in a ghost form. “Shut up…” Araden threw a book at her, however it went straight through her.
 
“You know the punishment,” Zeus chimed in, “now you gotta pay.”
 
“Wait till I found stupid moutin!” Araden stomped out of the room, “all you gods and goddesses gonna pay!!!”
 
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
 
Hunter glared as he watched Araden enter the room. He wanted him dead. He wanted him to burn. He wanted all the pain in the world to be brought onto him.
 
“Fix that glare or I’ll fix it for you.” Araden threatened. “Why don't u fix your life?” Hunter shot back. Araden growled and dumped holy water onto Hunter.
 
Hunter coughed up the water, “fuck...you!”
 
“You’re not my type.” Araden smirked. “I’m sorry, Nadia is.” Hunter chuckled. Araden dumped the holy water extra hard.
 
“You don't get to say her name!” Araden scolded. “Like you do?” Hunter muttered. Araden had enough, he flashed into the box, “move it princess,” he extends his hand, teleporting Operetta into Freddie’s box.
 
He picked up Hunter by the neck, pinning him to the wall, “you think this is funny, punk?”
 
Hunter struggled to reply, he just smirked, answering Araden’s question without even speaking. Araden bangged Hunter’s head against the wall, making him hiss “fuck...you…”
 
“What makes you think you can play the part of a hero?” Araden threw him to the ground “after everything you 10 did, you have the audacity to play hero?”
 
“I never said...I was a hero.” Hunter coughed, wiping the drool mixed with blood off his face “not once...have I said...I was a hero.”
 
Araden stomped on his chest, “then stop acting like one!” he dug his foot into his chest “assassins like you don't get to play hero! People like you don't get happy endings!”
 
“You think...this is a happy...ending?” Hunter rasped, “you think this is,” blood trickled down his lips “an ending?”
 
“Well let’s review Hunter,” Araden held up 1 finger “I have all 10 of you captured,” he held up a 2nd finger, “I’m this close to getting the girl,” he held up a third finger “and there’s nothing you can do about it!”
 
Hunter looked away from him, “you right...there’s nothing we can do now.” his eyes earned a fire of determination, “but we’ll eventually get out of here...and we’ll be back…” he latched onto Araden’s ankle “and when we are, we’re gonna kick your ass!”
 
He threw Araden across the box, Hunter heaved, “damn holy water!” he mentally cursed “I gotta find a way around that.”
 
He could feel his fangs growing, his eyes growing a crimson red. Araden smirked and got up, “that’s the assassin I know.”
 
Hunter dug his nails into his palm, “don't assassinate...don't assassinate…” he repeated, trying to calm himself down.
 
“Why try to relax when you can feed into that anger?” Araden and Hunter circled around him “use it to file you magi.”
 
Hunter shook his head, “don't assassinate, just hurt...don't assassinate, just hurt…” he could feel his nails turning into claws, there was this voice inside his head, telling him to kill Araden, to show him no mercy.
 
“Hunter! Listen to me! We’ve worked on this! Don't let it control you, work with it, it’s a partnership.” Brazzan motivated, trying to help Hunter regain control.
 
Hunter feel to his knees, “AGH!!!” he yelled, his hands framing the side of his head, Hunter’s eyes were completely black, he was trapped inside this growing ball of darkness “someone! Anyone! Help me!”
 
“Hunter, stop fighting…” he could tell this voice wasn’t Brazzan, it sounded familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it, “work with it...don't allow full control...just partial…”

Hunter dugg his claws into his forehead, hoping to distract himself from the darkness, “please! Lea-leave me alone!”
 
“Hunter, stop fighting, it’s not gonna hurt you.” the voice continued to sooth. Hunter could feel tears streaming down his face “i-it hurt my family before! I-I-I can't hur-hurt them again!”
 
“That’s because last time you fought it. The more you fight, the more people get hurt!” the voice said, Hunter sniffled, wiping his tears, “bu-but all I-I do is fi-fight…”
 
“Then why don't you try relaxing, work with the darkness, it might show you some things…” the voice began to fade away, leaving Hunter alone in the ball.
 
“Okay,” he took a deep breath in and out, “relax.” he closed his eyes, trying to center himself. He opened one eye to see the darkness fading, turning into a shadow version of himself.
 
“Took ya long enough,” the shadow scoffed, “damn, you can't relax for shit.”
 
“Hey!” Hunter scolded “who are you anyways?”

The shadow sighed, facepalming, “I’m you!” Shadow rolled his eyes, “just so this won't get confusing,” he flicked Hunter’s forehead, “call me Shadow.”
 
“Fine, Shadow,” Hunter gritted trough his teeth, “how long have you been here?”

“Since you were born.” Shadow folded his arms behind his head, walking with Hunter through his brain. “I’ve been working with Brazzan to help you through life, but you only hear Brazzan.”
 
“So you’re a demon?” Hunter asked. “No, no, no,” Shadow waved his finger in Hunter’s face “I’m your darkside, I’m the you people see when you get overly pissed,” he snapped his fingers, showing Hunter to outside, “like that.”
 
Hunter sighed, he hated when he looked like that, “I know you hate it, hence why I’m here to help.” Shadow smirked.
 
“You turn me into that,” Hunter pointed to the screen, “how is that helping?”
 
Brazzan appeared, smacking him upside the head “by working together!”
 
“Owe!” Hunter rubbed the back of his head, “why must you always do that?!”
 
“Because you’re stubborn as fuck!” Brazzan scolded, “every person has a darkside, but demon vessels darkside are more prominent than other magical races.”
 
“Oh wonderful,” Hunter muttered, “I’m special.” he rolled his eyes.
 
“In more ways than you know, but we’re not gonna get into that.” Shadow and Brazzan muttered. “I’m not working with my dark side, last time I did, LeFou almost died.”
 
Brazzan and Shadow laughed. Hunter glared at them “I’m sorry, is there something funny about that?”
 
“Yes,” Shadow snapped his fingers, the screen changing to a memory of Hunter when he was little.
 
Hunter and Farrah sat on the train, Farrah chuckled as Hunter laid on her lap, groaning and holding his stomach “I hate trains…”
 
“It’s only a couple more stops till your uncle’s house.” Farrah ran her fingers through Hunter’s hair. “We could have walked…” Hunter groaned. “You wanna walked 58 blocks?” Farrah raised her eyebrows.
 
“No,” Hunter muttered, “I’ll just suffer on the train…”
 
Farrah shook her head, laughing slightly. “Suck it up kid.” Brazzan scoffed. “Easy for you to say, now that you got a vessel, you don't feel the motion sickness, I do!” Hunter scolded.
 
Brazzan smirked, “now I see why humans have kids,” Brazzan nodded, “so they can understand suffering!”
 
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
 
After hours on the train, Hunter and Farrah finally got off. “Thank the gods and goddesses! Land! Unmoving land!” Hunter praised, kissing the ground.
 
“Where is LeFou?” Farrah looked around, “he said he would meet us at the train stop.”
 
“I’m right here Farrah,” a voice replied, Farrah looked down to see a short, slightly obese, fair skin man with a  large pink nose, dark brown hair, black eyes.
 
“Oh there you are!” Farrah exclaimed, laughing a little, “I forgot you we’re kinda short.”
 
LeFou had a unamused look on his face “I’m not that short!”
 
“LeFou,” Farrah bent down, reaching Lefou’s height, “you Hunter’s height, and he’s 7.”
 
“Just because you’re Gaston’s wife doesn't mean I won't fight you.” LeFou threatened. Farrah laughed, “oh please,” Farrah chuckled tauntly, “last time we fought you ended up in a hospital bed.”
 
“I fell into a tree!”
 
“No, I threw you into you.”
 
Hunter chuckled, “it’s nice to see you again LeFou.” Hunter slung his arms around LeFou.
 
“At least my nephew is kind to me,” he glared at Farrah, “unlike some people.”
 
Farrah rolled her eyes and got into the trolley, “quit your whining and get on.” Farrah pushed them onto the trolley.
 
Once it began to move, Hunter felt like he would throw up, “uncle…” Hunter rested his head on his shoulder, “I don't feel good…”
 
LeFou laughed and went into his pocket, pulling out a green pill, “take this.”
 
Hunter shrugged and swallowed the pill, instantly feeling better “that’s amazing, LeFou!”
 
“They’re call Troia Pills, a girl named Wendy made them I don't know,” LeFou shrugged, “it’s supposed to help magical races who have motion sickness.”
 
“Mom! Can we get these at home?” Hunter looked at his mom to see she was asleep. “Something tells me she hasn't slept in weeks.” LeFou guessed.
 
“Yeah,” Hunter sighed, “it’s her and my dad anniversary week and she’s been crying in the night. I’d tried talking to her but she says she’s fine, I know she isn't so I’d thought visiting you would help.”
 
“Ooh! I have just the thing!” LeFou smiled widely he woke up Farrah, the three getting off the trolley in front of LeFou’s house.
 
From the outside this house looks gorgeous. It has been built with yellow pine wood and has white stone decorations. Short, wide windows add to the overall look of the house and have been added to the house in a mostly asymmetric way.
 
The house is equipped with an old-fashioned kitchen and one average bathroom, it also has a comfortable living room, four bedrooms, a snug dining room, a study and a modest basement.
 
The building is shaped like a T. The two extensions are linked by wooden overhanging panels circling around half the house.

The second floor is smaller than the first, which creates a layered style of look in combination with the roof. This floor follows the same style as the floor below.
 
The roof is low, triangular and layered and is covered with overlapping roof tiles. One small chimney sits at the side of the house. Two roof terraces let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof.

The house itself is surrounded by a modest, child safe garden covered mostly in grass and with a children's playground in the center.
 
“LeFou?” Farrah questioned, noticing the playground, “what’s with the playground set?”
 
“Oh, well, ya see…” he opened the door to reveal a girl about Hunter’s age playing Mario Kart, “damn blue shells!” she growled.
 
“This is Annalise, or just Anna,” LeFou waved her over, “Anna, come say hi to your cousin.”
 
Anna took off her headset and walked over, a bright smile on her face. She had dark skin like Freddie, She has yellow eyes and tight curly hair. Her left ear is flop down and her right ear is straight up. She wore a beautiful yellow sundress and white flats.
 
“You’re Hunter, right?” Anna ears perked up. Hunter nodded, “you play Mario Kart?”
 
“Honey, I’m the king at Mario Kart.” Hunter scoffed. Anna smirked, “please, I’m the queen.” Anna grabbed his wrist, rushing to the couch as the two began to play.
 
“LeFou,” Farrah got his attention, “can we talk in the kitchen?”
 
LeFou and Farrah walked into the kitchen, “LeFou, who’s that kid?” Farrah question. “Anna is my daughter.” LeFou replied, smiling.
 
“Yes, but what where did she come from?” Farrah asked. “Well, when a man and a woman love each other-” LeFour began, Farrah smacked him upside the head. “I know where kids come from! How do you think Hunter’s here!”
 
“Well why ask a stupid question!”
 
“Who’s the mom?” Farrah sighed. “I don't know, she showed up on my doorstep when she was a baby,” he went into the draw, “all there was a letter.”
 
He handed Farrah the letter and began reading.
 
Dear LeFou,
 
You don't know me, we had something a few months ago, you probably don't remember because you were drunk out of your mind. But that night will always be special in my heart, because of what we made that night.
 
This is Anna, it’s short Annalise.
 
I know this is short notice, but I need you to be there for her. You’ll find everything you need in the bag, she may look like me but her personality all comes from you.
 
She’s obviously gonna grow up to be a wolf like I am, but she’s not allowed in the back because I’m a rogue and you’re a human. So, please, for the gods and goddesses, take care of our baby.
 
I know you’re gonna be a great parent LeFou, please, be the parent figure a rogue wolf like me never could be.
 
Raise our daughter right.
 
Love, Lilliana.
 
“Her name Lilliana?” Farrah questioned. “I remember calling her Lily.” LeFou smiled softly. “Did Anna ever want to meet her mom?” Farrah asked. LeFou shook his head, “no,” he sighed, “she said I was all the family she needed.”
 
“I love this kid Farrah, I finally know why Gaston loved his family so much, why he strived to protect you and Hunter.” LeFou began to tear up, “she’s my little world.”
 
Farrah smiled and hugged her brother in law, “I’m glad you finally understand it.”
 
LeFou sniffled, going into the cabiant, “I know it’s here somewhere! Dammit where’d I put it?”

“Third box, fifth shelf.” Anna replied, not looking away from the screen, “dammit Hunter! No blue shells!”
 
LeFou chuckled and followed his daughter’s advice, finally finding a bright red box. Hunter paused the game, “what’s that?”
 
“Oooh! That’s uncle Gaston’s box, daddy said he was a legend.” Anna peeked over the counter “he said it was for you guys.”
 
“Us?” Farrah looked at Anna questionably. “That’s what daddy said.” Anna shrugged.
 
“Gaston knew you would worry,” he passed the box to Farrah, “open it.”
 
Farrah opened the box, a small hologram of Gaston appear, “LeFou, is this on?”
 
“Yeah it’s on, just talk to Farrah already.”

“Farrah?! Ple-Please! This isn't for her! It’s fo-for uh…” Gaston looked around, flustered, “it’s uh...for the plant!”
 
LeFou rolled his eyes, “look, I got a very fussy baby in my arms and if she doesn't go down for a nap at noon she’ll start crying.”
 
Gaston scoffed, “she doesn't know the time.” Baby Anna began to cry, “okay so maybe she does…”
 
“Record your own video, I gotta put Anna down.” LeFou walked upstairs, leaving Gaston alone with the camera.
 
“Okay,” Gaston sat down in front of the camera, “where to start…” he tapped his chin, he sighed, “I need a drink.”
 
He went into LeFou cabiante and pulled out a beer, “alright, let’s do this,” he opened the beer, “Farrah, I’m only doing this because I know I might not come back, and if I don't, I’m sorry...I’m sorry to you too, Hunter.”
 
Hunter whimpered, he always hated his dad for leaving, but now, he knew the softer side of his father.
 
“I shouldn’t leave you alone to raise a boy, Farrah, a beautiful fairy like you doesn't deserve that,” he sighed, taking a swig from his beer, “you know, the day I meet you Farrah, I was the happiest hunter on this planet.”
 
Farrah began to tear up, “Gaston…”
 
“I couldn't believe someone as beautiful, smart, funny, generous as you would even take the time to notice me.” he looked down at his wedding ring, “I promised you the day I put that ring on your finger, that i’d keep you safe.”
 
Farrah chuckled and wiped her tears, smiling at the hologram “that’s my husband…”
 
“I know for the first couple of months, I lived up to my promise, but since I might not return, I know you can protect yourself.” Gaston smiled, taking another swig, “and our son.”
 
“Farrah,” Gaston smiled, “please, when I’m gone, wait for me.”
 
“Awe! That’s so sweet!” LeFou gushed. A younger version of Farrah walked in, “LeFou! I found the baby diapers.” Farrah noticed the camera, “whatcha doing sweety?” Farrah leaned over Gaston shoulder, wrapping her arms around him in a loving fashion.
 
“No-Nothing!” Gaston blushed. Farrah smiled and grabbed the camera. “So, I’mma guess this is for me?”
 
“No…”
 
“Yes,” she kissed his cheek, “so what to tell future me?” Farrah tapped her chin, “well, if you still love Hunter and Gaston, protecting yourself and your family, then I think you’re doing okay.”
 
Farrah sat in Gaston’s lap, “oh and Hunter,” Farrah looked at the camera, “you’re dad’s an idiot but he loves us.”
 
The hologram ended, Farrah was crying happy tears, “mom?” Hunter spoke softly, “you alright?”
 
Farrah nodded, “just hearing his voice again was all I needed.”
 
LeFou noticed Hunter being offly quiet, “everything okay, kid?” Hunter nodded, “seeing my mom happy again is all I need.”
 
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
 
The next morning, Hunter and Anna were playing in the playground set LeFou built. Hunter was having a lot of fun with Anna, he never got to know his dad's side of the family and his mom side weren’t so fond of a fairy having a child with a human.
 
“So, do werewolves have large packs?” Hunter asked, pushing Anna on the swing. Anna shrugged, “I think so, I mean, I have a couple werewolf friends and they have pretty big packs.”
 
“Don't you have a pack?” Hunter stopped the swing. Anna shook her head, “no...I never knew my mom pack and I doubt they let me in because I’m half human.”
 
“Oh...well, why don't me and you be in a pack.” Hunter suggested, Anna looked behind her, starring questionably at Hunter, “huh?”
 
“Yeah, me and you can have our own pack, just us cousins.” Hunter flashed her a warm smile. Anna jumped off the swing and hugged her new cousin.
 
“I call alfa!” Anna cheered, jumping up and down like a happy school girl. Hunter chuckled, “sure.”
 
The smell of cheap cologne filled her senses, she growled. Hunter looked up, “my scent that bad? I thought this new cologne was working…” Hunter muttered.
 
“No, no, it’s not you,” Anna could feel the scent coming closer, “let’s go inside.”
 
“Why? I thought we were playing?” Hunter tilted his head like a confused puppy. “We’ll play later, let’s just go inside before-”
 
“Well, look like the hybrid’s dad wasn’t cheap after all.” a cocky voice laughed.
 
Hunter spinned on his heels, turning around to face the egotistical young man about Hunter and Anna’s age.
 
He had tan skin, scruffy blonde hair, dark blue eyes that complimented his hair. He had dull pink lips that formed a cocky smirk. He wore a leather jacket and blue jeans.
 
“What did you call my uncle?” Hunter growled. “Cheap, sell out, stupid human, father of hybrid over there, discrace to wolf kind, I could continue.” he leaned against the fence.
 
“Who the hell are you anyways?” Hunter scoffed, glaring at him. “Ulysses Blue Moon, future Alpha for the Blue Moon pack.” he introduced, tripping over the fence.
 
“More like accident prone.” Anna chuckled quietly. “Did I hear something, hybrid?” Ulysses got up from the ground, dusting off his clothes.
 
“She said you’re an accident prone.” Hunter repeated, a sly smirk on his face. “Hunter, shut up!” Anna hissed. Hunter rolled her eyes, “why? I’m not gonna stand here and have him insult uncle.”
 
“Yes, but we gotta be the bigger person.” Anna whispered. “Which is ironic because I’m taller.” Ulysses piped in. “By 4 inches! 4, Ulysses! Four!” Anna shot back.
 
“Well at least I’m not a hybrid!” Ulysses walked up to Anna, pushing her chest. Anna soon stumbled on a rock, resulting her to fall back into the swings, the chains getting tangled around her throat.
 
She fumbled with the chains, desperately trying to untangle them. Ulysses laughed, “look! The hybrid can’t even untangle herself.”
 
Hunter growled, his eyes turned dark, he grabbed Ulysses by the back of the neck, “Help her,” he leaned in, “now!”
 
“Wh-why don't you do it?!” Ulysses talked back.
 
“You see that metal?” Hunter pointed to the metal to see it was white, “that’s White Sliver, demons like mean can't touch it because if we do, we’ll die,” Hunter wrapped his hands around Ulysses neck, “but you’re a werewolf, so it’s perfectly fine for you to touch it.”
 
“I-I’m no-not helping a hy-hybrid!” Ulysses whimpered when Hunter dug his claws into Ulysses neck. “Well ya better! Cause if she suffocates because of you, this playground set with all your blood all over it.”
 
“You-You’re bluffing!” Ulysses soon began to regret his words. Hunter harshly threw him into the slide, blood from the back of his head staining the outside of the orange slide “am I?”
 
Hunter walked over to Ulysses, a perdotory look in his eyes, “help her or I hang you from the monkey bars.”
 
Ulysses quickly stumbled to his feet, untying Anna, who was gasping for breath. “The-there! happy?” Ulysses tried to escape but Hunter kicked him to the ground, “not till your blood is everywhere.”

Ulysses whimpered again as he stared into Hunter’s dark, cimson, cold dead eyes. “You know, it would be a sin to kill an Alpha.” Hunter tapped his chin, digging his feet into Ulysses back, “but you’re not an alpha, are ya?”
 
“N-no! Please! I-I-I hav-have s-so much to li-live for.”
 
Hunter scoffed, “awe, sucks, you should have thought about that before you tried to almost kill my cousin,” Hunter brought out the dagger his father left for him, “never thought I’d the dagger for this, but oh well.”
 
Before Hunter could land the killing blow on the young alpha, Hunter could hear the sound of a single button clicking before falling to the ground, the world fading into black.
 
“Woah, woah, woah, what the fuck was that?” Hunter cursed. Shadow sighed, “that button sound you heard was Brazzan clicking you reset button.”
 
“Reset button?”
 
“It resets the memories of the attack, it also kinda like a calm down button.” Brazzan replied. “So, for the past 20 years, I thought I hurt my uncle?! While in reality it was just a stupid alpha?!” Hunter scolded.

Shadow nodded, “we have no control over who or what the button replaces the memories with. Just be thankful it wasn’t that ice girl.”
 
“He’s my uncle! This day was the reason why I blocked him and Anna out for 20 years! You and that stupid button made me miss my cousin’s upbringing! It brung mountains of shame onto me every time I saw my uncle!”
 
“Hunter-”
 
“No! I’m talking! What the fucks makes you think you have the right to just press a button and fuck up my memories?!” Hunter stompted towards him.

“Because I was protecting you, Hunter! Your cousin was in pain and you couldn't do anything! Last time that happened, Operetta died! And thank the gods she came back back if she didn't you’d kill yourself!”
 
“That still gives you no right to use the button!”
 
“Well it’s good I don't have the button anymore! You won't have to worry about me or shadow fucking up your precious memeories anymore! That’s your mates decision if she wants to use the button!”
 
“Operetta?” Hunter lowered his voice. “Who else?!” Brazzan yelled, “I gave her the button just in case you flew off the handle, especially if she was the one getting hurt, one push and she saves not 1, not 2, but 4 lives.”
 
“You...we’re protecting them...from me…?”
 
“And you from yourself,” Brazzan rested his hand on Hunter’s shoulder “now that you can see what darkside can do.”

Hunter could feel Shadow being sucked into his body, black and dark red marks of his family symbol appearing on his left arm.
 
“Now, stop being afraid of the dark,” Brazzan gave him one final pat on the shoulder before Hunter could feel himself waking up “and work with it, let it show you the secrets you hold…”