From Hell – Chapter 3&4

FROM HELL 

From Hell – Chapter 3&4

→ Craving•The•Unhinged ←

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2026

Naomi Cindy B.

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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Lucia dropped the body right in front of the Void Emperor’s throne with a brutal thud which seemed to wake everyone up from their stare.

It’s safe to say half of the Ministers in here are in love with her, but they dare not show it because there are rumors that she’ll be married to Emperor Bones in the future.

The blood imprints stopped showing on the floors, and Lucia went down on a knee, wrapping her right hand on her fisted left hand tightly.

“This Minister has achieved yet another victory, Your Majesty!”

Her voice isn’t soft or tender. It’s a crisp alpha female tone.

Emperor Bones stood from his throne, his robe sweeping the floor aggressively as he began descending the black stairs in front of his throne.

“I still don’t understand why His Majesty favors her so much,” Minister Edwin whispered, glaring hatefully at Lucia. “But what’s the use of his favor when she doesn’t even get paid any salary?” He scoffed.

“Speaking in here means death if you’re caught, Edwin.” Prime Minister Kai cautioned him.

Edwin rolled eyes.

“Minister Lucia is indeed graceful,” Lothar said beside Ares. “If she’s allowed to go to battle with me one day, she’d slaughter our enemies singlehandedly. I just wonder how she survives without salary.”

Ares didn’t talk.

Now he’s on the tenth cup of wine, and his eyes didn’t leave Lucia who’s still on a knee in front of the throne.

The other Ministers are murmuring in hushed tones too, sharing thoughts that they dare not say out.

Bones descended the last stair and crouched, holding Lucia’s arms. He pulled her up gently.

Everyone else might miss the look of disgust in Lucia’s eyes immediately Bones held her, but Ares saw it, and that just made him smirk again.

“You’ve once again made me proud,” Bones smiled wickedly, spitting saliva on the magistrate body on the floor before facing Lucia again.

“For this reason, I’ll send more pills to your mother,”

“Thanks, Your Majesty!” She appreciated with unreadable gaze.

Bones returned to his throne, and Lucia went to her seat. That was when Ares noticed the only empty seat is right beside him!

Lothar is sitting by his left, but his right-hand side is empty.

Lucia climbed up the pavement and genuflected into the seat—right beside him. She didn’t look back.

Her eyes stayed on Emperor Bones who’s now back to his throne.

The jasmine and warm sandalwood scent was oozing from her veil initially, but now that she’s sitting right beside Ares, it’s worse.

He could inhale it with every breath he takes into his nostrils.

It’s like she bathed with it.

She had always scented like this, but it’s stronger today. Maybe because she’s just returning from a mission?

“Now that the magistrate of our rival Empire has been killed to revenge for our own magistrate that was killed at the border, another war is inevitable, Your Majesty.” Lothar spoke.

“Are you scared of war?” Bones mood blackened.

“No, your Majesty.” Lothar stood. “I began winning battles for this Empire since seven years ago, and I’ve never lost any. I’m just saying—”

“You have nothing more to say, Lothar.” Bones cut in.

Lothar sat back, fist folded.

“Minister of Security!” Bones called out, voice ringing.

The man with pointing goatee stood, rushing forward to the middle of the court where he bowed at.

“Why are ancient tombs still getting raided? Why are people still getting waylaid on the roads? Are you uninterested in your duty? Do you wish for it to fall on new hands after you get executed?!” Bones snarled.

“Your Majesty!” The Minister fell on his knees. “I stationed guards on every tomb and every private road that entered the city, but the two criminals are too crafty they feel like ghosts whenever they operate! I feel like your Shadow Ministers Lucia and Ares are the right people to catch the criminals and —”

“My personal Shadow Ministers?” Bones flared, deep-rooted cruelty in his features as the court went still. “I sharpened and built them for my own personal missions! They don’t work for the Empire, they work for me! Why should I assign them to catch thieves when you the Minister of Security is still alive!!?”

“Your Majesty! I didn’t—”

“You don’t deserve to be alive,” Bones muttered. “Someone!”

Two imperial guards rushed in.

“Take him away,” Bones’ command stretched diabolically before ending. “And beat him to death!”

The Minister was grabbed by the imperial guards.

“No! Your Majesty! Your Majesty I beg your pardon! Your Majesty have mercy! Your Majesty!” The Minister was crying as he got dragged.

And after his exit, the silence in the court only got badder. The sound of the fall of a pin would ricochet.

“Check the martial arts experts in the city and pick a capable one to be the new Minister of Security.” Bones told Prime Minister Kai.

“Very well, Your Majesty.” Kai bowed.

“Ares Hellion, why didn’t you attend the anniversary banquet?” Bones asked, straight to the owner.

“I was sick, and asleep.” Ares replied without mincing words.

Lothar pinched him under the table immediately, trying to caution him.

“That bastard was in the brothel!” Edwin bit out quietly.

“You’re getting married to my Princess tomorrow. Your head would roll if you you’re even a minute late to the venue, Ares. I know you love challenging people, but know that,, to me, your life is like a passing dog’s that I can take with a rusty blade.” Bones said, the undertone of his voice chilly.

“I understand,” Ares replied, downing another cup of wine.

He’s already imagining how Bones would throw a fit when he comes late to the wedding tomorrow.

Can tomorrow just come faster?

Moments later, he Court was dismissed, and Lucia was the first to get out of the court. She’s too impatient to go see her sick mother.

But Ares followed her, clinging to her veil that’s with him.

“Your veil!” He said loud enough for her to hear.

It looked like she wasn’t going to stop at first, but she stopped anyways.

Her hair was still getting blown all-over her head by the breeze as she slowly turned, her eyes lake-like.

Ares closed the distance between them in a breath, still unable to stop staring at her features.

It’s impossible to stop.

“I’m guessing you met that magistrate at a gambling den since he’s addicted to gambling. You pretended to be a co-gambler, and you won all his bets for him, then he took interest in you and wanted to take you home. You followed him, but along the way, you poisoned him to get him numb, then you stabbed him in 21 places like they did to our own magistrate, and you gave him a bonus by cutting off one of his legs.” He explained the scenes vividly as if he was there.

But even though it’s accurate, Lucia doesn’t seem like she wants to talk to him. She has never did.

She stretched her arm to take the veil from him, but he moved it away from her reach, and their eyes met again.

Without a word, she turned around and walked away.

Ares’s digits pressed harder on the veil till she disappeared behind the gate where she got on her black horse and galloped away.

“Look who got shunned again!” Lothar’s mocking voice boomed behind him, and Ares turned with his side, giving him a glare.

“I seriously wonder why she never talks to you! You both are Shadow Ministers. If any duo should be crazily close in this court, it should be the two of you. Were you both enemies in your past lives? Maybe she’s having her revenge now?” Lothar continued.

“Quit the talk. She’s just not ready.” Ares’s glare persisted, so thorny.

“Come on!” Lothar sighed. “You both began training to become His Majesty’s Shadow Ministers when you both were just 7 and 10 year olds. Fine, you trained under different masters, but still…. you’re both now working for His Majesty, and she hasn’t said a word to you. I think she’s on to something.”

Without replying again, Ares began walking down the gate.

“Fine! No more talks about her!” Lothar went after him with a small run and chuckle. “So let’s talk about you. You’re getting married tomorrow, and let’s hope you won’t end up murdering the Princess.”

“What are you saying?” Ares gave him another glare.

Lothar leaned in, saying… “I’m the only one who’s aware that the original most feared man in this Empire is you. People just don’t know cos you stay too low.”

“You talk lots of nonsense,” Ares pushed him with his elbow and continued his journey out.

“Has your groom robe arrived? I’ll go check with you before going to the City Wall!” Lothar grinned, going after him again.

As they’re disappearing between the gates, Edwin and Prime Minister Kai stepped out of the court.

“I went to the brothel to drop his salary earlier. I even shortened it by one bag, but guess what that bastard said?” Edwin’s shoulders sagged.

“Ares is a dangerous pretentious bastard. How many times do you want to hear that before actually heeding?” Kai faced him.

“But I hate him! I can’t stand him! He’s getting married to Princess Ina tomorrow, are you sure His Majesty won’t start favoring him like he does to Lucia?” Edwin complained.

“His Majesty favors Lucia because she’s a concubine material in the future. She might be able to give His Majesty an heir, who knows?” Kai said, rubbing his wrist.

“An heir? His Majesty already has an heir!” Edwin retorted.

“You mean the heir he hates and exiled together with his mother?” Kai rolled eyes evilly.

Edwin went silent.

“And you’re the one who should be getting married to the Princess tomorrow. I told you to get closer to her, but you wouldn’t. Now Ares got her.” Kai continued.

“What are you talking about, Uncle?” Edwin blinked. “She has been betrothed and engaged to him since she was in her mother’s womb. Genuinely, I never had a chance!”

Kai nodded.

“Very well. Calamity of the Tombs and Horror of the Roads are still terrorizing the Empire. You heard when His Majesty ordered me to get a martial arts expert to replace the Minister of Security. I’ll get on it.” He stated and disappeared down the gate, leaving Edwin there.

Edwin breathed out, and his guard rushed over.

“My Lord!”

“Send word to the brothel, secretly. I need the most beautiful virgin prostitute in my bed tonight. I want a good mouth around my cock, and a tight hole.” Edwin ordered.

“I understand,” the guard bowed.

Edwin snickered.

—

Lucia rode for barely five minutes before arriving at her residence—a modest little house tucked behind a frail, chest-high fence.

Plum trees encircled it in quiet bloom since Lucia is a lover of plum wine.

By the main door of the house, a plaque with ‘Valmont Residence’ carved on it was hung on top.

Lucia hopped down the horse after bounding it to the hitching post.

She gave the horse two pats on it’s back before she entered the house.

Her mother—Phoebe, is in bed—bedridden, actually. She has been bedridden since the tragedy twenty years ago. She’s suffering from an unknown illness.

The Emperor’s rejuvenation pills are the only reason she’s still alive.

“Mother,” Lucia’s expression thawed, just enough to tilt her features.

But Phoebe is asleep. Her eyes are tightly shut, and warm breaths kept running out of her nostrils.

Lips are slightly pale, and face is oily and sickly. A stick of incense burned slowly beside her bed, and a pot of begonias sat beside the stick cos Phoebe loves begonias.

Lucia sat beside her, gently stroking her face.

“She just finished taking the rejuvenating pills sent from the Palace. It’s normal for her to sleep like this.” A cheerful voice came from the room door.

Doja stood there, smiling.

Doja is the caregiver assigned to Phoebe by the Emperor.

She’s a young twenty years old doctor, but she’s so good.

“Doja,” the corner of Lucia’s lips lifted—barely there, but real.

“Miss,” Doja entered fully, dropping the plate of hot broth with her on the table to cool down.

“And again, you accomplished another mission. I guess that’s why His Majesty sent those rejuvenating pills again.” She sat in front of Lucia.

Lucia took her hands.

“Do you really have no idea what my mother’s sickness is?” She asked with a slight cinch between her brows.

“No, Miss. I’ll never lie to you. I might be working for His Majesty, but I’ve come to like you like a sister. So, believe me when I say I’ve never encountered this type of unnameable sickness.” Doja explained genuinely.

Lucia let go of her hands and stood, walking out of the room.

She was rubbing the head of her knife on her waist as she walked to the backyard and stood in the thin balcony, staring at the chirping birds on top of the plum trees.

The blowing air brushed her sleek loose hair again, cobwebbing the strands on her face as she got lost in the sea of deep thoughts.

Everything about her is controlled by the Void Emperor, down to her sick mother Phoebe.

Since the tragedy that struck twenty years ago, Bones has gotten the golden key to her existence—a key she’s desperately trying to get back.

She works hard with no salary. The only thing she has to her name is the title of the most beautiful and the most feared woman in this Empire.

Even her horse and this small house were given by the Emperor.

She gathered her hair back into the ponytail, and she raised her knuckles when a pigeon came flying through.

She received it on her wrist and got the note under it’s feathers.

She was still reading when Doja came out behind her, so she professionally lowered the note before turning.

“Actually, I heard Minister Ares has more of the rejuvenation pills,” Doja carefully said.

“How would you know?” Lucia asked, showing interest.

Doja came closer. “Two days ago when I was gathering herbs in the fields, I heard the gossips of two hunters who said Minister Ares has a treasure chest in his home where he keeps rejuvenation pills which he eats nightly to keep himself younger. You know apart from improving health, the pill also works for keeping people young.” She whispered.

“Doja, how would he have the money to get the costly pills when he gets paid low, and I heard he spends his little salary on expensive clothes and women.” Lucia crossed her arms.

“You don’t believe me?” Doja blinked cutely. “I knew you wouldn’t. By the way, I need to go get some truffles to complete the next herbal concoction I’m making.” She picked up a wooden basket and a small hoe.

She didn’t look back as she went down the small gate.

Lucia unwrapped the note with her again, reading…

★ You should slip into Ares’s manor one of these days. Actually, tomorrow night would be the best time since it’s his marriage. He might have more of the pills.

Lucia threw the note in her mouth and ate it. She nearly swallowed, but when she remembered it’s not food, she spat it and went down.

In one swift, clean jump, she climbed one of the plum trees.

She sat on top and ate the plum fruits as she plucked them.

—

[Void Palace, Largest Courtyard]

There’s hardly any space to walk in right now as the courtyard is bedecked with treasures of all kinds, all of which are gifts to Princess Ina’s marriage tomorrow.

In the middle of it, Princess Ina stood, grinning from ear to ear, widening her arms and swirling as if taking blessings from the treasures.

Empress Sally sat on a high chair behind everything, drinking wine from a silver cup.

Maidservants flanked the courtyard, and their heads are down, none daring enough to look up and share in Princess Ina’s joy.

“Tomorrow, I’ll enter a bridal sedan and become a wife to the most handsome male in this Empire? I’ll eventually get pregnant? In a year from now, I’ll become the mother of a child who’ll become the future Emperor?” Ina giggled.

“That’s if His Majesty allows that,” Empress Sally responded from her seat as her cup pressed the table.

“What do you mean!” Ina rushed to her, holding her robe skirt to keep it from dragging the ground. “Is it because of father’s son that’s still alive?” She queried.

“So you know,” Sally sighed.

“But father hates him and his concubine mother, and that’s why he exiled the two of them out of this Empire!” Ina complained bitterly.

“No matter the heavy hate, he’s still his son, and that’s why I’ve been trying to take him and his mother out of the way. Exile isn’t enough, he needs to be dead.” Sally drew closer.

“Then I trust you to do that!” Ina raised her shoulders.

“And then there’s Lucia,” Sally continued, looking darker.

“What about that wench?” Ina’s shoulders went down, her dislike for Lucia so transparent. “She’s the most beautiful woman in this Empire? I still get a sour aftertaste in my mouth when stupid people say that.”

“Your father favors her, and there are rumors that he’d take her in as his concubine soon and she’ll born his heir.” Sally sneered.

The flower trees in the courtyard blew sweet scents, but it wasn’t enough to drown Ina’s instant fury.

“No!” Ina hit the table with her palm. “Not at my watch! I’m still planning on taking that wench out of the way. The rumour is fake!”

“Also….your husband-to-be. The only good thing he possesses is his handsome face, nothing more. You’re a Princess, you should marry a noble Prince of a noble Country, but His Majesty had to give you to that man all because he wants to control everything about him down to his marriage.” Sally went further.

“Motherrr,” Ina sat, taking her hand. “You worry too much about too many things. The wedding is already tomorrow, so just put your mind at rest. He doesn’t only have an handsome face. He’s also the fastest fighter in this Empire, and no one has been able to win him so far.”

“Look at you defending him. You must really like him.” Sally sighed, stroking Ina’s face. “Thankfully, he’s a live-in husband, so I don’t have to worry about missing you.”

Ina smiled, but it didn’t last. “Shouldn’t father be here, spending time with us now? He’s always unavailable!”

“You know how he is. But I’m sure he’s surprising you tomorrow!” Empress Sally chuckled.

“Your Highness!” A loud ticklish voice rang into the courtyard as Enya rushed inside with her two dutiful maids behind her.

Enya is Prime Minister Kai’s daughter, and she’s Princess Ina’s best and only friend too.

Enya has always been big about accessories. She’s the best dresser in this Empire, obsessed with tassels and ornaments and facial makeup.

As she advanced, the multiple tassels that bejewelled her hair swung, and her pale yellow dress dragged. Her face is painted gorgeously.

“Your Majesty!” She bowed.

“You look good as usual,” Sally gave her a admiring look and stood. “I’ll leave the two of you for a while.”

She left the courtyard, and Enya motioned at the entrance.

Ten servants came in carrying large boxes of gifts, all for Ina.

“You promised to outnumber everyone’s gifts, and you actually did it!” Princess Ina laughed.

As the servants set the boxes down, Enya sat with a breathe.

“I’ve been your one and only friend since we were young, so I must play my part, Your Highness.” She smiled.

Princess Ina snapped for a maidservant to pour more drinks into two cups, and she got just that.

She lifted her cup, and Enya raised hers as well. Their cups tapped softly as laughter spilled between them before they drank.

—

[Next Day, Zura’s Private Road]

A carriage rode through the middle of the woods soundlessly. The shadows of the trees above it blocked out the light from the clouds, so it’s somehow dark under here.

Even in the morning like this, Zura woods are dense and too thick to allow any splash of daylight.

Things were going smoothly at first. The coachmen, two guards, and the horse looked fine till the wheels of the carriage and the hoofs of the horse suddenly got tied by a iron chain planted inside the ground.

A trap!

The coachman, guards, horse and the carriage itself tumbled, sending up a large sprinkle of dark sand as the ground received the thud of four.

The coachman passed out, and the horse neighed with force, wounded.

The noblemen inside the carriage crawled out with their palms and knees. They’re part of the guests of Princess Ina’s marriage, obviously on their way into the Empire.

Suddenly, three shadowy bandits dressed in black came out of nowhere.

Two of them are men.

They jumped down the area rocks, both wearing black masks.

Third one is a female who leapt down from the top of a tree.

She wore a black iron mask which left out only her eyes, and a green—slightly transparent robe which flaunted her porcelain white skin underneath the fabric.

Immediately the noblemen saw them, they panicked.

Two of them fainted, and the remaining one peed himself.

“Ho…ho…rror of The Ro….ads?” He stuttered, staring at the female and her two sidekicks with wide horror-stricken eyes.

He ended up fainting like the other two, and their protective guards came for the bandits angrily.

One minute was all it took.

Horror of the Roads herself leapt into the air, planting her left foot against a tree mid-motion before deliberately twisting into a fall, turning the back of her head toward the ground.

Her ponytail skimmed through the leaves as she tore a sharp pointed stem from the tree.

By the time she reached the two guards, she thrust the sharp end of the stem straight into their necks.

Blood splattered across the leaves as both bodies collapsed to the ground.

With a beautifully bloodstained hand, she landed back on the ground and shoved the stem into the necks of the noblemen on the ground too.

More dead bodies. More crimson.

She signalled to her two men.

They began stealing everything in the carriage. Every piece of gold.

—

[Zura Empire – Streets Of Somara]

It’s another tax collection day.

Another day for Minister Edwin to round the streets with his comrades, doing his job of heartless collection.

He doesn’t even have to enter your house. Once he passes by, it’s compulsory for people to get unplanned seizures.

He entered the next house with his comrades, and he was given a stool to sit on respectfully.

The occupants of the house gathered outside with the farmer head of the house in front of them.

“My Lord, we already payed tax for this week.” He informed.

Edwin tilted his head at his comrades. They handed him the ledger containing the names of the tax payers for the week.

He skimmed with his eyes.

The name of this household isn’t there, so he returned the ledger and broke a melon seed into his mouth, eating as he looked up.

“I can’t find your name on in the list, why?” He motioned slightly the head of the house.

“My Lord!” The head of the house knelt quickly. “We really payed three days ago and—”

“Bring me your evidence of payment then,” Edwin cut in. “Your payment token, bring it to me.”

The man got up and rushed into the house. His children went in with him, and for five long minutes, they searched, and they found nothing.

He ran out shakily, returning to his knees in front of Edwin who’s still cracking melon seeds to eat.

“My Lord, I swear with my life that I paid, but the payment token is—”

And that was interrupted by a windy, deafening slap from Edwin.

Edwin’s palm smacked the old man’s cheek violently, and he fell with broken, bloody lips.

The children moved back in fear as Edwin stood over the man.

“You kept me waiting here for five minutes, said you were searching for a token you don’t have! You think I’m daft? I haven’t collected tax from this household this week, and that’s why I came here, but you dared to try and make a fool out of me?”

“My… Lord!” The man’s wife held his legs desperately. “My Lord! We really have payed…”

Edwin kicked her in the face, and she landed right beside her husband.

“Take one of his female children and just sell her to the brothel to make me the tax money.” Edwin said.

His comrades grabbed one of the female children who’s like ten years old, and she began crying.

“Father! Mother!!”

When the parents tried to get up, Edwin’s comrades stomped on them, keeping them on the ground, wounded, bleeding and helpless.

Edwin laughed, wicked and vile as he threw another broken melon seed in his mouth.

He could feel the payment token of this household in his pocket.

It’s in there.

It’s his favorite thing to do—collecting taxes, giving them payment tokens and then sending people to steal the tokens overnight.

Then… coming back to take the taxes for the second time just like now.

Life is so sweet for him.

Among the crowd watching the injustice, stood Lucia.

Her arms are folded, and her face is covered with a veiled hat as she witnessed silently.

—

[Ares’s Manor, Nightfall]

The tradition in the Empire only allows weddings at night.

According to the rule made by Emperor Bones, the sweetest things only happen in the dark.

Children of the dark who feast on darkness itself, are blessed.

Ares’s Manor is small, but it still feels grand in a quiet way. It’s stone walls are smooth and well-kept with fine carved details that show careful craft.

Tall, narrow windows line the structure. Inside, a modest courtyard rests at the center, arranged with neat stones and simple greenery.

Though small in size, the manor carries a calm, steady weight that makes it feel far larger than it is.

Lucia had no time to stare at all of it, but her active brain was taking everything in as she jumped in stealthily through the fence.

Ares should have left for the wedding right now. He should have.

Every single lantern surrounding the property is out, so it’s dark here.

Children of the dark operates better under the dark.

Like a mantis, she leapt into his hall. From there, she cracked a window open with the tip of her knife.

She jumped inside.

—

Inside Ares’s personal chambers, his wedding robe hung gracefully on the polished valet stand.

He stood shirtless in front of it, staring at the rare brocades stitched perfectly to the red silk fabric.

The wedding starts in thirty minutes, and logically, he should be in the Palace already, but remember the promise of making the Void Emperor and her daughter crazily mad?

He’s still sticking to that.

Ares loves keeping to promises he makes to himself.

He left the tub just two minutes ago, and water is still dripping off his skin as he stood there, smirking at himself

Actually, there’s a mirror behind the valet, so he’s staring at his own formidable reflection with the light from a single burning candle.

But he was distracted by the creak of a wood inside his outer room. His ears followed the faint sound.

He stepped out gallantly, his hair swaying as he grabbed his sword from the wall rack.

Immediately he went through the chamber door, his ears cinched again, causing him to sway back as a blade came for his chest.

Using the edge of his hand, he slammed the wrist of the person in the dark, and using his sword, he hit away her knife from her right hand.

But she actually allowed that move, cos she immediately caught the knife back, smoothly with her left hand.

The jasmine scent wafted past Ares’s nostrils, and the undeniable aura. The heavy presence.

He felt it deep in his blood and flesh.

In the dark, the air shifted.

“I darn know it’s you,” his molten voice spilled through the pressing dark. “Even if you become sand, I will recognize you, Lucia.”

In the dark, the female blade brandished with the lone candle light from the table top, and instantly, the door was kicked wide open.

Princess Ina entered with seven maidservants behind her, all holding bright silk lanterns.

TBC.