The Boy Next DOOR.

Chapter 51: Nothing but a prisoner.



As Aric's dark energy filled the room, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls, Sebastian's smirk never faltered. The weight of Aric's domain pressed down on him, thick with malice and power.

"This is my domain, Sebastian," Aric sneered, his voice cold and filled with venom. "You think you can just ruin my plans and leave? You're gravely mistaken."

Sebastian's chuckle was low, dripping with amusement as his eyes gleamed. "Your domain?" he mocked, his voice a silken threat. "I could twist your domain into mine with barely a thought." His fingers curled slightly, his power radiating ominously. "But first..."

Before Aric could react, Sebastian's hand found Valerian, who was trembling beside him. With a whisper of an incantation, Valerian's form shimmered, then vanished into thin air. Aric's eyes darkened, rage twisting his features.

"I see," Aric hissed, straightening, his voice filled with malice. "So, you've sent him away. No matter. I'll simply replace him... with you." His voice was a low growl as he unleashed a wave of dark energy, the ground beneath them splintering from the sheer force.

But Sebastian remained unmoved, his expression icy and unimpressed. "You're nothing more than a worthless orb eater," he said coldly, his words laced with contempt. In an instant, Sebastian summoned his own energy, a swirling mass of darkness that collided with Aric's attack. The air around them crackled as their powers clashed, sending violent shockwaves throughout the chamber.

The battle between them raged on, a furious storm of light and shadow. Aric's attacks were relentless, his dark energy expanding and contracting like a predator ready to devour, but Sebastian was faster, deflecting each strike with unnerving precision. The walls groaned under the weight of their combined power, cracks spreading like spiderwebs as sparks ignited the air.

Back in Sebastian's lavish room, Valerian collapsed to the floor, his body shaking violently from the shock of his escape. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart racing as the magnitude of what had just happened settled over him.

His fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt as he buried his face in his hands, the guilt gnawing at his insides. "Oh God," he whispered, his voice trembling. "What have I done? In my desperation to escape, I've only made things worse."

His heart pounded painfully in his chest as thoughts of Sebastian battling Aric tormented his mind. The image of Sebastian protecting him, risking his life, twisted his insides with guilt and fear. Tears spilled down his cheeks, his voice breaking as he asked, "Will Sebastian be safe?"

Curling up on the cold floor, Valerian's body trembled uncontrollably. The weight of his helplessness was suffocating. All he could think of was the disaster he had created, the danger he had brought upon Sebastian because of his desperate attempt to flee.

Meanwhile, Aric's cruel laughter echoed through the chamber as his power surged, filling the room with overwhelming darkness. "You can't win this, Sebastian," he taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "You're a fool, always have been. In my domain, you're nothing."

Sebastian's eyes flashed with fury, deflecting another attack with ease. "Your domain means nothing to me," he growled, his power flaring. With a swift, almost careless motion, he unleashed a wave of energy that sent Aric stumbling back, momentarily stunned.

But Aric recovered quickly, dark energy swirling around him like a living entity, ready to strike again. "We'll see who's the fool," Aric hissed, his eyes glinting with murderous intent.

Back in the safety of Sebastian's room, Valerian wiped his tears, his body weak but his mind racing. He couldn't just sit there. He couldn't wait, helpless, while Sebastian fought alone. "I have to do something," he whispered to himself, though deep down he didn't know what.

***

What felt like an eternity passed before Sebastian returned to his room. His face was a mask of fury, his eyes glowing with unbridled anger. Valerian, too exhausted from the ordeal, had fallen into a restless sleep. But the sight of him sleeping only fueled Sebastian's rage further.

Without warning, Sebastian seized Valerian by the hair, yanking him awake with a violent pull. Valerian cried out, the sharp pain jolting him from his slumber. His eyes shot open in fear as he saw Sebastian's furious expression looming above him.

"You think you can just run off because I've been too lenient with you?" Sebastian snarled, his voice low and menacing. Without giving Valerian a chance to respond, Sebastian slammed him against the wall with such force that it knocked the wind out of him. "You're mine, Valerian. Once a prisoner, always a prisoner. I won't let anyone else take what belongs to me. You're my prisoner and will forever be."

Valerian's breath came in shallow, ragged gasps, his vision blurring as Sebastian's hand wrapped tightly around his throat, cutting off his air. Panic surged through him, his hands clawing helplessly at Sebastian's arm, but Sebastian's grip was like iron.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance," Sebastian growled, his voice cold as ice. "The only reason you're alive is because I let you live. Did I give you permission to leave?"

Valerian's vision darkened as he struggled to breathe, his body weak and trembling. "S-Se-Sebastian… cough… I'm sorry," he choked out, his voice barely a whisper.

"You're sorry?" Sebastian's laughter was harsh and mocking. "Do you think sorry is enough?" He loosened his grip just enough for Valerian to suck in a desperate breath, but the cruel glint in his eyes remained. "I was considering being lenient with you. But you've proven you don't deserve it."

With a rough shove, Sebastian tossed Valerian onto the bed. Valerian gasped for air, his body aching from the violent treatment, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath.

Sebastian loomed over him, his shadow dark and foreboding. "You're lucky I got there in time," he said, his voice cold and cutting. "If I hadn't, Aric would have devoured your soul. You would have been nothing but prey for someone who had no right to lay a finger on you."

Valerian's body trembled as Sebastian's words sank in. He had come so close to death—so close to being consumed by something far worse. Tears stung his eyes as he realized the depth of his helplessness.

Sebastian's gaze was icy and unforgiving. "You owe me your life now, Valerian," he said quietly, his voice dangerous. "And you'd better remember that."

With that, Sebastian stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut with such force that Valerian flinched. The sound echoed in the silence, leaving Valerian curled up on the bed, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm nothing but a prisoner," he whispered, his heart aching with despair, knowing that one wrong move and he's dead.

He the once magical guardian, filled with power is now at the mercy of someone who captured him, saved him and now own his life.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.