Midnight Throne: Hades, #3

By Arielle Alia

Nephalym, the queen of the Niesmires, is fated to die after giving birth to her daughter.

 

Hades as her consort and husband is determined to save her from such fate.

 

But life always finds a way, and it soon became clear that Nephalym will not only be giving birth to a daughter but also to a son!

 

Hades not only has to prevent his wife's death but also the impending danger for his children from powerful forces that aim to use them for their own agenda.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arielle Alia
• Release date: Jan 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393823759

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Australia

Damien Spark had always known he was no ordinary man. He believed that he was born for greatness, and a much higher destiny awaited him than the people around him. But only now, in front of the excavated cave, did he really felt alive and saw his true purpose in life before him.

He had been waiting for this moment all his life. Now, he could reach out and grasp the power that belonged to him!

Leave me alone! he ordered the workers who labored for days to find this cave. The cave was hidden between the two natural rock formations also known as sandstone monoliths. The aboriginal tribe, Pitjantjatjara, believed that these sandstone monoliths were built by their ancestors and the place where they stood were sacred.

Spark could definitely feel the holiness of the place. It took him several months of bribing and convincing the authorities to allow him to have an archeological dig in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

And now, after several weeks of searching, he had finally found the relic that had been calling to him since he set foot on the Australian continent.

The relic was inside a white wooden box. Holy Scriptures, prayers and maybe incantations to ward off evil were carved all around the box.

Spark carefully wiped the soil from the box. He looked for an opening. But the box was solid wood. Yet he knew instinctively that the relic was inside it. None of the workers he paid saw the glow coming out from the box. But he was able to see the faint blue glow.

Even now, it was calling to him.

He needed to break the box and free the relic. He tried brute force, but it was useless. It didn't even scratch the box. He used a pickaxe and even dynamite. Nothing. The box remained impenetrable. It became clear to him that the box couldn't be opened physically. It's possible that magic or someone magical could open it for him.

But whatever it was he needed wasn't in this place. He put the wooden box inside his backpack. What was important now was that he had the box. It didn't matter how many years it would take him to open it. He had a lot of patience in him.

Spark smiled. For the first time in his twenty-nine year's life as Damien Spark, he finally felt fulfilled! He knew that a great future awaited him the moment he opened the box. His smile turned wicked. He would finally have his revenge on all those who had wronged him!

CHAPTER 1

Quezon City, Philippines

Judge Reynaldo Santiago had sworn to be fair and uphold the laws of his country. He never once wavered from his duty. No amount of money could sway him from giving out the justice every defendant who graced his court deserved. Even threats had never stopped him. He was the kind of man who would die for his principles, justice and truth.

And because of his high moral compass, he was about to die today.

Say your prayers, judge! commanded the man holding the .45 caliber gun aimed at Judge Santiago's bowed head.

Judge Santiago closed his eyes. He had already said his prayers when the two men abducted him as he left the building where he held his daily court sessions. He had known the moment the case of Alfred Yu landed in his court that his life was in danger.

Alfred Yu was a powerful drug lord who had evaded the law for several decades. He would use bribery and threats to evade his captors. The local police were useless against his power and money. His influence on government officials and politicians often gave him protection from the law. The only reason he landed in Judge Santiago's court was because Interpol captured him.

The Philippine Government was the first to claim jurisdiction over Alfred Yu since he was a citizen of the country. There were also several warrants of arrest for him for crimes that included drug trafficking and murder. When his case was first raffled, the judge who was lucky to have his case immediately excused himself for health reasons. The second one took an early retirement. Judge Reynaldo Santiago was the third judge to handle Alfred Yu's case.

Two weeks before Alfred Yu was to appear in court, Judge Santiago began having prominent visitors in his office. He was shocked and insulted when they started offering him money, power and even a position in the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court. He rejected the bribes and showed his visitors out of his door. Threats soon followed in the form of letters, texts and phone calls.

Even before the threats began coming, he sent his family abroad. He knew the danger he would be facing once he took on the case of Alfred Yu. He had no intention of putting the lives of his family in danger as he continued to stand by his principles and honor.

He would never allow these bribes and threats to change how he judged every case brought to his court. When the first attempt in his life happened and he miraculously survived the explosion of his car, he was immediately given police protection. But the two policemen who usually accompanied him wherever he went were the ones who had abducted him this afternoon and were now preparing to execute him.

Judge Santiago realized that the policemen were offered a lot of money to kill him so as to protect and save Alfred Yu from the law. No amount of begging or appealing to their conscience would change the judge's fate. Judge Santiago knew that. He was prepared to face his God. He had lived the righteous path. The only regret he would have was that he wouldn't be able to render his judgment on Alfred Yu. Alfred Yu would be set free and once again kill and cause the deaths of a lot of people.

I think you should be the one saying your prayers, SPO1 Angeles, commented a man's voice.

Before Judge Santiago could open his eyes, a loud shot rang out, followed by the sound of the wind and the cries of men in pain.

He opened his eyes and saw before him the two policemen that were about to kill him sprawled on the ground.

Don't worry, judge, these idiots are still alive. I would have liked to kill them, but I can't. Those folks from Lightside Inc. would have my head if I kill these fucking bastards, said the man as he kicked one of the unconscious men on the head. Those angels believe these humans can still repent and reform.

Judge Santiago couldn't talk. His mouth was still taped, and his hands were tied behind his back. His savior seemed to be in his early twenties. A handsome man with jet-black hair and eyes. He was wearing a white sleeveless shirt where the word 'reckless' was printed in red. Faded jeans and an Adidas rubber shoes completed his get-up.

The man walked up to the judge and untied him without using any knife. The ropes easily broke from the man's hands.

W-Who are you? was Judge Santiago's first words.

The man held up his hand for a handshake and introduced himself.

Hades. Hades Espiritu. I am your ten o'clock appointment tomorrow morning.

Appointment? Judge Santiago warily shook the man's hand. He had never seen the man before. He wasn't even familiar with his name.

You are going to marry me and my girlfriend tomorrow. If you are not there tomorrow in your office, she is going to kill me! This will be the third time that our marriage would get postponed. The first time, we were going to get married in church like most normal people with enough cash for a wedding do. But I got into an argument with the priest who insisted that I get myself baptized first and converted to Catholic before he would marry me and my girl. He wanted me to have religion. I debated with him and won the argument. I think I also shook the priest's fate since two days later, he left the priesthood. Hades laughed, gripped the judge's hand tightly and pulled him up. Let's get you home, judge.

Judge Santiago glanced back at his unconscious executioners.

What about them?

You could report their behavior to their officers. But we are not taking them with us. I only brought my motorcycle, and it can only carry two persons.

They abducted me using my car.

C'mon, judge, if we use that, we will be tampering with evidence. My DNA would also be there. I am just being a Good Samaritan here. I don't want anyone to know that I have anything to do with this.

You would need to testify...

Hell, no! I would deny I ever saved your life! Besides, I am not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I just don't want my girl to be upset. Hades led Judge Santiago to his motorcycle, which was parked a few meters from where he was to be executed.

Hades jumped on his motorcycle and motioned the judge to do the same. Judge Santiago had no choice but to ride behind him.

Did you know she threatened to burn me when I took her to Vegas? Hades continued his story as his motorcycle roared down the road. I thought she would appreciate it that we would finally be married without any hassle. But she quickly pointed out that marriages in Vegas can easily be dissolved since divorce is also done quickly in that state. She was the one who insisted we marry here, in the Philippines. She doesn't believe in divorce or annulment. She was even the one who picked you to be the one to marry us. She liked your qualifications. She had also gotten to be good friends with your secretary. That is why we were able to get the ten o'clock appointment with you tomorrow.

Judge Santiago knew he could always tell when people were lying in or out of his court. Despite the preposterous reasons Hades was telling him, he couldn't detect any lie.

Let's get you home, judge. Get yourself a nice sleep and then, we'll meet again tomorrow morning.

Young man, I will also be handing out my verdict for the Alfred Yu case tomorrow afternoon. Alfred Yu would never allow me to live tonight. If I go home, his men would make sure I die before this night is over.

Hades laughed.

You have nothing to worry about him or his men, judge. I have already taken care of the other guys Alfred Yu had paid to off you. These two policemen escaped my radar. I stupidly believed they were good guys. Luckily, I never took my eyes off you. As for Alfred Yu, he wouldn't be able to use his money to threaten or even kill you anymore. You will be safe from him before this night is over.

Who really are you? Do you work for an agency? The NBI? The Justice Department?

The Midnight Corporation.

The what?

With your principles and attitude, you would never get to know the Midnight Corp., judge.

CHAPTER 2

Two years had passed since Aramis gave Nephalym the permission to fight and kill Princess Nam. He of course did it to further his career. Nephalym, not being an employee of the Midnight Corporation., could not claim the spoils of the battle. Her husband although an employee of the company was not interested in the position and powers Nephalym had won. And as Aramis had predicted, these powers and position were automatically handed to him, since he was after all, the immediate superior of Nephalym's husband.

From being a Marquis, Aramis automatically acquired the rank of a prince as well as the seat of the former Princess Nam in the Midnight Council.

But to officially become a prince, Aramis still needed to go through several rituals. Such rituals took time and preparations since they were designed to announce not only to all the employees of Midnight his new status but also to inform their rival company, the Lightside Inc., of the identity of the new councilman of Midnight. There were nine rituals that had to be performed before he could formally take on the title of a prince.

But Aramis had only gone through three of these rituals. His work and position as ambassador and head of the Armistice Department were preventing him from scheduling the next six rituals.

He was supposed to quit his position in the Armistice Department but the Midnight Council wouldn't allow him to unless he had chosen a worthy successor for the job. His counterpart in Lightside, the Virtue Samuel was of no help either. Of the ten candidates he had taken with him during his meetings with Samuel, none of them was able to best or even proved to him that they would be able to take on Samuel. All failed. The Lightside Ambassador made mincemeat out of his candidates to succeed his post.

With no one to take over his position in the Armistice Department, Aramis was forced to continue being the ambassador. The job of a Midnight Ambassador was already taxing, but the Midnight Council had also decided to make him attend their meetings whenever a tie-breaker was needed when it came to making decisions for the company. And it had always been the case whenever a major decision was to be decided. The thirteen numbers of the councilors in the council was essential to get a majority vote to form a new law, execute, or punish some stupid misbehaving high-ranked demon.

So, Aramis now found himself doing two jobs while not yet officially a prince because he couldn't attend to the rituals needed for him to become one due to commitments to the Armistice Department and the Midnight Council occupying all his time!

This was not what Aramis's envisioned when he agreed to Nephalym's duel with Princess Nam!

His cell phone rang. His handsome face darkened when he saw Hades's name.

What now?! he snorted at his underling. Aramis in his human form looked like a young man in his mid-twenties. He was currently sporting curly purple hair parted at the right side. His eyes were violet in color as well as his manicured nails. He was fascinated with anime fashion trends, and he often styled himself into the latest anime character he was currently watching.

You are always upset and angry these days, Aramis. You should take a vacation.

Vacation! he screamed. Do you know that I don't even have a minute to myself these days anymore? I haven't fucked any woman in months because I have no time for my social life, and it's all because I was foolish enough to even agree to Nephalym-

I need permission to kill a minion.

A what? he blurted. What minion?

His name is Alfred Yu. He's a drug lord.

It's not your job to kill him.

But I can kill him, right? He's already a Midnight minion and though he's still alive, his soul already belongs to Midnight, and Lightside has no hold on him.

Why do you want to kill him? Aramis couldn't help but be suspicious. He considered Hades his prized fighter. He was grooming him, protecting him and allowing him much leeway so that in the future, he would be able to use his strength and powers to further enhance his career and rank. Aramis had no intention of simply remaining a prince. He wanted the Midnight Throne. To be crowned the king of Midnight. The position had been vacant since the last king of Midnight perished during the Great War. No one wanted to take the position. They were afraid of the consequences. But Aramis wasn't. The throne had been his lifelong goal.

Since when did you start asking me why I want to kill someone? remarked Hades.

Because you never asked for my permission! You simply go and kill whatever demon pisses you off. I always have to hear it from the MIB when they are already reporting your recent kills in every goddamn news and social media!

So, can I kill him?

You are still going to kill him even if I forbid you to do it.

Yes. But you should know that he is a minion under General Austin. If General Austin demanded a duel with me since I killed one of his minions, I would then have to kill him too. So, it's best that you personally inform the general. If the general gets killed, the Midnight Council won't like it.

Aramis groaned.

Damn you, Hades!

So, are you going to talk to General Austin?

Talk? I'll bash his head to the wall so he wouldn't even think of having a duel with you!

Thanks! You're the best boss, Aramis!

And you're a pain in the ass, Hades! he growled before he slammed his cell phone on his table.

His phone shattered.

Beriss! he called his assistant. I need a new phone. Make this one an iPhone. And make sure that Hades will never find out my new number!

Beriss, his sexy assistant known for her penchant of wearing see-through clothes, straightened her curvaceous body encased in tight leather but with enough holes to see everything she had to offer, from the heaps of papers and folders stacked all over Aramis's office.

Aramis sighed. He would need several more assistants to get all of his paper work done in time.

CHAPTER 3

Waipoua Forest, New Zealand

Alym surveyed her surroundings with her jade-colored eyes. The wind that blew at her hair made of leaves and vines were the only sound she could hear. Every living thing in this part of the forest was dead. Even the moss and the small ants on the ground didn't survive the powers of the dark Niesmire that now roamed this forest. Eland, the wood nymph gasped at the devastation before them. Argo, a water sprite and the first to discover the rampaging dark Niesmire shed tears of sorrow.

Both Eland and Argo were members of the Finder Unit. The elite team was created by the Elders to help and protect the Niesmires. The Niesmires were often called fairies or magical creatures by humans who thought of them as mere figment of imagination. The Lightside Inc., meanwhile treated them like vermin and the Midnight Corp., abused and used them for their dark causes.

How could this be possible? exclaimed Eland. There is already a treaty between the Niesmires and the Midnight Corp. They can no longer turn one of us into their minion, and become a dark Niesmire.

I myself couldn't believe it when I first saw her. But then she began killing and sucking out the life of everything around her! exclaimed Argo despite her tears.

Alym was born to be the protector of the Niesmires. She was also the one who got the treaty of protection for the Niesmires from the Midnight Corp. She reined in her anger. Something was not right. Midnight Corp., despite it being a demon company and often considered evil and foul never broke a properly signed treaty. There were consequences they had to pay if ever the treaty was broken.

But what she was seeing before her was clearly the work of a dark Niesmire. To an ordinary Niesmire, nature was sacred, never to be trampled or destroyed. Nature always had to be protected. But these traits would become twisted once a Niesmire became an employee of the Midnight Corp. Instead of protecting, they would destroy. Nothing was sacred to them anymore. Everything became a means for their enjoyment.

What was she before, Argo? Alym asked.

She was a Laraken.

The Laraken clan was known for their songs. They looked like white mists that flittered around the forest in the early morning. Their other form took the shape of a nightingale. Their songs could awaken a sleeping flower bud or gently nudged a seed to grow. They were gentle, and they filled the forest with their joyous songs.

The opposite was now happening.

Has the Laraken clan been informed about what happened to one of their members?

Argo sadly nodded her head.

Alym flew. The two Finders changed shape and took the form of a butterfly and a bee. Both silently followed her.

Alym traced the path of destruction of the dark Niesmire to a small river. The fish in the river were also beginning to die! A dark mist floated along the river.

Alym didn't waste any more time. She lifted her left hand and shot out a spray of cold water toward the mist. The cold water covered the dark mist and froze it. It dropped and floated on the waters. The mist inside it began swirling and boiling.

Argo and Eland despite their small sizes quickly picked up the frozen mist and