SPELLBOUND

The two couples finally landed on the ground before they could reach the ice dragon mountains due to the thick white and bluish mist that had enshrouded the mountain of ice-dragons. They had immediately set out from the palace after obtaining the permission of King Belial, not wanting to waste any more time and had flown to their destination directly. Though these mists that floated about lightly looked beautiful and harmless, they were actually extremely poisonous, so they had to abandon the thoughts of flying and continue their journey on foot.

Everyone decided not to use magic to clear out the path through the mist as they had no intention on wanting to awaken the flying monsters who were residing in the mists. As much as possible, Evie wanted them not to engage in any unnecessary fights before they reached the dragons. She wanted to keep Vera as calm as possible until they got there.

It was also to give Gav and Gideon more time to be together and perhaps try to start up some conversation between them. She truly wanted the brothers to speak to each other. She had told Gav to ask Gideon why he had wanted him back in the Under Lands and this could be used as the perfect opportunity to start them off talking. However, with how heavy the atmosphere was between the two brothers, Evie noted that this would be much harder than anticipated.

As they walked along the snowy trail, Evie pulled Vera from Gideon's side, while throwing a meaningful gaze at Gav at before she dragged Vera to walk alongside her. She had them both ladies walking together and gave ample space for the men to chat.

Looking at the two ladies hastily walking off in front of them, Gav and Gideon could only silently sigh out and let their ladies go on ahead. They both had an unspoken understanding of not trying to chase after the ladies to shorten the distance between them. All four of them knew that the two brothers needed the time and space to work things out between them and to talk it out. That was why Vera only gently smiled and had not said anything and gone along with Evie as she was dragged off from her mate.

 For a long while, none of them spoke. They simply walk on in silence until Gav finally broke the silence.

"Evie said you told her you wanted me back in the Under Lands. I believe so to." He started. Gavriel had believed what Evie said was true as well. "I believe that she's right. I want to know why."

Gideon did not pause and continued on walking. His aura darkened a little, but it was not violent. It just seemed as though he was brooding over what Gav had said and did not know how to answer for the moment.

"That's right." Gideon replied a few moments later, surprising Gav. He honestly did not think that Gideon would have answered his question. "The reason why I brought Evie over here is to lure you back."

"Why?" That was what Gav wanted to find out.

"Because there is something you needed to do back here." Gideon's answer was vague and did not shed any light on the matter.

Gav frowned hard. His gaze sharpening with frustration. "Do elaborate, big brother. I demand that you tell me everything right now. Going on like this not knowing anything is not benefiting either you or me or anyone else for that matter." Gav blocked his way. This was the limit of his patience towards this brother of his. He could no longer take the suspense anymore.

The look in Gideon's eyes became sharp and dangerous as his eyes clashed with Gav's own threatening gaze. Gideon suddenly reached out and heavily clamped his hand down on his younger brother's shoulder before leaning closer to whisper into his ear. Obviously, he only wanted Gav to listen to his reason and not allow the ladies to catch wind of it – at least for now.

"Because when I jumped into the abyss of darkness, I found out something… very… interesting." Gideon's voice was grave as he said those words. "I saw your fate, Gavrael."

"My fate…??" Gav's eyebrows were scrunched up as he tried to make out what his brother was telling him.

"You are fated to be crowned the king of darkness." Gideon's firm but soft voice sounded like a gong as those words fell like a tonne of bricks in his heart. What?!

Time seemed to stand still and come to a halt.

Gideon pulled away a little and looked at his younger brother's face. When he had found out about this long ago, Gideon was filled with confusion. Was he not supposed to be the one fated to be the son of darkness? All the monsters bowed to him, so how was it that Gavrael was the one ended up being chosen to be king?

This could mean only one thing. He did not know when, but it was almost sure that one day, Gavrael will end up becoming their enemy. A man they needed to get rid of, to end the reign of darkness.

"When… when did you find out about this?" It took Gavrael a while to respond. His eyes were still filled with shock and disbelief but the fierce will to know more about this was strong enough to overpower the shock. "Don't tell me… you've known this since a long time ago…"

A deafening silence reigned between the brothers for a moment before Gideon spoke again. "Yes. I had accidentally found out about this since you're young."

A disbelieving smile flashed over Gavrael's face. "Don't tell me this was one of the reasons behind your sudden strange change of attitude back then?" He shook his head, still having a hard time believing this new turn of events. "You made me hate you, you let me get bullied for being powerless, you made me hate this land to my very core…" Gavrael grabbed handfuls of Gideon's shirt collar in one swift, but non-violent move.. The blue hell-fires were dancing violently in his narrowed eyes. "Because you… you wanted me to leave to escape my fate?"