Maybe Magnus was right. Alec knew it too. What Magnus commented about The Clave being unfair and authoritarian, Alec hated to admit it but sometimes he seemed agreed with Magnus's opinion too. Especially when The Clave doing something secretly in the dark side which breaking their own law. Alec saw it before, how the management from The Clave playing the dirty tricks to harm someone innocent, sometimes they also aimed at their own kinds if any Shadowhunter dared against with them and not obeying their game rules.
When The Clave need to convict a Shadowhunter, they usually don't need any substantive evidence. Just one reason for disobedience to your superiors is already the crime of death. The law is the law, of course. However, the law system that The Clave set up only protected those who never betrayed them and those willing to accept the law completely without questioning it.
Alec didn't know why his position had become so difficult. He not really sure when he seems to have become hostile to The Clave. He used to be a man loyal to The Clave. As a Shadowhunter, Alec felt proud of his own job and responsibility. He fights the demons and does anything he can to protect the innocent people and to maintain the balance of Shadow World. Being the head of the institute was once his dream. When he was young, he started to hope that there's a day, he may become the head of the institute as a great person like his parents. However, after he grew up day by day, his dream seemed to get farther and farther with him.
Nowadays, Alec was confused about his own thoughts. He's lost. He not sure what the meaning of being a Shadowhunter anymore.
A shadowhunter must follow whatever instruction from The Head of Institute or any of the management from The Clave. But he failed.
A shadowhunter must respect the law completely without questioning it.
He failed again.
A Shadowhunter must fight for glory and maintain the order of Shadow World.
Yes, Alec did it all the time, however, his efforts were obviously against with The Clave since everything he did was under his small group secret mission with Jace, Isabelle, and Clary. Most of the missions never approved by The Superior at all. Thus, he has failed again.
And, a shadowhunter should always put Shadowhunter job in the first place. However, after getting closer to Magnus and worried about Jace's safety every time, Alec risked it all over and over again just to make sure the person he loves and cares about always in safe and sound. Therefore, sometimes Alec also not feeling that he's a qualified shadowhunter anymore because he not really wished to follow every rule that set by The Clave, he started to fight over it sometimes when he felt the instructions were inappropriate. Everybody has their own judgment from right or wrong and black or white. Alec has his own judgment too. But once Alec realized that everything he did was far from what The Clave wants, Alec knew it that he's clearly failed, again, for being a shadowhunter.
But that is just not right. The human being, not a saint, thus everybody makes mistakes. The Clave is also the same. The Clave wants to do, not all the things are right though. The Clave, not the saints too, doesn't it? In a grey zone world, nothing is perfect in black or white. There's always a fuzzy area. No matter how people judge it from their point of view. There's never a certain answer as right or wrong.
In short, everybody just fights for their own interests and desires. Alec is also the same. He fights for his own desires, he may start a war to fight with someone else, demons and the Clave included. But no matter what, Alec knows exactly what he wants, whom he swore to protect and what the reason behind when he started a fight or even a war.
For his beloved, lover, friends and family…
Everything is worth a shot.
—
"Alec, you need to tell us what exactly happened, so that we can help you!" Maryse tried so hard to repress her emotions but her efforts were in vain since Alec refused to say anything to them. Maryse was truly worried about Alec, she not sure how much Alec and her other children get involved too.
Alec standing in the room, remained in deadly silence whatever Maryse and Robert spoke to him. His parents were getting impatience obviously. Even Robert who always the calm person also looked frustrated and agitated.
Robert snapped. "Alec, do you understand that what are we saying, right? The Clave is now targeting on you, especially you! If you're not telling us what happened and how much you get involved in this matter, then we have no choice but have to hand you to The Clave! Don't you get what we mean? Connecting with hell dimensions or summon any demon is definitely a death sentence to a shadowhunter! The Clave certainly will punish you, and then everyone surrounds you will be suffered too!"
Alec stood at there, he lowered his head and his gazes fixed on the floor. Speechless. He did hear what his parents told him, but no matter what they said, Alec just feeling hopeless, helpless and speechless. He has nothing to say. It's weird but true. He really got nothing to comment at all, even what Maryse and Robert spoke were related to him directly.
He caused this. He causes this big trouble to his family. He's the one bring the danger and harm to his beloved lover, friends, and family. Every one whom he cares about, now facing a big threat due to his action. Alec feeling so down. He knew that he need to take responsibility. Yes, he knew it clearly. However, Alec just can't think of any solution for solving this problem. Maybe in his own heart, he already surrenders himself to the desperation.
"Alec Lightwood, please say something!" Robert yelled again.
Alec remained calm and silence. There were a lot of things flashed across his mind. His thoughts were in chaos, as same as his struggling heart. He seemed can't hear anything from Maryse or Robert. Alec sank into his own thoughts. He thought back the previous call with Magnus, he remembered what Magnus said to him and it still hurts him.
Gazing at Alec's numb, emotionless face, Maryse soon lost her temper too. Her words stung Alec's soul badly, hurt like hell, far worse than what Robert said. Which also made Alec woke up from his own thoughts and finally gave some responses.
Everything related to Magnus always his priority.
"It's all Magnus Bane's fault! From the first day when he appeared in front of us as your 'so-called friend', I knew it already. He is nothing but trouble to you and to us! Even though you didn't say anything to us, but I'm sure that every bad thing happened just because of him! Magnus Bane is the culprit who caused all of these. He is also a damn filthy warlock, rotten to the core! I should report him to The Clave now so they can take action to hunt him down, to make sure he vanish forever in this world for good!"
When Jace and Isabelle heard what Maryse said, both of them looked in shock too and ready to make voice to defend for Magnus. However, before they're able to say something, Alec already stepped forward and stared fiercely at his birth mother.
"ENOUGH!" Alec shouted his anger out. "Mum, it's too much! This is not Magnus's fault! If you really want to blame someone or punish someone, then you should report me to The Clave! I'm the one who caused all of these. I am the one who embarrassed you, embarrassed dad and brings shame to the whole family. Go ahead to hand me to The Clave, send me for punishment and kill me instantly!"
"ALEC!" Everyone in the room yelled and looked confused in shock at Alec. Even Jace and Isabelle also can't read their brother's mind.
"Alec, calm down please, don't make things worse." Jace tried to comfort his brother, he put a hand on Alec's shoulder but Alec shrugged and pushed him away immediately.
"Don't touch me!" Alec was in an emotional wreck again. He gazes at his parents desperately, then he continued to say. His voices broken and so does his heart.
"I'm the culprit, not Magnus. I was injured badly by a greater demon and Valentine, very, very bad. I'm dying at that time. Magnus got no choice but had to connect the hell world to save my life. Magnus has done nothing wrong, everything he did, he did it for me! Jace, Isabelle, and Clary also had nothing to do with this matter. It's all because of me." Alec said quietly, he stared at his parents, confessed sincerely.
"Mum, dad. There's something I need you to know." Said Alec. "I already proposed to Magnus, we are engaged."
"WHAT?! It's impossible!" Maryse covered her mouth, totally shocked and not sure how to react.
"Alec, do you know what are you saying? Is that all true?" Robert shot his sight sharply at Jace and Isabelle, tried to question them.
Jace and Isabelle exchanged a quick look, then they bowed down their head looked speechless. The abnormal silence made Maryse and Robert shivered, they seemed already to get the answer. An answer that they hoped they never knew it.
"How dare you! Alec Lightwood, what have you done?!" Maryse shouted and raised her right hand without thinking, then a quick slap in Alec's face in the next second.
Jace and Isabelle gasped and ran quickly in front of Alec, tried to protect their brother. Meanwhile, Alec still acting so cold and calm, not even move after the unexpectedly slap by his mother.
"I am just informing you about the engagement between Magnus and I, instead of a request for your permission. Of course, I don't expect your blessing too. So please don't interfere on this and comment anything to insult Magnus. If you all really want to find a way to ease your angriness, then you should come directly to me. Be my guest." Alec said with a cooler icy tone.
"Alec, stop it! Please, you really need to calm down and don't make things worse!" Jace spoke and pulled Alec's arms. He hoping that he can wake Alec up from the nonsense talk.
"Alec, please… It's enough. Now, not good timing to say these… Let us focus on 'The Clave problem' first, okay?" Isabelle measured her parents' facial expression carefully, tried to read their minds but failed. It seemed everything went down and falling apart.
Alec shook his head slightly, replied in a quiet tone. "There's nothing to be discussed anymore. The conclusion already come out. You guys just need to hand me to The Clave, that's it. If I really need to say something, then I will talk to them directly. There's nothing you all need to worry about since all these messes and troubles were created by me. I'm the one who deserves the punishment, not you all, not Magnus too."
"Alec!" Jace and Isabelle yelled impatiently and full of worries.
Alec gave his parents a silent, broken, soft smile. There's nothing left to say. Alec feeling so tired and wants nothing but stay alone and living in his own world. Don't know why, but Alec was now missing the personal hell which great demon Niatas built for him.
At least in his personal hell, everything seemed worse but no one getting the real hurt, except himself. But in this real world, life sucks, and nothing goes right. It seemed everyone he cared about was getting into troubles because of him. Now, even his own parents trying to break him down.
'Why can't they just try to understand me a little bit more? Magnus is very important to me. They should know, doesn't it? But how can they insult Magnus in front of me like that? Why can't they just try to stand in my shoes and think about it, and then recognize the fact of Magnus is far better than any one of us, even he's a warlock who also the offspring by the greatest demon from hell.' Alec thought bitterly in his heart.
—
Edom. Asmodeus stared blankly again at the flaming clouds. It seems after the complicated meet with Magnus and Alec, Asmodeus needed more for peace and quiet now. There are a lot of things that Asmodeus wished to think alone. Like the relationship with his son Magnus and his… potential future son-in-law Alec. He hoped that he can think of a proper way to get along with them. Besides that, Asmodeus hid some secrets which haven't had a chance to reveal to Magnus. This made Asmodeus feeling worried indeed. Something will happen soon, it's just time matter.
When Asmodeus sank within his thoughts, there are some familiar wings flapping sound woke him up. A warm and surprise smile appeared on Asmodeus's face when he realized whom the guy came into his home.
"Welcome back to home sweet home, my precious son," Asmodeus said while he looked at the guy in front of him. His glowing gold-green cat eyes shined with soft love, the similar caring sight when he looking at Magnus previously.
That new arrival guy who looked about 20' something, young and good looking in a perfect casual white suit. But which made him more iconic is his quite unique and rare appearance signs. He also has a pair of wings on his back, dark grey with a bright sheen. His hair is dark black and his skin looked pale in white.
The young guy gazing back at Asmodeus, a soft smile showed on his face and his different colors' eyes were shining bright like the diamond. One is similar gold-green cat eye like what Magnus and Asmodeus have, then his other eye is in pure purple color.
"Hello, father." The young guy said. The wings on his back disappeared invisibly to nowhere at the same time.
Asmodeus took a deep breath and walked down from his throne. After that, he walked to the young guy eagerly. At the same time, the young guy also rushed to Asmodeus and opened up his arms.
"Kazaf, my favorite son," Asmodeus whispered quietly when he hugged the young man tightly.
Kazaf teased with a weird tone. "Ooh, poor Magnus must be very sad if he hears this. Father, I thought Magnus has an unbeatable position in your heart, doesn't it? Thus, you should use the words of 'favorite son' more carefully."
"Believe me, son. This is the most suitable words to describe both of you. You are my favorite angel son, and Magnus is my favorite warlock son. See? There's no conflict at all." Asmodeus answered with a cool shrug.
After a short while, said Asmodeus again. "I miss you, son."
"I miss you too, my dear father," Kazaf replied with a smiling face and he gazed at his father. He measured Asmodeus from head to toe first before opened his mouth again.
"You look good as always," Kazaf commented proudly.
"Oh, is it?" Asmodeus raised his eyebrows.
"Well~ Of course, you will look good if we can ignore the tiredness and worriedness in your eyes," Kazaf added with a calm tone.
Asmodeus shrugged and chuckled.
"Look like my dear little brother Magnus, your favorite warlock son never-stop creating troubles for you, doesn't it?" Kazaf hissed lightly. "Magnus Bane, a never growing warlock, a typical troublemaker, as always."
Asmodeus laughed gently. "it's all your faults. See it now? This is exactly the results of how you pampering him. Which make him become such reckless, stupid, crazy, ignorance and a disrespectful person."
"Oh, wow~ Father, don't insult Magnus like this. Trust me, he is far better than what you describe, okay?" Kazaf frowned.
Asmodeus shook his head. "No. Trust me, he is far worse than what you think, okay?"
Kazaf sighed and shook his head slightly. "Even you are complaining and insulting Magnus like this, but you still treated him as your favorite son. Father, I am getting jealous now. You are so biased one. Poor me, no one cares about me." Kazaf acted a sad face and stared at Asmodeus, looked pouting.
Asmodeus can't help himself but laugh carefreely.
"Enough. Your poor acting really disgusted me."
"Am I? Oh, come on, father. Believe me, my excellent acting is hardly found an opponent in heaven already. How can you insult me like this? So sad." Said Kazaf.
There's an open secret in the Edom and the Heaven. It's about a prince of hell who also the angel in heaven. Kazaf, he is the eldest son of Asmodeus with an archangel in a very long time ago, a miracle born who owned both demon blood and angel blood naturally and has the absolute power to rule both heaven and hell dimensions. Kazaf, an angel of darkness who sharing the 'Prince of hell' title like his birth father, the ruler of the Edom, Asmodeus.
Asmodeus smiled. He was really happy to see his son again after the uncountable days. However, after a short silence moment, Asmodeus's smile faded away and exchanged with a serious look.
Asmodeus said with a low hoarse voice. "I'm happy to see you, Kaz. But may I know what's the real reason made you back to here?" He knows his son well, much better than anyone else. That's why Asmodeus knows that Kazaf won't come back to visit him without a proper reason.
"Well, finally straight to the point." Kazaf gave Asmodeus a playful wink. "Hey, father. Just now I heard a rumor from one of my angels who sired to me, which made me feel quite surprised in shock. So… Now. My question is, how much do you know about Magnus and his… boyfriend?"
Asmodeus shrugged but didn't reply at Kazaf's question. Then, he asked instead. "What's the rumor that you talking about?"
"Father, firstly, you need to calm down. Whatever I say in next, you need to stay cool, okay?" After a deep breath, Kazaf said again. "So, do you ever heard about it that Magnus is dating with a Nephilim now?"
Asmodeus hissed.
"What's a weird reaction to me. Father, you look so calm. But my question is how come you look such calm…? Is this normal?" Kazaf creased his brows. "Did you hear what I said? Magnus is now dating with a Nephilim!"
Asmodeus hissed again. "It seems you really need some catch up to latest news. Your channel is far too old which too low to connect with mine."
"Excuse me, what are you talking about?" Kazaf looked confused.
Asmodeus laughed gently in a low tone.
"Father, fine, I give up. Just tell me whatever you know, okay? I'm damn curious now, please don't make me wait too long." Kazaf said.
"Well, then what's the price you are ready to pay for me as the leverage for exchange news?" Asmodeus asked quietly.
Kazaf sighed defeatedly. "You win."
"I'm always the winner." Asmodeus hinted. "Just for the suggestion. You may consider to tell me why your news is far too old and never bother to update on time? I think you must very busy lately, doesn't it? Which make you even no time to visit me or send me fire messages, and it also makes you no time to look after and check on your dearest little brother…"
Kazaf sighed again. "Fine. No need to push me like that, okay? It's not a big deal. Just a few times of time travels won't kill me…"
Asmodeus frowned and stared angrily at Kazaf. He warned with a cold tone, but full of concerns. "You should know the time travels will weakening you! How many times did I told you don't simply play it? How dare you do it again?"
"Hey, calm down, father… I swear that I'm perfectly fine, okay? Look, I'm good. Now, the problem is Magnus. Let us focus on Magnus first, deal?" Kazaf faked a smile, tried to convince Asmodeus to focus on his another son.
"Totally a troublemaker. Magnus must learn it from you." Asmodeus commented with an unhappy face. However, Kazaf looked so proudly at himself at the same time.
"I feel so glad to have a little brother who always can learn something from me. It's my pleasure." Kazaf said.
Asmodeus hissed with a defeated look.
"Father, please… Let us focus on Magnus. Come on, I can't wait for it to hear more stories about Magnus. Please tell me more about him, how much do you know about Magnus and his Nephilim boyfriend?" Kazaf's face showed curiousness. He looked quite excited about the latest news what Asmodeus told him about Magnus.
Asmodeus, on the other hand, not really planned to hide anything to Kazaf. He knew exactly he needed Kazaf to assist him to look after Magnus, especially when the darkness is coming now.
"Magnus's boyfriend… That Shadowhunter boy proposed to Magnus in front of me…" Before Asmodeus could finish his sentences, Kazaf already stopped him with a surprised yell.
"Father, is that true? Did Magnus's boyfriend still alive? He really has that gut, doesn't it? How dare him! That shadowhunter boy really proposed to Magnus in front of you?! Wait, that means they already engaged? How could Magnus not informing me at all!" Kazaf looked thrilled.
Asmodeus rolling his eyes impatiently but decided to comment nothing on it.
"Father, please tell me more! Oh, by the name of Morningstar, how can I missed all of these precious moments? Such a waste! I should stay here! If I knew this coming then I'd stay here, instead of went to time travels. This looks so much fun!" Kazaf said eagerly.
[To Be Continued]