The throne room of the Volturi was a vast, imposing space, its marble floors gleaming under the flickering light of torches. Shadows danced along the ancient stone walls, creating an air of foreboding. Edward stood silently, his sharp eyes fixed on the trembling figure of Joham, who was forced to kneel before Aro. Alec's gift rendered the vampire immobile, his limbs frozen in place as if time itself had turned against him. The air was thick with tension as whispers rippled through the assembled guards, all eager for the judgment to come.
Aro's pale hand hovered above Joham's head, his expression unreadable. The mind-reader had already glimpsed the dark truths buried within Joham's thoughts, but there was a deliberateness in Aro's approach. He enjoyed savoring the intricacies of a mind before delivering his decree. The whispers about Joham's experiments had reached Volterra months ago, drawing the Volturi's interest, but the scale of his crimes—forcing mortal women to bear human-vampire hybrids—had sparked Caius's wrath.
Edward stood to Aro's right, his hands clasped behind his back. He had already sifted through Joham's mind himself, uncovering vivid, horrifying details of the vampire's ambitions. The hybrid creatures—rare and unnatural—were not only a defiance of the natural order but a risk to the Volturi's careful balance. Joham had been reckless, testing the boundaries of what their kind could do without consideration for the lives he destroyed.
Edward's crimson eyes narrowed as Caius strode forward, his expression thunderous. "Aro, must we delay this farce any longer? His crimes are clear, and his punishment should be swift."
"Patience, dear Caius," Aro replied with a thin smile, his voice almost jovial. "We must consider every facet before we act. After all, such… experiments have never been attempted before."
"Because they are abominations," Caius snapped, his pale features twisting in disgust. "Creatures that blur the line between predator and prey."
Edward remained silent but noted Caius's rising temper with a subtle tension in his jaw. He knew where this was heading. Caius's solution would be brutal, final, and utterly devoid of mercy, as it should be.
Two weeks earlier, Edward had accompanied Caius, Demetri, Felix, and Alec to Brazil, where they tracked Joham to a remote village deep within the Amazon rainforest.
The humid air of the Brazilian rainforest clung to Edward as he stood beside Caius, his sharp eyes scanning the darkened village. Torches flickered in the distance, their light casting eerie shadows over the faces of the Volturi guard. Joham, a tall vampire with a commanding presence, was bound by Alec's paralyzing gift. His once-proud stance was reduced to stillness, his expression frozen in defiance.
Edward read Joham's thoughts like a book, unraveling the layers of arrogance and twisted logic. Joham believed himself a pioneer, the creator of a superior race that bridged humanity and vampirism. Edward's lip curled in disdain as he delved deeper into the memories-women screaming, their bodies broken as hybrids tore their way into existence. The horrors painted in Joham's mind were enough to make even Edward's cold heart tighten.
"Monstrosities," Caius growled, his sharp voice breaking through the heavy silence.
His crimson eyes were fixed on Joham with a dangerous intensity. "You subjected innocent women to unspeakable agony for your delusions. And for what? To create this abomination of a species?"
Joham's lips twitched, but he could not speak under Alec's restraint.
"Release his tongue," Caius commanded, his tone icy. Alec complied with a nod, and Joham gasped, regaining his voice.
"I have done nothing wrong," Joham said, his tone steady despite his precarious position. "I've unlocked potential-proof that our kind can evolve beyond our limitations. My hybrids are stronger, more resilient—"
Caius cut him off with a snarl. "Stronger?
Resilient? They are monsters who kill their mothers and bring shame to our kind." He turned to Edward. "Tell me, what does he truly think?"
Edward's voice was calm, but his words carried weight. "He believes himself superior to us, that his actions are justified because his hybrids are unique. He sees no fault in the lives he's destroyed."
Caius's fury grew palpable, his hands clenching into fists.
Hours later, as the Volturi had scoured the jungle, Edward had encountered Nahuel. The yThe young hybrid had surrendered willingly, knowing resistance was futile.
"You are Joham's creation," Caius said, his voice dripping with disgust.
"Yes," Nahuel replied, standing tall despite the fear in his eyes. "But I am not like him. I did not choose to be created, nor do l condone what he has done."
Edward studied Nahuel's thoughts. The hybrid was sincere. His memories revealed a life of isolation and regret, torn between his human nature and vampire instincts—the human mother who died giving birth to him, the aunt he turned to care for him, and his two sisters who lived hidden in the depths of the rainforest.
"You have sisters," Edward said, his tone firm. "Where are they?"
"They are nearby," Nahuel admitted. "I will bring them to you if you promise not to harm them."
Caius stepped forward, his expression thunderous. "You are in no position to bargain with us."
Nahuel dropped his gaze, but Edward interjected, his voice level. "Let him bring his sisters. If they pose no threat, there is no need for unnecessary bloodshed."
Caius shot him a glare but did not argue.
Nahuel and his sisters arrived shortly after.
The young women stood silently, their expressions wary. Edward took note of their features-blood coursed through their veins, their skin soft yet with a faint marble-like sheen. They were pale but warm, their humanity evident in ways that set them apart from vampires.
Caius wasted no time. "How can you be killed?" he asked sharply.
Nahuel answered, his voice steady. "We can survive on human food, but we require blood to maintain our strength. Without it, our hearts stop, and we die. We do not regenerate as you do; our bodies are fragile in comparison."
"Then you are a liability," Caius said coldly.
"A threat to our kind and to humanity."
"No," Nahuel protested. "We are not a threat. We can live in isolation, far from both humans and vampires. Please, spare us."
Edward read Nahuel's thoughts and found no deception. He turned to Caius. "They have done nothing to harm either world. Joham is the criminal, not his creations. If we kill them now, we risk punishing the innocent."
Caius's gaze burned with fury. "You would defend these creatures?"
Edward met his glare evenly. "I am defending reason. They are no danger to us, and we have Demetri to track them should they become one. Killing them now serves no purpose beyond satisfying bloodlust."
A tense silence hung between them, the weight of Edward's defiance heavy in the air.
Caius exhaled sharply, his temper barely restrained. "Fine. They live-for now. But mark my words, if they step out of line..."
Edward inclined his head. "Then we will deal with them swiftly."
Nahuel and his sisters exchanged relieved glances, their gratitude evident.
Caius turned on his heel, his focus now on Joham. "As for you, your punishment will be carried out in Volterra. Your crimes will not go unanswered."
The guards dragged Joham away, his protests falling on deaf ears. Edward watched in silence, his mind replaying the events. For the first time, he had openly opposed Caius-and prevailed.
As the Volturi guard prepared to leave, Edward lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on Nahuel. "Remember this mercy," he said quietly. "Do not make me regret it."
Nahuel nodded solemnly. "You have my word."
Edward turned and followed Caius into the jungle, the echoes of the trial fading into the night.
Sorry for starting another fanfic while I have two ongoing ones at the moment, but the idea is just too good not to write. Please leave reviews!