The Dark Pact Chapter 1

My brother and I were reborn on the very day we were to be handed over to the Demon Realm as consorts. Our wives, the Water Goddess and the Fire Goddess, came to our rescue, just as they had in our previous life.

But this time, we made a different choice. We rejected their salvation and willingly offered ourselves to the demons.

In our past life, after they saved us, the demons took the Water Goddess's young apprentice as a substitute. He suffered a gruesome death, skinned alive and stripped of his bones. Blaming us for his fate, our wives spread rumors that we were the Twins of Destruction, turning the entire celestial realm against us until our very souls were obliterated.

When we opened our eyes again, back in that moment of capture, my brother and I exchanged a single look. We understood.

"We willingly offer ourselves as consorts to the Demon Empress and the Beast Queen," we announced to the stunned crowd. "Take us."

Our wives, relieved to have saved their precious apprentice, returned to the Heavens without a scratch on him.

Later, they would come to regret their choice with a madness that consumed them.

...

Just like before, my brother and I were bound by immortal-binding ropes, unable to move.

The demon general laughed raucously, shouting at the assembled immortals, "You lot better know what's good for you and scurry back to your Nine Heavens! I only came for these two today. Anyone who wants to die, step right up!"

I looked at the crowd. They were bloodied, some with damaged souls, none daring to make a move. The Nine Heavens hadn't seen a new God of War in ages, leading to this pathetic stalemate.

Just then, my wife, Azure, the Water Goddess, and my sister-in-law, Ignis, the Fire Goddess, arrived.

Seeing them, my fists clenched involuntarily. My brother, Noctis, shot them a glare filled with pure venom.

The other immortals, however, looked at them like saviors.

An elder stepped forward. "You demons insist on taking these brothers. Do you want to plunge the Six Realms into chaos? The Nine Heavens will never agree to this!"

"Exactly! The Water and Fire Goddesses are here. You'd better release them!"

"They are husbands to powerful goddesses! If you want to take them, you'll have to ask if their wives agree!"

Their voices were loud, full of bravado now that reinforcements had arrived. Azure and Ignis exchanged a confident smile, showing no fear of the demons.

"You heard them," Azure said coolly. "Release my husband!"

Before the general could reply, a subordinate rushed over, dragging a young man. "General! This one was sneaking around our camp. Probably a spy!"

He yanked the man's hair, forcing his head up. River, Azure's apprentice, looked at them with tear-filled eyes. "Master... Mistress Ignis... save me."

The calm demeanor of the two goddesses vanished instantly, replaced by visible panic.

"River! What are you doing here?!"

The demon general wasn't stupid. He laughed and grabbed River by the throat, pulling him against his chest.

"Bastard! Let him go!"

"Don't touch River!"

They rushed forward like madwomen, but the general only had to tighten his grip slightly for them to freeze in their tracks.

"Hahaha... you two are interesting. Is this little one your actual husband? Then who are these two?" He pointed at us.

Azure gritted her teeth and shot me a cold look. "Wait."

Ignis, at least, offered some comfort to Noctis. "Don't worry, Noctis. With me here, they won't dare touch you. River's magic is weak; I have to save him first."

My brother and I sneered but said nothing.

Compared to River, we had never won.

River was the son of Azure's closest friend, who had perished failing a celestial trial, entrusting him to her before dying. They were more like family than master and apprentice.

But somewhere along the line, that bond had twisted.

Whenever she shared my bed, she would talk about him.

"River is growing fast. You should make him some new clothes."

"He's been complaining that the food is too greasy lately. Make him something lighter, but make sure he eats enough. Boys shouldn't be too thin."

She seemed to forget that I was even thinner than River.

She personally taught him swordsmanship and even created a unique cultivation technique just for him. Later, when River was injured and saved by Ignis, he began receiving double the affection.

The demon general seemed highly amused by our domestic drama. He conjured three arm-long ice needles, levitating them before my brother's chest, mine, and River's.

"Which of these three do you want to save?" he asked softly.

"Save River!" they shouted in unison.

Instantly, the ice needles plunged deep into our chests. Blood sprayed from our mouths, and pain clouded our minds.

The celestial elder immediately stepped forward. "Goddesses! You cannot do this! They are the incarnations of the Chaos Twins. If they die, chaos will be unleashed, and the Six Realms will cease to exist! They are your husbands! How can you abandon them for him? You must think of the greater good!"

Azure hesitated.

But the demon general tightened his grip, making River cough up blood. The sight nearly broke them.

"Let him go! I'll do anything you want if you just let him go!"

"Oh really? I heard your husband, Caelum, has a dragon tattooed on his waist. Go carve it off."