Lex Talionis Of An Exiled Earl

The loud wailing of servants crying for help, and the grunts of the guards fighting for their lives, echoed through the palace grounds as the slashing sound of swords and the loud boom of guns could be heard. The metallic smell of blood and the pungent scent of gunpowder wafted, and dead bodies scattered the place, but the attackers did not stop as they kept killing the entire royal family.

The eighteen-year-old Keyller hesitantly walked towards the middle of the double wall to the entrance of the secret passageway with brimming tears, together with his butler, Montague. A few seconds later, he stopped and ran back towards the entrance to his mother and embraced her, who was watching them with longing in her amber eyes. Her expression was stern but Keyller hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. His face was brimming with tears.

Keyller was loved by his mother, so much that it was excruciating to watch her sacrifice her life for his safety. It was only yesterday when he was crowned as the heir of Ulster at his young age, but who could have thought that a tragedy would fall today? Who could have thought that their enemies would attack at this harmonious event?

After giving Keyller the sword, Fergus, the heirloom of the Earl of Ulster, his mother pushed him back towards the secret passage to save himself with only a few words said to Montague.

"Protect the last heir of Ulster. No harm shall befall unto him if you don't want me to come looking and hunt you. Now, go!"

"Understood, my lady." Montague pulled Keyller, peeling him from hugging his mother, the Countess, and led him towards the secret door that would lead them to the tunnel.

The palace was built with maximum security and was also convenient for their escape. The wall was doubled with a pathway in the middle, enough for a man to pass. But the attackers planted a few spies inside the palace, some of them they trusted the most. But the double wall, the secret escape, was only known to the royal blood, giving them the means to escape.

"No! Let me go, Montague. I am not going without my mother!" Keyller wailed firmly, but even if he struggled with Montague's hold, he still couldn't free himself. This guy is just too strong for him.

Just as Montague was about to press the button for the secret tunnel, the door to his mother's room was slammed open. The attackers were here. They could still hear the rustling on the other side of the wall.

Keyller was pulled by Montague and quickly covered his mouth, not wanting him to let out another wail. They stood there like a log and not making a single noise to attract attention.

"Well, well, well!"

A slow clap resounded after that mocking voice and Keyller's pupils contracted. His mother was left alone outside while the enemies were closing in.

He wanted to go out and confront them, but Montague was holding him tightly, not giving him a chance to be a mercenary.

"Countess Krishna. The ruler of Ulster. Aren't you welcoming my humble presence?"

"Fuck off! A filthy scum like you has no right to step into my palace!"

Keyller clenched his fist tightly when his mother spoke. Never in his eighteen years had he heard his mother cursing. Nevertheless, he didn't make a sound to not distract his mother's tactics.

"No right? Have you forgotten that you took what is mine?"

"You are not worthy of owning him, so, don't say such stupidity. You have nothing to claim here. Get the fuck off my place before I drag your filthy body outside and feed you to my lions!"

"He is mine and I will take him back whether you said yes or no. And what can you do in that weak state of yours to fight me? We invaded your so-called palace and soon will fall into me. If you value your life, I suggest you hand him over before the bloodbath floods your gates!"

"Never! You will come through me first before you can ever see him!" The Countess retorted.

"You have no right to stop me from seeing my son! Give him to me!"

"No. He is not your son, nor am I giving him to you!"

"You are asking for death!"

In the place where Keyller was hidden, he couldn't help but inquire Montague if he understood what his mother and the enemy were talking about.

Keyller was confused as fuck! What are they talking about? Son? Whose son?

But before Montague could answer him, the fight started. His mother was outnumbered and in the small hole where they were hiding, Keyller could see how the enemy slashed her mother's throat without any ounce of hesitation after a few blows.

Keyller's mouth spread wide open, his eyes rivulet with tears, his throat dry like he was suffocated under the hot sun in the desert. He wanted to shout but he couldn't. His voice was stuck in his throat. His face was drained of color and his eyes bulged in horror. Before he could make a sound, Montague covered his mouth and restrained him.

"You talked too big, yet you couldn't even last for long! If you don't give me my son, I will find and kill him in front of your ancestors! Pweh!"

Keyller could only watch in terror in that little hole as the culprit spat and ridiculed his mother's lifeless body. He wanted to scream. He wanted to go to her and hold her in his arms but Montague wouldn't let him. He could only wail in silence. Too afraid to make a single sound to avoid catching the enemy's attention.

"Let me go, Montague. My mother, my mother was still there!" Keyller shrugged Montague's hold on his arm and looked back at him. His eyes speak of desperation. He couldn't even see his mother and didn't know if she was still alive. His heart was crumbling, it hurt so much.

"No, young master. We couldn't. It is still dangerous there." Montague did not let Keyller go and continued moving forward.

They were already inside the tunnel making their way to the other side, hoping that they could come out safely.

"Let me go..." Keyller wailed again. His voice was laced with anger that came from deep within. "I will kill them all and take back what is mine!"

"Can you? In that weak state of yours? You couldn't even hold a sword, young master!" Montague couldn't help but comment. He tightened his hold on Keyller's arm. His expression was grim.

Keyller wailed but understood Montague's point, so, he could only cry in despair as they kept running forward.

With him and Montague alone, they will not win if they fight them head-on, so they choose to run away.

***

"Argh!"

Keyller jolted awake and abruptly opened his eyes, scanning the surroundings in passing. His body was shivering from the cold and he was suddenly finding the comfort and warmth of his room, but his hope crashed. He was not in the palace anymore, but rather in a run-down building where he didn't know where the surface of the earth was.

He was alone and Montague was nowhere in sight. His nose itched in the nauseous smell of the room. He slowly sat up while clutching his chest, which was covered in a bandage. He was hit by a bullet while escaping and passed out because of fear.

"Oh, the young master is awake!"

That scornful voice filled with malice traveled Keyller's ears, making him move his gaze towards the open door.

"Who are you?" he asked. He tried to go down but was stopped by another person who had just entered. He was in his mid-forties but his white hair and wrinkled face were standing out. He looked older than he is.

"Stay still. You are still wounded."

"Where am I? Where is my butler?" Keyller asked again. He leaned his back on the bed rest while his gaze was not leaving the man.

He smiled and sat on a stool before answering him.

"I am Federico and you are in my territory here in Italy. You've been out since three days ago due to blood loss."

Keyller suddenly felt fear. He doesn't know anyone here and he doesn't easily trust strangers. Until he sees Montague, only he can be calmed.

"He left."

The first guy answered. His expression was still the same as if looking at Keyller was a sin.

"What?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"He's gone and will never be back. He left you alone like anyone else."

Keyller almost tumbled his fatigued body upon hearing that. Even the only person that he trusted and fought side by side with, was nowhere and left him alone. What was there to live on?

"What the hell, Rafael? How many victims are already there today?"

Keyller lifted the corner of his mouth into a devilish smirk when he heard his comrade Shadow talking behind him. He continued torturing his latest victim, disregarding Shadow's comments.

"When I say four, is it too much for you?" Keyller sneered. His lips curled into an evil and menacing grin as he pierced the sword deep into the woman's chest and pushed it harder until it penetrated her back. Blood gushed out from the wound and a heart-wrenching sound bubbled up from the victim's throat, but Keyller didn't give any hint of pity.

He twisted the sword like he was twisting a doorknob and the edges of the sharp blade carved widely against her chest, causing the entire floor to flood with iron-smelling liquid. A sense of satisfaction entered him inside as he watched the woman's life slowly drain.

With the sword still twisted into the victim's chest, Keyller forcefully pulled it out and the blood from his victim flooded onto the already bloody floor. The metallic smell wafted into the whole room, but Keyller didn't dislike it. He smiled like a demon rising from hell claiming his victory.

He had just finished fucking this woman and, like everyone else, he needed to kill her after shooting his loads. This is his retribution for pleasuring a woman, the species he loathes the most. Fuck them and kill them.

He took a towel from a rack standing at the side before asking his comrade while wiping the sword clean of blood.

"Why are you here?" His brows furrowed. There is only one reason why Shadow visits his lair, an underground basement where kidnapped girls are imprisoned, and that is to deliver news from Frederico. This was where Keyller stores his victims before slowly butchering them one by one if he was thirsty to kill.

"Why do you hate women so much that you need to kill them after fucking them?" Shadow asked, unbelievably. He sat on the sofa, put his gun, then his legs on top of the table before taking a cigarette. He put it in his mouth but didn't light it.

Keyller dislikes the smell of cigarettes. Not because he knows that it was bad for his health, but because the image of his father smoking his tobacco comes to his mind and he doesn't want to think about it when he is in that state of a killer.

"They are killers and a nuisance in society." He sat on the sofa opposite Shadow and had his phone lying on the table. There was a message from Aoife, the matrona who owns him.

"How could you find a wife when you are like that, then?"

Keyller gave Shadow a 'what the fuck' expression. "Not interested."

"You will eat what you said when you taste the sweet life of being married to the woman of your dreams." Shadow had a subtle smile while playing his gun and looking at him with raised brows.

"Shut up, Shadow. That would never happen. Women are such a pain in the ass. It's like getting a rock and smashing it on my head."

After Keyller was left behind by his butler, he worked his ass off to feed himself, live and sleep on cold hard ground. He stole, killed, and became one of the most famous gangsters in the underground society. Right now, his boss, Frederico, was selling them as a gigolo to rich Matronas.

That's how Keyller knew Aoife. She was a famous mafia boss. Rich and one of the scariest women alive.

Keyller loathes women, but in order to survive and save some money for his vengeance, he stoops so low to live a filthy life. And Aoife will be his stepping stone.

"You haven't told me the reason why you are here. Who's summoning me this time?" Keyller leaned his tired body on the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. His lazy posture reflects how tired he was.

Shadow's expression turned serious, but because Keyller's eyes were closed he didn't see it. "Frederico."

Keyller abruptly opened his eyes. He could see the serious expression on Shadow and he sat up straight. "What is it this time? I clearly told him that I am not to be disturbed when there is no important mission." His voice was deep. The laziness written on his face was gone. He leaned back again. Besides selling his bodies, Keyller was also a runner. In other words, a killer. And Frederico would give them missions from time to time, like killing their business rivals.

"Someone killed Supremo. He is summoning all the district leaders for a meeting to catch the traitor."

Keyller raised his brows. "Traitor? Someone dared to shit on Frederico's head?" he chuckled lightly. There was only one person he knew who would likely be a traitor, Draco. His archenemy in their group.

Keyller regarded Supremo as one of his good brothers. But having lost so many family members right under his nose makes him numb from feeling the loss.

"They are gathering in the North district at midnight. We'd got fifteen minutes before Frederico dismembered our heads. You know him, he hates tardiness." Shadow stood and took the gun that he had put on the table.

Keyller lazily stood up. He didn't like mingling with others. That's why he is reluctant to leave. "Why doesn't Frederico give me the name of those who killed Supremo and I'll handle it personally? You know I hate going to that place." His expression was grim as he fastened his sword at his back.

"Big boss calling. Do we have a choice?"

Keyller shook his head furiously. They go out together and let the corpse inside. He will deal with it later because Keyller doesn't want to give Frederico another reason to kick him out of his group if he keeps coming late.

They arrive at the North district about ten minutes later. After climbing down their big bikes and parking them outside the nightclub, the two proceeded inside.

What welcomed them was the noisy crowd, the smell of cigarettes and alcohol, and the bouncers who ushered them to go inside the VIP room.

"The boss is waiting inside."

One of the bouncers said before opening the door for them. But just as Shadow wanted to step in, he was suddenly stopped by the bouncer.

"The boss only wants him inside."

"What do you mean? Why am I not allowed inside?" Shadow struggled from the bouncer's hold but gave up when he couldn't break away.

Meanwhile, Keyller was already standing inside, in front of his boss. There was a small smile hanging on his lips but his eyes were sharp. He just knew it. Once Frederico called him, it wouldn't be that good.

"Do you know how much I value Supremo that I raised him as my second command?"

Keyller crossed his arms in front of his chest and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Please enlighten me, boss. Did you call me here just to ask me that?"

"Stop being so cocky, Rafael! We knew what you did."

Keyller lifted the corner of his lips and inclined his head to look at Draco standing in a corner.

"I am not talking to you."

Draco clenched his fist and looked at him full of contempt.

"Supremo. He died cruelly and I knew you have the same method when you torture your victims." Frederico took a gun handed by one of his henchmen and slowly rubbed it like it was his wife's butt.

Keyller felt a strong sense of bad premonition. His expression grew gloomy and he looked directly at Frederico.

"You're saying that I killed Supremo?"

"Why? Isn't that obvious? You have a powerful backup. You can even take the boss's place if you want to with your strong backer!"

Keyller turned towards Draco, who spoke again. He didn't understand where this guy's jealousy was coming from. Aoife wants him, not because he is of royal blood, but because of his handsome appearance. No need to argue over that. In the whole gang, the best-looking gigolo was him.

"Tie him!" Frederico suddenly declared.

Keyller became vigilant. He heightened his guard.

"Just because you have Madam Aoife to back you up, you can now act like you are mightier than us? Remember Rafael, you are not the royal heir anymore. You are just a puppet with the string tied to my hand!"

But before any henchmen walked to grab him, the door to the VIP room opened and a person came in. He had just met him twice and he didn't think he would come here and the moment that he needed a hand.

"Need a hand?"

Keyller let out a small smile and answered.

"I owe you one then, Mr. Morelli."

Two years later...

Agrianthropos Island

It had been two years since Maverick Morelli saved Keyller from being buried six feet underground, and the exiled Earl was now on his way to his first initiation at Agrianthropos Island, located in the Philippines.

Keyller met Byrone a year ago and introduced him to Foedus when he learned about his desire to exact lex talionis. Byrone was someone he saved from the verge of dying and, in return, he introduced him to his boss, Jake Mondragon, one of the organization's bosses.

Foedus is a ruthless and clandestine organization that will help him exact his revenge. But to enter and be acknowledged by the seven bosses, Keyller had to do the three initiation rites; a hundred lashes, an orgy with 10 women, and three kills with the target provided by the bosses. Even if they were innocent, Keyller has nothing to say against it as long as the boss wants them dead.

Keyller firmly secured his feet as he landed with a soft thud on the white sands of the island of Agrianthropos City, the sanctum where the members can get laid wherever they want. And the place where he could get his support when he succeeded in the initiation rites.

He undid his harness and let it drop on the sand before firmly pulling the parachute's rope that he used and giving it to the guy who welcomed the man in front of him. Jake Mondragon.

After Keyller met up with Byrone on his boss's plantation in Italy, they traveled to Manila before continuing their journey to the Island. Keyller was forced by Mondragon to jump and parachute his way down to test his endurance. Keyller silently followed.

"We're here." Mondragon stopped in his tracks and looked coldly at Keyller. "Are you ready?"

Keyller, with a stoic expression, answered, "As always."

A silver Lamborghini Aventador parked in front of Mondragon and the latter rode in, leaving Keyller and Byrone to ride in a sedan just after they emerged from the sand and reached the road. But Keyller knows best. Mondragon was just testing his limits, how far his statuesque body could go. Keyller didn't disappoint him when he easily skydived from the helicopter they were riding at almost 14000ft without using oxygen. Skydiving was one of Keyller's favorite sports when he was still an Earl. So, what Mondragon tested him was an easy feat. But he rather goes lowkey because, besides people from his past gang, no one else knew that he was of royal blood.

Their car followed Mondragon's silver Lamborghini and they stopped at a grandiose mansion. Byrone informed him that this was owned by Lev Petrov, another founder of Foedus. The first initiation will be done here.

***

Grunts and mockery enveloped the crimson-lit room surrounded by the dark-colored brick wall as Keyller kneeled on the carpeted floor, and the bosses of Foedus watched him as he received his first initiation. Fifty lashes. The other fifty would be given after a week.

"Argh!" Keyller grunted as he held his ragged breath when the forty-first lashes landed on his bare back. He ignored the pain that came from every whip and the contemptuous look he received from the founders who were watching him while they were sniffing white crystalline objects.

Jake Mondragon hit him like he was hitting a rock. He is no saint, a monster. But Keyller didn't show any weakness. In every whip that lands on his body, the only thing that comes to his mind was the killer of his family. That gave him strength.

"Wanna give up, kid?" Trace Dimagiba, one of the heartless founders of Foedus asked. This is how Byrone describes Dimagiba to him; heartless.

Keyller was kneeling on the carpeted floor and smirked as he raised his head to look at Trace. His messy hair covered his sweaty face, but the stubborn look in his eyes was visible. This kind of pain won't let Keyller give up. He won't give up now that he has his way on how to get his vengeance.

"Giving up is only for the weak. I'm not like that!" Keyller gritted his teeth when Mondragon hit another on his back. Keyller could feel the stinging pain. His face twisted in discomfort but he still could do it. He will finish the fifty lashes.

"Your face is already showing that you wanted to cry, and you still won't give up?" Lev Petrov, the owner of the mansion, commented. The founders laugh because of Petrov's words.

His eyes sharpened and met Lev Petrov's spiteful look. "I. Won't. Give. Up."

"Very well then," behind him Mondragon spoke. "Take this hit and let's see if you can!"

"Argh!" Another whip hit Keyller and this time it was heavier than ever. Keyller almost dropped his tired body but his reflexes were fast enough. He used both his hands to steady his body.

Jake Mondragon whipped him like he was the killer of his father. Too strong. Keyller almost couldn't hold on. He could feel his back getting numb from the lashes and it was taking his breath away.

He could feel the blood slowly dripping out from it. He was losing consciousness and his vision started to get blurred. He was getting deaf to the sound of lashes as Mondragon hit him whip after whip. A gut-wrenching pain traveled from his ankle to the end of his hair. His whole body was aching!

"There is no place for your cockiness here, Hijo! If you drop dead before the lashes finish, you are not qualified to enter Foedus!"

In his blurry vision, Keyller forced himself to look for the owner of that voice. Elliot Hart. Beside him was Logan Castillejo, the youngest of the founders. He could clearly remember these two faces after Byrone showed him their profiles. It is an important reminder that he needs to identify every member to avoid complications in the future.

"Like I've told you, giving up is only for the weak. This hit won't kill me, and I will show you that!" Even though his body was numb all over, Keyller stood on his ground. He rested both his hands on his thighs, straightened his back, and continued kneeling.

"Perseverance. I like that."

"Well, let's see if he can last until the end," Daxon Walker sneered.

"Give up and go back to your mother, kid," Jeru McBride added.

Keyller disregards McBride and Daxon's taunting. His vision was starting to see black, not just blurry. His ear was deaf because of stinging pain in his back. Just a little more and he could reach fifty lashes. A little more. . .

When the lashes hit the mark and Mondragon finally stopped lashing him, Keyller felt his whole body finally stop responding. But the smile on his face was apparent. He made it. The first half of the first initiation was done. He was finally on his first step toward getting his revenge. Pain, mockery, and contempt were nothing if he could get the help of this organization.

"Byrone thinks so highly of you, Hayes. It seems like he is not wrong in choosing you."

Mondragon's last words invaded his ears as his consciousness started to fade. He smirked. I will show you how to f^ck next.