#as in a rich young man who roofies women at parties with his friends and assaults them

[llycaons]

They learn nothing of Wei Ying, but are told that Wen Chao sometimes keeps prisoners in the Indoctrination Site that his father granted him supervision over. His own little fiefdom. That when he isn’t in Yunmeng, he’s there. Playing. Just out of reach of his father’s growing instability.

it's easy to call the wens cartoonish villains but...yeah, he was doing this, wasnt he? I always felt like their cruelty and domination over the less powerful was an extremely frightening aspect of the flashback arc, and not an unrealistic depiction of the kind of abuses of power the story explores despite being one of the less subtle ones. like, he enjoyed torture he enjoyed lording over others and he had the power to make that happen

[littlest-w01f]

Birthday

Eris Vanserra x Rheana (See Rheana here)

For @erisweekofficial

Eris Week 2024 Masterlist

Day 6: AU

Summary: Turning 25, Eris is revisiting his most frequented bars, something unpleasant follows him on his aging milestone of not being under his father's protection anymore

Cw: Guns, fighting, dark elements, drinking, roofies, blood, description of being drugged, mentions of trafficking, torture, also way too much plot

As the blinding lights cast a kaleidoscope of colours across the crowded dance floor, the pulsating beat of electronic music reverberated through every molecule of air within Velaris' cavernous interior. The scent of sweat, perfume, and liquor mingled in a heady aroma that seemed to heighten the senses, drawing revellers deeper into the throbbing heart of the night.

The night was young as people had already started to fill up the Night Club, Velaris, the most popular place for miles, everyone partied there at least once. The drinks, food, music, everything was to die for.

As the night wore on, the pulsing beats reverberated through the club, drawing more and more revellers onto the dance floor. Sweat glistened on the skin under the kaleidoscope of lights. Drinks flowed freely from the bar as laughter and chatter filled the air.

Eris Vanserra walked through the crowd, towards the secluded corners of the club, women in both arms, drunk and falling all over him.

The atmosphere inside Velaris was electric, the energy palpable. Eris Vanserra, the man who oozed charisma and confidence, moved effortlessly through the crowd, his presence commanding attention despite the cacophony around him. His strikingly handsome face, framed by wavy red hair, was lit up by the flashing red neon lights, accentuating his piercing amber eyes.

He held two women close to him, one on each arm, both clearly intoxicated and clinging to him like vines. Their giggles and slurred words were drowned out by the thumping bass of the music, but they didn't seem to mind. They were simply happy to be in the orbit of such a magnetic force.

Eris, however, appeared unbothered by their antics. He navigated through the sea of bodies with ease, weaving through the crowd like a shark through water.

He almost rolled his eyes as the woman under his right hand tried to hide the fact that she was grinding herself against the gun in his hip holster. Eris couldn't help but smirk at the brazen display of the woman. She was obviously trying to distract him, her hips swaying provocatively against his holstered weapon.

Her actions were nothing new to him, though, he'd seen countless attempts at seduction aimed at his guns before. It was a strange fetish, to say the least. One he didn't quite appreciate, after all, he respected his duel-wielded weapons the way they deserved to be, and on a woman for pleasure was certainly not where they belonged.

But Eris wasn't easily flustered. He gently pried the woman's hand off his holster, his fingers brushing against the cool metal of his gun. With a deft move, he maneuvered her away from his weapon, effectively ending her little game.

As he did so, his left arm tightened around the other woman, pulling her closer against his side. Her slender frame pressed flush against his muscular body, her curves moulding perfectly to his form, "Now, now, ladies, keep a little for later."

His words carried a teasing tone, but there was also a clear hint of warning in them. Eris knew how to handle these situations, and he always maintained a certain level of control, even when surrounded by women throwing themselves at him, he left those ladies behind.

He reached the secluded part of the Club, one not many knew about, with Velaris, no one cared to think about what lay beneath the Night Club, what the group of friends who called themselves The Inner Circle actually did, Velaris was just hiding in plane sight how the Darling siblings were as rich as they were, the sights changed, from bright welcoming lights, here was something darker, the place Eris actually frequented, where every dark and twisted thing played.

Velaris was a huge Night Club, The Hewn City was bigger, a stark contrast to the vibrant, lively atmosphere above. Here, in the depths below Velaris, the air was thick with an unsettling silence broken only by music echoing off the damp stone walls. The light was dim, casting eerie shadows that danced along the uneven ground.

There were guards at the entrance, "Well, hello, sunshine." Eris announced his presence, facing one of the stoic-faced man who stood there. Cassain was, easily said, built like a truck, and was never really too friendly to Eris.

"Ah, the birthday boy," Cassian smirked, looking Eris over, he was one of the plenty security, and the one personally in charge of checking men like Eris for anything they might try to sneak in. Everyone knew when someone in a crime family turned of age for crime, because it meant they weren't in direct protection of their families, left to defend themselves, a silent law many respected.

Eris said nothing as he held his arms open, and Cassian inspected him thoroughly. Cassian's search was nothing new to Eris, patting him down, shoving his gloved fingers inside his mouth to check his throat, cupping his crotch, not leaving a thing unchecked.

Once Cassian was satisfied with his inspection, he unclipped the holster around Eris' hips, removing his guns. The action caused a brief moment of unease, but Eris quickly suppressed it, knowing full well that he would have to retrieve his weapons later.

With a curt nod, Cassian tossed Eris a small plastic chip. "Pick up your shit when you're done," he grunted, turning back to his post without another word.

Eris caught the chip deftly, tucking it into his pocket. Once inside, Eris took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. This was his element, the darkness, the danger, the thrill of the unknown. He loved it.

The Hewn City lived up to it's name, it was as big as it's own underground city, with a maze of tunnels and chambers, each one more depraved than the last. There were rooms dedicated to gambling, fighting, drugs, sex, and anything and everything that could be found here, it was all for Eris. While in the floor above, everything was licenced and legal, nothing here was.

The celebrations were in full swing, and Eris found himself surrounded by beautiful women, eager to please him in any way he desired with how popular he was. But he wasn't interested in them. Not yet.

He looked over the exotic dancers, in skimpy clothing, dancing on a pole, giving the people the best show, a large sign "look, don't touch!" was written over the main floorboard they were situated on, a sign everyone followed if they wanted to keep their lives.

The first time he had been here, he'd seen the co-owner, Rheana, dancing among those very people, and one of the patrons had been stupid enough to touch her up her leg, the man had ended up with Rheana's pencil heel fully embedded in his eye socket and Eris was sure that's when he'd fallen in love, or pure unfiltered lust, with her.

That moment marked the beginning of Eris' fascination with Rheana. Over time, his admiration blossomed into something more intense, a desire that consumed him.

"Hmm? What would you like?" Rheana asked, standing behind the bar, looking straight into Eris' eyes like she could hear his thoughts.

Eris' gaze locked onto Rheana's, a smouldering intensity burning in his amber eyes. He felt his pulse quicken, his blood singe in his veins, a raw, primal hunger coursing through him.

She was the epitome of beauty, grace, and strength, all wrapped up in a tantalizing package that drove men wild. And yet, she was untouchable.

"You," he breathed out, his voice low and husky, laced with a raw need. He stepped closer to the bar, closing the distance between them. The air around him crackled with tension.

Rheana's lips curled into a sly smile, already mixing Eris' usual instead, her violet eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, I'd suggest something a little more age appropriate, darling." She taunted.

Eris chuckled softly, a sound filled with both amusement and undeniable desire. "But I'm old enough to know what I want, aren't I?" he countered smoothly, leaning forward slightly, his elbows resting on the polished wooden counter.

He watched her intently, noting every flicker of emotion that crossed her face, every subtle movement of her body. Every inch of her was a work of art, each curve and contour etched into his memory.

He was used to women falling at his feet, but Rheana, she was different. She was the fire that burned hottest, the storm that raged fiercest, the night that swallowed the day. And she was utterly unattainable. And that made her all the more enticing.

"Sure you are," Rheana's voice was gentle and condescending as she passed him his drink, a classic whiskey cocktail, "Here. Now go."

Eris accepted the glass with a nod of thanks, his fingers grazing Rheana's as she handed it over. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through him, a spark that ignited the flames of his desire.

He raised the glass in a silent toast, his amber eyes never leaving hers. Then, with a final, lingering look, he turned and walked away, the heels of his boots clicking sharply against the stone floor.

As Eris walked away, he couldn't help but notice the sway of Rheana's hips, the way her skirt clung to her thick thighs, her muscular arms, the curve of her ass. He cursed under his breath, a string of profanities slipping through his teeth.

Damn her. Damn her for being so fucking perfect. He wanted her, craved her, needed her. And that craving only intensified with every step he took away from her. He found a quiet corner, a booth nestled in the shadows where he could watch the festivities without being seen. He settled into the plush seat, taking a sip of his drink, savouring the burn as it slid down his throat.

He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have Rheana in his bed, to taste her sweetness, to explore every inch of her perfect body, to be inside her, to have her over him.

Rheana sighed, moving out from behind the bar, keeping her eyes on Eris. It wasn't that she and her friends didn't trust the man, they just didn't trust the Vanserras as a whole.

As the minutes passed on his lonely birthday, Eris refused to feel sad about it, he had cut a cake with his mother present, who had got him a little keychain as a gift, nothing too much but sweet and sentimental enough, she'd been the only one who celebrated with him, otherwise, he was alone.

No one cared about his birthday, not truly. His father pretended to celebrate because it was expected of him, as the next in line to his father's criminal empire.

He looked up when a woman with a tray approached, he'd never seen her around before, setting a drink down beside him and taking the empty glass. "This is from Rheana. On the house." She said with a smile.

Eris' heart skipped a beat as he registered the message, his mind racing with possibilities. A gift from Rheana? Was this some kind of olive branch, a gesture of goodwill after their earlier exchange?

He reached for the glass, his curiosity piqued. It was a rich, crimson liquid, almost black in the dim lighting. He brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply, savouring the heady aroma of dark fruit and spices. With a raised eyebrow, he lifted the glass to his lips and took a slow, deliberate sip.

The flavour exploded on his tongue, a complex blend of sweet and bitter notes that left him wanting more. It was unlike anything he'd ever tasted before. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth spread through him, a soothing balm for the ache in his chest.

"Are you Eris Vanserra?" A man had taken a seat beside him, he was rough-looking, with scars and burns all over him.

Eris opened his eyes, turning to regard the man who had sat down beside him. He sized him up quickly, taking in the array of scars and burns that marred the other man's skin. There was a rugged, battle-hardened quality to him.

"Yes, I am," Eris replied, his tone neutral, neither welcoming nor hostile. He kept his hand firmly on the stem of his glass, a subtle reminder that he was not to be trifled with.

"And you are…?" he prompted, his amber eyes narrowing slightly as he waited for the man's response. There was something about this stranger that set off alarm bells in the back of his mind, a prickling sense of unease that he couldn't quite shake.

Eris' words got caught in his throat, his head suddenly dizzy, Eris felt a sudden, searing pain lance through his skull, radiating outward until it threatened to consume him. His vision blurred, colours swirling and spinning in a maze of chaos. His tongue felt heavy, and thick, as though it had swollen to twice its size. His limbs grew weak, numbness creeping up his legs, paralyzing them.

"Wha-what did y-you g-give me?" he managed to rasp out, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands trembled, gripping the edge of the table for support. He tried to stand, to flee, but his body betrayed him, collapsing back into the booth with a thud. His heart pounded furiously in his chest, each beat echoing the terror that gripped him.

Eris felt himself being lifted, carried like a ragdoll, his senses overwhelmed by the world around him. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, sounds distorted, smells amplified. He could hear the rustle of leaves overhead, the hum of insects buzzing around him, the distant laughter of revelers drifting towards him like a haunting melody.

Yet, at the same time, he felt detached from it all, as if he were observing these sensations from afar rather than experiencing them directly. His body felt heavy and leaden, his muscles refusing to cooperate with his commands. He could see the ground rushing past beneath him, the stars twinkling above, yet he felt nothing, no pain, no fear, no anticipation.

And then there was the silence. An eerie, deafening silence that enveloped him completely, cutting off any chance of communication as he was held up by the man, the woman who had given him the drink was among the people who now surrounded him too.

One of the men cried out as a sword embedded itself in his head, dead instantly. "Ah, now, we don't drabble in date-rape drugs or sex trafficking, so who let people like you in here?"

Eris felt a glimmer of hope surge within him, a flicker of light in the abyss of his despair. That voice, Rheana's voice, filled him with a strange comfort, even amidst the chaos.

"Rhea…" he managed to croak out, his voice barely audible above the murmurs of the crowd. He struggled to open his eyes fully, the lids feeling impossibly heavy. But he forced them open, squinting against the brightness of the torches and lanterns surrounding him.

The crowd surrounding him shifted, murmurs of discontent rippling through their ranks. Eris recognized some of them, loyalists, enforcers, and men who owed their allegiance to his family, his father. They eyed Rheana warily, hands drifting towards hidden weapons. "This doesn't concern you, Rheana."

"Well, it happened in my bar, under my watch so it does concern me," Rheana shot forward, her sword raised. When she brought it down, the guns the closest to her had held were cut in half.

Eris watched, transfixed through blured vision, as Rheana deftly dispatched the armed men surrounding them. Her movements were fluid, and precise, a deadly dance of steel and skill. Each strike landed true, severing limbs, slicing through bone, and sending bodies crashing to the ground in bloody heaps.

A sense of awe washed over him, mingling with the lingering effects of the drug coursing through his veins. He had always known Rheana was dangerous, lethal even, but witnessing her in action like this was something else entirely. She moved with a grace and power that belied her delicate appearance, a stark contrast to the brutish thugs she was effortlessly dispatching.

Eris watched, his vision blurring once again as Rheana charged forward, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. He saw the shock register on the faces of those around him, the disbelief etched onto their features as their weapons crumbled into useless pieces at their touch.

His eyes followed the path of Rheana's blade, drawn inexorably to the man holding him. The man who had probably slipped him the drink, the drug that now coursed through his veins. The man faltered, stumbling backwards, dropping Eris unceremoniously to the ground. Eris hit the dirt hard, his head spinning, his body still heavy and unresponsive.

"Eris!" Rheana's voice pierced through the fog of confusion clouding his mind. He turned his head slowly, painfully, towards the sound, his gaze locking onto hers. She picked him up and almost too smoothly snuck away behind a brick wall, "How much can you move?" She asked, her voice actually gentle.

Eris clung to Rheana, his entire body trembling as she scooped him up effortlessly. He buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of leather and smoke that clung to her clothing. Her arms encircled him, providing a comforting warmth that seeped into his chilled bones.

Suddenly a few gunshots went by, and Rheana paused, those people must have called for backup, and she knew those people would want to discard her off, since she had seen their faces, but she still stayed with Eris. "Ugh, fuck!" Rheana swore as a bullet had hit her triceps, she dug her long acrylic nails in to dig the bullet out, the rest of what she wore was pretty bullet resistant. The pain wasn't something new to her. "These people are Hybern... I've seen this drug in effect before, it's new in the black market."

"I… I don't... Don't know," he managed to stammer out, his voice muffled against her skin. He pushed himself upright, leaning heavily on Rheana for support. His legs wobbled, threatening to give way beneath him, but he gritted his teeth and stood tall, determined not to show weakness. Tears in his eyes from how helpless he felt.

And she had, Mor had busted an operation of theirs, where they had been transporting drugged innocent people for skin trade, some of them children, and The Inner Circle did not play about children or innocents, not since Rheana and Rhysand's mother and sister had been victims to their late father's crime life, and they certainly didn't now that Rhysand had a secret wife and baby no one outside their Circle knew of.

And Rheana knew Eris Vanserra wouldn't either when he took over his father, since someone even making a comment about how his mother was 16 years older than him would have said person riddled with bullets yet still not quite dead.

"Here," Rheana pulled out a small syringe from her pocket, tapping it twice with her fingers and removing the plastic over the needle, "This will hurt." She unceremoniously jabbed the thick needle in Eris's bicep, delivering the dose, "This will counteract the drug, you'll be good in a few minutes."

Eris winced as the needle pierced his skin, a sharp, burning sensation shooting through his arm. He clenched his jaw, biting back a groan, determined not to show how much it hurt. But even as he braced himself for the worst, he found himself oddly comforted by Rheana's presence, her actions quick and decisive despite the danger they faced.

He felt the cool liquid coursing through his veins, spreading warmth throughout his body. Gradually, his vision cleared, the spinning and blurring ceasing abruptly. His tongue returned to normal, no longer thick and clumsy. And finally, his limbs regained some measure of control, the numbing paralysis receding bit by bit as he slid down the wall.

"That feels…" He swallowed hard, trying to find the right word. "Better already," he said finally, his voice stronger, more certain.

Rheana stood up, handing him his holster he had deposited when he entered the bar, "Don't die." With that, she walked out of the shield of the brick wall they were against.

Eris watched Rheana disappear into the night, leaving him alone once more. He hugged his holstered guns close, drawing strength from the familiar weight of the weapon. His fingers traced the contours of the grip, the cold metal a reassuring presence against his palm.

Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, testing his balance. The drug had left him shaken, but he was functional once more. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. There was no doubt that his father's men would be looking for him, seeking revenge for the humiliation he'd dealt them tonight. But Eris was ready for them.

He glanced down at the syringe lying discarded on the ground, a grim reminder of the drug's potent hold. A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the way it had made him feel, disconnected from reality, vulnerable and powerless. With a deep breath, Eris stood up, testing his balance and finding it steadier now. He holstered his guns and surveyed the scene before him, taking stock of the carnage left in the wake of the altercation.

Eris's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the spectacle unfold, a mix of fear and awe gripping him tightly. He had never seen anyone fight like Rheana, with such raw power and unbridled fury. It was as if she had been born for this moment, her very existence defined by the need to protect and defend.

He raised his hand, gripping his amber desert eagle, customised for him, firing shots at someone who tried to get advantage on Rheana from her blind spot. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the deserted alleyway, cutting through the tense silence like a hot knife through butter. The bullet whizzed past Rheana, narrowly missing her head, and struck the assailant square in the chest, throwing him backward onto the ground.

"Watch my head." Rheana spun around, her eyes flashing dangerously as she took in the sight of the fallen man. When another of the assailants shot at her, with a little pistole she brought her sword down, breaking the bullet into two, the bullet halves breathed past her head and to Eris' neck, leaving behind a streak of blood from either side.

"Hey!" Eris growled, firing shots at the people who weren't quite dead but still thought they could fight, "Mind mine too." He fired several shots in rapid succession, aiming for the heads of the attackers who were still standing. He was sure Rheana was laughing at him.

The eerie silence that followed the final gunshot was shattered by the sound of Rheana's boots crunching over broken glass and pooling blood as she turned to face Eris. Her sword, slick with crimson, was pulled free from the last attacker's chest with a wet squelch.

Rheana's gaze bore into Eris, her expression hard and unyielding. "Now that you're better," she spat, her tone dripping with disdain digging her nails in the bullet would of her shoulder to pull the bullet out, "The fact that you drank a drink given by a stranger is precisely the reason you aren't old enough and I wouldn't fuck you."

Her words stung, but Eris knew she spoke the truth. His foolish trust in the mysterious beverage that he didn't watch being made had nearly cost him everything, he knew well enough to always be watching out for everyone's moves. He swallowed hard, trying to ignore the ache in his gut and the throbbing pain in his temples. "I... I took it cause she told me it was from you... That was stupid of me, I accept that."

Rheana's eyes softened at his confession, she reached an arm to squeeze his shoulder, "I'm sorry this happened to you, no one deserves this."

"You know, I've never been in an attempted kidnapping before," He tried to lighten the mood, a grin on his face.

"Also, the fact that you've never been in the middle of a kidnapping or assassination attempt, is another." Rheana turned, walking to a whimpering male, who was still alive, cut up by her.

She walked over to the whimpering male, whose body was riddled with cuts and gashes courtesy of her swordwork. Despite his injuries, he seemed to be clinging to life, though barely. Rheana knelt beside him, her grip on the hilt of her sword tightening as she studied him with cold calculation.

Eris chuckled at her words despite the carnage surrounding them. "Oh, so does that mean now you'll date me? Because I was nearly taken?" he asked, a playful glint in his eye.

Rheana rolled her eyes, "Should I do the honour or do you want to?" Rheana offered.

Eris sighed, running a hand through his hair and shaking his head. "I'll do it," he said, his voice steady despite the circumstances. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, squaring his shoulders as he faced the wounded man.

"Alright, then," Eris said, his voice steady despite the circumstances. "Who sent you? Who hired you?" He demanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation or refusal.

The man whimpered, blood seeping from his wounds and staining the ground beneath him. "Please…" He begged, his voice weak and strained. "Don't kill me… I don't know anything… We were just paid to take care of you…"

Eris scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now..." Eris flipped the man over as Rheana watched with a smile, "I might miss the fatal shot a few times, since, you know, you lot drugged me." He rested his gun over the man's chest. "What do you know?"

The man trembled under Eris's grip, his pleas falling on deaf ears. Rheana watched with a satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying the prospect of extracting information from their captive. Also tapping away on her phone with a smile after commenting how the blood made touch screen or unlocking with a fingerprint hard.

The man's eyes widened in terror, his body shaking violently as he struggled to breathe beneath the weight of the gun. "P-please… I swear, I don't know anything! We were just hired to take care of you, nothing more!"

Eris narrowed his eyes, his patience wearing thin. "Then tell me who hired you," He gave the man a moment to answer.

A pained scream filled the air as Eris fired, the bullet tearing through the man's knee with brutal efficiency. The sudden explosion of pain caused the man to arch his back, his hands clutching at his ruined leg as blood began to pool around him.

"Oops," Eris muttered, his tone dry and devoid of any real remorse. He watched as the man writhed on the ground, his screams echoing off the walls of the alleyway. "That's not your heart," he added, his voice carrying a note of amusement.

Despite the horrific scene before her, Rheana couldn't help but chuckle softly, her laughter cutting through the tense atmosphere like a sharp blade. "Well, that certainly got his attention," She quipped, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she approached the man, her leg raised high.

Rheana's heel dug deeper into the man's wound, causing him to howl in agony as she applied pressure, forcing the bullet further into his ravaged knee. Blood spurted between her boot and his skin

"He asked you something," She reminded the man, her voice calm and detached, even as she continued to torment their captive.

The man's scream pierced the night air, his voice cracking as he finally relented to their demands. "BERON VANSERRA!" He shrieked, his eyes wide with terror as he stared up at Eris. "It was Beron Vanserra who hired us! Please, I'm telling the truth, just make it stop!"

Eris's expression remained impassive, but a flicker of interest sparked in his eyes at the mention of his father. "Hmm..." Eris twirled his gun on his fingers, shooting the man in his head.

"You know, most fathers don't gift death on their son's birthday." Rheana joked, to lighten the mood, shaking her head in disbelief. "Yours seems to have a rather twisted sense of what makes a good present," she quipped, stepping away from the corpse and wiping her boot clean on the man's shirt.

Eris shook his head, a grimace twisting his lips. "I suppose that's one way to celebrate," he replied, his tone heavy with irony.

"We should clean up... Come up to my room." Rheana offered Eris her hand to stand up.

Eris took the offered hand, "Your room?" He looked up at her, questioning.

"I'm inviting you into my room, are you not taking the chance, huh?" Rheana smirked, teasing, a playful spark igniting in her eyes. "You can decide what to do later. I called Azriel to take care of the bodies, no one will find them."

"Well, when you put it like that," Eris responded with a small grin, "How can I resist?"

"I'm still too old for you, Vanserra." Rheana comments, walking in front of him.

Eris trailed behind, "8 years... What's 8 years when we're both adults!?"

{General Taglist - @nox-ceur @lilah-asteria @paleidiot @dee-writes-smut @adalia-jaycee @anarchiii @alwayshave-faith @velarisnightsky444 @minnieoo}

{Eris Taglist- @fxckmiup @slut4acotar @secret-third-thing @shadowsingers-mate @fieldofdaisiies @st4r-girl-official}

{Flames and Darkness Taglist - @anuttellaa @tuggboatfishin @inloveallthetime}