Chapter 42 - Before It Breaks Me First

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Amidst the silent desolate night, the sound of something being cracked resonated. Deep within the streets of the capital, a place where even animals would not stray, a single man stood in silence.

The figure bathed in moonlight was serene, a peaceful aura emitting from his every movement. His long hair swayed gently in the weak wind, his eyes quietly shut, as if to enjoy the breeze that moved across his being.

Yet, the scene before him was far from being peaceful.

A pungent scent of blood drifted from the pile of cold, hard bodies on the ground. The scene was tainted red, with streams of blood flowing endlessly from the mutiliated, deformed bodies scattered like moths on the ground. They occasionally twitched, as if to show the after effects of the cruel death bestowed upon them, to show the agony and shattering pain inflicted upon them before they descended.

Yet the culprit, the killer did not so as to flinch, enjoying the serenity of grave silence as if whatever that had happened had nothing to do with him at all.

Only after what seemed like forever, did he move from his spot, trudging amongst the bodies towards the darker area of the street.

After walking for a while, he stopped and turned around. Instantly, a strong gale struck the streets behind him, howling loudly as everything blurred from the man's vision.

In a few seconds, the strange wind stopped blowing, returning to its previous serenity. However, all the corpses on the ground had disappeared. Not a single mark of blood anywhere, not a trace of evidence of what had happened remaining.

Instead, at the place where rotting flesh once lay, stood a young boy. His hair as white as snow and his eyes glistening red contrasting to the dark. The beautiful boy looked silently at the figure looking back at him, his eyes filled with tears that threatened to fall.

"Take me back." He whispered in a trembling voice. "Please, take me back."

The man didn't reply, just silently staring at him.

"Please, don't throw me away. You can't throw me away." He pleaded, tears sliding down his cheeks, representing the deep sorrow clouding his eyes uncontrollably.

His small hands clutched his white robe tightly, his eyes appealing to the unresponsive man desperately.

He hoped, he desperately hoped once again, just like he had been doing for so long.

Yet, his hope was met with cold indifference.

The man turned around completely to face the kid, chanting slowly,

"Leave."

"..."

The little boy let go of his robe, lowering his shoulders slowly. After a few seconds, he raised his face and smiled.

A single tear drop fell.

"Okay."

In the dark night, the little boy slowly faded away.

...

The man had walked a long distance from the street. His face was blank, his red eyes empty. It was only after a black clothed man came to him, did he react.

"Greetings, Master."

The black clothed man knelt respectfully.

"Ahya..."

"Yes, Master?"

"Do you think I'm a monster?"

"..."

"Master, what are you saying? How could you be..."

"I know I'm a monster."

"Master..."

"After all, I rejected that child. I did it again."

Again? The black clothed man abruptly stood up.

"Again? Master, are you perhaps..." He closed his mouth suddenly.

"But Ahya, even if I accepted that child, nothing would change. The result would be the same, everything would happen as it is supposed to happen."

The man closed his eyes gently.

"But not this time. This time, I will change it. I have something to look forward to now."

"That's right, I have her now, Iris Silcia. Until she gets boring, nothing will go as its supposed to. I won't let it. This time, I'll break everything"

His eyes swirled in a more profound madness than ever, shining darkly in the moonlight.

"Before it breaks me first."

...

Today was the day Iris had planned her secret assault. She had been preparing all day.

Rivas had arrived in the capital a few days ago, and they had already discussed their plan through a letter.

They would meet at a food house, and head out together after that. Posing as black market dealers, they would enter the underground auction being held tonight, and since Iris knew a prominent member of the organization would be attending, they would tail him to their headquarters.

That was the plan, on the surface. The plan Rivas had been told. The actual plan was a bit different, more practical and efficient, but the general idea was the same. Knowing the real plan would make Rivas back down, so Iris decided to go with this.

At late evening, Iris dressed up in a man's attire, tying her hair into a ponytail and binding her c.h.e.s.t in tight bandages before putting on loose black clothes. Picking up a palm sized dagger and a slightly longer sword, she hid them in the stash wrapped around her waist. Using a small bit of makeup to disguise her most glaring facial features, she left the manor for the rendezvous destination.