Footsteps echoed in the hall, thunder roared along with the flashes of lightning, and the sky weep as the dark clouds covered the moon above. Taking away the light and hope from the people below.

In the terrifying night, a child sat in the corner of the room. He trembled as he cries, while his fat tears fall into the cold hard floor. His muffled cries were silenced by the raging storm. Purple eyes gleamed in the dark, the only reminder of his once great lineage before his family was found by Ravana. Each born son, taken away to serve as slaves for the witch of the Dead Swap, generation after generation.

Their past, long forgotten.

The blood of kings diminished into a mere line of cowering slaves.

As the door burst open, the witch stood at the entrance. Her face was calm yet the anger burns in her eyes, her lips etched in a deep scowl. As lightning struck the flash of light reflected in her face, her anger becoming more visible to her new slave.

The young child could only gasp, covering his mouth as soon as the littlest sound left his thin lips. His feet shuffled back as he shrieks further into his little corner, his small figure trying to find safety in the damp-cold walls of the rotting castle. Biting down his lips, he prayed for the walls to swallow him whole.

Because vanishing would be an easier escape, than facing the wrath of his mistress.

"I told you to stop crying, I will tell you one last time. If I heard another sound from you again… you will face another punishment" Ravana's voice drip with venom, each word comes along with the scent of mold and rotting wood. Like the smell of the first morning after a long storm.

Fear swallowed young Darius, his eyes went wide and his body trembled even worse than before. His mind takes him back to the memories of his punishment before, the wounds in his back ached once more. They are already two days old yet the pain never really disappeared.

"I'm sorry" he chanted over and over as he tried to stop his tears from falling further, shutting his eyes close hoping that the tears will stop.

"This is your last warning child" Ravana warned for the last time, her patience running thin. But she cannot kill the child just yet, she already killed a slave too early. Now she was stuck with a young child, too young to be of use. While the next one was not even born yet, glaring at the child she flashed his another warning before slamming the doors close. The sound booming loud like a strike of another lightning.

Purple eyes opened wide, the man's gaze directed into the sky above. The bright light of the sun blinded him, forcing Darius to cover his vision with his left hand. He sighed deeply, another dream about Ravana. His master was dead yet her memories never fail to haunt him, their game of slaves and masters never ending even after her passing.

"Finally awake ey" the old man driving the carriage spoke. "We're close to Dead Swap, just one more day and we will arrive" the old man informed Darius.

"I see, then our journey together will soon end. I have to say, I'm grateful for your help" the young man replied as he sat up from the hay he was laying on.

"Sadly" the old man replied, although his companion was not fond of talking. Having a companion still makes a difference with such long journeys.

Staring at the line of trees along the winding road, Darius could not help but get lost in his thoughts. After his long journey from Twin Lake, after allying with Alexander, and killing his mistress… he's finally going home.

HOME

Just the sound of it makes his heart swell with joy, he hasn't seen his family for so long. He could barely even remember what his parent looks like. Alas, none of it matters… because he's two days away from home and he can finally live a normal life.

Accidentally, his hand grazed the scabbard of the subterranean sword. His fingertips suddenly went cold, as if feeling the surging power of the blade.

'Use it~' a voice whispered in his ears. There it is again, the voice of Ravana echoing from inside his head.

'You need to grow stronger Darius, to fulfill my will, you must become stronger~'

The young man hissed, closing his eyes shut. Trying to rid of Ravana's voice, she's dead yet her memories still haunt him.

Yes… she's dead and I need to forget her, Darius thought inside his head.

Removing his hand from the scabbard, he reminded himself to throw away the sword once he reach Dead Swap. The last thing he wants is to bring home a reminder of the witch that reigned terror in his family for generations.

Soon the midday sun sunk in the horizon, the color of blue now taken over orange hue. The night is close and the darkness is caving in.

Stopping by the side of the road, the old man and Darius camped for the night. Along with a small fire to keep the both of them warm.

After the dinner, which consisted of bread and cheese, the old man took his rest. After a long day of driving the carriage of course he will need to retire early for the night. Darius is not complaining of course, after all the old man had been so kind. He gave the young man a ride, ever since they met weeks ago in Sentry. He even shares his supply with the young man, which he was grateful for.

However, there is another reason for him to stay guard during the night. He can't trust an old man to stay awake, much less to defend them from any harm- humans and creatures alike.

From across the road, a shadow emerged. The sight of the monster made the young man sigh, this will be a long night.

The fire flicker as the wind blew. Slowly, Darius stood his hand wrapped tightly around the hilt of his sword. As he pulled it out, the dark blade of the subterranean sword shined under the silver light of the moon. Glinting dangerously as if reflecting a warning for every opponent to see.

The subterranean sword is a gift from Ravana, a sword forged by the ancient elven smiths with the metal of heaven and the poison of the basilisk. Together it created a powerful sword that poisons everything it touches. Killing the victim from inside-out.

As the unknown creature crawled from the other side of the road, Darius started walking in its direction. His purple eyes glowing ever so slightly.

Discarding the empty scabbard, he tossed it on the ground.

This will be the first he will have after the battle in Twin Lake when he fought against Alexander and Brennan. And he hates to admit it but a part of him aches for this, the feeling of swords as they clash against one another. The sound of clinging metal, the spark as swords meet, a part of him craves it all.

As the shadow took form, it shaped into a man. Standing about seven feet tall, its frame slouched a tad bit, its long thin arms hang loosely on the side of its body, a body so thin the bones can be seen. Unruly long hair falls along the sides of the head, its grayish skin exposed for all the world to see.

In a blink of an eye, the creature came face to face with Darius, showing off its black sharp teeth, pure black eyes, sharp nose, and sunken cheeks. It was a picture of a perfect nightmare.

Darius raised his sword to cut the creature's head, only for the monster to block his attack with its long arm and claw-like fingers.

It was a desperate scavenger, he thought. This will not be a challenge for him, especially with the blade of his sword already cutting through the skin of the monster's wrist.

Darius watched as the poison slowly spread through the veins, a goo-like substance in the color of black moving from the wound towards the rest of the arm. Like worms, the poison crawled under the skin.

"This battle is already finished" he mumbled with a hint of disappointment in his voice. Forcing the sword forward, he easily cut the monster's wrists and neck. The head fell to the ground with a subtle thud, black blood scattering into the air, staining his hood and right cheek.

With half-lidded eyes Darius watch the monster turn into ashes, slowly it disintegrated. The remains are blown by the midnight breeze, taking away the only proof of the previous battle.

Sighing deeply, Darius went back to his place next to the tree. He longed for a worthy opponent, despite the fact that he do not wish to continue on this path. It was odd as if he was not the one who wish to fight because his desires are in contrast.

As he embraced the warmth of the fire, he felt a light grip on his shoulders.

As a familiar voice spoke for the nth time, 'Well done~ keep going and you will become strong enough~'

Clenching his teeth, Darius closed his eyes as he tried to ignore the voice of a dead woman.

'No, she's gone… this is all inside your head.' He convinced himself.