Chapter 2: The Dark Killer
Four years have passed—it feels like time has flown by, yet here I am, still feeling like a child. But none of that matters now. This is my chance to hunt down those who took away my loved ones. The fire of revenge burns hotter than ever, and I won't let anything stand in my way.
I was known as the "Dark Killer" in the Sevalos Empire because I always wore a dark suit, a mask, and a black cloak. The name struck fear into the hearts of those who heard it. To many, I was a symbol of vengeance—someone who struck without mercy, someone who would stop at nothing to see justice served.
The Sevalos Empire, the most powerful in the realm, was ruled by nobles who held contempt for common people. The Empire's wealth and influence were built upon the exploitation of those beneath them. The noble families, rich in power and status, treated the lower classes as nothing more than tools to further their own agendas.
Among these nobles, there was one whose cruelty stood above all the rest—Count Tedross. His name was whispered with fear throughout the kingdom. Known for his excessive gambling, his abusive nature, and his lack of morality, he had earned a reputation that was almost legendary. He seemed to delight in the suffering of others, particularly those weaker than him.
Despite his vile character, Tedross was far from alone in his cruelty. His wife, Lady Hélène, was just as cold-hearted, and their son, Dimitri, was known to share his father's brutal tendencies. They were a family united in their disdain for the common people, and they used their noble status to maintain control over the lives of those who crossed their path.
I had been following Tedross for some time, keeping a careful eye on his movements. I had learned that his criminal activities extended far beyond his personal indulgences. He was involved in numerous shady deals, and I had a growing suspicion that he was responsible for the suffering of many innocent people. I had vowed that I would stop him, no matter what it took.
One day, while observing him from the shadows, I overheard a conversation that only fueled my rage. Tedross was speaking with one of his allies about an upcoming land acquisition—an entire family was being forced off their land, and their children were to be sold off as servants. The casual way in which he spoke about their fate filled me with disgust. He saw them as nothing more than property.
It didn't take long for my anger to boil over. I followed him through the streets, carefully staying out of sight. My eyes never left his every move, and my heart quickened with each passing moment. I couldn't let him get away with this.
As I moved through the alleyways, I heard a child scream. A high-pitched cry of pain and fear. It rang through the quiet night like a clarion call.
Without thinking, I moved toward the sound. Every instinct told me to act, to do something. When I arrived, I saw a scene that would haunt me forever.
Tedross was dragging a girl by the arm, her small feet barely able to keep up with his pace. Three other children were with him, their faces filled with terror. Tedross's knights stood by, watching the scene with indifference. The girl, desperate to break free, tried to escape. But Tedross was relentless. He shoved her aside, and she tumbled to the ground, her cry of pain echoing through the streets.
The crowd gathered around, eyes wide with fear, but no one dared to speak up. The commoners knew what would happen if they interfered—they would face Tedross's wrath.
Tedross sneered as he stood over the girl. "You'll learn your place," he mocked, his voice thick with contempt.
It was too much. I had seen enough. I could not stand by and watch this injustice unfold.
Stepping forward from the shadows, I revealed myself. The crowd gasped, recognizing me immediately. I was the Dark Killer, the figure they had heard so many rumors about. My cloak flowed around me as I stepped closer to Tedross.
Without a word, I moved with precision. In the blink of an eye, I was standing in front of him, blocking his path. His eyes widened in surprise. For a moment, he was too stunned to react.
"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, my voice cold and filled with fury. "Do you enjoy tormenting innocent children?"
Tedross, taken aback, quickly regained his composure and sneered at me. "How dare you speak to me like that?" he growled. "You're nothing but a commoner!"
Ignoring his insults, I extended my hand. Dark vines erupted from the ground, wrapping themselves around the knights who tried to move toward me. The magic held them in place, immobilizing them in an instant.
I glared at Tedross, my voice dripping with venom. "If you dare to lay a hand on these children again, I will make sure you never harm anyone ever again."
Tedross's face turned crimson with rage. "You—!" He shouted, his anger almost consuming him. "Do you know who I am?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I turned my attention to the knights, who were now begging for mercy. "Please, please let us go!" one of them pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.
I studied them for a moment before releasing my magic, letting them flee. They didn't deserve to die. They were just following orders, after all. But Tedross? He was a different matter.
Still seething, Tedross barked orders to his remaining knights. "Capture that man! Bring him down! Do you think you can defy me?"
His words were cut short by the sound of hooves approaching rapidly. The crown prince and his royal guard arrived, surrounding the scene.
The prince, wearing his royal armor, dismounted with the elegance that only royalty possessed. His eyes locked onto me immediately. He raised his sword, pointing it directly at me.
"Ah, the Dark Killer," the prince said with a sigh. "Always causing trouble. Do you never tire of this?"
I stood my ground, unfazed by his presence. "If you're here to stop me, you'll regret it," I said coldly.
The prince's gaze darkened, but he did not make a move. He understood the power I wielded, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—respect? Fear? Perhaps both.
"You continue to defy the Empire," he said, his voice sharp. "But this ends now. You can't keep going like this."
I smirked behind my mask. "I'm not done yet."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving behind the crown prince and his guards, who stood motionless, watching me disappear into the shadows.
End of Chapter 2