In the dead of the night right at the heart of the town, stood a young man in his late twenties. He took a deep breath of the still air, feeling rejuvenated by the cries of humans begging for mercy. The cracks of whips from his soldiers excite him, especially when the sounds of terror echoed the silent night. But! The night had just begun.
His hazel eyes glint in the moonlight and an excited evil grin spread across the young lad's face. He marched towards the nearest victims and started swinging his sword.
Plop! Plop plop plop plop. Several heads dropped to the ground sending waves of panic cries and disoriented runners like some headless chickens.
"Ha ha ha ha ha," he cackled, completely delighted with his performance. "Run, you fools!"
His barbaric hunts continued until a portion of the cobblestone ground is covered in sticky crimson liquid and headless bodies piled up to one side. Tired, the villain tossed his sword aside and took an arrogant stride between the cowering crowds to feast on their fears. However, Frederick Mortcombe was not content yet. He took out the dagger from its sheath and started stabbing random people ruthlessly.
Close to where he was, an elder man of auburn hair with white streaks named Elwood spoke as he stood from his hiding, "We are at your mercy, young Frederick. Please leave the innocent be."
'Finally, you showed up.' Frederick scoffed, tilting his head arrogantly towards the elderly and stabbing another person to prove a point.
"If you would name your price, we could arrange—"
"Your head. How about that?" Frederick said condescendingly as he threatened to aim his dagger toward the elder man.
"Unfortunately, I am too old and wise to—" responded the prideful Elwood with apprehensiveness.
With a flick of his wrist, Frederick threw his dagger towards Elwood's direction and a blood-curdling scream ensued. The man's body spasms and falls flat on his face. Just before people could react further, the hazel-eyed man hissed, "Too snobby to my liking. Next! Show me the heir or I'll slaughter ten more of you."
The people busied themselves, heads turning left and right, looking for Elwood's successor. They grew more impatient when Frederick gave a time limit of five minutes. From searching on one spot to sprinting in a haphazard manner, they failed to find the successor. Ten more were slashed that night. And then another ten. And another ten.
"Tell you what. Brutal that I am, I'll give you all a chance. Now if there is anyone willing to sacrifice themselves, come forward and I shall leave the town posthaste," suggested the villainous young man as he kicked one of the decapitated heads towards the crowd's direction.
Not long afterwards, a man's booming voice penetrated the silence. "Audrey Bloodsworth! Audrey Bloodsworth will be the one!"
Frederick turned to the source and unsurprisingly, he caught sight of the same auburn hair as the dead Elwood, stupidly camouflage in that direction.
'Found you, number two! And what is this?' The man started his manhunt count down mentally, only to be distracted by the sight of a golden brown hair lady being forcefully pushed outwards of the crowd.
He scrutinised the expressionless lady as she strode towards the centre. Something about her felt off but he was not sure. Her expensive gown that swept the ground was soaking with blood, leaving nasty dampness on her clothes. Yet, she seemed unbothered. It was not a character trait of a Bloodsworth that he was accustomed to. Nevertheless, he shook that thought away.
"Audrey Bloodsworth. Offspring of Elwood whose name carries the Bloodsworth lineage, you have been named to be the sacrificial lamb to save the many. Kneel!"
Her knees buckled and hit the hard ground as a force was applied to the back of her legs. Frederick placed his dagger by her neck, nudging it slightly onto her skin leaving a trail of a bumpy red line. He thought he would be able to see the terror in her eyes or hear her whimper and beg to let her live. But instead, she pushed herself to the blade with a determination he did not expect, causing some blood to ooze out. Instinctively, he pulled back the weapon to prevent the woman from harming herself more.
'No, this does not seem right,' he pondered on the mystery air around her. Whatever it was, Frederick's gut was telling him to keep the woman alive.
The question is, he gave his word; one volunteer and he should be out in seconds. However, his beastly rage had not been appeased. Frederick wanted the Bloodsworth lineage gone for the atrocity they started! In a swift movement, he slashed Number Two, raising confusion and panics from the masses. Howling cries resonated in the dark night.
Another brazen auburn-haired person stuck her head out, and lamented through her sobs, "But why... Isn't she there already?"
"I asked for anyone who is willing. But Audrey Bloodsworth is named," Frederick gave an excuse before taking the life out of the crying person. There was barely time for the shock to register in the heads of the crowds as he eyed every one of them with murderous intent, to see who dared to challenge his reasonings.
"I am willing to sacrifice myself for the many," a silky entrancing voice mesmerised him. He turned, only to see it came from the lips of Audrey Bloodsworth.
A handsome smirk etched on the rogue's face as he thought to himself, 'Not until all the Bloodsworth fall limp to the floor and their heart beats no more.'