The darkness had taken form in this world. The Aether had adapted to the chaos of madness due to the blood it drank from the war.
The controller had become insane due to that as well. The chain of changes had become more apparent to the world.
Something is changing. Something is happening.
***
In the dimly lit room, darkness prevails, enveloping everything in an eerie veil. Shadows dance and sway along the walls, their mysterious forms stretching and contorting with each flicker of a nearby candle.
The air is heavy, carrying a slight dampness that adds to the atmosphere of desolation.
Sparse beams of moonlight manage to pierce through the tattered curtains, casting pale, ethereal rays that reveal fragments of the room's conte p poppets.
Dust particles float lazily in the air, glistening as they catch the faint light. The silence is palpable, broken only by the moan.
In the middle was a man laying flat, his hair grey but now matted and blood-soaked. He had been lying on his back, sprawled haphazardly, with a pool of dark crimson staining his clothes.
The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the prevailing atmosphere of despair.
It hurt!
The red hue had seeped through the fabric, forming a macabre pattern that told a gruesome tale. The extent of the bloodstains suggested a significant injury, leaving little doubt about the severity of the situation.
It hurt!
The man murmured as he felt that his inside was stabbed and twisted by some sharp object.
The man's face had been pale, drained of life, and contorted in pain and shock.
Seconds had passed, followed by minutes.
The pain had now adjusted to his mind. A warm sensation feeling had now covered his wound.
' I need to get up. ' That was the first thought he had. It felt great because now he can process his mind.
His movements were laboured, his body weakened by the ordeal he had endured. As he struggled to regain his footing, the weight of his injuries was evident in the grimace of pain that etched across his face.
' Look like I need to rest here for a while. '
With each deliberate movement, he braced himself against nearby furniture, seeking support and stability. His blood-soaked hair clung to his scalp, matted and dishevelled, a stark contrast to his grey locks.
Now he can finally see the wound on his body. It was a mess, a piece of meat barely hanging in his stomach. His intestines were falling to the floor.
His eyes darted around, unable to settle on a single spot without being repelled by what he saw.
The sight alone threatened to trigger an instinctive retching reflex, and he quickly averted his gaze, unable to bear the sight of such grotesque decay any longer.
He fell unconscious.
***
Rylan walked. His task was to pick up the new member of their gang.
His hand was clicking the lighter back and forth. Sometimes he lit up the fire. He seems relaxed but under his glasses, his eyes were checking every corner of the street.
He stopped his step and looked around the surrounding. He tilted his head in confusion.
" Damn it. I should have listened to the leader. ' He complained.
Kicking a small rock in front of him, the rock bounced off the road. ' I need to head back. Staying in the light makes me sick. '
Rylan checked his clothes.
With an air of mild frustration, Rylan in the impeccably tailored suit slipped his fingers into the pockets of his trousers. His movements were precise and deliberate, his face etched with a slight crease of annoyance.
He took out a piece of paper folded. He spread and it was the map of the town.
He checked the road and found the shortcut to the house. Folding the map back into his pocket, he walked forward.
Soon Rylan met the road he come earlier ago. But having found a new path, he turned left in the dark alley.
The alley was small but at least it can fit a full-grown horse. Stepping on the rock, he walked through the alley. Hand in their pocket he seems like a young noble.
Certainly, there would be some idiot who would try to take a chance. Rylan smiled. He was nervous about the fact that he was exposing himself to danger.
But the risk will be equal to the gain.
" Stop here, Kid! "
Rylan smirked. His hands were shaking in fear mixed with excitement.
He turned toward the voice.
" Well, well, look at the pale face. " A grumpy man stepped forward holding a knife. He pointed at Rylan and smiled showing a rusty knife.
" Hand me everything you got. " The man said. " And don't try to call help. Everybody doesn't want your kind here. "
Rylan observed around him. The man is right. He can see the gaze of people turning around when his eyes met them.
' So they think of me as noble. ' Rylan smiled inwardly.
Rylan reached inside his shirt but was stopped by the man who yelled.
" Stop. I will take it myself. "
Rylan frowned. He didn't want to be touched by a random thug. ' It is time to stop. '
He closed his eyes, trying to feel Aether inside his soul. Rylan touched the steam around his soul.
He opened his eyes. The man was yelling at him but he didn't care anymore. He pointed a finger at the man.
The black mist dropped from the tip of his finger.
The homeless man backed away due to the unknown. " What is that? " He demanded an answer.
The mist surrounded the man but have no harm to him. Seeing it was just an ordinary mist, the man dashed toward Rylan.
Rylan dodged the first stab and kicked the man in the nuts. Unable to move because of pain, the man called out to his friends.
Before he could even say another word, Rylan took out a gun and shot the man in the head. Blood spattered across the wall, and a piece of brain scattered on the ground.
Rylan touched his face feeling a warmblood. He manipulated the mist around him to clean the blood off him.
After a few minutes, Rylan left the scene.
Homeless people who witness the murder pretended to fall asleep showing that they didn't want a bullet in the head.
' Mist is not that great in combat but it had unique properties. I just need to strengthen it. ' Rylan thought to himself. ' Should I make a potion? '
He walked to the base. In front of him was a large warehouse in the middle of District 8, the crime lord area.
He knocked on the door three times waiting for an answer.
" Password. " A harsh voice replied soon afterwards.
" The steam will guide using the echo of shadow. " Rylan murmured.
" Build a heart in the depth of your soul. " They both prayed.
The door opened. Rylan walked inside. He didn't see the man who opened the door for him. " Freak. "
He climbed the stairs and reached the third floor. Before opening the door, Rylan rest for a moment. After collecting some breath, he stepped inside the room.
He scanned the room and saw a few familiar faces.
" You are late. " A man who was sitting at the window said. His long red hair was carried and played by the wind. His hand were playing with the small knife.
Rylan scratched his head, " Sorry, it seems like I chose the wrong path. "
The redhead smiled, " You should take Emely. Your sense of direction sucks. "
Rylan snorted in disgust. " Emely. That girl? No. She is weird. "
The redhead sighed. " I will use the Order. Team up with her. She should be here by now. And don't worry about the mission I gave you earlier. She is doing it right now. "
Rylan walked toward the chair and sat down. " You want to show me my weakness. "
The redhead nodded. " Your Path allowed you to control the mist but the side effect is cruel for such weak ability. "
Rylan agreed but he is not the one who chose this path. It was Ronan, the leader of the shadow gang.
" You want to know the reason I chose this Path for you, right? " Ronan asked.
Rylan shook his head, " No. "