Lucas's breath escaped him as he collided with the floor, the force of Ronan's kick leaving him momentarily winded. He quickly scrambled to his feet, eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and determination.
As Ronan advanced with a measured pace, Lucas adopted a defensive stance, readying himself for whatever might come next. The seconds ticked away, each moment feeling longer than the last.
Ronan's attacks were swift and controlled, a dance of calculated strikes aimed at testing Lucas's ability to defend himself. Despite the one-sided nature of the confrontation, Lucas managed to block and dodge some of the blows, displaying an instinctive resilience.
A sickening snap echoed through the room as Ronan's precise kick landed with brutal efficiency.
Lucas, caught off guard, crumpled to the ground, a cry of pain escaping his lips. His arm twisted at an unnatural angle, and waves of agony surged through him.
Hypnos, with a casual flick of his hand, silenced the room, preventing the sounds of Lucas's suffering from leaving its confines. Adara, still unaware of the events unfolding, continued to prepare dinner in the kitchen.
Lucas writhed on the floor, gripping his broken arm, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The pain was intense, and his attempts to stifle his cries only made them more desperate.
Ronan, expressionless as ever, stood over Lucas, waiting for the minute to pass. The room, trapped in an unnatural silence, became a witness to Lucas's struggle, each passing second a cruel reminder of his predicament.
"what are you doing Ronan? I didn't say stop?", Hypnos's voice cut through the eerie silence as he questioned Ronan's hesitation.
The servant, without showing any emotion, continued his assault on Lucas.
It hurt, it hurt so much... Every kick that hit me was a new type of pain, and it all hurt so much, Lucas was in constant agony... So why was he smiling?
Lucas didn't even realize it himself, but the maniacle giggles that escaped his lips terrified Ronan.
And with a primal urge, Lucas leapt, bit and tore, a chunk of Ronan's shoulder was in his mouth, the metallic taste forcing him to spit it out.
Hypnos, witnessing the unexpected twist, raised an eyebrow under his marble mask but maintained his silence. The room remained devoid of sound, as if Hypnos's will alone controlled the auditory realm within those walls.
Despite his pain, Lucas, fuelled by a surge of adrenaline and defiance, couldn't resist taunting Ronan as the struggle continued.
"Hey, Ronan, I hope you had your rabies shot," Lucas mocked, his words laced with a mix of pain and amusement. "Your blood doesn't taste half bad, though. A bit metallic, but it could use some seasoning."
Lucas began giggling, quickly turning to laughter, his brain a mess from the pain.
Lucas's laughter echoed in the room, a bizarre symphony of pain and hysteria. The situation seemed to be taking a toll on his sanity, the laughter both an involuntary response and an escape from the harsh reality of his broken arm.
Ronan, his usual composure shattered, clenched his fists tightly, a rare flash of anger in his eyes. He moved towards Lucas, intending to resume the challenge with a newfound determination. However, before he could strike, Hypnos intervened.
With a mere wave of his hand, Hypnos halted Ronan in his tracks. The room seemed to freeze as the tension lingered in the air. Hypnos's voice cut through the silence, firm and authoritative.
"That's enough, Ronan. Stand down," Hypnos commanded, his purple eyes fixed on his loyal servant. Ronan, though visibly frustrated, obeyed without a word, stepping back and returning to his previous position.
Hypnos, with a slight smirk, observed Lucas's unusual behavior. He could see the resilience beneath the madness, a spark that intrigued him.
"Well, well, Lucas, you certainly know how to make an impression," Hypnos remarked, his voice carrying a tone of amusement. "That bite of yours was unexpected. You might be more entertaining than I initially thought."
With another wave of his hand, Hypnos summoned a gentle purple glow that enveloped Lucas's broken arm. The pain seemed to ease, and the bones mended themselves with an unnatural speed. The healing energy left Lucas bewildered, his giggles now mixed with surprise.
"You've earned my favor, Lucas," Hypnos declared, his eyes gleaming with an unusual interest. "I could use someone like you around, unpredictable and amusing. How about becoming my servant? I assure you, the benefits will be quite... enlightening."
Lucas, amidst the throbbing pain and the surreal circumstances, took a moment to contemplate his options. The reality of his situation sank in, and he realized that, in this mysterious world of magic and demons, he didn't have many choices.
"Sure, why not?" Lucas responded with a resigned shrug. "I mean, it beats being dead, right?"
Hypnos chuckled at Lucas's nonchalant acceptance, finding amusement in the man's peculiar attitude. With a snap of his fingers, Hypnos dispelled the lingering tension in the room and conjured a comfortable chair for Lucas.
"Welcome to the service of Hypnos, the Lord of Dreams," Hypnos announced theatrically. "Now, let us discuss your duties and the perks that come with being in my employ."
Adara entered the dining area with a tray of carefully prepared starters, ready to serve Lord Hypnos, Ronan, and Lucas. However, as she stepped into the room, her eyes widened in surprise and confusion.
"Where is the table?"