"(Trembling) Wh... who are you? And why are you following me?" The instructor's voice quivered with fear, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at the imposing figure before him.
"(Lets out a low malevolent chuckle) Who am I? I should probably introduce myself one more time!" The silhouette's voice echoed through the dimly lit room, sending shivers down the instructor's spine.
The silhouette suddenly dashed toward the trembling instructor, causing him to gasp for breath in sheer panic. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, rolling down his face as he struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.
There was no physical pressure exerted by the silhouette, but the malicious aura emanating from him was palpable, suffocating the air with its intensity.
As the instructor strained to look down at the figure holding him by the collar, his gaze met a pair of chilling silver eyes, gleaming with an otherworldly glow.
Instructor: "(Stammering) G..BL..r..s..." His words trailed off into incoherent mumbles, his strength draining away with each passing moment.
"(Grinning) Now do you remember me?" The figure's voice pierced the silence like a blade, its tone dripping with dark amusement as he waited for the instructor's response.
The instructor could only stare in terror, his eyes locked onto the silhouette's mouth, unable to look away or muster the strength to move. Everything around him faded into shadows as he struggled to comprehend the nightmare unfolding before him.
"(Gasping for breath) Blackthorn..."
As Grimshaw muttered the name, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine, his backside hitting the concrete floor with a dull thud. He looked up, his eyes widening in terror as he realized the identity of the silhouette looming over him.
"It seems your memory is finally back to what it's supposed to be, humph!" Blackthorn's voice dripped with mockery, his words cutting through the tense silence like a knife.
"(Huffing and panting) What... what have you done!" Grimshaw's voice trembled with fear and anger. "You were strong enough to overcome Soren, so why, why did you pretend to be weak?!"
"Why do I fake my weakness? (Blackthorn pauses, letting out a sinister chuckle for a moment) Any villain who is stupid enough to show their trump card, or even their true strength when he or she is not in a dire situation, is digging their own grave." He added, pointing towards the ground for emphasis.
Grimshaw's mind raced with a flurry of thoughts and emotions, his chest tightening with dread. He had underestimated Blackthorn's cunning personality, and his ability to manipulate situations to his advantage.
"(Gasps) I knew it... that was one of the reasons I accepted your offer to help find the threads of Revelation. Lord knows what would have happened if you had gotten your hands on them." Grimshaw's voice was filled with bitterness and regret, as he clenched his fists which rested on his thighs.
"Pipe down!" Blackthorn commanded, his eyes flickering red for a moment, silencing Grimshaw with a wave of his hand. "You claimed to have helped us, but I vividly remember you stalking us in the first place. And against Soren, I had no idea what happened to my abilities. Besides, I know for a fact that you also wanted to get your hands on those threads."
Grimshaw's face contorted with rage, his fists clenched at his sides as he struggled to contain his anger.
"You lost your ability, you say? You f*cking have more than one lame shadow ability!" Grimshaw's voice rose with frustration, his anger boiling over.
"(Calmly) Valeria, only Valeria has a pure heart and mind geared towards helping Duskfall without expecting anything in return." Blackthorn replied ignoring Grimshaw's tantrum, his tone steady despite the tension crackling in the air.
"You lie! You lie!" Grimshaw yelled once more, his voice echoing through the dimly lit room.
"Watch your tone! Even though my shadows have enveloped this room, thereby preventing any noise from escaping, I can't bear your wretched pitch that brutalizes my eardrums." Blackthorn's voice was firm, his gaze piercing as he silenced Grimshaw's outburst.
"Tsk!" Grimshaw cursed under his breath, cautioning himself as he realized the gravity of the situation.
"The shadow sanctum, a technique only unique to Blackthorn's shadow ability..." He thought, his mind racing to piece together the puzzle before him. "This bastard would have surely immersed himself in shadows too, so how does my shouting affect him?"
"How your voice affects me?" Blackthorn uttered like he had read Grimshaws train of thoughts. "He he he, if you thinking that I encased my body with shadows, you are definitely wrong. I need no encasings or encasement against a weakling like you." Blackthorn's voice dribbled with disdain, his words laced with arrogance.
Grimshaw's eyes widened in realization as Blackthorn's words sunk in. His heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to comprehend the true extent of Blackthorn's power. The latter just guessed what the former was thinking like it was nothing.
"Wait... I thought you said earlier that you couldn't use your ability?" Grimshaw inquired, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Yes, I did. In fact, I had no connection to my shadow ability when I arrived here initially. However, after meeting someone who was connected to either my past or future, I realized that a little of my powers were restored... And that person is you!" Blackthorn's voice held a hint of delight, as if he found the situation amusing.
Grimshaw's mind reeled with shock and disbelief. He had unwittingly become entangled in Blackthorn's schemes, his actions unknowingly contributing to the restoration of Blackthorn's powers.
"(Cursing under his breath) This can't be happening..."
"Oh, but it is happening, Grimshaw. You played right into my hands, just as I knew you would. And now, you will pay the price for your foolishness." Blackthorn's voice was cold and menacing, sending a chill down Grimshaw's spine.
"(Desperately) Please, Blackthorn, spare me! I'll do anything you ask, just don't hurt me!" Grimshaw pleaded.
"(Chuckling darkly) Spare you? Oh, I have far worse things in mind for you than mere pain. But first, I have some questions that need answering." Blackthorn's eyes gleamed with malice as he loomed over Grimshaw, his shadowy form casting an ominous silhouette in the dimly lit room.