The remnants of Viktor's anguish echoed through the room, each wave crashing against the walls like a relentless tide. His mind was a tempestuous storm, with emotions churning and colliding in a chaotic maelstrom. Every thought was a battle, every memory a weapon.
Amidst the wreckage of his own turmoil, Viktor stood alone, haunted by the ghosts of his past. The events of that fateful night played out in vivid detail, tormenting him with their unrelenting grip on his consciousness. He could still see the fear in William's eyes, the desperation in Han's final moments, and the silent resignation on his own sister's face.
"Was it worth it?" Viktor murmured to himself, the sound barely audible over the cacophony of his self-loathing. "Was it worth sacrificing my humanity to save myself and those I hold dear?"
But there were no answers, only the oppressive silence that filled the room and suffocated him with its weight. Outside, the sun crept higher into the sky, casting long shadows across the floor and exposing the shattered pieces of his life scattered around him.
Viktor's knees buckled under the weight of his remorse, crushing him like a leaden shroud. Tears streamed down his face, mixing with the dirt and rubble of his shattered determination.
"I apologize," he managed to say through sobs, his voice cracking from emotion. "I'm so sorry..."
But his words were met with silence, falling into the vast emptiness of his room. There was no one around to hear his confession or absolve him of his wrongdoings. He was completely alone, a solitary figure drifting in a sea of his own creation.
As the morning sun bathed the world in its warm glow, Viktor remained lost in the darkness of his own soul, battling against the demons that threatened to consume him entirely.
Emeline furrowed her brow in confusion as she struggled to open the stubborn door, growing increasingly worried about Viktor's well-being. It was as if an invisible barrier was keeping her out, created by the immense weight of his anguish.
"Viktor, please... Let me in," she begged, her voice filled with concern. But there was no response, only the heavy silence within his room and the distant sound of his muffled cries.
Emeline took a step back from the door, letting out a heavy sigh. Her heart ached for her troubled brother, but she knew she couldn't force her way in without risking further damage to his fragile state of mind.
Instead, she made the decision to wait. She would stand outside his door, keeping vigil until he was ready to face the world once again. She would be there for him, just as she always had been - a bright light in the midst of his darkness.
With a heavy heart and a silent prayer for Viktor's well-being, Emeline prepared for the long wait ahead. She was determined to offer him whatever comfort and support he needed during this difficult time.
"Vikky..." Emeline's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke. "I'm here for you, always. You don't have to go through this alone."
For a moment, Viktor's resolve wavered as he heard the genuine concern in Emeline's words. He wanted to let her in, to find solace in her presence. Yet, the weight of his guilt held him back - the fear of burdening her with his darkness too great to bear.
"I can't, Em... not this time," Viktor's voice cracked with emotion. "I need to figure this out on my own."
Emeline's heart twisted with a sharp pang, her chest feeling tight and constricted. She longed to reach out to him, to break through the barriers he had built around himself. But she knew better than to push him further. She had seen the turmoil in his eyes, felt the weight of his inner struggle.
"Okay, Viktor," Emeline whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the sounds of their surroundings.
The thrill of the hunt coursed through Viktor's veins, the rush of power as he exerted control over life and death. The sense of invincibility and dominance that came with his newfound abilities still lingered within him, like a dark shadow refusing to be banished by any amount of light.
Despite the horror and guilt of his actions, there was a small part of Viktor that found pleasure in the act of hunting down his prey, relishing in the adrenaline-fueled pursuit. And that realization terrified him to his core.
He now understood that the darkness within him ran deeper than he had ever imagined. It wasn't just a momentary lapse or a desperate act born out of circumstance. It was a fundamental aspect of his being, a sinister impulse waiting for the opportunity to be unleashed.
No matter how hard Viktor tried to bury these dark thoughts and suppress the urges that threatened to consume him, he couldn't shake the feeling that they would always be a part of him. And that realization filled him with a deep sense of dread, knowing that the line between good and evil, between humanity and monstrosity, was far thinner and more treacherous than he had ever dared to imagine.
***
Anger seethed beneath the surface of Werner's calm facade as he communicated with the nobles through the telepathy line. Each word was laced with frustration and impatience, and the news he received about Viktor's involvement in a disturbing situation only added to his exasperation. In the midst of this tense moment, Karl, Viktor's older brother, arrived at his father's office seeking permission for his own aspirations.
Karl stood hesitantly before his father, voicing his desire to join a prestigious school and eventually enlist in the Royal Guard. As he spoke, Werner's expression softened slightly, recognizing Karl's determination and potential.
"If that is truly your wish, Karl," Werner replied, his tone now composed. "But remember, joining the Royal Guard is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires dedication, discipline, and unwavering loyalty to the kingdom."
With a nod of understanding, Karl turned to leave. However, before he could fully exit the room, Werner's next request caught him off guard.
"Also, please fetch Viktor for me," Werner added urgently.
Feeling a sense of unease settle in his stomach, Karl made his way to find his younger brother. He located Viktor's room and knocked softly on the door, unsure of what awaited him on the other side. The sound of shuffling from within only heightened his uncertainty.
"Viktor? It's Karl. Our father wants to speak with you," he called out, hoping for a response. As he waited anxiously for his brother to answer, Karl couldn't help but wonder what could have happened to prompt Werner's summons. Was Viktor in some kind of trouble? Or perhaps he had accomplished something noteworthy? Either way, Karl prepared himself for whatever news awaited them in their father's office.
"Viktor! Come on, stop hiding in there!" Karl shouted, banging impatiently on his younger brother's door.
"Fucking idiot," he muttered under his breath.
Finally, the door slowly creaked open, revealing the disheveled figure of his brother in the middle of the room.
"Dad wants to see you."
Viktor turned to his older brother, Karl, and asked, "What does Dad want?"
Karl's face lit up with mischievous delight as he replied, "He said he needed to talk to you about something. And he sounded really mad." He tried to hide his laughter as he added, "So whatever it is, you better do it."
Viktor's mind raced with worry. "Does he know? Did Emeline tell him?" He paced around the room, biting his thumb in nervousness. "What if he kicks me out or beats me?" His thoughts were interrupted by Karl's nonchalant comment, "Well, you know where to go," before walking back to his own room.
He shook his head and snapped out of it; he couldn't afford to dwell in despair any longer. It was time for him to make a bold entrance as the new boy.
With a small grin on his face, he made his way through the never-ending hallways and corridors of the castle until he finally arrived at his father's office.
Viktor couldn't help but be taken aback by his father's appearance, momentarily forgetting about his own nerves. He couldn't recall the last time he had seen his father smile, let alone look so different from the stern, imposing figure he was used to.
"Please, come in Viktor," Werner said with a surprisingly gentle tone, stepping aside to allow his son into the office.
Feeling a mix of trepidation and unease, Viktor cautiously stepped into the room, his senses on high alert. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"H-hi, father." Viktor's voice came out in a muddled whisper.
"Viktor, come in and sit." His father held the door open for him.
The room was decorated with massive red walls and matching chairs, giving off an imposing air. The Empire's banner hung above, dominating the back wall. As Viktor took in his surroundings, he noticed that there were two separate sections to the building. The main room had a large round table that could easily seat 40 people, while to the right of the entrance was a wooden door leading to Werner's private office.
Viktor couldn't help but feel small and insignificant in this grand setting, filled with power and authority. His father's presence only added to the intensity of the room. Despite the inviting gesture to sit, Viktor felt like he was walking towards his own execution.
Werner led Viktor to a smaller room and poured him a glass of water. This sudden attention from his father made Viktor's radar go off; he had never received this much interest from him before, and it was making him nervous.
Viktor couldn't help but wonder what his father was up to.
"Viktor, let's be honest with each other," His father said, all traces of giddiness gone from his face. "Do you have any involvement with the white devil?"
Viktor looked at him in confusion, shaking his head no. "N-no..." It was the truth.
Werner leaned forward from his desk. "What about the three men who were killed last week? It was on the top floor of a casino, where people claimed to have seen you and your maid."
Viktor's eyes widened as he gulped nervously.
"Father, they were... They were hurting her! They were hurting Emeline!" Viktor stood up from his chair, shouting in defense.
"Calm down, boy... You did well. You killed those men without many witnesses. That's impressive, son."
It felt as though time had stopped for Viktor. His heart pounded in his chest and his palms were slick with sweat. The word "son" had never escaped Werner's lips before, at least not directed towards him. Viktor didn't care much about his father's desires; he knew he was being used for whatever dubious tasks his father had planned. Despite this manipulation, the mere thought of gaining his father's approval stirred a warmth within him, something he craved amidst their typically cold relationship.
As Werner's request hung in the air, Viktor's face quickly transformed from frustration to eager compliance, like an excited puppy stumbling upon a pile of treats. "I want you to complete some jobs for me," Werner announced, his words carrying a weight that would unsettle most people, but seemed to have little effect on him. To Werner, Viktor was like a rare gem buried under layers of dirt - valuable but untapped potential. A gem that could also carry out darker deeds, although with an innocence that bordered on naivety.
Werner's towering figure loomed over his son, his disappointment radiating off him in waves. Despite possessing impressive abilities - heightened senses, a keen intellect, mastery over unspoken magic, and proficiency with a blade - Viktor was held back by his own timid nature. He was a paradox: a precious gem with immense potential, yet too afraid to truly shine.
But it wasn't Viktor's physical strength that held him back, it was the fragility of his mind. Prone to emotional turmoil, he struggled to control his formidable gifts - a vulnerability that could be understood in a child facing such weighty circumstances.
"Viktor," Werner's voice cut through the air, dripping with anticipation. "Do you know what happens when someone does something well?"
"N-no..." Viktor stammered, uncertainty etched across his face.
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Werner's lips.
As he spoke, his voice was laced with excitement and anticipation. "They get a promotion," he stated simply, the words carrying a weight of promise and possibility. The air seemed to shimmer with the potential for success and growth as those words hung in the space between them."