Noble of Valenwood, Adrian Karzak, Viscount
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 3, Day 24
Outside the city of Valenwood, to the north of the Imperial Territory
-If you kill me right now, you will regret it, sir…
I don't know why his words hit me like a lightning bolt. His words are full of self-confidence, not a desperate move as I initially thought. They weren't proud words; they were full of incredible confidence. My heart pounded.
-If you kill me right now, you will regret it, sir…
The image of my daughter lying in bed came to mind... my poor daughter... my sweet daughter... she is going to die... I won't be able to save her.
-If you kill me right now, you will regret it, sir…
His eyes were like a pool of deep darkness, his hair was a matte black like the depths of the abyss… there was no fear in his eyes, he was calm, serene as if his own death was not a big deal. Is he really 15 years old? At death's door, he is so calm... He is not an ordinary boy... not at all... he is something else. When I received the report of the incident, I couldn't believe it.
I saw the body of the dead man, his flesh torn, and his bones shattered into a thousand pieces. I could see the path the boy's fist had taken... a direct punch to the heart, terrifying. How could a 15-year-old boy do such a thing…
I saw him kneeling on the ground, even though the cold blade of one of my soldiers' swords was right at his neck, he never hesitated, nor begged for his life. During the short conversation I had with him, he was calm...
-If you kill me right now, you will regret it, sir…
I clenched my fists, hearing him mention my daughter's death made me kick him in the face. He didn't make a sound of pain, didn't whimper, didn't cry out in agony. I gave him a strong kick. He simply adjusted his posture and continued looking me directly in the eyes, those black eyes... they are scary... an unknown force made my bones tremble, I could feel as if through his eyes thousands of creatures were looking directly at my soul, beasts waiting to devour me alive if I dared to kill the boy.
He is dangerous, very dangerous, he is a monster. In my years of life, I have experienced many things: death, wars, my hands are stained with blood... a lot of blood, I have killed children and women... babies. I have faced many monsters, battles to the death… I will use those men as cannon fodder to have the slightest chance of stealing the plant... it is a bet... there is no guarantee of succeeding.
-If you kill me right now, you will regret it, sir…
My daughter… she is going to die, but this boy, he says he can save her... he says he can, but his eyes are very frightening. I have never felt this fear that reaches my soul. How can a mere boy have such a look in his eyes?
His words kept echoing in my head… it is as if he were giving me a warning…
-If you kill me right now, you will regret it, sir…
*****
Twilight Initiator, Zed, Son of Shadows, Shadow
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 3, Day 24
Outside the city of Valenwood, to the north of the Imperial Territory
You are thinking about many things right now, I can see it in your eyes, you are doubting... you are pressuring yourself… you are judging whether to kill me or let me live...
Think... think and overthink, doubt your own words and thoughts... let your own mind cloud your judgment, let his mind consume his last hope, let, let…
-If you don't believe me, sir, let me show you how I plan to steal the plant.
The last chip was thrown... everyone is watching me... everyone waits in silence... the blade of the sword is still cold, but it no longer has the intention of killing me, his soldiers are doubting seeing how their lord hesitates… perfect… very easy, very simple, you are intelligent noble lord, you can be ruthless but your weakness, your only weakness is your daughter and I will use it to my advantage… To get out of this place alive, I will use you, the lunatics from the cart, your soldiers, and lastly your beloved daughter.
I will use you as a piece on a game board, right now I have the power in this place...
-G-Go ahead.
You doubt, you doubt yourself to the point of stuttering... your soldiers step back and stand guard, their eyes also doubtful... you are afraid, right…? Afraid? Why are you afraid… of losing your daughter or of a 15-year-old boy... tell me, let me see your eyes noble lord, let me look at you closely… let me use you… let me devour you alive from the inside… let me show you how I get out of this place alive.
It's night, there are many shadows, they look at me, they wait for me, in the darkness of the night, my body becomes invisible, my body disappears, my presence vanishes, now I can kill you and your soldiers noble lord... you are defenseless… your eyes search everywhere, you are desperate, do you think I am going to escape? Do you think I am going to kill you? Tell me noble lord, why are you drawing your sword, tell me noble lord why are your soldiers so agitated, tell me noble lord what are you afraid of.
Search for me everywhere, you will not find me, because right now you are playing in the palm of my hand…
Let me see your fear… let me see how you fall into despair, it's very amusing.
-You are worse than I am, son.
I remember my father's words, maybe he is right, I am worse than that trash, I am worse than my father…
Tell me noble lord, can you save your daughter without my help, I am not sure, maybe you will die and your soldiers too, while your daughter rots in her bed waiting for her father to save her...
In the darkness of the night, I am the lord, the one and only true lord.
Are you sweating a lot noble lord? Is your breathing irregular? Are you trembling?
-Sir… I can save your daughter…
The lord loses the strength in his legs… he falls to his knees breathing heavily, maybe he is going crazy… I am not sure, my body reappears… I am in front of him, he kneels and raises his head...
-Just leave everything to me, sir… I will save your daughter… I will steal the flower and give it to you.
Your eyes… his eyes… full of fear and despair.
What pleasure! What fun! What a masterpiece! Am I smiling? Am I happy? Yes, of course I am, right now I am smiling, the first time in my life that I smile naturally...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
This is life!
Everyone in the room fell silent, they were all afraid, they all didn't know what to do, their lord is trembling… they are too.
Do they fear me?