The boys eyes fluttered open, his head pounding as he regained consciousness. He tried to move, only to realize he was tied to a chair. In front of him stood Neato and Roman, their expressions unreadable in the dim light of the old house.
"What the fuck do you want?" the boy spat, his voice hoarse with anger.
Roman stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at the boy. "I want you to join us," he said calmly. "But it's not like you have a choice."
The boys response was immediate; he spat in Roman's face, defiance blazing in his eyes. Roman wiped the spit off with a calm demeanor and sighed. "Okay, then. That's how it is."
Out of nowhere, the boys body convulsed in pain, a searing agony that made him gasp and choke. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to breathe. Just as suddenly, the pain stopped, leaving him panting and disoriented.
Neato leaned in, a sympathetic yet knowing look on his face. "Yeah, I know how it feels. It feels bad, right?"
Roman nodded towards Neato. "Untie him."
Neato walked over and carefully untied the ropes binding the boy. The boy rubbed his wrists, glaring at Roman with a mix of anger and fear. Roman reached into a bag and pulled out a black suit, handing it to the boy.
"Get dressed," Roman ordered.
The boy hesitated but then took the suit, slipping into it silently. He then grabbed his sword, his eyes never leaving Roman.
"Good," Roman said with a nod. "Now let's go, Kael. I guess we're done here."
As they stepped out of the house, Neato glanced around the bustling streets of Verdonia. "Why not explore the city a little bit?" he suggested, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
Roman's response was curt and final. "No."
END OF CHAPTER 8