The tension from their earlier conversation still lingered in the air as Sam, Masha, and Sara stood on the balcony. Sensing the heaviness of the mood, Masha decided it was time to break the tension with something more... thrilling.
"Alright," Masha said, clapping her hands together with a mischievous grin. "Let's lighten things up a bit. I've got an idea."
Sam raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's on your mind?"
Masha's grin widened. "How about we head back to the training hall? I want to see what you're really capable of. Let's go a few rounds with the monsters Eren brought in—no holding back this time."
Sara, who had been standing quietly, nodded in agreement. "It's night, so no one will see us. And I'm curious too. I've seen what you can do, Sam, but I want to see you unleash your full power."
Sam chuckled darkly, a hint of something dangerous in his voice. "You really want to see that? Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Meanwhile, across the palace, Eren Waldivor was still in his chamber, his thoughts consumed by the mysterious boy who had shattered a Firen's eye with a mere fork. The image of Sam's casual destruction played over and over in his mind, gnawing at his curiosity.
When he noticed movement outside his window, he peered out and saw the three heading toward the training hall. His heart quickened when he recognized Sam among them. "What are they up to now?" he muttered, suspicion driving him to follow them.
The trio reached the training hall, the grand space cloaked in shadows under the faint moonlight. Masha flicked on a few dim lights, casting long, eerie shadows that danced across the room.
"Alright, Sam," Masha said, her voice echoing in the empty hall. "Let's see what you've got."
Sam stepped forward, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked, his voice low and almost menacing.
Sara and Masha exchanged a glance, sensing a shift in Sam's demeanor. There was something darker, something almost predatory in the way he carried himself now. They nodded, curiosity mixed with a hint of unease.
Unseen by the trio, Eren slipped into the shadows at the back of the hall, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to witness whatever was about to unfold.
Masha walked over to the control panel on the wall, pressing a few buttons. The heavy doors at the far end of the room slowly slid open, revealing the monsters—three C-rank beasts, their eyes glowing with a sinister light. They were powerful creatures, each one brimming with a primal ferocity that would make any ordinary fighter quake in their boots.
But Sam was far from ordinary.
He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto the first monster. "Let's play," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The monsters roared in unison, charging at Sam with all their might. The ground shook beneath their weight, and the air was filled with the sound of their savage growls. But Sam didn't flinch. He didn't even move.
The first monster reached him, its massive claws slashing down with deadly force. But in the blink of an eye, Sam sidestepped the attack, his movements so fast that he seemed to blur. He reappeared behind the creature, his hand glowing with an ominous energy.
Without a hint of hesitation, Sam drove his hand into the monster's side, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through its body. The creature howled in agony as its flesh tore apart under the pressure, its blood splattering across the floor.
Sam didn't stop there. He twisted his hand, causing the monster to scream louder, its cries echoing through the hall. It was as if Sam was toying with the creature, drawing out its pain for his own amusement.
Masha and Sara watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with shock. This wasn't the Sam they knew—the boy who always had a smile, who joked around and kept things light. This was someone else entirely. Someone darker.
"Sam…" Sara whispered, her voice barely audible.
But Sam didn't hear her. He was too focused on the monster in front of him, the thrill of the fight consuming him. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the creature crashing into the wall with a bone-shattering force. The impact left a crater in the stone, the monster's body hanging limp, but still alive—just barely.
The second monster hesitated, sensing the danger, but it was too late to retreat. Sam turned his gaze on it, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Your turn."
The creature roared and charged, but Sam was ready. He caught its clawed hand mid-swing, his grip like iron. The monster struggled, but Sam's strength was far beyond anything it could comprehend. He twisted its arm with a sickening snap, the bone breaking like a twig.
The creature let out a pitiful wail, but Sam showed no mercy. He slammed his fist into the monster's chest, driving it to the ground with a force that cracked the very floor beneath them. The creature lay there, whimpering in pain, but Sam wasn't finished.
With deliberate slowness, he placed his foot on the monster's head, pressing down just enough to cause it to squirm. He could have ended it in an instant, but he didn't. Instead, he looked over his shoulder at Masha and Sara, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
"This is what you wanted to see, right?" he asked, his voice dripping with a dark amusement.
Masha could only nod, her voice caught in her throat. Sara looked away, unable to bear the sight.
Eren, hidden in the shadows, felt a chill run down his spine. This boy—this thing—was terrifying. The way he moved, the way he toyed with the monsters—it was like he was enjoying their suffering. Eren's suspicions were confirmed. Sam was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.
The third monster, now the only one left standing, watched in terror as its companions were mercilessly taken down. It roared in a final act of desperation and charged at Sam, its claws ready to tear him apart. But Sam didn't even flinch.
As the creature lunged, Sam moved faster than the eye could follow. In an instant, he was behind the monster, his hand resting on the back of its neck. With a quick, brutal motion, he slammed its head into the ground, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the hall. The creature didn't even have time to cry out before it was rendered unconscious.
Sam straightened up, breathing heavily, his eyes wild with adrenaline. He had won, but there was no joy in his victory—only a cold, terrifying power that left the hall in eerie silence.
"Enough," Sara said suddenly, her voice trembling. "Sam, that's enough."
Sam blinked, as if waking from a trance. He looked around at the carnage he had wrought, the broken bodies of the monsters lying in heaps around him. Slowly, the dark energy that had surrounded him began to fade, and the familiar, light-hearted Sam began to return.
He turned back to Masha and Sara, offering a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away."
But neither of the girls smiled back. They could only stare at him, still processing what they had just witnessed.
"That… that was something else," Masha finally managed to say, though her voice was unsteady.
Sara didn't say anything, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and concern.
As the group made their way out of the hall, Eren stayed behind, his thoughts racing. He had seen enough to know that Sam was no ordinary boy—he was a force of nature, a being of unimaginable power. And now, more than ever, Eren was determined to learn the truth about him.
Back on the balcony, Sam stared out at the night sky, his mind unsettled. He had shown more of his true self tonight than he had intended, and he could feel the weight of the girls' stares on his back.
"Something on your mind?" Sam asked, his voice softer now, almost as if he were trying to reassure himself as much as them.
Sara hesitated, her voice quiet when she finally spoke. "You were… different tonight. Scary."
Sam nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess I was."
Sara's gaze softened slightly, but the concern remained. "Just… be careful, Sam. Don't lose yourself."
Sam smiled faintly, though there was an edge of sadness to it. "I'll try."
As the night wore on, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that something inside him was beginning to change—something dark and dangerous. And he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep it under control.