As they emerged from the vehicle, the group's apprehensive chatter filled the air. Stepping into the therapy office, they were greeted by the soothing ambiance and the friendly face of the receptionist. With a gentle smile, she ushered each member to their designated seat in the waiting area, where they would await their individual summon.
Leroy, it's your time for therapy," the receptionist called out, her voice gentle but clear. She gestured toward the door to her left. "Right this way, please.
Leroy stood up, smoothing his worn jeans and taking a deep breath. He followed the receptionist's guidance, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The door creaked open, revealing a cozy room with calming colors and plush furniture.
"Have a seat, Leroy," a soothing voice invited from within.
Leroy stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the warm lighting. A middle-aged therapist with a kind face and compassionate eyes greeted him.
"Hello, Leroy. I'm Dr. Nova. Please make yourself comfortable."
As Leroy settled into the couch, the door clicked shut behind him, enveloping him in a sense of privacy and vulnerability.
Dr. Nova's warm smile filled the space between them. "How are you today, Mr. Dark?"
Leroy's response was curt. "Breathing."
"Progress," Nova said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm Dr. Nova. Today, we'll take small steps."
Leroy nodded, his unyielding gaze locked onto hers, betraying the turmoil beneath.
Nova: So, Mr. Dark, tell me your life story.
Leroy's gaze narrowed as he noticed a shimmering barrier envelop the room, pulsing with energy like a supernova.
Leroy: Define life.
Nova's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she leaned forward, her gaze locking onto Leroy's. "What have you gone through in your life, Leroy?"
Leroy's smirk grew wider. "Valuable lessons."
Nova's expression turned sympathetic. "OK, well, what about your mother—"
Leroy's eyes flashed with anger, and he abruptly stood up, cutting off Nova's question. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Nova stunned.
Nova's eyes lingered on the door, her thoughts racing. "Let's learn more about this enigmatic boy..." She picked up her office phone and spoke to the front desk. "You can send the next person in, please."
As the door opened, a new patient entered, and Nova greeted him with a warm smile. "How are you doing, Grim?"
Grim leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Nova. "I'm well," he replied, his voice low and even.
Nova's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Wanna ask you one question, Grim: how would you describe life?"
Grim's expression turned solemn. "Like a mercenary."
Nova's interest was piqued. "Tell me about it."
Grim walked over to the chair and sat down, his movements fluid. "I get a call, and a voice says, 'Yes, sir, you are appointed to assassinate someone in the most gruesome and slow way.' 'Yes, sir, I will do it without fail.' They give me the coordinates, and I head there, knowing I have to record it. The voice reminds me, 'Grim, this is very important. Unless you want answers about your chains, do the mission right.'"
Nova's eyes widened, intrigued by the darkness in Grim's words.
As Grim continued, his voice became detached, describing a scene of brutal efficiency. "I leap into the fray, targeting the neck and side of the chest, knowing they wear body armor. My blades strike true, and I complete the mission, awaiting further instructions."
Nova's gaze never left Grim's face, her thoughts racing with the implications of his words. She knew she had to dig deeper, to uncover the secrets behind Grim's enigmatic presence.
Grim ascended the building, his daggers at the ready. With swift precision, he eliminated anyone who dared stand in his way, moving from room to room with deadly intent. Families, children, women, and men all fell before him, their screams echoing through the halls.
As he turned a corner, two figures emerged from the shadows, their faces faintly visible. They were bodyguards, and Grim could sense their tension. The air was thick with the smell of smoke from their cigars, which they casually puffed on as they approached him.
The Wolves, as they called themselves, circled Grim in a slow, menacing dance, their eyes gleaming with an unnatural light. They shed their shirts, revealing razor-sharp claws and moon-white eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness.
"What brings you here?" one of them growled, their voice low and menacing.
Grim's response was cold and detached. "You know why I'm here."
The Wolves chuckled, their eyes glinting with amusement. "Do we, or do you?"
As they closed in, Grim activated his ability, Amaterasu. Chains erupted from the ground, encasing his body in a protective armor. His strength and agility surged, and he prepared to face the Wolves' deadly embrace.
Grim charged at one of the Wolves, but the other Wolf attempted to flank him. Anticipating this, Grim leapt into a spin, hurling his dagger at the flanking Wolf. However, the Wolf transformed back into human form and caught the dagger with his bare hand.
The Wolf stumbled, his eyes widening in shock, as a deadly toxin from the dagger coursed through his veins. He felt his body burning, his skin sizzling with an otherworldly fire.
The Wolves retreated into the shadows, their haunting howls echoing through the halls as they summoned their pack. A sea of snarling, snapping wolves emerged, encircling Grim. As they closed in, their bodies began to merge, forming a single, humanoid wolf creature.
Its ears were razor-sharp, its eyes gleaming silver like the moon. Its body was a masterful blend of strength and agility, its muscles rippling beneath its skin as it moved. The creature's gaze fixed on Grim, who stood beneath the roof window, bathed in the moon's ethereal light.
The Wolf creature began to stroll towards Grim, its pace deliberate and menacing. Grim stood firm, his chains glowing with an intense, fiery light, as he prepared to face this new, terrifying foe.
The Wolf creature moved with an unnerving slowness, its eyes fixed on Grim as it closed in. Grim's gaze was drawn upward, his eyes locking onto the Wolf's as it towered over him.
"What have you done to make yourself look like that?" Grim asked, his voice firm despite the unease creeping up his spine.
The Wolf's response was a low, rumbling growl. "Why do you think wolves stay together all the time, Grim?"
Grim's eyes narrowed. "There is power in numbers."
The Wolf began to circle around him, its movements fluid and menacing. "You are right about that. There is a saying that goes like this: the pack is nothing without the leader."
As the Wolf stepped out of the moonlight, its form seemed to blur and fade into the darkness. "The leader is nothing without the pack."
Grim's gaze darted around the darkened room, his senses on high alert as he strained to see beyond the shadows. He stood alone, bathed in the moon's silvery light, surrounded by an unseen pack of wolves waiting to strike.
The wolves spoke in unison, their voices a chilling chorus. "Now, ancestors, let the moon shine upon us."
As they spoke, the Wolf creature began to leap from light fixture to light fixture, its movements swift and agile. With each jump, its smile grew more sinister, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.
The Wolf appeared beside Grim's ear, its hot breath sending shivers down his spine. "What are you most afraid of, Grim?"
Grim's response was firm. "Nothing."
The Wolf reappeared behind him, its voice low and menacing. "Are you sure, Grim?"
Grim's eyes darted around the room, trying to pinpoint the Wolf's location. "I'm sure. I'm still trying to locate where you are."
The Wolf's next words sent a chill down Grim's spine. "What about your brother?"
Grim's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about him?"
The Wolf emitted a strange, soothing sound, like the call of sirens. Grim felt its presence everywhere, his senses overwhelmed.
Without hesitation, Grim bolted for the door, his flame step fueled by the wind, which made the flames rage even faster. He had to escape, to get away from the Wolf's unnerving presence and its sinister intentions.
Grim's gaze snapped towards the sound, trying to locate the Wolf's body. But it was too late. He felt a chilling presence surrounding him, and suddenly, the Wolf's arms wrapped around his head, slamming him into the wall.
Grim's eyes widened as he saw two legs wrapped around his arm, realizing the Wolf had been attached to him the whole time, unseen and unnoticed. The Wolf's body dissolved, leaving a mark on Grim's skin.
But Grim reappeared instantly, his body now with an oily, smooth texture. He attempted a swift hit to the Wolf's temple, aiming to weaken its legs.
The Wolf, however, was prepared. It ducked Grim's attack and countered with a powerful headbutt, using Grim's own strength against him. The Wolf's hand broke under the force of Grim's punch, but it didn't falter.
The two engaged in a fierce exchange of blows, each strike landing with precision and power. Grim began to notice the Wolf's weakening state and seized the opportunity.
With a swift palm strike to the nose, Grim caught the Wolf off guard. He quickly moved behind the Wolf, grasped its neck, and snapped it with a swift motion, ending the battle.
Grim's eyes locked onto the Wolf's spirit, his voice firm. "Fuck yourself."
The Wolf's spirit smiled wryly. "We'll see if you have the same attitude in farewell. Your beliefs will be tested, but let's see if your understanding is there."
With that, the Wolf's spirit vanished, leaving Grim to ponder its enigmatic words. He proceeded to the next room, where he found the boss waiting. His contractor called him once more, issuing a chilling instruction: "Do what you want to do. Make sure it's recorded, and when you're done, you'll get your reward."
Grim's heart raced as he approached the boss. He began breaking him down, his movements swift and precise. The boss screamed in agony, but Grim's determination never wavered. Finally, the contractor's voice rang out once more: "Here's your reward. Lift the mask off his face."
Grim's hands trembled as he pulled off the artificial mask, revealing a face that made his blood run cold. His eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the realization: he had just killed his own brother.
Fierce emotions swirled within him - sorrow, disbelief, and pain. How did it come to this? How was he set up to commit such a heinous act? And what was the true nature of this "reward"?
Grim's voice cracked as he spoke, "That's all I'd like to share. I'll take my leave."
Nova nodded sympathetically. "Okay, thanks for sharing with me, Grim."
As Grim departed, Nova called the front desk to send in the next patient. The door opened, and Jester entered, his laughter and footsteps preceding him.
Nova greeted him warmly. "Hello, Jester. How are you today?"
Jester's grin was infectious. "I'm good, if I say so myself. And you, Nova?"
Nova's expression turned thoughtful. "I've had my fair share of struggles, Jester. But I'm here to listen to yours."
Jester's laughter filled the room. "Don't we all, Nova? Don't we all?"
Nova's eyes locked onto Jester's, her voice gentle. "Well, Jester, how about a time in your life? A memory that stands out to you?"
Jester's grin faltered for a moment, and a hint of melancholy crept into his eyes. "I've had many wonderful times in my life, Nova, but one particular memory... I may share."
Jester's voice dropped to a whisper, his words painting a vivid picture. "My mom and three brothers and I, we were very poor. But our mother, she was an angel, always putting others before herself. She'd come home with these delicious meals, and we'd eat our fill. But then, we'd have to clean our plates, and... and change our fourth sibling's diaper."
Nova's expression turned somber, sensing the pain beneath Jester's words.
"One day, our mother called us upstairs, and... and we saw our brother licking the plates clean, giving his leftovers to our fourth sibling. And then, they'd change his diaper, and... and beat him. For years, Nova. Years."
Jester's laughter, once so infectious, now seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a haunting sorrow.
Nova's voice was gentle. "Jester, you may leave now."
Jester's response was unexpected. "I wish I could, Nova. And also, Ms. Nova, could you show me your scars?"
Nova's brow furrowed. "Why, Jester?"
Jester's laughter grew louder as he reached the door. "I want to see how many times you needed someone, and no one was there." With that, he exited the room, leaving Nova to her thoughts.
Nova's mind raced, trying to process the weight of Jester's words. She thought back to her own scars, the ones she kept hidden from the world. The ones she thought she had long forgotten.
As she sat there, lost in thought, the door opened once more. A figure entered, his presence commanding attention.
"Nova, I see you're still indulging in these... sessions," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Nova's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Ryker?"
Ryker's smile was cold. "I want to know what secrets you're hiding, Nova. What scars you're hiding beneath that mask of yours."
Nova's voice was firm. "I'm not hiding anything, Ryker. And even if I was, it's none of your business."
Ryker's laughter was menacing. "Oh, but it is my business. You see, Nova, I have a vested interest in your... well-being. And I always get what I want