Everyone was shocked by Amadeus's courage to face death without fear. "Such bravery from such a young child is amazing," said High Priest Archibald.
"Don't mistake my actions for bravery. Death with my family is much better than living with this human trash," Amadeus spat, disgusted by the villagers' actions.
The villagers bowed their heads in shame and guilt as Amadeus walked past them. "Amadeus, we are sor..." one of the villagers began, but he was silenced by a deathly glare full of rage and hatred from Amadeus.
Amadeus continued walking towards his mother. "You say you're sorry? I don't want your pitiful apologies, you worthless shit," said the soul inside Amadeus as dark smoke began to cover more of the light.
Celestina hugged Amadeus as soon as he reached her. "Amadeus, don't worry. Everything will be fine," she said, trying to hold back her tears and forcing a fake smile.
"Yes, Mother. As long as we are together, everything will be okay," Amadeus replied, rubbing his mother's hair to calm her down.
"Amadeus... my son, I am sorry," Celestina said as her tears started to fall uncontrollably.
"Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault," said the soul inside Amadeus, and the darkness completely covered the light.
The two minotaurs began moving to cover all exits, ensuring no one could escape. "Now, shall we start the sacrifice ritual?" said High Priest Archibald, opening his arms and casting a spell.
[Altar of Sacrifice] chanted High Priest Archibald.
A giant golden magic circle appeared on the ground, covering the entire area. In the center was an altar made of mana, waiting for the sacrifice.
"Well, this is very exciting. Who should I sacrifice first? Maybe..." High Priest Archibald began, but he was cut off by Alexander.
"Me. Start with me," Alexander said.
High Priest Archibald responded with a demonic smile. "So, you want to play the hero until the end?"
"I am no hero. I am just a father who couldn't protect his wife and children," Alexander said, broken and depressed, unable to lift his head to face his family.
"Then please, Baldwin, will you do the honors?" said High Priest Archibald.
"Sure, it's about time we finish this," said Paladin Baldwin, his menacing voice sending chills down the spines of everyone present.
Alexander was teleported from his chains to the altar, where his hands and legs were bound. This was one of the effects of the spell, allowing the user to teleport anyone inside the circle directly to the altar.
Paladin Baldwin, a tall man around 190 cm with a muscular body worthy of a paladin, approached. He was covered in golden armor, his face hidden by a helmet, and the emblem of the god Alpha engraved on his breastplate. He stood above Alexander and drew his greatsword from his back. The sword was adorned with golden carvings, and though it looked new, it had clearly seen many battles.
"Tell me, do you have any last words?" Baldwin asked, looking at the broken Alexander.
"Celestina, Thomas, Beatrice, Elizabeth... Amadeus, forgive me. I couldn't protect you because I am too weak. Please forgive me," Alexander said, squeezing his teeth in anger, tears of regret and shame falling from his eyes.
Celestina covered Amadeus's eyes as Baldwin raised his greatsword. "My god of light Alpha, take this loyal follower into your warm light as an offering from us to bless our journey to defend your realm from invaders," Baldwin prayed, his greatsword gradually being covered with golden light.
As Alexander's head rolled on the ground, a scream broke the silence. "Alexander, noooo!" Celestina screamed in pain as her husband's head rolled on the ground. Screams and cries filled the air from Alexander's family.
"Mom, covering my eyes won't make a difference. I still hear the screams and cries, and most importantly, the sound of my father's head being cut and falling to the ground. If this is it, then at least I will die with my family," Amadeus said, while his family had a mental breakdown around him.
"No, this is not it. I can't just die," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark smoke became denser and started turning into a liquid.
"Next," Baldwin said, looking at the family.
"I will go. Elizabeth, cover your brother's eyes," said Celestina. She was teleported to the altar, and Baldwin repeated the same words before cutting her head.
Amadeus could feel his sister's hands shaking as their mother's head rolled on the ground. "Everything is going to be okay. It isn't like I could do anything," Amadeus told himself.
"Nothing is going to be okay," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark liquid started to cover him, beginning with his legs.
"I will go first, sister. We were born together, and for sure we will meet in death. Just don't leave me alone for too long," said Beatrice, trying not to show her fear.
Beatrice was teleported to the altar and executed by Baldwin. "Brother, can you take my place for me? I am going to meet our sister," said Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was teleported to the altar and executed by Baldwin. "It's almost my turn, and all this will end. This nightmare will end," said Amadeus.
"Death will not be the end of this nightmare," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark liquid reached his chest.
"Look, little brother, promise you won't open your eyes no matter what happens," said Thomas as he took his hand off Amadeus, who was still closing them.
Thomas was teleported to the altar. "Sorry, brother, I can't keep this promise," said Amadeus as he opened his eyes. There he saw Baldwin execute his brother, and his head rolled to the ground where all the bodies of his family were thrown.
"Nooooooooooo!" Amadeus screamed with all his power, nearly losing his mind from what he saw.
"Nothing is going to be okay, and death will not be the end of this nightmare because I won't let it end, not before I take my revenge," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark liquid covered the soul completely. A set of two red eyes emerged from the liquid, and with a roaring scream, a berserk monster emerged.
Outside, Amadeus had entered a berserk state, launching himself at Baldwin, screaming and crying, "Kill, I will kill you all! I won't forgive a single one of you!" He hit Baldwin's armor with his bare hands repeatedly until his hands were shattered and bleeding.
Now, Amadeus was not in control; it was the soul whose rage overwhelmed him. "Hm... such words from a child. You are more like a demon than a human," Baldwin said as he grabbed Amadeus's head and started crushing it, lifting him to his face to have a good look.
"You bastard, I won't forgive you, no matter what. I won't forgive," Amadeus said, trying to break free.
"Child, you should never say what you can't do. Then your words will be more worthless than air," Baldwin said, placing Amadeus on the altar.
"Any last words?" Baldwin asked as he lifted his greatsword in the air.
"Yes, I have last words. You, High Priest Archibald, I will kill you 100 times, no, 1000 times, or maybe millions of times, or billions. I will make you beg for hell as it will be better than what I will do to you. And you, Paladin Baldwin, I will cut off one of your arms and one leg and both your eyes to turn you into a crippled man begging on the street," Amadeus said with a demonic smile and tears made of blood.
"Hm... so you will turn me into a crippled man? Child, what did I tell you before about empty words?" Baldwin said with a little smile.
"My god of light Alpha, I offer you this child, a loyal follower. I hope you accept him into your light and bless us in our mission to protect your realm," Baldwin prayed, and his greatsword was fully charged.
Amadeus gave High Priest Archibald and Paladin Baldwin a good look, ensuring he would never forget their faces.
As Baldwin's greatsword came down, cutting through the air, it finally reached Amadeus's neck.
And with that, everything became dark, and the soul inside Amadeus fell into an endless abyss.